As a retired computer computer programmer who helped to bring "you" (the world), office automation, email, the web (unlike Al Gore...), and Y2K... I can say, the Forum is slower...
One very apparent factor I noticed is the larger number of users. The additional users, besides using resources to view the postings are also offering more input (advice, opinions, suggestions, etc...).
Now, not only do we have more folks viewing the postings, we have more folks adding replies to those postings. If you have not noticed lately, we have some reallllllly long threads out there...
Finally, we are not only adding more postings, we are making them longer and then, we are also adding a lot more pictures to our postings.
Now, I'm not saying any of this is bad or undesirable. To ask questions, seek answers and advice, and to teach others by our examples is what we are here for.
Whether, we are beginner or expert, we all keep coming back. Why? Because, the forum fills a need in us.
Sadly, our use is what is probably hurting us, but the problem may not even be in or around the forum. Modern technology is so dependent upon other techology that the bottleneck could be most anything, our own computer (too many "temporary" internet files, lack of hard disk space (forget how fast your computer is, put enough "accessories" on a Ferrari and even an old VW will take it in a race...), your internet provider (did you know your access number for your provider may be the same as others [AOL, Compuserve, Prodgy, etc...] so your phone company may be the problem, and not to belabor this too much, yes, even the forums serve may be inadeguate to handle the trafic...
The solution, more money, faster connections, and faster computers... But hey, I don't need to worry about this any more, I'm retired and I will not live long enough for Y3K...
As for me, now that I'm retired (I'm 50...) and working on my blacksmithing and knifemaking, I personally do not care if the forum is slower, I retired to get away from the rat race and enjoy life. Hell, I do not even wear a watch anymore and that might even explain why I'm on line now, it's midnight (my computer still has the time on the screen...).
Any case, the forum seem slower, and even if it is, it gives me more time to enjoy life, think about what I've already read and be thankful for this great furum...
So enjoy life and done let the "rats" beat ya down...
Bruce Jensky
