I think this is the first start of Simviation, way back in history:

http://www.simviation.com/thestrip/flightsimdownload.htm

Crash

SimV is owned and run by Pete, us mods are just his underlings who have the authority to brew and implement the use of marmalade.

Err it all runs off a server like most websites...

Gee, I thought it ran on the souls of the admins. 

luke wrote on Mar 6^th, 2007 at 3:12am:

I'm not laughing. If I knew how it all works I would tell you. I don't mind admitting that the wonders of the Internet are a complete mystery to me.

My suggestion Luke ........ PM Pete ..... I'm sure he'll let you into all the secrets .... then he'd have to delete you 

I think the Simviation server is in V*&%$, USA.
When Pete needs to do things, he signs in with his pass-code and has access to his site to do anything.

When the server swap was done recently, Pete had to coordinate times and people as he was not on site but needed to be there to sign in and set everything up with the people on the other end who were actually "plugging it in".

So basically there is a dedicated Simviation server, (computer), in a room full of other computers that host different websites. Pete pays the company that houses the server but he can't actually touch it because he is "across the pond."

That is how most websites work.

You pay a company to house a server, you have access to it to change and do things to it, and people can log onto that server and do whatever the server offers, downloads, uploads, chat in the forums, etc....

It costs allot of money to run a website because bandwidth is expensive. Having people advertise on your site will hopefully help with paying the bills to the company that houses your server, etc...

So Pete is the owner of the website with full access to do anything.
We as Moderators (admins) have limited access to do things such as move topics, lock topics, edit the boards, etc... Our job is to make sure the forums run smoothly and that there are no problems. We volunteer our time to come here and help out. In return we get our monthly injections to keep us all sane  


So when you ask "What is Simviation made of?", all it really is is a computer stored on a warehouse with a cable going to it where we all "dial into" and can access it just like your own computer. You can click on the library and download a file or log into the forums and "chat" with everybody as if we were all on the telephone.
Simviation is a "virtual hang out for aviation enthusiast"!

Dave

Now you have the secret .......... we shall hunt you down and give you the full treatment ...... but if we told you what that was the, fear would kill you 

Yup - Location: Arlington Virginia - which is effectively a suburb of Washington, DC. Anyone can find this out by doing a little searching on domain names or a tracert to our site or files. We actually own 3 servers to split the load - 2 are purely for files & a new 'big one' with multiple this's & that's serves the main site - a lot of files & the forums. A web server is a basically computer built to serve internet files - similar to a PC but without things like sound & graphics cards & usually with extra processor power, RAM & HD space.  The way it all works has at times been tricky to get right but luckly bandwidth & computer hardware has grown hugely in the past few years taking most of the stress out of this whole thing ...

I am just a 'central pivot' & it all would be nothing without a pile of people that - contribute files - help out technically - moderate our forums - contribute to our forums with fantastic info - provide graphics that inspire others, etc.

So there you go .... news from the backroom boy

Thanks Pete, OK eno sourcrout.

eno, was it slip of the pen or just bad spelling, were you meant to say "Gods" ?

Whatevernoncence we say, it is still humbling to learn the inginuity other people have.

Well yes, you are only down the road, is it Burnaston (my ex airfield hangout, now a housing estate), Belper, Matlock, U toxeter or where, I'll get Tesco to deliver you a few largers to soften up things.

Hello All,

           As i am a recent member to Simviation i just thought i would come in and say Hello from the UK,

            I have recently retired and being a "Flight Sim Nut" [i have been called a lot worse] i enjoy your site and the Forums,

             Regards,

             Roger.