I think I could get to like this forum, but ........

martinthebandit · Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:06 pm

.....isn't there always a but?

Due to my slow broadband, I live in a village at the end of a long bit of pipe, this forum is just about unusable for me due to the length of time it takes for all the extra stuff to load.

I don't expect anything to be altered just to suit me, I am only posting because I cannot be the only one who has this problem, its does seem to me that there a high number of visitors that only post a couple of times and then disappear. Plus there does not seem to me to be the number of regulars that I would expect the forum to get either.

Finally, is there some sort of stripped down option, I know some forums use a mobile version, tapatalk? that could be activated for use on this one?

Chris OConnor · Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:17 am

Yes, there is a mobile version. On the home page you will see at the very top left side a drop down box where you can select the mobile version.

I agree we have a lot to load, but those features are what pay for BookTalk.org and without them there would be no BookTalk.org. We must show the ads and book images. They pay the bills and keep the lights on.

Thank you for the feedback. :-)

Chris OConnor · Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:18 am

aCTUALLY, THE DROP DOWN IS AT THE TOP OF THE FORUMS PAGE NOT THE HOME PAGE.

I just noticed the ALL CAPS but I like it so I'll leave it. LOL

Chris OConnor · Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:19 am

OK, I just checked. The mobile feature is on every page we have a header on.

martinthebandit · Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:02 am

Found it!

Thanks for that, it does seem to be a fair bit better.

I think the main reason for the slowness is not the adverts, my browser settings takes care of them :-P

It seems to be more to do with the boxes with the latest forum and chat room posts.

Right I am off to whizz around the forums, I am quite suprised that I didn't notice the mobile settings earlier.

Chris OConnor · Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:13 pm

I wonder how many people have issues with those scrolling boxes. I have had mostly positive comments about those boxes, but I can see how they would slow down some systems.

martinthebandit · Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:41 pm

I suspect that those that do have 'issues' with them probably only post once or twice and then don't come back.

I suppose the only way to know for sure is e-mail out to all the low post count members and ask them, not sure if that would be too 'spammy' though.

I suppose you could stick a thread up asking users to post their up and download speeds, that might give some idea, possibly?

johnson1010 · Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:01 pm

They cause some issues with internet explorer, i think.

Sometimes pages take quite a long time to load, or don't at all, especially when i open two threads that i am interested in at once.

Haven't noticed any problems with other browsers, but then, that computer is a lot faster.

Welcome aboard, Martin!

Chris OConnor · Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:48 pm

I guess the real question then becomes, "Are those scrolling boxes adding more positive than negative?" Many people have said to me, completely unsolicited, that they really love the scrolling comments blocks because that is where they can quickly glance to see all the new activity on the forums. But this issue with those blocks causing people to have lengthy page loads is bothering me. Not sure of a solution. Maybe we can have those blocks list the 10 newest posts but not actually scroll. What are your thoughts on this?

martinthebandit · Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:38 am

Difficult one really, I think (but don't know) that they probably are putting some people off unfortunately, if they are, they are not going to be around to say so.

How difficult would it be to try it for 6 months or so and see what effect that would have on user numbers?

But really since I found the mobile version, with a little help, I am pretty ambivalent about them.

So my short answer would be, I have no idea really :-)

johnson1010 · Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:07 am

I really like the updater boxes.

I do think they are to blame for some lag, but it doesn't bother me much. I might be considered a more advanced user though, and you might be getting some older people in here who don't spend a lot of time on the internet. Could be an issue for them.

Having a static box with a list of the posts would work, though take away a bit of the jazz.

Could implement the static box while a better code is worked out to more efficiently process.

Try with a few browsers. See if you can get ahold of a slower computer / connection and re-create the problem.

Then take a build of the site without those scrolling bars and see if it's really even the thing causing the issue.

I think it must be. Ad banners are nothing new, and they don't cause this kind of problem in my experience.

Chris OConnor · Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:55 am

We're upgrading the site so the scrolling block will probably be changed to either a static block or something better. Hang in there. This will be addressed.

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