I waited to have the site pretty much finished to ask this important question:

Using K2 and Nuevvo template (along with AllVideos, SIGPro and maybe other extension like sh404SEF), what is the cache setting that you recommend for optimal performance?

1.- Plugin manager: System-Cache enabled or disabled? If enabled, use browser caching or not?
2.- Global configuration - system - cache settings: Cache on or off? If on, conservative or progressive?
3.- Global configuration - server - server settings: Gzip Page Compression on or off?
4.- The use of other extension like RT RokBooster: is it recommended?

I can say that, sadly, at least using Kiji, when system-cache (plugin) is enabled Hits Count doesn't work. The same occurs when global configuration cache is on (either conservative or progressive).

Regards,
Felipe Z.

Hello Felipe,

Hits and voting will not work if the caching plugin is not rendered last.

The configuration we are using is
Plugin Disabled,
Cache on, progressive and APC (if available) instead of file caching.

Finally use of extensions like RokBooster is discouraged since they strip code or inline image and usually cause conflicts with our products.

If you have found out the optimal settings for these plugins you can use them.

Thanks again Krikor for your time and support.

You know, I just browsed this topic, "hits counter doesn't work when cache is on", and it seems to be a (HUGE) Joomla and K2 issue.
From my point of view it is unacceptable, since site performance with cache on improves so drastically.
So now I will have to hide the hits counter, that looked so fine at left of the article.
Even with caching plugin rendered last, hits counter doesn't work. Even with caching plugin disabled, but with cache on (conservative or progressive), hits counter doesn't work.

I don't have APC, just 1Gb RAM VPS.

Regards,
Felipe Z.

Unfortunately Felipe,

SInce this is a core (not a K2) issue I cannot assist you in this.

Since it is not working properly, maybe it's better to not consider the Hits Counter when design a template...
You can see that even on your demo hits counter is not working properly (cache on).

Other thing Krikor: Joomla Gzip Page Compression is recommended?

Regards,
Felipe Z.

In a template you have to design almost all the elements, even if they are not used by all users.

As for Gzip compression, yes you should turn that on.

Tip: If you are on a VPS consider adding Varnish, it will definitely speed up your K2 site.