Error when running importalbums.php

[asabet]

So don't you think that makes it unlikely that Hostgator needs to do something to fix it?

[asabet]

This is the reply I got from Hostgator after they looked into this issue:

Hello,

Here is the relevant apache error I got when running your script:

[Sun Jan 24 18:13:04 2010] [error] [client 216.110.94.227] \x07Out of memory (Needed 1008192 bytes), referer: Log in - Micro Four Thirds User Forum - vBulletin Admin Control Panel


Your script is needing more memory. Unfortunately we are not allowed to change the memory allocated to your account. Shared hosting has a set amount of memory they are able to use. If having the ability to run this script is very important to you, perhaps you would like to look into a VPS (VPS Hosting | Linux VPS Servers with cPanel from HostGator) or a dedicated server (Dedicated Servers - Dedicated Web Hosting with Linux or FreeBSD). I apologize for the inconvenience.


Regards,

Eric C.
GNU Linux Systems Administrator
HostGator.com LLC

How can I be the only one in 9 months with this issue? Either everyone else is on a dedicated server (not the case, right?), or not many people have tried this script, or my albums are especially memory intensive (seems unlikely since we don't have that many albums and photos are limited to 1MB each).

Chuck, is there anything I can do? Can the script be modified to import in parts?

[Chuck S]

Hello

Your own host is acknowledging it is your server setup and fault and is telling you on the account you have with them you can not alter server settings. You need to move to an account that you can if you want this to work which I show is what they are trying to tell you. Sometimes the cheapest hosting account is not the best option. There vps is expensive though wow. I have plenty of hosting opinions if you need them

[asabet]

If that is the problem, then item #2 on this page should have a big asterisk saying that shared hosting on popular hosting providers may not provide enough memory to support the importer script.

I think it's misleading as written.

[Chuck S]

Sorry but its not misleading in any manner. We cant control hosting server setups. If your on a cheaper hosting plan that may restrict your setup in regards to memory etc and they wont budge you would need to change hosting. That would be on your host.

For example try this host they are nicely priced and great support. You should be fine there

Reliable & Affordable Web Hosting, Managed Dedicated Servers, Reseller Hosting, E-commerce Hosting, Website Design & Domain Hosting - WestHost

[asabet]

Originally Posted by Chuck S

Sorry but its not misleading in any manner.

So we disagree.

[Chuck S]

Sure we can disagree thats our right as human beings. All I am really saying is we can tell you the basics of what is needed to run the software on a server.

We can not guarantee every last aspect of a software is going to run on every last hosting setup. Hostgator limits alot of your php stuff because your on their cheap shared hosting. Thats a hosting issue. lets put this into context you will understand.

Look at your exif issue your reporting. We can give you exif functionality in the software but thats only if your host supports it. They dont have exif installed so you cant use that part of the design. We release a free importer for you to import your albums content but because of your current hosts webservers cant use it. We cant control that. make sense now.

If your host gave you more memory to overcome your issue it would probally work. You could see if they could temporarily raise it for you to run that script but if there unwillingness to work with you is a sign of there brand of customer service then I would seriously consider taking my business elsewhere. Being that our application is software I can do what I can to help but we are limited by your hosting setup. If your host is unwilling to budge there settings there is nothing we can do.

[asabet]

Originally Posted by Chuck S

Sure we can disagree thats our right as human beings. All I am really saying is....

Sometimes, especially on an internet forum, it is better to leave it alone after "we disagree".

Your company knows very well that many vBulletin forum owners are on relatively inexpensive shared hosting plans, and Hostgator is a very popular one. Since your company knows this, and understands that their page is marketing directly to lots of people in my situation, it seems to me that the honest thing to do is explain the requirements. In other words, explicitly recommend checking with your hosting company to see if you have the capability to run the script before counting it as a feature of the product.

When Microsoft sells Windows 7, the retail package lists the minimum requirements. They don't just say that it works and then tell you, when it doesn't work on your old, dilapidated computer, "Too bad, it's not our fault you have a crappy computer". Compared to that, your company is falling short, and I'm using a popular, current hosting solution, which is not even analogous to an antiquated computer.

As for the rest of your post, I appreciate your helpful advice and am trying to see whether Hostgator will temporarily raise the memory as you said. If not, I may indeed have to switch hosts.

Regarding the EXIF issue, do you know for sure that my host doesn't have exif installed, because I called them, and they told me that it was installed by default and is installed on my plan.

[Chuck S]

Your company knows very well that many vBulletin forum owners are on relatively inexpensive shared hosting plans, and Hostgator is a very popular one. Since your company knows this, and understands that their page is marketing directly to lots of people in my situation, it seems to me that the honest thing to do is explain the requirements. In other words, explicitly recommend checking with your hosting company to see if you have the capability to run the script before counting it as a feature of the product.

Listen I am just trying to explain the situation to you. we released a side script that can import vb albums into vbgallery for vb3. No one has ever reported issues with it. we have no idea what hosting anyone is on. If there is nothing your host will budge or do to correct a hosting issue that they even acknowledge is there issue then there is nothing we can do. Software is limited by the hardware. Thats the nature of the beast here.

I will look at your exif thread.

[asabet]

I hear you. Unfortunately, the idea of moving to a different host intimidates me. The process sounds way over my head.

Anyway, thanks for your efforts in helping me with this.

[Chuck S]

yeah your only recourse is going to try and reason with your host and try to have them temporarily work with you even if just to do the import.