This might be a stupid question, but how is it that we can figure out what is causing this-- what sort of bug might be in the code or if it is just that we talk so much? I am not particularly technically literate, and it seems like there are other sites on the internet that talk as much as we do!

I'm not a debugger or a coder so I don't have a clue how to track it down. But the problem that we're having is using too many concurrent MySQL connections. Our limit is 50 and, the day we went down, we were at 200+. We know that 50% of those were quotes and we can disregard those for now. Which leaves us with approximately 100 or so connections to worry about.

That number means that were 100 connections to the database open at the same time. In order for that to happen, 100 separate users would have to either submitting a post or loading a page all at the same time. Given that we only have 1000 registered users total, and I think I'm three of those myself, the odds are against that scenario. [Unless we have a bigger lurker population than I was aware of.] Especially given the time and what level of activity we were seeing that day. That's what's saying bug to me. It seems like, for some reason, connections to the database are being opened and are not closing.

Were there any coding changes (significant) put in after the first of the year? Because from September through at least Dec/Jan on hostsuckit, I don't remember us having many problems. Then they were there. Maybe if we can pinpoint when we started being such server hogs, if we can cross-reference it with any coding changes that happened around that time, it will focus the bug search?

I know that one of the many issues that led to the HR debacle was the search feature, which has since been disabled. But also, not to be all ATP again, Music opened in January and Movies in February. I think they were contributing factors too.

Edited because I said that backwards

But are there tons of new users in those threads (I honestly don't know - I can't find time for them). I mean, I've noticed less Hec in Bitches, Natter and the show threads. People can only post so much. I understand (and agree with) the principle that proliferation increases overall number of posts, but it's got to be finite. And there are threads that have shut or petered out since Movies and music were added - like the Holiday thread, etc.

If it's hard to conceive that 100 whatevers are being used at once on one hand, I don't understand...

I don't think I understand what you're asking.

I know that one of the many issues that led to the HR debacle was the search feature, which has since been disabled. But also, not to be all ATP again, Music opened in January and Movies in February. I think they were contributing factors too.

I find it hard to believe that two threads contributed that much. Unless they're completely populated with new users, that is. The people who post in those threads, have less time to post in the threads in which they used to post. Take Hec, for example. He's much less of a fixture in Natter and Bitches than he was before.

I do understand there's probably a small gain in overall number of posts and page loads, etc., but it's hard to conceive that two new threads contributed that much, because in the mean time, other threads (where people were previously posting) have all but died or have actually shut.

Doesn't it have to be more code based?

It's not a small gain. Everyone keeps saying that it is. "Oh what's one more thread?" But every new thread we add exponentially increases the load we place on the server.

And I need to go home now. Maybe when I get there I can continue my example from last night in Lightbulbs and give you some theoretical numbers.

I don't want to make you do any more work than you're already doing, Kristen. I really just thought if we made any code changes around the time the problems started, we could look there first.

I trust and believe you. I hope this didn't come across any other way.

The piece I'm not understanding is how more threads is a problem, but more users aren't -- especially since on most fora, anyone who feels like it can add a thread. Or is it that more users are also a problem, but a problem that has no easy solution?

Edited to add: I also don't want to sound like I'm quizzing Kristen or in any way don't respect what she's saying. I just need to make sure I understand what's going on.