Bandwidth Troubles in January

[chestermikeuk]

Back To Basics!!

Its simple people, get back to doing what the forums where designed to do....in case of super:

"The Super Discussions Forum for topics relating to all laundry detergents and additives, old and new, as well as off topic. conversations such as other vintage appliances and vintage electronics, etc. "

Another suggestion I made a few times but gotten no responses was to re-use threads...i.e. servis supertwin, if you have a new question, search for an existing header, that way we all contribute our experiences for that machine, whether restoring, fixing, etc and it build a complete picture of what we need to know....how many times do we see the same threads re-hashed......a little thinking goes a long way...

Mike

 

[DADoES]

Text posts don't pull much bandwith ... it's the pictures .... ALL the pictures (and whatever videos Robert has stashed there) that are fed from the primary hosting server (not those linked from off-site hosts) ... and by the way (although we've all done it, including myself), it's considered a breach of netiquette to embed pictures linked directly from other sites, such as RepairClinic, Kenmore, etc ... that uses bandwith from *their* server. An exception may be when the parent site has a mechanism that allows it (such as YouTube videos).

The problem is, so much of this site is *visual* -- sharing pictures of vintage finds and restorations, Picture of the Day, machine action, etc., that pictures and videos in some form are required.

Everyone who posts pictures should make an effort to learn to use photo editing software to crop and resize the pictures from their cameras and scanners. Very few pictures for sharing online need to be a very high resolution and 1024x768 pixels or larger in size. 100 dpi and 640x480 or 800x600 is sufficient more often than not. The .jpg image format has built-in compression, and pretty much all photo editing software allows selecting how much compression is applied when editing/saving a file. If someone would like to see details at a larger size or higher resolution, perhaps it can be sent privately via e-mail.

Not to point fingers, but as an example, take the thread "Today's the Day" in Super. There are several images that appear to be scans of cards. The images are very large (1000x1375 pixels), while the cards themselves are small. A large amount of the excess white space could have been cropped out, which would still allow for sharing the material but using both less bandwith each time the thread is viewed, and less server hard drive space.

 

[spiralator60]

Bandwidth Troubles

Hi Robert,

Since the Super Forum is drawing half the usage of the entire site, would it be worth looking at making this particular forum a site on its own - a "spin off" of AW.org? With increasing viewing and usage rates, it does not look like there is an easy solution to limiting or curbing the bandwidth use issue. I know that maintaining one site is already a lot of work to begin with, and understand any reluctance you might have in dealing with time, logistics, and other matters related to doing this.

 

[2drumsallergy]

Free Photo Editing Software

Here are a few useful links.

Paint.NET http://www.getpaint.net/ is free image editing and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. Paint.NET requires the Microsoft .NET Framework to be installed on your system. I am a long time user of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Creative Suite 2.3. I can confidently say Paint.NET is a full featured and powerful application that will not dissapoint a Photoshop user.

A very simple method of resizing image files is the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Image Resizer PowerToy. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
This ads small free program ads the Resize Picture option to the (Right Mouse Button) context menu. You can simply right click on an image file and hen left click the option to Resize Picture. Image Resizer PowerToy is a simple to use tool that creates a new file whilst leaving the original file unaltered.

Both these applications are clean and safe to install, Paint.NET is Open Source Software and Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Image Resizer PowerToy is freeware.

I trust this will be of some use.
David

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

 

[tomturbomatic]

Maybe bandwidth could be allocated individually. It seems that a very, very few people have to post every random synaptical firing. The club is not an audience for anyone's performance. If you are that funny, find a comedy website. We will be glad to say that we knew you when you were unknown. If you are so sexually frustrated that everything has to be a double entendre, find a sex website. In the past, we have managed to have fun without going over our bandwidth. If you have no friends except members of this club, I feel sorry for you, but please use personal email to share your life with your close friends, not this place. This does not include major events like serious illness or deaths, but everytime you get a fart sideways or a flat tire you do not need to notify us. We all have our minor daily difficulties. While I care about most living beings, and care a great deal more about friends, I have a full life so I do not need minutiae that is broadcast for everyone who happens to read this forum to make my life complete, especially if it is not appliance related. The great majority of postings on all three sections are interesting and usually appliance related. Talk may be cheap and air free for the breathing, but bandwidth ain't. I am not trying to hurt feelings. The vast majority of members post responsibly, but if it comes down to having enough bandwidth for our discussions 365 days a year or not having the club available at times because some cannot regulate their urge to post, we have to do what is needed to provide good access for the majority.

 

[frigilux]

Since money isn't the answer and Robert shouldn't have to put any more time into this site than he already does, I plan to do these things to help alleviate bandwith usage:

1) I'll check in less frequently. I'm a bad one for that; I tend to check in many times a day, just to see who has responded to things, and, of course, to respond.

2) I'll no longer create threads which are off the topic of appliances and their related products/issues.

3) I'll post pictures only when necessary and I will keep the ones I do post smaller.

4) I will resist, to the best of my ability, the urge to post/respond in threads which are off the topic of appliances and their related products/issues.

Hope this helps, Robert. I love this site and would certainly hate to see anything drastic happen to it.

 

[gregm]

Post# 180296 above

greg "gansky's" Post# 180296 above is a GREAT idea. I could not agree more.

 

[mattywashboy]

i for one will not post pics in threads anymore but will link to my webshots ablbum and put appropriate pics in appropriate folders so then people can look at their leisure, i think if you do that it uses Webshots bandwith not ours???
i don't post too many pics but i am guilty to making a couple of nonsense threads but i shall refrain from now on
Matt

 

[oxydolfan1]

I agree with Tomturbomatic's post. It's almost as if there's a desperate need to be noticed, at any cost, with a core group of posters, that has emerged. You get back-and-forths with inside jokes, giggles, and praise, which is just this primal need to feel "in the cool clique" and just serves to alienate those who aren't interested in being on the circuit. That's divisive to adults, not real dissent.

The pic thread was interesting-it got more responses than any other! I was surprised to see members whose names I'd never seen throwing their hats into the ring. I think what this says is that there is a serious unmet need in many of our communities, for a safer, down-to-earth way to connect as individuals, and get to know one another.

These efforts are well-intentioned and fun. I'm not positive, though, that Robert's site can possibly meet those needs at this point in time.

 

[panthera]

Whatever it takes

Robert,
I'll gladly follow any rules you set, I really appreciate what you have given us with this website.
Since you asked for input, a few thoughts based on past experiences:
- We lost LPSG to the adolescent jerks of all ages because membership was 'automatic'. It destroyed the site.
- Bandwidth problems at 852 Prospect led to promises and discussions back and forth ad infinitum...but nothing got solved until the webmistress set absolute rules and discipline was not the fun kind
- Sticky postings at the top of each forum (Is this call necessary? Loose lips sink ships!) will help with folks who care

I'm ok with whatever you chose.
Keven

 

[irishwashguy]

Bandwith for dummies

I am willing to do whatever it takes to help. I am so gald to have this place, although,please help me to understand the concept of bandwith, are they like cell phone minutes, can we get them back after they are used if we get rid of inactive threads? Please fill me in.

 

[rp2813]

I agree with Tom's suggestions in #180414. Every thread I've started on Super or any other forum here has been appliance related. I think we need to stick to that and put the stuff like recipe sharing and rants about SUV's and politics and cell phone use while driving somewhere else.

It might also help if once a person has visited this site, they make sure to navigate off of it and not just walk away from their computer with this site still up on the screen. Every little bit of behavior modification will help to keep Robert from having to take any action.

Ralph

 

[petek]

I'm ignorant about all this bandwith stuff as well.. does leaving the webpage open in the background really continue to use up bandwith?

 

[mickeyd]

The thundering eloquent judgment of Turbomatic will probably

Maybe he'll learn charity, but I'll sure sleep well now that the bald truth has been revealed by an impartial, frighteningly intelligent being. GOOD GOD, where does verbal power that intense come from? Sweet Jesus Almighty!

Thomas, I publically apologize for neglecting your e-mail from many moons ago; it was thoughtless of me and lazy. I have no excuse. You have every right to avoid me. Please forgive me.

Thank you,

Michael

 

[toggleswitch]

Speaking of using this as a personal medium...

AGAIN? *YAWN*

Public beatings are for cowards, send a private email already!

Leveling:
Cutting someone else to shreds to bring them down to your level/mentality. This helps one feel better about themselves.

Keep attacking; you are not making any friends and are making it painfully obvious that generic meds dont work as well as brand-names.

Remember honey, Jeeeeezzus loves everyone, even you the purposely cruel.

Is it me or are all of the *women's* wash-cycles synchronizing?

http://www.ronald.com/

 

[Unimatic1140]

Now that we've aired our dirty laundry

Ummmmm, I don't know quite how to tell everyone this, BUT, I was suspicious at the fact that we used 937gb in one month (since the meter on our control panel was telling me we only used 82.6gb) so I decided to email technical support and question them as to why we received the automated email about our account. If you care to read this saga, here it is. It sure is a pain in the neck when half the people you talk to don't even pay attention to what I'm writing to them:

Your message on Tue, Jan 2nd 2007 07:27:32
1

Hello, can someone please explain to me why my website is receiving a bandwidth message???? According to the package info we are to receive 1000gb of bandwidth per month. According to the control panel we had only used 80gb????

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "[email protected]"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 1:57:52 AM
Subject: The domain automaticwasher.org (automa7) is about to exceed bandwidth limit

The domain automaticwasher.org (automa7) has reached 80% of its bandwidth limit.
Please contact the system admin as soon as possible.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com


___________________________
Message by amy.chambliss on Tue, Jan 2nd 2007 10:10:41
2

Hello Robert,

You have currently used 3394.73 out of 1000GB of bandwidth.

Bandwidth levels are reset at the end of each month.

The warning messages are sent from the server to advise you of the
bandwidth consumption.

The bandwidth levels have been reset.

I hope this helps.

Thanks.

Have a great day.

--
Best Regards,

Amy Chambliss

Have your say on our new phone support hours! VOTE at
http://www.lunarforums.com/forum/index.php?topic=36844.0
Phone: 1-877-LUNARPAGES (Toll-free)
Phone: 0800 072-9150 (UK toll-free)
Phone: 1-714-521-8150 (International)

Web: http://www.lunarpages.com/
Community: http://www.lunarforums.com/
Tutorials: http://www.lunarpages.com/tutorials/



Your message on Tue, Jan 2nd 2007 11:14:10
________________
3

Hi Amy, thanks for your response.

OK this is extremely troubling/confusing.

I realize the system meter is reset every month on the 1st of the month, that is not the issue here.

The issue is why is the system telling me at the end of December that I've used 80% of my bandwidth (for December) when the system clearly says in the control panel that I've only used 80gb (not 800gb). To use 80% the site would have to have used 800gb. Please look at my bandwidth usage for December 2006, it clearly says only 80GB had been used which is less than 10% of possible usage. Please advise.

----- Original Message ----
From: Lunarpages Helpdesk
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 2, 2007 12:10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: The domain automaticwasher.org (automa7) is about to exceed bandwidth limit [3180-METG-2951] [4e0c405d] Our Respons



___________
Message by ben.ramey on Tue, Jan 2nd 2007 02:30:43
4

Hello Robert,
Looking at your web stats you seem have used up over 900 GB in the month of december. To check yourself log into your cPanel and click on the web/ftp statistics icon. Then click analog and choose the month of December 2006. It will display the entire months bandwidth as data transfered.
--
Best regards,

Ben Ramey
[email protected]
Support Forums - http://www.lunarforums.com
Phone: 1-877-LUNARPAGES or 1-877-586-2772 (toll-free)
Phone: 0800 072-9150 (UK toll-free)
Phone: 1-714-521-8150 (International)
24 hour Network Status Line: 1-562-697-8106
Have your say on our new phone support hours! VOTE at
http://www.lunarforums.com/forum/index.php?topic=36844.0


___________________
Your message on Tue, Jan 2nd 2007 05:53:22
6

Hi Ben, thank you for your response.

Then how come when I select from the Control Panel, Web / Ftp Statistics, then I select Bandwidth, I click on Dec 2006 it says I used 82.6 GB?


_____________________
Message by hasan on Wed, Jan 3rd 2007 12:00:17
7

Hi,

I apologize. The data transferred in the analog stat is the accumulated bandwidth usage since we host your account.

Please let us know and provide the full header of the warning message you receive should you get another warning in the future. We can investigate from there. Thank you.
--
Please don't hesitate to get in touch, should you require further assistance.

Best Regards,

Hasan Panetta
[email protected]

Have your say on our new phone support hours!
(VOTE-http://www.lunarforums.com/forum/index.php?topic=36844.0)

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___________________________
Your message on Wed, Jan 3rd 2007 08:55:40
8

Hi Hasan, thank you for your response. I need to understand what you are saying?

So do you mean that in December 2006 the bandwidth was only 82.6Gb and the automated message was sent in error? (This is what I thought originally).

and the 917gb of bandwidth is for my account since the hosting began?


_____________________
Message by Clayton.Tucker on Wed, Jan 3rd 2007 12:25:45
9

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us back.

That would be correct as it would seem you recieved the message in error as the stats within analog are since you've been hosted with us (the 917gb). As Hasan mentioned previously, if you recieve any alike emails again, please forward the email to us including the headers.

Thanks.

--
Have your say on our new phone support hours! VOTE at
http://www.lunarforums.com/forum/index.php?topic=36844.0
Best Regards,

Clayton Tucker
[email protected]
Phone: 1-877-LUNARPAGES (Toll-free)
Phone: 1-714-521-8150 (International)


Go figure, although I still think the Super Forum is a bit out of control and I agree what many have said here about being semi-selective about what we post.

Opinions? God knows, we have plenty of bandwidth left to discuss it, LOL.

 

[toggleswitch]

OMG the witchhunt is over?

I'm sending you a check anyway! LOL (HA HA HA HA)

 

[westytoploader]

Robert, very interesting to say the least. What I'm wondering is how the erroneous message was overlooked?

I do agree, though, that there has been WAY too much bantering on the Super forum lately which needs to change.

 

[chestermikeuk]

What Bandwith!!!!

Robert....LOL.....You`ve gotten more guts than me....I would have kept quiet.....

Mike

p.s.

And in my life today whilst everything is spiralling out of control, my partner came running into the office thinking I was having a breakdown, it was me laughing so much at Toms post......right on I say!!!!you`ll love him even more when you meet him!!!!

 

[DADoES]

Eeeeeek!!!!

Anyways, to continue about bandwith ....

Bandwith is the bits and bytes transferred from the server to your browser. Data passing through the pipe from the ISP network and servers to you. Text, backgrounds, graphics, pictures, videos, all the material is included that you see in the browser window on your screen. It's kind of like gallons of water or KWH of electricity.

All the hosted sites on the ISP's network as a whole pull bandwith from their "Big Pipe" that connects to the Internet at-large. ISPs must have a large enough "pipe" to carry all the sites and servers they host, or data transfer gets bottlenecked. Like if your entire neighborhood was served by a 2" water main, and *everybody* on the street turns on *all* the faucets in their houses at the same time, everybody would get just a trickle of water. Hosting services typically offer different bandwith packages at increasing price levels according to how much traffic a site is expected to get. When all the allocated bandwith is used during a billing period, the site effectively is denied traffic until the next period begins. Robert said above that allowed bandwith is 1000 GB of data per month. Comparing that as 1000 gallons of water ... once that amount is used, you get no more until next month.

Leaving a page open "static" (without refreshing it) does not use bandwith. Bandwith is used each time it's actively refreshed or viewed (some browsers may automatically refresh after a few mins). After the first viewing, page elements (text, pictures, etc.) are cached locally so not everything has to be downloaded again, the browser checks with the server to see what, if anything, has changed since the last view and downloads just the new material. You may have noticed that on long threads like the member pics thread. The first part of the thread that you've already seen loads quickly since it's reading local from your hard drive, but new pictures at the bottom take longer. Polling the server for changes uses bandwith as well, but not nearly so much. Keep in mind, however, that the local cache does automatically refresh or clear itself on a scheduled basis, so eventually all the content *is* re-downloaded on repeated viewings.