Sorry about the Recent Issues with Performance

If you’ve noticed some shakiness in performance in the last couple days, we’re very sorry. If you didn’t notice, we’re sorry anyway and hope you will never get the chance to experience this.

But this post is more than an apology. I’ll attempt to explain some of the things that have been happening with our performance, as well as address some of the concerns around the consistency of our Reactions feature. Read on.

Performance

A couple mornings this week, Disqus was inexplicably slow and possibly displaying errors for a number of sites and their visitors. Absolutely unacceptable.

Why was this happening?

To be honest, we’re not exactly sure yet, but we know it doesn’t directly relate to our capacity. It’s not a completely mystery and here is what we do know:

  • The webservers were not under especially high load when things got slow
  • High load may be a factor, but not necessarily so
  • This is possibly a configuration issue with Nginx, Apache, or the Linux kernel

    • What are we doing about it?

    We are increasing capacity in the short term to help mitigate some of these issues, and we are running tests to ensure that we are not missing the long term solution. We hope to have this figured out by the weekend. In the meantime, we will be doing everything we can server and code wise to ensure that this does not continue occurring and inconveniencing sites and their visitors.

    Reactions

    Our Reactions feature is a popular one. We integrate with our friends at uberVU in order to provide mentions and comments of your page on other services. Lately, its performance has been inconsistent. Sometimes Reactions are found quickly, sometimes it takes days.

    Why? And what are you going to do?

    We think the bottleneck is our end and the way we request reactions for every new comment thread being created. There is an attack plan, though. We’ve been working on ways to approach this in a smarter manner so that this feature is more consistent and reliable.

    Sorry again and thanks for the support as we get through these issues. If you have any specific questions about this, we’re happy to be answer openly and honestly.

    View Comments

    Daniel on May 28th 2009 in disqus

    • i think you guys did a great job. so far, there is no problem leading to the service now. keep it up!
    • freedatinglondon
      Seems to be all working now well which is good

      http://www.freedatinglondon.net
    • I just noticed that Disqus seems to work fine if I post blog entries from my iPhone or Live Writer, but if I post using the blogger entry form on the blogger web site, disqus isn't working.

      I just used Blogpress on the iPhone to edit a post I made earlier on the blogger website. After making no edits whatsoever and reposting it using the Blogpress on the iPhone, now Disqus is showing up. I'll try it on another.

      Yup. I did that for all the entries I did this week, and that fixed the comment box not showing up problem.

      So, must be something about posting from blogger.com that disables Disqus.
    • I just used Blogpress on the iPhone to edit a post I made earlier on the blogger website. After making no edits whatsoever and reposting it using the Blogpress on the iPhone, now Disqus is showing up
    • Can you forward me a screenshot to help@disqus.com with a link to the post?
      I will take a look for ya.
      Giannii
      DISQUS
      Community Manager
      giannii@disqus.com
      http://twitter.com/giannii
    • I'm having the problem where readers can't comment on some blog entries. The comment box and such just doesn't show up. On some entries, it's fine. I don't know the difference or why it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't.
    • I just noticed that Disqus seems to work fine if I post blog entries from my iPhone or Live Writer, but if I post using the blogger entry form on the blogger web site, disqus isn't working.

      I just used Blogpress on the iPhone to edit a post I made earlier on the blogger website. After making no edits whatsoever and reposting it using the Blogpress on the iPhone, now Disqus is showing up. I'll try it on another.

      Yup. I did that for all the entries I did this week, and that fixed the comment box not showing up problem.

      So, must be something about posting from blogger.com that disables Disqus.
    • I just noticed that Disqus seems to work fine if I post blog entries from my iPhone or Live Writer, but if I post using the blogger entry form on the blogger web site, disqus isn't working.

      I just used Blogpress on the iPhone to edit a post I made earlier on the blogger website. After making no edits whatsoever and reposting it using the Blogpress on the iPhone, now Disqus is showing up. I'll try it on another.

      Yup. I did that for all the entries I did this week, and that fixed the comment box not showing up problem.

      So, must be something about posting from blogger.com that disables Disqus.
    • Can you forward me a screenshot to help@disqus.com with a link to the post?
      I will take a look for ya.
      Giannii
      DISQUS
      Community Manager
      giannii@disqus.com
      http://twitter.com/giannii
    • I'm having the problem where readers can't comment on some blog entries. The comment box and such just doesn't show up. On some entries, it's fine. I don't know the difference or why it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't.
    • Can you forward me a screenshot to help@disqus.com with a link to the post?
      I will take a look for ya.
      Giannii
      DISQUS
      Community Manager
      help@disqus.com
      http://twitter.com/giannii
    • I'm having the problem where readers can't comment on some blog entries. The comment box and such just doesn't show up. On some entries, it's fine. I don't know the difference or why it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't.
    • We use Disqus at SocialNerdia.com. We really like the way it works, especially because of the Facebook/Twitter integration and the fact that more and more blogs are using it.

      However, we do often have issues and our readers can't comment. That can be really bad.

      Also, Disqus does a good job of marking spam as spam but unfortunately also often marks non-spam as spam. It would be ideal to be able to have better control over spam settings AND/OR enhance the "Not Spam" option because it rarely works (which means that non-spam comments stay that way due to poor functionality, not for being spam).

      Anyways, hope the feedback helps. We'll keep using Disqus for now and hope you guys keep enhancing it!
    • We use Disqus at SocialNerdia.com. We really like the way it works, especially because of the Facebook/Twitter integration and the fact that more and more blogs are using it.

      However, we do often have issues and our readers can't comment. That can be really bad.

      Also, Disqus does a good job of marking spam as spam but unfortunately also often marks non-spam as spam. It would be ideal to be able to have better control over spam settings AND/OR enhance the "Not Spam" option because it rarely works (which means that non-spam comments stay that way due to poor functionality, not for being spam).

      Anyways, hope the feedback helps. We'll keep using Disqus for now and hope you guys keep enhancing it!
    • We use Disqus at SocialNerdia.com. We really like the way it works, especially because of the Facebook/Twitter integration and the fact that more and more blogs are using it.

      However, we do often have issues and our readers can't comment. That can be really bad.

      Also, Disqus does a good job of marking spam as spam but unfortunately also often marks non-spam as spam. It would be ideal to be able to have better control over spam settings AND/OR enhance the "Not Spam" option because it rarely works (which means that non-spam comments stay that way due to poor functionality, not for being spam).

      Anyways, hope the feedback helps. We'll keep using Disqus for now and hope you guys keep enhancing it!
    • Guest
      I was surprised to be banned, too. For what I didn't know! Then I posted again and it showed. A few numbers decreased in blood pressure!
    • Guest
      I was surprised to be banned, too. For what I didn't know! Then I posted again and it showed. A few numbers decreased in blood pressure!
    • DavidDock
      I wonder where are all other changes of code, among which there are some really necessary spam module at least to look like it works... ;-)

      I am attaching all other patches (adapted to the last -dev version) which seems to make my installation a bit more comprehensive. It is however not easy to test how efficient spam module actually is (with or without those changes).

      Please review the changes, and post some comments. Maybe some changes are not necessary (or not for any installation at least), but everything looks much better by my opinion (and it also hasn't caused any noticeable troubles since December / January on my production site, as applied to the previous -dev vesrion of spam module...).

      Link Building
    • DavidDock
      I wonder where are all other changes of code, among which there are some really necessary spam module at least to look like it works... ;-)

      I am attaching all other patches (adapted to the last -dev version) which seems to make my installation a bit more comprehensive. It is however not easy to test how efficient spam module actually is (with or without those changes).

      Please review the changes, and post some comments. Maybe some changes are not necessary (or not for any installation at least), but everything looks much better by my opinion (and it also hasn't caused any noticeable troubles since December / January on my production site, as applied to the previous -dev vesrion of spam module...).

      Link Building
    • DavidDock
      I wonder where are all other changes of code, among which there are some really necessary spam module at least to look like it works... ;-)

      I am attaching all other patches (adapted to the last -dev version) which seems to make my installation a bit more comprehensive. It is however not easy to test how efficient spam module actually is (with or without those changes).

      Please review the changes, and post some comments. Maybe some changes are not necessary (or not for any installation at least), but everything looks much better by my opinion (and it also hasn't caused any noticeable troubles since December / January on my production site, as applied to the previous -dev vesrion of spam module...).

      Link Building
    • jascanio
      Reactions still not working on my site either (terracurve.com), and the "Top Threads" widget code is simply displaying EVERY new post rather than just the, well, "top threads". It is listing posts with "0 comments" over and over again.
    • I just hope Reactions get up and working :) thanks
    • Reactions still not working on my site either (terracurve.com), and the "Top Threads" widget code is simply displaying EVERY new post rather than just the, well, "top threads". It is listing posts with "0 comments" over and over again.
    • jascanio
      Reactions still not working on my site either (terracurve.com), and the "Top Threads" widget code is simply displaying EVERY new post rather than just the, well, "top threads". It is listing posts with "0 comments" over and over again.
    • It is sad that something wasn't put out immediately informing the users that this problem existed. I installed this on my blog, much to everyone's chagrin...people don't like change all that much, and then this happened and people did notice the slow down and so I cancelled my account and removed the plugin. To many unanswered questions to the help you need. It's a great system but this kind of thing shouldn't happen. I do appreciate the fact that you took the time to post something about it, even if it was after the fact.
    • I just hope Reactions get up and working :) thanks
    • Gregor01
      Hey nobody's perfect... but you know, I get this thing where I'll post and it tells me I'm banned, then I post again and it works fine. What's up with that? What I did notice was that whenever I found a post that I felt was really objectionable and so I flagged it, instead of deleting that post or doing nothing, whoever was moderating would delete one of my posts, sort of as if to say, "Complain and you will be punished". What's up with THAT?
    • It is sad that something wasn't put out immediately informing the users that this problem existed. I installed this on my blog, much to everyone's chagrin...people don't like change all that much, and then this happened and people did notice the slow down and so I cancelled my account and removed the plugin. To many unanswered questions to the help you need. It's a great system but this kind of thing shouldn't happen. I do appreciate the fact that you took the time to post something about it, even if it was after the fact.
    • GregorMandelbaum
      Hey nobody's perfect... but you know, I got this thing twice at random (out of at least 100 posts, if not more) where I'll post and it tells me I'm banned, then I post again and it works fine. What's up with that? What I did notice was that whenever I found a post that I felt was really objectionable and so I flagged it, instead of deleting that post or doing nothing, whoever was moderating would delete one of my posts, sort of as if to say, "Complain and you will be punished". What's up with THAT?

      Plus I was wondering if any of your moderators let their own opinions bias their decisions and actions maybe, but I don't think I can say I've seen that, except as mentioned above (where they respond to those who complain about a post by deleting one from the complainer), and maybe there's an explanation for it that I'm missing.

      Overall I appreciate the way you guys have run this system and encourage you to continue to allow both sides of each issue to be presented as I feel you generally have to date.
    • Gregor01
      Hey nobody's perfect... but you know, I get this thing where I'll post and it tells me I'm banned, then I post again and it works fine. What's up with that? What I did notice was that whenever I found a post that I felt was really objectionable and so I flagged it, instead of deleting that post or doing nothing, whoever was moderating would delete one of my posts, sort of as if to say, "Complain and you will be punished". What's up with THAT?
    • Guest
      Yeah, that was a bad response. The reason for the disappearing FF entries is because of a change in the implementation.

      We've done temp workarounds and fixes to speed these up, but it hasn't fared the best. Today's approach will be a fresh one.
    • Thanks for this post, much appreciated but... Reactions are not working for me, either. And I mean not working in a consistent way :) I was told to "give it a day or two" but I don't see any kind of reactions to my blog posts, even if I know friendfeed has some. Examples:

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/jonaa/c471092e/mettiamola...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/doc/alleggerire-ottimizzar...

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/luigihbomb/ce6fad57/twitt...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/2009/05/19/twitter-friendf...

      Like I said via mail, I'd love to help providing other details or test cases.
      Congratulations for the otherwise awesome Disqus!
    • Guest
      Yeah, that was a bad response. The reason for the disappearing FF entries is because of a change in the implementation.

      We've done temp workarounds and fixes to speed these up, but it hasn't fared the best. Today's approach will be a fresh one.
    • Thanks for this post, much appreciated but... Reactions are not working for me, either. And I mean not working in a consistent way :) I was told to "give it a day or two" but I don't see any kind of reactions to my blog posts, even if I know friendfeed has some. Examples:

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/jonaa/c471092e/mettiamola-dieta-ubuntu-non-la-biondina
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/doc/alleggerire-ottimizzare-ubuntu/

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/luigihbomb/ce6fad57/twitter-friendfeed-messagebox-doc-eccetera
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/2009/05/19/twitter-friendfeed-messagebox-doc-eccetera/

      Like I said via mail, I'd love to help providing other details or test cases.
      Congratulations for the otherwise awesome Disqus!
    • Thanks for this post, much appreciated but... Reactions are not working for me, either. And I mean not working in a consistent way :) I was told to "give it a day or two" but I don't see any kind of reactions to my blog posts, even if I know friendfeed has some. Examples:

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/jonaa/c471092e/mettiamola...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/doc/alleggerire-ottimizzar...

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/luigihbomb/ce6fad57/twitt...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/2009/05/19/twitter-friendf...

      Like I said via mail, I'd love to help providing other details or test cases.
      Congratulations for the otherwise awesome Disqus!
    • Thanks for this post, much appreciated but...

      Reactions are not working for me. Never. I mean not working in a consistent way :) I was told to "give it a day or two" but I don't see any kind of reactions to my blog posts, even if I know friendfeed has some. Examples:

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/jonaa/c471092e/mettiamola...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/doc/alleggerire-ottimizzar...

      FF: http://friendfeed.com/luigihbomb/ce6fad57/twitt...
      Disqus: http://pollycoke.net/2009/05/19/twitter-friendf...

      Like I said via mail, I'd like to help providing other details or test cases.
      Best regars and congratulations for the otherwise awesome Disqus!
    • I appreciate you guys acknowledging that there are problems on Disqus's end, but I'm definitely left unsatisfied by the response. Specifically regarding social media reactions; they're never worked for a lot of people, going back months. It's not a delay of a couple days, and every time someone asks about what the problem is, it's the same response: give it a couple days to catch up.

      For example, at one point, before you guys partnered with uberVU, my Disqus install showed all 80 comments from this thread (http://friendfeed.com/itafroma/076e01a5/on-appl...) on the post (http://marktrapp.com/blog/2009/01/05/apple-frie...). Once you switched to uberVU, they all disappeared, and never came back. None of my posts have FriendFeed comments on them anymore, much less any other type of social media reaction.

      On April 7th, I asked you guys about it (http://explore.twitter.com/itafroma/status/1472...), and you told me to "give it time." (http://explore.twitter.com/disqus/status/147315...) It's been 2 months since then. I'd like it see it working, rather than kept being told it'll happen and we just need to sit tight.
    • I appreciate you guys acknowledging that there are problems on Disqus's end, but I'm definitely left unsatisfied by the response. Specifically regarding social media reactions; they've never worked for a lot of people, going back months. It's not a delay of a couple days, and every time someone asks about what the problem is, it's the same response: give it a couple days to catch up or that you're looking into it.

      For example, at one point, before you guys partnered with uberVU, my Disqus install showed all 80 comments from this thread (http://friendfeed.com/itafroma/076e01a5/on-apple-friendfeed-and-techmeme) on the post (http://marktrapp.com/blog/2009/01/05/apple-friendfeed-and-techmeme). Once you switched to uberVU, they all disappeared, and never came back. None of my posts have FriendFeed comments on them anymore, much less any other type of social media reaction.

      On April 7th, I asked you guys about it (http://explore.twitter.com/itafroma/status/1472992145), and you told me to "give it time." (http://explore.twitter.com/disqus/status/1473155458) It's been 2 months since then. I'd like it see it working, rather than kept being told it'll happen and we just need to sit tight.
    • Yeah, that was a bad response. The reason for the disappearing FF entries is because of a change in the implementation.

      We've done temp workarounds and fixes to speed these up, but it hasn't fared the best. Today's approach will be a fresh one.
    • I appreciate you guys acknowledging that there are problems on Disqus's end, but I'm definitely left unsatisfied by the response. Specifically regarding social media reactions; they're never worked for a lot of people, going back months. It's not a delay of a couple days, and every time someone asks about what the problem is, it's the same response: give it a couple days to catch up.

      For example, at one point, before you guys partnered with uberVU, my Disqus install showed all 80 comments from this thread (http://friendfeed.com/itafroma/076e01a5/on-appl...) on the post (http://marktrapp.com/blog/2009/01/05/apple-frie...). Once you switched to uberVU, they all disappeared, and never came back. None of my posts have FriendFeed comments on them anymore, much less any other type of social media reaction.

      On April 7th, I asked you guys about it (http://explore.twitter.com/itafroma/status/1472...), and you told me to "give it time." (http://explore.twitter.com/disqus/status/147315...) It's been 2 months since then. I'd like it see it working, rather than kept being told it'll happen and we just need to sit tight.
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