Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   gafhptva
   Member

   To first clarify, I have been a viewer for actually well over a year although I just had to register (really re-register) to post comments. Anyway, I don't know how this could be incorporated, it's just an ideal. As the comment list grows with a daily offering, it often time gets large with both helpful and unhelpful information...that is the nature of the beast. Yes, sometimes site moderation, careful reading, getting to know really knows their 'stuff' or particular specialization helps immensely in 'self'-filtering through what is important and applicable. However, even with that you find that 'junk' comments and noise make it through. That's still ok. Even great and good comments may not be applicable to a particular individual. I am NOT advocating a way to keep ANYTHING from being posted, but rather a tool for one to filter through this based on one's needs.

   My filter ideal envisions the commenter to have at least check some basic boxes to post their comment. For example, OS and RAM size. I realize their are more factors that can be made to 'check box'(brand, video card specs, etc), but not too many as that can cause some problems of it's own. I am not advocating any filtering by things that must be typed in as text. So then, as a comment reader, I can activate some filtering to see what might be applicable to my XP 1GB ram laptop versus what might be applicable to my Vista 2GB ram desktop. By default, maybe I can see all comments but when I want to cut down the comment list somewhat or significantly, I can activate some filtering parameters. I understand there might need to be a 'check box' option for a comment to be posted without any categorization for numerous reasons. However, this tool could be helpful not only for viewing individuals but also in possibly, if only slightly, keeping people from some repetitive posts. For example, I see a post that I decide to comment on thinking I'm helping or even 'scolding' someone, I may not realize I'm comparing apples to oranges because we didn't exchange enough information. We end up helping no one, start others commenting on it with the same lack of info, clutter the comment board and start the whole vicious cycle over again. Everyone loses. If just some very basic items can be filtered it may be beneficial to everyone involved.

   Just an ideal. I don't have any ideal what it entails or how to do it. I do know if it is worthwhile, there are number of people around here who are talented enough to do it.

   Posted 16 years ago #
2. 

   RunesageMagik
   Member

   I agree that there should be a way of displaying a poster's PC specs, but some of the folks here have 2 or 3 different computers, so where to draw the line?

   Can you offer a current tech forum (or any forum) with a filter system similar to your concept? None come to mind. They all seem to labor under the same burdens, an inevitable result of attracting everyone from newbie to expert to joker to complainer, with every PC and OS known to man (or woman). Even forums that offer categorization, e.g., Investor Village's "TYPE" (GN for general, TA for technical analysis, OT for Off Topic), or those that identify the poster by length of membership or ratings by other members, it's usually faster to skim posts and move on.

   I'll admit guilt for hijacking a few threads. (accidentally, mind you) Figured if I was too much of a nuisance, the omnipotent Bubby or the good ladies would smack me upside my head; but no, they're joining in! I'm a bad influence.

   Posted 16 years ago #
3. 

   gafhptva
   Member

   Therein lies my point...I have 3 computers myself. Follow me now and I'd like further debate on why it wouldn't work. Make 'the line' very broad at first. OS would qualify that immensely. Now, in default view I could do the usual skim. Now, when I want pertinent info for my XP laptop I activate the filter to help with my skim filtering. When I need some pertinent info for my Vista desktop...bam...I activate that filtering. On the flip side, if I have a comment to give.that is seemingly 'all-inclusive', you can have the option of posting without qualification. That kind of posting is default anyway for the ability to skim all the way it is now. It's just a tool available that could save some skimming time. It is without a doubt, not to be an always used tool. It is valuable for help after arriving towards the end of the software posting with gazillions of posts with normally unqualified and unknown pertinence. Thus, inducing and inciting more of the same. I'd really love to hear from anyone knowing more than I do (which I'll concede is not much) why this would not work.

   Posted 16 years ago #
4. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   phew... I'm relieved we are talking about this place (the forums). For a heart-stopping minute I thought you were referring to categorising the daily comments on the fly (whilst spinning six plates balanced on each of my extremities. hmm the math might be wrong, but the visual image works).

   The comments section everything can come really fast, and when trying to manage other tasks as well the temptation is to just approve everything and if someone complains, deal with it later.

   I try to deal with each as they arrive - so hopefully repeat questions, threats of bodily harm, suggestions for free porn sites, and general flame wars never actually surface on the visible site. To expect a moderator to further classify these into categories (when some comments might cover several issues or viewpoints) is an awful lot of work (full time almost).

   Hopefully not moderating by "approve everything, then delete reported violations" and taking a slightly more active role can reduce the overall number of posts - and make it much easier for the reader.

   In the forums - well being a little more "hidden" and to some extent, the inmates running the asylum there is a little more freedom to discuss issues or just talk to one another (we do acknowledge that real people use the forums, with experiences, lives, issues and (multiple) personalities - to try to stop that and make it 100% technical summaries, would be to deny what we want - we are curious and want to learn, we have problems (some more than others) and we want to solve them, we have knowledge that we want to share.

   So - What I can do in the forums - If there is a thread or topic that is too difficult to follow - or seems too spread out - let me know. I could condense it possibly - or remove some of the "more dated" chat.

   Note: I've mentioned before that thread hijackings or chat will be removed or edited at the discretion of the admins or moderators - Instead of hijacking a thread and taking it to off-topic-land, create a new topic in talks - at least that is easier to nuke once the family reunion has ended.

   Also - I haven't mentioned it - but hopefully people can see the "REPORT" option under each post - clicking this allows you to notify the GOTD Admins and moderators (including me) to review the post for removal. Note that your user id is sent with the report - so it isn't anonymous (no prank reports please). The owner of the reported post is not notified (No reprisal "drive-by spammings").

   If you see something that is a serious breach of our most forgiving rules - don't hesitate to click it. There is enough activity here in the forums, that it is no longer feasible to read every single post, and still have time to do useful stuff, like play with GGOTD downloads.

   Posted 16 years ago #
5. 

   gafhptva
   Member

   Well BuBBy, thanks for that view behind the curtain at the 'Wizard of Oz'. I didn't pretend to know the whys because I didn't realize how much it took to maintain what we do have. The analogies and word pics gave me some good chuckles. Well, after the good laughs. I actually see your points. In turn, my conclusions are these. I can still get my dose of daily 'entertainment' while skimming through what I may need, for the good of the many. Knowing that and having seen the moderation, much more so lately, is definitely a plus. However, I am fairly certain that I will probably never put myself in a position of being a tattletale anyway. You are certainly better able to judge anyway; and I'm fairly certain you and/or more knowledgeable people would take care of it anyway. I'd hate to point out the obvious thinking that I'd actually solved an important oversight and thus show MY stupidity. Most importantly, based on what I see out there I should probably be directing alittle more time to the 'asylum' here when needing help anyway. I appreciate the explanation and the work you all do that I don't fully know to get us the software you offer. Well, now I can roam the 'dungeon' alittle freer with the other 'inmates'. Blow up my thread when ready, unless of course this could become required reading for those thinking they can also save the world. LOL. Thanks again.

   Posted 16 years ago #
6. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   gafhptva (how is that pronounced?), as always you are welcome to just make yourself at home - help yourself to anything you can find in the fridge. If you have any questions or are trying to find a particular piece of free software just jump in and ask. And if you know an answer to a question - or maybe can help someone else - you don't need an invitation to help - just say hi and spill your... well if you can't help - you can help dig their hole a little deeper and faster (2 shovels are better than 1).

   Our highly trained inmates are always excited to get a fresh project. Escape is not an option.

   Posted 16 years ago #

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