It’s Sunday morning (like this morning), and you want to read your local newspaper online (as I do), but it’s a “no go”. You watch, (like I’m watching), and you wait, as the load icon spins helplessly out of control – but no joy; the site refuses to load.
Now, if you’ve just completed an OS reinstall, as I did just a few days ago, you might wonder if you’ve forgotten to reset, one or more, Internet settings, or perhaps your filters need adjusting. But, before you start to do all that heavy lifting, there’s a tool that will tell you if the site is actually unavailable, or if it’s happening to just you.
The web site, Down for everyone or just me? – will let you know in seconds if it is just you, or, if the site is really unavailable. Enter the address of the website you can’t reach, click on the “just me?” button, and you’ll have the answer instantly.
The following screen shots illustrate the process.
It’s unlikely you’ll need this tool very often, but it will definitely come in handy when the inevitable happens. For example, WordPress.com has been off the air, for an extended period of time, at least three times so far this year. When this sort of thing happens, it’s good to know what’s really going on.
Add Down for everyone or just me? to you Bookmarks, and you’ll be ready for the inevitable.
Update: October 4, 2010. Steve, from Sanesecurity, has suggested the following services which you will find useful for site checking. Thanks Steve!
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Hi Bill
I went to bookmark this and discovered I already had it. There’s just too much to remember. I feel old and confused.
Regards,
Dave K
Hi Dave,
Now there’s a situation I can relate to. 🙂
If anything, it’s going to get worse.
Best,
Bill
Hey Bill,
I just recently discovered this site. It comes in very handy for me when I am checking to see if my website is up and running or not. After testing new things out on the site or if the provider is working on it, this website is invaluable.
I never really thought about using it for anything else like bookmarks or after a reinstall of the OS, so thanks for the idea. It’s becoming more useful by the day.
Thanks for the article
Tex
Hey TeX,
Definitely a good tool to have on hand when you need to answer that, “what’s going on here?” question, when a site won’t load.
Good to hear from you.
Bill
Great site, thanks Bill. I’ve just added it to my bookmarks.
Hope all is well with you. 🙂
Hi Paul,
Another small tool to help make life on the Net just a little bit easier.
Things are cool (including the weather). I complained all this past Summer about the heat, but now that Fall is moving in – I take it all back. 🙂 What WAS I thinking!!
Best,
Bill
Bill,
What a nice find. Definitely bookmarking this little “cloud utility”.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Just replaced the power supply in my main PC.
Rick
Hey Rick,
I’ve been using this for years, and this morning when I couldn’t read the paper (a Sunday morning ritual with my coffee), and had to use, it I wondered if others were familiar with it. On the oft chance that it was not well known, I thought I’d throw something up.
The weekend has been very busy, so I’m looking forward to crashing early tonight.
It would be really cool if you put up a post on your Power Supply changeover – why you did it, if there was a problem how you diagnosed it, how you did it, any issues that needed special attention, etc. I think that would be a winner.
Bill
Bill,
Yep, I’m in the thought process now for drafting a post on swapping out the power supply… Thanks for the idea.
Rick
Good one Rick.
I look forward to reading that.
Bill
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Hey Bill this is great.
I’ve always wondered why that happens and now at least a clue. The puzzle left is what if it’s just me. How do I know why? Will the site tell me?
Hey Pochp,
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a service that provided that type of information? Unfortunately, this is a case when you have to put on your geek hat, and diagnose the problem.
Bill
LOL I wouldn’t be surprised if this is achieved and I don’t expect it would be me. My geek hat is also too small lol
Hey Pochp,
Then you’ve got to get a new hat. 🙂
Bill
Hi Bill,
I find this one useful for site checking, it’s a bit slow at times though:
http://host-tracker.com/
If it’s key sites you want.. this is great:
http://downrightnow.com/
Cheers,
Steve
Sanesecurity
http://www.sanesecurity.co.uk
Thanks Steve.
I’ve updated the post to include your recommendations.
Best,
Bill
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