I don't know how it works when you're testing the new bits of the game, or if it is likely to affect us, but recently I've had a few days when my connection has been very slow or I've been unable to reach the server, and have wondered whether it is because Tiny Speck is testing new stuff out.
Is it possible that what you're doing over there in developer land could be causing the lag? If so I wonder if we could have a little sign on the home page to tell us when. Not in advance, just during. Remember the 'we are closed' sign from the first Beta? Bit like that. Just so we know we don't have to send you more bug reports or get on the phone to our ISP again.
If that's not the case, please don't treat this as a help topic, you've already been more than helpful.