I think a "5 Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent A Crash" post in Press could only do good. (Unless the conversation generated about that post ended up crashing the server....oh, the irony!)

But seriously, there's no reason not to announce something like:

As you may or may not be aware, we have been informed by our webhosts that this lovely but talkative board is putting serious strain on the servers. We are working on a code-based solution, but until then, here are a few simple things you can do to relieve the situation:

1 - Post only when you have something to say! This means, keep numbersluts and "timelies!" to a minimum. Wish people happy birthday or bracket hugs via email. Every one word post brings us closer to a crash.

2 - Set your posts-per-page to something high. The more page views it takes you to catch up in a thread, the more taxing it is to the server.

3 - Got your Message Center on auto-refresh even when you're away from your computer? Tsk tsk -- every one of those refreshes is a hit to the database. Set your auto-refresh to "0" (no refresh), or at least turn it off when you're not actively reading or posting.

And....well, I could only think of 3. But none of those are horrible inconveniences, and they could all ease the server strain a teensy amount.

Jess, you're nicer than I am -- I was thinking of "Cut out ALL the numberslutting or else YOU get forked in the neck!"

This is why I'm not allowed to head up large groups.

Every one word post brings us closer to a crash.

Can we not use language like this?

Please?

Yes, sorry. (Was trying to toe the line between quippy and doomsday-ish -- obviously went too far.)

I don’t think legislating Buffista behavior is going to solve the overall problem, and will probably cause some resentment in the long run.

Wolfram - I wasn't clear on this, but I wasn't suggesting we legislate it. I was suggesting we stop doing it. It's like throwing change out the window when you can't pay the mortgage. Yes, it may only be change, but we've been acting like we've got limitless resources and we don't. We can curtail the number slutting. It's actually more exciting when you get a cool number by accident, anyhow. Why post just to say "Timelies"? IOW - I'm talking behavior modification, rather than enacting rules. We're not so rule-y here.

Fred - don't despair! I remember the energy crisis. I'm still a bitch about leaving lights on in empty rooms! I don't let my car idle. If the A.C. is on and you open a window, you get sporked in my house.

I'd also suggest revising JPM's suggestion by adding, "If we all pitch in, we can make a difference."

"If we all pitch in, we can make a difference."

Smokey the Buffista? "Remember, only YOU can prevent server fires...."

Four posts per hour was a BIG reason I never got involved in the Bronze. It may conserve resources, but it kills conversation, which I enjoy. It makes no distinction between a passionate discussion of the theology of vampirism and "Slut!" "Bigger slut!" "Goldfish!". In the former case, the discussion is MUCH more interesting if people argue, debate, and refine their positions; four posts doesn't cut it. In the latter, one post is too many.

Not that I have strong opinions or anything.

Hm. I think you're completely wrong, Betsy. I had better conversations, arguments, debates, and discussions in the olden days at the Bronze than anywhere else. Waiting fifteen minutes to post? That's fifteen minutes for me to think about how I want to respond, and write something eloquent. Heat of the moment posts? Sometimes leads to hyperbole and drivel. Not that that would happen with our precious Buffistas.

Signed,

Bronzer who doesn't appreciate the implication that she couldn't have equally, if not more, interesting conversations at the Bronze

Allyson, I'm not saying the Bronze wasn't a valid and important community. I am saying that the four-posts-per-hour limit kept it from ever becoming my community.