Dear Abload users,
First of all, I want to apologize for the sudden deactivation of the upload function without further notice regarding the reasons and duration. I am also sorry the delay in providing new information in the following days. This was not intended but can be easily explained. Originally, we just planned to expand our storage space to accommodate new images. However, this time the implementation proved to be more complicated than anticipated and raised a recurring issue that has been on the table for the past few months: the increasing effort involved and the question of whether we can sustain it in the future. This time, we took the time to carefully consider everything, which naturally took some time. Yesterday, we finally reached a conclusion, albeit a sad one. Unfortunately, we have to cancel the planned expansion and keep the upload function for new images deactivated - at least for the time being. The decision was anything but easy for us, and we are just as disappointed as you are.
We understand that you have questions now. But unfortunately, we don't have any answers at this moment. However, we want to assure you that we would announce any further shutdown in advance, just as we can assure you that we are more dependent on your solidarity and donations than ever before. We were surprised and saddened to learn that donations have already been canceled due to anger. The images that have been uploaded so far are still available at the moment, and our work and costs continue unchanged. Furthermore, we now have to assess whether and how the project can proceed - and then implement the results. All of this is a massive effort, and we need your support -even in case we have to completely shut down the service. Anyone who wants to support us can do so through our donation page which you can find under
https://abload.de/spenden_en.php. If you've ever been satisfied with our service, now is the very best time to show your support and lend us a helping hand. You're helping yourselves just as much as you're helping us. We're all in the same boat.
Please always keep in mind that we are a freely accessible service that is realized by us in our free time. We understand how people tend to take things for granted that seem to be 'just there' - but they are usually not just there; someone makes them possible, and there is hard work behind it. In this case, for 17 years - and with no other goal than pure self-sustainment. The fact that times and circumstances change, and perpetual expansion or operation is not always an option, is inherent even in things that are not free. That's just the way it is and should never be forgotten. We have always given our all and keep on trying.
P.S.: We did not disable blog comments because we don't want to hear from you, but due to time constraints, we cannot fulfill our moderation duty promptly.
Jens
