This site the past few weeks has gotten increasingly laggy.

[Delldude]

I can't find any slowness on the server. All the metrics look good.... the load is fine, there are no slow queries in the log.

What kinda available memory is there?

 

[toobfreak]

I can't find any slowness on the server. All the metrics look good....

I still experience random issues.

OK, maybe you folks will find this interesting or useful. I just tried to post a message replying to a thread (about 10:10PM), and when I clicked post, first it did nothing, but I didn't see the little green "working in the background" bars in the upper right corner indicating the server was busy processing anything, so I tried to hit post again and this time, the server responded with a message apologizing that it was unable to process the request and that I'd have to wait XX seconds before I could try again (it usually almost never does this no matter how many times you try to post).

And it counted down about 30 seconds much like it would if you had already just posted (to avoid spam) then as soon as it timed out to zero, it immediately posted the message instantly and normally. Strange.

And now, trying to post this message, the green bars were working in the background a full minute before finally posting this message. (But editing the message to add this final remark, it posted it instantly)

 

[Delldude]

OK, maybe you folks will find this interesting or useful. I just tried to post a message replying to a thread (about 10:10PM), and when I clicked post, first it did nothing, but I didn't see the little green "working in the background" bars in the upper right corner indicating the server was busy processing anything, so I tried to hit post again and this time, the server responded with a message apologizing that it was unable to process the request and that I'd have to wait XX seconds before I could try again (it usually almost never does this no matter how many times you try to post).

And it counted down about 30 seconds much like it would if you had already just posted (to avoid spam) then as soon as it timed out to zero, it immediately posted the message instantly and normally. Strange.

And now, trying to post this message, the green bars were working in the background a full minute before finally posting this message. (But editing the message to add this final remark, it posted it instantly)

Just happened to me three minutes ago.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

Just happened to me three minutes ago.

It's horrible this evening. Massive timing out and having to delete duplicate posts

 

[elchorizo]

We may simply have to upgrade the server. The problem with that is the site simply loses money. It costs more to run than it makes, and that doesn't include the time of anyone -- not the mods, not the admins, no one makes a cent off of this site.

We've had $600 in donations and a couple hundred in user upgrades since January 1st of this year. That doesn't cover the cost of the server and hosting. It's simply unsustainable. The advertising fees that we make in that time is around $200. So, it's really the donations keeping us afloat.

I see so much bullshit posting on this site.. people posting things just to post that literally mean nothing and add nothing useful to the discussions. Just spamming crap non stop that is absolutely worthless.... maybe we can all slow down on the BS spammy crap and that will save resources for the actual real use of the site as well.

 

[toobfreak]

We may simply have to upgrade the server. The problem with that is the site simply loses money. It costs more to run than it makes, and that doesn't include the time of anyone -- not the mods, not the admins, no one makes a cent off of this site. We've had $600 in donations and a couple hundred in user upgrades since January 1st of this year. That doesn't cover the cost of the server and hosting. It's simply unsustainable. The advertising fees that we make in that time is around $200. So, it's really the donations keeping us afloat.

That's unfortunate. Speaking only for myself, I was about to start donating to this place regularly on a monthly basis back in 2019 when out of left field, a mod pulled some ridiculous move on me that made absolutely no sense at all that stopped that idea right in its tracks. That was only reinforced by my getting banned last year for 6 days out of a clear, blue sky for no reason I can even imagine, no explanation ever given. In fact, I almost didn't return at all and did not finally come back until four months later.

I see so much bullshit posting on this site.. people posting things just to post that literally mean nothing and add nothing useful to the discussions. Just spamming crap non stop that is absolutely worthless.... maybe we can all slow down on the BS spammy crap and that will save resources for the actual real use of the site as well.

Again, that is ironic. I've seen many complaints about trolling threads and posts that just go on endlessly by the same people. I've complained about some of the people let on here who never have anything constructive to say or do nothing but post garbage, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. There are people on here whose every post lobs unsupported garbage that when you ask them for evidence or proof or explanation, they either just disappear or there isn't any forthcoming.

I generally truncate posts to include and address just the salient point I am responding to both for better readability and to limit consumption of server resources which was confirmed AOK and just fine by Flaccaltenn, a senior mod, years ago, then I get into trouble for doing so by another mod last year anyway, despite my linking him to the thread where it was deemed OK.

We have too many rules and "zones" and every time I think I have a handle on them, I'm proven wrong again. Over the years, I've seen a number of good people and top posters here driven off the board or banned, only to be replaced by an increasing number of half-baked people.

All of these and more I believe have contributed to the position we are in today. Lord knows I don't expect everyone to agree with me on everything I post, but when you have to keep 60 people or whatever on IGNORE just because you are either tired of reading their rubbish or tired of their attacks, and their eternal refusal to ever engage in an adult conversation really debating the two sides of any topic, there is something wrong.

 

[Delldude]

We may simply have to upgrade the server. The problem with that is the site simply loses money. It costs more to run than it makes, and that doesn't include the time of anyone -- not the mods, not the admins, no one makes a cent off of this site.

We've had $600 in donations and a couple hundred in user upgrades since January 1st of this year. That doesn't cover the cost of the server and hosting. It's simply unsustainable. The advertising fees that we make in that time is around $200. So, it's really the donations keeping us afloat.

I see so much bullshit posting on this site.. people posting things just to post that literally mean nothing and add nothing useful to the discussions. Just spamming crap non stop that is absolutely worthless.... maybe we can all slow down on the BS spammy crap and that will save resources for the actual real use of the site as well.

Maybe update the limits on sig picture size, a lot of forums have a 150x150 size limit. Sig lines-why is there a ten line limit, why have ten lines? Or posting entire articles.

Set a life limit on those BS spammy posts, like on a junk mail file.

 

[elchorizo]

How has it been the past 24 hours or so? I noticed the guests have dropped WAY down and we've done some additional optimizing.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

We may simply have to upgrade the server. The problem with that is the site simply loses money. It costs more to run than it makes, and that doesn't include the time of anyone -- not the mods, not the admins, no one makes a cent off of this site.

We've had $600 in donations and a couple hundred in user upgrades since January 1st of this year. That doesn't cover the cost of the server and hosting. It's simply unsustainable. The advertising fees that we make in that time is around $200. So, it's really the donations keeping us afloat.

I see so much bullshit posting on this site.. people posting things just to post that literally mean nothing and add nothing useful to the discussions. Just spamming crap non stop that is absolutely worthless.... maybe we can all slow down on the BS spammy crap and that will save resources for the actual real use of the site as well.

I would suggest that you start with those with the highest average post count per day as well as those who post the largest reams of other people's words.

There is a trend involved.

 

[BS Filter]

You have inside poop?

Every day.

 

[Delldude]

Every day.

No shit?

 

[BS Filter]

No shit?

Yes, shit.

 

[toobfreak]

How has it been the past 24 hours or so? I noticed the guests have dropped WAY down and we've done some additional optimizing.

Frankly, at times it seems somewhat improved. I just got on about a half hour ago. Things were working fine then suddenly, delays--- so far, not really long delays. Hard to say, might be better, but not eliminated. I cannot see any particular pattern to the behavior.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

That's unfortunate. Speaking only for myself, I was about to start donating to this place regularly on a monthly basis back in 2019 when out of left field, a mod pulled some ridiculous move on me that made absolutely no sense at all that stopped that idea right in its tracks. That was only reinforced by my getting banned last year for 6 days out of a clear, blue sky for no reason I can even imagine, no explanation ever given. In fact, I almost didn't return at all and did not finally come back until four months later.


Again, that is ironic. I've seen many complaints about trolling threads and posts that just go on endlessly by the same people. I've complained about some of the people let on here who never have anything constructive to say or do nothing but post garbage, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. There are people on here whose every post lobs unsupported garbage that when you ask them for evidence or proof or explanation, they either just disappear or there isn't any forthcoming.

I generally truncate posts to include and address just the salient point I am responding to both for better readability and to limit consumption of server resources which was confirmed AOK and just fine by Flaccaltenn, a senior mod, years ago, then I get into trouble for doing so by another mod last year anyway, despite my linking him to the thread where it was deemed OK.

We have too many rules and "zones" and every time I think I have a handle on them, I'm proven wrong again. Over the years, I've seen a number of good people and top posters here driven off the board or banned, only to be replaced by an increasing number of half-baked people.

All of these and more I believe have contributed to the position we are in today. Lord knows I don't expect everyone to agree with me on everything I post, but when you have to keep 60 people or whatever on IGNORE just because you are either tired of reading their rubbish or tired of their attacks, and their eternal refusal to ever engage in an adult conversation really debating the two sides of any topic, there is something wrong.

Yep.

I was banned for 4 weeks by a Mod who has it in for me for a post I made that another mod said was not even an infraction.

Imperious mods on ego trips who adjudicate entirely upon their personal politics IS NOT the way to generate donations, especially considering the patterns involved here in what is being protected and what isn't.

Catering to those on the fringes of society while going out their way to alienate everybody else is NOT a good business model for a place looking for donations.

 

[Delldude]

Frankly, at times it seems somewhat improved. I just got on about a half hour ago. Things were working fine then suddenly, delays--- so far, not really long delays. Hard to say, might be better, but not eliminated. I cannot see any particular pattern to the behavior.

Same here.... wait till the After work crowd is on.

 

[toobfreak]

Imperious mods on ego trips who adjudicate entirely upon their personal politics IS NOT the way to generate donations, especially considering the patterns involved here in what is being protected and what isn't.

Well, to be fair, DP, I've been on a number of science forums, this is the only "social/political" site I've really participated in, and while I've had my druthers about a few of the mods here over the years, I generally find the moderation pretty good here, usually. There have been some bumps in the road. Some of the mods I miss having are Flaccaltenn, Westwall, Meister, Kat, and yes, even Coyote... I know many didn't like her, but I found her reasonable and fair when approached reasonably and fairly.

As a former mod and admin myself, I find that it generally takes two to tango, so, just be yourself, fly straight, accept authority, and I think you'll be alright.

Also, it is my understanding that all mod actions here are by committee, so no one really "pulls" anything on you without at least the rest of the mods knowing about it.

I try not to complain --too much-- OK, a subjective interpretation--- if I really have a serious complaint, sooner or later, I take it to PM (or DM, as it were now).

 

[elchorizo]

It is impossible to moderate a political site without people complaining. Despite the fact that I've never made a single political post here, nor do I do a single moderation action, I am bombarded by complaints from people that I'm either too far to the left, or too far to the right.

It doesn't need to make sense, nor does it have to be logical for someone to believe something or assume someone or something is against them or believes something. That's why I stay out of the moderation and only handle systems administration tasks.

The fact that I get complaints from both sides equally seems to tell me that the moderation here is about as down the middle as you can get. I think that's a good sign.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Yep.

I was banned for 4 weeks by a Mod who has it in for me for a post I made that another mod said was not even an infraction.

Imperious mods on ego trips who adjudicate entirely upon their personal politics IS NOT the way to generate donations, especially considering the patterns involved here in what is being protected and what isn't.

Catering to those on the fringes of society while going out their way to alienate everybody else is NOT a good business model for a place looking for donations.

You should be thankful you're even still allowed around here, honestly.

So please spare us your arbitrary claims of victimhood.

You're one of the primary low-value wrecking balls that deter from any expectation of what could be considered lively, stimulating, relevant dialogue/debate on the board.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Anyway. I haven't been coming around much lately, but the only thing I've seen a couple of times is a popup dialogue saying the the server failed to respond in time. Or something along those lines.

 

[Natural Citizen]

It is impossible to moderate a political site without people complaining. Despite the fact that I've never made a single political post here, nor do I do a single moderation action, I am bombarded by complaints from people that I'm either too far to the left, or too far to the right.

It doesn't need to make sense, nor does it have to be logical for someone to believe something or assume someone or something is against them or believes something. That's why I stay out of the moderation and only handle systems administration tasks.

The fact that I get complaints from both sides equally seems to tell me that the moderation here is about as down the middle as you can get. I think that's a good sign.

Your web site is widely known by its usership to be more relaxed than most of the other similar platforms.

As a consequence you've ended end up with a steady migration of everyone elses rejects/banned members who routinely demonstrate why they were rejected by other similar platforms and they have become very, very comfortable carrying thelselves in the same way here, to the point that any expectation of civilized, relevant, meaningful dialogue is near impossible.

It's that brand of juvenile, Mickey Mousery stuff that has effectively reduced the place to what really can be described as a haven for committed purveyors of flotsam and jetsam and, as you mentioned, a steady and very predictable flow of spammy content served up for no other reason than to deter and impede any expectation of relevant, adult dialogue.