Poor solution to server issues

[drake]

Closing the OT is not the answer. These people are not clogging up the server, its the damn guests and the civ3 bandwagon.

You said the other day it wasnt your intention to shaft the regular users Marky Mark, but thats exactly what you're doing.

Shutting out guests and allowing only registered users to access the forum at this time is the way to go. It would show that you're interested in keeping your loyal patrons happy and not just interested in impressing the onslaught of flash in the pan users.

Explain how guests, who don't even contribute to the forum in any way, are getting higher preference than the regular crowd? Can anyone do it?

[Chris 62]

I have to agree.

It's crazy to shut out the regulars.

But, it's your site, so more power to you.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Humour us. How about, once in a while, shutting the other forums? Even as a token gesture? Just to reassure the OT regulars that you don't consider us to be expendable?

[drake]

yes....sounds like a good idea bugs...start with civ3 general....after all thats the source of this server problem.

[Lefty Scaevola]

I suspect, that even with much heavy schmoozing and flattery (of which the OTers are sorely lacking), this plea will not be successful. It has been my impression that with the owners here, the OT is a bastard child, grudging allowing to coexist with their GAMING SITE and on topic forums. Their priorities have often been demonstrated in the past, particularly with Markos, who has a well developed sense of structure and order (Witness his positions regarding what is germane to to topic and forum). I beleive that in Markos's veiw you are asking that the (large and popular) tail wag the dog. Try flattery, begging, schmozing, and BRIBES.

[Kassiopeia]

This is the first post I can make in the miscellanious forum for a couple of days.
Civ3 is clogged up.
I can't even access my control panel!
I fear that the regular OT:ers will start to spam the other forums...
If even they aren't crammed up, that is.
*sigh*

[Colonâ„¢]

First of all, everyone arrived here as a newbie so a little more understanding and respect towards them would be no more than logical.

Second, everyone besides Markos and Dan is a guest here and the 'regulars' have as much priviliges as do the 'newbies', as it should be.

Third, this is still primarily a civ site and closing a civ3 forum only a couple of days after civ3 is released, when a lot of new people are arriving and when Firaxis members are very responsive to people’s answers, seems a horrendous idea.
Not only would it put off a lot of those new people, it also wouldn’t look good at Firaxis. (the forum here come close to being the unofficial civ3 forums)

I do hope they quickly find a solution for this.

[Ari Rahikkala]

I just wonder why has nobody mentioned Markos's giant conspiracy to kill the OT yet... Isn't this its finale? He got a great big amount of publicity and new users for Apolyton (-> more chances for getting money) while <i> also</i> getting a good reason to shut down the off-topic. In fact, his conspiracy might reach even the publishers; As Civ3 spreads like a very fast-infecting (though for some, still not fast enough) all over the world, Apolyton gets more and more users.

And it is even wider.

Yes, you know what I mean.

Civilization 3 was created to bring more advertisiment income for Markos.

[TCO]

I wouldn't hold my breath for fixes.

1. The Powers That Be had time to plan for this and did not do so.

2. Dan stated that they plan to wait and hope that demand goes down.

(Criticism over)

(Begin useful suggestions)

Here are some ways to think about this problem:

1. What options are there to expand hosted site server capacity

2. What options are there for other hosters?

3. Can we gain capacity by trimming other users (other affilliates...particularly if wasteful or lower priority)

4. What are the main users of CPU space (what processes) and how could they be modified to free up capacity.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Originally posted by kassiopeia
I fear that the regular OT:ers will start to spam the other forums...

Verily. For we are but potty-mouthed imbeciles who know no better. Right?

[Bereta_Eder]

But are but potty-mouthed imbeciles who know no better. Right?

Exactly. And not only that but we also are regulars potty-mouthed imbeciles who know no better

Seriously, I think that if the situation is not addressed, it will not go away by itself. I believe that MtG forum will become Apolyton OT Forums (with a twist because you are left to auto - moderate there and so...)

That's not necessairily bad although I do like the civilized ambience that tends to prevail most of the time in Apolyton OT.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Perhaps temporarily disable some of the optional demands on bandwidth, such as avatars, signatures, rate threads? Heck, that last one could go permenantly without many posters missing it.

[Sir David]

Crap, you can close the site, but please please please do not close the OT Forum, especielly not the day when I decide to come for a visit. Man, I am shocked one could do such a terrible thing as closing OT Forum down!

bad Markos, bad Dan!

[TCO]

Ahh... chat nazi. See what happens when you leave?

[ColdWizard]

simple

everybody should just:

1. change to light sytle (the default one)
2. turn off avatars
3. browse with only one window
4. buy ****loads of 'poly stuff so MarkDanGQ can buy their own top of the line server