[Balanor]

So the update is as bad as I've come to expect the last few days. Just can't catch a break: the drive needs to be sent in for any chance of data recovery. It cannot be done in-house/in-store.

The minimum, non refundable fee, is $149.99 for them even trying. *If* they are successful, and that is no guarantee they will be, it is then an additional $379.99. At this point, I simply can't justify spending that much money on my own. But if you in the community wish to attempt to get together and try to help offset the cost before Sunday, I will have them send in it for the attempt knowing that we're out $150 no matter what. Really sucks. Sorry everyone. If you feel the attempt should be made, please donate before Saturday evening. If not, then there is no rush to donate if you are planning to do so. The donations I get in the next two days will determine how aggressively I decide to pursue the ultra-expensive data recovery option.

On the server front though, I have a glimmer of good news there: I've been able to get a new VM spun up on my (very nice) work laptop with the last server backup I have from February 8 running on it. I need to discuss some details with the staff, but it *may* be possible that I could at least have this temporary server running while I'm gone to give you all your daily fix of Thay, since I won't be using that work machine anyway while I am on vacation. But then deciding what to do when I come back is the big question that needs to be worked out first to avoid doing so causing even more problems. More to come on this front after I've talked it over with the staff. Stay tuned...