Just noticed that Bob Wyman of PubSub dropped in to look at the GrabPERF data we are collecting. [here]

Although Bob’s pride is evident, I do caution that being the top of a performance index is simply one measure of success. There is the whole discussion of relevancy of results, but that is beyond the scope of a performance-related discussion, such as the one I am encouraging on this blog.

Some of the concepts that I have been collaborating on have just been released to the public by my employer. Extending the outdated concepts of comparing Web sites simply on speed and availability, we have created Consistency and Optimization indices. [here]

These destroy any hope that faster is always better. Having a consistent Web performance and highly optimized site design counts for more as I get older than raw speed does.

My analogy is simple, and comes from the late, great Hunter S Thompson:

In horse breeding, for instance, there is a definite risk in breeding two fast horses who are both a little crazy. The offspring will likely be very fast and also very crazy. So the trick in breeding thoroughbreds is to retain the good traits and filter out the bad.

The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved

What good is a fast Web site that is “very crazy” and highly inconsistent?

Congrats to Bob Wyman and the PubSub team. I hope that your success continues.

Technorati: GrabPERF, Web Performance, Web Performance Measurement, Web Performance Monitoring, PubSub

IceRocket: GrabPERF, Web Performance, Web Performance Measurement, Web Performance Monitoring, PubSub

Related Posts

• GrabPERF: State of the System, Feb 2006
• Resume/CV
• GrabPERF: Search Index Weekly Results (Oct 04-10, 2005)
• GrabPERF: Search Index Weekly Results (Sep 26 – Oct 03, 2005)
• GrabPERF: Search Index Weekly Results (Sep 19-25, 2005)