Are the issues you're stating still accurate? I don't how accurate WebPageTest is but I just ran my site through WebPageTest and came out with a first byte time of .401s and second repeat view of .269s. The site scored an A for first byte time.

This is through Cloudflare: http://www.webpagetest.org/result/160128_YG_9SK/

Yes they are and in fact, I was able to successfully lobby Patrick Meenan to adjust WPT so it doesn't assign really low target first byte times to sites that have CDNs. That is why now we get a artificial score on FBT for sites using CDNs. WPT changed the way it handles CDNs, that does NOT change the issue CDNs create with FBT.

Here's what you really look like, use IE 11 only as the test browser, for worst case. Firefox and Chrome skip certian types of calls to make themselves appear "faster" to the end user.

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/160128_F8_AW6/




It's not open to debate, CF acknowledged it. It's simply a fact. But like any other religious belief, no amount of facts can persuade a CF evangelist.

Thanks Max.

When I got CF to admit the issue, and got Meenan to CHANGE WPT, pretty much case closed. Wouldn't you say? I got tired of wasting mine and other people's time over FBT on sites that use CDNs and in the process, ended the debate.It is the ONLY test site out there that uses real browsers, real connections and is REAL WORLD scientific testing.

More edification. Long read but very educational:

https://thethemefoundry.com/blog/why...-cdn-spdy-ssl/

Thanks, I will try that though the issues has gone away since I turned off Rocketbooster..I think that thing has been in beta a long time.

I just wasn't sure which setting was causing the issue at first so I disabled everything and turned them on one at a time. All seems ok now.

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Well the site in question usually takes around 5 seconds for first page load depending on what page is visited. It is heavily customized and very media heavy. I would like to get the speed down but I have done pretty much what can be done without re-themeing.

As for Cloudflare, I really switched to it because I needed a free external dns and they seemed pretty solid. Like I said, I have not noticed a difference in first time page load but once cached i have noticed a much faster load time so far.

Some of the options are pretty decent as well like the smart error page. if someone gets a 404 they will get an error page with a search of your pages related to what they were visiting. That is pretty awesome.

Thanks for the research. I will definitely check it out. I am always happy to learn more. :)

Richie, one thing you can do is increase the caching of static content beyond 5 hours for repeat visitors.

You have a 404 to fix as well http://www.webpagetest.org/result/16...P3H/1/details/

Thanks!

Funny you mentioned that as I had increased that already from 4 to 5 upon set up. :)

I am checking that link right now! I am sure we have a few of those kicking around..

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I removed the ssl image thing as the javascript was slowing the entire site load.

I am looking at the tag cloud. I think it is the style cache. I wll just turn it off for awhile I think. I recently cleared all the tags and there are only a few now..The rest must be stuck in the style cache.

You could probably get away with caching js/css for a month or two and the images for 1-2 weeks.

Actually I was just about to make a new thread about this very topic but seeing as it is related we may as well discuss it here if ok with the mods.

In regards to caching I am still trying to figure out how to do this properly with Cloudflare. With the free account caching options are very limited.

Are you referring to htaccess because those settings are bypassed now by cloudflare. I can set a longer time but the only other options are:
No Query String
Ignore Query String
Standard

I currently have standard set.

I know there are ways to link my images directly from the cdn or use my own ip address which would then use my htaccess but that would remove the security.

#Question.. I have a mail server set up through my domain and ip and the record is in cloudflare. Do I need this record there? It is a security vulnerability as it allows people to see my ip directly.

Thanks!!

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Going to create a new post. Having more problems.