What happened to Smokingpipes.com

[tedswearingen]

Many have noticed that our site was down yesterday/today. This was the result of a DDoS attack We've got some band-aids on now and are working feverishly to get this all sorted out. I didn't take a shower today and Sykes hasn't slept a wink. I'll keep ya'll posted!

 

[wallbright]

Thanks I was wondering what happened. I hope you get everything back and operational.

 

[tedswearingen]

We'll be fine. Just a lot of figuring out hypothetical "what-ifs". It's like a crime drama around here.

 

[bubbadreier]

While I have you here, all last week and part of this week I have been trying to place an order through you but every time I tried to checkout it would tell me I have nothing in my cart. Was this caused by whatever took your site down?

 

[tedswearingen]

Hmmm... I can't say for certain, but I highly recommend giving us a call and placing an order with Brian, Mark or Kaye if you've not been able to get what you want. However, the site SHOULD be working now.

 

[bubbadreier]

Okay I will try it again! Thanks for the reply!

 

[duncan]

Just wanted to let you know I had the honor of doing buisness with your online establishment the other week and wanted to say thank you for a great experience.

 

[tedswearingen]

Thank you! We're proud to be out there, selling awesome pipes and great tobacco.

 

[unclearthur]

Thanks Ted . You folks are about my favorite online tobacco shop. BTW , you wouldn't have relatives in Northern Wisconsin ? I know folks by the same name Up that way.

 

[tedswearingen]

None that I'm aware of but it's a big ol' country out there!

 

[fred]

Thanks Ted. I appreciate the effort you guys put into providing a

quality site for us all. It's really a bummer that anyone would take

a cheap shot like this DDoS attack..., which I'm glad you guys know

what it is, because I don't. Yes, I'm a tech-primitive.

 

[tedswearingen]

I'm not too tech savvy myself! It was a very long process to determine what was wrong with the database and it's been a real pain to fix it. It's too bad that someone might do something like this. Such a waste of time. I'm just sorry ya'll haven't been able to get serviced your pipe and tobacco needs!

 

[hauntedmyst]

It's ok for now, but I think a 50% all new and estate pipes for pipesmagazine.com member is a great way of saying "Thanks for hanging in there"

 

[admin]

Here's a great blog post explaining it in an entertaining way. You have to give Sykes a lot of credit for having a sense of humor and creativity when something like this happens.
I probably would have committed a homicide.
Check it out:

http://secure.smokingpipes.com/blog/1/2010/09/24-hours-of-panic-or-how-to-survive-a-DDoS-attack.cfm

 

[kcvet67]

bubba,
The problem you're having isn't related to the attack. I have had the same thing happen in the past. You need to clear temporary. browser files and cookies.
Open the "Tools" drop-down menu and click on "Internet Options". Under the section "Browsing history" click "Delete". That should take care of it. You'll have to log-in to any sites that normally "remember" you since their cookies will be gone.

 

[bubbadreier]

I do that daily anyway, I am a computer science major (my focus is on hardware though) and it still didn't work for the last week and a half... I used the wife's computer and it did the same thing during the week! It worked today though!

 

[tedswearingen]

Kevin,
Sykes was AMAZING during that storm. He stayed level-headed and kept a very good humor about the whole thing. I think he was even a bit flattered!

 

[krgulick]

tedswearingen
I must add to a previous poster to say that you have an amazing company. I am in Las Vegas and ordered some tobacco on a Friday at about 1.35 PM (4.35 Eastern Time). I received an order confirmation AND tracking info within 15 minutes of placing the order. This was on the Friday leading into the Labor Day weekend. I currently am enjoying the shipment of tobacco now and would highly recommend your company to all who will listen. I hope everything gets back to normal for you guys shortly. Again thanks for providing a wonderful site with great service to us pipe smokers.

 

[tedswearingen]

krgulick,
I'm glad to hear about your positive experience with us. This is the kind of stuff that brings a smile to my face and makes me proud to be where I'm at.
Pipes and tobacco... what a great thing!

 

[krgulick]

Long may you and Sykes be in such a position, kind sir. A lot of us are very loyal customers and really appreciate all you guys do.