Technical Issues

Update (Final): The following changes have been made to FIG to reduce server load and allow the hosting company to restore service:

1. Changed the ImageMagick working canvas from 800x600 to 480x320
2. Changed the default image format from PNG to JPEG
3. Limit text string length to 140 characters or less
4. Turned off PNG compression and filtering
5. Turned on JPEG compression (quality 80)
6. Disabled the ImageMagick editor where users have direct access to the IM command line. Will work to restore the IM editor in the next few days.
7. Update ImageMagick to version 6.5.1

The site should be available again late today 4-28-09

Update: A set of changes has been put in place to reduce server load. I'm waiting to hear back from the hosting company if they will restore site operation.

Update: The hosting company made several suggestions to solve the problem. When the changes are in place, FIG will be restored to service. I'll try to have this done in the next 24 hrs.


I received a notice today that Font Image Generator places excessive server load on the shared host where its located. Because of this, the key scripts that power FIG have been disabled rendering the site up but non-functional.

The issue has to do with FIG's use of ImageMagick to generate images. Apparently, FIG's use of ImageMagick at such high volume is not anticipated when offering it as a feature on a shared host.

The old site is still up and running and you are encouraged to use it until the issues are resolved.

I'm working with the tech support folks at my hosting company to see if there is any way I can modify the site to bring server load into line with their requirements. I hope to have a solution in hand later today.

I hope you'll stay with the site as the problems are worked out. Meanwhile head on over to the old site and I'll post updates here.

~Jeff