Tech Issue Slow

Checking in to confirm, not a problem it just is what it is, but the Roll20 site seems a bit slow compared to what I do on other websites. It seems to take "forever" to load a new page. When drawing maps for my game, I keep getting messages about being disconnected from the server. I haven't timed it but anecdotally I'd say the message lasts about 5 seconds, some days it's every minute or two, other days it pops up once or twice every 10-15 minutes. The issue has never caused a problem, my experience here is good and I appreciate Roll20 for providing this service. I'm just asking if there's a problem on my side of things, or if this is common to other users of this platform. Keep in mind, you're talking to an internet genius whiz here, so please keep jargon out and describe things in layman's terms if you have advice.

This sounds like an internet bandwidth issue (you have a slow internet connection at home). I would double check your internet speed and connection first - search for ‘internet speed test’ and see what kind of speed and ping rates you are getting. Try turning off any VPNs or Antivirus software temporarily to see if that helps relieve the issue.   It’s possible there is something else going on, but it’s helpful to diagnose things on your end first. 

Thank you, Jarren, good advice. As it turns out... pardon my whiz kid internet intellect jargon... It seems my internet provider was charging my neighbors for internet and instead of providing them with their own the company was siphoning off of my subscription. This isn't the appropriate place to do a deep discussion about it, but trust me, if it's happening here it's happening elsewhere. Within a few weeks you'll see news about someone with more resources than I have suing internet providers over this. I don't know why it started with the Roll20 site while my live streams were still working, but, whatever. The good news is that now I've got better internet than ever, and I saved $50 bucks by switching from a business to a homeowners account. Somehow I'm reminded of the AOL/ Dial-up/ per-minute scam we went through 20 years ago.

That process (statistical multiplexing/dynamic bandwidth allocation) is pretty standard for many network technologies, but it hits cable the worst, IMO. You're basically paying for a "maximum" bandwidth that they will allow you, but that is subject to bandwidth availability to your neighborhood, demand, usage, and any throttling the provider is applying. It has gotten better, but it is always the case that you're sharing bandwidth -- you just don't notice it until your neighborhood is near the capacity of the pipe servicing that area. Once you get near capacity, yes, it will look like your neighbors are siphoning off your connection. It will also, to them, look like you're siphoning off theirs... as everyone's demand is load balanced and everyone is acting below their contracted "maximum".

timmaugh, absolutely right. Thanks for the insight.  Anyways, I'm going to get back to playing D&D. It's nice to know we have friendly people here willing to help out with tech questions.