Site optimisation

Post by **jmb** » 19 Jan 2008, 00:35

I've been doing some more site optimisation...

Before I flip the Big Switch to activate it for all users of the forum, perhaps some enthusiastic people might be able to help check out the changes?

In your forum profile near the bottom there's an entry for Board Style: - if you could try changing that to subSilverOptimised and saving the profile, that'll make a subtle difference to the way the board pages are displayed for you - when logged in.

If you do try this, could you you please let me know here if it causes you any problems (different graphics, text, or other odd behaviour) - or if it looks good - that'd be most welcome. (Adding a note of which web browser/OS you're using would also be useful.)

You may find that the apparent speed of page loading improves a little, but it's primarily aimed at avoiding too much traffic from search engines. If you do notice a significant improvement, that's great, and please do let me know...

cheers,
James

[edited 2007-01-19 to rework badly-worded description]

Post by **clv101** » 19 Jan 2008, 00:44

I've changed it... first thoughts, is anything different?

Post by **jmb** » 19 Jan 2008, 02:27

It's intended to look exactly the same. The differences should all be in the performance, primarily in terms of data transfer volume and caching behaviour.

cheers,
-jmb

Keela · Post by **Keela** » 19 Jan 2008, 10:18

I've made the change too.
What change?
As you say everything looks just the same as before.

And I'm on a Mac so perhaps that's another box ticked!

Post by **mikepepler** » 20 Jan 2008, 21:58

Works OK for me.

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 21 Jan 2008, 12:04

Working well for me - I think it may be a bit quicker.

Eternal Sunshine · Post by **Eternal Sunshine** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:35

Seems to be quicker.

I'm using Windows XP Pro & Internet Explorer.

Post by **jmb** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:43

When I'm happy that everything is stable with the last round of optimisation, I have another ready to roll.

This one (for the interested, it's about template caching) is directed more at speed of page display for users, by reducing how much work the server has to do for each page. I'd guess it would only make a noticeable difference at times when the server is very busy, but it might have a general improvement.

-jmb

aliwood · Post by **aliwood** » 23 Jan 2008, 19:57

OT - Every time I read this title I see 'site optimism'. Now if you guys could flick a switch and work on that...

We now return you to your regular programme

Post by **jmb** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:57

Heh. Sorry, I'm afraid the optimism department is out for a long lunch...

Post by **jmb** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:32

Sneaking a peek into the database behind the forum tells me that 17 people are currently using the new settings - I know of 7, so either the rest haven't found any problems, are waiting until they've found problems - or have found such awful problems that they can't access the site any more!

Feedback on this - even if just to confirm that things haven't gone horribly wrong for some particular browser - would be welcome...

cheers,
-jmb

oilslick · Post by **oilslick** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:41

I'm in...will keep an eye on it

syberberg · Post by **syberberg** » 23 Jan 2008, 22:13

I've just changed over to it. Faster loading, much faster loading in fact. I'm using Windows XP Pro, with Firefox 2.0.0.11

Post by **jmb** » 23 Jan 2008, 22:21

Thanks, syberberg, good to hear about a definite improvement!

Which puts me in mind of - I don't know if anyone here is using Dial-up instead of broadband, but it should certainly make a significant difference in that case...

cheers,
-jmb

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 23 Jan 2008, 22:32

I'm using XP Pro and Firefox with a painfully slow (dialup speed) GPRS connection through T-Mobile. I changed this evening, but haven't used it enough to notice much difference yet. I find the speed varies quite a bit anyway.

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Site optimisation

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