Delay and throughput answer different questions
A quick first reply and a fast transfer describe different parts of an experience. A single number cannot stand in for both.
The complete index
Notes
A reading collection about transfer time, fair comparisons and proportionate checks.
Begin with any of these seven notes. The section list and neighbouring readings offer a route back when a question changes.
Give a small page a small request budget
The work of opening a page includes its supporting files. A useful page can remain rich in explanation while asking the network to do very little.
Compare two attempts fairly
Two numbers become a useful comparison only when their conditions are known. The differences around the numbers can matter more than their size.
Keep a useful observation
A useful observation begins with a small question. Decide which result would help answer it before choosing what to collect.
Use a checklist for the parts worth remembering
A short checklist can protect an easily missed step. It works best when each item points to an observable result and a meaningful decision.
Leave a connection check easy to repeat
A short record of the question, conditions and result is usually more reusable than a large collection of unexplained output.
Read a reference note with a question in hand
A reference page is easier to use when you know which decision it should help you make. Reading can be a small, directed part of the work.