Currently experiencing a problem - Site cannot be reached

[nowster]

Pings don't tell you anything about the server's load, just that you can reach it.

These 503 errors are a sign that something internal to the server has become overloaded. They're very common if an AI bot is repeatedly scanning a site, which is why you see a lot of sites popping up a "proof of work" checker before letting you in nowadays.

[RichardA]

So I spoke too soon then! I'll have to monitor it further.

Pings don't tell you anything about the server's load, just that you can reach it.

These 503 errors are a sign that something internal to the server has become overloaded. They're very common if an AI bot is repeatedly scanning a site, which is why you see a lot of sites popping up a "proof of work" checker before letting you in nowadays.

If by 'proof of work' you mean something like Cloudflare (as used on Digital Spy forums), I did look into it some months back, but I think there can be some potential issues getting to work with forum software.

[Kremmen]

PocketGPSWorld uses the Cloudflare verification, maybe Maft can reveal how he did it

They had access problems for quite some time due to bots

[nowster]

... which is why you see a lot of sites popping up a "proof of work" checker before letting you in nowadays.

If by 'proof of work' you mean something like Cloudflare (as used on Digital Spy forums), I did look into it some months back, but I think there can be some potential issues getting to work with forum software.

Stuff like Anubis or one of the tarpits like Nepenthes.