Is anyone else getting a frequent "Server Hangup" message when loading pages? I refresh and it's fine but it's happening a lot.

Okay I think it's specifically the Marvel Universe thread that's doing this, although it also happened once when going to Message Center...from Marvel Universe.

A note from our host:

Hey Jesse,

We want to remind you about an important PHP update that affects the following domains you have hosted at DreamHost:

- buffistas.com - buffistas.net - buffistas.org - filk.buffistas.org

Starting on January 19, 2016, we will begin automatically updating domains from PHP 5.3 and PHP 5.4 to PHP 5.5. You will get an email when the update is complete.

We're updating PHP because: - PHP 5.3 has already been End-Of-Lifed (EOL'ed), which means the product is no longer receiving security updates from the developers at PHP.net. - PHP 5.4 is EOL'ed. - PHP 5.5 will EOL in July 2016. - PHP 5.6 is well tested, stable, and has been in production since August 2014. You can check out all the cool features on our wiki.

Most sites should update just fine from PHP 5.3 or PHP 5.4 to PHP 5.5. However, there are some cases where sites can break -- usually from custom or third-party scripts, or from using out of date 1-Click Installs. Our wiki has all the details.

If you are ready to update your sites to PHP 5.5 right now, click here to begin.

Anything we need to do for this?

It probably won't be an issue.

Probably.

Fingers crossed!

I guess that raises a question for me of if we should make the change on our own schedule, in case anything does go wrong, rather than waiting for it to happen automagically?

Are we still using mysql? If so, at some point, we'll need to update all the mysql functions to mysqli functions. [link]

That sounds like a bunch of work. DO we have people that can do that?

I could do it. I'm sure others, like Scola, also have the ability. I don't think it should take more than a few man hours. In any case, there's no rush. The current mysql functions still work under PHP 5.5.

Ah, but do they work under PHP 5.6?

Hi Jesse,

Please allow us to apologize for the previous message about upgrading the PHP version on your account. While this is going to happen in the future it was not intended for this communication to go out to you at this time and you will not be upgraded on the 19th as specified in the email you received nor was the version information accurate. The correct date for the upgrade is March 1, 2016 and the version we are upgrading to is 5.6 rather than 5.5. We will be in touch about this again at a future date but please let us know if you have any questions or concerns in the meantime: Click here to contact DreamHost Support

Thank you!

The DreamHost Support Team

The mysql stuff should be fine under 5.6.

Hey Jesse,
We want to remind you about the important PHP update that affect the following domains you are hosting at DreamHost:
buffistas.com
buffistas.net
buffistas.org
filk.buffistas.org
Starting on March 1, 2016, we will begin automatically updating domains from PHP 5.3 and PHP 5.4 to PHP 5.6. You will get an Email when the update is complete.
We're updating PHP because:
PHP 5.3 and 5.4 have already been End-Of-Lifed (EOL'd), which means those versions are no longer receiving security updates from the developers at PHP.net.
PHP 5.5 will be EOLed in July 2016.
PHP 5.6 is well-tested, stable, and has been in production since August 2014. You can check out all the cool features on our wiki. Most sites should update just fine from PHP 5.3 or PHP 5.4 to PHP 5.6. However, there are some cases where sites can break -- usually from custom or third-party scripts, or from using out-of-date 1-Click Installs. Our wiki has all the details. If you are ready to update your sites to PHP 5.6 right now, click here to begin.
And as always, we're here to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Click here to contact DreamHost Support.
Thank you!
The DreamHost Support Team