Over the past several weeks/months the tech team behind CTH 2.0 has been working on a test site to optimize the battle-tank known as The Last Refuge. This is phase-3 of the CTH anti-fragile system, known as the optimization phase. We just went live….
The goal of optimization was to take the decades-old weight of our site, lighten the server load, increase the response time and simultaneously generate a site that optimizes based on the type of hardware being used by reader: desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Check out the site on your mobile device and you should notice the changes in both portrait and landscape mode.
When CTH originally launched over a decade ago the theme was responsive to desktop and laptop computer users. Mobile platforms were in their infancy. Now more than half of website users are coming to sites from tablets or phones. The optimization phase has hopefully eliminated the mobile issues and made those user experiences easier and more responsive.
The landing page of CTH has not changed too much. However, as we make slight modifications each of the top links “About Us”, “guidelines” etc will generate a different impression for the user. The right margin is streamlined on the Main landing page, and we will be introducing an alliance of allies to replace the old-school blogroll.
Several website operators have reached out asking us to provide details on the infrastructure being used to stay “anti-fragile”, meaning outside the reach of big tech. There may come a day when that information is possible to share, but it will not be in the near future. CTH is operating with an abundance of caution in the era of deplatforming and targeting.
We are aware the eye of sauron, ie Google, and Big Tech has already targeted CTH 2.0 to eliminate traffic and site visits. However, fortunately for us we have a long history of readership and only around 7 percent of total traffic was dependent on Google as a search value.
In what has been described as an “extraordinary situation” in the modern era, over 85 percent of CTH traffic is direct. Users and readers come directly to CTH from their browser. In the era of deplatforming this was/is a huge benefit.
Beyond all the technology details CTH is first and foremost a community of people. We take our responsibility for stewardship of our community very seriously. Privacy is the foundation of all systems we are using and no site features generates any data collection on any Treehouse guest.
This privacy approach is unique in the modern era of internet technology where data collection and cookies are now accepted practice. However, not only are we proud of the effort we are taking, I can also envision a place in the near future where any site gathering data will regret that flaw in privacy policy. CTH will lead the way on the creation of proprietary systems that protect our community; and we can see several states now considering legislation that will mandate a much more stringent view on privacy.
The optimization phase has now launched, there will be slight modifications in the next few weeks and we welcome your feedback. You won’t really notice too much difference from the front side, but there will be a noted faster response rate. Additionally, some of the bugs we encountered, literally because we had to move so fast to generate CTH 2.0 – and only had two weeks to move 10 years of massive files, have been reconciled.
Again, I thank you for your continued support as we put the final touches on CTH 2.0 as a relaunched site outside the reach of the tech control agents. This entire move has been a painstaking time-suck to do it right. Everyone has reference points for places that did it wrong… we are blessed to have incredible assistance from people with buckets of foresight.
Remember, YOU are what matters. This community is what matters. Retaining our ability to connect in fellowship and discuss the issues in a respectful and honest manner is our priority. We are in the majority. They control the majority of systems that allow us to see the scale of our assembly. Tech’s control effort to remove voices is directly related to their need to retain the false impressions put forth by ideological comrades.
The truth has no agenda, and people are beginning to see now just how far ahead CTH was within our explanations of the people and institutional motives in the world of politics. Unfortunately, we have been very accurate with our predictions of “who”, “why”, “when and how”, the people and systems would activate against our constitutional republic. However, in the end they will fail and we, a freedom loving people, will succeed.
Don’t forget to live your best life. Nothing aggravates the totalitarian-left more than seeing joy amid the majority of people within a nation they are trying to destroy. Engage your family, friends and community with optimism. Keep throwing sand in their machinery whenever possible – and prepare; because the best is yet to come.
We are the new counter-culture, and -despite all the challenges WE FACE, never doubt that liberty is on the march…
Love to all,
Sundance
Thanks to you and your team of awesome talents for creating a safe, sturdy tree house. Y’all are THE BEST!!!
Nicely done, Sundance and the incomparable CTH team… You have taken your game to the next level on the most important site on the net… Thank you… We will always be grateful… I just threw some shekels in the CTH pot and encourage all of my fellow Treepers to do the same if you are so moved… Long Live the Treehouse!
Our old comments are still MIA (on my browser?)
Our old avatars are still MIA, nice for separating overlapped names (“mike”)
My avatar is still here and there is HISTORICAL CAMPFIRE CONVERSATIONS and Recent Comments on the right side of the page if you are on desktop, I noticed on the iphone that it was at the very bottom after scrolling through multiple posts from Sundance.
I noticed this as well but remember a post about the functionality of these being put on the back burner until other site issue got resolved. I search “carterzest” to look for my grandma Maxines guest post(s) on Mailboxes and Old Barns(MBOB)from the days of yore…still no comments. Patience.
Great improvements and method to the deployment. WOOT!
i remember your grandma’s posts 😛
Reading on my iPad, it looks great!
Yes! The font is black (it had gone to a very light gray shade) again. Thank you.
Looks great on my phone!
love the new look! Thank You Sundance and the Treehouse Team.
Completely agree!
Can you possibly imagine where our Country would be if if the slugs and thugs in DC operated with 5% of the efficiency of our CTH?
Agree Pancakes, Sundance and Crew have done a wonderful job. I know the task was daunting but the work they have done is appreciated by all CTH readers. ?
I don’t post much at all, the intelligence level on display here on CTH is rather intimidating to this old girl. I do though appreciate the whole crew and those who comment as well.
I don’t know enough about software and servers to know how big this was exactly, but I do know it was big. And it runs perfectly for me. (Windows 10, latest version, Firefox browser, laptop.)
I do have one question – will the roll of Sundance’s Twitter thread be reintroduced? I refuse to give Jack Dorsey my phone number but I like to lurk along the Last Refuge Twitter.
As one of the permanently banned, I too would love to see your twitter feed.
You can view Twitter without giving Jackass your phone number. On laptop/desktop, just use your browser “https://twitter.com/TheLastRefuge2”. If you’re on a mobile device just be sure you to get rid of the Twitter app, then view Twitter through your mobile browser. Often your device will ask “Do you want to view Twitter through the app ?”. Don’t give this a positive response because sooner or later you will end up with the app on your device and will be asked to sign in or sign up.
TY Sundance—Now I understand why the difference I see when I follow the email notification
Kind of miss the old, but do like the new.
The website looks awesome and congratulations on all the hard work.
Just to comment on a few sites I visit and some commonalities with CTH.
I’m gonna give you 3.
Your site, and Vox Day and and Steven Bannon, War Room have something in common…
yes, all are all different voices and you all bring something unique to the table:
commonality?
You are all Catholics.
Which is a big reason why I stop by… I see your point of view in your writings and I know that your Catholic underpinnings make you who you are…
Bravo Sir.
that is a big assumption on your part im thinkin…
It is true I have seen his posts Sundance is a Catholic, as is Bannon and Vox Day.
We need some Godly Catholicism after the “devout” Catholicism attributed, mainly by the MSM, to Biden, Pelosi, Barr and Durham.
Absolutely beautiful, Sundance and team. VERY well done!
ha. All of a sudden, there’s no way to get from a thread back to the Home Page w/o closing the site and opening again.
It was fine a half hour ago.
at the very top of page there is a menu bar and a link back to Home 😛
Not on my MacBook using Brave Browser there’s not!
Just link to CTH twitter at top and loooong search bar below that.
Maybe clear the cache(cookie) cause I just checked my Brave browser and its there
I’m using Brave and Duck Duck Go and everything still functions exactly as previously for me. I just hit the back arrow and it immediately takes me back to the Home Page.
Great Job!
Thanks for making this easier to read at 3:00 AM with my 80 year old eyes. This is a great improvement.
Where are the links to the other news sites?
a work in progress so be patient moderate man 😛
TREEHOUSE LOOKS GRRREAT !!!
This looks amazing. I’ll keep this short Sundance, I love you man!
looks super sharp on my iPad… TY Sundance!
Gosh, this place just keeps getting better and better.
WOW!
Thank you for all you have done and do.
~ Sundance, YOU are a wonder !
There is such a thing as a stupid question and likely I’m providing an example…..but, as someone looking for a new platform to host a site with a store, gallery and possibly more features I’m wondering if there would be an advantage to wait for awhile to take advantage of the anti-fragile technology you are providing. Is that is realistic or just wishful thinking on my part?
The deplatforming, demonitizing and cancelling of anything that doesn’t please the whims of the pc gods is happening at such a rapid pace that it is hard to know where to turn. I’m soooo impressed with the miracle that TCH performed getting off Word Press and I’m hoping more miracles are on the horizon.
BTW, I’m still hoping that in the future you can make some tweaks using optical scan reading to set up a “show” that can be “watched” for around 60 minutes. It doesn’t need anchors, just reading what’s already available in a pleasing format. Your insight and info is so good it would make Rush look like a piker. lol. Really.. a few tweaks…
Looks good on my Kindle. I used to have issue trying to post so this will be a test post.
Smooth as silk and fast. Good job !
The transition back in early December was completely transparent from my experience. I had eliminated everything tied to Google on my computer. I de-installed Chrome as my browser. Next, I moved to Firefox whom I soon became disenchanted with (again!) and then loaded and moved to Brave. I’ve been very satisfied with its performance and use Duck Duck Go as the search engine. My only concern is that I’ve heard Brave is a descendant from Chrome. Anyone know if Google is still lurking in the background because of my use of Brave?
BEAUTIFUL! Love the new fonts, crisp.
One very low priority wish: a Dark Mode theme switch to change to a black background and white text.
For people who spend 12+ hr/day at screens, it is MUCH easier on the eyes and brain.
I have my reader view setup exactly like you are describing 🙂
Yes. A little darker background would be much appreciated.
amd sucks
Download Flux
It changes the background screen according to daylight/nightlight
https://justgetflux.com/
I’m not sure though who is behind Flux…
Thanks. I’m wary of downloading these “smart” add ons. I’ll wear sun glasses instead….
Thank you SD and ALL.
“AIR SUPPLY EVEN THE NIGHTS ARE BETTER: dedicated to ya’all . I’m too old to know how to set it up. Hugs.
Heck , even if it all comes out as stick figures. I still LOVE IT HERE !!! <3, <3.
Looks great! Love the new look 🙂
Very impressive what you and your team have accomplished! And thanks for thinking of the readers and posters first — it means a lot.
Thank you for this huge and important undertaking. You are appreciated. I will have opportunities to donate now that I’ve FINALLY found a job. Age discrimination sucks.
I visit this site exclusively on my phone (no computer).
THANK YOU! my eyes thank you too.
nice
I love you Sundance-and the entire CTH team. I feel blessed to have discovered this group a few year s ago. I will be giving cold cash to help sustain t his wondrous resource for truth, inspiration, and Christian fellowship. God bless t his en tire community of tree dwellers.
Love the new look site!
And my gravitar has better resolution.
Everyone keeps thinking it’s “Angry Eyes”. It’s not.
Love the new layout, Thank you so much for the CTH 2.0 site ????
Excellent. Thank you all.
WELL DONE!
Especially now the DemScum and Left are trying to cancel anyone who doesnt “Group Think”
They are coming for all of us.
I like it but it took me by surprise when I first came on today .I couldn;t find the comments Under the posting like usual and thought.. oh no what happened.. till I figured it out..
The white background is too bright for my eyes, which are a bit sensitive. Hard for me to read on my laptop.
What a great wake-me-up! Good job to the techies!
Desktop: The text is running way over (past) the right margin of the screen on March 4 Presidential thread this AM. (Brave Browser). Have to use horizontal scroll 9right) to read. May need some tweeks for auto-sizing.
Mobile: Looks pretty good. Seems to be “sizing” optimizing to the mobile screen size. Much easier to read! Need more time to check.
Looks great though.
From an IT professional’s perspective. Nicely Done! Migrations are a difficult process.
I love the mew look!
One thing I’d love to see the return of the “older posts” / “newer posts” links at top/bottom/both – to navigate back and forth to older days.
I admit I neglected to try out the Historical Conversations feature before posting this, but sometimes I just have a busy day or two, and just need to roll back a page or two of posts to pick up where I left off.
What you have achieved in spite of the forces against you is remarkable.
Very Trumpian.
Bravo!
Well Done!!! ALWAYS FORWARD!!!
Well done!
Thumbs up!
Feels good to be nestled back in the branches with friends.
Hello all…
Thank you Sundance and team!
Made a small donation, thanks for investing in CTH.
Sundance, thank YOU and your Team for the long hours and grueling work to accomplish this. It is fantastic. Our Lord and Savior is on our side and I know that we will succeed.
God Bless ??????????
Well done Sundance and CTH team! Really like the new CTH!
(And it does well with my aging eyes!)
Excellent…love the lay out ………its gonna work great
Y’all done good!!!
Thank you ☘️??
Looks Great!