# Are we running particularly slow lately? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 31, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161 "2003-07-31T16:28:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/1 "2003-07-31T16:28:33Z")
I saw **Zenster’s** post about hamstered threads but nothing about speed in general. For the past three days this site has been mind-numbingly slow. Is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/2 "2003-07-31T17:59:15Z")
Upgrade the servers please. ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beryl_Mooncalf_1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/3 "2003-07-31T18:00:52Z")
I’m getting more 404 messages lately, between threads. They seem to occur more often in more active forums, in the most active threads. I wonder if it is “thread” related? I see in the tech messages here that the sysop has disabled all the things that would slow it down. Anyway, to the Admins, and the Mods, and the sysop, I think you have done an exceptional job. (I meant,… are doing an exceptional job…) Thank You for your time and efforts… ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/4 "2003-07-31T19:13:48Z")
**kputt** , we’d all like to see better response, but in the current situation that probably isn’t going to happen. If I may, I’d like to offer a friendly, non-official suggestion: it’s a good idea to read all available FAQs and sticky threads. In particular, the sticky thread in this forum [FAQ - technical issues - please read this BEFORE posting a question](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1959053#post1959053) has information about the question of server upgrades (emphasis added): > [@](#): > > More details on board speed/performance. > > \ > > Q: Why doesn’t the Chicago Reader do anything about this? > A: This message board is not a big part of the Chicago Reader business, and they get very little revenue from it, so they don’t spend a lot of money on it. > > Q: Are there any plans to make revenue from it? > A: People at the Chicago Reader are discussing possible ways to start getting revenue from the board. > > Q: Would you like suggestions on how to make money from the board? > **A: This has already been discussed at the SDMB multiple times, at great length, with many different types of suggestions, so forgive the staff if they don’t become actively involved in any new discussions.** > > Q: Oh come on, how expensive/hard can it be to beef up the SDMB server? > **A: Any hardware upgrades done in the past have almost immediately been met by increased demand, and the board speed went back to its usual, not-so-fast (at peak times) self.** > > Q: I get a lot of enjoyment out of the SDMB and would like to contribute financially to my host in some way. > A: You can always Buy Straight Dope Stuff. If you already own all the Straight Dope items, you could buy some more and give them away to friends / local libraries / high schools etc. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/5 "2003-07-31T19:30:57Z")
I was only joking. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/6 "2003-07-31T22:32:29Z")
Running slow? Chariots of Fire? Vangelis? Isn’t it? Didn’t they? Running on the beach? Jumpers for goalposts? Isn’t it? Marvellous. There has been a lot of duplicate/missing post strangeness of the type that often precludes a period of downtime. Erk. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/7 "2003-07-31T22:51:08Z")
Running slow? Chariots of Fire? Vangelis? Isn’t it? Didn’t they? Running on the beach? Jumpers for goalposts? Isn’t it? Marvellous. There has been a lot of duplicate/missing post strangeness of the type that often precludes a period of downtime. Erk. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/8 "2003-08-01T04:10:38Z")
FYI, Mr. I Just Got Here and Know Nothing, we got a brand new server in November. Unfortunately we are a victim of our own success here; the demand for the board far outstrips whatever supply we might have available. Several months of being beaten like a rented mule 24/7 has not made the server operate better; in fact, I have alerted our tech support to the fact that we’re having problems. I do not know what, if anything, can be done to fix things. I cannot begin to tell you when a solution and/or a fix will be implemented. All I can do is report the situation and ask y’all to be patient. And some of you need to back off. WAY off. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/9 "2003-08-01T04:33:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TubaDiva \* > **And some of you need to back off. WAY off.** Not to be snarky or anything, but huh? What does this mean, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/10 "2003-08-01T04:40:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KidCharlemagne \* > \*\*I saw **Zenster’s** post about hamstered threads but nothing about speed in general. For the past three days this site has been mind-numbingly slow. Is it just me? \*\* Hey **Kid** No, it’s not just you. It is very frustrating but I doubt there’s much that can be done. Just “pray” that the whole thing doesn’t crash and burn. At least we **Dopers** can get a little taste without having to go cold turkey. Now that really is the pits. Hi **Tuba** you okay? You sound a little stressed…☹ ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/11 "2003-08-01T08:00:05Z")
I am incredibly stressed. I HATE it when things don’t work right and this current situation is really really kicking my butt, most of all because I can’t fix it. I have alerted the tech folks to what’s happening, but I don’t know what they can do either; we can’t make access where none exists. Just very frustrated . . . and all the more so knowing y’all are just as much or more so right behind me. And that little bit about “upgrade the servers please.” ARRGH! your humble TubaDiva Administrator Good thing I can’t reach out and touch someone right about now. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/12 "2003-08-01T11:06:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Good thing I can’t reach out and touch someone right about now. I keep TELLING you we need a cyberslap function on the next upgrade… ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/13 "2003-08-01T13:08:59Z")
Just thought I’d say that I’ve been noticing you’ve sounded under a lot of pressure, **TubaDiva**. Actually, that goes for all the SDMB Admins and Mods. Please take care of yourselves. All I can say is that I hope things ease up for all of you, in all things, soon, as useless as that sounds. I’ve had only the merest dash this week of the stress you must be under. Take care. You _are_ appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/14 "2003-08-01T14:19:12Z")
Sorry, I was only joking around. geez. ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beryl_Mooncalf_1)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/15 "2003-08-01T14:59:41Z")
Yikes! > [@](#): > > I keep TELLING you we need a cyberslap function on the next upgrade… Good Idea! (I think) Thanks Again… [invisible]I sure hope there’s no global option[/invisible]😉 ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/16 "2003-08-02T12:17:06Z")
Don’t sweat it too much. Nobody’s going anywhere and most of us don’t blame y’all for the problems. Hell, I appreciate having a place to BS w/ folks without having to buy 'em drinks. If it gets too bad, I think we should all e-mail **Al Gore** and chew HIS ass out for not working all the kinks out of his damned invention… 😃 My prescription for stress…several shots of gold tequila in between margaritas, a good cigar and some Stevie Ray playing in the background, oh and ribs smoking on the pit. That’s what I’m doing tonight for sure. stressed or not ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/17 "2003-08-02T13:22:04Z")
We understand that most people’s suggestions and questions are meant to be helpful. We’re stymied because we (Moderating Staff) are not paid, overworked, and have no power and not much of a voice within the READER’s structure. So, while we usually understand and appreciate your suggestions, it’s kind of like when you’re trying to get a job done and some well-meaning person (say, your mother or your boss) stands over your shoulder watching and making helpful comments. It just adds to the frustration. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/18 "2003-08-03T16:55:24Z")
FWIW, I certainly didn’t start the thread to bitch. I recently put in a new router and can’t tell what’s what. ---
**Author:** ![LauraLittlePony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LauraLittlePony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LauraLittlePony)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/19 "2003-08-03T22:16:31Z")
Well, I’m glad you did start it, **KidCharlemagne** , because I’m new and was wondering if they were supposed to be this slow. So thank you, from at least one person. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161/20 "2003-08-04T05:09:08Z")
Perhaps having a 132k banner gif at the top of every page isn’t such a great idea? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-running-particularly-slow-lately/192161.md?page=2)