Antje: the post was removed (I think) but day before yesterday I posted from March 2003 general moans about the slowness of the site, this was from the BK board of 5 years ago....so tell me....what is new? except it seems there are dozens if not hundreds with the problem now,

jryden: i agree.. I have many many times been on the top of that list, or the top 5 most often. i cant anymore, im lucky to make the first 50 list. its been for a couple of months now at least for me

I thought with all this discusion of the site speed, I would take a look at the top movers list.

Top Movers

Seems players in the Czech Republic have a bit of an advantage here.  Could it be that those players have better site speed/reliablility?

redfrog: Guess im one of the targets for all posts about negative/rude posts. So in order to not ruining the chances of response for all of you i'll sit back and read your polite posts.
No more ruining posts from this "Troll".
Im sure you'll be more succesful than i was

good luck

Fencer: I understand what you were trying to say now... I can fill in the techincal details by myself, no need to clutter this board with what would look like geeberish for most people
I'll wait for the details then

Fencer: the OS could recognize that a smart and instant low-level reconfiguration is required and should do it itself" which is not possible, of course. It's more complicated (Abigail please don't start a too technical discussion here)

Let's just say that "technically, it can be done (off the 'shelf' even), but then everyone's fee would have to increase a hundred or a thousand fold, and it'll take a long time to implement". (High end servers can reconfigure themselves without going down. But they are bloody expensive).

Fencer is quite right that it's impossible given the constraints (money, knowledge, labour involved) BK has.

I hope I wasn't "too" technical.

Eriisa: it was a little more technical an answer than I was looking for, but I understand the part loud and clear about a detailed overview appearing on the blog soon. That is what we have all been asking for, so thanks Fencer.

baddessi: Honestly I'm not sure what Fencer was saying. BUT what you said is true. (Number of users on the WWW at busy times that might cause the connection to slow down due to traffic on the Web between the user and BK)

Its not the end all of answers, but it is something that would happen.

pauloaguia & Fencer: edited to delete my question because it was answered before I could ask.
Thanks Fencer for the fast reply

pauloaguia: That's right. Because, given the nature of web-based request-response application, there are no online users at all - when a page is generated and sent, the user is "disconnected". It is, in most cases, the system level issue (BrainKing background processes etc.) which can (but it can never be said for sure) cause an increased allocation of resources which are always limited. But the expansion thing I have mentioned is more about "the OS could recognize that a smart and instant low-level reconfiguration is required and should do it itself" which is not possible, of course. It's more complicated (Abigail please don't start a too technical discussion here ).
I think the blog is a better place to post a detailed overview, which is what I plan to do soon.

Fencer: I've reread that statement a dozen times now and still couldn't figure out... the number of online users has very low impact on the speed, yet the server still needs an expansion?

Puckish: That could be considered.

Fencer: would you consider 3 acounts?

Puckish: But, of course, you cannot split it for 9 different users, 1 year each. All 9 years would be added to one account.

Puckish: Exactly.

I havent been able to be here much lately and might have missed this one.... does it mean if I buy a 3 year membership I will recieve 9 years?

Gammonator: Actually, the number of online users has a very low impact on that (as the meters and statistics say). It's more a system level thing. It's a pity that computer manufacturers still didn't invent how to make servers self-expandable.

now 191 and running better

Just hit 200 people online and for me it is starting to slow down... anyone else see the difference?

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou. So many of you have stepped forward today and yesterday and let us know we are not the "certain user" minority.

I agree with the point about rewarding positive customers. I can understand why you would think that I was one of the more negative but I must tell you that it was Fencer himself who brought out the negativity. I (an Australian with English as her first and only language) saw what I thought was a very simple post about the site speed. It was responded to by the site owner in a negative fashion. Misery loves company.............well negativity breeds contempt. I had no idea there were other issues between the site owner and the poster of the message and the site owner chose to use this board to attack. And ever since then I have had a negative set against the site owner. I feel he is rude, arrogant and disrespectful and he agrees with me when he tells the whole site that one user deserves no respect. Her money earned her the simple respect of a paying customer. I would like a general apology from the site owner. We are not the trolls. You troll this site for "certain users" comments to respond to in a rude and disrespectful fashion.

I have tried to find supportive and positive ways to help fix the current problems but until the site owner admits that it is not just a bunch of whingers making up stuff to complain about then I don't think anything will be resolved.

Jim Dandy: Fencer's going to have to spend a couple hours a day just reading this board, maybe that will get the point to him.....

baddessi: You're right,it's not easy for many to post on a public board.

Jim Dandy: yes, I agree...the tone has regressed....and yes, because of frustruation. But my point is, that the tone of the board isn't helping the situation. More people are stepping up and respctfully saying that, yes, they have a problem. It's my hope that those posts won't be lost in the 'regressed tone' of the others.

baddessi: I agree,but I suspect the tone has regressed over time.I doubt the initial comments were unreasonable in MOST cases

Jim Dandy: I have to agree with Vikings....I respond that way in my work as well...I reward positive customers with exceptional service...those who are difficult and treat me disrespectfully, I don't encourage them to return...and yes, that is best for most any business.

Anastasia: yes, we want to be heard, but the intentional baiting, scorn and negative attitudes of some of the posts on this board are going to do the opposite I'm afraid and as redfrog said "run the risk or ruining any chance of a response for all of us"

And I haven't seen any posts about this subject that were removed where someone simply expressed their concerns about the speed of the site.

I also have real slow game play now, only in the day time and not on other sites.
At night it is fine but the daytime is bad and it was never like that before.

This is the first time and the last time that I will say something about it.

Everyone having this problem should come out and say something on here then the boss will know something needs to be fixed.
This might be negative but I don't care, something needs to be done.

Vikings: I didn't see what was so "nagative" about the previuos posts that were deleted

anastasia: I have yet to see someone that has made a positive post be warned or called a name,

Vikings: Well,sometimes when a person says something over,and over,and over again,and they get no response,or are called a name,or are "warned" nerves get a bit frayed.People just want to be known that they are being heard,thats all

Gammonator: I second what redfrog has said, well spoken
JimDandy: the point that redfrog is trying to say is that a constructive post will tend to see positive results far more quickly than negative, and yes, in my work, I will give my positive customers more attention (and better deals) than my negative ones, I will make more money that way

redfrog: Never forget paying customers have voiced their concerns.Many people don't express themselves well online.Concerned customers should not need to know the "magic words" in order to get a response.Can you imagine telling that to a customer face to face? I dare ya LOL

Gammonator: you have been very well spoken with your concerns - i dont think you should be chastised at all... i hope that more people can voice their concerns in appropriate ways - those that cant - run the risk of ruining any chance of response for all of us....

Hrqls: May I ask why that it cant be the servor?? Just because some people load better does not mean its not a servor problem or error. Maybe his servor is to small. Maybe we as a group in the 1000's are playing at the same time and it wont run properly. After a few hours,,we notice it runs better,,,maybe a few 100 or a 1000 give up and load out of BK. Possibly this could be it. Its something to look into than our computers and providers, . and all the HOPS or internet is making, lol lol alot of us are hopping on the same bad connection somewhere I guess. But I doubt they run Canada thru Kansas. No one runs thru Kansas except to get out,,,lol lol. All I want is a chance to play my games here at BK. I dont talk on this board until I just couldnt stand it anymore. Posted it in my fellwoships,,they said not to ,,bring it here. They I get chastised here. I still think if a few hundred people were to message Fencer about the site being slow and having problems,,,maybe hw would speak up about it. I keep seeing his remarks everyday on what he is working on for the good of all on BK,,,but it has nothing to do with the growing displeasure of slowness on the site. Fencer,,,we love ya man,,, we wouldnt pay this money to play silly games if we didnt. But look into the problem we have at hand. We the people would like yto know you are interested in what we feel here on YOUR site. your minoins just want to be heard and know they are listened to. There is no better game site on the internet and a vast majority of us play on more than one site. We want to play here. Pay u the money, Not another place. Just let us know that you are there for us,, looking down and taking care of us in our time of need, We will be faithful and rejoice to the wonders you bring us ,
I think the castle thing and the dragon are wearing on me,,,I am outta here,,,,,,

Jim Dandy: & Pleasant s when you get there

srnity: His zodiac sign might be Leo,I'm sure Fencer knows the date he was born,maybe he could help

Jim Dandy: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - you are GOOD (I was stumped)

srnity: Erving

Oh, c'mon, before I call it a night, can somebody pleassse give me the name of the dragon - it'll haunt me otherwise ?!?!?

pauloaguia: Hey,I appreciated your explanation!!
I'm sorry if you felt my observations were directed at you,they weren't

Jim Dandy: It wasn't meant that way... I'll shut up and stop trying to teach people...
For all it takes, I haven't had any speed issues with this site, but I can see that it's a problem for an increasingly number of people and, like many others, I do feel it should be debated and exposed, if only for Fencer to feel some pressure to try and do a little more towards it (that minimalist version seems like a good idea, like I've stated in the past).

Like I said, I'll shut up for now, expecially considering it's bed time around here . Cheers and best of luck to all slow movers out there...

i have high speed connection and bk is still slow...did what was suggested and still slow... added more memory, cleaned and maintenced my puter by I T person....site still slow...alll other sites i use are normal.......hate to complain but thats the way it is for me.....

pauloaguia: I think I understand the issues,but frankly by my 3rd post on this board warnings tend to pop up.I honestly have no idea what is allowable anymore,and I say that sincerely with zero sarcasm.

Jim Dandy: Noooooooo, not (what did we name him again?) I want to say "Leo", but that's not it

Jim Dandy: It would only have an impact on the main page... people are complaining about the site in general...
But it would get rid of a side effect that keeps ticking me off - the ghost scroll bar that comes up all of a sudden (and I don't even use the Castle theme)

srnity: I wonder if the removal of our beloved dragon would help?
I'd miss the crazy fella,but.............

coan.net:
"The one thing I would love Fencer to do is work on a "minimal" version of BK - a version that strips all but the important information so when users are in the "slow" mode, they can switch to it to still play games."

I've really taken my time trying to decide if I want to jump in here, but I'm realizing that it is important to change this perception that it is just a few malcontents who are having trouble with the site. It's not. There are many of us who are having speed issues, but just don't make a big deal about it.

However, I am finding myself having to use vacation days to keep up with my games, an issue I never had before. This morning it was taking forever, right now, my pages are loading fine. I too have a top of the line computer with a fast internet connection. I also have no problems with any other site. This has just started in the past few months. All any of use would like to see is a review of what has changed recently that has seemed to impact so many of us.

Also, I agree with baddessi, just because Fencer isn't giving you the response you want doesn't mean he isn't working on this behind the scenes. And while we may have legitimate gripes, the "tone of voice" on this board from some people is not conducive to getting someone to help you.

And before you feel the need to flame me and defend yourself, ask yourself why you think I'm referring to you.

Ok, I'm off to try and get some moves done while the site access is quick.

Well, BK was playing up.. so was pogo. So I switched off the pc, unplugged the modem and restarted both.

... Pogo is still slow.

crosseyed: excellent point,time-outs should be suspended until the issues are solved.

jryden: I have just spent £21.95 renewing my membership. Therefore I expect to be able to use the site without having too many problems.
I have tolerated the slowness long enough. But happens too often. If lots of people are complaining that the site has problems and is slow he should cancel the time-out. At least that way I would not be wasting my vacation days.