You should consider using xcache, it gives a very very nice performance boost. Its also very easy to install. I've been using it for 3 months now (switched from eaccelerator) and have been very happy with it.
An update on this, I've decided to make the hack into a "module" due to the demand. Basically I'll put all the code needed into the news module (you'll need mod_rewrite enabled on your server) and I plan on releasing it sometime during June.
skenow wrote: When you consider the database that drives this site is close to 1GB, you realize there will be some performance improvement opportunities
A 1GB DB isn't exactly uncommon these days. MySQL is well designed and can easily handle large databses.
I look forward to the new servers though. Are you guys using a load balancer in front of them?
Lets please not turn XOOPS into a MySpace style CMS, then it wouldn't be the framework that it currently is. The interaction stuff falls on module developers, not so much the core developers. For example, you can easily make a YouTube like module in XOOPS, provided your familar with PHP.
A friend of mine used anhosting (its run by MidPhase) and he had a lot of downtime. He definitely does not recommend it.
1and1 is cheap, you just don't get any support. I've had a dedicated server there for 2 years, just canceled last month. Uptime of their network is very good, support is non-existent and un-knowledgeable.