From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes

Subject: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:52 PM

We're a week or two away from a new and improved Mudcat. Don't worry, nothing is very different, Pene and I just took all (well, most) of the suggestions over the last year or two and made functional improvements to the Mudcat. I just wanted to give you one more chance to put your two cents in so we can possibly include it into the new version. I'll try to list some of the things so not to waste time here. Pene and I will also edit this thread for efficiency.

NEW FOR MUDCAT

Much improved personal message management - Archive and Delete multiple messages, etc.

Personal Messages and Quicklinks on every page (in the banner)

No more AskSam - More powerful and efficient searching and will crash the server less.

More Permathreads in a drop down (less space) - This is in response to a great suggestion in the Elixir thread about making sense of all the wonderful data here on the cat.

Better space management and more consistent and intuitive naming of things.

Better Links section

Software upgrades to make Mudcat more reliable and faster

Auction Update (easier to use, less confusion)

Automatic formatting in Forum Messages (NO MORE BR's!!!!!!)

And we're gonna struggle to get these done in time:
Dynamic What's On
Advanced Mudcat Locator
Global Venue Listing System

And if we can raise $150 for a great chat program Pene discovered.

Hmmm... might be forgetting something. Anyhow, that's it for now. Let me know what else you greedy bastards might want. And NO, I'm not ready to go to member-only posting or IP addresses or email addresses or other GUEST deterrents at this time (I'm still thinking about that).

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:02 PM

Hi Max,

How about a system where the person who makes a thread gets that thread listed as a trace automatically on his/her personal page? This may be more complicated than it seems because of the guests' being able to make threads but not having personal pages.

It's Doable. What do others think about this? - Max

By the way, when are you shipping me that CD cabinet full of CDs? *grin*

You'll just have to come and get em - Max

Brett

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:16 PM

As I have said, the Global Venue listings are already available via Mojam, but if a do-able one is going to be here, great.

I was specifically interested in Mudcatters experiences and clubs in their local areas. One's they may have played or gone to. So if, say, Bill Sables were to come back over, and the club was perfect for his act, that we could try to get him a gig there. Sort of a Mudcat-as-a-collective-agent kind of thing - Max

Seamus Kennedy has a tone of voice he uses when declining to perform requested songs not in his plan for a particular evening, or that he otherwise does not wish to do-- that tone says "I love ya but, nope, no way!" It conveys neatly that he is not operating a democracy, but maybe something even better. *G*

So if it's a NOPE on any of the following, fine with me!

Could the info on appropriate thread titling be shown on the Create a Thread page?

Not sure I understand this. - Max

Could the reasons why entering SOME screen name be shown for guests when they create a new post?

Not really. - Max

Could mailing an e-mail version of the FAQ or SOME welcome/orientation message become automatic when new members join, or could a volunteer take it on?

Good Idea, I'll think about this one. - Max

Could there be a link to see Member Profiles when reading a post, as an additional option besides reviewing all that person's posts? (LOTS of boards now do this.)

We have a little of this in the new site, but I supose we could link it to a profile if they have one in the resources as well. Pene, can we do this? - Max

I'll try to work that, and some other ideas I have for MP&I, into my ever-growing to-do list. --Jeff

Could a "Save as Text File" button be added for an entire thread or single posts?

Now you are just getting lazy. Though I may be able to do something for the whole threads. - Max

Could you please NOT add emoticon buttons!?!?!?!

No Problem! - Max

And if the answer to any of these is NOPE-- whatever, Max, this is still the best site on the Net!

~Susan

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Amos
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:26 PM

I'd like to be able to select personal archive items or sent messages and then save the whole lot locally either in HTML or plain text format. Alternatively I would like to be able to tell the server to mail me such a text file, if there was some barrier to local save scripting.

Got to think about this one. I know where you are coming from, but it might just be too much a pain in the ass to pull off for the 1% that would use it. - Max

I dunno how I'm gonna break the bracket-p habit on my sig now, Max!! I'm so used to bracket peeing on the 'Cat that I don't even think about it!

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:28 PM

*G*

Belay that Text Save thing, I just realized I can do that from IE with Save As.

~S~

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: SharonA
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:38 PM

"whatever, Max, this is still the best site on the Net! " Amen.

The only "big thing" I'd like to see is to have the FAQ as a separate "blue letter" item in the banner, instead of first going into the Forum and then looking for the FAQ as a PermaThread. That was very confusing to me as a newbie.

We modified its location and may add it to a few places. - Max

Can thread prefixes be made mandatory? It would be easier to search for music threads that way. If they can be, a few prefix names may have to be added (especially for those who are offended by the phrase "BS" in certain circumstances).

Nah, I like freedom and ease. The new PermaThread Tools should solve the problem from the other end. Plus Volunteers can now rename threads. - Max

Also, just a question: Is it possible to make it so that Personal pages will refresh? Or am I the only one who would benefit from that?!

That's an easy one. I'll make it an option. - Max

Thanks, Max, for all you do.

SharonA

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: MMario
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:42 PM

Amos's item is also available with "save link as" - at least on the PC side. (I don't know if Mac users have that option)

I *would* really really really like to be able to date limit a forum search - as before or after a certain date - or between certain dates. - ditto for the thread filter.

I'm not going to be able to do it in the supersearch due to limitations in the indexing software, but I can do it for the thread filter. - Max

But what is planned sounds really exciting. especially the chat feature - as that may well reduce some of the threads that some people find objectionable.

We have already received the contribution for the chat software. Thank you (should I mention who? No, you can admit it if you want, you know who you are.) But thank you very very much. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:48 PM

Max, I appreciate your forbearance on the Guest issue, as some of us who have never attempted to impersonate or obfiscate identities, still would like to read and contribute to this great site. Until my personal computer is up and running, I must spent portions of my lunch hour composing, and then submitting when I can. I know it's a privledge you extend, and I attempt to treat it as such.

Thanks again...

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From:
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:49 PM

Amos, I can do that (save as text file, or e-mail to myself), it's called a Text Browser. Makes such things really easy.

Alternatively you can take WYSIWYG's suggestion of using the Save As, or you can cut-n-paste the e-mail into your word-processor/e-mail program.

Max, thanks again for the wonderful job of hosting. I think I don't have any "buts". I assume the revamp will correct the "FIST" I get instead of "FIRST" on the searches.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:52 PM

No, Mmario, I think Amos is talking about batch saves after the fact, from archive, without opening each one up. Knowing you could do that would allow for a plan where you would archive only what you plan on keeping in a downloaded form later.

Like, if I were to be able to tell the machine, "Save me all the messages I sent to (and got from) Mmario, in 2001" and put them here on this drive or on a CD, etc.

How about you all learn SQL and I'll let you query the database freely for whatever you want. I can just see it now, SQL practice Thread. I'll just disable UPDATE, INSERT and DELETE functions. So the above SQL statement would be something like: [SELECT * FROM PERSONALMESSAGES WHERE FromMember=MMario AND MESSAGEDATE IS GT 12/31/2000 AND MESSAGEDATE IS LT now()] Note, that I absolutely won't do this (the SQL thing). But I will see what else I can do. - Max

~S~

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:54 PM

I really don't give a rat's ass Max, I'll be here one way or another.........much to the chagrin of some.

I really would like at least a reminder on the "Create a Thread" page to get people to at least look for a previous thread somehow. WE have nine threads on the movie "Songcatcher" which I think may be more people than have seen the movie............Something in big bold red letters would be nice and it could read:

LOOK DUMBASS.......DON'T START A FREAKIN' THREAD UNLESS YOU'VE CHECKED TO SEE IF AN EXISTING THREAD MIGHT ANSWER YOUR SIMPLEASS QUESTION OR BE ABOUT THE SAME THING AS THE ONE YOU ARE SO ANXIOUS TO START. FAILURE TO DO THIS WILL ERASE ALL MEMORY FROM YOUR HARD DRIVE SO IT WILL MATCH THE MEMORY OF YOUR BRAIN, OR LACK THEREOF.

............or words to that effect.....................just a thought.........

Words to that effect have been done on the new site. - Max

Spaw

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 03:59 PM

Nicely done MAX!!! Congradulations all the way around.

How about an MP3 section?

I would love to do this. The technology is not even half the battle though. Logistics in reviewing material for appropriateness, copyright, format, etc would kill our volunteers (or they would kill me). It may also bring unwanted attention to The Mudcat from Publishers. ASCAP found me with a worm searching for media files. Gosh, though I sure would like to do this. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From:
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:05 PM

There are some technical directions that seem to be repeated regularly, such as how to insert a "blue clicky" and how to load/play a MIDI file. Perhaps these could be put into the FAQ someplace. Or maybe they're already there and I just can't find them.

Its in there - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Amos
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:09 PM

I can handle individual threads and messages just fine, MM -- I'd like to automatically select a slew of "Sents" or "Archive" items and save them all of into one contiguous text file on my own hard disk.

A.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Kim C
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:10 PM

The blue clicky instructions are in the FAQ- that's where I found them. Under HTML something or other.

What about secure e-commerce for t-shirts, donations, auction items?

Got it. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Marion
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:20 PM

What I think would be nice is if the option to limit a Supersearch to just Forum or just DT were there on the forum's main page, and not just offered when doing a second search.

Thanks for asking Max,

Marion

This is done in the new site. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:20 PM

Aw, Spaw, just when I really thought you were a pussy cat! Thank you Max, for your forebearance towards your 'Guests'; most of us are here to do our bit to help.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:27 PM

Amen to all the praises above. (There, got that religious stuff out of my system. I feel a lot better now...)

Everything sounds wonderful, Max and Jeff, not that I've minded the 'Cat as it is. The one thing I didn't see mentioned, which I'd asked Max about earlier, is a "preview" button for posts.

This is done in the new site. - Max

Maybe that won't be as critical with the improved formatting, but it still might be nice to read over what you've written before sending it out for all to see. ('Spaw doesn't need this, of course. No amount of proofreading will fix all the dumbass things that are in his posts. Now maybe if Cleigh had an edit button...!)

Aloha,
Mark

And I agree: NO EMOTICONS!!!

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:35 PM

I second Catspaw's suggestion, though I possibly wouldn't have worded it quite that way... A compulsory (but avoidable for experienced users) direction/ blue clicky to the Digitrad/Forum search before a new thread is started, would be of benefit. Otherwise, as the exponentional growth in user numbers continues, so will Songcatcher threads... :0)

Thanks for asking, Max and Jeff.

Noreen
watching out for a bracket peeing Amos!

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:59 PM

Brett's idea re tracing personal threads might be useful- particularly for new folks who don't yet know about tracing their requests. Wouldn't do any harm.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:08 PM

Max, in reply to you:

Could mailing an e-mail version of the FAQ or SOME welcome/orientation message become automatic when new members join, or could a volunteer take it on?

Good Idea, I'll think about this one. - Max

I volunteer to do it-- using some of the copy I have shared with you in the past, know what I mean? *G* I have been to a lot of boards this year-- I think I know the range of approaches people have used. I'd work with a 'Cat Committee to develop a standard one, too. (A Kittee?)

I accept your efforts, thank you. Shouldn't be too hard, Joe has already done much. - Max

Could the info on appropriate thread titling be shown on the Create a Thread page?

Not sure I understang this. - Max

Spaw's idea, only worded as we already have it somewhere in the FAQ or somedamnwhar.

And please, Permathread titles if appearing at the top of the forum, in RED so people SEE it.

We have them in a drop down box now, at the top of the forum. It is more obvious, yes. I will also include it in the QuickLinks and possibly elsewhere. - Max

~S~

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:31 PM

I'd like to echo MMario who was echoing me, who may have been echoing someone else about a "from: ___ to: ___" date option for searches. When I look for something I wrote in 1999, I have to search for everything I've ever written and it takes forever...well, nearly

I would also suggest you post a prominent warning message about Catspaw. Maybe you could just change his name to Catspaw49 (Official Mudcat Grumpy Old Fart) ;-)

Gosh Max, it would be nice to have the number of PMs we have on the "New Messages Since" page as well as the main page.

It'll be on every page. --Jeff

On providing the FAQ to newcomers, I'd suggest a welcome message on the page they get after joining, with a link to the FAQ. A welcome message being e-mailed wouldn't be a bad idea, but the FAQ is way too big and would have to be sent as an attachment or an un-indexed text file that someone would have to re-write.

That's what I was thinking too, Jeri. A welcome PM like that should work.--Jeff

I was thinking of an email containing a link to the FAQ and a record of their login and password so you old farts quit forgetting them.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: hesperis
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:46 PM

Is there any possibility of choosing whether to refresh the same thread you just posted to OR returning to the thread index? Sometimes I would like to go immediately back to the same thread, without waiting for the index to load and then clicking and waiting for the thread to load...

I've heard this one before. I think it would be pretty easy to put a check box with the message post to let the user choose. I'll try that out. - Max

Aside from that, everything looks great! Thanks, Max!

WYSIWYG - "Could a "Save as Text File" button be added for an entire thread or single posts?"

Yes, I see you have discovered the right-click. I have a few of the good old BS threads saved like that. (Anyone want most of "Killing the thread"?) Also, more advanced M$ word can import html if you need to save it in doc or txt form.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:55 PM

Jeri, I would not send them the FAQ itself, most likely, but the intro to it and a link to it.

The most effective e-mails I have gotten as welcomes have come a few days after joining, reminding me to come back, with links to click to see a few things the easy way.

~Susan

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:59 PM

... and one's sign-in info. You save it all (if you are smart) in a Personal Admin file so you can recall who the heck you are wherever you have been, and how you signed in!

*G* Wish I'd saved that MyDocsonline! admin file... I have about 30M lost there.

~Susan

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:00 PM

I don't like Naemeson's idea of automatically tracing threads I have started. I prefer to choose the ones I trace; I don't necessarily trace all the threads I start.

I'm with Amos on the <> thing--it's gotten to be such a habit here (grin) and THANKS for NOT adding emoticons!!

UBB has an option to edit ONLY your OWN threads....no one elses. If we had that we wouldn't have to but the elves to fix typos, html, etc. Maybe we won't need so much html now, but how else would I have ever learned it?

We won't be doing that. The preview function should help. --Jeff

Will we still need ampersand codes for tildes, fadas, etc and will ampersand code still work?

Yes. Yes. --Jeff

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: hesperis
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:01 PM

Yeah, will other html still work?

Yes. --Jeff

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:08 PM

and, will we still need html in PMs?

The automatic line breaks will work in PMs too. --Jeff

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:13 PM

I don't want all of the threads I've started automatically traced, either, thanks.

This is really exciting! Thanks, again!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:18 PM

I'd opt for leaving the guest folks alone. I am not signed on at home and have to come in as a guest - now if you could let me have the same sign on at two different locations . . . . That I would Love!!!

We have had that option for years. You just have to login with the same name and password at each location. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: nutty
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:22 PM

Will the new chat software facilitate Hearme/Paltalk type gatherings?
If not, will the Paltalk info still be included in the FAQ's?

There will be no audio in our chat, so yes we will keep the Hearme/Paltalk functions. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:26 PM

Norton, you can do that now. It's easy. Just do the "re set cookie" thing at home. I could do it from the Cop Shop, but for obvious reasons, I don't.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: SeanM
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:41 PM

As to the "auto trace of threads you start"...

Would it be possible to add it as a checkbox as part of the 'start a new thread' process? That way both sides could have it - it you want to immediately trace the thread, click the box. If not, don't?

That might be cool. Really just using the trace link on the threads page isn't so bad, especially if you open it in a new window. --Jeff

And if you could make a 'slap' button... someone does something deserving, you hit it, and their computer reaches out and slaps 'em upside the head...

:^) --Jeff

Disable mine, of course...

M

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 06:58 PM

I think Mudcat is the best site on the whole internet already, and Max deserves some kind of award for making this site.

The Webbies ignore me every year, sigh. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: IvanB
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 07:47 PM

Max, along the lines of Spaw's suggestion, I'd like to go a bit further. I suggest the subject of each new thread be put through the Supersearch before the thread is created and THEN the maker get's Spaw's message if there are hits. I realize the logic for this would be really convoluted, but if it's at all possible....

We had that as a function for a while, but occasionally someone would try to use funky characters that would throw the search into error and confuse the user. I suppose more advanced error handling could be programmed, but I think this makes a good example of the challenges of updating the Mudcat.

It is what I call the 1% issue that I mentioned above. Sure we have a lot of core members that use the site very often and heavily which we try very hard to cater to (cause we love you), but we also have users that use us very infrequently or just once for a quick hit. We also have users that are newbies and just get confused by too many functions. And, with basic mechanics law, the more parts something has, the more chance it has to break. Wheww!

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Den
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:08 PM

I think the from - to search idea is good

This is done in the new site - Max

and I'd like to echo some others by saying thank you to Max and Co. for a great site. I've learned, laughed and cried here, so thanks again, BTW Max can you fix toasters. Den

Probably - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Amos
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:20 PM

The "Save This Link As" when applied to "View Your Sent Messages" only saves the list of sent messages. Not the next link out, the messages themselves. I can also save those one at a time. But not multiply. I am going to try a whacker on it to see if I tailor the page I can produce just the HTML of those message displays as a local composite file.

Max, I hadn't realized you were running an SQL db behind all this. How can I sneak in some SQL practice???

It's all SQL Amos, all of it. I sure won't teach you, that's for sure. - Max

:>)

A

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:29 PM

Any questions I might have had seem already to have been answered.  If it's not already dealt with, I'd like to suggest, specifically, a more prominent link to the Midi Pages; a lot of people have no idea that they exist, hidden away in that dropdown box.

Good Point, I'll think about it. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: IvanB
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:44 PM

Could the drop down 'Category' box on the links page be alphabetized?

The Links section will be totally revamped. There is a lot of great links in there, and links (by concept) are what the net is all about. We will make them much easier to deal with and make them more prominent. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:49 PM

Hmmmmmm..............Something missing from this thread and I just can't seem to figure out what. Somehow I get a feeling that............HEY!!!! I know what it is now.........Geez, it's so obvious!...Where's the harpster at? That's what is missing alright......HARPGIRL!.........Geeziz, no sign of her anywhere..................Guess I'll have to post one on her behalf.....Here goes:

Max, I want some things too but I have read the changes you're making and I think they are all good except that they are different and that makes them changes that I don't like even though the changes I do like are okay they really suck because you made a change and I liked it the way it was before. I don't mean the way it is now but the way it was before you made it like it is now and I'd prefer it not as it was even then, but even more different than two times before that except the change from now would be different then it is now and that would really suck because I don't like it when things are different as they will be if you change frome the way they are now even if they are better than the way they were then or tweo times before then which doesn't make then seem like I know they will be. I guess I'll just have to get used to it..........harpgirl

There now! That's sooo much better! Everything in the thread that goes in the thread, except for the part where she says "Bite me Spaw."

Spaw (:<))

I'll let this post stay cause it's pretty much a tradition by now. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 08:50 PM

Max, in reply to this--

I volunteer to do it-- using some of the copy I have shared with you in the past, know what I mean? *G* I have been to a lot of boards this year-- I think I know the range of approaches people have used. I'd work with a 'Cat Committee to develop a standard one, too. (A Kittee?)

I accept your efforts, thank you. Shouldn't be too hard, Joe has already done much. - Max

I will be in touch with you and Joe first as soon as we get back from vacation mid-August, after we all see and enjoy the new format, about creating the welcome process based on Joe's excellent work. Perhaps Jeff will have some ideas on how to work the auto-notify thing about new signups. A key will be making it brief and snappy with links to lengthier stuff. In the meantime I have e-mailed you a sample from another message board community. I'll see if I have any others saved, for the Kittee to discuss, and batch them for review. I promise, we will keep it simple.

People who want to join the Kittee should PM or e-mail me. I have some idears on invites as well.

~Susan

Thanks Susan. Joe has some work ahead of him to change the FAQ due to the new changes (no AskSam, different color references, auto line breaks, etc) so he may need our help. - Max

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 09:32 PM

I'm looking forward to this. Touch wood. Most times I try to improve things they immediately go wrong in ways I hadn't expected and don't understand. Changing strings on a guitar is about my limit. But Max isn't like that.

Most of the things I'd have asked for seem to have come up in this thread. In most cases they are on the way, it seems.

I've always wished there was some way of getting a snapshot of the Mudcat on some particular date. Time travelling, so to speak. Then we could see if it's true about the Good Old Days. I suspect it isn't practicable though.

NO, this is not possible because of the original (non-linear) design of the Mudcat. While you will be able to filter on a particular date, messages posted later to those threads will show up. Threads have dates AND Messages have dates and its difficult to have them cooperate.

The other thing I'd like us to have would be an ability to use the filter more selectively. At present you can choose to show only BS: threads, for example, but you can't use it to not include BS: threads, or whatever. Maybe with something like that people might make more use of the prefix system, and the effect would be that fewer people got grumpy about various things. (Well, sod them - but when they get grumpy it messes up the watering hole for all of us.)

I worked on this before, I'll see if I can incorporate it into the new version.

And thank you Max for having made this site the only one of its kind that is fun and easy to navigate. Well, the only one of its kind, actually. (And that's without the coming improvements.)

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 09:35 PM

I can only think of 1 thing,= If there is a link from one thread to another, is there a way to tell us how many posts in the new thread? eg Click Here(45 posts) or similar.Sometimes long threads freeze up my box and I have to reset it.thanks.john

Ps If this is not possible, its ok, I am hoping to get a proper computer eventualy.john

That would really be up to the person who posted that link, plus it will change over time. It would be far too much overhead if we programmed a worm to look for thread links and constantly update them. And people make mistakes where computers do not which would inevitably confuse any program we could make.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: JohnB
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:00 PM

Who said they couldn't make a better wheel ! Please leave the Guest's alone though. For several reasons, I do not want to have to set a cookie up on my work computer, which is mostly where I post from as Guest JohnB. JohnB

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:17 PM

I like the idea that I could learn SQL here the way I'm learning html, by having a non-work related motivation like searching your db. If people can do it, it'd be great if we could do it, if you will.

Sounds like fun, sure, but it is a massive security no-no. Volunteers spend way to much time with your HTML errors. I can just imagine. ha - Max

I also like dear Naemanson's tracing idea, but I read that I'm in the minority so I guess I really like the idea of a checkbox for trace or not when creating threads. Can you have the checkbox only in members-started threads, as in, if guest prefix then no checkbox? (If they dunno what tracing is, let'm read a FAQ... or is that being mean to the newbies?)

Also, this is without question the only site I've found for hanging out that truly enriches my life by virtue of its being, and of its way of being. My visual forays through its landscape amaze me. By merely focusing my eyeballs here (since reading is overlearned and cannot be avoided in a literate human), my brain, body and soul are fulfilled, almost as thoroughly and basically as if by oxygenation. It's the icing on the cake of life, and can be the cake, nay, the very bread, if that's what you need. It moves me to poetry, to music, to song... which, knowing my background, is a pretty fur piece, I might add.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:21 PM

Is there a way to tell us how many posts in the new thread? eg Click Here(45 posts) or similar.

That would really be up to the person who posted that link, plus it will change over time.

Good idea - I haven't seen anyone do it yet, but I will from now on any time I start a "part 2" of an overlong thread, and I hope others will do so as well.

While you will be able to filter on a particular date, messages posted later to those threads will show up.

So will it in fact be possible to open up a forum list of threads relating to a particular date? Because that was what I was meaning, and it'd be brilliant - I wouldn't see any point in excluding later posts to the those threads. (In fact if that were done it would be a nuisance, cutting off discussion arbitarily at that date - very frustrating to anyone reading the thread.) But I've probably misunderstood what you meant.

---

Hi, Kevin -
Move your mouse pointer over this link and you will see in the bottom-left corner of your browser that it had 80 messages when I posted it. Move your mouse over any thread link on the Forum Menu, and you'll see the same.

Now, take a look at the address bar at the top of your browser and you'll see this:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=37037&messages=55

If you change the number after threadid=, you can go to any thread we've ever had.
Try http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=60, for example.

I'll do a major revision of the FAQ after I get back from Ireland in mid-August. That should give time for Max to get the new stuff posted and for people to post suggestions/concerns to the FAQ thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:24 PM

"people make mistakes where computers do not".....ya gotta love it!! Laffing! PS--what the hell is SQL??

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. SQL allows users to access data in relational database management systems, such as Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, Access, and others, by allowing users to describe the data the user wishes to see. SQL also allows users to define the data in a database, and manipulate that data. A good intro is here. The whole Mudcat is stored in a Database, and SQL is what puts it in and gets it out so we can enjoy ourselves in this lovely forum.

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:46 PM

I hope that the chat program will work from Macs and other non-Windows operating systems.

It will. --Jeff

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:46 PM

OK Max. I promise it will be simple, inclusive, and integrate various people's viewpoints. People with ideas and opinions about proper welcome of new members can contact me to be included in the process of making this so.

~Susan

Subject: RE: From Max: Last Chance for Mudcat Changes
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 11:01 PM

Re question from Hesperis about "go-backs"

If I understand what she's asking for(?)
If you are using Internet Explorer, there is a tiny little arrow beside the back button (In the IE banner at the top). If you click the "down arrow" instead of the big "Back" button, it will roll down a list of the last few places you have been
Click on one of the "places" in the list, and it will go directly there
Saves waiting for a refresh and re-navig(r)ating.
I'm pretty sure other viewers have a similar function, but can't give help on them.

John