Xenophile
07-13-2007, 08:39 AM
A warm welcome to all members.
I am sure you all must have noticed a drop of browsing speeds while browsing at DotSIS. So have we! This has been attributed to a high server load. Our DotSIS servers are designed to handle about 800-1000 users at any point of time. However, over time, as the popularity of DotSIS increased, so has the number of users browsing the site. As of now,at any given point of time,there are 1400+ users browsing away at DotSIS, stretching the servers to its limits, and hence, giving rise to a slow browsing experience.
The Administrators at DotSIS have been notified of this, and, action to rectify this will be taken shortly, till then, here are some tips and tricks that are sure to improve your browsing experience, not only at DotSIS, but, throughout the WWW.
Before we start, my profound thanks goes out to our moderator azlan1 (http://www.dotsis.com/mobile_phone/member.php?u=88328) for compiling these tips and tricks for all of us.
So lets start.
*First and foremost, get rid of Internet Explorer. Its the worst, slowest and most insecure I (SSGupta) have come across. That leaves with us, the other two browser kings, Opera and Firefox. We are recommending that you switch to Firefox because of its large number of add-ons and its very flexible properties. Firefox can be download here (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/)
*Now, after you get your copy of Firefox, you will need an add-on known as Fasterfox. (I am sure that many of you know that configuring via "about:config" is better, but, for most users, its tedious. Therefore, more on that later.Fasterfox can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1269). After Fasterfox downloads and installs, then, let it configure itself. After that, you should see a marginal (Sometimes imperceptible, but, very useful nonetheless) improve in browsing speeds.
*Now, the next add-ons we are talking about are the best add-ons ever. (They were reason enough for me to switch to Firefox from IE7 and Opera9).Now, we are talking about an add on called NoScript. This prevents Scripts from running (This includes Flash Scripts, Java Scripts,Website Scripts and executable contents).NoScript can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722).NoScript has been tested by industry experts and all agree to the fact that it makes browsing safer.
A word of caution here, although NoScript is a great Add-On, sometimes, it blocks desirable scripts also. Therefore, on some sites, you will have to set "Allow Site www.xyz.com (http://www.xyz.com).
For DotSiS.com, you will have to set it to "partially allow scripts." by clicking on "Options" (See the Screenshot)
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/303/dotsisscrnshot1hp3.png
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1292/dotsis1cj7.png
(Screenshots courtesy azlan1)
The reason for this is that the Search Function, The reputation function and the PM Notification functions, and, Read Receipt systems are designed in Javascripts. Thus, if not activated, it will make the experience worse. We dont that, do we? ;)
Now, you will see for certain sites, you wont be able to browse properly using NoScript. (EG: Orkuts Scrap Reply function wont work). Now,for such sites, click on the No Script icon. You will see a list of sites whose scripts are blocked.You will have to allow the scripts of the site. (EG: In Orkut, Scripts from Orkut.com and Google-Analytics.com are blocked. Now, we know that Google-Analytics are responsible for ads, but, orkut isnt. So, you will have to allow scripts from Orkut, but, not from Google Analytics). This principle applies to all websites.
To conclude NoScript, if you see that its hindering your browsing experience, click on options and click "Temporary Allow". Its the best possible solution to all problems.
*The final add-on to make your browsing experience the best ever is Ad-Block Plus. It will block all Flash Ads, Banners, everything. You have the option to subscribe to sites which regularly update "Ad-URLs". And, you can also manually block an image by right clicking on it and selecting "Adblock Image".
AB+ can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865)
This concludes the "Automated" tips and tricks section using Firefox.Try it out. I am sure it will improve your browsing experience throughout the web, not just on DotSIS.
For a description of Manual Tweaks that can be applied to firefox to further improve the browsing experience,check out the next post.
I am sure you all must have noticed a drop of browsing speeds while browsing at DotSIS. So have we! This has been attributed to a high server load. Our DotSIS servers are designed to handle about 800-1000 users at any point of time. However, over time, as the popularity of DotSIS increased, so has the number of users browsing the site. As of now,at any given point of time,there are 1400+ users browsing away at DotSIS, stretching the servers to its limits, and hence, giving rise to a slow browsing experience.
The Administrators at DotSIS have been notified of this, and, action to rectify this will be taken shortly, till then, here are some tips and tricks that are sure to improve your browsing experience, not only at DotSIS, but, throughout the WWW.
Before we start, my profound thanks goes out to our moderator azlan1 (http://www.dotsis.com/mobile_phone/member.php?u=88328) for compiling these tips and tricks for all of us.
So lets start.
*First and foremost, get rid of Internet Explorer. Its the worst, slowest and most insecure I (SSGupta) have come across. That leaves with us, the other two browser kings, Opera and Firefox. We are recommending that you switch to Firefox because of its large number of add-ons and its very flexible properties. Firefox can be download here (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/)
*Now, after you get your copy of Firefox, you will need an add-on known as Fasterfox. (I am sure that many of you know that configuring via "about:config" is better, but, for most users, its tedious. Therefore, more on that later.Fasterfox can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1269). After Fasterfox downloads and installs, then, let it configure itself. After that, you should see a marginal (Sometimes imperceptible, but, very useful nonetheless) improve in browsing speeds.
*Now, the next add-ons we are talking about are the best add-ons ever. (They were reason enough for me to switch to Firefox from IE7 and Opera9).Now, we are talking about an add on called NoScript. This prevents Scripts from running (This includes Flash Scripts, Java Scripts,Website Scripts and executable contents).NoScript can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722).NoScript has been tested by industry experts and all agree to the fact that it makes browsing safer.
A word of caution here, although NoScript is a great Add-On, sometimes, it blocks desirable scripts also. Therefore, on some sites, you will have to set "Allow Site www.xyz.com (http://www.xyz.com).
For DotSiS.com, you will have to set it to "partially allow scripts." by clicking on "Options" (See the Screenshot)
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/303/dotsisscrnshot1hp3.png
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1292/dotsis1cj7.png
(Screenshots courtesy azlan1)
The reason for this is that the Search Function, The reputation function and the PM Notification functions, and, Read Receipt systems are designed in Javascripts. Thus, if not activated, it will make the experience worse. We dont that, do we? ;)
Now, you will see for certain sites, you wont be able to browse properly using NoScript. (EG: Orkuts Scrap Reply function wont work). Now,for such sites, click on the No Script icon. You will see a list of sites whose scripts are blocked.You will have to allow the scripts of the site. (EG: In Orkut, Scripts from Orkut.com and Google-Analytics.com are blocked. Now, we know that Google-Analytics are responsible for ads, but, orkut isnt. So, you will have to allow scripts from Orkut, but, not from Google Analytics). This principle applies to all websites.
To conclude NoScript, if you see that its hindering your browsing experience, click on options and click "Temporary Allow". Its the best possible solution to all problems.
*The final add-on to make your browsing experience the best ever is Ad-Block Plus. It will block all Flash Ads, Banners, everything. You have the option to subscribe to sites which regularly update "Ad-URLs". And, you can also manually block an image by right clicking on it and selecting "Adblock Image".
AB+ can be downloaded here (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865)
This concludes the "Automated" tips and tricks section using Firefox.Try it out. I am sure it will improve your browsing experience throughout the web, not just on DotSIS.
For a description of Manual Tweaks that can be applied to firefox to further improve the browsing experience,check out the next post.