Site Traffic

I sort of checked out after the site move. I find this new site very unorganized and visually overstimulating. There are so many linked-in ads & ststs that the content page I might want to see takes forever to load because it depends on other sites.

I don't see this being a viable solution. I understand that the Independent-Mail probably wants to distance itself from the junk that comes across these forums, but the move off the AIM servers and into free web hosting is a crappy move. Maybe the AIM wanted to kill this thing slowly. If that's the case, congratulations on making it happen! ugh...

anonmass: I'm sorry to hear you're unhappy. It certainly isn't our desire to kill TheCocklebur, slowly or otherwise. There's a few issues, such as slow load times, that I think we can solve. If we can't, then we'll weigh other options. P.S. What do you mean by unorganized?

Yea really dump the ads, they slow load time and use up bandwidth...

FYI with many browsers you can set your browser to not load flash images, therefore pages load faster, and you don't have to look at ads....

I used to log onto the Cocklebur several times a day; it took just a couple of minutes to see if there were any new postings. The new site takes forever to load and I have to bounce around in all the different forums to see the new posts.

I really, really do not like this new site. First and foremost is the time it takes to load. Not just to initially load, but to go to another forum to read what is new there.

Don't even get me started on how hard it is to negotiate this site.

scm1959

Anonomass:

Killing ads couldn't be easier:

Firefox 2.0 (or later) + ABP (Ad Blocker Pro) = The content I want, sans the crap I don't need.

If you are the Internet Explorer type, google Mike Skallas and download his host blocking file. You'll need to make some modifications after the fact (as at last check, it was a tad dated).

I call for a vote of no confidence . . .

- SSHM

I know this topic is Site Traffic, but it has turned to site speed, so I want to throw in an observation for discussion.

When a new Topic is started you have the option to place that topic in not one but several forums.

With the topic in several Forums it is a bit misleading when you enter the site and see 'NEW' on several forums.
I would also presume it uses bandwidth that could slow the loading process.
If this is a factor of speed I say disable the multi entry option to tweak the system. Surely one can figgure the best place for their topic.
Not all the users have the FAST FAST computers and connections.

well I use a rather fast computer and a 10 meg connection and the site still stalls and loads slow. So the issue is on the server end and not on the user end.

Guys:

I have disabled the flash rss lineups from the sidebar. It is the only thing we can think of -- in our control -- that could be responsible for slowing the site down.

Please let me know if it makes any difference.

Thanks

Nick: Bloggers are like NASCAR fans - you take away the speed and the excitement and they go do something else with their time. The site is SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. It's pretty sad when WAIM (streaming broadcast) loads and functions with speed while the Cocklebur creaps and creaps for even a simple
move from one forum to another. Can this format and go back to what worked or
watch as the stands (your tracking numbers are not "vacations" the internet works everywhere). Also, the format is "junk," that's what NASCAR drivers call a car that won't turn in the corners and won't stick down low. Before you suggest it, it's not my equipment, because I test it everday. I get great speed on other sites. I also got good speed on the old format. I'm sorry, my friend, but this move isn't working for your bloggers.

I have to agree. This format has some advantages but Republickin's NASCAR analogy is very apt. Speed, my friend. I feel the need for speed!Go back to the old format.And this site is withering on the vine,unfortunately following the lead of the newspaper that sponsors it.

Nick,
I can't comment on site speed, because I really haven't seen a dramatic drop in speed like the other bloggers. However, I believe the home page is waaay too busy with "featured items", "what's hot" and other stuff. If you would make http://www.thecocklebur.net/forum/category/all/page1/ as your home page, everyone would see the topics that people are debating about, with the most recent at the very top. That is a true measure of topics that are "hot", similar to the old setup, and you don't have to hunt through 'General discussion' to 'state issues' to 'Kaldas corner' and such.

I really don't think the speed or lack of speed has anything to do with the number of bloggers. I really think it has more to do with summer and the fact that people spend more time outside and doing other things. It will pick up in fall when the days are shorter and the weather more to my liking but not too many other peoples.

The speed, as slow as it is, causes bloggers to make fewer inquires and fewer
postings. It takes too long between functions. That is likely where some of the volume has gone. Of course, some of my friends, like JD, Stanley, etc. are probably much happier that I can't get up to speed. smile, smile.