Geocaching site is screaming!

[GOF and Bacall]

I am impressed. The site seems to be faster than ever.

[+JBnW]

Earlier today I would have asked what meds you were on. Now I gotta agree with you.

[+Viajero Perdido]

Have they explained anywhere, in technical language, what improvements they made?

 

I know there's a "new network design as well as new hardware", but inquiring propeller-heads would love to know more. What does it take to scale a site like GC.com?

[GOF and Bacall]

Earlier today I would have asked what meds you were on. Now I gotta agree with you.

Earlier today I wouldn't have said that. But I expected it to take them a bit of effort to get it all going.

 

Have they explained anywhere, in technical language, what improvements they made?

 

I know there's a "new network design as well as new hardware", but inquiring propeller-heads would love to know more. What does it take to scale a site like GC.com?

It would probably be lost on me anyway. Although I would be interested in the internet for dummies version. Was it new machines that made the difference?

[+rafermadness]

I am impressed. The site seems to be faster than ever.

 

Yikes! Much faster from the laptop as well as the mobile phone. TFTwork guys!

[+michigansnorkelers]

I went to MY PROFILE page, and clicked on MAP IT.

 

I zoomed in and out; I panned left and right.

 

WHATEVER they did, it WORKED!

 

Now, if only they could show more than 500 caches.

[GOF and Bacall]

I went to MY PROFILE page, and clicked on MAP IT.

 

I zoomed in and out; I panned left and right.

 

WHATEVER they did, it WORKED!

 

Now, if only they could show more than 500 caches.

 

That is on its way. I think this upgrade was in preparation for that and the stats and ratings they are getting ready to add.

 

Edited December 15, 2010 by GOF and Bacall

[mtbikernate]

absolutely. big improvement in site performance. hope for some cool feature adds next week.

[AZcachemeister]

Earlier today I would have asked what meds you were on. Now I gotta agree with you.

 

+2

 

Early this AM (AZ time) the site was about 5X

 

s l o w e r

 

than yesterday.

Around noon here, the site suddenly perked up and started flying right.

 

Perhaps something was inadvertently left unplugged?

 

I also wonder exactly what was done, but I probably wouldn't understand the explanation without three weeks of Googling the terminology!

[+Ecylram]

Perhaps something was inadvertently left unplugged?

 

I also wonder exactly what was done, but I probably wouldn't understand the explanation without three weeks of Googling the terminology!

My guestimate is that part of the change was a replacement server farm, probably with more servers. The old structure would not have handled the increased demands that the new features will create (such as the new mapping feature). The cost of this hardware upgrade probably was in the 10's of thousands of dollars, several 10's.

[+nittany dave]

Most impressive!

[+Lt.Ranger.Bob]

Now if they could just get PQ's working again it would be nice. Does not matter how fast the site is if you can not get PQ's that have more than 500 caches in them.

[+Ecylram]

Now if they could just get PQ's working again it would be nice. Does not matter how fast the site is if you can not get PQ's that have more than 500 caches in them.

I just downloaded a 1000 cache pocket query.

[+larryc43230]

Now if they could just get PQ's working again it would be nice. Does not matter how fast the site is if you can not get PQ's that have more than 500 caches in them.

I just downloaded a 1000 cache pocket query.

I just downloaded two regular pocket queries, one with 998 caches and the other with 497 caches, plus the latest My Finds query with 3262 caches. They were all available within five minutes of my requesting them.

 

--Larry

[+dfx]

now, about the forums..........

[+t4e]

Now if they could just get PQ's working again it would be nice. Does not matter how fast the site is if you can not get PQ's that have more than 500 caches in them.

 

planning on getting 1000 caches today?

Edited December 16, 2010 by t4e

[+briansnat]

I heard that it was the changeover to Virtual Homogeneous Definition Engine software.

[GOF and Bacall]

I heard that it was the changeover to Virtual Homogeneous Definition Engine software.

 

It could be nothing more than high protein foods for the hamsters for all I know. Or perhaps they have genetically engineered those super hamsters they have been working on?

[+Viajero Perdido]

Just came across a blog post which explains the changes:

 

* Expanded double-cross matrix of app- and database servers with load-balancing and overdrive. New hardware consists of 62 rack-mount app servers, 4 DB servers, and a cup holder. App servers squeak when squeezed.

* Dual double-buffered asynchronous JK flip-flop query streams for maximum throughput.

* RAID redundancy with flux capacitor request splitting. Double-clutching no longer required.

* Server errors from "/" application now routed to bit-bucket for increased reliability.

* ISP fat pipe connection untangled from plumbing network at request of maintenance staff.

 

More details here.

[+larryc43230]

Just came across a blog post which explains the changes:

 

* Expanded double-cross matrix of app- and database servers with load-balancing and overdrive. New hardware consists of 62 rack-mount app servers, 4 DB servers, and a cup holder. App servers squeak when squeezed.

* Dual double-buffered asynchronous JK flip-flop query streams for maximum throughput.

* RAID redundancy with flux capacitor request splitting. Double-clutching no longer required.

* Server errors from "/" application now routed to bit-bucket for increased reliability.

* ISP fat pipe connection untangled from plumbing network at request of maintenance staff.

 

More details here.

[Team Misguided]

Just came across a blog post which explains the changes:

 

* Expanded double-cross matrix of app- and database servers with load-balancing and overdrive. New hardware consists of 62 rack-mount app servers, 4 DB servers, and a cup holder. App servers squeak when squeezed.

* Dual double-buffered asynchronous JK flip-flop query streams for maximum throughput.

* RAID redundancy with flux capacitor request splitting. Double-clutching no longer required.

* Server errors from "/" application now routed to bit-bucket for increased reliability.

* ISP fat pipe connection untangled from plumbing network at request of maintenance staff.

 

More details here.

The internet for dummies translation came back and it said this means new hamsters.

[+niraD]

I know it's a joke, but "and a cup holder" just makes me want to grab a clue-by-four and scream "NO! Get that out of the server room!"

[+Chrysalides]

I know it's a joke, but "and a cup holder" just makes me want to grab a clue-by-four and scream "NO! Get that out of the server room!"

What? Next you're going to tell me your computers don't come with a cigarette lighter...

 

[BlueRajah]

Mine computer has a cup holder... i thought they all came with one. You push the little button and it pops out. You just can't put a big drink on it or it will break the tray off.

 

[Andronicus]

I agree that it seems much faster. But check this out

http://coord.info/GC279GE

This cache is my dauters. Looks great. But when Isearch the area, it doesn't show up.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.asp...lng=-114.029400

WUWT (what's up with that)

[+Lil Devil]

I agree that it seems much faster. But check this out

http://coord.info/GC279GE

This cache is my dauters. Looks great. But when Isearch the area, it doesn't show up.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.asp...lng=-114.029400

WUWT (what's up with that)

Shows up for me. Do you have the cache on your Ignore List? That would make it disappear.

[Andronicus]

I agree that it seems much faster. But check this out

http://coord.info/GC279GE

This cache is my dauters. Looks great. But when Isearch the area, it doesn't show up.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.asp...lng=-114.029400

WUWT (what's up with that)

Shows up for me. Do you have the cache on your Ignore List? That would make it disappear.

Good idea. I don't think I have ever used my ignore list, but I will check.

 

Edit: after searching for the ignore list for about 5 min. I found it, and sure enough it is on there. Now I feel silly. I guess I added it to get it of my unfound list. I haven't logged a find because I helped hide it.

Edited December 16, 2010 by Andronicus

[+pklong]

Have they explained anywhere, in technical language, what improvements they made?

 

I know there's a "new network design as well as new hardware", but inquiring propeller-heads would love to know more. What does it take to scale a site like GC.com?

 

They replaced the Hamsters, they breed ones that can run twice as fast approx every 18 months.

Edited December 16, 2010 by pklong

[+SaltercreaseRangers]

[They replaced the Hamsters, they breed ones that can run twice as fast approx every 18 months.

 

and every so often the servers have to be shut down to remove the buildup of hamster fur & avoid a fire risk - like last time

[+power69]

I went to MY PROFILE page, and clicked on MAP IT.

 

I zoomed in and out; I panned left and right.

 

WHATEVER they did, it WORKED!

 

Now, if only they could show more than 500 caches.

only the smilie issue is STILL THERE!

[GOF and Bacall]

I don't think this round was supposed to fix things like that. It was more to update the infrastructure. I think they are planning more stuff for next week.

[+wimseyguy]

Only one cupholder?

[+Ecylram]

I went to MY PROFILE page, and clicked on MAP IT.

 

I zoomed in and out; I panned left and right.

 

WHATEVER they did, it WORKED!

 

Now, if only they could show more than 500 caches.

only the smilie issue is STILL THERE!

This week they updated the infrastructure so they will have the horsepower to run the upcoming changes.

 

Phase II, where the software changes are made, will happen in a week or two.

 

Then we'll be able to all complain about the bugs created when the new features were added. This will give us something different to moan about, which will be a nice change.

 

Seriously though, these upgrades are a major investment in time and resources. It's great to see them happening and I'm willing to live through a few 'growing pains' as this site moves up to the next level.

[+speakers-corner]

If the changes come in 1 - 2 weeks are we going to be sober enough to notice the little bugs, or is it because we are not sober that we are seeing bugs (pink elephant size or so) . Thanks for all the hard work. Have a nice Christmas and a happy New Year to all.

[+niraD]

Only one cupholder?

[wielding a clue-by-four]: NO! [thud] Keep all food and drink [thud] out [thud] of [thud] the [thud] server [thud] room [thud]!

 

Thank you. I feel much better now.

[+Lil Devil]

[They replaced the Hamsters, they breed ones that can run twice as fast approx every 18 months.

and every so often the servers have to be shut down to remove the buildup of hamster fur & avoid a fire risk - like last time

[GOF and Bacall]

I was thinking that the forums seemed better to. But after time out problems last night and slow performance thismorning I guess it was too much to hope for. Oh well, Maybe next time?

[+power69]

I went to MY PROFILE page, and clicked on MAP IT.

 

I zoomed in and out; I panned left and right.

 

WHATEVER they did, it WORKED!

 

Now, if only they could show more than 500 caches.

only the smilie issue is STILL THERE!

Then we'll be able to all complain about the bugs created when the new features were added.

But what im complaining about came about two updates ago, its not new.

hopefully its squashed with the new maps.

[+cache_test_dummies]

I've been aware of some performance problems the last couple of weekends, but this weekend the site seems to by humming right along.

 

Is this because large numbers of geocachers have spent the day locked in a Peeps-and-chocolate coma? Or is it because of the map feature disabling? Or something else?

[+releasethedogs]

Not to start rumors, but I heard the site is now being powered by none other than gerbils. Also I hear they got rid of the hamsters by putting them in a bag and throwing them into the river.

Edited April 25, 2011 by releasethedogs

[+cache_test_dummies]

That might explain the screaming that Gof reported when he started this topic.

[+Cryptosporidium-623]

It was slow on my broadband connection this morning... The good news, however, is the performance was consistent on my 2400 bps modem connection.

Edited April 25, 2011 by daschpeeg

[+jindi kid]

more than 500 caches would be useful

[mtbikernate]

I sure hope it's not gerbils. another site I post on is powered by gerbils, and they get eaten by apache tomcats all the time...

[+Sioneva]

I sure hope it's not gerbils. another site I post on is powered by gerbils, and they get eaten by apache tomcats all the time...

 

That might also explain the screaming.

[+power69]

I am impressed. The site seems to be faster than ever.

of course it is. everything people paid for is shut off.

[+Chrysalides]

I am impressed. The site seems to be faster than ever.

of course it is. everything people paid for is shut off.

Yeah. And I know where the screaming is really coming from.