Are we there yet?
August 19th, 2007
It’s been nearly 4 months since Jess told the world about Ravelry on May 2nd. Boy are we tired!
Those of you who are still waiting have been very patient and Jess and I really appreciate it. There are 8300 Ravelers now and I know that it can be kind of difficult when people blog about a project, pattern, yarn, or discussion that they saw on Ravelry and you can’t get in and take a look.
Many people have asked about our launch date - when will we be open to the public? I can’t give you an exact day right now but I can tell you what our current plans are. It’s going to go like this:
- Our servers are shipping on Monday and our network hardware is already starting to arrive. The datacenter is going to start billing us in about 10 days (ready or not) so I’m going to get our stuff set up and installed as soon as possible.
- Once we are in our new home, some beta people are going to help test before we flip the switch and move Ravelry over to our grown-up servers. Testing will probably take 2 days or so.
- Next, we’ll crank up the invites. I’m hoping to send 5,000 invites during the first week in our new place.
- Jess and I and the volunteer editors will need to adapt and tweak things as people start flooding in. We’re still trying to perfect our techniques for dealing with email and other feedback. The volunteer editors and I are still working on improvements to the parts of the site that deal with user contributions.
- Everything will go according to plan and we’ll add another 5,000 the following week ;)
oh that reminds me - for those of you that voted on names for our servers: the “Fiber Arts Terms that Make Pretty Good Names” (Hank, Steek, Tink, Frog, Swift, Hook) are currently winning :)
I’ve got some screenshots in the hopper and I’ll try to post them soon. For now, I’ll leave you some Bob pictures.
First, the official Bob Intervention. Sometimes online discussions can get heated (I know! It’s hard to believe! haha) and talks that that involve Harry Potter, doubly so. Bob, the official Ravelry mascot, swoops in and makes an appearance when necessary.
Also, I’ve retired the lolbob that used to appear during the nightly site updates. Too many people were frightened by the 1 AM Eastern time appearance of a crazy snaggletoothed dog.
(Don’t worry - Bob isn’t plastered all over Ravelry!)
August 19th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Bob is the best! Go ahead, plaster him all over!
August 19th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I am more of a cat person than a dog person but I have to say Bob IS the cutest. He looks like he has an awesome personality and yeah, Bob rules; plaster him all over =D
August 19th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I adore the pictures of Bob, and I’m so glad I finally got to see that lolbob. Too cute! Plaster him as you need…afterall, he *is* the Ravelry mascot. And who couldn’t smile at that cute lil’ face!
You guys have done a wonderful thing creating Ravelry.
I’m just so very glad I’m not still on the waiting list. :D
August 19th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
No more Bob update graphic?!?! Say it isn’t so!
August 19th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Oh, we need more BOB!
August 19th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I love that after all these updates, all of the comments so far are about Bob. And, in fact, I also came here to comment thus: please, plaster away! I love Bob. And I was serious about wanting Bob on a Ravelry shirt, I think that would be hilarious (and a hot seller).
August 19th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
As a lover of all things fiber and small dog related, I am a big fan of Bob. I can’t imagine a better way to tell you that some sort of nightly update was happening.
August 19th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I love Bob’s new picture. :)
August 19th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
but, but, I adore the lolbob! I’m with Bevin in that I can’t imagine a better way to be told that updates are occuring. :) Please keep it.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
NOOOOOO! Don’t take away the lolbob!
August 19th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
If I ever get invited to join Ravelry, I will love Bob very much.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Verrry exciting news about the servers, guys! 5,000 will get me in easily! I can’t wait to get in and start playing - hopefully you will still need volunteers for something, even at this late date.
August 19th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
You guys started Ravelry! You should be able to post Bob where ever the heck you want! He’s not naked, so you don’t have to block his avatar! Maybe you should give him his own Notebook. That would be awesome.
Congrats on all the exciting happenings. It’s so great! And I can’t say it enough - thank you for Ravelry!
August 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I LOVE lolbob! He’s adorable!!!
Thanks for all the hard work you guys are putting in on Ravelry. I can’t wait to get in!
August 20th, 2007 at 1:12 am
I can’t say enough about how happy I am that you guys are really committed and on top of all of this. The 5,000 invites should also get me in towards the end of that first week.
Also, Bob - beyond cute!
Thanks guys!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Thanks so much for the update! I’ve been “patiently” stalking your antsy page in anticipation of my invite.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I had a cat named Bob. He was Teh Awesome. A dog named Bob is awesome, too. I vote for the plastering!
Everyone I know who’s in is all a twitter about the coolness that is Ravelry. You’re all doing a great job, and I can hardly wait! (I might even volunteer my content management skilz down the line).
August 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Bob is cool! Please don’t take him away before those of us still waiting for our invitations even get a chance to experience him on Ravelry in all his Bobness.
And thanks so much for the progress update, woo hoo! At the rate things were going, I didn’t think I’d get in before Stitches East - but now, well, fingers crossed! :D
August 20th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Just a thought: We used to have cute names for our servers (pine, oak, etc. on our “tree”), but found it was a little like the mom who is trying to remember which kid she’s talking to. “Come here, Fred…Frank…Frieda…never mind, you know who you aer!” I’m thinking Tink, Steek, and Hank would give you similar fits. We now have totally uncute but clear server names like Dallas_04.
Good luck! It’s an exciting time!
August 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
OMG, LOLBob was one of my favorite parts! I didn’t mind so much that I couldn’t access the site if I could look at his cute mug and laugh…
August 20th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Can’t wait!Can’t wait!Can’t wait!Can’t wait!Can’t wait!Can’t wait!Can’t wait!
I’m a big nerd and I LOVE this kind of organizational stuff- I’m more obsessed with finding patterns and organizing my yarn than actually knitting, not to mention looking at pretty pictures of other peoples projects!! Wonderful idea (and adorable dog!) I am excited for my invite- I’m sure it will be well worth the wait!
August 20th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Thank you! I have one question:
BEFORE bullet point three in your list, will there will be more invites? As 6909th in line, the invitation going out to 5,000 people leaves me just short and I’m curious if it’s possible that I’ll be included in that number by the time the invites to 5,000 go out… I know you probably don’t have time to answer, so, I’ll just keep being patient! :) tap tap tap
August 21st, 2007 at 4:53 pm
YES! YES! I am so glad you had a few seconds to sneak in a bit on the blog. After clicking on to find my position around 15 times a day- I immediately check for more news! THANKS- it really does tide us over as we watch the numbers trickle down toward our invites-AND to watch the number of people behind us GROW! What about BOB? Keep him. I lost y Boston two years ago on Thanksgiving (RIP :
August 21st, 2007 at 7:22 pm
awww no! the Lolbob rocks!!!! Very very VERY cute but slightly disturbing puppy *(reminds me of my own pet - that faintly mad air makes them more interesting, I’m sure of it!)*
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:03 am
I don’t think you can have too much Bob - he’s adorable and a perfect mascot! I admit I’m a bit biased, being that I have a Boston too.
:-)
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:22 am
BRING ON MORE PICTURES OF BOB! I love animals. (Personally, I’m more of a cat person but I do have a grandparent relationship with puppies)
I haven’t received my invite yet and Im anxiously awaiting it. I just want to take the opportunity to tell you what a fantastic job I think you’re doing! While I might be excited to get the invite (I know of the check up site..thanks!), I can’t imagine what an undertaking this has been but I applaud your efforts!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
*clamor* *covet*
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I am patiently waiting for my invite and that is fine with me. However, I am changing my internet service in the next week or two so I will lose my old email address - the one that I submitted for Ravelry. Is there some way for me to give you my new address when I get one so that I don’t lose my place in line? If my invite goes to my soon to be closed address I am afraid I will never get it. Thank you and Keep Up The Good Work!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 am
Great! The 5,000 should ring me in too, which will put the worry at rest… since you added the brilliant function to be able to check the position in the queue I haven’t moved an inch! Cleared the cache, done as I should yet still it gives me the same stats! (and I know you guys are busy, so this is no moan or rant - just me getting slightly paranoid ;)
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:13 am
Thank you all for your hard work and sacrifice. I am very thankful for all the good work you are putting into this project and look forward to my invite.
Has the first 5,000 begun yet? or does that begin next week?
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
So just where on Ravelry is the pattern for a knitted Bob???!! :-D
He deserves to be immortalised in yarn…..
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
According to Casey the “once we are in our new home” part (from bullet point number 2) may be two or three weeks from now, but it was mentioned that that number could change, and isn’t for certain at this point.
I believe the invites for 5,000 are after that period of time (as mentioned in bullet point 3.)
August 24th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Congratulations on such a great site. After hearing about it from some who are already in, I registered, however, am over 13,000 in line - but I’m patient for good things!
I clicked on your link in your recent post to volunteer (to the editor page) - but takes me back to the main ravelery page -
I’d be glad to volunteer for any part you may need help in - just let me know!!
Congrats and Bob is more than just adorable! Looking for to seeing more pictures of him!
August 25th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Oh, I am down to the 2800s now - and that is exciting in itself. My guess is LOTS has happened this week. I know it MIGHT be premature, but can you give us a wee little update even if it is in the comments?
August 25th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Cathy - nope! Nothing out of the ordinary has happened this week - just inviting people as usual.
August 25th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Thanks Casey for the update !!! Waiting for my number to continue to ease down!
August 26th, 2007 at 12:01 am
I’m at 520!!! EEEEEE!!!!!! I can almost taste it! Just in time for the 3 day labor day weekend…. I don’t think I’ll leave the house all weekend.
August 26th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I’m not sure where I’ve been, but I think I must have been sleeping under a log somewhere and so just learned of Ravelry yesterday…. and am waayyyyyy back in line. From all I’ve heard and seen though, it will be well worth the wait… I’m so excited!
And BTW, I LOVE BOB! What a cutie! :)
August 27th, 2007 at 12:20 am
414!!!!!! 414!!!!!!! 414!!!!!!!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Bless you! Bless you!!! I’m so close …. #9665 …. so much better than 20,170!!!!
CAN.NOT.WAIT.
All my friends are here - but, no one told me about the BOB CUTENESS!!!
*Excited Giggles all Around*
August 27th, 2007 at 11:04 am
344!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ach, me poor heart can’t handle this excitement!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Those of us waaayyyy back on the list (who can’t access the site) need to be feed little bits of info every now and then, just to keep us from being totally depressed! (But if it means you have to stop from working to open the floodgates, DON’T STOP!)
August 27th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I am so excited, my invite should arrive in two or three weeks. My question is what are things I can do now to prepare myself. I typed an inventory of all my books and I am beginning to type information on my yarn. But what things should I write down? Should I be taking pictures of my stash, fo, cats? Thanks!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Monica, yes, pictures! pictures! pictures! Write down start/finish month/year of projects, needle sizes, what yarn used, where you bought the yarn, etc. If you already have all your pictures (stash, projects, etc) uploaded to flickr, it will make adding the pictures to ravelry that much faster.
August 29th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Let me say up front, I don’t blame you guys for this…. But when you said “…it can be kind of difficult when people blog about a project, pattern, yarn, or discussion that they saw on Ravelry and you can’t get in and take a look.” you hit the nail on the head for me.
I don’t think I’ll ever join Ravelry, I frankly don’t have the time as I barely find time to knit these days. However, when I’m checking blogs it is very frustrating to read that people have been knitting away and aren’t posting any pictures or info. There’ll be a blog post that goes something like, “I’ve finished X and it’s blocking right now.” with a link to Ravelry. It seems exclusionary of them to do this.
Honestly, what got me so excited about knitting back in 2004 was finding great blogs to read/lurk on the web. What will new knitters do?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
It would have helped that problem if they would have made the site viewable by non-members. Then it would feel less like “our private club that the rest of you can’t see — too bad!”
Maybe the server can’t handle that, though. I don’t know. But, yes, it’s driving me nuts that people are posting their project info here instead of on their open blogs.
I still have a few weeks to go before I get in, darn it.
September 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Awwwwwwww — we WANT Bob plastered all over! We want Bob! We want Bob! (He is THE cutest pup ever!)
September 11th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Please, keep Bob plastered all over! Lord knows, I’ve seen worse things than Bob’s cute face at 1:00 a.m.! (can I get an “Amen!”?)