High traffic levels and reduced site functionality

[EarlG]

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

Last edited Mon Apr 15, 2013, 07:43 PM - Edit history (2)

In order to keep DU running during periods of extremely high traffic we have a system of levels in place. As traffic to the site increases, certain functions are removed at each level. When this happens a notification will appear on the Latest page indicating what level we're on. The effects of these levels are described below.

LEVEL 1
Advanced Search is unavailable
Latest page Milestones are not displayed
The red text that indicates a post has been edited is not displayed
Cool section is removed from the homepage

LEVEL 2
The right column is removed from the Latest page
Latest page customization options are unavailable

LEVEL 3
Some navigational images are not displayed
Posts counts are not displayed
Signature lines are not displayed
Stars are not displayed
Avatars are not displayed
The homepage is replaced with a static HTML file

LEVEL 4
The discussion forum is available to registered members only

LEVEL 5
The discussion forum is available to Star Members only

Please understand that under extreme circumstances these measures do become necessary in order to keep the site running for as long as possible, for as many people as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

EarlG, Skinner, Elad
DU Administrators

[barbtries]

1. thanks for the heads up

i posted to make sure i still have a star, i think it's running out this month

[Beaverhausen]

2. Thanks to you and all the admins

I look forward to spending a victorious election night with fellow DUers!

[onehandle]

3. Just de-vowel all posts. nt

[longship]

7. It's called, "disenvowel". Get it right! ;-) nt

.

[onehandle]

8. I knew that wasn't right. Couldn't remember. Thanks. nt

[Renew Deal]

36. lol

[True Dough]

44. Y shld hv ld by xmpl

"Jst d-vwl ll psts."

[libdem4life]

4. Good for planning; better for notifying us and best for just being here. :)

[jenw2]

5. Moving to Windows Server 2008R2 would help

If you were trying to raise money for that move to greatly improve performance, I'm sure you'd get more donations including mine, and you certainly wouldn't have to cripple the site because of your open sores software.

[Archaic]

6. I admin hundreds of Windows, Linux servers.

My Linux ones don't die or need reboots.

My Windows ones are better than they've been, but nowhere near my Linux boxes.

And I wouldn't want to lock them into a future where Server2012 is their roadmap. What a pile o' crap. Some nice features, but not enough to justify its awfulness.

Back on topic, good extortion, EarlG, I've been lurking forever, and intend to continue to. Election night without DU would be unbearable, so I re-lit my star.

[Major Hogwash]

16. They don't use much open sores software at the DU.

Because they require too many band-aids.

I. couldn't. resist.

[dixiegrrrrl]

23. Leprosy software???? Had no idea.

[Major Hogwash]

24. This may cause cold sores, but I don't think it'll go viral.

People shouldn't comment here after watching the Gangnam Style video for 12 hours straight.

[kestrel91316]

22. Thank you for insulting our DU admins.

Enjoy your stay.

[Renew Deal]

37. Nice post Satya Nadella

[MADem]

40. "Open sores?"

Put some Bactine on those things!!!

[glinda]

9. I made a donation and where is my star? Don't they show anymore?

[freshwest]

10. I can see your star for the minute. Look again, although it may be off for traffic.

[glinda]

12. thanks!

[freshwest]

11. Thanks, EarlG, for explaining this.

[libodem]

13. I smarted off in the appreciation thread

But I am truely grateful for all the effort put forth,operating the site.

[littlemissmartypants]

14. Thanks for the heads up!

[northoftheborder]

15. Thanks for the explanation. And thanks for your excellent administration of the website!

[William769]

17. Thanks for the detailed explanation.

[NYC_SKP]

18. Bookmarking.

We are expecting a significant amount of traffic through election day and beyond. Elad has installed an additional front-end server but we still expect to have to disable certain forum functions once the load on our servers becomes too great. During these times it is absolutely necessary to remove these functions otherwise the servers will crash and the site will be unavailable to everyone.

In order to keep DU running during periods of extremely high traffic we have a system of levels in place. As traffic to the site increases, certain functions are removed at each level. When this happens a notification will appear on the Latest page indicating what level we're on. The effects of these levels are described below.

LEVEL 1
Advanced Search is unavailable
Latest page Milestones are not displayed
The red text that indicates a post has been edited is not displayed
Cool section is removed from the homepage

LEVEL 2
The right column is removed from the Latest page
Latest page customization options are unavailable

LEVEL 3
Some navigational images are not displayed
Posts counts are not displayed
Signature lines are not displayed
Stars are not displayed
Avatars are not displayed
The homepage is replaced with a static HTML file

LEVEL 4
The discussion forum is available to registered members only

LEVEL 5
The discussion forum is available to Star Members only


A word of warning: there is a strong possibility that -- at least for certain periods of time -- we will have to operate at Level 5 on election night. To prepare for this possibility you can purchase a Star Membership here if you have not done so already.

Please understand that under extreme circumstances these measures do become necessary in order to keep the site running for as long as possible, for as many people as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

EarlG, Skinner, Elad
DU Administrators

[ellisonz]

19. I've been told that a proper DEFCON system goes from 5 to 1.

[NightWatcher]

20. I tried to donate, but stupid Paypal wont take my credit card

It says that another account has already registered that card. I dont suffer from multi-personalities, nor do I have more than one Paypal or email account.

I liked it when yall took credit cards directly. Hope I can still log in Tuesday, I just found out they dont want me to volunteer as a poll watcher here, so I'll be home all day tuesday

[Ruby the Liberal]

21. "The homepage is replaced with a static HTML file"

Smart move. I would hate to think how many queries that page generates every time it loads. Do hope you all would be able to do a manual update if something bizarre/unthinkable happened, like a massive earthquake or something.

[panAmerican]

25. Site is already slowing down

Let's not become like the Freepers, please!

[Purveyor]

26. Has the "advanced search' feature ever worked? eom

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. It certainly has, but not in the last 10 days or a week or so.

I miss it, and I'm looking forward to getting it back!

[Purveyor]

31. I guess I missed it and certainly do miss it since I post a lot of articles and hate doing dupes. nt

[Terra Alta]

27. Hopefully, it won't get to level 5.

I want all members to be able to participate in an Obama victory.

[skeewee08]

29. Thanks Elad, got my star.....

[rug]

30. At Level 6, the only forum we can access is Cooking & Baking.

[Kennah]

32. Is there any expectation of reduced DU activity in 9 months?

[In_The_Wind]

33. ♥

♀

[NYC_SKP]

34. &#9829

?

[In_The_Wind]

35. &#9829

[Renew Deal]

38. I want to go to Level 5

[TygrBright]

39. We appear to have gone straight to DefCon Four tonight? n/t

[Maynar]

41. They've gone to plaid!

[marble falls]

42. Thanks for the explanation, Earl. Thankyou for putting up with us!

[jalan48]

43. I just wanted to say thanks for keeping the site running.

To all those behind the scenes working to make DU a reality, thank you.