Dicho brings up an interesting point. I guess I'm the one who usually changes titles - JoeClones are very limited in what they're allowed to do.

Generally, I don't change thread titles because I think that the person who starts a thread should be able to find it. Sometimes, I will add to a thread title so people will more readily know what's inside a thread; and I often change the thread prefix if it's wrong - but I don't change the basic title very often.


I'm much more active in changing message titles. If lyrics are posted that aren't in the Digital Tradition, I try to ensure that the message has ADD and the song title (with correct spelling). I miss some, but I think I have a pretty good batting average on that. You can get some false hit on ADD threads because every message will have the word ADD in it, but you can be pretty sure that there will be lyrics in at least one message in the thread.
If there are alternate spellings or alternate song titles, I try to put the alternates in at least one message in the thread (note that there is one message in the "Camparsita" thread with the "Cumparsita" spelling).

When we have a number of threads on the same song, I had been posting cross-links in the first message of each thread, so people can easily refer to the other threads on the song.

Recently, Pene gave me the ability to transfer messages from one thread to another, so I've been moving messages from shorter threads into the related thread that has more messages. This can be a bit confusing when you see a thread that starts with the posting of lyrics and ends with a request for the same song - I'm working on a way to clarify that, but haven't come up with something yet.

So, I guess I'd suggest that if you're looking for music information, your best bet might be to use the Forum Search, at least until we can figure out a way to automate the SuperSearch index. Note, however, that the latest SuperSearch index is newer than the latest edition of the Digital Tradition, so the SuperSearch works quite well for searching the DT.

As for non-music threads, I have to say that I stay away from them most of the time. I make sure they have a "BS:" designation, and then leave them alone. I really don't like to be bothered with making corrections in "BS:" threads.

-Joe Offer-

Here's a message from one of the JoeClones: (JoeClones are traditionally anonymous, which is why I'm adding my remarks to Joe's instead of adding a new message under my own name.) Lately I've made it my business to check every thread that starts with "Lyr Req:" and be sure that every message that contains lyrics has an appropriate title (a.k.a. subject). Some examples of good subject lines are:

Lyr Add: IN PRAISE OF ALCOHOL (Robert W. Service)
Lyr Add: FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN (Uncle Dave Macon)
Lyr Add: THREE JOLLY HUNTSMEN (trad. Lancashire)
Lyr Add: FOOLIN' AROUND (Louvin Brothers)
Lyr Add: SANTA LUCIA (trad. Italian)

Here are my rules: (1) I always use the prefix "Lyr Add:" except when it would be more appropriate to use "Lyr/Chords Add:" or "Lyr/Tune Add:" or some other combination. (2) I always follow this with the song title in all caps. I believe the song title should be spelled exactly the way it was on the recording or other published source, if the source is known. (3) If space permits, and if the information is readily available, I also try to include the name of the songwriter, performer, or ethnic origin (in parentheses, in upper/lower case). If you do these things yourself when you post lyrics, you will save me some work.

But I don't like to spend a lot of time checking spelling and verifying sources. If the person who posted the lyrics got the title or author wrong, I will probably get it wrong, too.

My goal is to make the Forum Search a reliable way to find songs. I have already accomplished a lot toward that goal. I usually look at new or refreshed "Lyr Req:" threads within 2 days after people quit posting to them. I have also looked back at old "Lyr Req:" threads as far back as nearly a year. I will continue going back further as time permits.

--JoeClone, 9-May-02.