MetaChat - The Future of MetaChat?

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13 June 2025

The Future of MetaChat? Hello all. This post Is an update on my research about hosting this site and its future.

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I heard from seanyboy and they had the login credentials for the hosting service. When I logged in I saw that the credit card on file (chrismear's) had been declined on 9 June, which means the clock is ticking.

Unless someone knows otherwise it looks like chris was paying about $US24 per month out of his own pocket to host this site. I assume that is not something someone else wants to do, but if I am incorrect let me know.

What I do NOT know:

* The admin username/password for the b2evolution CMS for this site.
* While the domain is good for another 11 months, without hosting that really isn't relevant.

There is no person listed as the contact in the WHOIS for the domain, but the contact information is a phone number and address in Iceland. I have reached out to Kattullus to see if they are that contact, but I have not heard back.

In the email I sent to everyone listed on the About page I outlined what I think are the options moving forward. But I want to emphasize that I am not volunteering to do more than report the results of my research... and MAYBE pay a one-time charge to the hosting company to buy time. I have reached out to them (rimuhosting.com) to explain the circumstances and ask for a grace period. With the account past due it isn't possible to transfer the domain. If it is paid up that can happen.

To keep the website going as is:

* will mean either transferring the hosting to another person and they can decide how to fund it.
* Finding out who owns the domain and figure out how to pay for that.

Other options:
* Start a new site on a free service such as Wordpress.com (or elsewhere). If access to the admin credentials can be found then it MAY be possible to export/import the old data. I have no idea how it works with b2evolution.
* Let it go and find other ways to share. A reminder that Eideteker set up the Discord which has been fun. More on how to join that is here: http://metachat.org/index.php/2024/12/02/_64

This isn't an exhaustive list, but I needed to post something soon as the clock is ticking.

I will be out of town starting on Friday, 20 June and will not have much Internet access while I am.

posted by: terrapin at: 10:25 | 10 comments

Thank you, sir, for all your hard work. You've been at this non-stop for weeks now. 🫡

posted by eideteker 13 June | 10:58

I cannot even make an informed suggestion. I think it's laudable how much effort you've put in already.

Things have slowed down here so much that I hate to say, but it doesn't seem viable. And crazy enough, I didn't know there was a discord all of these years. But I will join that and hope others do likewise.

posted by mightshould 14 June | 15:42

I have joined the Discord but I'm not really sure how it works. Is it like a chatroom? If so, because of the time difference, I'm never able to take part when other people can, hence liking a website I can dip in and out of and reply in my time, without it being lost in the ether.

I agree MeCha has been in the doldrums for a while, as people have established connections outside the site. I'm very old-school where tech is concerned and hate change, but if we are to continue MeCha in some form, it looks as if Discord will be it.

posted by senyar 14 June | 17:04

It's worth repeating (since it's new for many of you) that we have an airlock on the discord. That means you are dropped in a waiting room when you join the server; that's not the actual chat room. We ask that you please accept the terms with a written acknowledgement so we know it's you and you're there to play nice. We want to keep the server secure to folks we know and trust!

Also, please feel to contact me directly on any platform if you have questions! I'm here to help and pull as many soggy bunnies onto the boat where they can get nice and dry and maybe have a refreshing drink or share some pet photos.

ty!

posted by eideteker 14 June | 17:40

Hi all. The latest update is that the site has been downloaded/archived. Another member (who can speak for themselves) will pay the outstanding hosting fees and transfer the domain to a holding area. This all will buy time while the community decides what, if anything, to do. But the site is going away at least for the time being.

I am very pleased to see so many of you wonderful people joining the Discord. Warms my heart. Thanks.

posted by terrapin 16 June | 10:29

Thanks to all who have been involved over the years and at present time in looking after the backend of this space. Ot was such a lovely community in the active years.

posted by mightshould 16 June | 17:22

Been a while since I logged in, but this was such a warm and friendly community. Thanks so much for all your work!

posted by theophileescargot 17 June | 13:11

Let's not use the past tense so soon! The community may be scattered but it still exists and will. It is so good to see so many familiar folks on the discord, and I hope others will join to stay in touch while the changes occur.

posted by terrapin 19 June | 14:50

I have joined the Discord site but despite being there in several other groups already, I can't seem to get the hang of anything past the basics. Eide, do you know if there is a beginner's section over there that I could take a look at?

Happy to see some familiar names in here.

posted by initapplette 24 June | 16:08

Eide, do you know if there is a beginner's section over there that I could take a look at?

Pinged you over there in the #discord-help channel. And if you right-click on my name, there should be an option there to DM me any questions you have!

posted by eideteker 25 June | 13:55

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