Why are the WBF servers so slow? PLEASE READ FOR FINAL UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT

[MarkusBarkus]

Check your DNS, if using the DNS servers supplied by your ISP, try implementing 8.8.8.8 and/or 1.1.1.1

...I just received a "database error" message on a white page. I don't understand that as a DNS issue.

And while trying to post this message, I received the message in the image below. Actually, many times with different time durations noted.

These are not issues local to me or my ISP.

 

[Al M.]

We just restarted the server. Things seem faster at my end. How is the speed with other users.

Thanks, speed is great.

 

[Bloomie]

...I just received a "database error" message on a white page. I don't understand that as a DNS issue.

And while trying to post this message, I received the message in the image below. Actually, many times with different time durations noted.

These are not issues local to me or my ISP.View attachment 153476

A database error being reported is a more involved error than some of the earlier messages being reported, which were not so defined and could be observed as more generally client-side related. A database error is clearly more of a server-side operation.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...not observing issues on other sites to suggest client-side issue here. And quite respectfully to all, the user numbers Steve posted are not very large. Although, they could be depending upon the infrastructure in place for the site. It will get sorted out, I'm sure. Cheers...

 

[Steve Williams]

...not observing issues on other sites to suggest client-side issue here. And quite respectfully to all, the user numbers Steve posted are not very large. Although, they could be depending upon the infrastructure in place for the site. It will get sorted out, I'm sure. Cheers...

perhaps, but they are very large for our server

 

[orange55]

I have no VPN and DNS is 8.8.8.8. Images are very laggy to load. I also have been getting similar not loading errors over past few days from the UK and generally the site has been slow. Some times it’s so slow I give up as it’s frustrating.

I always test over forums to check it’s not my connection and they are fine, which includes USA based forums.

 

[msimanyi]

I have to wonder if the crazy number of guests implies bots or AI LLMs are checking out the posts. I've read some sysadmin horror stories about dealing with the latter...

Is there a way to *only* allow registered user access? While that's not terrifically friendly, it might assist with a difficult technical problem.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I have no VPN and DNS is 8.8.8.8. Images are very laggy to load. I also have been getting similar not loading errors over past few days from the UK and generally the site has been slow. Some times it’s so slow I give up as it’s frustrating.

I always test over forums to check it’s not my connection and they are fine, which includes USA based forums.

+1 from germany..like good old modem times..but without noise

 

[Steve Williams]

I have to wonder if the crazy number of guests implies bots or AI LLMs are checking out the posts. I've read some sysadmin horror stories about dealing with the latter...

Is there a way to *only* allow registered user access? While that's not terrifically friendly, it might assist with a difficult technical problem.

If we restrict the site to members only the site would tank. We tried it once to force members to join and only a handful did. I assure you these are true guests with but a handful of bots on at any one time. People find us through Google searches and it is the number on a site at any one time that affects google rankings. We renmain in the top 3 by our google analytics. It is most common for forum to allow members and guests access, however if you want to post you must be a member

Here for example is audio karma stats at the moment. Total: 21,356 (members: 294, guests: 21,062)

you can see that they are ranked high because guests on the site contribute to time on the site. If limited to members our google rank would tank and no one would find us in a google search

 

[Steve Williams]

Here’s what we have on the site now

 

[Kingsrule]

Time for some of u guys to step up and donate so WBF can get a much bigger server...like to be able to handle 20,000 users at any time...

All u dealers who use WBF to promote your lines/store how about stepping up.....

 

[MarkusBarkus]

OK, OK, I just chipped in. I can't stand the pressure! I was starting to sweat @Kingsrule

 

[DasguteOhr]

interesting page presentation that's new for me.