Is the site slow lately?

[bryani289swmi]

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed a change lately. Seems to me that it is just this site as the other sites I frequent are performing fine. Just wondering. Thanks.

Bryan

[B4D2]

Bryan, speed seems just fine to me. Besides the occasional spammer, it has been loading quickly. Try checking for malware. Often times, it will slow down a computer.

[ol Grump]

Before this, the old site loaded quickly but this "new and improved" one loads slow for me too. The ACME site still loads just as fast as it ever did.

[adco]

I'm not seeing anything unusual in the stats that would be slowing the site down. Google's site speed tracking is pretty new, but it looks like the board has been loading at a fairly consistent speed for the past several months.

If anyone else experiences unusual slowness while browsing the board, please post here! If you were doing something specific, tell me that too.

[bryani289swmi]

I still don't think it's my machine as I run MalWare and Norton. What really makes me think it's not my machine is I tried it on my wifes Mac and it loaded slow on there too. Seems to load the main page fast, slows down when I go to to the bulletin board, gallery, etc. Pictures also seem to display differently, instead of being able to scroll through pictures it opens up a window and I need to "go back" and click on the next picture to view.

Bryan

[8C 361]

Before this, the old site loaded quickly but this "new and improved" one loads slow for me too. The ACME site still loads just as fast as it ever did.

Since the last upgrade the site is unbeliveably, almost unworkabley slow when on dialup at one of my locations. There are issues with posting and corruption problems.

This site is of interest world wide. Not everyone everywhere has access to high speed and the latest whiz bang computers. The last upgrade has made ACMOC an elitest group.

Because of the upgrade we have lost SJ. SJ was a tremendous asset to the board. He was always there to greet new posters and where else could one hope to find someone with the lifelong experience rebuilding our Cat engines that was so willing to share his knowledge.

I belive the actual ACMOC club itself does not care much about this board so we can not hope for much improvement.

Tom

[adco]

Bryan and Tom,

I've made some tweaks to the board that may speed up the load time. Let me know if it seems to help or not. There may be more I can do, but not as easily.

Also, some stats:
- Board traffic has increased 30% since this time last year
- Only about 3% of the current traffic is using dialup
- The actual number of dialup users hasn't changed much from last year

So I guess you dialup people aren't being scared away by the slow load time, which is good. :high5:

But we don't know there's a problem unless you tell us! :boink:

[B4D2]

But we don't know there's a problem unless you tell us! :boink:

Indeed. Also, the push for "whiz bang computers" is not driven by the staff at ACMOC, but rather demanded by the entire technical side of software development, online shopping, etc.. It has been explained time and time again, the old version of the bulletin board software was no longer supported by VBulletin. As far as ACME is concerned, they are in the same boat and there have been murmurs about needing to follow suit. Be forewarned.

Regarding SJ, do not heap on the staff or the admin, as they have been trying to help him. From what I understand, he is still using webTV. That technology has been around since the last ice age (I exagerate).





I belive the actual ACMOC club itself does not care much about this board so we can not hope for much improvement.

Tom

With all respect, you sir, are wrong.

[Old Magnet]

Hi Tom,
You are not totally wrong. Issues like attachment order and word duplication have been with us since the beginning....and now this email piracy thing.

They ask for examples of duplication (which I didn't provide as it obvious even in their own posts) problem still exists.

For the few of us that actually post attachments the "no order control" is very annoying an unprofessional. Problem still exists.

Haven't noticed any slow internet operation but that's not the only thing that's slow.

I'd also agree with you that nothing has been gained from the former format and I consider the order control to be a major loss. Leaving a sinking ship program is hardly an improvement, it was a neccessity.

I'd also agree that the BB has forever been the orphan child in terms of support. Maybe dues ought to be prorated to match the amount of BB attention and improvement.

I could go on about excuses and blame but the pattern seems set.

[adco]

Hi Tom,
You are not totally wrong. Issues like attachment order and word duplication have been with us since the beginning....and now this email piracy thing.

Email piracy?


They ask for examples of duplication (which I didn't provide as it obvious even in their own posts) problem still exists.

Sorry, I don't actually post a lot so I have not seen this problem myself...tried looking through some of your posts but couldn't see anything wrong. It's possible that some people are seeing different things from others. If you really want this issue fixed, PLEASE give me some links and screenshots to work with.


For the few of us that actually post attachments the "no order control" is very annoying an unprofessional. Problem still exists.

Unfortunately, this is something that's up to vBulletin to correct and is apparently very low on their priority list. We even offered them money. :tsk:


I'd also agree that the BB has forever been the orphan child in terms of support. Maybe dues ought to be prorated to match the amount of BB attention and improvement.

I respond well to chocolate and lolcats. :wink:

-Megan

[SpragueM]

For what it's worth, there have been a few issues that arose in the early initiation of this "new" bulletin board and were resolved quickly. I am not the bulletin board police nor was I a beta version tester, but, when I discovered a problem, I contacted adco(Megan) and advised her of the situation. Here is the procedure that we went through to fix it.

1. Identify the problem. Communicate the situation, ie; point to place it exists, e-mail screen shot (Print screen button) copy/paste to paint,save as file and attach to e-mail.

2. Adco reviews situation, asks additional questions if needed.

3. Repairs if possible.

If you are having a problem or see a problem. Record the location, and e-mail adco. Some things are repairable, some are not.

Matt

[B4D2]

I respond well to chocolate and lolcats. :wink:

-Megan

Megan, you are priceless. Thank you for your help.

[bryani289swmi]

I did some checking and this is what I found:

.083 minutes to load ACMOC homepage
1.723 minutes to load forum page
.120 minutes to load ACME
.063 minutes to load ACME Cat discussion segment
.216 minutes to load FCSA forum
.194 minutes to loadFCSA general discussion

Just some random sites and loading times for sites I frequent. Don't know that it means anything, it's just what it is. Thanks.

Bryan

[B4D2]

Bryan, good info, thanks. Meagan can probably sort this out better than me, but what browser and operating system are you using? Dial up, DSL, cable or ?? I was reviewing some problems that Joe Black encountered a few years ago and it sheds some light on possible causes. http://www.acmocbb.org/ACMOC_BB/showthread.php?3950-Odd-Problem-with-acmoc-Page

[Jim Sixty]

I can't tell any difference in the speed. I don't have a super fast connection, or at least can't watch video's without letting them load first, and streaming is out of the question. You might try adding the bulletin board to your favorites so you can go directly here instead of through the homepage first. I like the way the pictures work now. It easier to click next rather than going back and forth. Good luck, hope you find the problem, but I don't think it is necessarily with this board. There must be some conflict between it and some program on your computer.

[ol Grump]

In the "for what it's worth" column, I'm on a dialup connection at around 46-49 Kbps and the ACME site loads twice as fast as ACMOC. Pics here on ACMOC load a lot slower than the ones at ACME. The discussion forums react the same. .ACME loads quickly, ACMOC a lot more slowly.

My 'puter is home built with an Athlon 1.83 gig chip and 992 megs of RAM running Windows XP Pro with service pack 3 and I use Firefox for a browser.

[bryani289swmi]

B4D2/Meagan,

I run Windows 7 Home Premium HPG60 Notebook with 3GB RAM and Internet Explorer. I use Freedom Net, 2Mbps download, 512K upload. I have the same results on my wifes Mac running Safari. There has been a definite change in the last few weeks, can't put an exact time on the date. I'll head to the library here in the next few days and try it there to see if there is any difference using wireless there. Thanks.

Bryan

[B4D2]

Bryan, That is probably an important factor: you are obviously running a home network. Is it wireless? What router are you using?

[bryani289swmi]

Bruce,

We are running a LinkSys router. Thanks.

Bryan

[Walt D7-3T]

One of my computers, that is connected to DSL and is running Windows XP Pro and Internet Explorer, sometimes lately after I get home from work (midnight - AZ time) it is real slow and sometimes it will not load for a few minutes. HOWEVER, on my other computer which is running Windows 98 Release one (I know it is O-L-D_ and using Netscape, it doesn't seem to be any slower than usual.

Just some more info to add to the mix.

Walt

[B4D2]

I might also add: Bryan, if running a wireless router, think if you have added any new electronics to your house. Unsheilded cable on a new DVD nearby? New appliances? New microwave? I currently have a wireless router with 2 wired connected computers and one laptop with a wireless connection. The laptop is located in the kitchen and when I use the microwave, I loose all connectivity. My connection speed also drops if I move the laptop to a new location nearer to the fridge. In the high rises I work in, the walls are all constructed with steel studs and a lot of the drywall has foil backed vapor barriers. All of this adds up to slow/no connectivity for users. Wire lath within an older home can also slow signal strength. Mac VS PC may not have as much to do with operating system as signal strength generated by the individual machines. Also of note, the new ACMOC BB has more features that require more "umph" to run, such as the picture viewing and moving emoticons. All these features take longer to load regardless. I'm not making excuses, just giving some more ideas as to what can be affecting performance.

[bryani289swmi]

Bruce,

Nothing changed or added new that we know of here. I'll keep trying to get it fixed. Thanks.

Bryan

[B4D2]

I'll keep trying to get it fixed. Thanks.

Bryan

So will we. :thumb:

[adco]

I did some checking and this is what I found:

.083 minutes to load ACMOC homepage
1.723 minutes to load forum page
.120 minutes to load ACME
.063 minutes to load ACME Cat discussion segment
.216 minutes to load FCSA forum
.194 minutes to loadFCSA general discussion


Whew, that's pretty crazy! Not at all consistent with what I'm seeing here or in the stats.

So the ACMOC home page loads okay but not the bulletin board. How about the store? Anyone experienced slowness there?

[adco]

Here's something to try.

At the bottom of the board you will now see a dropdown that lets you change the board style. There's a new one called "Lightweight" that's designed for mobile sites and loads extremely quickly. Try it out and let me know how it affects your speed with the board.

(I know it looks really drab, but it's just for testing purposes!)

[chriscokid]

I have experianced slowness in the operation of the BB as well.
I tried the "lightweight" version and for me it seemed slower....go figure.
I think that on the regular bb, one of the things that takes soo long for it to load, is all of the post icons.. i never use them.
Maybe we can make them an option and then the loading of the thread reply will be quicker..at least for me that is.
The navagation part seems to be quick, but the actual operation of the pages are slow. ie: thread reply, posting pictures, viewing pictures, etc.
Not sure how to fix the problem, but it seemed to have happened all of a sudden.
Thanks for your concearn and continued work on this situation.

[8C 361]

Here's something to try.

At the bottom of the board you will now see a dropdown that lets you change the board style. There's a new one called "Lightweight" that's designed for mobile sites and loads extremely quickly. Try it out and let me know how it affects your speed with the board.

Hey this "Lightweight" is really great. Problem solved here.

Tom

[bryani289swmi]

Whew, that's pretty crazy! Not at all consistent with what I'm seeing here or in the stats.

So the ACMOC home page loads okay but not the bulletin board. How about the store? Anyone experienced slowness there?

Just tried the store are and it seems to be fast, unlike the bulletin board.

[ianoz]

I have just tryed the lightweight and yes it seems faster . Question ,now how do i get back to the old way ? As the drop down thing does not appear ??so i can change back .Ian .

[bruce oz]

hello Ian,it looks like you have to log out to get it back to normal bb ,bruce oz

[adco]

Keep the reports coming guys! You can never have too much info on things like this. :thumb:


I have just tryed the lightweight and yes it seems faster . Question ,now how do i get back to the old way ? As the drop down thing does not appear ??so i can change back .Ian .

Click the link that says "Full" at the top right of the page.



I tried the "lightweight" version and for me it seemed slower....go figure.


Hmm that is pretty strange...the lightweight version is doing a fraction of the work of the main site. I'll see if I can dig anything up on why that might be happening.

[chriscokid]

the "Full" option is the way to go, it seems to have increased the speed greatly,
I have not tried the operations of the pages but they load much faster.

[Jim Sixty]

The lightweight version really works well on my android phone. I couldn't view pictures at all otherwise and they load fast now.

[ianoz]

Thanks ADCO ,I was looking down the bottom of the page ,not at the top .Changed back all is nice and pretty again , but straight away notice the speed slow down in loading compared to the lighyweight one ..When i went to do this reply i waited until i saw the page was fully loaded {seemed to take about 30 seconds } then i started typing without it moving the cursor up to the title box . Ian .

[B4D2]

The lightweight version really works well on my android phone. I couldn't view pictures at all otherwise and they load fast now.

We are happy to hear that you can't spend the day without checking in, but all you "wired in" types PLEASE, keep the pickup truck between the lines and out of the ditch :lol:

[Jim Sixty]

At a quadrangular volleyball match tonight not much of a cell signal so it is nice to surf a little. They have an open wifi signal. Finally ready to start the last match.

[ol Grump]

I tried the lightweight version yesterday and it's a LOT faster.

[Delta Dirt]

Lightweight-------------Heavyweight-----------------------and "deadweight";------might be that I fit the last category best!!!!

Looks like I need to spend some time reading this full thread-----maybe pick up on something to help my connection here. Tonight-----everythings is working fine---------------most times for the past several months, I have had trouble connecting--------or losing the connection once it was made. Many times----the connection did not appear to be complete. Have not scanned or posted on the board much as a result of the hassle.

Not having the same problems with other forums. (figured I would make comment tonight while I have a good connection). Any ideas to a solution appreciated.


edit: quote "everything working fine tonight";-----after leaving this thread and going back to the Discussion forum--------I would click on a thread with the posts sometimes coming right up and other times only coming part of the way up (print showing with the yellow/black dot background-------never clearing to a white background)-----------must have spoken too soon. Eventually I appear to lose the entire connection.
Delta Dirt

[adco]

For future replies to this thread, please try to include answers to the following:

1) Does the "Lightweight" style improve the board load time for you?

2) Does the main ACMOC.org website load slowly too? How about the online store?

3) What kind of internet connection are you using? (dial-up, DSL, etc.)

4) How long have you been having problems? (The software upgrade was in April.)

Thanks all!

[ol Grump]

For me, the lightweight version loads much faster. I'm on dialup, running 46-49 Kbps. When I sign in, the main page loads sloooowly, taking as much as a minute and a half before I can view anything. As I recall, this all started when the "new and improved" version came about. The ACME page loads same as always as do any other sites I visit.

[OldNuc]

After reading through this thread I will add this to the mix. I notice that even after a given page has completely loaded and all Internet traffic is at zero the page scrolling is painfully slow. Either scrolling up or down. This has been a feature for a while but I do not remember it from the initial upgrade. It is the BBS software however. On another board that I frequent they also had this painfully slow scroll effect and they are now running version 4.0.7 of the software and the problem is gone.

It may be this slow scrolling that the other people are reporting as slow loading. Don't know but it is quite aggravating to say the least.

[B4D2]

Oldnuc, thanks for that feedback. As Megan has said, Vbulletin is aware of some of the bugs that are resident in the software and they have been addressing them ongoing. It appears that the updates are reflected in 4.0.7. As you can see, we are running 4.0.3. If you'd like, send me a PM with the site that is running '07. I'd like a look at it.

[adco]

Yes, we should get upgraded to the latest version. The changes between 4.0.3 and 4.0.7 are mostly invisible, but there have been many behind-the-scenes bugs corrected with each version.

(Note: THESE upgrades would be very minor compared to that last huge jump we made.)