Styles issues

[dcollins]

My machine doesn't seem to be handling the new "styles" in the messageboards very well.

Since the start of the weekend, the messageboards have been unbelievably slow on my machine -- as in, effectively locking up the whole system for several minutes when I load any forum or thread. Once I set the User CP option to "ENWorld Classic Style", then the issue immediately cleared up.

I'm running an older machine, Pentium I 233, Win 98, 32 MB RAM, IE 6.0.

In addition, I've got an older monitor that only runs in 640x480. With the new styles, the ENWorld logo collides over the banner ad space (the Classic style does not). That one I'm guessing you'll punt on, but I figured I'd point out what I'm seeing.

 

[Morrus]

The styles can't cause slowdowns - they're just colours. A black page isn't quicker to load than a white one or a purple one.

The slowdowns are connected to something else (which we haven't figured out yet!) - we're working on it, though!

 

[Michael Morris]

My machine doesn't seem to be handling the new "styles" in the messageboards very well.

Since the start of the weekend, the messageboards have been unbelievably slow on my machine -- as in, effectively locking up the whole system for several minutes when I load any forum or thread. Once I set the User CP option to "ENWorld Classic Style", then the issue immediately cleared up.

I'm running an older machine, Pentium I 233, Win 98, 32 MB RAM, IE 6.0.

In addition, I've got an older monitor that only runs in 640x480. With the new styles, the ENWorld logo collides over the banner ad space (the Classic style does not). That one I'm guessing you'll punt on, but I figured I'd point out what I'm seeing.

"Thank you for your concern. As you may be aware, technology has advanced significantly in the past 5 years, and with it, the state of things on the web. To fully experience all the new features that are presented on the page in question, you should use a modern web browser running on a machine able to operate it. If you are unwilling or unable to upgrade, a "classic" interface remains for your use, but lacks some of the features that modern technology allows us to produce."

Canned responses aside, I can feel myself getting snarky. I know there are many legitimate reasons why folks can't run new systems, but come on. A pentium 1?? I can go to a computer junk store and pick up a Pent III system at around $100. Still, times can be tight.

What really gets under my skin are direct attacks I've received in private email over this linked directly to folks who combine a hatred for change with severe ignorance on how servers work. So to set the record straight...

1. There are 14,000+ users on this board. 90% of them are running systems 3 years or younger. Of the remaining 10% around half of them are working with at least a Pentium II system capacle of running IE at 6.0 PROPERLY.
2. 640x800 is an incredibly RARE resolution choice these days, mayber 1 in 200 browsers, maybe.
3. I could spend the next 10 years making sure the page works properly on every browser/OS/system out there and still not pull it off. I am therefore forced to choose a cutoff point. If your system is beneath the cut off, then I'm sorry. The older styles will be retained for you, but they won't be upgraded.

 

[BobROE]

Ok, I was having the same slowdown problem and switched to the ENWorld Classic style and it's back to normal speed.

I'm running a P4 2.4GHz, 512 RAM, and Windows XP with fully updated IE on a cable internet connection.

There's something about the new styles that seems to be causing the slow down. This is in no way, shape, or form an attack on you, I'm just pointing out that the problems go away when you don't use the new style (or perhaps in the dropdown menu's because the classic style doesn't have them).

 

[dcollins]

Okay, I wasn't going to respond but apparently I've unintentionally struck a nerve. I didn't think I was complaining, I wrote no email -- you'll notice I actually said "I'm guessing you'll punt on this", that is, I assumed this was not something you'd care to fix.

That being said, I'm actually a software engineer and a college computer science professor, so you probably don't have to lecture me about the current state of computer hardware. Part of a software upgrade cycle needs to be gathering and listening to user experiences on a variety of systems, and that's what I intended to help out with. If your plan is to cut off the bottom 10% of your users from conveniently accessing the site, then that is of course a legitimate business decision to make.

However, I visit a variety of websites and message forums, and all of them work perfectly fine with my existing equipment. I don't get 5-minute-long system lockups on any other bulletin board system. My objective analysis is that you've significantly pushed the requirements envelope on the new system.

I'm sure you've put a lot of hard work, many hours, and lots of brainpower into developing the new system. I know it can be hard to hear that people don't love your work as much you think they should. No one should be expecting you to jump up and make big alterations based on one person's experiences. However, I'll recommend that you take a deep breath, relax, and keep track of how many people are observing significant problems with the new system as of this weekend. It may possibly be more widespread, and more severe, than you expected. Take it easy, I've been in the same situation myself numerous times.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

As I mentioned in another thread, I had problems with the board until switching back to the Classic style. I'm on a Pentium 3, 256 RAM, Windows ME, IE 6.0. The only thing I can think that really caused the slowdown was that dropdown menu...

 

[Lola]

I have IE 6, but I haven't had any appreciable slowdown since switching to a new style with dropdown menu. Just wanted to say that it's working for me, at least.

Actually, this is the fastest it's been working for me all day, and I just switched style about an hour ago. So for people with up to date browsers, mightn't it be a server issue?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

So for people with up to date browsers, mightn't it be a server issue?

Well, I'm testing the thing again and have switched the style back to the new thing with the drop down menus. Its back to being very slow again. Could it be how the drop down menu is done? I love it, but it just doesn't cooperate with this computer for some reason.

 

[las]

well the holdy one works as well as the classic for me the others seam to slow me down for some reson. The other enworld standard one seams to slow me down the most.

 

[Michael Morris]

The styles will be taken down until whatever is slowing the boards down is located and removed.