503 Errors and Search. *Updated and HELP Needed* - Page 5

**Malatesta** · #41 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2chill

If it means keeping mala, we need to go to vb

Truthfully I find it much better also, and would donate towards the cost if it meant this site could move to it. However, I realize there are other considerations (sounds like it needs dedicated hosting, etc.).

But the search functions alone make vb the best.

I too would donate some towards vB

If something like that is decided, I'm sure we could come up with a "donation program" from our members to get us there. I mean...we have nearly 20,000 users. If just 1,000 gave a $1....

DavidIQ · #42 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 11:27 PM

Analyzing files to see where the query is coming from... is anyone running into this 503 error anymore?

DavidIQ · #43 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 11:31 PM

Ouch...looks like a lot of you read through the RSS feed huh...

(me included)

jtrag · #44 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 07:31 AM

vbulletin would definitely be the way to go for a forum like this. You will probably notice that more users will register once you get vbulletin installed. Also, you don't necessarily need a dedicated server to run it. I used to run in on a shared hosting account with 100+ users on at a time and didn't run into any problems.

Regarding the 503 error, I'm not getting that anymore. It also seems like the site is running much faster. Good work guys!

DavidIQ · #45 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 07:35 AM

More users = more server load = more letters from the hosting company = no website. I think those of you that are rooting for vBulletin aren't really seeing the actual problem and that it wouldn't get fixed much by using vBulletin. In this case the RSS feed is what's causing some of the problems. What happens if/when we go to vBulletin? The same problem... I'm cooking up a solution though. BTW phpBB3 (free) is real slick though and will give the $200 vBulletin a run for its money.

jtrag · #46 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidIQ

More users = more server load = more letters from the hosting company = no website. I think those of you that are rooting for vBulletin aren't really seeing the actual problem and that it wouldn't get fixed much by using vBulletin. In this case the RSS feed is what's causing some of the problems. What happens if/when we go to vBulletin? The same problem... I'm cooking up a solution though. BTW phpBB3 (free) is real slick though and will give the $200 vBulletin a run for its money.

I love vbulletin and phpbb. They are both very good. vbulletin is better for larger/more active forums. The database vbulletin's database is far more efficient and therefore would decrease the server load. vbulletin also requires a lot less tweaking/hacking to get the features/performance needed to run a large/active forums.

Also, why would you not want more users? More users=more money from sponsors=ability to afford better web hosting/dedicated server=a sucessful forum community. I don't see how there is any downside to drawing more users. After all, that is one of the main goals for anyone who runs a website.

I haven't looked into phpBB3 yet. That may be another option that would work out well for this community. I'll do some research and keep you guys posted.

As far as this site goes now. It is running much better and I'm not getting the errors anymore.

**Malatesta** · #47 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 03:52 PM

I don't want to suggest that I'm knocking the current system completely and I certainly appreciate the work behind the scenes here to keep it running...(BTW, the RSS fees were always wonky for me. They behaved like universal RSS feeds instead of forum specific ones...)

phpBB3 is nice and I know Mike has mentioned that we are considering that as well, but overall I'm still finding vB a bit more robust specifically for searching, which as a Moderator I tend to use a lot.

As far as gaining more members, I agree--that is the point! I've always told Mike that we should strive to be the CDMA version of XDA developers. We're making some great strides as evidenced by out 6700 ROM cookers

So I would like to keep attracting people and talent.

We could also institute some donation system or like what (gasp) Sprintusers has, the Premium Membership, to help offset costs of instituting either vB or something else, plus server costs. We should start modeling ourselves like TreoCentral, which has a front page for stories/reviews/news, a store, etc. We shouldn't stay just a message board forever, imo.

DavidIQ · #48 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 04:16 PM

This is true. Revenue has to come in though and if Mike hasn't moved over to a dedicated server yet then that probably means revenue isn't as much as we would all like to think it is. vBulletin costs money and the increase in members (which I know is a goal) is not a good idea on a shared hosting account IMO. A lot of activity goes on around here on a daily basis with the 18,000+ members currently here so... it's not that I'm bashing the effort to increase traffic. I'm trying to prevent further issues...at least for the timebeing.

FYI RSS feed has been disabled while I implement a solution to the server load issue.

scottct1 · #49 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 09:12 AM

I agree with the above poster, it is now time to upgrade to vBulletin.

phpBB is good for small boards but when you get about 100 folks online at the same time these problems crop up.

I run a very large vBulletin forum (with 80,000 members and almost 1 million posts) at http://www.satelliteguys.us it started with phpBB but when I grew to the point when I had over 100 online I had the same problems and needed to upgrade. (Now I have around 2,500 online at the same time for most of the day)

I am sure many of us could all kick in $10 or $20 each and within a day you would have the $170 needed to buy vBulletin.

Vbulletin can import all the users and messages fromo phpBB and you would see a great performace increase, plus in addition there are a lot of easy to install vBulletin add ons you can download from vbulletin.org which can give you a bunch of new features.

Best,

Scott

**Perasite** · #50 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 09:47 AM

I'd certainly pitch in for whatever is decided. I've seen many boards do fund drives. A goal is posted at the top of the board, and each donation is tracked, bringing us closer to the goal. I know phpBB has an addin like that. Running great right now, but if an upgrade of any type is needed, I think you can count on your members to make sure it doesn't come out of your pocket.