Just a suggestion, but how about a "mudcat is down" place that only Joe and his team can post to to tell us there is a problem and don't panic. It could be accessed by regulars who would then know the latest state. Is this overkill?

I still have room on my site for such a thing.
Does that idea work?

Andy

I would have thought a very simple 1-page html website on a different server (e.g. www.mudcatnews.org or something) where we could check when the real Mudcat is down, might be woirth considering. Then the Mudcat 'Masters could just post a simple message if there are problems, and we 'catters could check there iof we can't get in as usual.