Some problems resolved
We have installed a new flat screen monitor and are back to having a safety margin of a backup computer. I have ordered parts to finish of our new upgrade computer and that ought to be fully operational within a few days.
Finally a number of awkward technical problems have been solved and the support load resulting from the server migration is showing signs of tailing off. We have new mini migration to cope with in that the server will be migrating to pHp5/MySQL5 sometime next month. This does result on some work being needed for some sites but the number is a fairly small proportion of the total.
We have some further problems generated by PayPal which is affecting the MSG account. In the past I have always promoted PayPal as a good solution for small organisations accepting on-line payments. After having the MSG PayPal account frozen for no apparent reason I am having strong doubts. The methods for unfreezing the account on-line simply do not work and lead you round in circles, emails are ignored. We eventually spoke to a real person at PayPal who requested the faxing of various documents, but nothing has yet happened after three days. Looking around the net reveals that PayPal is getting a terrible reputation for doing this. I suspect they have grown too big too fast and think themselves invulnerable to competition. What they may not realise is how much harm a bad reputation is doing their future business. I had no lees than three virtual terminal systems which may have come about in the near future. I don't think I can now possibly advise organisations to trust all their credit card business to PayPal. Anyone operating a PayPal account I would recommend to keep no more than the minimum balance in the account.
We don't have a lot of money frozen in the account but I would suggest that if you are sending money to the MSG you use the direct credit card system for the moment.