I would include internet connection type and speed to lin821's list, above. I'd also suggest using Firefox over IE, but whatever one being used when there's a problem, opening the other and comparing the performance of the two can also help isolating the problems, as well as all the above listed items.
ed1, that's why I put "...etc" in my post because I know my no-techie list was nowhere near complete.
(though it's good to know I was thinking at the right direction, i.e. ad-free vs free version; browser;... .)
Correct me if I am wrong, I have the impression that
Dovster is using dial-up.
(Or maybe it's during those "special times".)
ps. I have the basic DSL and "ad-ful" version of FT (i.e. the free version) and don't have the slowness problem in the last three weeks or so.