resurrectionsong

January 26, 2005

Where's That Freakin' Burnt Offering?

I'm not a tech guy. I'm not a real geek; I'm just a graphics geek.

So, when I had a client ask if they could switch hosting over to my server but still keep their old mail service, I asked tech support.

"Sure, you can do it," they said. "All you have to do is either modify the MX setting if you switch their DNS records to our DNS servers or modify the A record in their current DNS setup to point to the IP that is assigned to their site."

Cool, I think, and then proceed to do the work getting their site finished. I cut over the DNS records late last night, modified the MX setting to match their current setting. I send an email, it doesn't bounce back, I feel good about life.

But, of course, I have somehow offended the Computer Geek Gods, possibly for believing that a mere graphics geek could labor in the land of DNS without offering up burnt sacrifices and gifts for the CGGs. The call I got from the client's representative this morning wasn't quite frantic, but it was certainly insistent. The setup wasn't working.

Scramble, scrambe, scramble...

I've cut the DNS entries at Network Solutions to their original name servers, I've modified a few of the entries in their old DNS zone records, and I've sat here wondering precisely what kind of sacrifice the CGGs like most.

If you know secret invocations to calm the Gods of the Computer Geeks, say a little prayer for me. I'm fairly certain I'll need it.

Posted by zombyboy at January 26, 2005 10:30 AM

Comments

Number one, tech support doesn't have much job security if they're teaching everyone else how to do their job.

Number two, I've learned the tech gods like to punish graphics guys, it's not your fault but too many of them believe that just cause they do graphics for web pages - it makes them web designers. That pissed off the tech gods and now they exact punishment on all graphics guys.

Tech support probably set you up for a fall anyways.

Posted by: Hector Vex at January 26, 2005 11:05 AM

Is it a delay in DNS propagation? I just like to ask questions that make me sound smart.

Posted by: andy at January 26, 2005 11:22 AM

So, when I had a client ask if they could switch hosting over to my server but still keep their old mail service, I asked tech support.

Wrong answer (as Hector implies).

The correct answer is, "I'll bribe one of my tech support guys to set that up for you."

Partial credit for, "No."

Posted by: McGehee at January 26, 2005 11:49 AM

If you need a hand with this, drop me a line.

Matt

Posted by: Matt at January 26, 2005 11:50 AM

If I have the opportunity, I'd always rather see how to do something like this on my own. I figure that if one person asks, then there is a good chance that someone else will ask someday, too; I don't like being reliant on others to do the work for me if there's a way for me to do it myself.

Ugh.

I just wish it had gone better. Luckily, the client is patient with me.

Posted by: zombyboy at January 26, 2005 12:01 PM

Dude. Sorry to hear that. Was it M that called? Where's Jerry when you need him? Good luck getting that fixed.

Posted by: Don O at January 26, 2005 12:13 PM

Yep, it was M that called, and, yep, the uber-geek would have been pretty darned useful at that particular juncture (or the night before while I was busy making the original mistake).

Posted by: zombyboy at January 26, 2005 12:17 PM

It takes 72-96 hours for DNS changes to propogage throughout the Internet world. It is NOT an immediate process.

It looks like you did the right things. Your error was in thinking it would take effect immediately. This is something that is best planned for, with lots of warning to people. You need to do things like remove all email links from the website and put up a notice that email will be down for 4 days.

Good luck.

BTW, I have it on good authority that instead of burnt offerings the geek gods much prefer a good Porterhouse steak, preferably from the BBQ. It goes without mentioning that all the fixings should be provided also.

Posted by: Remy Logan at January 26, 2005 12:38 PM

Said fixings including several rounds of the libation of their choice.

Hell, for that kind of burnt offering, I would have tried to set that up for you.

Consider yourself lucky you didn't bribe me.

Posted by: McGehee at January 27, 2005 12:22 PM

Said fixings including several rounds of the libation of their choice.

Mmmmmm, libations. Now if only I could find an employer that would let geek gods accept offerings during the work day.

Posted by: Remy Logan at January 27, 2005 05:03 PM