Piecemeal Forum Improvements
December 21st, 2011 at 3:48:45 PM
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I can't be the only one who has been getting "500 Internal Server Error" messages and general slowness accessing the forum lately.
I am going through the site, page by page, making piecemeal improvements where I can see that they need to be made.
When I designed everything, I took the attractive approach of abstracting the data that is stored in the database to make it easier to work with. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that that approach just isn't going to cut it. So I'm modifying the code to "trim the fat," so to speak. It may take a couple days to get everything trimmed down, but it will hopefully speed the site up.
I am going through the site, page by page, making piecemeal improvements where I can see that they need to be made.
When I designed everything, I took the attractive approach of abstracting the data that is stored in the database to make it easier to work with. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that that approach just isn't going to cut it. So I'm modifying the code to "trim the fat," so to speak. It may take a couple days to get everything trimmed down, but it will hopefully speed the site up.
December 21st, 2011 at 4:01:26 PM
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Is there a reason you're not using phpBB or one of the other extant open source forum packages and making piecemeal improvements to that?
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
December 21st, 2011 at 4:09:03 PM
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Quote: MathExtremistIs there a reason you're not using phpBB or one of the other extant open source forum packages and making piecemeal improvements to that?
We decided to create the forum from scratch. Simplicity was the goal when the forum was started.
December 21st, 2011 at 5:34:14 PM
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Just an FYI while you're diggin around, if I try to access anything but the first page when in "subcription" section or "my posts" section, I get a 404 error. Been like that for many moons
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
December 21st, 2011 at 5:36:19 PM
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Quote: FaceJust an FYI while you're diggin around, if I try to access anything but the first page when in "subcription" section or "my posts" section, I get a 404 error. Been like that for many moons
Thank you - I'll look into it. What exactly do you mean by the "my posts" section?
December 21st, 2011 at 6:13:40 PM
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There are a couple features that phpBB and the other packages have that I wish WoV had, but I like the look and feel here. I'm also intrigued, watching the gestation of it, and seeing where it's going.
I know you're not looking for suggestions here, but these are the ones that come to mind:
- Avatars and a couple other "user info" type things
- urls that become clickable automatically
- Formatting buttons
I know you're not looking for suggestions here, but these are the ones that come to mind:
- Avatars and a couple other "user info" type things
- urls that become clickable automatically
- Formatting buttons
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
December 21st, 2011 at 6:28:27 PM
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Avatars would be cool. Very very cool.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
December 21st, 2011 at 10:25:21 PM
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Okay, the main forum page has been revamped internally (externally, everything should look the same). Its database queries are basically as tight as possible now. Not only should this speed up that particular page, but hopefully it will speed up the site overall somewhat too since that's the page that gets the most traffic.
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:00:32 AM
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Really? I would have thought that https://wizardofvegas.com/recent/ gets the most traffic. And it's always been the slowest to load.Quote: JB...since that's the page that gets the most traffic.
For the record, I DO think the recent posts page has gotten a little faster since you made the sorting change last week.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:40:53 PM
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Well, trimming down the main page doesn't seem to really have helped much at all. (Open mouth, insert crow.) Hopefully trimming the fat from all of the pages will help. It may also be due to this site being hosted on a shared server, in which case, nothing will really help much.
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:16:26 PM
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FWIW, I get the "500" error message quite frequently performing key word searches.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:48:02 PM
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Quote: JBThank you - I'll look into it. What exactly do you mean by the "my posts" section?
I had meant if I were to go to - Forum Members - Face - Posts made by Face... but that issue seems to have been solved. I still get the 404 on the subscription page though. First page is fine, but trying to access a different one gets a 404.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:54:27 PM
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Quote: FaceI had meant if I were to go to - Forum Members - Face - Posts made by Face... but that issue seems to have been solved. I still get the 404 on the subscription page though. First page is fine, but trying to access a different one gets a 404.
Try it now, it should work. I had a "&" where there should have been a "?".
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:59:47 PM
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Good to go, JB, thanks. Damn wayward ampersands...
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
December 22nd, 2011 at 3:00:09 PM
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Are avatars a huge problem to add? They're very popular
on the sites that have them.
on the sites that have them.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
December 22nd, 2011 at 3:03:55 PM
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Quote: EvenBobAre avatars a huge problem to add? They're very popular on the sites that have them.
Both the Wizard and I agreed that we didn't want them. If he wants to add that capability I will, but I doubt he has changed his mind about them.
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:07:44 PM
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I keep forgetting that it was a deliberate decision to not do them, rather than a back-burner p.i.t.a....
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:56:53 PM
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Quote: JBBoth the Wizard and I agreed that we didn't want them. If he wants to add that capability I will, but I doubt he has changed his mind about them.
Take my thanks and thank Wiz for me as well. I find them annoying, in online poker I always disable them. If you do decide to add them please have a disable feature.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:57:54 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanTake my thanks and thank Wiz for me as well. I find them annoying, in online poker I always disable them. If you do decide to add them please have a disable feature.
Noted, if for no other reason that I would disable them as well.
December 22nd, 2011 at 8:12:39 PM
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My position has not changed on avatars. I find them obnoxious and distract from the writing.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:48:44 AM
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Quote: WizardMy position has not changed on avatars. I find them obnoxious and distract from the writing.
I agree, but I have to admit I am greatly puzzled by their popularity. I don't have a clue why a grown man would give a damn about them.
Let me express my feelings this way, but replace the word you hear with "Avatars?"
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:22:58 AM
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I like avatars because they help provide an identity and personality to the user.
I agree that some people make an unusual choice of avatars. Personally, I use this one:
Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/rd_photo.gif
I agree that some people make an unusual choice of avatars. Personally, I use this one:
Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/rd_photo.gif
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:35:37 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearI like avatars because they help provide an identity and personality to the user.
I agree that some people make an unusual choice of avatars. Personally, I use this one:
Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/rd_photo.gif
Isn't that the guy running for president? He's got my vote!
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
