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| Shoutbox 30/06/2011 at 12:54 #3325 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
Further investigations by the web host into the outage last night have suggested that the shout box may have been a large factor in overloading the server with requests. For that reason I've temporarily disabled it until we know more.
SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 30/06/2011 at 12:54 #17074 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
Further investigations by the web host into the outage last night have suggested that the shout box may have been a large factor in overloading the server with requests. For that reason I've temporarily disabled it until we know more.
SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 30/06/2011 at 20:19 #17093 | |
Albert
1315 posts |
You could probably set that the shoutbox doesn't refresh as often. That will reduce the server load. Or probably set that if you don't shout or reload the page for X seconds, the refresh time gets lower. This to reduce the load caused by users that don't look at the page at all. AJP in games Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 01/07/2011 at 07:55 #17108 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
There is a refresh time on the module which was set to 4 seconds. Further investigation of Ajax chat does indicate that these types of things do cause high server load. I'll wait for the analysis to come in first though.
SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 01/07/2011 at 14:24 #17116 | |
onlydjw
456 posts |
Daft thought - is it possible to put in the newsflash section (top of the homepage where everyone can see it) that the shoutbox is unavailable, and to check on the relevant forum section for sims currently being hosted?
God bless, Daniel Wilson Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 09:14 #17165 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
Well, that's an option, though the forum has always been the "official" place to find hosted sessions anyway. I've asked the host for stats since the shoutbox was disabled, to see how they compare. We'll see where we go from there. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 13:59 #17178 | |
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onlydjw
456 posts |
I was thinking of the people thinking the problem was them not seeing it when they were expecting to see the shoutbox there.
God bless, Daniel Wilson Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 15:09 #17182 | |
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y10g9
895 posts |
Well if people actually read the forum they would of found this topic saying that the shout box is unavailable. but it has been shown clear that not everyone does as there was a post in a different section asking about it.
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| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 15:21 #17184 | |
Meld
1111 posts 
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Considering the shoutbox had largely become a spambox regarding hosting, when the forums there, is it really necessary for it to be there, After all it only takes a few seconds to check the Hosting forum to see if theres a sim running, or maybe its possible that a direct link to the hosting section is available to logged in members instead. Players wanted for X sim - Does anyone want me to / Is anyone going to host a sim - as well as - hey X I've sent you a PM Passed the age to be doing 'Spoon Feeding' !!! Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 17:38 #17190 | |
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mfcooper
707 posts |
We managed to survive for many years without a shoutbox...
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| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 18:46 #17193 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Regarding the last two posts above.... ...perhaps if it [the shoutbox] returns then there is a need for some rules for it's use. Such rules as "No need to post messages informing a user you have PM'ed them, the system automatically informs them via eMail anyway" and "When hosting [insert relevant rule(s) here]", etc, etc. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 19:59 #17196 | |
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Noisynoel
989 posts |
Aaron said:The ShoutBox was not a spambox. It is difficult to find players for Multiplay sessions without the ShoutBox. Is two clicks of the mouse that difficult! Bloody hell, I must me far more technically advanced than I thought! Aaron said: Also, the log-on time for users that are inactive has been severely reduced. You will only succeed in killing off the little activity that there is if SimSig proceeds down this road.There was plenty of activity, especially hosting way before the shoutbox was created, infact the shout box is a relitivly new idea. There are loads of people on here that have been doing MP games for several years and have always managed by looking in the forum (It only took them two clicks as well). Aaron said: Also, it hasn't been established, with evidence, that the ShoutBox is the cause of the outage or supposed excess usage. Correct, but it’s a process of elimination. If we leave everthing as it is, then we will never find what is causing the errors and will end up having the website down again. Just remember, we have what we have, largely down to Geoff’s generosity, so can we please stop bitching about what we should/shouldn’t have how it does/doesn’t work. Let Geoff get on with a)sorting it out & b) working on sims, which is after all why we are all here! Noisynoel Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 20:37 #17198 | |
Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
Lets play nicely. If the shout box returns then I've no plans to police it for "spambox" postings- I've better things to do. Clearly violation of existing policy is another matter. I think it is possible to hide it for those who don't like it (not a fan myself but I've no objection to it returning for those who do use it). Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 20:58 #17199 | |
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Sam Tugwell
494 posts |
Peter Bennet said:I've no objection to it returning for those who do use itI would like to see the shoutbox return. I personally think that it is useful for advertising hosts, but sometimes it is "spammed" with constant messages in the reigon of. "10 minutes till South Humbs" "South Humbs open" "South Humbs has X spaces remaining" "South Humbs full, welcome to chat" "South Humbs closing soon" "South Humbs closed" "Signalman Exeter" Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 21:37 #17200 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
Lets worry about that further once we know what the future holds for the Shout box. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 03/07/2011 at 23:21 #17204 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
If some people think the messages in question are spam or at least effectively that, whilst others (generally those who post them...) think they are not then these opinions should probably be respected by others. Of interest to note is Wikipedia's definition of "spam (electronic)" found via a Google search.... Quote: Spam is the abuse of electronic messaging systems (including most broadcast media, digital delivery systems) to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately. .. spacer Now can we please stop spamming this thread with irrelevant spam before it gets locked...or lock it now for it to be unlocked once there is further news on the subject. Thank-you. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 04/07/2011 at 05:41 #17207 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
UKTrainMan said:Good Idea- its been taken away for technical reasons so arguing about it will not bring it back. As and when there is anything to say Geoff will say it. Peter Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 10/07/2011 at 20:23 #17489 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
After a week of monitoring we are fairly certain the Shoutbox was causing the server overload. It was running on a 4-second interval refresh rate and with the couple of hundred people online in the space of 15 minutes, possibly many with more than one page open each with a 4s shoutbox refresh, it is understandable how it could become overloaded. In terms of statistics the server load over the last week has been approximately 10% of that the week before (when the shoutbox was enabled). As many people have requested it return, I have re-enabled it on the following basis: - You must be logged in to see it - It will only appear on the home page - It has a 60s refresh rate Obviously if this causes an unacceptable rise in server load, either immediately or any time in the future, then this feature will be withdrawn for the benefit of the rest of the site. The logs will show any abuse of this feature. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 10/07/2011 at 20:25 #17490 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
Furthermore, we, as a community, can agree on some guidelines for its use. We need to be sensible, but users also need to be sensible. For starters, do we need to know that a PM or an email has been sent?
SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 10/07/2011 at 20:27 #17491 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
An email maybe as not everyone constantly has there email application open, nor do there iPod, and iPhone both ping when they receive an email. However for a PM no.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 10/07/2011 at 20:54 #17495 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Deep breaths......... Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 10/07/2011 at 21:17 #17501 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
Aaron said:I am not convinced that the server load reduction is entirely down to the removal of the ShoutBox.You are entitled to your opinion, however uninformed that might be. I have already presented the facts. Aaron said: The logon and inactive time was also reduced which will account for a reduction in server activity too.As I already told you, which you seem to have conveniently ignored in order to put forth an argument, the login time has not changed - until today when I increased it. In any case, being logged in or not makes barely any discernible difference to the statistics. Aaron said: Neither is censorship a good option regarding the ShoutBox or the forum for that matter, with only certain messages having "approved" status. As long as the messages are legal and decent, why not allow free speech. Perish the thought!Look up censorship and compare it to the definition of guidelines. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 11/07/2011 at 10:10 #17516 | |
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Noisynoel
989 posts |
Aaron said:GeoffM said: Surlely if guests want to see the shout box they can just become members of the forum, it is free after all Noisynoel Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 11/07/2011 at 10:40 #17518 | |
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Noisynoel
989 posts |
Aaron said:Whether intentionally or not, the logon and inactive time was reduced. This is a fact that was reported by several users. The behaviour of the site changed again, once the inactive time was increasedWas it my imaginstion or has Geoff already stated that this has not changed? Aaron said: Features, such as the ShoutBox are a social feature, enabling free communicationProvided freely by Geoff at HIS expense. Are there many other sites that freely provide this facility to anyone that is not signed up (Again freely) to the site? Aaron said: The ShoutBox is now only available from the Home page and only if a user logs in. Again, is there many other places that allow this, especially with so much hacking etc etc going on. Aaron said: This is too restrictive and is undermining the useability and usefulness of the ShoutBox. For example, it is not possible to watch the hosting forum at the same time as keeping an eye on the ShoutBox for any early announcements of multi-play sessions, as was the case before the recent changes. As has been said to me elsewhere, just open two browsers like the rest of us.One on the home page & one on the forum. Noisynoel Log in to reply |
| Shoutbox 11/07/2011 at 12:51 #17522 | |
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ralphjwchadkirk
275 posts |
All these posts make me wonder how we managed on the old site! We didn't have shoutboxes then!
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