1 Topic by Tom Oldman (edited by Tom Oldman 2017-02-13 23:52:30)

Topic: Odd delays

I am being plagued by odd delays when reading author responses to my in-line highlights. By this I mean that I can click on the blue highlight and wait - and wait - and wait. If I wait long enough (sometimes as long as 30 seconds) the comment will finally appear. Most of the time, I have to cancel and try again. If there is another one nearby, I can click it and replace the one that won't appear. Sometimes that works, sometime it doesn't.

I have not changed my browser (Firefox - latest version) or added/deleted any add-ons) in years. It used to work, but these delays have popped up in the last month or so. Nothing else has changed as far as I can see.

Is anyone else having this problem?

~Tom

Quote Post 1

Re: Odd delays

Side question: Why don't you read the replies in X-line format?

Quote Post 2

Re: Odd delays

I had that when the site first launched, but it was eventually resolved. However, I eventually switchd to the x-line tab to view the responses since it opens all of the comments at once.

Quote Post 3

Re: Odd delays

Kdot wrote:

Side question: Why don't you read the replies in X-line format?

True. I could do that. But I am in the habit of replying to each and every comment in an in-line review. You can't do that with X-Line. Or, am I wrong about that?

Just the same, the delays are there and shouldn't be.

~Tom

Quote Post 4

5 Reply by njc (edited by njc 2017-02-14 02:27:42)

Re: Odd delays

Yes, you can reply to comments in X-line (but not highlight new comments).

Those delays seem to be a function of network connection quality.  I suspect that the protocol stack on Windoze can't handle glitches in the POST operation well, but I haven't looked inside the machinery.  I don't know if there's anything in the web page programming that can help it.  Some internet commerce pages seem trouble-free; some 3rd-party blog engines (discus, esp.) seem to behave the same way.

Imagine that the Edsel was subcontracted to Yugo and built with Pinto and Vega parts, along with some of the glue they used in the Boston tunnel ceiling (the one that collapsed).  Its quality would exceed that of almost all software written today.

And when you're trying to make web programming work reliably, you depend on the reliability of the Edselyugopintovega underneath, glue and all.  Makes you wish for baling wire and chewing gum. And duct tape.

Quote Post 5

Re: Odd delays

Oh, how I agree with that! I create web sites for a hobby (as well as write), and I know about which you talk. On my machine, the web site works perfectly, but on theirs it stinks on wheels. They yammer at me and I try to explain what you call the "Edselyugopintovega" syndrome. (I like the sound of that - can I use it?). It is never good programming to try and use the faults of the host to your advantage.

~Tom

Quote Post 6

Re: Odd delays

If you use it, explain it.

Quote Post 7

Re: Odd delays

Will do.

I am also NOT GETTING email notifications from this thread despite having subscribed to it. *hint* *hint* to Sol.

~Tom

Quote Post 8

Re: Odd delays

I get those delays sometimes, too, Tom. I figure it's my slow ass Uverse internet.

Quote Post 9

Re: Odd delays

Never got the email notification you'd responded, Janet. I have uVerse Internet from AT&T also. I'm not sure it's a systemic thing. Tonight, I waited for 39 seconds for one of my in-line comments to appear on one of Randy's chapters. According to the little app I wrote to monitor network activity it is this site that is delaying. My browser send out periodic "are you there" queries, but tNBW ignored them.

Bill

Quote Post 10

11 Reply by njc

Re: Odd delays

I wouldn't bet on that.  I usually get good response via my home wifi access, which comes off Optimum.  But off Optimum's hotspots, I get worse delays ... and Windows sometimes ends up resetting its own wireless adaptor to fix things.

My conclusion is that there's some constellation of weakensses covering the endpoints and the network links between, and nobody writes software robust enough to deal with the issues.  (Just go digging though the RFCs for all the problems with jumbo frames and you'll see why exceptionally thorough problem analysis and program design is needed.  As for testing ... you have to be willing to spend the time it takes to figure out how to test for all the various problems.  Between programmers who don't realize how hard their job really is and management that sets deadlines without caring about what their products will do to the customer, it's a miracle that anything works.)

Quote Post 11

12 Reply by Tom Oldman (edited by Tom Oldman 2017-03-09 03:59:00)

Re: Odd delays

Oh, I'm quite familiar with both ends of the spectrum. I began my career with computers in 1962 and never stopped. I build computers and write my own utilities and whatnot to cover little niches that big companies don't want to mess with.

I dug deeper into this problem and found through TRACERT that there are several interim servers and trunks that react differently each time I try. It's really a minor irritation but it does happen quite regularly.

Sometimes I can cure it by rapidly clicking between two highlighted in-line comments. Closing and reopening the box will also do the trick. maybe it's the time of day or the phase of the moon.

Bill

Quote Post 12

Re: Odd delays

I'm pretty sure if everyone stopped using the internet entirely for say about a month and then explained in the surveys which would ensue to find out why, that we would no longer put up with the crap produced, the powers-that-be would come up with a quality solution. But I'm not holding my breath on either count. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 13

Re: Odd delays

You may be right, Vern. We've come a long way from ARPANET.

Bill

Quote Post 14

Re: Odd delays

I think it's gremlins. I just got an upgrade for my Internet, but I'm not seeing much improvement.

Quote Post 15

Re: Odd delays

Yeah. AT&T keeps sending me emails telling of great and wonderful changes made to their system, but I don't see any evidence of it here. If we were supposed to tweet, we'd be given a bird beak.

Bill

Quote Post 16

Re: Odd delays

If the comments began hanging in the past month, but nothing else about the site (and other sites you use) is slow, wouldn't that suggest that it's a problem introduced into the inline reviews of TNBW?

Seems like a problem for Sol to look into.

Dirk

Quote Post 17

Re: Odd delays

That's the only delays I'm seeing, those of in-line review comments I make on another's post.

I am STILL not getting any notification emails for this thread despite unsubscribing and resubscribing every time I come here.

Bill

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