So I've had some complaints about download speed on some of my WordPress based websites and wanted to know if anyone could point me in the right direction to correct some of these problems. This particular one is CornsnakeMorphGallery.com, by far one of the larger ones. I'm not very fluent with Javascript and PHP, but am willing to learn...Especially if it makes this set of sites successful (though it's definitely not doing to bad so far in the short 2 months that this new layout and method has been up).

• TOTAL_HTML - Congratulations, the total number of HTML files on this page (including the main HTML file) is 1 which most browsers can multithread. Minimizing HTTP requests is key for web site optimization. Y
• TOTAL_OBJECTS - Warning! The total number of objects on this page is 69 which by their number will dominate web page delay. Consider reducing this to a more reasonable number. Above 20 objects per page the overhead from dealing with the actual objects (description time and wait time) accounts for more than 80% of whole page latency. See Figure II-3: Relative distribution of latency components showing that object overhead dominates web page latency in Website Optimization Secrets for more details on how object overhead dominates web page latency. Combine, refine, and optimize your external objects. Replace graphic rollovers with CSS rollovers to speed display and minimize HTTP requests. Consider using CSS sprites to help consolidate decorative images. Using CSS techniques such as colored backgrounds, borders, or spacing instead of graphic techniques can reduce HTTP requests. Replace graphic text headers with CSS text headers to further reduce HTTP requests. Finally, consider optimizing parallel downloads by using different hostnames or a CDN to reduce object overhead.
• TOTAL_IMAGES - Warning! The total number of images on this page is 50 , consider reducing this to a more reasonable number. Recommend combining, replacing, and optimizing your graphics. Replace graphic rollover menus with CSS rollover menus to speed display and minimize HTTP requests. Consider using CSS sprites to help consolidate decorative images. Use CSS techniques such as colored backgrounds, borders, or spacing instead of graphic techniques to reduce HTTP requests. Replace graphic text headers with CSS text headers to further reduce HTTP requests. Finally, consider optimizing parallel downloads by using different hostnames to reduce object overhead.
• TOTAL_CSS - Warning! The total number of external CSS files on this page is 7 , consider reducing this to one or two external files. Combine, refine, and optimize your external CSS files. Ideally you should have one (or even embed CSS for high-traffic pages) on your pages. You can optimize CSS files using shorthand properties, grouping, and then minify and GZIP compress them to reduce their footprint. Remember to place CSS files in the HEAD and JavaScript files at the end of the BODY to enable progressive display.
• TOTAL_SIZE - Warning! The total size of this page is 532594 bytes, which will load in 119.95 seconds on a 56Kbps modem. Consider reducing total page size to less than 100K to achieve sub 20 second response times on 56K connections. Pages over 100K exceed most attention thresholds at 56Kbps, even with feedback. Consider optimizing your site with Website Optimization Secrets, Speed Up Your Site or contacting us about our optimization services.
• TOTAL_SCRIPT - Warning! The total number of external script files on this page is 11 , consider reducing this to a more reasonable number. Combine, refactor, and minify to optimize your JavaScript files. Ideally you should have one (or even embed scripts for high-traffic pages) on your pages. Consider suturing JavaScript files together at the server to minimize HTTP requests. Placing external JavaScript files at the bottom of your BODY, and CSS files in the HEAD enables progressive display in XHTML web pages.
• HTML_SIZE - Congratulations, the total size of this HTML file is 21342 bytes, which less than 50K. Assuming that you specify the HEIGHT and WIDTH of your images, this size allows your HTML to display content in under 10 seconds, the average time users are willing to wait for a page to display without feedback.
• IMAGES_SIZE - Warning! The total size of your images is 166855 bytes, which is over 100K. Consider switch graphic formats to achive smaller file sizes (from JPEG to PNG for example). Finally, substitute CSS techniques for graphics techniques to create colored borders, backgrounds, and spacing.
• SCRIPT_SIZE - Warning! The total size of external your scripts is 298304 bytes, which is over 20K. Consider optimizing your JavaScript for size, combining them, and using HTTP compressionCSS menus for JavaScript-based menus to minimize or even eliminate the use of JavaScript. where appropriate for any scripts placed in the HEAD of your documents. You can substitute
• CSS_SIZE - Warning! The total size of your external CSS is 46093 bytes, which is over 20K. Consider optimizing your CSS for size by eliminating whitespace, using shorthand notation, and combining multiple CSS files where appropriate. By using labeled container cells and descendant selectors you can target chunks of HTML content efficiently without the need to embed extra claases and styles.
• MULTIM_SIZE - Congratulations, the total size of all your external multimedia files is 0 bytes, which is less than 10K.

TOTAL_OBJECTS -> I'm not sure what this is unless they are referring to the images which can't really be helped considering the nature of the website.

TOTAL_IMAGES -> Not much I can do about this as it is a Gallery and has tons of photos. For what it's worth, all of the images used for the layout are under 32kb a piece (PNGs). I'm going to see if GIFs are smaller here in a minute...

TOTAL_CSS -> This is because of the plug-ins used. Is it possible for me to just take all the CSS and put it into my main stylesheet, or is that a bad idea? I realize doing that would cause CSS_SIZE to still yell at me, but at least I'm down some in another area.

TOTAL_SCRIPT -> Again, the plug-ins. Would it be okay to consolidate them?

IMAGES_SIZE -> Also because of the fact it's a Gallery...

SCRIPT_SIZE -> Not sure about this...I guess it has to do with the plug-ins?

CSS_SIZE -> I looked into the GZIP, but I didn't get it...

I'm guessing no response either means it's not possible to fix the problems or no one has any idea where to start?

You have a ton of Javascript being called - 300k - which won't help. You're also running Lightbox and Thickbox which is mostly just duplicating content popup functionality - suggest only using one method and you should be able to save a healthy chunk of JS loading time.

I don't think I need Lightbox for anything. I should just be able to remove that. As far as the "a ton of Javascript being called," I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean.

Nope, I was wrong. I have to have the LightBox plug-in or the pop-ups with the PhotoSmash plug-in doesn't work. I think he uses Thickbox on his submission forms which is why that's on there too (I'm not using a Thickbox plug-in). I can make the suggestion to him about fixing that though.

Why not just code the ENTIRE blog from scratch using just php? You can do image galleries in all php I have a couple of image galleries in my signature. Note: they use tables, I forgot about that, but still...Java-less.

Because I don't know how to do that (see first post on not being fluent in PHP) and this site already is in use by my Contributors and nearing 200 uploaded images.

Your websites look like they aren't anything but galleries. Mine are based on registered users submitting photos, a content management system for the pages, a forum, etc.

Originally Posted by TripleMoons

I don't think I need Lightbox for anything. I should just be able to remove that. As far as the "a ton of Javascript being called," I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean.

The total size of all files that the home page loads up is this...

HTML output - 21kb
Images - 91kb
Javascript - 294kb
CSS - 45kb
Total 451kb

Note how the javascript amounts to about 2/3rd's of the total download, if you temporarily remove the js the site should speed up dramatically. However the js is needed as you say by the various addons that have been installed, so this doesn't leave you much room for manuevering.

You can try compacting javascript and css files, particularly prototype.js whic is 121kb, you might be able to shave off 100kb from all js files if you're lucky.

See if you can only call javascript into the templates that actually need them. This will reduce 1 or more server requests + download time. Eg you're calling forums css on your home page, surely you only need to call that file on the forum page?

Other than that it's probably a limitation of the software unless you want to dig into the code and modify things.

Well, I spoke to the creater of PhotoSmash and he's going to look into the ThickBox/LightBox issue. He agreed that it's pretty silly to run them both.

I'm not sure how to compact the files? I didn't understand the GZIP information I found. I'm also not sure how to "call Javascript into the templates," WordPress automatically does all that. The two plug-ins I can do without are Avatars and LightBox (once he fixes PhotoSmash). Hopefully that will help with things?

Amel Cinder does not have any submissions as of yet...So if that is what you are talking about, yes it is correct.