DM: Too Popular For Its Own Damn Good
Decatur Metro | June 13, 2011 | 12:32 pmI just wanted to drop everyone a note, letting you know that I’m more than aware of the recent issues DM has had with loading.
I’ve discussed the issue with someone much smarter than myself, and have confirmed that this is basically an issue of opting for a hosting service that can’t handle my traffic. (The host is intentially slowing down page loads to temper my impact on their servers.) I’m not sure what spurred the issue over the last few weeks, but it has been a real pain and I’m sorry for that.
So, we gotta move DM to a new location that allows a lot more bandwidth. When this occurs, DM will likely load faster than it has been in a long time. But it’s gonna take a few days. So please bear with us!
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So please bare with us!
This is a friendly and informal blog community, but let’s not take it too far…
maybe a hosting service that offers a built-in copy editor? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
Wow, that was ugly. Thanks for making a hard day a little bit worse.
Tried to warn you….
I know, I know.
;( Sorry if it made you sad–I don’t really care too much about typos and grammatical mistakes, but I found that particular one amusing.
Not you TOK.
I hardly ever point out a typo while others do it all the time. Yet, you seem more likely to take offense when I do it. I don’t understand.
Sorry, but it didn’t read like you were correcting a mistake – since TOK already pointed it out. To me, it read like piling on.
I admit I was having a bad day yesterday, but still reading it again today it comes off the same.
Didn’t mean to be piling on at all. TOK’s comment made me giggle and I was trying to be funny, too. The notion of building an automated copy editor into a hosting platform is ludicrous, but I was thinking how much easier it would make your life. Actually, how much easier it would make my life, if I were you, which is a big reason why the joke fell flat. Along with the fact you were apparently in webmaster hell yesterday.
Ah. My apologies then. I certainly didn’t read it that way, but obviously part of that was just the day I was having. Speaking of which, I’ve got some work to do…
Pobrecito! These are affectionate comments. We all love you and know you are having a hard day.
Agreed. And I won’t comment on grammar ever again. DM already dislikes me; I don’t need him to hate me.
Because you had to be a big shot, didn’t cha
You had to open up your mouth
You had to be a big shot, didn’t cha
All your friends were so knocked out
You had to have the last word, last night
You know what everything’s about
You had to have a white hot spotlight
You had to be a big shot last night
+2 for handle and general contribution.
With apologies to Lyrics Guy and Billy J …
Because you had to be a big blog, didn’t cha
You had to pull in all the crowds
You had to be a big blog, didn’t cha
All the bandwith ran right out
I hope that my post doesn’t convey anything other than great admiration (and a healthy dose of silliness). I’m an incorrigible lyrics mangler.
I’ve had a lot of luck with VPS.net for my cloud needs. They’ve got an ATL data center too….
I’m just relieved to know that it’s the hosting service and not my ancient computer.
I thought it was accessing it from Costa Rican wifi! Good to know! And congrats!
Thanks! I was wondering what the problem was.
If 80% of the posts come from 20% of the followers does that equal success? Not bashing but asking you to share statistics about your growth that surely you must have since no matter what, the posted name it is tagged to an email. (And I know people can have more than one email – I just change my published name occasionally.)
Upfront I’ll say that I follow regularly. Information is relevant to me as an Oakhurst homeowner with an education background, and sometimes there is a scoop.
My opinion about blogs … when they become monopolized by a few strong aka long-winded or continual posters they can lose the interest of persons desiring variety and lightheartedness (even on serious discussions). At this juncture they become Chat Rooms. There are times when I see DM moving in this direction.
SERIOUSLY?!?!?
In just one comment you tried to stick your nose into DM’s business, questioned the site’s success, and insulted the regular commenters– and you were rather long winded and self absorbed doing it!
+1
Wait, am I reading this right? You put a +1 on a criticism of your post? Am I missing some kind of inside joke?
Inside joke? No, although there are times when they are evident. I asked DM to tell us about the growth that is slugging the server. I +1 Deanne’s comments (other than “self-absorbed”) but stand by my opinion that blogs be subtly commandeered. It’s the hostess with the mostest that make them great over time.
+1 for being a good sport! :0)
Thank you.
First off, I don’t think I understand your first paragraph. What’s the question? Are you asking if 20% participation is bad? If so, I suggest a little Clay Shirkey. Be it Flickr, or Wikipedia, or Decatur Metro, a small % of your “users” will do 90% of the legwork, whatever your “community”. Same for the brick and mortar world. I think DM’s actually a little better than that. We’ve got a diverse array of new and well-aged commenters, so…
I get your comment about the chat room atmosphere, and I’ve combated that a bit over the years – ask DTR there – but it’s at worst a good problem to have.
The regulars are a critical component of the site and among other things, give a sense of continuity, reliably worthwhile opinions, and even self-police. They have developed relationships with each other and have a vested interest in the site.
Commandeered from whom? Me? Good. “Commandeered” is an attitude that’ll likely destroy a site like this if judged too liberally – especially a hyper-local. It’s supposed to be a community site. I’ve consciously given up a lot of “voice” over the years and let the community guide much of it. As for the “regulars”, know that they’re more than just the frequent commenters – there are also the regular photogs, regular tipsters, the regular copy-editors…
Sites with a large % of commenters have different and IMO frequently much worse problems – like trolls, lots of insults, and no constructive dialogue. I personally don’t read or care about those sorts of comment sections. So it works great for me.
Just a few scattered thoughts. Sorry, been a long day.
Good stuff DM and thank you. After the fact but none the less sincere – congratulations on the good problem you have – “Waiting for http://www.decaturmetro.com …” ;~)
The hostess with the mostest can create a welcoming scene. The guest-ess with the bestess has an obligation as well. Like, not to insult someone in his own living room.
I am going to blow up your avatar, stalk you a while and become your best friend. Or just add your above post/quote to my personal lexicon.
Well, shucks, Nell. (blushing)
Ditto, except for the stalking thingy– I’ll just admire you from afar & hope the cool rubs off on me.
Your smart friend didn’t prescribe fewer posts on bell schedules or immediately closing comments on posts about… something like… a Walmart moving in next door?
Having a lot of problems with the site loading this morning. I blame Wal-Mart.