MeFi still down at work...Help!

February 26, 2009 6:39 AM

Remember when the MetaFilter forum was down a couple weeks ago due to server problems? I'm glad it's back up and working again, but from my desktop at work, I still get the "splash" screen that MetaFilter is having a massage (or whatever it said - from memory) and is down. Now what do I do?
posted by Rad_Boy to computers & internet (7 comments total)

Try holding shift and hitting reload. If that doesn't work, then it's likely a proxy issue.
posted by chrisamiller at 6:43 AM on February 26

Thanks, chrisamiller, but what is or how do I fix a "proxy issue"? I've already tried the shift-reload technique, and I've deleted all my cookies.
posted by Rad_Boy at 7:08 AM on February 26

On windows, Control, Shift and R together will clear the cache for that page and reload it.
posted by Happy Dave at 7:08 AM on February 26 [1 favorite has favorites]

what is or how do I fix a "proxy issue"?

If you're talking about your computer at work, the answer is probably 'check with your IT department.'
posted by box at 7:26 AM on February 26

Yep. Is your internet access filtered? If so, that's one clear sign that you're behind a proxy. Even if not, many workplaces will be.

What that means, in most cases, is that your employer has set up a filter between you and the internet. When you want to grab Metafilter, your computer says "hey proxy server, give me mefi". The proxy server does one of two things. If it has a recent copy of the mefi page stored, it serves that up to you. If it doesn't it goes out to the internet, grabs one, then serves it up to you. If the expiration date is screwed up on your proxy server, it can keep serving you up old versions of pages. In this case, it probably has something to do with the DNS switchover.

In any case, its largely out of your control. You'll need to talk to IT.

You can also try typing in the new IP manually: 174.132.172.58
posted by chrisamiller at 7:39 AM on February 26

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm posting this from work... I was able to get here by clicking on my "Recent Activity". I still am unable to access the main Ask MetaFilter page my usual way or by clicking on the New IP provided by chrisamiller. BTW, I've been able to access that page w/o problems from work until the aforementioned server outage. I guess the route is to ask my IT department, but of course, they'll ask me to justify it, etc. Maybe time will heal it.
posted by Rad_Boy at 8:56 AM on February 26

yeah, I would be reluctant to ask IT to fix it...

Unless, like, they are already working to get that problem with your porn access cleared up as well.
posted by HuronBob at 9:02 AM on February 26 [1 favorite has favorites]