As you know from this blog, the last reported situation was that Nirvanix said it would try to reunite the owners of the data stored on the old Streamload servers held by Nirvanix if Mediamax provided the front end/database to allow this to happen.
After I spoke with Steve Iversen, CEO of the now dead Mediamax, and he said this could be done, but suggested it was pointless, because, as he said in a posting here: "the biggest mistake we made was to trust Nirvanix to manage our customer data - yes, it was on the "old Streamload system", and not their new Nirvanix SDN, but I believe the care and attention that was required was not there and was beyond unprofessional."
Given that Nirvanix said they would try to retrieve the files if the front end/database was made available I asked the Chief Marketing Officer, Jonathan Buckley, who made this promise when I spoke with him, if this can now be done.
There was no response from Jonathan until last week (10 September), when he said he had resigned from Nirvanix with immediate effect. He hasn't wished to elaborate on why.
He directed me to Patrick Harr CEO, with the email address I have been using for some time without getting any response.
So Mr Harr has been getting the emails it would seem. He just doesn't want to talk with us.
I've been extremely busy and unable to follow up on this as I would like, but I will try to track Mr. Harr down to try to get some answers as to why the promises Nirvanix made to Mediamax users are being ignored. Whether those promises have anything to do with Mr. Buckley's departure is speculation.
Showing posts with label nirvanix messages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nirvanix messages. Show all posts
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Nirvanix - Luzo discussion: a way forward
Following email exchanges, I was invited by Jonathan Buckley of Nirvanix to discuss the situation with the Mediamax users data residing on the server system inherited from Streamload and did so on Friday (1 August 2008).
Background to the conversation
The focus of our discussion was on a way forward to reunite as many people as possible with data that did not transfer from the Mediamax system to The Linkup system. For the historic situation regarding the split of Streamload into Nirvanix and Mediamax, see the Nirvanix blog.
Nirvanix insist they have operated as separate companies since the split and dealt with Mediamax/The Linkup as a customer of their storage service. Nirvanix also reiterates that the Mediamax data is stored on the system inherited from Streamload and that its new Storage Delivery Network (SDN) offered to their 400 new customers is a different system. Further Nirvanix stresses that the problem with accessing Mediamax data that did not make it into The Linkup is due to the Mediamax database not being on-line and not due to any problem at their end.
We did not discuss the history of the files being accidently deleted from the Streamload servers prior to the splitting of Streamload into Nirvanix and Mediamax. This has been the subject of much conjecture of a conspiracy to get rid of legacy data. It seemed evident last year that this data had gone for good. The priority has to be reuniting people with data that is recoverable. The issue of compensation for lost data may be an issue for a possible Mediamax bankruptcy hearing (see below).
In an email prior to the invitation to call, Nirvanix stated that they were trying to make contact with Mediamax with the view to persuading them to restart the front end. As the Nirvanix blog was saying there was no assistance that Nirvanix could give to Mediamax users, I welcomed this and was particularly keen to know what the practical difficlties are for achieving this and how they can be overcome.
The 8 August deadline
The Linkup front end is due to go off line on 8 August and users were told by The Linkup to download data before then. Nirvanix is keeping the servers online until 8 August. Nivanix has not been notified of any pending Mediamax alternatives to the 8 August closure as of this call.
I asked whether the data would then deleted after 8 August. Nirvanix said that, as there will be no front end from Mediamax or The Linkup operating to access the data after 8 August, it will be taken offline. However, even though it costs Nirvanix money, Nirvanix will continue to store the data. Nirvanix would welcome a third party to come in to assist Mediamax users. Without the Mediamax database it is impossible to identify who owns what data by design.
So the first piece of good news is that the 8 August is not the end of all hope. The data will continue to be stored, though not indefinitely (see below).
Retrieving the database/front end
Nirvanix says it is unable to make contact with anyone from Mediamax and they are in the same situation as users in this regard.
Mediamax needs to provide access to the database, which is not stored on Nirvanix servers, but by a third party, savvis.net
In a last communication from Mediamax/The Linkup to a user, it was suggested that the company is filing for bankruptcy. Certainly there are creditors looking for money from the company, not least users who paid fees running through this year and on into 2009.
As a major creditor Nirvanix expects to be informed of any bankruptcy hearing and has agreed to inform us when they are informed. If we can turn up to the court, or contact Mediamax lawyers in advance of that, we should be able to obtain answers regarding the database.
As the database is arguably one of the few assets that Mediamax posseses its handover could perhaps be offset against refunds of fees and handed over to users.
My view is a possible bankruptcy hearing is a good milestone for all involved. If Nirvanix can maintain the data until we either have a response from Mediamax or are able to raise questions at the bankruptcy hearing that will be welcome. We will then know if it will be possible to restart the front end. Any information people have about US bankruptcy law and when and where this will be filed would be appreciated.
How to restart the database/front end
There is, of course, the possibility that Mediamax can be persuaded to restart the database to give people time to access their data. If not and we have to retrieve the database ourselves as suggested above, then the question arises of how to run it.
There have been comments on this blog suggesting another company may be interested to take this over. Nirvanix told me they would be sympathetic to any approach being made to them by such a company, but none has been made at present.
If anyone has any information or contacts who may be interested, please put them in direct contact with Nirvanix and ask them to keep us posted via this blog.
It may be we have to set something up ourselves, or come to an arrangement with Nirvanix or another company to host the database.
Setting up our own register of Mediamax users
I suggested to Nirvanix that the users group could set up a register of people who are interested in retrieving data. This would give an indication of the level of serious interest to them and any third company interested in restarting the database. We could publicise this registration process ourselves and call on Mediamax to alert their customer list, perhaps as a request to any bankruptcy hearing.
If people agree with this, we could perhaps set up a website with a simple registration form and database, obviously respecting data-protection regulations. Please contact me if you are interested in helping with this.
Conclusion
This posting has been shared with Nirvanix to confirm it is an accurate record of our discussion. In summary, this is what they said and I suggested:
1. When The Linkup switches off their front end, no data will be accessible, but it will not be deleted. The data, including that available through the old Mediamax system, will continue to be stored at Nirvanix on the old Streamload system (separate to their new SDN).
2. Storage cannot be indefinite due to costs, but Nirvanix is making efforts to contact Mediamax to persuade them to restart the front end so people can access the data. A possible bankruptcy hearing may be a good time to take stock of the situation, if Mediamax is not heard from before then, as it should provide clarity as to whether data will ever be recoverable. Anyone with expertise in this area please contact me.
3. Anyone with information on possible intermediary companies interested in restarting the Mediamax front end should encourage them to contact Nirvanix and keep us informed.
4. To keep users updated on developments and to show the level of serious interest in recovering data, we should consider setting up a register of users. If you can help with this, again, please contact me.
Nirvanix has said it will keep us informed of developments at their end.
Please let me know your views by commenting below or by email.
Background to the conversation
The focus of our discussion was on a way forward to reunite as many people as possible with data that did not transfer from the Mediamax system to The Linkup system. For the historic situation regarding the split of Streamload into Nirvanix and Mediamax, see the Nirvanix blog.
Nirvanix insist they have operated as separate companies since the split and dealt with Mediamax/The Linkup as a customer of their storage service. Nirvanix also reiterates that the Mediamax data is stored on the system inherited from Streamload and that its new Storage Delivery Network (SDN) offered to their 400 new customers is a different system. Further Nirvanix stresses that the problem with accessing Mediamax data that did not make it into The Linkup is due to the Mediamax database not being on-line and not due to any problem at their end.
We did not discuss the history of the files being accidently deleted from the Streamload servers prior to the splitting of Streamload into Nirvanix and Mediamax. This has been the subject of much conjecture of a conspiracy to get rid of legacy data. It seemed evident last year that this data had gone for good. The priority has to be reuniting people with data that is recoverable. The issue of compensation for lost data may be an issue for a possible Mediamax bankruptcy hearing (see below).
In an email prior to the invitation to call, Nirvanix stated that they were trying to make contact with Mediamax with the view to persuading them to restart the front end. As the Nirvanix blog was saying there was no assistance that Nirvanix could give to Mediamax users, I welcomed this and was particularly keen to know what the practical difficlties are for achieving this and how they can be overcome.
The 8 August deadline
The Linkup front end is due to go off line on 8 August and users were told by The Linkup to download data before then. Nirvanix is keeping the servers online until 8 August. Nivanix has not been notified of any pending Mediamax alternatives to the 8 August closure as of this call.
I asked whether the data would then deleted after 8 August. Nirvanix said that, as there will be no front end from Mediamax or The Linkup operating to access the data after 8 August, it will be taken offline. However, even though it costs Nirvanix money, Nirvanix will continue to store the data. Nirvanix would welcome a third party to come in to assist Mediamax users. Without the Mediamax database it is impossible to identify who owns what data by design.
So the first piece of good news is that the 8 August is not the end of all hope. The data will continue to be stored, though not indefinitely (see below).
Retrieving the database/front end
Nirvanix says it is unable to make contact with anyone from Mediamax and they are in the same situation as users in this regard.
Mediamax needs to provide access to the database, which is not stored on Nirvanix servers, but by a third party, savvis.net
In a last communication from Mediamax/The Linkup to a user, it was suggested that the company is filing for bankruptcy. Certainly there are creditors looking for money from the company, not least users who paid fees running through this year and on into 2009.
As a major creditor Nirvanix expects to be informed of any bankruptcy hearing and has agreed to inform us when they are informed. If we can turn up to the court, or contact Mediamax lawyers in advance of that, we should be able to obtain answers regarding the database.
As the database is arguably one of the few assets that Mediamax posseses its handover could perhaps be offset against refunds of fees and handed over to users.
My view is a possible bankruptcy hearing is a good milestone for all involved. If Nirvanix can maintain the data until we either have a response from Mediamax or are able to raise questions at the bankruptcy hearing that will be welcome. We will then know if it will be possible to restart the front end. Any information people have about US bankruptcy law and when and where this will be filed would be appreciated.
How to restart the database/front end
There is, of course, the possibility that Mediamax can be persuaded to restart the database to give people time to access their data. If not and we have to retrieve the database ourselves as suggested above, then the question arises of how to run it.
There have been comments on this blog suggesting another company may be interested to take this over. Nirvanix told me they would be sympathetic to any approach being made to them by such a company, but none has been made at present.
If anyone has any information or contacts who may be interested, please put them in direct contact with Nirvanix and ask them to keep us posted via this blog.
It may be we have to set something up ourselves, or come to an arrangement with Nirvanix or another company to host the database.
Setting up our own register of Mediamax users
I suggested to Nirvanix that the users group could set up a register of people who are interested in retrieving data. This would give an indication of the level of serious interest to them and any third company interested in restarting the database. We could publicise this registration process ourselves and call on Mediamax to alert their customer list, perhaps as a request to any bankruptcy hearing.
If people agree with this, we could perhaps set up a website with a simple registration form and database, obviously respecting data-protection regulations. Please contact me if you are interested in helping with this.
Conclusion
This posting has been shared with Nirvanix to confirm it is an accurate record of our discussion. In summary, this is what they said and I suggested:
1. When The Linkup switches off their front end, no data will be accessible, but it will not be deleted. The data, including that available through the old Mediamax system, will continue to be stored at Nirvanix on the old Streamload system (separate to their new SDN).
2. Storage cannot be indefinite due to costs, but Nirvanix is making efforts to contact Mediamax to persuade them to restart the front end so people can access the data. A possible bankruptcy hearing may be a good time to take stock of the situation, if Mediamax is not heard from before then, as it should provide clarity as to whether data will ever be recoverable. Anyone with expertise in this area please contact me.
3. Anyone with information on possible intermediary companies interested in restarting the Mediamax front end should encourage them to contact Nirvanix and keep us informed.
4. To keep users updated on developments and to show the level of serious interest in recovering data, we should consider setting up a register of users. If you can help with this, again, please contact me.
Nirvanix has said it will keep us informed of developments at their end.
Please let me know your views by commenting below or by email.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Nirvanix comment
Received today 29 July 2008 in response to my email regarding the posting on the Nirvanix blog. Details on yesterday's blog at:
http://nirvanixusers.blogspot.com/2008/07/nirvanix-silence.html
---Email from Nirvanix to Luzo Orbit
Mr. Orbit,
Please see our post for any additional information: http://developer.nirvanix.com/blogs/nirvanix/default.aspx
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---end of email
The following is a response also received today to a second email I sent appealing to Nirvanix to help resolve the problem of access to the files it holds.
---Email from Nirvanix to Luzo Orbit
Mr. Orbit,
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---
I have replied to these emails as follows:
---Luzo Orbit to Nirvanix
Dear Jonathan,
Regarding your two emails, let me first point out that Charlie Jackson made a similar post to The Linkup blog to that on the Techcrunch site, though comments have since been deleted from there. While Techcrunch may not have contacted Nirvanix, I did twice explicitly asking for a response and received none. Now that you have replied I will add this to the blog.
If I understand you correctly, you are suggesting the deletion of files took place before Streamload (renamed as Mediamax) span off the customer front end (with the Mediamax name) and rebranded as Nirvanix. Is that correct? If so, it seems to me that in taking over the servers and the storage responsibility for data belonging to customers of Streamload/Mediamax, Nirvanix also has responsibility for this troublesome legacy which, at the very least, gives you a moral responsibility to help recover the data that was not deleted and, ideally, completing the failed recovery programme initiated by Streamload/Mediamax.
I am pleased that you are not denying the claim by John Hood, Communications Director of Mediamax, that it is up to Nirvanix whether it provides access to the Mediamax system. You instead say the company 'counters' his claim, which I hope you can see is a very curious state of affairs. As it is no doubt easier for you to contact Mr. Hood about this than it is for me, can you please ask him to retract this comment if it is not true with an explanation as to why he was mistaken. May I suggest that you ask him to send this message as a reply to a past email he has received from me so I will know it is authentic.
Regarding comments on The Linkup website to which you refer, the company has not responded to any of my past emails. As their office is across the road from yours, perhaps you can prompt them to do so with an explanation as to why their Communications Director misled users, if that is indeed what has happened, and an explanation as to why Mediamax/The Linkup is apparently refusing to provide Nirvanix with access to the Mediamax database. It is difficult to see any practical or legal reason why they should not assist Nirvanix in reuniting people with their data, to which Nirvanix was entrusted.
Can you indicate whether Nirvanix will allow people to access the data held on your servers if the legal issues can be resolved?
Can you indicate whether Nirvanix has made any effort to resolve this alleged legal obstacle or will do so by, for example, visiting the Mediamax/The Linkup office in the way I suggest above?
Luzo
---Email ends
http://nirvanixusers.blogspot.com/2008/07/nirvanix-silence.html
---Email from Nirvanix to Luzo Orbit
Mr. Orbit,
Nirvanix just posted the full accounting of our story on our blog today. The claim made by "Charlie Jackson" on the TechCrunch article comments section is both suspect and untrue. I tried to follow the blog but there appear to be no authentication process for message posters so anybody can take any persona it seems. What is most disturbing, however, is that no one from TechCrunch ever called Nirvanix for an interview. The entire "final story" on TechCrunch was predicated and syndicated based on that single post. This is the same thread that brought us to some "Charlie the Unicorn" video on YouTube which is the point where it became farcical and we just stopped reading. Your blog "Nirvanix Users Blog" uses this very TechCrunch article for its foundation and therefore is both inaccurate and libelous.
As for TechCrunch article quoting the "Charlie Jackson" post, Nirvanix was not even incorporated in June of 2007. As our blog points out, the Storage Delivery Network(TM) did not go into general availability until October of 2007.
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---end of email
The following is a response also received today to a second email I sent appealing to Nirvanix to help resolve the problem of access to the files it holds.
---Email from Nirvanix to Luzo Orbit
Mr. Orbit,
I again refer you both to http://developer.nirvanix.com/blogs/nirvanix/default.aspx
and to The Linkup's own website where it The Linkup counters the former customer rep
claim where it states:
"Additional information (Updated: July 11, 2008 @ 5:45pm):
An update to answer several questions that we have received:
1. The only files that are available for download are the files that are currently in your The Linkup account.
2. Nirvanix cannot provide access to any additional data or assist with accessing your files. Please do not contact them.
1. The only files that are available for download are the files that are currently in your The Linkup account.
2. Nirvanix cannot provide access to any additional data or assist with accessing your files. Please do not contact them.
POSTED BY TEAM LINKUP AT 12:41 AM"
Lastly, Nirvanix is painfully aware of the hurt that people are feeling from MediaMax's closure and it is made worst by the powerlessness to do anything about it beyond what we have stated on the blog today.
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---
I have replied to these emails as follows:
---Luzo Orbit to Nirvanix
Dear Jonathan,
Regarding your two emails, let me first point out that Charlie Jackson made a similar post to The Linkup blog to that on the Techcrunch site, though comments have since been deleted from there. While Techcrunch may not have contacted Nirvanix, I did twice explicitly asking for a response and received none. Now that you have replied I will add this to the blog.
If I understand you correctly, you are suggesting the deletion of files took place before Streamload (renamed as Mediamax) span off the customer front end (with the Mediamax name) and rebranded as Nirvanix. Is that correct? If so, it seems to me that in taking over the servers and the storage responsibility for data belonging to customers of Streamload/Mediamax, Nirvanix also has responsibility for this troublesome legacy which, at the very least, gives you a moral responsibility to help recover the data that was not deleted and, ideally, completing the failed recovery programme initiated by Streamload/Mediamax.
I am pleased that you are not denying the claim by John Hood, Communications Director of Mediamax, that it is up to Nirvanix whether it provides access to the Mediamax system. You instead say the company 'counters' his claim, which I hope you can see is a very curious state of affairs. As it is no doubt easier for you to contact Mr. Hood about this than it is for me, can you please ask him to retract this comment if it is not true with an explanation as to why he was mistaken. May I suggest that you ask him to send this message as a reply to a past email he has received from me so I will know it is authentic.
Regarding comments on The Linkup website to which you refer, the company has not responded to any of my past emails. As their office is across the road from yours, perhaps you can prompt them to do so with an explanation as to why their Communications Director misled users, if that is indeed what has happened, and an explanation as to why Mediamax/The Linkup is apparently refusing to provide Nirvanix with access to the Mediamax database. It is difficult to see any practical or legal reason why they should not assist Nirvanix in reuniting people with their data, to which Nirvanix was entrusted.
Can you indicate whether Nirvanix will allow people to access the data held on your servers if the legal issues can be resolved?
Can you indicate whether Nirvanix has made any effort to resolve this alleged legal obstacle or will do so by, for example, visiting the Mediamax/The Linkup office in the way I suggest above?
Luzo
---Email ends
Monday, July 28, 2008
Nirvanix breaks its silence - but not to this blog
There is some good news. Nirvanix has admitted that the files that did not make it into The Linkup file management system are still on its servers and can be accessed through the Mediamax file manager. The bad news is that it refuses to do so. More on that in a moment. First some background on why Nirvanix has broken its silence regarding Mediamax.
Before setting up this blog, I had an exchange of emails with Nirvanix, including the following question sent on 11 July 2008:
---question from Luzo Orbit to Nirvanix
According to an investor, Charlie Jackson: "Around the time this spin-out was happening, Nirvanix engineers screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files. Most were recovered over time, but it took months, and there was never 100% recovery (I never got some of files back)." See:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/10/mediamaxthelinkup-closes-its-doors/
As the problem with missing data appears to have been caused by Nirvanix, I am surprised that you are unprepared to do more. After all had Nivanix engineers not 'screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files' it is unlikely that Mediamax/The Linkup would have gone under.
Once again, I ask that you do nothing to delete this data without the permission of its owners.
---end of email
After setting up the blog and inviting Nirvanix to comment, I received an email on 18 July pointing out that we are not Nirvanix users, which I duly posted to the site at:
http://nirvanixusers.blogspot.com/2008/07/nirvanix-no-responsibility.html
This did not respond to the specific question raised about the allegation that it was Nirvanix engineers that deleted the data, so I emailed again on 22 July:
---Luzo email of 22 July to Nirvanix
I note that Nirvanix does not challenge the claim made by Charlie Jackson that it was Nirvanix engineers that accidently deleted files entrusted to you by Mediamax.
If you do have a statement giving further details, I would appreciate it.
---email ends
I have had no answer to that email.
I see from an anonymous comment posted to the last entry here, however, that Nirvanix has posted on its blog today (28 July) about Mediamax at:
http://developer.nirvanix.com/blogs/nirvanix/archive/2008/07/28/mediamax-the-linkup-announces-closure-nirvanix-clarifies-false-information-in-blogosphere.aspx
This states: "We would like to take time to answer questions that have resulted from this closure [of Mediamax], as well as dispel some inaccurate and blatantly false information that is being reported on certain blogs."
Well, they can't mean this blog as they were invited to comment, and comments that have been supplied have been posted. They did not contradict the claim that it was Nirvanix engineers that deleted the data although it was put to them specifically and repeatedly.
Later the Nirvanix blog refers to data being deleted as follows:
---extract from Nivanix blog
I have read that Nirvanix is to blame for the difficulties at MediaMax/The Linkup.
This is simply not true and this false speculation has been spread by a handful of angry blog posts and perpetuated by a popular technology blog that did not verify its story by contacting Nirvanix.
---extract ends
If the allegation was not true, why didn't Nirvanix say so when asked on 11 July or since? Or does it prefer to taint the reputation of all blogs by suggesting they are 'angry' and do not verify information?
Those familiar with this debacle are well aware that lousy communication has been a major part of the problem. It is a shame that Nirvanix is following the same route of vilifying customers with genuine concerns on its blog rather than engaging with them. So we know what Nirvanix is posting I've found how to add an RSS feed reader to the side panel here.
Nirvanix admits that it could recover Mediamax files that did not make it into The Linkup file management. The last word from Mediamax (specifically its Director of Communications, John Hood) was it is up to Nirvanix whether it gives access to Mediamax files or not.
If Mediamax has told us that Nirvanix can give access to the files, I think we have a right to know why Nirvanix will not do so. Or perhaps Nirvanix can persuade John Hood to return to explain why he was wrong to say they could.
If there are difficulties in gaining access to the Mediamax database, surely those could be resolved.
I would suggest anyone who things it doesn't matter and we should all shut up, should read some of the posts on this and the preceding users blogs of the heartbreak and financial loss caused by lack of access to this data.
This is a problem with a solution. Come on, Nirvanix. Please try a little harder.
Before setting up this blog, I had an exchange of emails with Nirvanix, including the following question sent on 11 July 2008:
---question from Luzo Orbit to Nirvanix
According to an investor, Charlie Jackson: "Around the time this spin-out was happening, Nirvanix engineers screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files. Most were recovered over time, but it took months, and there was never 100% recovery (I never got some of files back)." See:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/10/mediamaxthelinkup-closes-its-doors/
As the problem with missing data appears to have been caused by Nirvanix, I am surprised that you are unprepared to do more. After all had Nivanix engineers not 'screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files' it is unlikely that Mediamax/The Linkup would have gone under.
Once again, I ask that you do nothing to delete this data without the permission of its owners.
---end of email
After setting up the blog and inviting Nirvanix to comment, I received an email on 18 July pointing out that we are not Nirvanix users, which I duly posted to the site at:
http://nirvanixusers.blogspot.com/2008/07/nirvanix-no-responsibility.html
This did not respond to the specific question raised about the allegation that it was Nirvanix engineers that deleted the data, so I emailed again on 22 July:
---Luzo email of 22 July to Nirvanix
I note that Nirvanix does not challenge the claim made by Charlie Jackson that it was Nirvanix engineers that accidently deleted files entrusted to you by Mediamax.
If you do have a statement giving further details, I would appreciate it.
---email ends
I have had no answer to that email.
I see from an anonymous comment posted to the last entry here, however, that Nirvanix has posted on its blog today (28 July) about Mediamax at:
http://developer.nirvanix.com/blogs/nirvanix/archive/2008/07/28/mediamax-the-linkup-announces-closure-nirvanix-clarifies-false-information-in-blogosphere.aspx
This states: "We would like to take time to answer questions that have resulted from this closure [of Mediamax], as well as dispel some inaccurate and blatantly false information that is being reported on certain blogs."
Well, they can't mean this blog as they were invited to comment, and comments that have been supplied have been posted. They did not contradict the claim that it was Nirvanix engineers that deleted the data although it was put to them specifically and repeatedly.
Later the Nirvanix blog refers to data being deleted as follows:
---extract from Nivanix blog
I have read that Nirvanix is to blame for the difficulties at MediaMax/The Linkup.
This is simply not true and this false speculation has been spread by a handful of angry blog posts and perpetuated by a popular technology blog that did not verify its story by contacting Nirvanix.
---extract ends
If the allegation was not true, why didn't Nirvanix say so when asked on 11 July or since? Or does it prefer to taint the reputation of all blogs by suggesting they are 'angry' and do not verify information?
Those familiar with this debacle are well aware that lousy communication has been a major part of the problem. It is a shame that Nirvanix is following the same route of vilifying customers with genuine concerns on its blog rather than engaging with them. So we know what Nirvanix is posting I've found how to add an RSS feed reader to the side panel here.
Nirvanix admits that it could recover Mediamax files that did not make it into The Linkup file management. The last word from Mediamax (specifically its Director of Communications, John Hood) was it is up to Nirvanix whether it gives access to Mediamax files or not.
If Mediamax has told us that Nirvanix can give access to the files, I think we have a right to know why Nirvanix will not do so. Or perhaps Nirvanix can persuade John Hood to return to explain why he was wrong to say they could.
If there are difficulties in gaining access to the Mediamax database, surely those could be resolved.
I would suggest anyone who things it doesn't matter and we should all shut up, should read some of the posts on this and the preceding users blogs of the heartbreak and financial loss caused by lack of access to this data.
This is a problem with a solution. Come on, Nirvanix. Please try a little harder.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Please note that you are not a Nirvanix user
I have received the message given below from Nirvanix in response to my email alerting the company to this blog. Basically, the message says the fact that our data is on Nirvanix servers does not make us Nirvanix users. A little unfair, I think, as we have being contributing to their income over the past year.
On the last blog entry I floated the idea of a Senate or Congressional Hearing. The mood I see from comments on the post is this is not going to happen. I have to bow to the greater knowledge of people in the US.
If this was a UK company we would, at the very least, be able to persuade a Member of Parliament, or group of them, to call company representatives to a meeting to explain their position. It is not a UK company so we will not be able to do that.
However, it should be straightforward to have a question asked in Parliament about the issues arising from this case, to be answered by a member of the Government, such as the Minister for Trade and Industry. I think there are issues about the nature of cross-border file storage and the lack of accountability shown by those holding the data which should concern any government.
Personally I don't have a problem with lost files as I only used Mediamax for hosting files for podcasts, rather than file sharing or backing up. But if there are UK readers of this blog who have lost access to files who wish to raise this in the UK Parliament, let me know and we can work on this.
For an indication of how little help we can expect from Nirvanix, here is the message:
---Email to Luzo Orbit from Nirvanix
Thank you for forwarding your new blog spot. Please note that you are not a Nirvanix user. You are a MediaMax/theLinkUp user. I believe this was covered with you extensively.
...
Additional information (Updated: July 11, 2008 @ 5:45pm):
An update to answer several questions that we have received:
1. The only files that are available for download are the files that are currently in your The Linkup account.
2. Nirvanix cannot provide access to any additional data or assist with accessing your files. Please do not contact them.
POSTED BY TEAM LINKUP AT 12:41 AM
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---email ends
On the last blog entry I floated the idea of a Senate or Congressional Hearing. The mood I see from comments on the post is this is not going to happen. I have to bow to the greater knowledge of people in the US.
If this was a UK company we would, at the very least, be able to persuade a Member of Parliament, or group of them, to call company representatives to a meeting to explain their position. It is not a UK company so we will not be able to do that.
However, it should be straightforward to have a question asked in Parliament about the issues arising from this case, to be answered by a member of the Government, such as the Minister for Trade and Industry. I think there are issues about the nature of cross-border file storage and the lack of accountability shown by those holding the data which should concern any government.
Personally I don't have a problem with lost files as I only used Mediamax for hosting files for podcasts, rather than file sharing or backing up. But if there are UK readers of this blog who have lost access to files who wish to raise this in the UK Parliament, let me know and we can work on this.
For an indication of how little help we can expect from Nirvanix, here is the message:
---Email to Luzo Orbit from Nirvanix
Mr. Orbit,
Please also refer to your vendor's website at http://tlublog.blogspot.com/ where it states:
Additional information (Updated: July 11, 2008 @ 5:45pm):
An update to answer several questions that we have received:
1. The only files that are available for download are the files that are currently in your The Linkup account.
2. Nirvanix cannot provide access to any additional data or assist with accessing your files. Please do not contact them.
POSTED BY TEAM LINKUP AT 12:41 AM
Best Regards,
Jonathan
---email ends
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
