I don’t like these ads any more. I used to not mind the freepathon ads asking for donations. But now, without any guarantee that the site will be available, how can the ads be the same, claiming that our donations would keep the site running? They didn’t. Before the next ad, there should be some sticky notice guaranteeing some tech changes that ensure the site will be running. Many sites run well on less than $350k a year. I’m sure FR could be one of them too. I’m happy for every amount JR and family can make from FR. But an ad for underwear or garden furniture would be less offensive than the same ad promising that my donation will keep FR running well. Change the ads please.
This affair has been largely volunteer.
That said, surely there are some high tech rednecks who might be able to re-architect the system.
I’d hope at the least that there would be some way to snapshot the system while it is running correctly still. Then if something hiccups, go back to the last sane snapshot. Some material would be lost, but it would be better than having FR collapsed for days on end.