BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....

Subject: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 04:53 PM

...and try....but it won't go through, and if you haven't blocked and saved your post, you've lost it.

So say you have saved your post. And you try again. Doesn't go through. It times out.

So you reopen Mudcat, find the thread, go to the end of it, and try AGAIN!

It times out. Never gets there.

I have sometimes tried 5 or 6 times before I finally got the post onto the thread. Sometimes I've just given up entirely, closed Mudcat, and gone and done something else.

Needless to say, it interferes some with the enjoyment of this forum. Anyone else having the same problem?

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:11 PM

Used to - it rarely happens now. However, if I want to write something long or detailed, I write it in textedit and save - just in case...

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:17 PM

I agree with Will. It's got a lot better. I tend to select all and copy every post before either reviewing or sending. If it's a post I think the mods might delete, I send it to myself by email. I like the idea that I could mischievously post it again...and again... Heheh. But I never do!

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:19 PM

Yeah. By the way, I had to try 4 times to even get this new thread to launch.

Let's see if this comment goes through...

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:32 PM

Heheh. Get yourself off dial-up is my advice!

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:45 PM

LH, have you tried different browsers? It sounds like your system is slow or lagging. Do you have a new ad blocker or other monitoring software in place?

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 05:49 PM

Or maybe he's trying to do it on an Alan Sugar Amstrad telephone Emailer... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 06:08 PM

No, I'm on very high speed here, actually.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 06:10 PM

If there is a problem with anything, it's certainly not the speed of the server I'm on. It's either the Mudcat software...or it's that my computer itself is getting old. I think it's 3 or 4 years I've had this one.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 06:47 PM

Mines about 8 or 9 years old. If other people aren't having problems, it's not Mudcat. It might have nothing to do with either your end or Mudcat's. It could be some sort of interference on the way from your computer to or from Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 06:53 PM

It's that goddamned Shane, he's playing with the router. Give him some money and send him down to the tavern, then your Mudcat messages will go through just fine.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: robomatic
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:04 PM

I have in the past had long, detailed posts lost because while writing them in the Mudcat "Reply to Thread" text window something has hicupped either in the computer or online, and I get a new page, and going back to the old page may or may not re-show my earnest work. So, when I'm less impassioned I've putmy post in an independent text window or Microsoft word and then not oonly had the time to peruse, re-think and re-write, but have not lost my valuable musings. But where's the fun in that?

And then of course rarely I've had mods kill my posts. But one of them has posted in this very thread and should know I'll never forget.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:20 PM

Never worry about mods killing your posts. Democracy this ain't, and that's a point worth celebrating. Bit of a bugger when you've spent half an hour on one, but just think of all the other crap they've deleted along with your words of wisdom... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:27 PM

If you don't quote or mention what trolls are discussing in any given thread your posts have an excellent chance of staying put. It's when they change the subject and there are a bunch of responses that stuff goes missing. Stay on topic and you're fine.

Whenever I write a message at Mudcat I always select and do "control C" to copy it, then have it handy if the thread doesn't go through. If I think it's going to be a problem I open a notepad or Word page and do "control v" and paste it there for posting later. You seem to have a localized glitch affecting your posts. Perhaps you need to use "https" to post here instead of "http." Or turn on or off Ghostery or your security software. Chances are other software programs aren't playing nicely.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:47 PM

Little Hawk's broadband used to be very fast. Don't forget that Canada just legalized recreational cannabis. Expect everything in the country to slow down a bit as workers in all sectors find themselves needing frequent breaks as sudden donut cravings drive them away from their jobs and to the nearest Tim Horton's.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:48 PM

Oh God, Maggie. Let's face it. Little Hawk is just somewhat antediluvian... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 08:09 PM

I've had the same trouble.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 09:35 PM

What, with slow broadband, cannabis, trolls , democracy or just things?

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 10:10 PM

Careful, Steve. I'll get Chongo's security squad after you.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 11:23 PM

It seems to be working better, now that I complained about it. :)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 12:09 AM

I tend to blame unposting messages on my entering my message on a browser that's saved on my computer. If I refresh the browser by hitting F5 on my keyboard or clicking that circular arrow icon, the browser seems to take the message the second time.
I try to remember to Highlight [CTRL-A] and Copy [CTRL-C] my messages, so I can Paste [CTRL-V] them into a refreshed browser if I need to, and I always check to see if my messages posted.

Sometimes, a bad Internet connection or a nasty phase of my antivirus software seems to be the problem, or a bad browser update. Right now, I can't edit in descriptions of my Facebook pictures, and I wonder what that's about. Or if I get them to "take," they don't appear on Facebook - but I can write replies to posts.

It can be fwustwating.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:26 AM

well .....I dunno.

You attempt to answer a detailed question about something complicated like Brexit, or how to set up a Fender amp.

And you simply don't remember to copy, or to put it into word. And then twenty minutes of detailed writing go up in a puff of smoke. And frankly much as I love Mudcat - life is a very short affair, and you think...sod it!

Been there...I bet most of us have at some point.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:40 AM

There was a point, some time ago, when ads were interfering with Mudcat threads appearing. Whether that's still the case I don't know.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:51 AM

You're all talking in Alien, I don't understand a word of any of this. What are browser, copy, paste, word, http? Eh? Eh? (waves knitting and brandishes ear-trumpet)
I can type, and press 'submit message'. That's the sum total of my technical knowledge.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 08:30 AM

I advise a Dave the Gnome succinct brevity. Those do not time out or get hung up.
For a Jim Carrol or Steve Sham length diatribe save, copy and click submit in a fresh new reply box.
But it is all better overall.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 08:52 AM

Steve Sham? Hahaha....!!

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 09:25 AM

I got into the habit of composing posts in a text editor long ago, but rarely lose a post during the actual posting process. I do get the 'bonk' screen occasionally. Usually a reboot sorts that out.

I know there was a thread about the 'bonk' but when I need to read it is exactly when I can't get to see it and when I can, I don't need to. Oh well..............

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 09:53 AM

Luckily, my "back" button works, but even so, it often won't submit subsequent times. I have to copy it, re-open the thread and paste it in. This hasn't happened in a long time though.

The end of it is this: if it happens to many people, it could be Mudcat. If it only happens to you, it's because somebody hexed your computer and it now might be hosting an evil presence that will suck all your Cheetos into its bowels, and then explode in an orange cloud.

Be careful.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: DaveRo
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 10:00 AM

Stanron wrote: ...but rarely lose a post during the actual posting process

I thought you were using my Browser Tools addon - in which case you should never lose a post!

Unless you use Lesser Browsers - or an iThing

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 10:50 AM

It's true. I am using the browser tools, and very good they are too. I'm still getting the 'bonk'.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 02:53 PM

The bonk was unrelated to addon browser tools. Hopefully it has been cleared up.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:23 PM

"Steve Sham length diatribe"

I'd rather be like that than dense and unintelligible, Donuel. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:45 PM

What on earth is a 'bonk'??

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: DaveRo
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 03:50 PM

I'm glad you asked that, Sen. I've no idea either.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 04:01 PM

Don;t think it means a or to hit or to have sex with, the only meanings I know. I'd guess it means Mudcat blocking or bouncing the post.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 04:20 PM

Ha! I'm tempted to tell my husband that I might end up with a 'bonk' if I keep posting on Mudcat. He'll think it's one of those online sex liaison sites.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 04:21 PM

It happens when Mudcat is "down" - where you should see the usual list of threads, all you see is "bonk". Last happened a couple of days back?

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 04:30 PM

To understand what's meant by "bonk",
You must be a computer wonk.

I'm not one, I don't give a honk.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 05:03 PM

You don't really have to know anything. It's a message you get when you try to get in using a blocked IP address. If you've got a dynamic address (one that changes), you can accidentally be assigned one that somebody blocked.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 05:03 PM

In the browser you click on a Mudcat link and all you get is a blank page with the word 'bonk' in the top left hand corner. There was a thread about it. Stilly River Sage kindly sent me a message on how to stop it. So far so good.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 04:54 AM

dare I posit the concept of net neutrality or lack of it?

I have had episods (sic) of not being able to post but that is normally hidden in the BT (notso) HotSpot I use. And that itself is is a legit example of BT priotitising the speed because their "fon" system is basically parasitising routers paid for by someone else. Their advertising that claims millions of (notso) HotSpots is notso moral.

But having said that most providers now use things called a CDN - content delivery networks. These prioritise streaming content because people would blame them if their movie was running out of buffering.

So there are things that compromise net neutrality by the back door. Maybe your neighbours are heavy users of streaming. Or maybe there are several CDNs in the pipe. Such as those that handle Atlantic traffic.

Just adding to the complexity for the arguement.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 06:33 AM

BT hotspots are utterly useless. Buy yourself a bit of data and use 4G. It's everywhere these days (almost) and it works almost as well as my home hub.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 09:50 PM

Ah, Senoufou/Eliza, your protests
warm the very cockles of my heart,
because I hate feeling as though
I am the only BC-era person
--that's Before Computers --
in these parts.

Big Al Whittle mentioned putting something in Word. He will correct me,
I hope, if I am mistaken, but I think
Big A W was referring to Microsoft Word.
He knows more than I know,
if he knows how to use Microsoft Word --
I know the thing exists but I never go there.

Some of this "alien" vocabulary, Eliza,
is about word-processing programs and techniques.
Another subject about which I almost know what I don't know
if you see what I mean.

Cut-and-paste, that's word-processing.
Now "http" is in the URL which is to the top left of your computer screen.
"browser" is also a computer term.

Me, I remember typewriters that were NOT word-processors!
I even own one, although it lives on a shelf and rarely comes out.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 10:24 PM

maybe you can take your typewriter to the Antique Roadshow, keberoxu.

sandra (not a speaker/reader of Advanced Computer)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 03:19 AM

Said typewriter is more valuable with a bottle of Tippex as part of the deal.

:)

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Senoufou
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 04:32 AM

My sister is always on at me to get more techno savvy. She's much cleverer than me and quite a bit younger. But she also has two lovely daughters in their late twenties, and of course they know all about modern internet communication and technology.

They have those 'iphones' (I think that's what they're called) which are like miniature computers as well as a phone. They gave my sister one for Christmas and she said it cost not far short of a thousand pounds!!
Her new car also has a computer on board and does everything except wipe her nose. (Maybe it does that too, but I don't think so)

Your typewriter sounds absolutely lovely keberoxu. I had one too many years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 09:30 AM

Analog man in a digital world
Organic as the grain of old school burl
He knows the lessons we need to relearn
He curses his new hearing aid and burns
What he thinks he hears is very funny
He hates the thing, it cost too much money
He was told his hearing aid's digital
like saying it is 100% biblical
His teeth are man made from digital scans
Don't mention his eyes they're made in Japan
Analog man still hikes natures green trails
He worships science but not fairy tales
He curses age and not the inventions
He pays dearly for these with his pension
Science continues to go through changes
but fairy tales are the same through phases
An i phone discharges as analog man ages
It's under a stack of type written pages

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 09:59 AM

I became computer-competent because my trade -- editing and publishing -- was one of the first to succumb to digital retooling, back in the mid-1980s. My first word-processor was WordPerfect, version 3.4, which I ran on a ridiculously expensive computer with a massive 20-Mb hard drive. I learned Microsoft Word in 1995, when the editorial company I worked for landed a contract to write user manuals for Canada Post.

I learned to type at age 11 on my father's 1940-vintage Royal portable, and started doing it for a living as a naval communicator using equipment so primitive it ran on vacuum tubes. I remember mainframe computers that were programmed with floppy disks the size of long-playing records. The disks were made of paper (that's why they were floppy), and a massive step up from the stacks of cards and reels of tape they replaced.

Now I have an iPhone, which I love for its efficiency and hate for its expense -- telecommunications services in Canada are ridiculously expensive.

My grandmother, born in 1902 at the dawn of the automotive age, lived to see routine flights by space shuttle to the International Space Station.

I think I can deal with incremental changes in computer software.

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 10:42 AM

Charmion, I learned to type in high school in a class that used manual typewriters; the Cadillac of typewriters at the time (and for all time!) was the wonderful IBM Selectric.

My first computer was an Eagle 8088 in 1984 and I used word processing software called Wordstar - and they might have stayed a viable player if they hadn't stumbled with the awful "Wordstar2000" I think was the dud in their sequence of programming. Windows 95 entered my computers about that year ('95) and have been there in the background in one form or another ever since.

A few years ago I was fussing about the keyboard and I heard a story on NPR about the convergence of electric typewriters and computer keyboards - the Unicomp keyboard. They actually bought the rights to the IBM Selectric keyboard technology and turned it into computer keyboards. You get that buckling spring action (with or without noise) and go full circle! I'm about ready to buy my next keyboard from them, this time probably through Amazon, and I'll get one that has the function (F-keys) along the top. That was a drawback for a long time - they really did emulate the IBM machines and didn't add some of the computer keys beyond control, alt, and function keys. This time I think it will also have the Windows key (the flying window that is good for several shortcuts).

Subject: RE: BS: You can TRY to post a comment.....
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 11:09 AM

The IBM Selectric - were they all golfball typewriters? Peggy Seeger wrote a love song to those.

You can get Vintage IBM Model M keyboards, with buckling springs, on ebay. Not expensive: a lot were made - and they seem to last for ever.