Jan 2004 - State Of The Site

As we move into 2004 and look to the future, we have come to the realization that growing with baby steps just wont cut it.

Each time we have added BW, we have seen it max out within a month or two, leading to slow load times and service issues. This trend has followed us for the past 2 years and will come to a stop soon!

In an effort to take AR15.Com to a whole new level, we began discussions with a number of local providers and looked at a number of possible solutions. At this time, we're working with our current provider (who always seems to be on top of things!) to improve our service and relationship. While there is currently no ETA on the network changes, we're doing our best to move there as quickly as possible!

What this means for you is simply an entire new site! While we're working on the network and service, we're also working on a new version of the site and upgrades to all the software. Our goal is to continue to improve the code which runs this site to be as efficient as possible. I will quickly note the major changes so that it's easier to understand the magnitude of the coming upgrades for 2004.


--Network Upgrade
The site will be moved to a new location with more reliable power and generators for power outages. This should eliminate some of our previous downtime issues due to weather.

Bandwidth will no longer be increased in a small amount each year. We've seen the site grow to quickly each time we do this and we end up in the same situation with our BW being used up. With this new move, we'll be increasing our bandwidth significantly!!! This should allow us for a full year's growth without sacrificing speed or responsiveness.

With these changes, there's a significant upfront cost, but we feel it's the right one for the long term future. We're also working with certain members of the community to build stronger relationships and to help us offset some of this. Since it's a one time investment with a very promising future, we're comfortable in going this route.


-- Server Upgrade
Most changes to the back-end architecture, the site will be streamlined once again to improve speed and performance. We'll be looking to upgrade our server software as well and again, make the investment now for the long haul.

This includes the addition of the Archive Server, the addition of new web servers to the cluster, and the upgrade of our data services.

-- Software Upgrades
While we're making all these changes, we figured it was a nice time to do everything with the site including change the layout.

The look and feel of the site will change and we have a professional designer working with us to create a nice looking design. I could not be happier with his work and will be happily "pimping" him out on the site for anyone else who is interested!

Along with the new look, the biggest improvement to the site will come with a new database architecture. This means that we've streamlined the back-end functions of the site to further improve responsiveness and speed for serving pages. The upgrade will also add features as well as alter some of the ways we've stored data in the past.

Finally, we'll also work to cleaning up some of the extended services such as the photo hosting (totally being re-written instead of using the package we purchased!). We'll also be updating the forums look and feel to be a little cleaner, sexier, and easier to use.



All in all 2004 should be an amazing year for everyone here. If everything falls into place, we'll see changes hit little by little and have an entire new site by year end! I will post updates on all of these items as we move forward, and try to go into detail when needed.

As always, we appreciate all of your support. From the wonderful members, to the amazing companies, you all define this site and make it a joy to work with. Without you, AR15.Com simply would not exist!!! THANK YOU!!!!
edited to fix the date in the title...

Thank You GB [hail2]

Thanks for the hard work, GB.

[hail2]

Thanks for the update and time you spend working on the site.

Thanx for the site.

A new baby and all this You the man!!! Thanks for all the hard work and keeping the AFCOMM family together. Peter (and Beth)

[hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2][hail2]

[headbang]

[jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump][jump]

Yet another reason for those who haven't yet at least chipped in for the $20 membership to do so if they can afford it. There are a lot of guests on this site too, and if just a few of them would become members and kick in $20/year anyway, I'm sure a lot of these things could be accomplished with less headaches. Thanks for a great site! Definately one of the busiest firearms sites out there.

The Avila's kick ass! Long live AR15.com! [beer][beer][beer]

Thanks for a truly wonderful sight! I am going to start putting aside money for a team AR15.com membership. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!! Edit: Spelling

Thanks GB and as a paying member I am glad I could support this excellent resource. AR15 defines what the possibilities of the internet can be, keep up the awesome work.[banana][banana][banana][banana][banana]

I am very thankful for the site. That is why I chipped in my 20. Because this site is worth way more. It is a great site with an abundance of knollage for you. Keep it going.

My money was well spent here. I'd like to say thanks to all of you. Those up front and behind the scenes. Danny

Thank ya much GB!!

Thank you Juan.

[8D]

Thank you GB, Ed Sr. and the rest of the members who make this fine site happen.

[beer][bounce][beer]

[img]www.cycleforums.com/forums/images/smilies/woowoo2.gif[/img] [size=6][blue][b]To GB and the entire Avila clan: Thanks for everything! [/b][/blue][/size=6] [img]www.cycleforums.com/forums/images/smilies/3dbiggrin3.gif[/img]

Hell, everyone's already said it better than I can. Still, thank you!

... Thank you [b]Goatboy[/b] for your dedication to the site. We really do appreciate your spirit and savvy.

I want to say thanks too. I have only been a part of this great site for a short time but I have learned alot in that short time. To all who have answered my questions a big thanks. I glade to be a member of this great site. Again thanks to the guys like GB and tweak and all the rest. bubba4602[^]

[party]

Cool! Can't wait!!!

Thanks to all!!!

[size=5][brown]Goat family- Thanks for the effort. Lookin' forward to the changes! [b][i]RENO[/i][/b][/brown][/size=5]

For those of us constricted by dial-up, I am surely looking forward to that day when this site really rocks. To quote Buzz Lightyear " To infinity and beyond" is the new speed standard. Thanks guys,

[booze]

Great work on a super site! (when I land a job, I'll join the "Team")

I only recently discovered this site a few months ago when I started thinking about getting an AR15 (I just recently created a member account). This site has provided so much useful information in this short time that I am left with only one choice. Pony up and become a team member. [hail2]

Thanks guys! I can't wait to see the new layout! Eric

THANKS GB!!!!!!!!!![headbang][hail][hail2]

GB, my $235 money order for six memberships and a shirt is in the mail. Thanks.

Your hard work and dedication is inspiring. Thanks to all of you.

[beer] thanks for all the hard work guys. [white]Does this mean I need to archive my forum for safekeeping?[/white]

Great.....I recommend this site to anyone having an interest in firearms

[snoopy]

This site is truly therapeutic! Next stop, membership options!

[b]A BIGGER(comm)PIPE is always GOOD !![/b] [:D] 5sub

Great site. I want to thank the guy wearing the ar15.com t-shirt at one of my local shops for leading me here. I have seen the light,crawled out of my cave and discovered ar-15.com Thanks

Outstanding site.Do funds from the store help support you? I feel sort of guilty about the cost-benefit ratio. Let me know about the store,I will do some shopping if it helps. Thanks a million

GRAT SITE and thanks for everything!!!!! I just wish that my $20 bronze membership would post to my member status sooner. It's been a week+ now with no change and I have emailed you a couple of times. I know your busy with all the changes but I HAVE already paid. thanks again Melbo9

The wealth of information I've gotten here is invaluable. The realtime discussions about current events in unparalled. I've freeloaded long enough. I decided to support the site and joined this week. Thanks to everyone.

[quote]Originally Posted By melbo9: I just wish that my $20 bronze membership would post to my member status sooner. It's been a week+ now with no change and I have emailed you a couple of times. I know your busy with all the changes but I HAVE already paid. thanks again Melbo9[/quote] Have patience my friend. GoatBoy is extremely busy, but he WILL get your account upgraded, sooner or later. Mine took 3-4 weeks, IIRC. Welcome aboard!!! [beer]

[quote]Originally Posted By Slash: [quote]Originally Posted By melbo9: I just wish that my $20 bronze membership would post to my member status sooner. It's been a week+ now with no change and I have emailed you a couple of times. I know your busy with all the changes but I HAVE already paid. thanks again Melbo9[/quote] Have patience my friend. GoatBoy is extremely busy, but he WILL get your account upgraded, sooner or later. Mine took 3-4 weeks, IIRC. Welcome aboard!!! [beer] [/quote] Ok, Now that I have lost that horrible "member" Avatar... The best site in the world!!!! Sorry for be a little premature with my bitching I was upgraded 2 days later though... Thanks Melbo

I'm sure you guys have done your research, but you might want to consider ev1servers.net (formerly rackshack.net). For ~$100 a month I've got 700GB of transfer allotment and enough bandwidth to survive being slammed by Free Republic on 9/11 (I have a 9/11 image and video archive available). bcl

Welcome to the site, Smitty59. And congrats on the team membership. Also welcomes and congrats to melbo9. Thanks to you guys for helping us support this great site with our paid memberships. edited to add: Also welcome to the site to Max-BB. Glad to have you.

[quote]Originally Posted By libertynews: I'm sure you guys have done your research, but you might want to consider ev1servers.net (formerly rackshack.net). For ~$100 a month I've got 700GB of transfer allotment and enough bandwidth to survive being slammed by Free Republic on 9/11 (I have a 9/11 image and video archive available). bcl [/quote] For the amount of servers we have to run the site, the costs would be more significant. [;)] Keep in mind we also have servers in the NJ area we would like to bring back here!

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