I just tried to load Stuff For Guys and there is a definite load time. Not a lot, but there is a bunch of different server calls. I agree that the load times need to be worked on, that is true of almost every web app. Hopefully there will be some tips to come out of this thread.
I am on the MT Gridserver which has had its share of ups and downs. Comparing different software on the same server, Pligg is definitely slower. You can test it out at my Wordpress site:
la.foodblogging.com
and my pligg site:
cheww.com
Let me know how they load for you.