We have two big solutions being implemented. We are adding a second database server in a master/slave configuration. So all writes will go to one server, which will get mirrored on the other, from which all reads will come. Second, we are finally deploying our new search. We had to work to add in a lot of the existing functionality, and almost all of it is there now. The upside is that it will be significantly more efficient on the server load. Between the two, this should make a very significant improvement in the site's performance.

-- John