Any number of ways. You could write a poorly conceived script that gets caught in an endless loop, draining more resources every time it restarts. You could upload high-quality NSYNC MPEGS and then give the URL to the JJB. There's a lot you could do that I can't think of right now. Those are just two examples.

So far, there hasn't been anything to worry about for you guys. My only two concerns are a) when search goes live and b) if Joss starts showing up again in the fall. But, in both those cases, we won't know if it's really an issue until it happens and if it is an issue, we'll figure something out.

So far, there hasn't been anything to worry about for you guys.

Ah. I thought user meant Buffistas member. Please disregard my blatant ignorance.

Oh, by "user" I meant another account being hosted on the same server.

Is there anything that can be done coding-wise to make search much less of a drain?

Can we convince Joss to post under the name "Bernie McPhisterstein?"

Well, I think with the search function, it's going to be a trial and error thing. If it goes up and it is a drain, we have the resources now to figure out what specifically is draining.

With the Joss thing, I don't know. The only idea I can come up with is forcing people to the front page instead of direct linking.

Tech folk: Is there a way to do that for just external referrers? So we can still direct link from one thread to another but Whedonesque gets sent to the front page?

ETA: Though I did like the idea of putting Joss's posts on an simple HTML page that people could go to instead.

If it hasn't already been suggested, maybe we can take twenty volunteers to Beta test Search, really run it through a ringer, and see what's the what?

We could maybe have a "VIP Archive" page and simply email the webmasters of Fireflyfans.net and Whedonesque and ask for cooperation in making sure links go to that page.

I was kind of weirded out by the idea of having such an archive (Hey! Look at us! Important folks stop by cuz we da COOLEST!) but I think something small on the right hand side, "Nilly Goes to Hollywood!" for example, would be funnier and help.

I'm a tech moron, and maybe definately overthinking, but if the VIP archive was on a different part of the server than the rest of the site, would that then decrease the chances of outage due to linkage?

I think "Nilly goes to Hollywood' is a great idea, both as a thread and in real life. If it's a straight html page, it saves lots of wear and tear on the database.

Is there anything that can be done coding-wise to make search much less of a drain?

I'm pretty sure ita's plan is to set up search so that it only returns some set number of posts at a time, like a normal page view would, rather than returning every single applicable post, which is how it was previously set up. That should be much easier on the server.

I know there were social objections to a VIP page, but when it starts to be a tech issue, those may need to be reconsidered.

ETA: and, for the record, "Nilly Goes to Hollywood" is a f-in' great thread title.

I know there were social objections to a VIP page, but when it starts to be a tech issue, those may need to be reconsidered.

We probably do need to consider a combination of somehow blocking external links to specific posts within threads (and I have no idea if that's even possible), along with a static html page of any quotes from ME personnel or Tim. IIRC, the social objections were mostly about wanting to treat any ME personnel who happened to register not as VIPs, but rather as we would any other member of the community, i.e. treat them as friends as opposed to special guest stars. We had always done that with Tim, and it had usually worked pretty well. I don't think we ever actually expected Joss to post here, and for better or worse, every single word Joss utters is of great interest to the Buffy/Angel/Firefly fandom. And if he says it, they will come.

blocking external links to specific posts within threads

I don't know if that's doable. I know you can block all direct linking and make everyone go to the main page. I don't know how it works though.