![steemit_error.png](https://cdn.steemitstageimages.com/DQmSBfnAeXVPoQNknRzQ2bxW2BnERjtSvqpB685XMJ4834w/steemit_error.png)

Until a few minutes ago, Steemit.com was not available and many of you probably saw the following error: `504 Gateway error.`

While Steemit.com at that time couldn't be accessed, the blockchain was still alive and well. Only the server behind Steemit.com called `api.steemit.com` that communicates with the blockchain was not responsive.

However, this fact shouldn't prevent you from browsing and interacting with your favourite social-media platform as there is an alternative to Steemit.com - just as good, called: <a href="https://steemitstage.com">Steemitstage.com</a>

<h1>What is steemitstage.com?</h1>

<a href="https://steemitstage.com">Steemitstage.com</a> is maintained by Steemit Inc. as well and used as the last-stage testing environment for <a href="https://steemit.com">Steemit.com</a> before deployment in production (on Steemit.com).

There is, of course, another testing environment before <a href="https://steemitstage.com">Steemitstage.com</a>, which is used to test changes which are not yet safe for the general public or could break.

That means, using <a href="https://steemitstage.com">Steemitstage.com</a> *should* be just as save as using <a href="https://steemit.com">Steemit.com</a>. 

With that said: be **very careful** when using 3rd party Steem websites. Not every site is free of danger and there were a few cases where people spun up copies of Steemit.com just to get your private-keys!

<h1>`api.steemitstage.com`</h1>

And if you have a program which relies on `api.steemit.com` to communicate with the blockchain, then fear not:

You can simply use `api.steemitstage.com`. But be aware of possible problems that could arise at any time due to the nature of code-updates.

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I hope this post helped to clarify the recent errors and gave you a better understanding of how Steemit.com works and what you can do if it's down.

And don't forget: Never stop steemin'!

Your witness,
@therealwolf

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<center><h1>Making Steem Greater</h1>

![signature_therealwolf_2.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaUTTbMyvZQPsNouySt7fop85Sh49LJUVuRHLwfniVZQw/signature_therealwolf_2.png)
**Projects developed by @therealwolf for Steem**
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<table>
<tr>
<th><a href="https://smartsteem.com/about">Smartsteem.com</a></th>
<th><a href="https://github.com/therealwolf42/Steem-Chat-Wallet">Steem Chat-Wallet</a></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th><a href="https://github.com/therealwolf42/witness-essentials">Witness Essentials</a></th>
<th><a href="https://github.com/utopian-io/signup.utopian.io">Utopian.io Signup</a></th>
</tr>
</table>

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<center><h4>More about me</h4></center>

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<center><a href="https://steemit.com/dlive/@therealwolf/907d9d74-9b3c-11e8-9e1e-0242ac110003">#1 Ask Me Anything livestream with 15 questions</a></center>
<center><a href="https://steemit.com/therealwolf/@hungryhustle/11-things-i-learned-from-the-ama-session-by-witness-therealwolf-hosted-by-community-supporter-meno-7fe1392b9c59dest">11 Things I Learned From the AMA written by @hungryhustle</a></center>


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<center>

<h4>Do you share my vision for Steem?  Let's work together to achieve it!</h4>

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You can vote for me at https://steemit.com/~witnesses.

Or you can simply use steemconnect to <a href="https://steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=therealwolf&approve=1">vote for me</a> or to <a href="https://v2.steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-proxy?proxy=therealwolf&approve=1">set me as a proxy</a>.

A big and sincere **Thank you** to all of those who support my efforts!
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