I would hope the plugin be improved maybe by setting the next image as a hidden DOM element or something. Wish I cud code it myself but there are real programmers out there who may be able to do something. My site targets a country so asking them to play nice with images esp the less tech savvy is problematic

I understand and agree with you to a certain point.  The fact is that those with deep pockets like FB and other sites have invested big bucks in ways to offset that load time.  There is only so much you can do with coding.  I am sure they have dedicated servers just for images and other servers just for videos.  

The issue for most of us is that many of us are on shared servers and it is just impossible to compare that to what FB uses for their big dollar platform.  

Improvements are always needed as times change, but remember your objective should never be to compete with FB but to have your own identity and own following.  There are millions of users that hate FB with a passion due to the privacy issues and unfriendly environment. 

My thought is that one day FB will just crash and be gone as fast as it came.  Those that have focused on their own identity will survive, and those that rode on the heals of FB will die with them. 

But even with FB you have a whole world of ready followers just asking for someway to be social without all the fuss and complications.  Those are the ones we should all be focused on in our own niche market.

Sorry to be so long winded...