Read Thread: The Growth of Atlasquest
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109364 by Lock Wench
Jul 16, 2007 7:31am
I can't keep up with them all either. =) I probably only read half the posts on AQ nowadays.
The stupendous growth rate, though.... I consider that one of the biggest threats to Atlas Quest. This is, hands-down, the biggest, most complex website I've ever worked on in my life. The database has grown to over 500 megabytes now. Last month, there were over 2,000,000 page views. These numbers astound me. The biggest database I ever worked with before was probably about 100K and perhaps generated 1,000 page hits before. Consequently, this site is more than a thousand times larger than anything I've ever worked with before.
And I don't have someone with experience running such large websites holding my hand to help. =) You can't believe how much stuff I "make up" along the way to keep this site running. The message boards have been rewritten almost from scratch three times now, each iteration a bit faster and more efficient than the version before it.
My biggest worry is what will happen when AQ grows too large to fit on a single server. I have no experience running a website spread out across several computers, and I'm bound to "learn the hard way" how to do it. =)
Actually, there are two distinct scenarios when AQ outgrows a single server. The first is when I can have a dedicated server for the web server, and another dedicated server for the database. That (in theory), seems like a clean and easy break. But once the database or web server can no longer fit on a single computer.... that's when the real challenges will come.
But darn, what an amazing website! I'm rather proud of what I've created! =)
-- Ryan
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109409 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 7:33am
And you do a great job at running it too!
Christie
Christie
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109409 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 7:36am
You should be proud,Ryan!! What a great site:)
thanks,
julie
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109409 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 7:39am
the greatest thing, Ryan, is that you are willing to do the learning. For a project designed to brush the rust off your web skills, this has been a fantastic journey. When you need the help, I'm sure you will find someone here who has the expertise to teach you what you need to know about databases. Or you'll pick up the books that can teach you.
Either way, I know this will continue to be the best social letterboxing site in the world. very last one of us appreciates the efforts that you put in...at least the ones we are aware of. let your fears slide away. You have been so patient with us as we break things...and we will try to be the same way when you break them...we'll just have to go out boxing and get a few more plants and finds in order to feed the AQ addiction while you're fixing it up...lol
part of the reason this site works so well is the constant communication between the webmaster adn the users...and also the fact that the webmaster is also one of the users.
night writer
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109412 by Romana
Jul 16, 2007 8:09am
Boy, howdy, tell me about it! =) I never really considered myself a "database expert" before starting this site. I knew about databases and even used them in coding projects before, but I just knew the basics. I was shocked when I started working at Intel and discovered I knew more about designing and using databases than anyone else in my group. (Some of my co-workers didn't even know what a foreign key constraint was! *shaking head*) So compared to that, I figured I knew more than "average", but I never considered myself an expert.
I have no qualms about claiming I'm a real database guru now, though. =) There IS stuff I don't know much about (replication, anyone?), but it's odd because even then, at least I know what I don't know. Which probably makes no sense, but what I mean is that I know what the capabilities are even if I'm not actually using them (for now).
That makes a HUGE difference too! =) It keeps me interested in continuing development of the website (it's far more fun to work on a project when you get to use it afterwards than it is to work on a project that someone else is to use). But also, when I find it frustrating to use or do something, I fix it! =)
Admittedly, though, the most neglected parts of Atlas Quest are those areas that I don't really use. Stuff like non-traditional boxes really hold no interest for me, so I haven't spent as much time developing that part of the site as I could have. I realized this quite early, and one time I decided to try solving a few virtual boxes just to "get the hang of it." I hated the experience. It annoyed me to no end when I tried typing in a URL but it was incorrect, so it would redirect me to a 404 page and I'd lose the part of the URL I had been working on! And trying to count over 10 letters in the URL where the 'A' is supposed to be was really annoying, so I finally drew a small line for each letter in the solution on a piece of paper to keep track of everything.
Having to retype them all when I got a 404 error still annoyed me, though, and I ended up solving two virtuals before I had the brilliant idea to automate the process into the "passkey" setup that's in place now. I just had to solve TWO virtuals to get that idea and implement it. And it did make me wonder--why did nobody ever suggest this concept to me before?! Solving virtuals before then was like pulling teeth.
I still don't enjoy solving virtuals, but at least I don't hate the experience like I did the first time I tried them. =)
I kind of feel guilty for never signing up for a postal since I'm bound to have lots of BRILLIANT ideas if I participated in them myself, but those are more of a commitment than I really want to make. With virtuals, at least I could do a couple late at night when I was otherwise bored. But I know support for postals has suffered due in large part to my not participating in them. Amanda does, though, and helps keep me informed about postal issues that come out. (And just as soon as I'm done with this current big update I'm working on, I'm going to start doing some serious work on support for postals, and I even intend to sign up for one just to test out the changes myself!)
In any case, my point being, having a webmaster that actually uses the site really makes an enormous difference. Alas, I don't use ALL of the features on AQ myself (I'm not sure there's anyone that actually uses EVERY SINGLE FEATURE on Atlas Quest), so some of them aren't up to par, but it definitely makes a big difference. *nodding*
-- Ryan
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109422 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 8:56am
Isn't Marjorie A "data Base" expert?
deniserows
but appreciates a good website....thanx
deniserows
but appreciates a good website....thanx
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109422 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 10:02am
And what about 'Baby Tortuga in Training'? Does he/she/it have any knowledge of stuff to complement yours?
I am just amazed at how you run this website and also do you realize how much stuff you indirectly teach us all? I for one can't thank you enough :-)
YT
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109409 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 10:56am
Isn't that half of a programmer's arsenal? The ability to creatively make the computer think it is getting what it wants? That has been my experience (Access database programmer).
I sure appreciate what you do here. I'm having a lot of fun!
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109470 by MO UR4Me
Jul 16, 2007 11:00am
I am so envious of all of your programmers. This is my dream, but am too scared to go back to "School" to learn a whole new world.
Way To Go RYAN we all obviously love it!!!!
Way To Go RYAN we all obviously love it!!!!
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109422 by Green Tortuga
Jul 16, 2007 11:47am
I've only done two postals myself. It is amazing the quality of art work that can come out of these.
Both my stamps are now in traditional boxes. (well, one is missing now)
If you do come across a theme that you get excited about...go for it
It will give you an excuse to walk to the P.O.
;-)
I've done a few virtuals too. if I have time after going through all my favorite message boards.
But of course, letterboxing is a good excuse for getting under the trees. That's how it should be
just my $.02
S~N~K
Re: The Growth of Atlasquest
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #109422 by Green Tortuga
Jul 17, 2007 7:49am
Green Tortuga wrote "(And just as soon as I'm done with this current big update I'm working on, I'm going to start doing some serious work on support for postals, and I even intend to sign up for one just to test out the changes myself.)"
Now, won't that be a feather in some one's cap to get a stamp in your postal from Green Tortuga!!!!!!!!!
What a great expectation, to be the first for that one!
My 2 cents
Okie Dog/Cheryll
Now, won't that be a feather in some one's cap to get a stamp in your postal from Green Tortuga!!!!!!!!!
What a great expectation, to be the first for that one!
My 2 cents
Okie Dog/Cheryll