site speed meter

[Tourguy]

I have tried netmechanic and cnet's site speed meter (the later only measure ping) to test sites on different hosts. But still I don't "feel" the accuaracy compared with my own browsing "tests".

Sites on affordablehost are around 60+ms, on powweb around 2 ms (although I spot one that's particularly slow, but most are fast), netfirms around 30+ ms, the free host I temporarily with is datapacket which is around 110 ms (but according to netmechanic, it tested for 8 hours with certain interval, it got like 32 ms). Is there a sure fire way to measure the page download speed? My site is a simple tour destination site (some pages with many thumbs though), with like 65% overseas readers, my main concern is fast page rendering.

[fcsnc]

Originally posted by Tourguy
Is there a sure fire way to measure the page download speed?

Answer: No.

Question for you: What if one of your "readers" has a slow Internet connection?

[Tourguy]

Of course, readers have all sorts of their own connection speed, just doing my part only.

I was advised by an east coast host that if more than half of my readers are from Taiwan, it's better to have a host located on the west coast. Does this mean less hops to avoid possible clogs? Does it really matter/make a difference?

I am in Southern California, and a test of several sites hosted by Powweb consistantly generate very good ping by cnet's site speed meter. Understand Powweb is in SoCal, too. Any thoughts?

TIA.

[fcsnc]

All I can tell you is that Powweb is the fastest host I have used anywhere, high-priced or low-priced, East Coast or West.

[Tourguy]

I think when I am ready to sign up with a paid host again(should be within weeks if not days), Powweb is the only one to pick for sure. I have been searching for weeks and of course Powweb is not one of those "unlimited", "free but with one time sign-up fee" com'ons. Even among respectful ones, I still think Powweb offers a clear, powerful web site for us to read, probe before making a decision. On top of that, I haven't seen too many hosts provide a forum like this one which is, if you really think of it, haven sent.

Thanks.

[Tourguy]

Ok, now, does any one out there know the answer to the question about host location in my previous post? Just curious. TIA

[fcsnc]

From Taiwan, I reach my website (http://fcsnc.com/) in 18 hops at an average of 793 milliseconds.

From Taiwan, I reach another one of my sites (with an *expensive* "on-net" host in Atlanta, GA) in only 17 hops ... but at an average of 862 milliseconds.

Both routes go through Los Angeles.

Your mileage may vary.
:)