[mazda77]

I agree with your estimation, but something that all are missing in this being a recent problem but one needs to consider the number of users on the internet is way up over the good ole days and remember the executive order he signed giving him total control of the internet? I am not going tin foil hat here but with all of the other nefarious crap this administration has done under the radar one does not have to be reaching to find their way there.

[Norm Lenhart]

Look to see if packets are being diverted. It seems to me this is external.

[TomGuy]

this being a recent problem

This is an ongoing problem.

In the 2008 election cycle, FR had similar problems. IIRC, it was the night of Hillary's concession during the primaries that FR went down, and did so during the periodic 'big event' times.

A couple of years ago when similar sluggishness was going on, John found that the culprit was something in the software coding. He apparently fixed it and FR speeded up.

The first two FR Donation quarterlies were increased to get more $$$ for equipment improvements. [That was January and April 2012, IIRC]

Someone posted a trace route log that showed the FR stream bogging down in the San Jose area. That, IIRC, where the FR servers are located. Is the problem with the FR hosting facility? If so, FR should be considering alternative hosting facilities.

Many of us post, 'what is the problem?' If it is $$$, FReepers would donate, if we knew, and if it would fix the problem. [See above comment regarding 2008 election cycle.]

2012: Four debates and four nights FR became EPIC FAIL. The truth hurts, but FR crashed.