Every time we complain about how slow the SDMB is to load pages, and how it sometimes gets so clogged that we can’t log on at all, or lose our posts to the hamsters, the mods tell us it’s because the SDMB server isn’t up to job of handling so many members, and we participate for free, and the Chicago Reader hasn’t put up the $$$ to upgrade the server.
But now we are paying for membership. Does that mean we’ll be getting a faster server? Will our subscription fees make that possible?
The first & most pressing cost is bandwidth, so that’s probably where our fees will go first.
Are you sure? That’s what I thought, but someone more knowledgeable than I claimed the bandwidth is fine. They just need a newer faster server.
The bandwidth may or may not be fine, but it’s a monthly expense.
Bandwidth is the bottleneck right now. The SDMB consumes so much of what the Reader has available, it’s beginning to impact their other apps.
And I’m beginning to think that the SDMB oughtta charge about $50.00 to ask this and similar questions. There’s what, like 50 of 'em in the last couple weeks?
Questions about whether/when/how the SDMB’s speed problems are going to be addressed were perfectly reasonable a month ago, UncleBeer, and they are even more reasonable now that we are actually paying customers.
I’ve often found the timing of resignations to be illuminating, but I think the suddenly self-important BrianGlutton underscores, highlights and circles a very good reason for calling a day to moderating. Not that I’m suggesting in any way that’s why anyone in particular would call it a day.
As the economic model shifts and peoples’ expectations change and grow, these must be interesting times for old-school Mods and Admins . . . ah, the joys of serving the general public !
(bolding mine)
Shouldn’t this read “paying customer” ? Just a thought.
Why not !
Bring it on, I say:
Valued charter customer, perhaps ?
Founding member customer, maybe ?
Original cast customer ?
Consumer legislation protectee ?
Oh, I agree, they are; I’m not trying to imply anything different. I’m just sayin, your question has been asked many times in many forms since the announcement and implementation of the for-pay scheme.
I think the original plan was that the introduction of subscriptions would trim off enough load that a new server installation could be postponed. At least, that was the impression Ed gave. I’m sure that as we hit ~ 5000 members or so, a new server might start being considered.
??? But according to the blurb at the bottom of the welcome page, the SDMB already has 45,260 members! (It doesn’t say whether all of these have paid their dues under the new system . . .)
here BrainGlutton
Maybe. But I think it’s unlikely. As noted above, the bottleneck ain’t the server, it’s the pipe.