@nonamethanks: Thanks for your valuable input, here's a few pointers on things you might want to consider as for why the approach you mention is wildly off the mark
On the topic of your auction server suggestion:
- DB space maybe isn't as important as it being fast?
- Maybe compute resource on it is too?
- Maybe network speed and latency are too?
- Maybe fast DMCA-proof reverse proxies aren't free?
On reading comprehension:
The post reads > 2 API/slave db server
I think it's clear each of these does BOTH api and db server, which is quite different when it comes to compute requirements from your "a single slave server"
Finally
> People can (and do) host entire websites like Gelbooru for that cost alone.
1. a booru (esp. gel) isn't nearly as complex or popular as this, otherwise BW costs alone would have sent them to the moon
2. source: you
We shall (and truly do) keep an eye out to avoid useless spend as no-one wants that. Neither you nor us.