What can be done about Computicket?

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Macethy

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So as some of you may know, the sale of Linkin Park tickets started this morning with the BRILLIANT online queuing system and it has been a disaster in less than three hours. This isn't the first time it's happened, with Lady Gaga and other international artist bookings experiencing the same problems.

I was wondering (to all you tech savvy people), what technologically could be done about their site to help with the constant crashing / overloading of it? Would buying more servers help? investing in cloud technology with international servers work?

This is purely out of interest and had this discussion with a friend a few days ago.
 
Macethy said:
So as some of you may know, the sale of Linkin Park tickets started this morning with the BRILLIANT online queuing system and it has been a disaster in less than three hours. This isn't the first time it's happened, with Lady Gaga and other international artist bookings experiencing the same problems.

I was wondering (to all you tech savvy people), what technologically could be done about their site to help with the constant crashing / overloading of it? Would buying more servers help? investing in cloud technology with international servers work?

This is purely out of interest and had this discussion with a friend a few days ago.
Click to expand...

Computicket are clearly the only website in the world who face this kind of problem and hence customised and creative solutions need to be developed for "large" amounts of traffic :rolleyes::erm:
 
They need to change their queue system imo. As in if their server is at capacity you can not get into a queue or anything you are simply told that you must wait and try again later. What ever uses as little resources as possible. Otherwise maybe improve server capacity a little.
 
Design and spec a proper system.... but why do something that'll cost money?
 
Online Queuing System
You are now in the queue for Linkin Park - JHB ONLY tickets. When you reach the front of the queue, you will have 10 minutes to enter the site and complete your transaction.
What is this?
There are more than 1000 in line in front of you
 
As a developer working on super-high traffic systems (way, way in excess of Computicket) I cannot help but point and laugh at this complete cock-up.

They are probably running off a bootleg copy of Windows 2000 server, on an old 486 sitting under their CEO's desk.
 
Event organisers could use the alternative ticket services. It just makes you look bad using Computicket.
 
Someone should step in and challenge this monopoly that is Computicket and BigConcerts.
 
I have heard, possibly false, is that the payment gateway they use is where the hold up occurs and that crashes trying to service all the requests. If this is the case there is not much Computicket can do. However they can get contracts with the other gateway providers and load balance across the providers. Its not rocket Science. However this requires money and time to develop.

If this is not the case they should try and make use of cloud computing and just increase and decrease capacity as they so need to. It really isn't hard.

But at the end of the day. The Concert organiser gets a sold out concert even if people cant get tickets. and Computicket still make the desired amount of profit for a sold out show.
 
xrapidx said:
Online Queuing System
You are now in the queue for Linkin Park - JHB ONLY tickets. When you reach the front of the queue, you will have 10 minutes to enter the site and complete your transaction.
What is this?
There are more than 1000 in line in front of you
Click to expand...

It's been telling me that since 9am this morning. I don't even think that I'm in any queue at all, they're probably just keeping me there and updating the time to give me hope.
 
pilks said:
I have heard, possibly false, is that the payment gateway they use is where the hold up occurs and that crashes trying to service all the requests. If this is the case there is not much Computicket can do. However they can get contracts with the other gateway providers and load balance across the providers. Its not rocket Science. However this requires money and time to develop.

If this is not the case they should try and make use of cloud computing and just increase and decrease capacity as they so need to. It really isn't hard.

But at the end of the day. The Concert organiser gets a sold out concert even if people cant get tickets. and Computicket still make the desired amount of profit for a sold out show.
Click to expand...

Usually it's their entire site and Checkers terminals that all come tumbling down, so doubt it's the payment gateway.

Cloud computing is perfect for this scenario, but it is harder than just chucking it on there. If you don't build your system specifically for the applicable cloud provider you're not going to gain much.

That being said, it's not THAT hard either... Not hard enough to quantify the 4+ years of issues.
 
Blame the venues /promoters that use Computicket.

Is there an alternative though ( one that can actually handle the demand ) ?
 
pilks said:
But at the end of the day. The Concert organiser gets a sold out concert even if people cant get tickets. and Computicket still make the desired amount of profit for a sold out show.
Click to expand...

+ 1
 
Frikkenator said:
Usually it's their entire site and Checkers terminals that all come tumbling down, so doubt it's the payment gateway.

Cloud computing is perfect for this scenario, but it is harder than just chucking it on there. If you don't build your system specifically for the applicable cloud provider you're not going to gain much.

That being said, it's not THAT hard either... Not hard enough to quantify the 4+ years of issues.
Click to expand...

A single slow component can take an entire site down under load. You end up with threads queueing waiting to access the payment gateway and none left to serve any other requests.

The problem with this queue system is it turns the website into just 1 other outlet. They're missing the point of the internet.. I may aswell just go to a physical store and get the same/better service.
 
they are pathetic at best
at least WP Rugby are using another supplier and for a change one did not have to take the day off to stand in a queue
hope others follow by using ticketweb or similar
 
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