Mudcat Changes

Subject: Is something different here?
From: Max
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 05:16 PM

Hello all, and welcome back to the Mudcat. Does something seem different here? Ah, yes, my elfs and I have been working very hard behind the scenes of the Mudcat all year. We have a lot more to do in the next couple of weeks, but this was an important step. I won't explain everything here and now (read the news), but I will be answering questions and calming down those affraid of change here in the threads.

The most important new addition is the Mudcat Record Store and Auction. You can find it with the tool bar on the banner at the top of every page. This collection or records and stuff will grow faster than the forum does, so check it often.

Everyone please take a moment to check and reset your bookmarks to The Mudcat, some pages names have changed, and others don't exist anymore. Also, if you link to the Mudcat or know someone that does, check those links to make sure they are still OK.

Thanks all and stay tuned for more...

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From:
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 07:44 PM

Hey, who are you callin an elf?!? Seriously, I hope you all enjoy the hard work that we've put into upgrading the Mudcat and adding the Mudcat Shop.

--Brian (one of the Onstagers)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 07:49 PM

THIS LOOK FANEFFINGTASTIC, BARTENDER & ELVES!!!

CONGRATULATIONS....I can't wait to go surf around & enjoy the new sights!

THANKS FOR THE BEST PLACE ON THE WHOLE WORLD WIDE WEB, AH, HELL, IN THE WHOLE WIDE UNIVERSE!!!

katlaughing&lovingit!!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 07:53 PM

Hey LOOKS GREAT and I echo Kat!!!! Thanks Max.....but what hapened to my podt on El Swanno's thread? Who cares...this looks great!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 07:53 PM

Hey Max

This is great. We're not computer experts by any means but this looks like a looooooot of work.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:00 PM

One question, Max: can we still email one another? I didn't see that option, in a quick check through my personal page.

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:02 PM

Personal Messages still exist, but very few folks used the email feature. I may reimpliment it someday, but it was a casualty in a streamline effort.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:03 PM

One more question, Max....sorry: I used to be able to do a forum search by user name. It was a quick and easy way for me to find a thread written to by someone, etc. Do we still have somewhere to do that, by user name?

kat

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:03 PM

Looks great, Max. I checked out the Kid's page, too. Wonderful job, great improvements.

alice

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:12 PM

Yes, Kat, there's still a way to search for messages by user name. Now, Katlaughing, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to figure out how. You will find the answer on this very page.
This message may or may not self-destruct in 30 seconds. It kinda depends on the quality of programming Max did.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:12 PM

Max, looks great! Now, could you calm me down? Used to be a "New Formum Messages Since..." - where did it go, Max? I had my home page set to it. Max, please tell me where it went. I miss it...sniff, sniff.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:17 PM

Jeri, check the quicklinks at the top of most pages. It says: Messages Since Last Visit

Kat, The Forum Search is still the same and you can find it in the QuickLinks too. Joe is hinting at a new way that I created. First put your mouse over (without clicking) someone's name on this page. See anything? Now click the name. hmmm.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:25 PM

Thanks Max, I found it. (I'm not gonna say how long it took me, though.) That pop up window that appears magically when you hold the mouse over somebody's name scared the heck out of me the first time it happened. I'm better now - what a neat idea, to be able to click and read all of that person's messages! Must go exploring!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:28 PM

Oooohh! Links to the writers right from the messages. Cool. But what's are these Translate and Translate Page links? Oh, never mind. I'll click one. --seed

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:29 PM

Max, it doesn't work. It says:

Error Diagnostic Information
ODBC Error Code = 22008 (Datetime field overflow)

[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Syntax
error converting DATETIME from character string.

Date/Time: 08/04/99 20:26:42
Browser: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.0; Windows 98; DigExt)
Remote Address: 207.0.81.107
HTTP Referer: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?
threadid=12790&messages=13
Template: C:\webserver\mudcat\htdocs\NewMessages.cfm

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:31 PM

I found it Kat!!! Click on 'Quicklinks' at the top of this page, select 'Search the Forum' and it takes you to the forum search screen we all know and love!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:31 PM

Aack, never mind. Dumb Jeri, whack, whack. Don't ask - it works fine. (Dumb, dumb Jeri)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: bbelle
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:32 PM

It really looks good and appears to move somewhat faster. I did have a little catch in my heart when I first clicked on ... I thought my computer had eaten half of the home page. I'm not sure I'll be able to access it at work, though, because of the record shop and auction feature. This PM it kept saying the URL was forbidden. Our security people have a firewall on our internet access that disallows us from going into sites that sell something. Rats ... it was a good place to visit when I need a mental break at work ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:34 PM

This is NEAT!!!! I feel like a kid in a candy store running from jar to jar trying to see what all is new!!!! MAX, Thanks a lot, I love it and I'm sure others will also like it!!! Seems to make navigating around a lot easier.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: bob schwarer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:36 PM

Now I know what's going on.........maybe. Looks like it will be a great site.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:38 PM

Now, using the "translate" function, I found what Jeri said two messages above is this, in German

Dankmaximum, fand ich es. (ich bin nicht gonna sage, wie lang es mich nahm, obwohl.) Dieses knallen Sie oben Window, das magisch erscheint, wenn Sie die Maus über jemand Namens scared den Heck aus mir heraus anhalten, das erste mal, das es geschah. Ich bin jetzt besser - eine was ordentliche Idee, zu können, alle Meldungen dieser Person anzuklicken und zu lesen! Muß zu erforschen gehen!

Just in case you didn't figure it out, "Dankmaximum" means "Thanks, Max." Looks like there will still be a market for us humans who can translate from English to German, but it sure was good for a laugh. Hey, does it translate into Gaelic?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:38 PM

Yeah, but Banj Buddy, YOU LOOK like an old fart trying to decipher a keyboard and mouse.

spaw

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:41 PM

I gotcher possum translation right here Joe.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:43 PM

Moonchild, EVERYBODY was getting that message this afternoon and early evening. Try again tomorrow. I would think the firewall would only kick in if you tried to click on one of the links where something's sold.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:50 PM

Sì, Joe, il traduttore è molto divertimento da usare. Dà la gente che non parla inglese l' capacità scrivere i messaggi e di comprensione da quelli di noi che non parlano niente altro.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:56 PM

Damn, it does mean translate. I can't wait to see some messages translated into English from Portuguese. This is sure a popular thread--I went away a few minutes to read a message and respond and there were ten new messages. By the time I get this note posted, there will probably be another five or so. I guess lots of people were relieved to learn that they hadn't been exiled from Mudcat (I sure was: I was afraid something I posted last night might have earned me the axe--kaCHUNK!). --seed

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Den
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 08:59 PM

Wow you freaked me out today Max. I tried to log in from work and all I got was an access denied message. I thought gee what the hell did I do. Then I logged on when I got home and found that everyone had moved while I was gone. Good thing my lunch was wrapped in road maps. Looks great so far. Relieved Den

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:17 PM

Well, the "body" part of Forum Search still needs some work, I guess. I searched for possum and got an error message. Hey, maybe I should try "condom"...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: bbelle
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:17 PM

Jeri ... thanks for the heads-up! I was going to be absolutely disappointed if I couldn't access in my office! I don't have a lot of down time at work, but when I do I like to sneak a peek ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:23 PM

Max,

When I was told I could not access the site, I thought I must have said something wrong. But I was pretty sure that wasn't it. Then I recalled that Joe said something was in the works, so I hoped that was it.

My first reaction was "Oh, my God, what have they done?" They've changed the whole thing. I have a basic resistance to change, so I had to hold my breath and just jump in.

Haven't tried too much, but I sure found it easy to find "Give Yourself to Love" in the DT with the little alphabetical index.

I'll let you know more as I learn more.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:27 PM

Joe, the issue with the body search is that there is now over 100,000 messages, many of which are very long, and in 400 MegaBytes Plus of a database. We will index it soon, but we need some time and some serious CPU power. I consider this a very important thing, so we will do it, but because the forum is so large, this is a similar issue that many corporations have to deal with, but we don't have the same resources. In time Joe.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:29 PM

Yippeeee! Thanks Max - I downloaded the new version of the DT, even before I came to tne new improved forum with blue beads of bleach. And you addressed me by name, even though I've given up trying to reset my cookie every day. Kind regards, John.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:35 PM

Jeri, I love it when you talk to me like that! Tell me more!
Ciao,
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Matthew B.
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:39 PM

I love it!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:43 PM

I AM ONE HAPPY BIG MICK!!!

Great job Max and crew! Drinks on me at the tavern.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:44 PM

Joe, cara mia, você soa como Gomez na família de Addams!

I'm assuming Chat is something that is still being worked on?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:47 PM

Max, how come I canna access "new messages since my last visit"? I tried using the link, but I got an error message.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:47 PM

I just found this! Been off line today. Feels like Rip Van Winkle must've! Gotta go look around... Thanks,

Art

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:49 PM

Mick, click reset your last visit to NOW.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: John Hindsill
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:50 PM

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! What work! What dedication! What a GREAT website! What does 'huzzah' mean?

This really is nice, and it seems easier than ever, and more complete than ever. So far have not left to go to my LA Radio site. Terrific work Max et al.

One feature I would like to see added is a direct link to the chat room, or is it here but I don't see it?

John

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:57 PM

...I'm not that keen on change, Max!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: alison
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:01 PM

looks good Max.

Will we be able to have a choice on searching the threads, it seems to only do it for thread titles at the moment... can we still do the search using people's names?

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:19 PM

Alison, I just tried it and it works. You can also click on the name in the "From" part of each message and pull up all messages by that person.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:45 PM

Error Diagnostic Information When I try to bid on the sample item, I get:

ODBC Error Code = S1000 (General error)

[Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access 97 Driver]
Field 'messages.Body' can't be a zero-length string.

Date/Time: 08/04/99 22:41:46
Browser: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.0; MSNIA; Windows 98; DigExt)
Remote Address: 63.10.235.240
HTTP Referer: http://www.mudcat.org/auction/thread.cfm?threadid=10&messages=4
Template: C:\webserver\mudcat\htdocs\auction\insert.cfm

Why??
Mark

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:47 PM

Oh, I get it now that I actually READ the error!!
I put a comment in the box under my bid and it woiked, it woiked!!
Mark

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:53 PM

Max, the clicking on the person's name to get all the posts by them doesn't work on my mac. All it does is jump to the post they made in that thread.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Craig
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:53 PM

Boy! Do I have a lot of exploring to do. Looks great Max. Makes things a lot easier. Wonder if there's a spot just for photos. Guess I will just have to look. Aaaand we're off.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:08 PM

I love it! Great changes (and I too am often resistant to changes in the things I love). The Mudcat Kids page is a great idea and a great start. I'm sure it will grow like a weed. The stuff for sale is cool too. Is there a way to browse the records without having to back up and pick another letter of the alphabet? Like to keep scrolling or something? And the Auction page is great too. And I never use the word great, but this is really...what can I say? GREAT! And the translation stuff is great. I had to find a way to use it for fun without posting everything into threads, and sure enough there's a way when you go in there. I even downloaded the translator to my browser, and they even had a way to do it without paying the $29+. THis is too cool. Max, thank you. Elves, thank you. Congratulations!! Let's celebrate for 5 years!!!
Mark, excited about this.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:11 PM

Alice, not the FROM at the top, the FROM at the message level. Like right here where your reading this. Does that make sense?

The New-And-Improved-Chat is going to come next week. Also, photos of members and such will be online soon too.

To get the NEW MESSAGES SINCE YOUR LAST VISIT to work, you have to hit the NOW button, which should come up right before the error. That should fix it up.

Oh, and has anyone tried the help items? Does the window pop up nicely? And what about creating a new thread? I implimented an automatic search to try to reduce redundant questions and answers. Check it out.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: alison
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:20 PM

OK.. just tried again.. still only got thread titles

eg..... I want to find a specific posting by Alice... so I enter Alice in the search box thingy...... it gives me thread titles with "Alice" in them but not all of Alice's postings. Is there a way around this?

sometimes I can't remember the thread name but I can remember who made an interesting comment in it..... which make being able to search for a particular name very handy

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:22 PM

Max....this is your resident computer idiot, but I'm having a similar problem to Alice. I use Win98/Gateway450 and when I click on the name, I get more than just that thread, but only a partial posting ie, Alice shows to only have posted 3 or 4 times since May.

But my boy, I am totally in love with what you've done. I'm so glad we've got the kids thing going now too. This has got to be a lot of work and $$$, but we all thank you.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:45 PM

Yes, Max, that's what I did. I clicked on alison's name at the message level, and it just jumped to her message in this same thread. I'll try it again.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:46 PM

Max,

Well, I clicked on Alison last posting to this (neat short-cut, that!) and the forum search worked, except that it only showed her postings from mid-January back...nothing from Jan 14th on to now.

When I tried to click on Catspaw49, the blue box kept flickering on and off.

When you make these kind of changes, there are bound to be bugs. It still looks great and I think you all have done a wonderful job. Can't wait to see the rest!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 11:48 PM

In other words, I clicked on the name right above her message (not the name that is in the list at the top of the page) and it just seemed to reload the page at her message. Now I can't even get it to do that. It just brings up the pop up message box, and I can't click on the name at the message at all.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:00 AM

... click on a name, move the box out of the way, click on a name, move the box out of the way, click on a name... really, Max, you've done a great job. I'm not complaining. I did use the search by name function alot in the past, ususally when I was trying to find something I had posted myself. (Any other Mudcat Macs out there?)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:24 AM

Well, I dunno how this newfangled search-by-user thing comes up with what it comes up with. If I click on my name on a message, it says I've posted a mere 2,745 messages. If I use the drop-down box above (the one that says Quick Links) and do a traditional forum search, it says I posted the respectable sum of 4,123 messages in my 2.75 years here. Why the difference?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:28 AM

wowee!! checking in from the other end of the country from my own machine, so I dont have a cookie set. But what a surprise! (I am in Bremerton,Washington, visiting friends for several days...and now I have to wait till I get home to explore it all!!)....but it sure looks impressive so far!...and when I get home, I will put stuff in the auction, you betcha!

Thanks, Max...we will play and test and scamper thru the new stuff like a bunch of kids...(oh...right...we ARE a bunch of kids,...*grin*)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:29 AM

Oh uh... anybody know how to "refresh threads" in the new format?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:42 AM

The "Refresh" button's in the same place where it always was, EJ, next to the filter. Max changed the name to GO, probably so it would fit better on small screens.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alice
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:48 AM

Well, I'm glad we have a quick way to go to the forum search page with the pull down menu at the top of the page... still works fine. Lookin good, Max.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: PJ
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:53 AM

WOW! This looks great! I don't understand it all yet, this is sorta like the first day of school. But there's a cute first-grader with a big mustache that sits behind me and a kid named Catspaw let me eat some of his library paste, and Mr. Offer seems like a real nice teacher...

By the way, I find the simplest way to get around many of these pesky computer glitches is with a little white out on the screen.

PJ

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Margo
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:58 AM

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Margarita

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: campfire
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 01:05 AM

I think I'm glad I'm off work tomorrow - guess where I'll be? EXPLORING!!! So far, I like it! Thank you, Max!

campfire

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Mudjack
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 01:22 AM

Jeezz, I ain't found all the stuff from the old one. I guess I need to spend more time in the searh mode of the site than working around the house. RIGHT....

THANKS MAX

Mudjack

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 01:51 AM

Max--The new Mudcat is GREAT! I've been running around like a kid in a toy store trying out all the new things. Some bugs though, that you might want to work on:

(1) (Using a Mac, if that matters) When I put my pointer over any name of a contributor to a thread, I get a pop up window that keeps blocking my access to the "back" button. It's nice getting the notice about "By clicking a users name here, a search will be done to show all posts by that user. " but it would be better if I could click for the help and NOT click and NOT get the window.

(2) I miss the "refresh threads" button. Yes, I now know that the "GO" button serves the same function, but I'm a regular here. May I suggest a "Refresh threads" label on the button?

(3) The "create a new thread" pop up button that structures the thread title is neat. Somewhere on that "create a new thread" page, though, you ought to have instructions about how to use the categories, and how to check the database first.

(4) I've checked out "the Mudcat Shop", but somehow I expected that choosing "shop" from the top menu would also bring me to a page where I could shop with all the "Support the Mudcat" vendors, as well. Perhaps establish links to them from the "Mudcat Shop"?

It's wunnderful, wunnerful, as they say in North Dakota. And now I'm off to explore more of what you've done.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: reggie miles
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 02:23 AM

Weally whyold an kwazy MMMAX an CO.
Been stayin' up late fixin' the plumbin' eh?
It's all very nicely done.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 03:57 AM

Loved the way you've redecorated the Tavern, Max, though pretending it was closed for fumigation when you were really putting in all these new features was sneaky!
The Babelfish translator is something we've been playing with at work and can be quite amusing, rather like the instructions on a [insert favourite national example] electrical appliance.
Many thanks and have a few drinks at the Tavern on the rest of us.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: alison
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 04:36 AM

OK..... I have figured out how to do searches on other people now...... but it won't let me do one on myself... the box thingy just flickers on and off then disappears. How do I see what I wrote and where is Joe seeing these figures for how many times he has posted?

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 04:41 AM

very good work and no error for me so far!

as for the translation function, thanks for the good laugh, Joe. For all those few who don't speak German, you might want to laugh about the retranslation into German:

Jeri had written (above): Thanks Max, I found it. (I'm not gonna say how long it took me, though.) That pop up window that appears magically when you hold the mouse over somebody's name scared the heck out of me the first time it happened. I'm better now - what a neat idea, to be able to click and read all of that person's messages! Must go exploring!

Using the translation function English-German and then German-English on the German result now gives: found it to thank maximum (I am not gonna legend, as long it took me, although.) You slam this above Window, which appears magic, if you stop the mouse over someone of name scared the tail from me, first time, which occurred it. I am now better - one which tidy idea to be able to click and read all messages of this person! Must go investigating!

That gives you an idea how the German in between looked. Reminds me of some user manuals.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: AndyG
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 07:12 AM

Hi,

I'm seeing a small problem with the
From: line anchor tag JavaScript onMouseOver="helpon('help.cfm?helpitem=From')
It seems that it wants to perform an offset for the new window to the left and up from the current "onMouseOver location" if this new offset location is off-screen the window opens then closes (flashes) repeatedly. The temp. solution is to scroll the message (From:-line) down so there's room for the window to display, or drag the browser window lower down the screen if you're not working in full-screen mode.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 07:45 AM

Wofgang, thanks for the laugh! I think the trick to using the translator is, if you start with English, it must be proper English - no slang or strange spellings of words.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 08:16 AM

Max,
Great work mate. Thanks for all you time & efforts - greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Winters Wages
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 10:03 AM

Looks great Max...Fantastic...W. Wages

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: AndyG
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 10:40 AM

Ah...

The "flashing" help window I reported above occurs when the window opens in the same location as the current position of mouse cursor.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 11:03 AM

Max, you are asking for contributions, record reviews, etc. If we do them where are they going to go? Will they show up here in some new config.?
Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: annamill
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:50 PM

Oh Mighty Max ( (sorry ;-) couldn't resist),

You and your elves have done a fab job. I'm having fun tryin' stuff. You need a reward. Tell you what.. I'll take you up the Navasink on the 14th or 15th. Glenn and I did it. It was orgasmic.

(The Navasink is a river, in a kayak 'spaw)

Love, annap

After I post this, I'm going to translate it, then re-translate it. That should be fun.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: annamill
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:54 PM

taliano:

Massimo mighty dell' OH ((spiacente; -) non potreste resistere a), ed i vostri elves hanno fatto un lavoro del fab. Sto avendo stuff di tryin di divertimento '. Avete bisogno d'una ricompensa. Dirvi che cosa. Li prenderò sul Navasink sul quattordicesimo o quindicesimi Glenn ed io lo hanno fatto. Era orgasmic.

(il Navasink è un fiume, spaw nel kayak ') amare, annap

Dopo che invii questo, sto andando tradurlo, allora re-translate esso. Quello dovrebbe essere divertimento.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: annamill
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:58 PM

English:

taliano:

Massimo mighty of the OH ((spiacente; -) you could not resist to), and yours elves they have made a job of the fab. I am having stuff of tryin of divertimento '. You have need of one ricompensa. Dirvi that what. I will take them on the Navasink on fourteenth or fifteenth Glenn and I have made it. He was orgasmic.

(the Navasink is a river, spaw in the kayak ') to love, annap

After that it sendes this, I am going tradurlo, then king-translate it. That one would have to be divertimento.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Margo
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 12:59 PM

Max, I wonder if the number of posts to a thread could be closer to the thread title column? I often would note how many posts were made to a thread, and not go back unless the number increased. The number of posts is a lot further away now making it more difficult to see how many posts a thread has.

Am I the only one, or do other people do that too?

Margarita

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: annamill
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 01:01 PM

Interesting. This could be fun, Max. Thanks again.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: karen k
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 03:46 PM

Max,

Just discovered all the changes. Haven't explored them all yet but this is really exciting. My hat's (the Mudcat hat with the great patch!) is off to you and everyone else responsible. I especially appreciate the alphabetical list access to all the DT songs. Haven't run into any snags yet.
Thanks for all you do. Mudcat is the greatest place on the web.

Regards
karen k

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: MMario
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 03:53 PM

only snag I've run into is that cannot get the midi from any of the apr99 additions in the DT. reported this to the help section.

MMario

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: arkie
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 11:11 AM

I'm sure I'll like this when I get one little bug worked out. Can't log on at my home computer. Went through the drill of affirming everything, then got a message about everything being in the database. Then got to do it all over again. Never got any further. Have not had much time to try other options. Had to finally sneak a peek on the work computer. Looks good.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 03:11 PM

Any answer to my question, Max????
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 05:34 PM

Sorry Peter, busy as hell.

Content contributions will fit in areas that they are relevant. If a content contribution does not seem to fit anywhere, then it will create a new section that will likely end up on the home page and QuickLinks. Essentially, any content contribution will be dealt with just as if I wrote it or finagled for it, etc. The Mudcat is a group effort, and what is here came from me and others because we love this stuff. And apparently you all love it too, so I will pretty much put up anything you all want to. You tell me. What's mine is yours. What shall we do to the Mudcat tomorrow everyone?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 06:01 PM

That's o.k., I know you are crazy busy on our behalf. Just wondering. You asked for reviews awhile ago, and I did one and it disappeared down the threadlines. I wouldn't do that again unless I knew that it was going to go somewhere slightly more formal and stable, but still associated with the forum page. I would vote for a "Record/Performer Review" link on the Forum page, to which people could post reviews of recent albums or performances they could rate or at least discuss for the benefit of others. You could have a 5 star rating system (or whatever). Just a thought. I tend to buy repackaged old stuff, simply because I am learning, but new stuff interests me too. Who knows? Maybe it is too much work for people -- I just have a journalist bent, and write too much (As if people hadn't noticed!!!!)
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 10:57 PM

Hey, Max! I LOVE the way you've set this up to search the Forum and Digitrad, automatically, when one goes to start a new thread! That is GGGGRRRRREEEAAT!

Thanks!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: CarlZen
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 12:52 AM

Thank You, Max.

The very same day that you unveil the new, improved Mudcat is one and the same day that my classroom finally gets plugged into the net, and lo-and-behold there's this MudCatForKids thing. Serendipitous? I dons't know, but then again a little subversion for my fourht graders a la Mudcat could be just what the doc ordered.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: karen k
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 06:20 AM

Max, I like the feature where you can click on a name and get a listing of that person's forum postings. However, I would like it more if you could click on a name and get a choice between the postings list and sending that person a private e-mail message. Is this possible?
Thanks, and as always, this is a great place to live on the net.
karen k

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Max
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 05:15 PM

Peter: Do not submit reviews and or content in the threads, send it to [e-mail]. That way it won't get lost.

karenK: I would, but not everyone that posts is a member and that would screw things up. Sending personal messages is easy enough don't you think? Let me think about it.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Changes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 11:17 PM

Caution: note that the 'Cat does NOT automatically put a subject title in the first message in threads. If you're adding lyrics, that means your lyrics might not turn up in a forum search if you look under "subject." It mught be a good idea to fill in the "subject" box with an appropriate message title.
-Joe Offer-