Ok, this just in.
First off, I will do whatever it takes to help simulate high load, but the final call is Morrus's.
However, alot DOES have to do with the initial forum software, and how its scripted, as to whether or not it bugs out under duress, and to what degree.
I am currently using openBB on my site, and it appears that the project is suffering from DEV team burnout, as things seem to be a bit unstable there at their site.
BUT, one of the DEV team has migrated to another forum project, and he's a friend IRL.
This new forum system is sweet, and the DEV team is writing IMPORT scripts, to import a great many different forum packages, and the related DB. My openBB is already scripted for conversion to the new system.
Having run about 7 different brands of forum packages, again, alot has to do with HOW its written, and HOW it calls on the DB.
This is in NO way implying that vBulletin has any issues.
For tose of you who would like to see where Mortality is most likely heading, go here:
http://www.invisionboard.com/forums/
They DO have ALL of their eye candy turned on, and are using a theme that is very busy, but, this is easily changed in the admin area.
Morrus, if you have a need, let me know, and I will give you access to MY present admin panel. The new system above has a similar panel, only I'm told much easier to use than my openBB.
I saw one good suggestion: during the lunch time rush, redirect the traffic to Mortality, to a dedicated forum, where people can post any sort of gibberish, I'd make a sticky post where people can then get a link BACK to ENWorld.
Anyways, I'm offering ANY help that I can. IF indeed my server can handle the load, whether due to my pipe, my server itself, or perhaps a stronger base forum package, I have no clue yet, but, I'm willing to try whatever it takes.
If we see that for whatever reason I can handle the load, then me and Morrus willl work on a solution.
I'll need a day notice (I work full time) to create the test forum at Mortality.
