All,
We're currently rolling out a whole pile of updates to address a number of speed and capacity issues we've had over the years. This process is now 3/4 complete, with the last (and biggest) change still to come.
We now have a number of different web clusters serving images, and a dedicated server just for thumbnails.
The next stage in the expansion is bringing the new core server online, which is what does the database + html part (eg everything except images).
We're hoping to do this tomorrow. This means that potentially for a few hours after we cut DNS over, you may be looking at the old server, which tomorrow morning Australian EST will have its database frozen and you won't be able to post/add content/etc. Usually DNS fixes itself up in a matter of hours, but in the past when we've done this change we've noticed some people hitting the old system for up to a few days. If this happens, there's not much you can do except wait.
The new core server is MASSIVELY faster than the existing one so all database related queries etc (of which there are dozens on every page you look at) will be significantly faster. Image loading times should be about the same, except we have doubled the capacity there too so there should be no more red Xs (fingers crossed). Having thumbs on its own server will help, too.
All of this has been a
very expensive exercise for myself and DK. Thank you to everybody that donated a few weeks ago during our donation drive. We will find a way around our current issue with PayPal and hopefully that great support will continue!
Cheers
PS. Oh yeah, if you notice anything wacky going on after the cutover (which will be announced here when its complete) then please let us know.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 28/07/2008 12:06AM by DarkKlown.