Smooth Timers Plugin

Smooth Timers is a special technology used by  penny auction script to handle slipping of timer numbers due to server response delay.

Timers are most critical components of the penny auction software. The stable counting and full synchronization with server is critical component of the user trust.

Typically the server provides a response in less then 1 second, and the regular timers can be updated, but many times either server delays response or just user doesn’t receive it on time, for example because other communication on the same internet line (user watches YouTube or just sending something).

As a result of this stresses or problems, user of penny auctions websites often complains on slipping numbers, for example, counter goes 0:05, 0:04 -  00:01. If the user wanted to place bid on number 00:02 or 00:03 – he had no such opportunity.  That would lead to disappointment on his side and loosing trust in the website.
Smooth timers technology include two timers, javascript timer and direct timer.

Direct timer is not shown, but runs behind the scenes, to update javascript timer what is current server time. The javascript runs on client machine and called “smooth timer”, as it updates itself smoothly even if there is a delayed response from the server.

FAQ on smooth timers

Competing  Scripts

Are competing scripts have the same problems?
Yes, all competing scripts use regular timers and have these problems.
Only custom modification, like this plugin, allow to overcome this problem

Is smooth timers included in my Enterprise Version?

Look in your contract. If it’s not specified directly, it’s not included. We include it in Enterprise versions signed after 4.4.2010 only

Is it included in my Standard Version package?

We never include it in standard version, because the standard version is vulnerable to server load, until database double layer installed.

If I have Smooth Timer, does it mean I protected from delays completely.

No, there is no full protection ever, as even most strong server can experience problems with server load, but the amount of the users having a problem with small delays is significantly reduced.

The most common delay is about 1-2 seconds, and smooth timers allow to overcome this latency problem.