The 9 megabit problem (please read)
Monday, November 25, 2002 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Since we moved to the subscription system we've been able to directly see how much bandwidth is used by subscribers/customers versus non-customers/non-subscribers.
Specifically:
Anyone who has purchased Object Desktop or any Stardock product or a WinCustomize subscription or is an apprentice or higher goes to a different high speed server than those who have not.
The problem is, the people who have not bought anything at all are now consuming about 9 megabits per second.
That's 6 T1's being used by people who are essentially non-contributing bandwidth consumers.
That's why the "Server is busy" message is coming up more and more often for these guys.
As you can imagine, 6 T1's of bandwidth is expensive. Especially when, not to use too fine a point, being used largely by free-loaders.
I'm not sure what the solution is. If we cap it, the site becomes unbearably slow and we don't want to punish people who are just trying out this stuff (i.e. legitimately seeing what this is all about versus people who just want to leech off the bandwidth).
Any suggestions?
Specifically:
Anyone who has purchased Object Desktop or any Stardock product or a WinCustomize subscription or is an apprentice or higher goes to a different high speed server than those who have not.
The problem is, the people who have not bought anything at all are now consuming about 9 megabits per second.
That's 6 T1's being used by people who are essentially non-contributing bandwidth consumers.
That's why the "Server is busy" message is coming up more and more often for these guys.
As you can imagine, 6 T1's of bandwidth is expensive. Especially when, not to use too fine a point, being used largely by free-loaders.
I'm not sure what the solution is. If we cap it, the site becomes unbearably slow and we don't want to punish people who are just trying out this stuff (i.e. legitimately seeing what this is all about versus people who just want to leech off the bandwidth).
Any suggestions?
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Aqua.
Reply #22 Monday, November 25, 2002 10:49 PM
Reply #22 Monday, November 25, 2002 10:49 PM
Three suggestions:
First and foremost, make the wallpaper section available to registered memebers only.
Second, streamline your page code! I know this is a major task, but when I've converted my sites from tables to DIV tags I've experienced a 40%-70% increase in performance.
Third, instead of a limit of 5mb, go with what LadyWolf said and go to 5 downloads.
First and foremost, make the wallpaper section available to registered memebers only.
Second, streamline your page code! I know this is a major task, but when I've converted my sites from tables to DIV tags I've experienced a 40%-70% increase in performance.
Third, instead of a limit of 5mb, go with what LadyWolf said and go to 5 downloads.
paxx
Reply #23 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:04 PM
Reply #23 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:04 PM
I am one that also thinks the wallpaper section should go. Too much bandwidth, too much trouble (cry babies).
But, I understand that the section is kinda acting like a bait to get new customers here and then find out about and try the Stardock products. Makes perfect sense. So, Job, unfortunately your suggestions would defeit this purpose.
But I still think the price is too high.
paxx wonders if we should'nt force a file size limit to say 350k per file. 3 JPG files can easily fit in a zip that should not exceed that.
But, I understand that the section is kinda acting like a bait to get new customers here and then find out about and try the Stardock products. Makes perfect sense. So, Job, unfortunately your suggestions would defeit this purpose.
But I still think the price is too high.
paxx wonders if we should'nt force a file size limit to say 350k per file. 3 JPG files can easily fit in a zip that should not exceed that.
Frogboy
Reply #24 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:38 PM
Reply #24 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:38 PM
The 9 megabits does not include HTML code. It is purely skins/walls/themes being downloaded. The HTML code comes from the Atlanta server.
I think maybe tomorrow we'll see just how much impact the wallpapers are having and disable that section except for customers/registered users. I'll let you know our findings on that.
I think maybe tomorrow we'll see just how much impact the wallpapers are having and disable that section except for customers/registered users. I'll let you know our findings on that.
Angel_Wings
Reply #26 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:58 PM
Reply #26 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:58 PM
-It's nice to know that as long as people aren't skinners here they are nobodys. Why even call it wincustomize.com when it should still be "skinz-something or other"...
Boy, I'm depressed.
Boy, I'm depressed.
werewolf
Reply #27 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:59 PM
Reply #27 Monday, November 25, 2002 11:59 PM
might be a good time to stay away from the message boards 
Whoa the vomit emoticon is gone
Whoa the vomit emoticon is gone
Angel_Wings
Reply #29 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:00 AM
Reply #29 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:00 AM
I was working on an icon set and now I'm trashing it... Back to hopeless 101
werewolf
Reply #30 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:02 AM
Reply #30 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:02 AM
DS: Hang in there... Lord knows it ain't easy. You do good stuff, you'll get icons too.
Angel_Wings
Reply #31 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:03 AM
Reply #31 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:03 AM
Thanks werewolf...I'm just sad...not entirely from this thread of course (that would be pathetic)...just one of those icky days and this was the topper on the cake so to speak. 
werewolf
Reply #32 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:14 AM
Reply #32 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:14 AM
DS I had one of those the other day on the Marathon thread...it wasn't pretty. Everyone told me that it would pass, so I'm passing that on to you. Right now sucks, but later, sometime later, it won't suck so much 
BoXXi
Reply #33 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:15 AM
Reply #33 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:15 AM
As a wallpaper artist (primarily), I think the wallpaper section should be left exactly as it is. I believe that any tampering with or removal of the wallpaper section will alienate many people who come here, myself included. I can't understand why some of you "look down" on that section, in my opinion that is where some of the best talent on this site lies. Wallpapers are the basis of any good looking customized desktop, and isn't that what we are in the business of doing, customizing our desktops?
Also, disabling a section would have an impact on the top 10 authors and downloads list, which is unfair, and rather makes a mockery of having the lists at all.
There has to be a better way of doing things. Restrict the freeloaders, who gives a toss about them? If they don't want to play fair, don't let them play at all.
I really would be seriously unimpressed with the restriction of any of the sections, I don't think it's the way to go.
Also, disabling a section would have an impact on the top 10 authors and downloads list, which is unfair, and rather makes a mockery of having the lists at all.
There has to be a better way of doing things. Restrict the freeloaders, who gives a toss about them? If they don't want to play fair, don't let them play at all.
I really would be seriously unimpressed with the restriction of any of the sections, I don't think it's the way to go.
sig101
Reply #35 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:45 AM
Reply #35 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:45 AM
FWIW I rather like Jobeleca's suggestions. (Granted streamlining the webpages doesn't address the download issue, but it would make for faster page loading and browsing.)
I rather like the "one stop shopping" aspect of WC...skinners can have skins and matching walls here (and skins for other apps) or people can find walls to as they say, "customize" their desktop. At least requiring a site registration (which costs nothing) shouldn't be a problem, should it? And perhaps restricting the downloads per day for those registrants who aren't SD app registrants or WC subscribers? Something that allows people to use the site but makes it a bit more difficult or takes more effort (multiple registrations?) to just siphon stuff off the site wholesale.
I rather like the "one stop shopping" aspect of WC...skinners can have skins and matching walls here (and skins for other apps) or people can find walls to as they say, "customize" their desktop. At least requiring a site registration (which costs nothing) shouldn't be a problem, should it? And perhaps restricting the downloads per day for those registrants who aren't SD app registrants or WC subscribers? Something that allows people to use the site but makes it a bit more difficult or takes more effort (multiple registrations?) to just siphon stuff off the site wholesale.
mrbiotech
Reply #36 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:53 AM
Reply #36 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 12:53 AM
Could the wallpaper section be limited to wallpapers featured in the screenshots of the different products? Just curious.
brazil
Reply #37 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:03 AM
Reply #37 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:03 AM
Things have changed so much in the last 3 years with the introduction of home access broadband.It is more fun than a barrel of monkeys! It is also very expensive.I don't know why WC or StarDock have to mollycoddle anyone who does not understand this. I have dloaded many programs for a 3o day trial and many I have bought in less.Time the software out.If their not impressed enough to spend a measly 20$ after seeing what WB,Desktops,and such can do for their systems,then who really cares about these people? Not me.
bakerstreet
Reply #38 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:18 AM
Reply #38 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:18 AM
D_S, Boxxi:
Join me now, at a small, humble restaurant.
The couple looks at each other, and then back to the man in the stained apron.
They say, " ...but all Mexican restaurants have free tortilla chips!."
"But please, I beg you. I can't afford it." the poor owner pleads, "You come and eat all the chips. I have good food. I work hard. If you keep eating just the chips the restaurant will close!"
In the back, the hiding, silent 'chef d' tortillas' leers triumphantly, assured his art is appreciated.
The couple huff simultaneously, enraged by the owner's heinous display of self preservation.
"Well, you may close, but we'll have our chips and salsa in the meantime, Jose'!!"
Manuel nods in defeat, a small tear welling up in his eye as he thinks of his Mother, far to the South. She waits for her ticket to America, to her great-grandchildren.
"Not this month, Mama" he says under his breath, roaming from table to table; each filled with people who drink only water, and eat only tortilla chips.
He's a chef, our Manuel; a master in the art of haute Tex-Mex. A man whose burrito even Bobby Flay would stand in awe of, and here we leave him. Manuel to some, Jose' to others. We leave him watching his dreams slip through hands calloused from years of scalding mole' sauce, and from ferrying ponderous trays of tortilla chips to the little round tables of the unfeeling.
( P.S. wtf? Frogboy said he wasn't getting rid of the section. You want drama? I got Drama out the wazoo. )
Join me now, at a small, humble restaurant.
The couple looks at each other, and then back to the man in the stained apron.
They say, " ...but all Mexican restaurants have free tortilla chips!."
"But please, I beg you. I can't afford it." the poor owner pleads, "You come and eat all the chips. I have good food. I work hard. If you keep eating just the chips the restaurant will close!"
In the back, the hiding, silent 'chef d' tortillas' leers triumphantly, assured his art is appreciated.
The couple huff simultaneously, enraged by the owner's heinous display of self preservation.
"Well, you may close, but we'll have our chips and salsa in the meantime, Jose'!!"
Manuel nods in defeat, a small tear welling up in his eye as he thinks of his Mother, far to the South. She waits for her ticket to America, to her great-grandchildren.
"Not this month, Mama" he says under his breath, roaming from table to table; each filled with people who drink only water, and eat only tortilla chips.
He's a chef, our Manuel; a master in the art of haute Tex-Mex. A man whose burrito even Bobby Flay would stand in awe of, and here we leave him. Manuel to some, Jose' to others. We leave him watching his dreams slip through hands calloused from years of scalding mole' sauce, and from ferrying ponderous trays of tortilla chips to the little round tables of the unfeeling.
( P.S. wtf? Frogboy said he wasn't getting rid of the section. You want drama? I got Drama out the wazoo.
)
Angel_Wings
Reply #39 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:40 AM
Reply #39 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:40 AM
I pity da foo-l
Auggie, don't worry I'll leave the tip this time just so long as you understand you were making a scene in the restaraunt and stop streaking in public, it's improper!
Ya know the sad part? Wanna really, REALLY know it? Cuz it's mighty sad....
I don't USE windowblinds, I find it irritating and a waste of my resources any longer, cuz when I'm working on projects it's just one more thing to suck ram. Ohhhh
The only eye candy I actually use is (No say it ain't so) WALLPAPER...
But, I gave money and did my part thinking...hey...this doesn't JUST have to be for getting "STUFF" this can *ALSO* be for GIVING stuff and contributing to a community that I'd like to be a part of. Geez...I love the instant "Ousting" of artists... Jeezus...we love you guys...we want to contribute and GIVE with NOTHING in return and we buy your products...we WANT to be a part of you...and now this? I'm so sad.
Auggie, don't worry I'll leave the tip this time just so long as you understand you were making a scene in the restaraunt and stop streaking in public, it's improper!
Ya know the sad part? Wanna really, REALLY know it? Cuz it's mighty sad....
I don't USE windowblinds, I find it irritating and a waste of my resources any longer, cuz when I'm working on projects it's just one more thing to suck ram. Ohhhh
The only eye candy I actually use is (No say it ain't so) WALLPAPER...
But, I gave money and did my part thinking...hey...this doesn't JUST have to be for getting "STUFF" this can *ALSO* be for GIVING stuff and contributing to a community that I'd like to be a part of. Geez...I love the instant "Ousting" of artists... Jeezus...we love you guys...we want to contribute and GIVE with NOTHING in return and we buy your products...we WANT to be a part of you...and now this? I'm so sad.
JamMeister33
Reply #40 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:45 AM
Reply #40 Tuesday, November 26, 2002 1:45 AM
Do away with the Wallpaper section and a lot of us will no longer subscribe to this site, period!! >
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Reply #21 Monday, November 25, 2002 10:47 PM