BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 04:08 PM

There are plenty of ways for Mudcat to generate self-supporting revenue...

"*HOSTED* or *administered*"
Either... and yes, I know the difference...

But whatever... The Powers don't WANT the site to improve (or hardly even maintain) so it doesn't...

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: MMario
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:52 PM

*HOSTED* or *administered* Clinton? There is a big, big, difference.

what money they do get handed does little or nothing here...

and when operating costs are not met, why should money go into other areas? Lets break even with contributions before more is spent on upgrades - or purchasing software someone is going to have to lear (unpaid).

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:43 PM

" Not sure I see the relevance"
Then you've never kicked an ant-hill, just to watch them scurry....

"You can't back up your claim of "everyone.""
Could you be any more irrelivant KL?? There are a million million web forums hosted by people who work day jobs and raise their children.... I'll wager that very few are as unstable and buggy as Mudcat....

"found no way to improve things"
I'll say it again, why should -I- go outa MY way to line their pockets? Especially when it seems like what money they do get handed does little or nothing here...

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Alba
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:40 PM

Well there is snow drifts happening in my neck of the woods right now so why not Thread drift in the Mudcat woods:>)

Now everyone get along and remember we are all just friends with diffrent opinions so ....indoor voices please **BG**
Funnin only.
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:28 PM

No debate about it, CH. You can't back up your claim of "everyone." Why DO you come here if it's as bad for you as you say?

Villan, trying to herd Mudcatters is like herding cats...impossible. Thread drift happens.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:18 PM

Maybe not Amos

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:16 PM

[n. SHAW-den-froy-duh] Taking malicious satisfaction in another person's troubles is schadenfreude. Even though there may be some guilt involved, this noun comes in handy when someone feels glee or gloats over another person's suffering. Example: "She had a feeling of schadenfreude when the boy who dumped her was unable to find a date for the prom." Sometimes capitalized, schadenfreude is a compound of two German words: schaden (damage) and freude (joy). ...
www.geocities.com/kristenjean77/coolwords.html

Not sure I see the relevance; maybe your being too subtle for me, man. It's been known to happen.

Because you have found no way to improve things, you resort to gloating over the site's shortcomings? You're too smart for that, methinks.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:09 PM

I'll say it again, cause wes misses the point over and over....

schadenfreude... It's not just for the clergy anymore

It's got more to do with sadism than masochism....

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:05 PM

I guess I was just curious how the masochistic mind works.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:04 PM

Come on guys, this is all getting a bit childish. Stick at what you came onto this thread for - to give advice, not slag each other off.

Time for a beer and chill out :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: MMario
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:59 PM

hey - Clinton has only averaged between 4 and five posts a day over the last five years or so.   

Wes - he's probably "punishing" himself -

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:59 PM

I wasn't asking you to justify anything. Just curious why someone would want to spend so much time at a place that irritates him so much. If that's how you get your kicks it's AOK by me. Go for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:43 PM

"What do you really think about making a positive contribution of some kind?"

I've made all kinds of suggestions on how Mudcat coule generate it's own revenue... "The Powers" don't seem to give a shit to even try, so why should -I- go outa MY way to line their pockets? Especially when it seems like what money they do get handed does little or nothing here...

They can get their own beer money, and leave mine alone

And I feel no need to 'justify' my attendance here to anyone Wes...

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:33 PM

And you didn't answer my question either :

"Since Amos mentioned it Clinton - I've often wondered why { since this is such a POS website in your eyes } you come here so often. You probably post as frequently as anyone. Seriously - why ?"

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:27 PM

Clinton:

I notice you didn't answer my point, though. What do you really think about making a positive contribution of some kind?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:24 PM

Hey guys, I didn't start this thread for mudcatters to start tearing each other apart.

JohnInKansas
Now why didn't I think of that. "When you can't see the wood from the trees" :-)
I reckon, that is a very sensible idea, bearing in mind that there isn't a facility in Mudcat.
Anything I want in the future goes straight to my harddisk and the rest get deleted straight away.

Now which method works best between Joe's and John's suggestion for all my old PM's, I don't know. However if I give each idea a go, and see which one works best for me.

Thanks guys and gals.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:18 PM

And that means what KL?

You've failled in your 'logical' debate, and now you're gonna try to change the subject to be about someone/something else?

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 02:16 PM

everyone else on the internet manages to do all of the above and still keep their web forums running too...what a braod, sweeping statement. EVERYONE?!! LOL!! Remember when you point your finger, four of them are pointing back atcha!

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:55 PM

"I am sure making others feel bad is not a large purpose..."

Then you ain't sure of much are ya....
schadenfreude... It's not just for the clergy anymore

" with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Mudcat Software and Hardware Rejuvenation Fund"
Max can earn his own beer money

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:53 PM

Since Amos mentioned it Clinton - I've often wondered why { since this is such a POS website in your eyes } you come here so often. You probably post as frequently as anyone. Seriously - why ?

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: MMario
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:48 PM

Amos said, regarding Clinton: I am sure making others feel bad is not a large purpose in your makeup


WAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHahahahah!!

Thanks Amos, I needed a chuckle!

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:44 PM

Clinton:

Instead of sarcasm and disparagement, why not see what you can do to help? Here's an example: cut a CD uniquely for sale through Dick Greenhaus, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Mudcat Software and Hardware Rejuvenation Fund. The reason I suggest this is that the sneering and sarcastic remarks succeed at making folks feel bad, but do nothing to make matters more tolerable or improve them. I am sure making others feel bad is not a large purpose in your makeup. Hence the suggestion.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: bobad
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:33 PM

A little trick I recently learned in Firefox is center clicking, ie. the scroll wheel, will open the page in a tab, saving you a click or two per message.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:25 PM

Hi, Les-

When I want to review a number of personal messages, I go to my Personal Page and right-click a message and choose "open in new window" (if you're using Firefox, "open in new tab" is easier). I do this to a number of messages, and then read and dispose of each one.

We don't have a way set up to display multiple messages on one page, like a thread. It's certainly possible because personal messages are just like thread messages. It's not something I see as ultra-valuable, but that's my opinion. If others see a need for something like that, say so.

There is software that will allow you to download all the pages linked on a menu page like your personal page, but it's not a function built into Mudcat.

Somebody said above that there is no quick way to delete blocks of personal messages, but that's a feature we've had for a long time. Just check the appropriate boxes on your Personal Page, and click the "process" button.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:21 PM

I left off:

Once you've saved the ones you want on your own machine, you should be safe in coming back to the 'cat and deleting ALL your PMs here, although you could leave a few "special ones" if you find any that qualify.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:19 PM

You may be able to speed your review up a bit if you have some time, when you're a bit bored to:

1. Open your personal page

2. View the list of PMS

3. Right click on them one at a time and "Save Target As"

3a. Note: The default filename is the same for all, so you'll have to number each one by clicking on the filename and putting a unique identifier in the filename box for each message.

3b. Once you've selected a folder on your own machine to put them in, they should continue to default to that folder until you change it.

The messages will save as .htm files. Since there should be no "embedded" stuff, they should be a single file for each message, i.e. no attachment folders.

Once all the files are on your own machine, going through them even one at a time should be fairly quick, since they'll open almost instantly from your local drive.

A "test run" on a couple of messages took only a couple of seconds for each save, but the 'cat is running about as well as ever at the moment.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:18 PM

Kat, If they are not worried about it then I will leave them there, and keep current ones controlled and little by little, get rid of the older ones.

Thanks for your help folks.

No need to continue this thread

Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:17 PM

I'm not trying to sell you anything Les, but I'll wager that Yahoo Groups'd fit yer bill quite nicely

Good luck with the PM fest

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:14 PM

WYSIWYG
I run the club on my own, and wouldn't dream of letting anybody else, look at PM's.

Clinton
I do a lot by e-mail, but the PM's have built up over time, and too be honest, I should be deleting them as soon as I get them, and copying and pasting any info I need, but I haven't. So feeling guilty, I am trying to go back over time and get rid of them.

My website and Mudcat tend to deal with all I need.

I might look at Yahoo, but am not sure that it will benefit me.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:13 PM

"Jeff and Max don't really have lives or a need to make a living"

Funny how everyone else on the internet manages to do all of the above and still keep their web forums running too....

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:05 PM

Of course Jeff and Max don't really have lives or a need to make a living.

From what I remember, storage of PMs takes up minimal space and tehy aren't worried about it, from that aspect.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:58 PM

Yahoo allows you to do things like send ONE message to multiple people... or just to one... or to the whole group....

IT also allows you to search by user, or title or keyword, and delete by same....

Yahoo isn't down as often as it's up....

Yahoo has space where users can up load files and pics and such...

Yahoo Groups (And the other net services similar) are great... you might be pleasantly surprised chum...

"unless I ask, I won't know will I."
I can tell you right now what the answer will be... "Oh we have way too many other problems to even THINK about adding new features right now." Or words to that effect...

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:58 PM

Villan,

Opening them in series as PMs, a few at a time, you could be answering one (#1 for instance) while the next one (#5) opens.

I don't think Mudcat PMs were meant to take the place of email or groups such as those offered by Yahoo & MSN. Maybe a thread announcing a more practical mode of handling club-related correspondence would be a way of making a transition. You could even use a thread like that to say that you will not be able to answer old PMs and would people please write again via email.

Another alternative might be delegating the handling of club-related PMs to someone else who could do them in batches during times when the Cat is running well. I'd warn people in a thread, first, if someone other than yourself will open PMs. You'd want to be sure they are club PMs.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:52 PM

Clinton
Why would I want to use Yahoo.
The Pm's are from and too mudcatters.

I have my own website for the club.

>>I'm just saying don't hold your breath....<<
That may be the case, but unless I ask, I won't know will I.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:47 PM

"surely in the interests of Mudcat"

Stable soft and hardware are in the interest of Mudcat too TV... but we don't have those either do we?

I'm not saying you don't have a good idea... I'm just saying don't hold your breath....

I suggest you move your folk-club to a yahoo group... MUCH easier to use with WAY more features

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:32 PM

But with a piece of software that quickly allows us to read old pm's and quickly delete is surely in the interests of Mudcat, Clinton.

I may have more Pm's than most, because of my folk club (talking about 800 or more).

If everybody only has half of that, it must be a burden on the system.

I will pm Jeff, Amos

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:08 PM

HA!

Add software?!?! How's about we get the software we HAVE running first?

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:04 PM

PM Jeff about it, Vilan; it might be a great addition.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:52 AM

I give up. It takes too long to read each one.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:40 AM

Tried that Kat, but quite honestly it doesn't seem to be any quicker.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:21 AM

Thats the sort of thing I was looking for Amos.

I will give that a try Kat, it may be quicker.

I would have thought it would have been better for Mudcat, to make us keep our PM's to a minimum. Trouble is, when you have too many, you stop deleting them.

Must put a heavy burden on the servers and storage.

Thanks both

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:20 AM

Multiple computers

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 10:46 AM

Jeff has, in the past, piloted a routine to make them all capturable by displaying them continuously in one long giant page. It was only a pilot and never went any further, AFAIK.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 10:39 AM

At the moment, as far as I know, there is not a way to do this. You can read each PM from a specific member, one after another by clicking on "Members: Messages received from" on your Personal Page. At least that way, it is a bit quicker than just going through all of your PMs from a main list.

I had asked a long time ago if there was a quick way to delete blocks of them, but there isn't. Plus, I'd like to download all of mine to a disc, but that is beyond what we can do right now. With Jeff and Max volunteering all of their time and monies to keep the place going, I don't think this will top priority any time soon, if ever. Sorry...

kat

Subject: BS: Is there a quick way to read all PM's
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 10:10 AM

I have one hell of a lot of PM's

I want to review them quickly and delete all unessesary ones.

Is there a program that will read the messages without me having to open each one seperately - a daunting task in Mudcat as it can be very slow.

All Pms that have information I need, I want to copy over to word and then delete those pm's as well.

Can anybody help