7pm in Tokyo - Evening stroll and site updates

Wed 2009/02/25 16:32 JST

343 views

Been working many changes to the site - not much difference on the front end but huge on the backend. Spent most of the day prepping the site to be updated in the evening.

After dindins and our evening stroll, came back to roll out the updates. Site was offline for 2 hours. If you came during that time then you was Trooper Rolled ^^;

Optimized many of the database queries. Still more work to be done though. The backend changes now enable me to roll out the News Items in Japanese - have been wanting to do it for a while now - the incremental Japanese readers since the NicoNico broadcast at GSC have prompted me to action. Hope to roll this out over the weekend.

The changes are as follows:-

- News Item images are no longer thumbnailed - you get the full image.

- Comments and Puchi Blurb pagination pages are capped at 6000 for now - need to do some observations before I raise that cap. Without the cap, the DB is hit quite hard. Also just noticed that dccom has got roughly 1000 comments per day for the past few days - currently all in one database which is filled with just over half a million comments @.@;;;

- Your profile page is now a bit different and plan to beef it up empowering you with more customization features. There is a bug right now where your profile blurb does not show up unless you filled in the anime you are watching, games you are playing etc.

- The calendar at the bottom of the paginated pages is gone but will be back soon.

I've got more work to do on the backend before we move the site over to Amazons EC2. That should be done in March.

If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.

If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.

This item was posted in the Japan category. You can see more of everything else or subscribe via RSS instead.

-Japan Probe - News from Japan (Subscribe)
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)

IzayoiKagemaru in Portugal (Registered on 2008/09/16)
Computer Tech. / Graphic Design
http://reikukan.jimdo.com/

Yay I got Trooper Rolled...
At least it gave me something to do while waiting.^^

Wed 2009/02/25 16:39:10 JST (ID #501873)

reply to IzayoiKagemaru's comment
- duffman in the Urban Jungle that is Manila(PH)~ (Registered on 2007/10/30)
  Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
  http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
  
  i'm a victim too~
  Trooper Roll FTW!!!
  
  Wed 2009/02/25 17:25:46 JST (ID #501915)
  
  reply to duffman's comment
Vik in Clear Lake, Texas, USA (Registered on 2009/02/23)
Otaku, CNS / IT student

I missed it, I must have been asleep. :/

Awesome picture, Danny. Really captured the lighting well.

Wed 2009/02/25 16:45:12 JST (ID #501880)

reply to Vik's comment
Stefkov in England (Registered on 2008/06/01)
Student
http://www.stefkov.com/

I visited and it loaded half of the front page with pictures and all. It stopped just before the puchi blurbs.
That's a lovely picture.

Wed 2009/02/25 16:52:31 JST (ID #501886)

reply to Stefkov's comment
masahiro (Registered on 2009/02/09)
Full Time Student, Part Time Anime Lover, Half Time Lurker
http://hiro307.blogspot.com

when the site was down?didnt realize it...
i must miss it

Wed 2009/02/25 16:57:32 JST (ID #501891)

reply to masahiro's comment
lerry[maru] in Kuala Lumpur, MY (Registered on 2008/09/14)
Nekophilia

Trooper rolled? Really? I got an redirect on heart surgery o.o

And looks like its time to update profile ^^

Full picture for news items? What if its a 4koma O_O

Wed 2009/02/25 17:06:35 JST (ID #501897)

reply to lerry[maru]'s comment
Shockerz in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Registered on 2008/10/12)
Student
http://shockerz.wordpress.com/

It great that the site got upgraded Danny! Everything in one single DB is kinda pushing it.. don't you think?

Wed 2009/02/25 17:26:53 JST (ID #501919)

reply to Shockerz's comment
WiseFreeman in DC Cloning Laboratory (Registered on 2007/11/07)
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my

I opened many member news in one go trying to catch up, then I hear so many noises coming from my speaker & it's all from the Trooper Roll vid.......... LOL!

Wed 2009/02/25 18:00:17 JST (ID #501945)

reply to WiseFreeman's comment
- Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
  CEO MIrai Inc
  http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
  
  ^^;
  
  Thu 2009/02/26 00:55:05 JST (ID #502216)
  
  reply to Danny Choo's comment
yamada in Belait District, Brunei Darussalam (Registered on 2009/02/04)
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com

does it mean you're upgrading it?

Wed 2009/02/25 18:13:00 JST (ID #501957)

reply to yamada's comment
Rusting in South Texas, USA (Registered on 2009/01/06)
Injured

I got the Heart Surgery message.

Wed 2009/02/25 18:16:20 JST (ID #501958)

reply to Rusting's comment
wtfjusthappened in Illinois, U.S (Registered on 2008/01/22)
Student

Thanks for the longer feed =) missed the trooper roll though

Wed 2009/02/25 19:15:10 JST (ID #502003)

reply to wtfjusthappened's comment
TsubasaNoTenshi (Registered on 2008/12/29)
Student, Motivated Future Hikikomori

Yay, upgrading the site is always a good thing, good luck with it ^_^

Wed 2009/02/25 19:47:56 JST (ID #502031)

reply to TsubasaNoTenshi's comment
litokid in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2007/11/25)
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim

That explains why my profile and comments no longer appear together, and why the profile only shows up when I type in the URL...

Wed 2009/02/25 20:15:58 JST (ID #502055)

reply to litokid's comment
Harts in Estonia (Registered on 2008/06/02)
Student

Updates are good, keep up the good work! But don't forget to take breaks and walks (with lots of photos) :)
"Site was offline for 2 hours. If you came during that time then you was Trooper Rolled ^^;"
Didn't happen to visit at that time, had a long day at university today.

Wed 2009/02/25 21:22:27 JST (ID #502089)

reply to Harts's comment
Kesenaitsumi in Sengoku, Tokyo (Registered on 2009/02/06)
Student, Performer
http://kesenaitsumi89.wordpress.com/

If you came during that time then you was Trooper Rolled ^^;

LOL...I taught... my browser is going whackey.

Wed 2009/02/25 21:26:14 JST (ID #502091)

reply to Kesenaitsumi's comment
lightningsabre in Vancouver (Registered on 2007/08/30)
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/

So what kind of fish did you get? ^^;

Wed 2009/02/25 22:21:24 JST (ID #502124)

reply to lightningsabre's comment
Miri in (｡◕‿‿◕｡) (Registered on 2009/01/30)
Student
http://miri.textcube.com/

Hmm... was the intelligent monkeys also the roll'd part?
I kept getting the intelligent monkey messages when I tried commenting late last night.

Wed 2009/02/25 22:26:23 JST (ID #502128)

reply to Miri's comment
Pyoro in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/22)
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/

also, might wanna check out safari 4 compatibility while you are at it too ^^

Wed 2009/02/25 22:31:38 JST (ID #502132)

reply to Pyoro's comment
- Edward in SE Michigan/Osaka (Registered on 2006/12/24)
  Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
  http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/
  
  Have you noticed problems? I'm not tried the site in Safari 4 for Windows, but I feel the site loads quickly in Safari 4 for OS X. Biggest change for Safari 4 engine is in JavaScript. Danny is using JQuery so there should be no problem.
  
  Wed 2009/02/25 22:52:50 JST (ID #502150)
  
  reply to Edward's comment
Edward in SE Michigan/Osaka (Registered on 2006/12/24)
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/

No, once I noticed signs of you making changes I don't bother to visit until you tweet the site is up. ^^

Twitter is such a great service and so many of the people who visit DC.com are on twitter. It doesn't com as a surprise that Puchi Blurbs are a big hit on the server.

Looking forward to the Profile Page upgrades and to the transfer to Amazon EC2. I been reading the EC2 site and really want to give it a try on my own as well.

Wed 2009/02/25 22:47:14 JST (ID #502144)

reply to Edward's comment
Riz in インデアナポリス, インデアナ (Registered on 2009/01/02)
三年せいとオタク

I tried to get on DC before I left school only to get Trooper Rolled T.T Oh well can't wait for future updates.

Wed 2009/02/25 23:50:17 JST (ID #502172)

reply to Riz's comment
Melo in stitutionalized (Registered on 2008/04/14)

Just a random thought but DC would be a great diving board for English speakers learning Japanese and vice-versa to communicate with people with common Otaku interests here. I know there are language sites for that but how many that cater to Otakus. (end going off tangent)

Thu 2009/02/26 00:23:43 JST (ID #502202)

reply to Melo's comment
- Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
  CEO MIrai Inc
  http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
  
  Yes - will explore this area more.
  
  Thu 2009/02/26 00:56:34 JST (ID #502218)
  
  reply to Danny Choo's comment
Delindil in So.California (Registered on 2009/02/17)
初音ミク命

Yeah, I tried visiting the site while it was down last night and got trooper-rolled as well. I had 5 or 6 browser tabs up at the time and I couldn't figure out which one was playing the music, I checked the Dannychoo tab last. =P

Thu 2009/02/26 02:08:27 JST (ID #502272)

reply to Delindil's comment
Hidden Oasis in California, United Sates (Registered on 2008/10/28)
College Freshmen

I didn't even notice any of the changes. Maybe I'm just not observant.

Thu 2009/02/26 03:06:55 JST (ID #502312)

reply to Hidden Oasis's comment
NPC in Rocklin, CA (Registered on 2007/12/06)
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/

ooh I'm interested to see what you do with the profiles in the near future.

Thu 2009/02/26 03:44:30 JST (ID #502329)

reply to NPC's comment
pipopaz in US (Registered on 2008/08/26)
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/

oksukaresama (i know bad spelling ^.^;) good work danny!

Thu 2009/02/26 04:33:48 JST (ID #502350)

reply to pipopaz's comment
6pack (Registered on 2008/03/20)
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/

visiting the site after a week or so. last time only the front page opened fast enough. after that whichever page i tried to open those would just get stuck for ages and ages. atleast this page opened quite fast today, except the main image.

Thu 2009/02/26 07:36:12 JST (ID #502488)

reply to 6pack's comment
silent1134 in Los Angeles, California (Registered on 2007/08/22)
???Confused???

That's quite a bit done in two hours...I was probably at work during that time...

Thu 2009/02/26 08:04:37 JST (ID #502504)

reply to silent1134's comment
Cyberchaos in Australia, Sydney (Registered on 2008/02/17)
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/

i've always wondered how your servers would handle all the comments we make
then counting user-gen content and comments for those on top...

i'm suprised you didn't do this optimisation earlier

Thu 2009/02/26 11:02:15 JST (ID #502647)

reply to Cyberchaos's comment
acq128 in Sydney (Registered on 2008/11/19)
Student

would love to do some news in japanese =)

Thu 2009/02/26 11:45:48 JST (ID #502716)

reply to acq128's comment
azn-n3ss-__- in Brisbane (Registered on 2008/07/28)
大学生
http://justaskeikaku.net23.net

I got something about the site having open heart surgery I think. No redirects though coz I turned off scripts XD

Thu 2009/02/26 11:51:55 JST (ID #502721)

reply to azn-n3ss-__-'s comment
thebarrett in California 死の金魚 (Registered on 2008/12/03)
Gundam Pilot (in training)
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebarrett

yeah i got Trooper rolled, i was pretty impressed you embedded your whole Youtube profile o_o

Thu 2009/02/26 13:30:30 JST (ID #502823)

reply to thebarrett's comment
Sabekuji Kaneda in Parañaque, Philippines (Registered on 2008/06/21)
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/

LOL when I logged on into DC and got the "open heart surgery" treatment, I thought the server crashed or something! XD

BTW what's with the map of Japan stuck on to the wall of that restaurant?

Thu 2009/02/26 16:18:22 JST (ID #502960)

reply to Sabekuji Kaneda's comment
bob-san in Madison WI (Registered on 2007/02/22)
Administrative Assistant
http://bob-san.animeblogger.net

I never got trooper rolled :(

But then, I couldn't visit the site for months when I was here at work. They just gave me a new machine though so all is good...for now

Thu 2009/02/26 18:33:28 JST (ID #503058)

reply to bob-san's comment
shalala in london (Registered on 2009/01/29)
For 8 weeks im a NEET

danny where do i now find your past articles. as i was able to just click on teh month or the year and all the articles for that month would nicely apper. now i can't find them and teh hyperlinks boxs are no longer in a row. how coem.

Fri 2009/02/27 00:27:56 JST (ID #503262)

reply to shalala's comment
MAsia in NERV HQ, Tokyo-3 (Registered on 2007/01/14)
Supreme Commander of NERV Co.

That explains why the Images aren't thumbnailed, Good work on the continuing updates hoping for the best ^^ Thanks alot Danny!

Sat 2009/02/28 00:46:51 JST (ID #504534)

reply to MAsia's comment