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EarlG

(22,513 posts)
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 01:20 PM Nov 2012

High traffic levels and reduced site functionality

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
44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
High traffic levels and reduced site functionality (Original Post) EarlG Nov 2012 OP
thanks for the heads up barbtries Nov 2012 #1
Thanks to you and all the admins Beaverhausen Nov 2012 #2
Just de-vowel all posts. nt onehandle Nov 2012 #3
It's called, "disenvowel". Get it right! ;-) nt longship Nov 2012 #7
I knew that wasn't right. Couldn't remember. Thanks. nt onehandle Nov 2012 #8
lol Renew Deal Jan 2015 #36
Y shld hv ld by xmpl True Dough Oct 2017 #44
Good for planning; better for notifying us and best for just being here. :) libdem4life Nov 2012 #4
Moving to Windows Server 2008R2 would help jenw2 Nov 2012 #5
I admin hundreds of Windows, Linux servers. Archaic Nov 2012 #6
They don't use much open sores software at the DU. Major Hogwash Nov 2012 #16
Leprosy software???? Had no idea. dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #23
This may cause cold sores, but I don't think it'll go viral. Major Hogwash Nov 2012 #24
Thank you for insulting our DU admins. kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #22
Nice post Satya Nadella Renew Deal Jan 2015 #37
"Open sores?" MADem Nov 2015 #40
I made a donation and where is my star? Don't they show anymore? glinda Nov 2012 #9
I can see your star for the minute. Look again, although it may be off for traffic. freshwest Nov 2012 #10
thanks! glinda Nov 2012 #12
Thanks, EarlG, for explaining this. freshwest Nov 2012 #11
I smarted off in the appreciation thread libodem Nov 2012 #13
Thanks for the heads up! littlemissmartypants Nov 2012 #14
Thanks for the explanation. And thanks for your excellent administration of the website! northoftheborder Nov 2012 #15
Thanks for the detailed explanation. William769 Nov 2012 #17
Bookmarking. NYC_SKP Nov 2012 #18
I've been told that a proper DEFCON system goes from 5 to 1. ellisonz Nov 2012 #19
I tried to donate, but stupid Paypal wont take my credit card NightWatcher Nov 2012 #20
"The homepage is replaced with a static HTML file" Ruby the Liberal Nov 2012 #21
Site is already slowing down panAmerican Nov 2012 #25
Has the "advanced search' feature ever worked? eom Purveyor Nov 2012 #26
It certainly has, but not in the last 10 days or a week or so. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #28
I guess I missed it and certainly do miss it since I post a lot of articles and hate doing dupes. nt Purveyor Nov 2012 #31
Hopefully, it won't get to level 5. Terra Alta Nov 2012 #27
Thanks Elad, got my star..... skeewee08 Nov 2012 #29
At Level 6, the only forum we can access is Cooking & Baking. rug Nov 2012 #30
Is there any expectation of reduced DU activity in 9 months? Kennah Nov 2012 #32
In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #33
&#9829 NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #34
&#9829 In_The_Wind Sep 2014 #35
I want to go to Level 5 Renew Deal Mar 2015 #38
We appear to have gone straight to DefCon Four tonight? n/t TygrBright Nov 2015 #39
They've gone to plaid! Maynar Nov 2015 #41
Thanks for the explanation, Earl. Thankyou for putting up with us! marble falls Nov 2015 #42
I just wanted to say thanks for keeping the site running. jalan48 Nov 2015 #43

barbtries

(29,726 posts)
1. thanks for the heads up
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 01:24 PM
Nov 2012

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

Beaverhausen

(24,577 posts)
2. Thanks to you and all the admins
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 01:24 PM
Nov 2012

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

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
3. Just de-vowel all posts. nt
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 01:31 PM
Nov 2012

longship

(40,416 posts)
7. It's called, "disenvowel". Get it right! ;-) nt
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 02:29 PM
Nov 2012

.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
8. I knew that wasn't right. Couldn't remember. Thanks. nt
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 02:52 PM
Nov 2012

Renew Deal

(82,893 posts)
36. lol
Tue Jan 20, 2015, 09:30 PM
Jan 2015

True Dough

(20,063 posts)
44. Y shld hv ld by xmpl
Mon Oct 30, 2017, 06:35 AM
Oct 2017

"Jst d-vwl ll psts."

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
4. Good for planning; better for notifying us and best for just being here. :)
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 01:36 PM
Nov 2012
 

jenw2

(374 posts)
5. Moving to Windows Server 2008R2 would help
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 02:00 PM
Nov 2012

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

(273 posts)
6. I admin hundreds of Windows, Linux servers.
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 02:17 PM
Nov 2012

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

(17,656 posts)
16. They don't use much open sores software at the DU.
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 01:32 AM
Nov 2012

Because they require too many band-aids.

I. couldn't. resist.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)
23. Leprosy software???? Had no idea.
Mon Nov 5, 2012, 07:30 AM
Nov 2012

Major Hogwash

(17,656 posts)
24. This may cause cold sores, but I don't think it'll go viral.
Mon Nov 5, 2012, 02:28 PM
Nov 2012

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

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
22. Thank you for insulting our DU admins.
Sun Nov 4, 2012, 06:57 PM
Nov 2012

Enjoy your stay.

Renew Deal

(82,893 posts)
37. Nice post Satya Nadella
Tue Jan 20, 2015, 09:31 PM
Jan 2015

MADem

(135,425 posts)
40. "Open sores?"
Fri Nov 6, 2015, 09:26 PM
Nov 2015

Put some Bactine on those things!!!

glinda

(14,807 posts)
9. I made a donation and where is my star? Don't they show anymore?
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 04:09 PM
Nov 2012

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
10. I can see your star for the minute. Look again, although it may be off for traffic.
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 04:41 PM
Nov 2012

glinda

(14,807 posts)
12. thanks!
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 06:13 PM
Nov 2012

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
11. Thanks, EarlG, for explaining this.
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 04:42 PM
Nov 2012

libodem

(19,288 posts)
13. I smarted off in the appreciation thread
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 08:28 PM
Nov 2012

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

littlemissmartypants

(25,114 posts)
14. Thanks for the heads up!
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 10:09 PM
Nov 2012

northoftheborder

(7,606 posts)
15. Thanks for the explanation. And thanks for your excellent administration of the website!
Fri Nov 2, 2012, 10:40 PM
Nov 2012

William769

(55,813 posts)
17. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 08:04 AM
Nov 2012
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
18. Bookmarking.
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 12:08 PM
Nov 2012

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

(27,736 posts)
19. I've been told that a proper DEFCON system goes from 5 to 1.
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 01:10 PM
Nov 2012

NightWatcher

(39,356 posts)
20. I tried to donate, but stupid Paypal wont take my credit card
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 01:14 PM
Nov 2012

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

(26,289 posts)
21. "The homepage is replaced with a static HTML file"
Sat Nov 3, 2012, 03:52 PM
Nov 2012

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

(1,206 posts)
25. Site is already slowing down
Mon Nov 5, 2012, 07:18 PM
Nov 2012

Let's not become like the Freepers, please!

 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
26. Has the "advanced search' feature ever worked? eom
Mon Nov 5, 2012, 11:12 PM
Nov 2012

CaliforniaPeggy

(151,887 posts)
28. It certainly has, but not in the last 10 days or a week or so.
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 01:11 PM
Nov 2012

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

 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
31. I guess I missed it and certainly do miss it since I post a lot of articles and hate doing dupes. nt
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 06:38 PM
Nov 2012

Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
27. Hopefully, it won't get to level 5.
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 08:26 AM
Nov 2012

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

skeewee08

(1,983 posts)
29. Thanks Elad, got my star.....
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 01:13 PM
Nov 2012
 

rug

(82,333 posts)
30. At Level 6, the only forum we can access is Cooking & Baking.
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 04:43 PM
Nov 2012

Kennah

(14,463 posts)
32. Is there any expectation of reduced DU activity in 9 months?
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:21 PM
Nov 2012

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
33. ♥
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 06:52 AM
Apr 2013
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
34. &#9829
Wed Sep 10, 2014, 09:37 PM
Sep 2014


In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
35. &#9829
Thu Sep 11, 2014, 06:14 AM
Sep 2014



Renew Deal

(82,893 posts)
38. I want to go to Level 5
Tue Mar 17, 2015, 10:33 PM
Mar 2015

TygrBright

(20,987 posts)
39. We appear to have gone straight to DefCon Four tonight? n/t
Fri Nov 6, 2015, 09:01 PM
Nov 2015

Maynar

(769 posts)
41. They've gone to plaid!
Sat Nov 7, 2015, 12:24 AM
Nov 2015

marble falls

(61,994 posts)
42. Thanks for the explanation, Earl. Thankyou for putting up with us!
Sat Nov 7, 2015, 07:51 AM
Nov 2015

jalan48

(14,323 posts)
43. I just wanted to say thanks for keeping the site running.
Sat Nov 7, 2015, 10:49 AM
Nov 2015

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

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