I just posted this to the Announcements forum - but I know no one reads that 😉 - so here it is reproduced in its entirety.
Dear all,
It looks like we are at another cross roads with the site. The site is being heavily used – and our machines are struggling with the work load yet again. It only seems like the other day we introduced two machines (in fact, it was Jun 2003). Since then we have optimised code and done whatever we can to keep the site moving at an acceptable speed.
Unfortunately, at peak periods, our machines are limping along. (I was well aware of this – but we have had people complaining about it too. Someone summed what I would guess a lot of new user’s feelings are when they sent feedback the other day saying ‘I love the site – I just wish it was faster!!!’
Well, we knew we had a problem, and now we know it is time to take the next step. We need to upgrade one of our machines to a real powerhouse (for those who care, we intend to get a dual Xeon with multiple SCSI drives). This, for those who don’t know, is a total kick a** machine – and will be blindingly fast. Chris & I are very excited about it – it SHOULD set us up for a long time – and will be capable of supporting the new version RHP Live (run from the browser) I am developing at the moment, among other things, into the future.
There is a problem though – it is massively expensive. I have ‘negotiated’ a deal with our hosts – and they have kindly given us a slight discount. I also got some free consultancy off a good friend to double-check our options – but there are none – we need this box.
So, this is where we take the risks – we commit to an expensive lease, make the investment now, and hope it works out later. This we are prepared to do. But, we do need to make one change to assist with this upgrade. As from February we intend to put the price of an annual subscription up to $19.95. Not a massive increase, I hope you will agree, but if the increased speed of the machine leads to more subs, then it should make all the difference – and make the investment worthwhile. (Plus I can relax a bit more on Friday afternoons when the server starts getting a bit red hot itself from over use.)
This increase will NOT affect current subscribers who used a credit card and have the recurring billing in place. It will continue to be the price at which you subscribed forever more. (I really shouldn’t make promises like that!) So, this change will only impact those who take up a new subscriptions from February onwards, or those who need to renew because they made a ‘single payment’ subscription (that is, they sent me a check/cheque).
If you think this increase is too much (or even too little!) then please let me know, I would appreciate your comments.
Regards,
-Russ
No idea yet when we can get the new machine up and running. Experience tells me probably 1 or 2 weeks time. This will result in a little down time, but Chris is getting pretty good at doing these upgrades now - so it shouldn't be long. (And if there will be any significant downtime, I will be sure to let everyone know well in advance anyway)
-Russ
Originally posted by Flashabsolutely right on, flash!
Russ,
The site is well worth the increase. You and Chris have done an excellent job! You'll have no complaints from me. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Doug
i have always found that the excellence of this site is a result of the inclusive and generous spirit of chris and russ, as well as the fair and diligent work that moderators such as yourself do. it is a pleasure to be here and the slight increase does not diminish it one little bit!
in the past couple of months, i have convinced 4 people to become paying members and i will continue bringing others here and encourage them to do the same!
in friendship,
prad
