How to remove render-blocking javascript and optimize css in above the fold content?

[AndrewSimm]

The purpose of a CDN isn't to make your website load faster, though it could make some static files load faster depending on where the user is in relation to the host. Instead it is to offload static resources. If your using 10% of your CPU without a CDN then it likely isn't going to help. Instead make sure your using an op code cacher and memcache. These two things as well as vb Optimise Pro will speed your site up.

That being said it is recommended to have static content on a CDN for big sites. I have used MaxCDN as well as Cloudflare and I get better results from Cloudflare. It is also cheaper for me to run 2 sites and I can run everything through SSL. The DDoS protection is good and really an added plus for me.

A lot of people for some reason do not like Cloudflare and I can't understand why. It isn't the silver bullet but is a solid CDN and a good service. I have 1 site where it is saving around 75% request.

Here is one of my sites which is on a VPS (about to merge it onto my dedicated)

With cloudflare
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/150114_4M_8RH/

[fxdigi-cash]

This is a good topic, and I don't see why not to keep digging deeper. The vb4 board is slower compared to any other version for sure and anyone can test that. The main reason of that is the fact that there are many JavaScripts and CSS files on approximately each page while other versions of vb say vb3 has a lot less than that; at least half of the way.

Now let me be honest with you, I have spent almost 2 years trying to figure out an excellent way to make vb4 works fast yet no complete solution I found. There are many things you need to compromise from vb4 features so that it works faster.

1- reduce used features that are based Js files and inline blocks such as javascripts codes on main pages.
2- combine all css styles in one; this is something VB Co should have done themselves.

3- changing all static contents to Data URI instead of images to reduce the page load. however, the page size will increase yet that doesn't matter if you use some cache software or plugin.

4- Using CDN is a great solution for many things. if you have your own VPS or dedicated server, then CDN is great to save a lot of bandwidth. also it can protect your static content and site as well from DDOS injections either through static contents, SSL 'if you have one" and database management system such as MySql or Mariadb

I believe some people could do better solution if they have excellent programming skills using either .Net or Java.

my advise to do it yourself if you know what you are doing. if not, then hire someone skillful programmer to do it for you, but that would cost you arms and legs.

Cheers

[thetechgenius]

I use Google Page Speed and CloudFlare, and I also setup my own custom static domain url to serve static content, and that static domain is also on CloudFlare. And since Google Page Speed runs on the server level, the static domain runs on Google Page Speed.

My forum has to load a lot of Javascript, CSS, and other static files, my forum is very customized. And it still loads very fast, without any problems at all.

If you do get a redirect loop when you go to the AdminCP, you can easily setup a Page Rule in CloudFlare to not cache any AdminCP content, problem fixed. That is what I had to do, my AdminCP kept refreshing/reloading.

I run my entire forum on SSL/HTTPS with a legit payed for Comodo SSL Certificate too, and Cloudflare have been working really well so far.

[CAG CheechDogg]

Originally Posted by thetechgenius

I use Google Page Speed and CloudFlare, and I also setup my own custom static domain url to serve static content, and that static domain is also on CloudFlare. And since Google Page Speed runs on the server level, the static domain runs on Google Page Speed.

My forum has to load a lot of Javascript, CSS, and other static files, my forum is very customized. And it still loads very fast, without any problems at all.

If you do get a redirect loop when you go to the AdminCP, you can easily setup a Page Rule in CloudFlare to not cache any AdminCP content, problem fixed. That is what I had to do, my AdminCP kept refreshing/reloading.

I run my entire forum on SSL/HTTPS with a legit payed for Comodo SSL Certificate too, and Cloudflare have been working really well so far.

Interesting ... I have a Comodo SSL Certificate on my site and was told that CloudFare was not compatible with Comodo ... do you have HostGator as well?

[mykkal]

Originally Posted by Max Taxable

Answered over at Ozzy's place in same thread.

But for readers here, what you're seeing isn't interference with parallel downloads, and js files actually behave differently almost every time they're downloaded.

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/150114_KK_3H2/

Max, I could use your help. I'm trying to minimize CSS and javascript for my site. VB supercharge doesn't work with my version so although I understand what needs to be done... I don't know how to manually do it.

The site is in my signature.