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First lets explain what HTML view caching is. Each time a visitor requests a page Joomla makes the Mysql calls to the database pulls the needed infomation and then assembles it through the php then to html. This can be a lot of work and a lot of repetative work.
HTML Caching stores the final output of the page as a file and then when the second visitor calls the page the page is pulled from the file system rather than through all of the Mysql database queries. This is much faster and efficient. The page then stays as a file or cached until the time expires then at this point the page is regenerated and a new version is stored in the cache.
For a more detailed explanition of Joomla Caching check out this Joomla Caching Explained at the art of Joomla.
There are several extension that will cache you JReviews/Joomla site. Lets start with the JReviews settings
JReviews Caching Options
JReviews View Cache
This works for visitors only and only for the JReviews component pages. If you are not very familiar with caching options and have a simple site it is probably good to turn this one on.
You may want to turn off this option if you are using another sitewide caching solution. Generally I would recomend looking for a sitewide solution to cache your site. A sitewide solution will get all of your pages and one system is easier to manage than two.
JReviews Query Cache
This setting operated independently of the view cache and reduces the number of Queries the JReviews makes. The trade off is that the cache takes up more disk space.
If you can it is a good idea to turn this setting on with what ever extensions you are using. You may want to monitor the disk space it uses but it will most likely not be an issue.
Joomla Core Caching Options
Joomla Global Config Setting
found in Site > Global Configuration > System
Part of the core joomla system. Some modules and menu links can be
excluded from the cache. Works very well but does not have any options
to automaticaly clear the cache when a guest leaves a review. Check
the links at the bottom of this page to learn more about Joomla Core
Cacheing.
Joomla System - Cache Plugin
found in Extenions > Plugin Manager > System - Cache
Part of the core Joomla system. The setting will cache the entire
page. not possible to exlude any pages it is either on or off. Check
the links at the bottom of this page to learn more about Joomla Core
Cacheing.
3rd Party Caching Options
Cache Acclelerate
This extension has quite a few features. From Gzipping, to page Caching, to CSS/JS compression. The page caching is very flexible and triggers can be added so that a specific page or entire cache can be cleared based on a user event. Example a guest leaves a new review, when they hit submit, Cache Accelrate sees this and clears the referring page from the cache so that the visitor can see his review with out having to wait for the cache to time out or breaking the site.
If you are using Cache Acellerate it is best to disable the JReviews view cache.
Cache Accelerate has a raw mode where it will run very fast. I am still learning about this feature. Learn more about Cache Accelerate Raw Mode
Cache Accelerate Home Page
WEBO Website Optimizer
Have not worked with this one so not entirely sure if it works or not.
Other JReview Optimization Articles
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