Basically the forums load really quickly. Checking site analyzers, it's almost entirely Google AdSense that takes up the bulk of the site load time. The site still loads in like 1.5s, but an entire second of that is from Google AdSense. Also noticed that the SSL TLS handshake was taking a solid 120ms. That can be sped up by using OCSP stapling.
For a normal TLS handshake your browser talks to the server, and says "Who are you, what's your secret key?" The server then replies, "Oh it's this key right here." Client says, "Alright. Let me verify this. Let me check with the central server." So the central server replies with the other side of the key. Every single user has to do that same step. Why not have the server cache the value and send it along with the other responses? Seems easier. Saves everyone a trip. So that is what OCSP stapling does. Maybe it will save 80ms.
