BS: New filter?

Subject: BS: New filter?
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 01:16 AM

"BSP" for BSPolitical threads!

I KNOW it's an election year and I KNOW it's important and I KNOW, I've posted to them, too, but it seems, lately, that every day, as soon as something new comes out in the news, someone starts a new political thread about it. So...how about designating them BSP, so we can filter them out?!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Shambles
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 04:54 AM

I have it on good authority that Jeff is working on a new software program that will automatically delete EVERY post and every thread - as soon as it is created.

That will do the trick - i'm sure.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Shambles
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 05:20 AM

Max said:

Don't sweat the rules, cause there aint none.

Joe says:

Abuse of Thread Creation
In addition, it seems are a very few people who create a very large number of our threads - and most of these threads have nothing to do with music, which is the primary focus of this Forum. All of us are concerned about the current political situation, and we all have a need to voice our opinion. However, I can't see why we have to split this discussion into so many pieces, why it is so important for these few people to start so many new threads on more-or-less the same thing.

I've experimented with various methods of controlling this mess, and I haven't found the perfect solution. I'm open to suggestions, and I will continue to try a variety of things. When things get out of hand, you can expect to see threads consolidated or renamed, and frivolous threads deleted.

I count 14 Iraq threads active today. I'm mad as hell about Bush's statement that he "respectfully disagrees" with the millions who protest his Iraq war - but I don't know where to put my comments, or whether somebody else has already said what I have to say.

I'm frustrated. What can we do to put a sense of order into our discussion of the political situation? How can we allow everyone to say what they think, without allowing the Forum to be dominated by a few idiots who overwhelm us with their verbosity?

I'll tell you one thing I'm going to do: if you start a thread with a cut-and-paste non-music article, I'll delete the whole damn thread. The policy on cut-and-paste is clear. Follow it.

Another thing you can expect: if you start more than one political thread in a day, expect them all to be consolidated with others. Your limit is ONE PER DAY, and fewer would be greatly appreciated.

-Joe Offer-

The Shambles says:

Do we not already have all the filters required? If someone chooses to start a thread - it is really only their business and if no one posts to it, the thread will fall off the bottom. No one forces you to open the thread and I undersatnd that is now possible to filter out the BS section entirely - is that not enough?

Have suggested guidelines by all means and encourage folk to follow them, but please can we accept finally - that no one has any control over the posting of others. Our volunteers getting annoyed or frustrated with and complaining about the actions of fellow posters and encouraging others to do the same by setting this example , just shows how far from the original open and tolerant nature of our fine discussion forum we have come.

Am I really the only one who finds all of this imposition, secrecy, judgement, threats and the setting of quotas upon fellow posters - completely out of all proportion and just as importantly - completly ineffective and counter-productive?

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 05:32 AM

You're working it too hard, Shambles. If you don't like it, jump ship.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:09 AM

I understand that is now possible to filter out the BS section entirely - is that not enough?

The point of an extra filter would be to enable people to filter out only part (either part) of the BS section, rather than the whole lot. I'd be agin the idea actually - I lkke the way that threads can move from one area of discussion into another in the way that conversations do. And what's "political" anyway? Foxhunting? Licensing reform? Pot? Famine relief? Hurricanes? Use of offensive language in songs?

Now, a filter which individual members could set to remove particular pisters from all the threads, while leaving them for others to enjoy or rage at, that might have some merit. Of course it'd be likely to mean that it'd be impossible to make sense of some threads. (What's new?)

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:27 AM

Now that is an idea I like: a filter that removes all posts by a particular person. That would certainly get my vote. I can think of two posters whose removal would instantly bring sweetness and light to the whole forum. Trouble, they both occasionally post something sensible. Maybe I need someone like an ancient potentate's food-taster: a servant who will go through, read all the posts, and delete anything I wouldn't like.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:43 AM

Now I had said things were easy to apply in another thread but I don't know where to start with that one! Should the ignore list be stored on a cookie, a list in membership or what?

The only think I do know is that something like OE even will allow blocking of an individual. I have tried it (Ghost 1999 on rmc being one example) but found the missing posts caused me more trouble than they were worth. I think it much simpler to ignore who you may consider a prick but to have the reference to look back if someone responds than to try to play your own game of filling in the gaps. Others may differ of course but I think this one presents the oppertunity of filling in gaps to say what one think a person states rather than reading what they did say (and sometimes, even the person you dislike can make a point you agree with and the person you like not).

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 08:01 AM

Does no-one use their brains and the off buttons any more?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:37 AM

All of the time, LtS, all of the time...so sorry to have troubled anyone with this...I merely thought, like Joe, that every single little news item of the political day, primarily USA, doesn't need a separate thread.

Shambles, you have beat that horse so much that it's way past time to call in the RSPCA.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: GUEST,Martian Gibbon
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:57 AM

If you like it read it, if you dont, move on to next thread. Simple I think or am I missing something.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: John Hardly
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 10:03 AM

I'd kinda like this too.

I've forfeited the BS altogether by filtering it, but I must admit that, were it done in moderation, I would actually enjoy some of the BS. In fact, I removed the filter 'cause I had the itch to post some BS. That's how I saw this thread.

What used to be somewhat interesting political discussion here is so overrun with fringe, conspiracy, group think, that it's lost all relevance. It's also polarized a once friendly site.

I'll re-do my settings for the filter again -- you oughta try it some time -- it'd give you a completely different perspective on the place. It almost feels like a folk/blues music site when the filter is on.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 01:14 PM

" It almost feels like a folk/blues music site when the filter is on."

I can't see why that really makes any difference. Unless you scroll down the page, or push the "BS/Non-music threads are listed below (click)", you'd never know the BS threads were there - and, as has always been the case, there are far more music threads than BS threads.

And only a relatvely small minority of the BS threads are anything to do with politics, even in the extended sense - even if you count the ones about the politics of Mudcat, such as this one.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 04:11 PM

I don't have them (BS and Music Threads)separate. I just pick out anything of possible interest and wing it from there. Works for me.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 05:06 PM

Are you looking for a filter, or a prefix? With a prefix, I believe you could use the tiny checkbox inder the existing filter box at the top of the thread list, to eliminate any prefix you want not to view.
Of course for that to work, the Clones would all have to agree to re-prefix unlabeled threads, as BS threads are presently re-classsified when they land on the wrong side of the line. Also, it seems like it would be kinda hard to decide exactly which threads should be so treated, either via filter or prefix.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Shambles
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 08:01 PM

Maybe I need someone like an ancient potentate's food-taster: a servant who will go through, read all the posts, and delete anything I wouldn't like.

Now you are talking!

That's what I call a volunteer - of course the trouble with volunteering for things like the food tasting business is that - although the conditions are good and the food is mostly good - they don't don't tend to live too long.......And they tend to die a slow and painful death. *Smiles*

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Peace
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 08:51 PM

You choking on the filter, Shambles? For the third time

1) What do you perceive the problem to be?

2) What do you perceive the cure to be?

If you are not going to answer, let me know and I'll stop asking. I need simple answers because I am an average guy. Little words--clear words.

Thank you.

Hey, I do keep bringing your threads to the top.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:08 PM

You're repeating yourself, brucie - the only person who is allowed to repeat themselves like that is Shambles...

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Shambles
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:10 PM

Fair enough

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Peace
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:25 PM

McG of H

Hell IS the impossibility of reason.

BM

Shambles--I ain't refreshing this thread no more. Or any others of this sort for that matter. You got an itch ya can't scratch, and by refreshing these things I keep helping you remember the itch. It's yer itch. Go scratch it. Real good.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 04:27 AM

"a filter which individual members could set to remove particular pisters from all the threads"

ROFL....

Many a true word is said in jest - or by means of a typo!

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 01:56 AM

I agree with greg, theres two posters i'd like to filter as well, i wonder if its the same two?

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 02:04 AM

Definition: Pister.

A pister is a poster who pisses you off!

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 03:40 PM

All so often I'm with Greg, but not this time. We need a much more intelligent and flexible and individually adaptable filter.

All Little Hawk posts filtered out? What a loss! Only those from him containing the word 'Shatner'.
Only those from Shambles containing the word 'control' except that the word control features in a poem.
Only those from John from Hull containing more than five spelling errors per line.
Only those from GUEST containing the word 'democrats', but not after the first week of November this year.
Only those from McGrath mentioning the word GUESTs.
Only those from Jack the Sailor following immediately a Martin Gibson post.
All from Martin Gibson in the BS threads but not on days when I'm in a silly mood (that's a tough challenge, but Pene will see to that).
Only those from Wolfgang that have his name as the last word.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 09:07 PM

Hello Wolfgang, Waht you saying everyyhing twice for then?
I think you eat a parrot for dinner!

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 09:53 PM

Yes John,

you have detected an MPE......





































***Mudcat Parroty Error.

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 08:51 AM

Or a Cock(atoo)- up?

Subject: RE: BS: New filter?
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:48 AM

At the risk of being told to f**k off because I am only a Guest, I personally do not have a problem with political threads. I ignore them. It is very easy to do, just scroll down the list and avoid anything that mentions Bush, Blair or any other politically motivated cretin who regards him/her self as one of our "leaders".

Go on, try it for yourself. There's no costly software to buy or expensive training to undertake. All it needs is a dose of ordinary COMMON SENSE. The more we ignore these people the more uncomfortable they will get as their only reason for existing is to be noticed. With any luck they will all crawl back into the dark and slimy places they were spawned and leave the rest of us to our music.