BuddyPress will run slower than a basic WordPress because you are using more db/server info with each page refresh. Anything than can to enhance a WordPress install will help BuddyPress. Use a cache plugin, not run many plugins and use a theme that doesn’t require as many files. You could use a CDN to offset server hits to static files.
Thanks, have looked at cache pugins before, but struggled to find one that anyone recommended. Some seem positively bad. What’s a CDN?
Neill W
CDN = Content Delivery Network. A place where you upload static files like CSS JavaScript images and anything elses a page would request. This will allow fewer http requests to your server and CDNs make copies of files across globe so clients accessing file will get it fast as it’s closer.
Amazon has S3 CDN or you could simply use DropBox. Other options are header caching for longer periods forcing browser to download copies and keeping them locally.
Most of the WordPress cache plugins work with BuddyPress but youhave to pay attention to the dynamic nature of activity streams / forum posts. You can cache these areas but it should only be for like 30 seconds. But that’s only necessary for sites with thousands if users.
Many thanks for the info, I’ll take a look at that.
NW
This is a buddypress/wordpress issue. If you don’t believe me just see the source code for this page – Towards the end of the source code you’ll find something like this –
Generated in 3.178 seconds. (473 q)
That simply means this webpage needed 473 database queries to show you a few members and posts. If this is the situation with the official buddypress website running on latest hitech servers, fully optimized and cached, probably also using somekind of a CDN what else do you expect from the software itself?
That is not a constructive line of discussion. BuddyPress.org is not representative of a typical BuddyPress install.
@arpittambiin – Good points, except none of that is true.
I’m glad you guys share my sense of humor and a taste of serious web programming. 
but wait, I would like to point another thing on this webpage itself. Why every topic_post_time_since carries “ago” twice.
I know buddypress is a great open source software and people like me can contribute towards its development. I have myself reported problems from time to time – https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/3758
I just wanted to get my point across and I am glad people are listening. Also Buddypress.org is probably the largest or one of largest sites running buddypress. Performance and usability issues at this website sends a negative signal.
