Tech: Mudcat slow?

Subject: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:04 AM

The last couiple of days, I've noticed that Mudcat seems furchtbar slow- frequently hangs and times out. This is with Firefox 3 and the NoScript plugin. Other sites are normal, so it's possibly not this end. Anyone else had problems?

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:35 AM

No

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:43 AM

When I tried to hook up on Monday morning I couldn't get in at all. My connection "hung" until early Wednesday morning when my friendly ISP guy brought me a new modem - so I suspect that's not your problem.

The only "slow connections" I've seen here in recent months are always with a "waiting for AdServer" notation in the IE status bar at the bottom, so I assume it's traffic conflicts/collisions with the remote server that delivers the little Google ads. Usually a "refresh" will connect instantly, which probably indicates it's not high traffic; but if I don't "kick the tires" the hang may last last for a very long time - (probably on the order of ten or fifteen seconds) indicating a likely "packet collision" which is more likely to give you a "dead" link.

The ads are, I think, linked by jscript(?), so your NoScript plugin could actually be what's bogging you down. I find the over-use of java scripts annoying, but with current plugins the malware vulnerabilities appear to be reasonably well controlled, and so many sites are now using it for legitimate(???) purposes that it's almost necessary to have it available.

My "blockers" ask permission before allowing scripts from sites I haven't prevously approved; but then a quick click lets the script run - or not - as I decide. I've encountered a very-rare-few pages (not at mudcat, mostly at Yahoo "groups") that won't load at all without scripting. That's so very rude that I don't ever look at those pages.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:48 AM

I've been having trouble with Mudcat all morning. Connection is fine, can access other sites no problem. But clicking many of the thread links gets me an error page. Nevermind trying to post. I will be surprised if this posts.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:51 AM

Seems to be an intermittent thing- it siezed completely half an hour ago, but it's smooth as peanut butter now.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:53 AM

I've been having that too.

Max has been doing some tweaking to the site - there's a big thread about it, and I suspect that the errors are coming up because of that. But I'm no techie so don't quote me!

I've noticed it seems to get indigestion when I try to open the larger threads - anything over 15 posts gets me the error message, but the smaller ones like this seem to be OK for now.

I would suggest you just be patient and, as I'm attempting to, get some real work done instead! :D

LTS

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 06:44 AM

Real work! I am taking a flexi day today. The plan is to stay in and play. Work she says. :P

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 09:06 AM

Work is the Curse of the Surfin' classes !

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Max
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 09:13 AM

Yeah, its my fault. I'm copying a lot of data off the server to create a 2nd database for a development server. The mudcat database server keeps pretty busy with its mudcat duties and is getting a bit angry with me that I'm asking it to do more. Growing pains.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 10:35 AM

I figured it was something like that--keep up the good work! I've noticed some pages are slow to load, but then, my system isn't speedy and needs upgrading itself.

Last year I made several Amazon purchases through the Mudcat link, so I'm glad to see from your report on that other thread that the effort makes a difference to the Mudcat bottom line.

Another thing that can slow threads is some of the security software on your machine. There is a noticeable slowdown when I let my AVG anti-virus software use it's "link scanner" feature. It is actually a useful tool I should be using, but while my connection is so slow, I have it turned off. You might want to see if you have updated or installed anything like this that is causing new pages to hang or load slowly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 11:52 AM

Yep...that 'link scanner' feature is a nice idea, but it's like checking the I.D. of everyone at an Obama rally....it really backs up the crowd.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 12:05 PM

LOL.....I just finished reading this thread and wasn't going to post but when I clicked "Forum Home" I got the Error message. Just another one of those "Mudcat Synchronicities."

Now if it doesn't take this message or loses it, that will make it even funnier..........except no one else will know. Hmmmmmmm..............Okay.....If you see this post have a chuckle and if you don't have two chuckles! And if you can walk and chew gum at the same time and grab your ass with BOTH hands as well, then bugger off......You're no fun at all.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 12:25 PM

Lost posts have been a problem for a while I have seen on broadband, public PC's and dial-up so it definitely was a Mucat problem. - particularly when trying to tell a newbie "how to" over the phone (basic is too complicated a word to describe it) and missing posts then cause all sorts of confusion.

But we are a community - we work together - at the speed allowed.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 03:49 PM

Posts go missing when the form won't load and you don't go looking for your post right away. If you realize it didn't stick before you've clicked away from the page too far you can go back and get your response, open a new window, go to Mudcat, and paste it in and it should go that time.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 04:20 PM

It happens to me at times, and I **reload** Mudcat and it works fine...not *refresh* like at the top of Mudcat, but **reload** in your browser.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 04:23 PM

Reload doesn't seem to work for me. It might partly be the browser I'm using (IE, most of the time).

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 08:30 PM

Several of my posts have been hanging fire, and they were brilliant, at the moment. I saved them but "the moment had passed" when I rechecked them.

I can certainly live with upgrade inconvenience!

Upgrade, baby, upgrade!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 08:01 PM

Are others still having trouble? It seemed to me that the problem is the Google ads. The page will load, but my mouse cursor jumps back and forth and I can't navigate on the page until the ad finishes loading. Now I notice there's an Amazon ad, complete with mouseover popups. Maybe THAT is that ad that's giving me trouble. It's a big box with lots of links on it, and mousing over each link will bring up a picture and more links.
I have a fast connection and a fast computer, but those ads are too much for me - even if they DO pay the rent.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: GUEST,suzi
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 02:46 AM

No..... Running great here in Hull uk, well at least mine is...Thank you Joe.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 02:55 AM

It seems a tiny touch slower than it used to be; if I load a long thread (a 50 chunk say), and I'm too quick off the mark clicking on a poster's name, it goes there briefly before returning to the top again. I don't remember this befiore.

But the problem I asked about originally was serious slowness, and Max's explanation of lots of copying seems to have been correct.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:04 PM

Am I the only one having trouble with those Amazon links? It completely freezes my browser until it finishes loading. I can't look at other tabs while the thing is loading, either. It seems to happen only when there's an Amazon link loading on the most recent page. Doesn't seem to be the Google ads.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:10 PM

No probs here so far, on Firefox anyway.

JM

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:23 PM

I've noticed the mouse arrow quivers while pages load, but I can't say this is exclusive to Mudcat. I'll have to pay more attention. It never used to do that.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:36 PM

Amazon does that to me frquently - not just off mudcat.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:54 PM

Your arrow quivers? Are they full? have you shot your bolt?


... bye now...

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Max
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:47 PM

Yeah, this one amazon widget causes some weirdness. I'm getting rid of it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Snuffy
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 07:57 AM

I've been getting the same behaviour on the home PC, but not at work, though both have broadband connections: the cursor oscillates and the browser is locked up until the ad is loaded. Good to hear you're zapping it, Max

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 11:58 AM

Anyone else having trouble with slow loading? I've dumped cookies, cleared my cache, and still each time I click on a thread, page, etc. it is r-e-a-l-l-y slow. AVG, spybot, and adaware say my PC is okay and other websites are loading at regular broadband speed.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Amos
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:07 PM

Same here--it is only half as fast as it has been. Not that I am accusing Maxof being half-fast. I'm just saying... ;>0

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: BB
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:15 PM

Certainly not good today...

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: bfdk
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:25 PM

It's been s-l-o-w for some days as seen from here.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: BobKnight
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:32 PM

Just today - I log on and the header comes up, but the page is blank. After about 20-30 seconds the "threads" appear. Didn't used to be like that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: longboat (inactive)
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:33 PM

The cat is definitely having a slow day today, it started (or stopped) for me, late yesterday (14th Sept.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:37 PM

yes, agree with all these comments - very slow for the last day or so.
derek

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:57 PM

Thanks, folks. Good to know it's not just me, I guess...:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:21 PM

Same here. I thought it was my plaptop and kept swearing at it.

Did you know that my machine reacts negatively in proportion to my level of stress?

It is one of them there vacuous siecle things.


sucked into the vortex of cyber despair

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Monique
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:24 PM

Same here. It started yesterday.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:25 PM

I just figured it was the beagle again.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:43 PM

yes very slow,other sites are not

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:54 PM

Yeah, it's slow. I sent Max a text message just now. We were down off and on all night.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 02:02 PM

I was getting, error 267, Sunday all day.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Tootler
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 04:50 PM

Definitely sluggish for me tonight. I thought it might have been my so called broadband connection which has deteriorated massively recently, but if others are having problems then maybe it is mudcat this time.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: terrier
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:26 PM

I've been following the L'pool Folk Club thread and over the last few days it takes forever to load, I thought it was just 'overuse.' :)

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:38 PM

Might be the hosting company...might be Max playing with it..

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: dwditty
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:55 PM

Max is simply catering to the appreciation of the folk tradition and has implemented measures to take us back to the good old days of dial up.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Joe_F
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 06:17 PM

It does seem to be taking its time to bring up long threads & to refresh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 07:53 PM

Very slow yesterday and today.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Fergie
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 08:04 PM

Yes definitely much slower but still the best site on the internet IMHO

Fergus

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Beer
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 08:35 PM

Slow as cold molasses running up hill in the month of January.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Tech: Mudcat slow since the upgrade?
From: Janie
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 09:10 PM

I've noticed it more problems with it being slow, and also off-line, ever since Max moved to "the mountain."   

I'm really, really ignorant about such things, but I notice since I moved to a more rural area last year, my DSL is slower. My theory is the phone company has not invested as much in the infrastructure and carrying capacity as they have in more urban areas, so the lines carry more traffic, and are slower for that reason. If there is any merit to that notion (and some one please feel free to educate me if it is a stupid theory,) I assume that if I had a server from which I was running a site such as the 'Cat, it would also be slower to respond to those accessing it.

Actually, I have no idea why, and that seemed to be the best ignorant answer I could come up with.