Why is the SDMB Server So Slow Lately?

[Brazin]

Seems like the last few weeks the SDMB server (even the main site server) is sooooo slow. I’m using a T3 line and it’s like being on a 14.4 dial-up. It’s worse midday (increased usage probably) but even at 5:00 AM pacific time it’s still much, much slower than other boards and sites I frequent. Anyone know why?
B.

[bibliophage]

This is a frequent topic for discussion in the ATMB forum. From the sticky thread FAQ - technical issues - please read this BEFORE posting a question

Q: Why is this board not fast enough for my rapidly typing fingers and hair-trigger mouse speed?
A: This board has in a way been a victim of its own success. The Chicago Reader is currently investigating possible solutions to the speed problem. In the meantime we appreciate your patience and ask you to bear with us.
…
Q: Why would the server be slow even during the middle of the night (continental USA time), when hardly anybody in the USA would be on?
A: Doing a large search can cause everyone to have to wait. So if you have only a few people, each doing a large search, that can slow down all the other users.

Q: Could it be slow because of board maintenance?
A: Usually board maintenance is at the same time every night - from 03:30 to about 04:15 (Chicago, Illinois, USA time) the database is locked down so that we can capture a consistent backup. Due to the current hardware configuration the old system of modifying the status of the SDMB to present a “down for maintenance” screen is no longer in place.
Any special maintenance done by the Information Services (IS) team at the Chicago Reader office could happen unexpectedly and we (SDMB staff / posters) might not always be notified of it.

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.

If that doesn’t answer your questions, you can ask again in ATMB.

bibliophage
moderator GQ