The current server has 4 gigs of RAM. I just received a proposal for an upgrade to a newer server (this one was placed in service in 2009) that has 12 gig RAM and is a faster processor. (and cheaper.)

That should help some of the performance issues as RAM is the biggest choke point other than connection speed and 4x4Wire is in a good location within the internet hierarchy.

I have experimented with an "off-site" server for images using a Flickr 4x4Wire account. That was actually slower at display than images on the server.

But, I believe that is a Flickr issue as others have images hosted on their image server and they display fine in the forums.

I have looked at the "cloud" concept and the available options are more expensive and no confirmed increase in performance over a dedicated server.

I do have a dedicated 4x4wire Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/MUIRNet/

Driving traffic is a matter of posting an article link to your Facebook page.