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Simtropolis Returns! 05/26/2026
See here for details about our site recovery efforts.
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Verifier HQ: File Verifying Info & Discussion
Cyclone Boom posted a topic in The Planning Commission
Verifier HQ File Verifying Info & Discussion Hiya, y'all! (As Cori would say.) You might be wondering, what exactly should a Verifier do? Well, that's what this post aims to clarify, and this thread serves as a place to ask anything A-to-Z about verifying. The basic principle is to check over what's already been uploaded. We realise with so many files to restore, there is always potential for a few mistakes to happen. We anticipate there will be a number of corrections we'll need to make, and that's all part of the process. No one will be held accountable for errors. We just need to focus on fixing anything which isn't quite right. ---------- By this point, we recommend reading the Restoration Tracker topic, which features an overview: On the Restoration Tracker, for a file to be marked as Verified, it must be checked by 2 volunteers. These don't have to be staff members, but just 2 independent people. The qualifying criteria is you must download all file entries first. This then makes the Mark Verified option available in "File Actions" on each tracker row. Additionally, you can use the checkboxes to mark multiple files as verified in one go (assuming you've downloaded to test them all). Here is a series of steps which we recommend you do to check each file: 1) Check all the images at the top. Click them each and use the arrow keys to navigate to them all. Ensure they each load fully. 2) Read the description and look for any missing images. If there are any attachment files, make sure they download. A description which has broken attachments won't prohibit us from verifying files, but if able to fix them we should attempt to do so. 3) Make sure any attachments aren't meant to be the actual files under the Download button. Otherwise we'll need to upload them properly. This applies to anything in the description, or even in the Changelog section. 4) Remove the message banner (if not already). This can be done via the Restoration Tracker under the "File Actions" menu. Alternatively you can remove message banners using the batch controls. Message banners may only be removed once a file has been restored to the entry. 5) Click the main Download button. If there is only a single file, it should download. Otherwise if multiple are available, you'll be shown a dialog panel where each individual file can be downloaded. Check that each file downloads fine. 6) Check to make sure the download(s) match what's expected from the file entry. For example, if there is a commercial set of midrise buildings, you shouldn't have downloaded a rural themed set of shanty houses. It's pretty common sense, but worth making sure. 7) If you've downloaded a zip, rar, or 7z archive, open it up (you might need 7-Zip for this task). The key is to ensure the file opens as expected, and if you can, make sure the file extension matches the archive format. A handy option 7-Zip has is the "Test archive" function when right clicking. This will then tell you whether the archive is indeed a zip file, or if it's been incorrectly named with another file extension (I've made that mistake before). 8) Should there be a Readme file, open it up and check to make sure the description matches (at least partially). Not all files will have such documentation, but for those that do it can be a handy way of cross-checking. ---------- At this point there's hopefully complete confidence the file is as it should be, and you can then click the Mark Verified option. If at any stage you notice issues with the file, stop and click Add Note for the file on the Restoration Tracker. This allows you to specify anything you've noticed which isn't right. It then can be the task of Processors to go through and make sure everything is in order before a file can be verified. Alternatively you can post in this thread to ask for a second opinion. Someone can then take a look and see what might need correcting. As with the other 2 threads, please post below if you've any queries or comments. Thanks everyone for the help!- 39 Replies
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Processor HQ: File Processing Info & Discussion
Cyclone Boom posted a topic in The Planning Commission
Processor HQ File Processing Info & Discussion Hi all! As part of your ST Recovery Team privileges, you have editing access to all STEX files which were lost. By now a number of these have already been restored, but there are still numerous which we need help to restore. Additionally, there might be some existing restorations which need an extra file, or more images, etc. For any file which has been restored and yet to be verified, you're most welcome to edit. I'll walk you through a series of steps to help with editing STEX files... Stage A: Preliminary Check 1) First determine what needs restoring: One or more downloadable files Any files and images Only images (no files) Note: You can use the Restoration Tracker to identify this per file (using the "All Missing" filter). Stage B: For Files (to be downloaded) 1) On a file entry, inside the "File Actions" menu, choose Upload New Version. 2) Keep the checkbox checked for saving the previous version. 3) Add a brief note into the changelog such as: Restored file entry for the Simtropolis Recovery Project. 4) Click Delete on any "0 bytes" files shown attached to the file. These would be old entries representing missing files. By deleting them from there, this ensures broken files won't appear under the Download button. Important Note: Keep any files which are intact and still worth being available. 5) If needing to restore images as well as files, proceed to Stage C below. 6) Otherwise, click Save to process the new version. Stage C: For Screenshots (images on the file entry) 1) Since you are uploading a new version, you can add images on the same upload page. 2) Click to Delete any images which have a missing main pic (thumbnail only), or for any images not displaying entirely. 3) Upload the new images in place. These can be originals from the upload, or ones you've gathered in game showing the item of content. 4) Once everything is uploaded, click Save to finalise the new version. Stage D: File Description Details 1) This won't always be necessary, but what we're looking for here are major oversights or omissions in a file's description. 2) Click Edit Details and open the editor, which allows you to edit the description. 3) Make any amendments as needed to the description text. 4) You may also replace attachments in this step, by deleting them at the bottom of the editor, and then re-uploading and inserting them in place. 5) Usually there won't be need to correct the title, but the option is there if necessary. Also you may add/remove tags too. 6) Once everything is finalised, click Save to confirm. You can repeat this process as needed, if worth editing again afterwards. Quick-ish Questions I want to add/replace images on a STEX file. Do I choose to Edit Details or Upload New Version? If only images are missing, Edit Details is the best option. A few weeks before we lost the old server, I added a new feature which allows managing images via the Edit Details page. This allows replacing images, and adding new ones, without needing the updated timestamp to change. The advantage of edit details is it becomes a silent edit, which is desirable unless we need to add a physical update to the files available to download. What's the difference between a thumbnail and a main image? Thumbnails show in the square boxes above a file's description. Main images appear when clicking a thumbnail, where they load in larger form. If a thumbnail only exists on a STEX file, it'll initially look fine. However, the placeholder image will show in place once viewing the main pic. I accidently created a duplicated version. What should I do? Yikes! That would be an absolute utter disaster. So in this scenario, there is only one option... You must quickly panic by running around in circles. Then as fast as you can, flee for the hills! I might not have much time to help due to RL stuff, but I can upload a few files now and then. Is this acceptable? Yes, that's completely fine! In fact, we imagine it's the case for many of you. There is no obligation of minimum needed to help out at all with anything. We appreciate every individual effort, which collectively will combine to completing the overall jigsaw puzzle. Even if you only want to post and discuss the logistics, that's fine too. Is there a timescale for when files must be restored by? No, there aren't any deadlines here. We also emphasise how speed isn't essential with the restoration process. It's more important to do an accurate job than a fast job, even though we've been amazed at the rapid process already from staff and file authors combined. So consider this a relaxed do-it-at-your-own-pace type project. Is there any limit to how many files I can restore? Yes, the exact limit precisely corresponds to the total files which need restoring. In other words, of the total available, there is no limit at all. The more the merrier. What about elsewhere than the STEX? Is there a way to restore forum image attachments for instance? There will be in a subsequent phase in the project. For now our focus is primarily on STEX files, to restore as many as we can within the next few months. However, attachment images and files will be a key priority. Any of your own attachments you're welcome to individually restore (see your list here). Understandably though, this process would be very tedious to do. As such in due course, my hope is to add controls onto the attachments list which allow you to easily replace files and images, without needing to individually edit items of content (e.g. forum posts or CJs). ---------- I'll stop rambling now. I think that's about everything. Do reply if you've any questions about the above (or anything related to uploading content). Thanks!- 22 Replies
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Sharer HQ File Sharing Collaboration Hi everyone! This thread is a place to discuss sharing files ST may have lost due to the destruction of our old server. In here is a place to coordinate efforts to find certain items of content, particularly those which are harder to find. At some stage, we might need to make a public appeal for particular files, but it depends what we still need. This is to cover STEX files, attachments (files and images), or other images from the Gallery, CJs, or other site sections. Additionally, for anyone who might have saved posts or topics from the ST Dark Age (after 28 Feb), please post those below in a format which is easiest for you. You may share links to files collections you may have (e.g. to Google Drive, OneDrive, etc). If someone else has already uploaded the same files you have, no worries at all. In actual fact, we encourage doing so, especially for files that haven't yet been restored. We imagine for some, there will be older uploads which are harder to locate, since the ultimate aim is to restore previous versions of content along with the latest iteration. Anyone who shares files may proceed with the processing efforts, but there is no obligation. Thanks all.
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STEX Restoration Tracker: Info & Discussion
Cyclone Boom posted a topic in Simtropolis Recovery Project
(The above does not represent the current progress. It is a hypothetical representation only!) STEX Restoration Tracker Info & Discussion Good news! The real-time page to track restoration progress is now (finally) completed and available. Preview pic: It can be viewed at the following URL... https://community.simtropolis.com/restoration/stex/ This topic serves as a mini guide, and also as a place where you can ask questions about it, report any issues, or suggest improvements. It's taken a good couple of weeks to develop this, and during this time we've seen a remarkable number of files already been restored. This is actually a very good thing though, because what the tracker provides is a real-time overview of what's been completed, and what still needs to be done. The info on the tracker will be updated every 5 minutes, so it'll be an accurate snapshot of the current restoration efforts. Layout Overview Firstly at the top, there are summary panels which total how many files have been: Restored Verified Still Missing And then the "Tracked Total" which includes any STEX file uploaded or updated after June 17, 2024. (Which was the date of our last full STEX backup.) Pretty self-explanatory for those, and then we have several filter options: STEX Tracker Search & Filter Options Filter / Control Description Author Search for an individual author's file entries. Category Filter by a specific STEX category (the main ones are listed first). Restored by A dropdown menu to filter by any files restored by specific staff or volunteers. Thumbnail Allows choosing between Small, Medium (default), and Large thumbnail images, which show in the table. Display Switch between Full (default), or Compact for the table, which allows fewer columns to appear. Search Allows searching for any particular file entries. You can also use the id:# prefix to find a file by its ID number (e.g. entering id:26793 will find the NAM). "Filter by" Specific Criteria Sub-Filter Description Any Missing Entries which have anything missing on them (files or images). Missing Files Entries with only files missing. This is the default option. Missing Images Entries that have only images missing. Duplicate Files Lists any entries which are duplicates of others, or have the same file uploaded. All Restored Lists all files which have been restored (whether verified or not). Restored (Unverified) Lists only files which haven't been verified. Restored (Verified) Lists only files which have been verified. With Message Banner Entries which have a "file missing" message banner still. With File Notes Lists any entries in the tracker which have 1 or more notes added. With Files Claims Lists any entries in the tracker which have 1 or more file claims added. All Tracked Files Lists the complete selection of entries, corresponding to the overall Tracked Total. Note: See more info below about File Notes and Claims. Table Columns Each of the columns are sortable when clicking the headings. This allows viewing entries by most files/images missing, or other combinations. Here is a summary of the individual columns and what they represent: File Entry: The title, author, date uploaded, and status text of what's needs restoring. Files List: Totals of how many files and images there are. These will be colour coded for red if missing, orange for partially missing, and green once everything is orderly and restored. The Notes total will be orange if there are any which need responding to. Click each of these to view a dialog which show the precise files assigned to the entry. This lets us see what's present or still missing. Found: The total number of File Claims. This represents how many people have a file, who can help with restoring if needed. Clicking this opens up a dialog with a summary of who has claimed what (files and/or images). We may wish to contact any of these people to assist with sharing them. Files: Indicates with a green checkmark or red crossmark, whether downloadable files for an entry have been restored. If partially restored, it will represent the current live status for how many are available. Images: Similarly will represent the status of how many screenshots on the entry are valid or missing. Verified: Whether the file has been approved or not. Shows a green checkmark once confirmed. Updated: The date when the file has been restored. Hover over to see the precise time. Restored By: Displays who restored each file. This will only be shown once a file has all entries in place, since we anticipate partial restorations will represent a work in progress. If the author does this, it will say File Author as the name. Volunteer / Staff Only column: Manage: There is a "File Tools" option with a range of functions. This includes copying the file ID number, adding notes, marking files as verified, and clearing message banners. Options will be greyed out if unavailable, with a message shown when hovering over each. There are also checkboxes beside each row, which then allows performing batch actions on applicable file listings. Other Options There are also a few extras to mention... Sticky Header: Allows the table columns to always remain in view when scrolling down. (Default is checked) Export CSV: Saves the current filtered data to a CSV file, which allows it to be imported into a spreadsheet. Some of you might be interested in this. Activity Log: Opens a dialog window with a list of actions as part of the restoration efforts. Reset Filters: Clears any filters you've set or table sorting, so everything returns to the initial display view (filtered by Missing Files). File Notes On the "Files List" column there is a total of notes for each file. This allows anyone to add a comment about the file in question. Then staff or anyone part of the ST Recovery Team can "check off" a note to acknowledge what it says. Notes can only be added on files which haven't yet been verified. Also, files can only be verified once all notes have been checked off. In effect this system is a way to mention any important details about each file. Perhaps there are additional entries which need adding. Maybe there is a Dark Nite version the author originally added. Perhaps something in the description isn't quite correct. It's a way to make anything like this known, so then we can collectively fix up issues as part of the process. File Claims No, this is not an insurance claim. (It's a way to express how you have content which can be restored.) Sometimes certain files might be especially difficult to locate. Maybe you have an older version which is worth restoring to the previous versions. Perhaps you've got saved copies of images which used to be on the STEX file entry, or have taken some screenshots yourself. For any files you might have locally and wish to help restore, feel free to submit a claim. Upon clicking the button: It'll open up a dialog like this: Then check any files you might have, and click the Confirm button. Even files which are "Present" you can check too, since sometimes there might only be lower resolution images or thumbnails. Once doing this, your username will be added to a list at the bottom. You can always return to the dialog and uncheck any files, to then remove your claim to have them. Verifications What does it involve for a file to be Verified? It means 2 people as part of the ST Recovery Team (including staff) have checked over to make sure a file has been restored properly. We'll be following a process to do this the best we can, which adds assurance to the restoration efforts. A file which has been verified means at least 2 people have downloaded all files on an entry, and checked out to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. In the event a file still needs something addressing after being verified, please let us know and we'll take another look. ---------- So that concludes a brief overview of the Restoration Tracker. Given the first phase of the project is focused around the STEX specifically, for now we're only keeping track of missing file entries. In time I'll expand this for an Attachments Tracker and perhaps other site areas like the Gallery, etc. Feel free to reply with any comments or questions you may have, and I hope this will be a useful resource for the restoration efforts.- 28 Replies
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A read-only topic to view FAQs, latest information, and key progress updates for the Simtropolis Recovery Project. Quick Links Simtropolis Returns! Initial topic commemorating the return of our beloved home. Calling All Volunteers! Interested in helping out with the project? If so, we invite you to post and join the SRT! Delete My File Message Banner! Have you updated a file and need the banner removing. Post here and we'll take care of it. Project Updates A list of posts noting important milestones about ST's road to recovery. Project Discussion Topics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: What measures are you taking to ensure such data loss never happens again? A: This is of utmost importance. Dirk has already setup a full daily SQL database dump which is copied externally. We will be implementing full backups of all site content, which is synced to an offsite cloud location I've purchased. Additionally, Cori and I will be making regular local copies of this, which we'll keep updated. We can assure you there are harsh lessons learned from this ordeal. We will not let this happen again. Q: So what data is missing, and what do we have preserved? A: To understand what's safe and what needs recovering, there are three time periods: All Lost: After 28 February 2026 to 26 May 2026: Unfortunately, because 28 Feb corresponds to our most recent database backup, any new member accounts, posts, or files created during these final three months are lost entirely. At best we'll be able to re-post files, and possibly some other site content. Text Only: 17 June 2024 to 28 February 2026: The text-based details of the site are safe. This means all forum posts, member accounts, and the actual STEX description pages are intact. However, the physical download files (e.g. zip) along with image attachments were lost, meaning we will need to restore them manually or programmatically. All Safe: Before 17 June 2024: Everything is completely intact. This includes all forum posts, member accounts, PMs, images, and STEX files. Q: How are we going to rebuild all the missing files? A: This is already in progress, but there's much more to do. Some authors have been diligently working to re-upload their own files, and we estimate ~20% of the files lost have been restored. Then for additional missing files, I'm currently working on a dynamic list known as the Restoration Tracker, which will help us view what still needs doing. This will be revealed soon, and we'll have a dedicated discussion topic where you can ask questions and post feedback. Q: If I see one of my own uploads missing from the STEX, should I just re-upload it myself? A: You're most welcome to re-upload your own content yourself, but please feel under no obligation to. The Recovery Team will be working to go through files and restore as much as we can. Other harder to find items we might need to make a community appeal for. If you do restore your own content, that all helps as part of the process. If you'd like any assistance or unsure what to do, please let us know! Q: I have backups of files but I'm not the original author. Can I still share them? A: Given these unprecedented times, yes. But best hold off for right now, as the Restoration Tracker will have a way to notify us of any files you have. Then as the volunteers begin the restoration, they will contact you if they need your copy. (We have big zips already offered which may or may not cover everything.) Q: Can you tell me about the new host? A: We've since acquired a new server from Hetzner (in Germany), which is at least 10 times more capable than our old one, with twice the RAM and a much more powerful processor. All this too for no more than our old host cost per month, which makes it excellent value for money. Additionally, Hetzner's tech support have been outstanding. When Dirk reported the instability issues, they presented a range of options. When we asked for the hardware replacement, the technicians completed the process within mere minutes (and free of charge). This gives us confidence we're on a much more robust platform. Q: How can we support Simtropolis financially to help cover costs of the new server? A: We want to emphasise how this isn't a crisis, but if you wish to help Dirk fund the hosting, there are 2 options: Donate via Gumroad which gives you access to download the STEX Collections. Donate via PayPal either as a one-off or recurring monthly amount. All donations are appreciated! They each help keep Simtropolis open and freely available.
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Hi everyone! Initial progress has been productive in restoring content, but we really need your help. We're seeking volunteers who are able to assist our recovery efforts in any capacity (big or small). We extend this invite to all active Simtropolis members. The Simtropolis Recovery Team (SRT) will be spearheaded by site staff (and led by Cori and me), but this will understandably be a task of mammoth proportions. At first it might seem like progress is slow, but then again we might surprise ourselves? There is absolutely no limit to the number of places on the team at any stage. Every little helps, and we'd be thankful for whatever you can assist with. What can volunteering involve? The main task will be to restore everything missing from after 17 June 2024 to March 01, 2026. That's 622 days of missing content. Logically, the primary focus will cover STEX content for SC4 and the other city-building games. SC3000 files won't be forgotten about here either, as there were a number of new uploads since the cut-off period (June 2024). There are also more niche files from Clubs, including for Banished. Depending on your comfort level and ability, you may request to help with any/all of the following: A) Sharing: Uploading content you have downloaded between the aforementioned time period. There are no worries about sharing files someone else might've already uploaded. It might be your copy is an older version which can later be restored. Having more files gives us a stronger baseline to work from. There might be clutter and chaos initially, but in time order will become more orchestrated. B) Processing: This will be the bulk of the work, spearheaded by staff. We'll be coordinating with volunteers to help physically upload files, ideally as the author originally had them. Instructions will be provided for anyone unfamiliar with the board software tools. C) Verifying: Making sure updates are valid, or if there's anything else which needs fixing or amending. Verifiers will have access to a "Verify" button added to the File Actions menu, which then marks a file as completely restored. I'll be developing a "Restoration Tracker" page to serve as a real-time index of progress. This way we can identify files which need finding, editing, and checking. Additionally, recovery efforts will extend to the forums, CJs, Gallery, and other areas. There will be a number of attachments (images, zip files, etc) which we'll be hoping to restore, many of which will require manual intervention. Every file is a small piece of the jigsaw puzzle. It's important to remember this will be a marathon not a sprint. For this reason, it'll be more important we restore files correctly and accurately as possible. Also we won't frown upon mistakes. This is a shared united effort, so we'll work as a team to ensure everything is done the best it can be. Please reply below, briefly explaining how you'd be able to help (as a Sharer, Processor, or Verifier), or even in other ways not listed. And it goes without saying, there are no rewards for volunteering, other than the humble moral satisfaction of helping rebuild our community. -CB & Cori
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This topic is for file authors who are updating their STEX file entries by fixing missing files and/or missing file images. There is a separate step needed to restore the Download Button. The file message banner CB added needs to be deleted and that is a staff only option. (Once it's gone, the button will magically reappear.) For now, you can simply post a linky to one or more STEX entries where you've fixed them and I (or other staff) will go delete the banner. I'm thinking we'll also then delete your post in this thread so that way we don't get confuzzled about which ones need our attention. As such, don't start any convo or ask any questions here.
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Firstly, welcome back! As many of y'all know, ST went down on 16 April, 2026 due to a billing error 2 days prior to that. The pathetic host decided to not only suspend the server, but to immediately delete it entirely, including the live site and both daily backups. There was no forewarning or communication about this sent to Dirk. From initial correspondence with the old host, they claimed the server was merely suspended and data was kept for 6 months. It seemed like the billing issue only needed correcting. However, once Dirk heard back from a higher level support, to our complete shock and dismay it was confirmed the server had been wiped. They offered to restore it if we had backups. But what use were those when they were on the server?! Everything was gone. A full offline backup was about 187 GB last time CB downloaded it and he had to do it in pieces (due to a very slow internet connection in his teeny, tiny town) and it took several days. This contains all the objects (which are all the files and pictures anywhere on the site including attachments and within the STEX) as well as the board software and the forums. There was also a separate full account backup from 2020, but we didn't need that in the end. Now, separately, the database is all of the posts in the forums, STEX, omnibus, and so forth. That comes in around 6 GB and is backed up and downloaded more often. However, the offline download was just a fallback which should never be needed since we always had full backups run online every single day. (We never anticipated the host would fucking delete everything on the server!) Ofc, in hindsight we'd've kept separate online daily synced backups too, even if those come at a cost. Without any local backup, Simtropolis as we know it would be lost forever to the infinite voids of cyberspace. Thankfully this isn't the case, so it could've been much, much worse. Anyhow, what this means for us now is we have the forums and text of the STEX restored as it was on 28 February, 2026, but all files and pictures (both as forum attachments and in the STEX) are missing from 17 June, 2024 and after. We can recover! (But, we'll need a lot of help.) CB and Dirk have rebuilt the site on a new host. There are some nice positives as a result: Already an outpouring of support from people on Discord and Reddit. We appreciate the encouragement and support. Thank you! We've moved fully away from our old host. They will get nary a nickel from ST anymore ever again (from now till the end of the universe). The hardware is at least 10x more capable, and is no more expensive than our old host. (Depending on your internet connection, the site should be more responsive.) We've got a much more economical and cleaner home (way less server side clutter). We're in more control over the server to manage all aspects of it from the ground up. CB has separately purchased a 1 TB storage cloud for online, but offsite daily backups going forwards. Future potential to upgrade the IPS board software to a newer version, but we're not in a rush to do this. However, a few bad things will be immediately apparent when y'all start looking around: Any pictures or attached files after 17 June, 2024 are missing. Any STEX files added after 17 June, 2024 are gone. All avatar updates or changes after 17 June, 2024 are lost. --------------- All topics have lost any replies after 28 Feb, 2026. Any STEX entries added or updated after 28 Feb, 2026 are gone. Any STEX downloads history since 28 Feb, 2026 is lost. Any new sc4pac tokens since 28 Feb, 2026 are lost (and will need regenerating). Any PMs after 28 Feb, 2026 are missing. Any members who joined after 28 Feb, 2026 will need to re-join Simtropolis. Initial Recovery Efforts: Topic Divider Messages We've added a Topic Divider message to all forum threads which were active as of the last database backup. That's so when reading along now and in the future it'll explain why any given subject might seem disjointed and incoherent if the same peeps aren't able to re-reply. I know one topic in which I'm now the last to reply and my answer was only partially right. I remember at the time someone replied soon later with the real answer. That's lost, but they might re-state it when they have time. Or it could stay missing. (For that particular topic, I'll reply with what I remember of it.) So the divider message serves to explain why many topics might seem choppy for a little while. An example can be seen here. Original Image and File Names for Attachments Since the database info is way more recent than the objects (files and images), we'll often know the name and size of images and files because of their pointer entries in the database, but we won't have the item that points to. So, CB has worked his magic such that a missing pic will show the ST Logo as a placeholder while also showing the original file name for the image or attachment. This will make it easier for peeps to identify and re-upload them. Note: If your image name originally contained spaces, those will be stripped out in the file name which appears as the Original Pic Name. Sample for an image: ^ Original Pic Name: Cori'sWidget.jpg Sample for a file: Attachment Missing (Cori's Exemplar Viewer Output - 2026.02.17.09.37.zip) Additionally, you can go to your own list of attachments and find anything missing. CB plans to add a feature for clicking and re-uploading files directly from that page. STEX Files and Pics (Needs figured out...) We have a separate method for recovering STEX files. That'll be a new forum (or topic) or something where anyone can post a linky to the STEX entry and then also attach the missing files and/or pics. We want to be careful here to not duplicate each other's efforts so searching in there first is a good idea. Then staff (and other peeps recruited to help) will patch up the STEX entries and then move the topic for that item to a Done forum. Or such. We'll reveal more details once we've figured out a battle plan. Also we'll be opening a topic where anyone interested to assist can register as a volunteer to help. Your Own Files and Pics Ofc, any missing STEX entry that you created can be fixed (re-adding files and pics) or recreated (if totally missing) anytime you get a chance. Same for any missing attachments in your posts or elsewhere on the site. When you repair your own STEX entry there is one additional step needed and that is to delete the message banner. (There's some fancy code in it which hides the download button and displays the File Unavailable message.) See this topic to have staff remove the file message banner after you've restored the missing content. Other Notes: Restoration Priority (From CB in Chat) 1) STEX Files 2) STEX Screenshots 3) Attached Files 4) Attached Images 5) Gallery Images 6) Homepage Feature Images 7) Member Avatars 8) Anything Else This order we believe makes a suitable priority for what we'll look to restore first. STEX Screenshots are likely going to need uploading from in-game pics, but for some we might be able to salvage using the Internet Archive (but that depends on which files have been saved to there). Closing Words (for now) We're very glad to be back. We're also pleased to see y'all back. The past month (and a bit) have seemed like many months, and we've missed ST too. While this has been a setback for the community, the key thing is Simtropolis Has Returned. We're determined to rebuild our city stronger than ever before. Oh! One final thing: We might have to put the site in offline maintenance mode for brief periods as some of the tweaks CB is working on cannot be implemented while the site is live. -Cori & CB & Dirk
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