Help!: [Sticky] FAQ: How can I make the site respond FASTER?

Some users have complained that the site is slow, even on fast internet connections. Here are some tips to help:

1. Use Firefox - We test the site across a variety of browsers, and in almost all cases, Firefox is the clear performance winner. If you're not familiar with Firefox, it is a free browser, available on most platforms from http://www.getfirefox.com. The performance differences can be shocking, especially compares to Internet Explorer 6.0. If you're on windows and insist on using Internet Explorer, it will work, but please use at least version 7 for good performance. For the mac users, Safari's in the same boat...it should be functional on the site, but it isn't as fast as Firefox.
2. Check your memory - Our sites are accessed via the Internet, but the routing application still needs to use the horsepower of your computer to do most of it's work. The biggest variable here is RAM, and as always, the more the better. For most uses, we recommend systems with at least 1GB of RAM, however power users may want 2GB of RAM or more
3. Restart your browser - We have noticed that most web browsers tend to leak memory from time to time. This can cause your browser and computer to get in a state where it becomes very, very slow for what seems to be no reason. Sometimes the best solution is to simply restart your browser. Advanced users can check their browser process to see how much memory their using (i.e. via the task manager in Windows). I will often see firefox.exe processes using 250MB or memory or more, at which point it's time for a restart.
4. Check you routes- The more points your route has, the more 'juice' it requires from the route engine. If plotting long routes, try not to add points too densely. For GPS users uploading data, try to use a mode that reduces the number of points in your route data. For example, for Garmin Forerunner and Edge users, we highly recommend using "Smart Recording" mode for this purpose.

 

 

Thanks for catching my mistake there, I've edited it now... gpsbabel point reduction is in the plans as well...

Excellent site but unusable beyond the the 40 mile mark.  Except moving to firefox I've done all the above and have 2GB of RAM - slow is not the word, it stands still!

I am using a Mac Leopard, 10.5.2, with Safari 3.0.2 and also the latest Firefox, too, and when I display a saved route or anything after I create it, java loops forever. I let it go for 2.5 hours and it never finished loading. If I enable the execution limit timer, and let it run a while, and the quit it, the route is mostly displayed and I can do stuff with it. Anyone running a Linux browser? Does it work better? I really like this site, but once I enter a route, I can never completely display it on my mac.

well, Im really miffed right now, so Ill just let it loose here. I have just spent an hour mapping a route. a simple 30 miler that goes on streets and bke paths (not on the map). After awhile the recenter feature doesnt even work, and when it does it recenters the frigging thing a few miles away from where my route is. Thats ONE issue. I have plenty of memory and plenty of power.

then i click to continue the route and it marks out a damn loopdy loo and not at all where I clicked. to fix this I have to turn off the 'follow roads' feature.

Ahh... finally Im done mapping, I can save...and then check out the notes...THAT DONT MAKE SENSE, THAT HAS RIGHT TURNS WHERE LEFT TURNS SHOULD BE, U-TURNS  !!!!!!!!!!!!  AND TURNS THAT ARENT EVEN ON MY ROUTE.

AND AFTER ALL THAT, THE ONLY THING I KNOW IVE ACCOMPLISHED IS A BIG WASTE OF TIME.

but hey, im glad it works for some people