Another reason to donate to DU: More powerful web servers!

[Skinner]

We're getting a new web server next week. And we're getting another new web server in December.

I'm sure you've noticed that DU is running slow during peak times. That's because our traffic keeps increasing, and it's going to continue to increase all through next year's election campaign.

We are aggressively gearing up for 2004. And our first priority is getting new computer hardware in place AHEAD OF TIME so we can handle the expected increase in visitors.

We are currently running two servers -- One on the front end, and another which runs the database for our message board. Next week, we're adding server number three, so we're going to have two front-end servers handling all of our page requests. Our web host contacted me earlier this week to inform me that the new server has been delivered, and we are ready to bring it online next week, once the fund drive is finished.

Then, in December, we plan to swap out our current database server and install a MUCH FASTER AND MORE POWERFUL server.

The addition of these two servers will greatly increase the speed and power of our website. And it will significantly increase our monthly costs for web hosting, which is one reason why we are trying to raise more money this fund drive than we have in the past.

If you think DU is running a little slow on weekday afternoons, then I hope you will donate to help us upgrade our web servers.

Click here to donate.

Skinner
DU Admin

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Perhaps the wrong time to ask

but are we intending at some point in the future to re-enable search on OLD DU? There's a lot of gems on that board.

[Skinner]

2. Not sure. We might.

Currently, we're thinking that a better approach would be to convert all the old threads to HTML so Google can index them.

[KoKo]

5. Wouldn't that make all the threads Public? Private search of old DU for

those of us registered here would seem to allow us to retrieve or review topics which are our history.

Wouldn't Google invade "our and your" privacy, somehow. Having threads with posters names? (Not real computer literate here, so excuse it if it's a dumb question.)

[Nlighten1]

3. What type of servers are you using Skinner?

[Kamika]

4. When is the "peak time" ?

I never really noticed DU running slow.

[Skinner]

6. Peak time...

Approximately 3:00PM to 7:00PM Eastern time.

[pmbryant]

7. Amazing we actually have to ask that question

"Slow" these days just doesn't mean what it used to. :-)

The site has been running spectacularly (for me, at least) ever since the first few weeks after the upgrade.

Great work!

:thumbsup:

--Peter

[brainshrub]

8. What day of the week do you have the most traffic?

I don't notice any difference in the speed.

[pmbryant]

9. Kick

:kick:

[Maeve]

10. And a really strong cup of hot tea....

Fans of Douglas Adams will get that(infinite improbability drive)....and I've been saying EarlG should get a new tea bag, anyway...

[Zomby Woof]

11. ZombyCoffee sells tea

So I can donate a box of my extra-strong Earl Grey Blend of tea!

[DemExpat]

12. Can it get much better?

DU rocks!

DemEx

[newyawker99]

13. kick

:kick:

[bearfartinthewoods]

14. ok Skinner...no teasing

if we pop off cheney, can we have ashcroft next?

[newyawker99]

15. kick

[DUreader]

16. kick

[newyawker99]

17. kick

[pmbryant]

18. kick

[newyawker99]

19. kick

[Ernesto]

20. Hey Skinner, while you're here,

In the last 2 weeks, I have noticed that a couple of posters (Noordam for one) seem to wipe out the posts that follow theirs. I can't even reply to the final poster because the "reply" option is included in the missing text. AM I the only one who has noticed this little glitch?

[DemExpat]

21. Post this in Bugs and Features Forum for a quick response.....

:hi:
DemEx

[Kolesar]

22. I really think you ought to hit up Soros or Peter B. Lewis for an upgrade

Shoot for the moon and buy some stuff that will be quite powerful, reliable and not need upgrading for a long while. It would probably cost a small amount compared to the funds that Soros and the labor unions have been spending for registration and GOTV. Then you can shift your attention to expanding the reach of DU and adding some powerful features.