Our new home - post your opinions here

[Jon]

I understand the rationale behind adding their Access version, but I used to find it an annoyance having to add details of versions of stuff while using a forum. I also like less visual clutter.

Many will disagree with me, and I understand that.

I also though the guy did a great job with that forum, but it looks as though he has lost rank quite a bit compared to before. Maybe too much tweaking!

 

[vba_php]

I understand the rationale behind adding their Access version, but I used to find it an annoyance having to add details of versions of stuff while using a forum. I also like less visual clutter.

Many will disagree with me, and I understand that.

well that's fine Jon. I just wanted to ask because, based on my issues in the past with Access, it saves a lot of time to know what the question askers are dealing with, if indeed we as the helpers have a different version or don't have access to their version. that's all. either way is fine with me. personally, I've got 03, 07, 10 and 16.

 

[Jon]

personally, I've got 03, 07, 10 and 16

That is another reason why I don't like that option.

 

[vba_php]

That is another reason why I don't like that option.

i'm not following you Jon. why don't you like me, as a helper, having multiple versions? if I have to, or want to, that makes it easy to simulate a problem, and I do it all the time.

 

[Jon]

I mean if you have one box for what someone wants help from, the thread poster can't put all your versions of Access in there.

 

[Jon]

Spam bots are doing ridiculous numbers of member signups per day. It is currently about 80. I am assuming they are spam bots because there are no posts.

 

[isladogs]

I've deleted several spammers flagged by the software every day this week before they've done a single post.
It may be an increase or possibly they may have joined at the same rate as now but not been picked up until the first spam post

 

[Jon]

This week, I hope to add litespeed caching for guests. The main benefit is that it will be quick for visitors and Google will take that as a good signal and hopefully give us some love. Litespeed reduces the load on the mysql backend and so should have a small improvement in speed for logged in members, more so during busy times. Lots of guests, uncached, puts a high load on mysql, but litespeed caters to that. Litespeed is a kinda pricey subscription so I hope it proves worthwhile. I was in two minds over whether or not to have it, but I took the plunge.

Also, I will add a CDN, which is short for Content Delivery Network. This takes some of the elements on this site, like images, some javascript etc and puts them in what they call "PoPs", which are locations spread throughout the world. The idea is that if the main server is in the USA, someone from say the UK will have a slower website experience due to more data having to travel a further distance. So, a CDN will put some of that content locally.

The CDN service I intend to use has comprehensive coverage, with 39 PoPs throughout the world. Hopefully, this will help make a slight improvement to the speed of the site.

 

[Jon]

Cloud Flair is a well known one.

The main server for this site is in the USA, and here are the Pop locations that will be added using the CDN:

 

[Jon]

I'm trying to implement a CDN this evening, so if things go a little funny, it is because of that.

 

[Jon]

Ok, I have added the CDN now. Hopefully that will make things a bit zippier for some.

 

[Jon]

It's interesting to see where everybody is from. We truly are global!

 

[Jon]

Has anyone noticed a slight change in site speed? Looking for feedback.

 

[moke123]

I'll tell ya in a couple minutes when the page finishes loading....

It seems noticbly faster. pages load instantly.

 

[Jon]

@moke123 Where abouts is your location?

Edit: Just seen in your profile: Massachusetts

 

[moke123]

@moke123 Where abouts is your location?

Edit: Just seen in your profile: Massachusetts

Berkshires

 

[Jon]

Are you both saying they load faster than earlier today? Or the same, but just generally faster than in the past?

 

[moke123]

definitely faster than in the past. It seems faster than earlier but it was pretty fast then too. Hard to tell.

 

[Jon]

I've run a before and after site test through 3 different webpage speed testers, and each have confirmed a slight improvement in speed. I need to get some more caching options setup next. Might have a problem implementing litespeed because it could mean that the same ads are shown to both desktop and mobile users. I noticed today that using my mobile, the long banner is too wide for mobile, so I will have to set mobile/desktop up separately. But then if litespeed caches all guests, then I can't distinguish between mobile and desktop. Google's Search Console complains that the site is not mobile friendly if you have stuff that is too wide for the screen.

Its a tricky problem to solve.

 

[jdraw]

Seems faster to me.
West Palm Florida