Slowness in the site

Hi andy, everybody

In recent times i've noticed the site is getting less responsive. It takes longer to load pages, and sometimes it even fails to connect. I don't get this errors with any other site, so I thought i was coming from Che55. Is it just slow for me, or are other players experiencing it too? I wonder if the server is getting a bit overloaded, or if there's something i should tweak in my browser (usually Firefox, but sometimes i also use Midori, a webkit Xfce browser).

Best regards

Alezflute

Edit.
Oops, i think i should have posted it in Compliments, complaints and suggestions. Could you move it there, Andy? Thanks

Yes, I've noticed this as well sometimes. Usually when we have 20+ members online at the same time. Not really much you can do on Firefox to improve I'm afraid.

I've done some site optimization to try to improve the speed, particularly caching. But I'm running out of ideas now. I do believe the server is struggling, that's the only thing it can be.

This site really needs to be put on a dedicated server now, so there is no other websites using up the processing power and internet bandwidth. Unfortunatly the cost of renting one of those is about £1000/year.

I might be able to tweak it somemore, but the benefits will probably be minimal and hardly be noticable.

Not sure what to do really?? I'm quite stuck.

Ask for donations from the players to buy a new server. There are thousands of players, it will cost each one less than a pint.

Well over thousand have joined, but there is only about 100 regulars.

Problem is I'm very reluctant to start taking money.

Let me explain. I've been very busy lately and not had much time to get on here. Don't worry, the site won't be closing down. Che55.com is registered until 30-Mar-2019, I've worked too hard to shut it down.

If I start taking money, sure I can upgrade the server, but I will also be under pressure to work on the site. It won't be fair if players donate and improvements and changes are not done.

But of the other hand, if che55.com wants to grow and expand, some sort of income is inevitable.

Hi Andy, thanks for the reply. I tried with opera and it goes much faster (btw, other sites were faster too but with a smaller difference) but i think it depends a lot on the version you have. Mine is a snapshot of 10 version alpha (Archlinux is just too cool ). The problem with opera is that you can't play over games; let's say nobody's perfect. Off topic, I also found a way to display the RSS games feed on conky, so you can just see on your desktop if it's your move or not. Linux is great!

I sympathize with the dilemma you are faced with Andy, I think we would be willing to pay for playing on this site, if the site offers more than friendly games. You know as well as us that you can go to other sites and play for free(friendlies) being a guest member,and for a small
annual fee enjoy the rest of the facilities. The problem is further compounded by you not being able to devote the time necessary to see issues resolved (tournaments, etc). You have,
I'm sure, all members understanding in these matters, maybe if there are members that could offer support to alleviate the burden it would be appreciated.

Andy
The only day oe of us never moaned about football was in 1966 when we won the World Cup, since then football has changed, more competitions, more goals, more qualification rounds, changes in the laws of the game, changes of tactics, managers and players sacked, and the game is now worth a small fortune (millions).

This site is about people playing chess. Its not about meeting any individual needs or egos, its not about tournaments or changing rules by popular or even unsupported solicitation, its not about meeting in a cafe and voting about what you could or should be doing, its about enjoying playing the game with no pressure except that what you make your own.

I think the site is brilliant and dont want to see it fold, if you aint ready then dont expand it !

ANDY I just wanted to thank you for what you have already done.
Now you other lot out there, will you please leave this site alone, it is FAB.
WELL DONE ANDY !

Regards
white-pawn