Cinemasphyxia.com - Updates Suspended, Site May Close

[Nyghtfall]

Since 2004, my clip site has been fully hosted by Dreamhost.com. Yesterday, they contacted me about a server-side issue being caused by the site. Apparently, it’s frequently reaching the technical capacity of their hardware. When this happens, the site crashes and becomes briefly unavailable as they automatically restart it. They’ve suggested a few options to resolve the matter:

- Upgrade my hosting to a fully managed Virtual Private Server (VPS), effectively moving everything to one or more SSDs
- Optimize any web apps to be less resource-intensive
- Take no action. The site will continue running up against its hardware limits, but they’re ok with that if I am

Upgrading to a VPS is not an option for me. Even with their cheapest plan, I would have to pay $165/year for a VPS that best matches my site’s needs, adding and paying more over time as it keeps growing.

My site is powered by WordPress. I don't run any site-related web apps outside of it. The only resource-intensive elements are the clips, and I am not going to start rotating them again. That was a bygone headache that I do not miss.

I’ve decided not to take any action at this time, but I’m suspending clip updates until further notice. I’ve also removed the Request Log from the menu, and the Clip Request and Clip Donation addresses from the Feedback page.

I have never, and will never charge for access to my site or any of its content. Nor will I accept any donations to keep it running. It has always been strictly a labor of love. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. As excited as I am about my new video editor, and was optimistic about my site’s future, I’ve always kept an open mind about having to shut it down someday. Until then, it is now a static archive.

The domain name expires on Noveber 15, 2018. If circumstances haven’t changed by then, or worsen, my site will be permanently closed.

[Nyghtfall]

Updates Discontinued, Site Closing Next Year

I pay $10/month for shared hosting with Dreamhost.com. Shared hosting means a provider serves pages for multiple web sites, each having its own domain name, from a single web server. Most hosting companies provide shared hosting. Although it’s a less expensive way to create and maintain a web presence, it’s usually not sufficient for web sites with high traffic, so they need a dedicated server (VPS) .

I run two sites with my hosting plan: Cinemasphyxia, and my 3D art forum at VisionsofDarkness. VoD hit the ground running when I started it last June, and has become increasingly popular ever since. I opened a ticket with Dreamhost about the VPS e-mail I got, and was told the combined traffic from both sites is what’s taxing their hardware and causing Cinemasphyxia to crash (Over 300 times in the last 30 days). Thankfully, VoD’s traffic is comparatively light, so it’s not a concern, and will likely never be. Since I can’t afford a VPS for Cinemasphyxia, they suggested I create another user and move either site to it, so I moved this one.

Dreamhost also told me Cinemasphyxia is unusually large for a site using shared hosting. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how long this solution will last before I get another notice. As it keeps growing, that risk will increase. Frankly, that’s not something I want to have to consider when posting clip updates, so I’ve decided to permanently discontinue them now, and close the site when the domain expires, next year.

It’s been one helluva ride, folks. Lots of ups and downs. I can’t thank you enough for your feedback and support. I’ve learned about fantastic scenes I never knew existed, and still enjoy watching. I’m sorry I was unable to fill all of the requests I’ve received over the years, but I hope you’ve enjoyed what I’ve posted. There are only a few dozen clips in my collection that I have any interest in keeping. I’m going to delete the rest after I close the site, so I strongly suggest backing up anything you’ve downloaded.

To reiterate, Cinemasphyxia.com will be permanently closed on November 15, 2018.

Thank you, and enjoy.

[Director B]

Nyghtfall, I am sorry to hear this, your site has given so much pleasure to so many people in this community, it's always money that kills things like this. Art is now becoming only for the privilege which pisses me off. Anyway, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

[Nyghtfall]

Thanks, D8. I appreciate that.

As you know, videos are an enormous resource hog. I'm surprised my site lasted this long.

[Zufallx]

Damn. Damn, damn, damn. One of my favorite haunts.

It was the consistency of the quality I dug most. That and the search box. :)

Be well, man. You gave it a fuckin' good run.

[Nyghtfall]

(Temporary) New Forum

Cinemasphyxia is powered by WordPress. Unfortunately, spam bots tend to troll the comments section of old blog posts on WordPress sites, so I configured mine to automatically close discussions on blog posts older than 14 days. In response to user feedback, I've created a new forum to share your thoughts about anything related to the site, and discuss fantasy asphyxia in general. It will close when the site does, so I've disabled all of the "fun" features, like the use of avatars, signatures, e-mail, Personal Messages, and file attachments.

Before posting, please keep in mind that nothing can save the site. I have never, and will never use YouTube, file sharing services, social media, or collaborate with other webmasters. I have always maintained strict control over my site and its content, and will never charge for access. Think of the forum as a virtual wake. Positive or negative, any feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Thank you,

Nyghtfall

Cinemasphyxia Forum

[necro_phil]

I've greatly enjoyed your hanging artwork. You have the satisfaction of knowing that you've done a lot of fine work and that work has been appreciated by many. You've kind of facilitated me getting into hanging and strangling, thus expanding my fetish interests and sources of gratification. Thank you for that. I hope you will continue to be a presence in the community, in some form.

[Nyghtfall]

I've greatly enjoyed your hanging artwork. You have the satisfaction of knowing that you've done a lot of fine work and that work has been appreciated by many. You've kind of facilitated me getting into hanging and strangling, thus expanding my fetish interests and sources of gratification. Thank you for that.

That's awesome, phil. I'm glad to know I helped inspire you. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

I hope you will continue to be a presence in the community, in some form.

Count on it.