They really don't cause any significant lag - non-combat slaves are actually relatively cheap to maintain compared to other AI, since they already have their decisions chosen for them. Coding time would probably be better spent optimizing AI and base/drone target selection code, rather than trying to spawn it off into a lower priority thread. Threads can be a huge pain in the ass, and can cause a lot of problems if they aren't managed right.

Obviously before we go making any changes to anything of that nature, Jeff will probably use diagnostics to determine exactly what percentage of each server frame certain frequently called functions use, and from there we can figure out what priority to place on optimizing them.

In any case, as soon as the code on test goes live, I would say that it is likely that the server will run a smooth and consistent 8 FPS minimum (and closer to 10-15 on average). The problem really hasn't been with average times, the huge problem has been the spikes that occur infrequently.

I'm guessing this stuff would just be a quick fix till client 2 comes out as the server code will be completely different?

No, the server code will remain (mostly) the same during the transition to client 2.

I hate the delay while i'm logging in because trying to trade between characters when you aren't an Operator sucks, one of your only options is to put them on top of eachother and switch while the item is dropped or give it to someone you trust to hold it while you switch. It usually isn't a 2 second delay either, it can go on for up the 15 seconds.

you could just drop a base on the one character and set the items for sale for 1 credit..

lag when logging is much better then lag while fighting

I have been testing the new threaded code on test a few times and found a problem each time and fixed it each time. This multithreaded coding can be very difficult and thank you for everyone who hops onto test when I ask, because really, it's not possible to test it without a bunch of volunteers. It's so important to test it beforehand because no one want the live server to start crashing all the time. =) I'm making progress and still working on it. Once it completely works, I think it will be a huge improvement to the server's performance.

SO NO LAG?

At least Bizman and Shodaime won't be the ones causing the lag. ^_~

Thanks for filling us in Jeff.

2 Weeks and no update? How is the progress Jeff?

Progress is slow. Multithreading is difficult. I am still working on it, though.

That sucks, but we know you can do it Keep up the good work.

i would like to sujest Geoman11 on some of the problems as he seems to know quite abit about coding and what not

Has anyone looked at asteroids and mining as a source of lag?

Everytime I go through a system with asteroids the bottom drops out of my frame rate and my auto pilot dies.

The only asteroid belts that are necessary for game- play are Bonnet and possibly Ring.

I know that the reason asteriod belts were increased was because of overcrowding in Ring. Now we have similar problems all over the place and huge lag to boot !