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I know there are a lot of questions about whether or not we can handle the current influx of new users. I want to assure everyone that we absolutely can. Since the last of the new servers came online, on December 28th, our traffic has more than doubled and the site is handling it without an issue.
Here is our upgrade plan as needed. Since the current growth is not predictable I can't lay out a time line so it will be done on an as needed basis.
1st) 2nd database server, for new user cluster. We will also migrate about 25% of active accounts to the new database and point all new account creation over there.
2nd) 2 more webservers.
3rd) repeat as needed
Its a pretty simple plan, the only complicated part is going to be adding a 2nd database server as we have always run on a single database. Once that is worked out, adding new servers will become routine. This will carry us for the next few years and well beyond 1,000,000 users (if we continue to be popular).
Also built into this are cost controls as we can always remove webservers if the site slows down and money doesn't continue to flow in the way it has. What I am getting at is that we truly feel that we are both technically and financially stable as long as the paid accounts continue to sell and the traffic continue to go in the direction it is going in.
Here is our upgrade plan as needed. Since the current growth is not predictable I can't lay out a time line so it will be done on an as needed basis.
1st) 2nd database server, for new user cluster. We will also migrate about 25% of active accounts to the new database and point all new account creation over there.
2nd) 2 more webservers.
3rd) repeat as needed
Its a pretty simple plan, the only complicated part is going to be adding a 2nd database server as we have always run on a single database. Once that is worked out, adding new servers will become routine. This will carry us for the next few years and well beyond 1,000,000 users (if we continue to be popular).
Also built into this are cost controls as we can always remove webservers if the site slows down and money doesn't continue to flow in the way it has. What I am getting at is that we truly feel that we are both technically and financially stable as long as the paid accounts continue to sell and the traffic continue to go in the direction it is going in.
How about maybe offering Virtual Gifts?...that would bring in extra money.
Also, so far as I can tell, IJ is now the fourth-largest LJ clone (LJ is first, then GJ -- which might be gone sooner than later, DeadJournal, and now IJ. Caleida is now fifth!) but #1 overall, as far as I'm concerned!
Thanks for this useful and detailed information. I hope you're right, but it makes me more confident (GJ refugee, former LJ refugee) to hear you are planning, financially and technically, for the future. Even if it goes wrong, if yoiu keep us informed about *how* it's going - even if that means having to say "Sorry, something that was available before isn't now" - it's not mistakes being made, or plans going wrong, that bother me, so much as being kept in the dark and fed BS.
I bought a Permanent account as Yonmei when GJ started dying. I have another account and will pay to make that one more useful.
Getting a perm account here has been one of the best things ever! ;)
I'm going right now to make this a permanent account, and I'm adding userpics to a bunch of my RP accounts. Thanks so much, InsaneJournal!
Keep up the great work, I am really excited to have made the move to IJ.
After all, if I recall correctly, a great business man once felt that paying decent wages was only common sense, even if he was the first to do it. Now, there's not many people that don't know the name Ford.
With any luck, you will continue to grow at a pace that is manageable, and continue to thrive in this industry.
I just noticed something though. When I click to read the comments of an entry, it's not showing up. All I can see is the header, the ads and the grey background. I have to refresh the page several times before it works. :S