On a side note, the host suggests that I optimize images and consolidate CSS files.
He is not completely wrong, it might alleviate some strain, every little bit helps, no? But here is catch 22, I tried to trim down the css on the wiki (I can reduce about a third without too much hassle) but I can't update it because 403 Forbidden! At least images aren't an issue there, because of volume and the way mediawiki handles it.
.... I know the forum activity exploded but that still seems excessive considering this is still a fairly small forum.
Unfortunately, once you hit the ceiling, it usually tuns into a downward spiral. That is when people get an error they tend to obsessively refresh, generating extra calls for the already resource deprived sever..
The 7.1 patch thread was viewed 12000 times since December, assuming it's been downloaded that many times and the 5.54 as well, would be 1.2 Tb.....
Yeah, its most likely the single most offender as far as Eriks bandwidth stats goes. Probably more so for the portable version, but at least its not hosted here. Also it appears that most of the new users seem to have found a home on reddit.
Looks like Erik, changed the Aurora files hosting location, which should help. Btw, big thanks to Erik for working on all of this in the background!
Edited.