I think we found our limit ..

[Brandon Martus]

Until I can re-optimize the apache & mysql configurations, or we have the money to get another CPU and/or some more memory, we will have to deny access to the site when we reach 300 simultaneous users.

So, if you come to the site and it says "There are too many users online." or something to that effect, go make some coffee .. have some pizza .. and then come back. Hitting refresh constantly won't do you any good.

Thanks for your patience.

edit: I added some server optimizations, removed the 300 user limit, etc. Detailed responses from earlier are below.

[sanddrag]

What exactly was the problem? Why would a new CPU or memory fix it? Thanks.

[Josh Hambright]

would it be a possibility for people to donate a few dollars to a fund? Or have some kind of CD shirts for sale like "CD Web Forums.... <insert catchy phrase>" or seomthing like that, maybe something for sale at the webhug or a webhug t-shirt, to help raise money for server upgrades, it seems right for us all to give back some how since we all gain so much from this site.

[KTorak]

That must explain the outage of the server at around 2200 EST...The whole site was down (after I started getting database errors). As previously stated, is there a donation fund?

[russell]

I would give a few bucks if my parents let me.... I bet I could convince them. But hey! I can wait! I actually have nothing better to do (usually anyway) than browse the forums here, especially now that build season is over.

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by oneangrydwarf

would it be a possibility for people to donate a few dollars to a fund? Or have some kind of CD shirts for sale like "CD Web Forums.... <insert catchy phrase>" or seomthing like that, maybe something for sale at the webhug or a webhug t-shirt, to help raise money for server upgrades, it seems right for us all to give back some how since we all gain so much from this site.

AGREED! This site is an incredible resource for all of us. How much $$ are we talking about? Brandon, I think you should definitely set up a PayPal account to accept donations. You do so much work for us already ... you shouldn't have to also deal with this type of resource limitation. Let us know how we can help!!

[Cory]

Why not make people register to view the forums?

If they can't take the 30 seconds to register then they don't need to browse the site.

Originally Posted by Cory

Why not make people register to view the forums?

If they can't take the 30 seconds to register then they don't need to browse the site.

I agree, by these guests coming in here and just viewing they take away registered users ability to come in and ask a question or provide positive insight to these forums, I think that everyone should have to register to view the site.

[KyleGilbert45]

Originally Posted by D.J. Fluck

I agree, by these guests coming in here and just viewing they take away registered users ability to come in and ask a question or provide positive insight to these forums, I think that everyone should have to register to view the site.

I totally agree with ya on this one. Registration should be mandatory, at this time in the season, to view most of the forums (maybe except chit-chat and others of the like). Of the times I've looked today there have been more guests logged on then registered members.

Maybe this really won't solve any problem because then those guest might just log in if they have a username or go through and quickly fill out a registration using some "dumb" username and false information.

I'm not sure, it just seems that if you have to be logged in to view the forums then it could alleviate some of the stress on the servers.

[Petey]

Originally Posted by KyleGilbert45

I totally agree with ya on this one. Registration should be mandatory, at this time in the season, to view most of the forums (maybe except chit-chat and others of the like). Of the times I've looked today there have been more guests logged on then registered members.

Maybe this really won't solve any problem because then those guest might just log in if they have a username or go through and quickly fill out a registration using some "dumb" username and false information.

I'm not sure, it just seems that if you have to be logged in to view the forums then it could alleviate some of the stress on the servers.

Bad idea--

Remember, there are still quite a few teams who don't use ChiefDelphi, or who don't know about it. I don't want to sign up for a forum until I know it is worth it. Who knows--you could be getting spam!

It is imperative that guests be able to view, so that they may judge for themselves the quality of the site and whether or not they wish to register.

I instead go with the person who suggested CD shirts and/or donations: I'd definitely chip in money, especially if there were some CD shirts with great quotes.

--Petey

[Joe Matt]

Start a buffer system. At 275 people start turning away guests saying we are reaching capacity, so log in. That allows for more users to log in if needed. Also, an automatic log-off system, where if you are viewing a page for a certain time, you'll be logged off (10 minutes), so someone else can get on.

[Petey]

Originally Posted by JosephM

Start a buffer system. At 275 people start turning away guests saying we are reaching capacity, so log in. That allows for more users to log in if needed. Also, an automatic log-off system, where if you are viewing a page for a certain time, you'll be logged off (10 minutes), so someone else can get on.

I like your first idea--although it wouldn't be my preference.

Log off system could be bad. 10 min isn't long, and what if you are researching material to post? That would kind of suck.

I trust in Martus.

--Petey

[Ryan Albright]

I WANT A CD SHIRT! I WOULD BY 7 OF THEM, ONE FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK

[mtaman02]

Originally Posted by JosephM

Start a buffer system. At 275 people start turning away guests saying we are reaching capacity, so log in. That allows for more users to log in if needed. Also, an automatic log-off system, where if you are viewing a page for a certain time, you'll be logged off (10 minutes), so someone else can get on.

I like the auto log off feature b/c I for one can honestly say that I stayed logged in 24h 7d a week, when i turn my pc on im already logged into cd. By having a timeout / auto log off feature it will give many a chance to get on. If you don't do anything within 10 minutes you get put on a innactive list, If you don't do anything say 5 - 10 minutes after that you get logged off. That way you still have a chance to stay logged in, but will be logged off if inactive for 20 minutes.

As said b4 in previous posts, going by rep points wouldn't be fair only b/c alot of people don't have much or any for that matter.

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by KyleGilbert45

I totally agree with ya on this one. Registration should be mandatory, at this time in the season, to view most of the forums (maybe except chit-chat and others of the like). Of the times I've looked today there have been more guests logged on then registered members.

Maybe this really won't solve any problem because then those guest might just log in if they have a username or go through and quickly fill out a registration using some "dumb" username and false information.

I'm not sure, it just seems that if you have to be logged in to view the forums then it could alleviate some of the stress on the servers.

Part of the reason for the number of logged in users vs guests, is that regular members don't log in until they actually post something. I usually view the forums without being logged in.