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26 Jul 10 - 07:28 AM (#2952364) Subject: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion Why-oh-why are Mudcat processes so complex compared with other online facilities? To copy a bluey ("clicky") link to an e-mail, e.g., one simply copies & pastes a previous link. None of all this "Create a blue clicky" which I can never master ~~ & I am not a fool!. Likewise, why all the http round-the-world processes with <...> & all that to italicise, bolden, &c, instead of just clicking 'instruct-i, instruct-b' &c, as one has to do in most other processes? Any chance of simpifying all this stuff, please? Or, at least anyhow, of justifying why it is so difficult to organise on Mudcat the simple processes which appear to obtain elsewhere on the Web? ~Michael~ |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:44 AM (#2952368) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Greg F. Life's a bitch, ain't it? |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:53 AM (#2952370) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: greg stephens I always thought that they were trying to make it a bit more difficult for links,emboldening your text with giant pink letters, cutting and pasting and all that stuff. The motivation being to cut down on the constant stream of of baloney generated by the predilections of certain Catters to get their teeth into certain topics and worry them to death (or rather a prolonged agony never quite resulting in death). |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:56 AM (#2952371) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Will Fly THE "BLUE CLICKY" COCKTAIL - RECIPE 1. Copy the URL of the site you wish to add to your post by highlighting it in your browser and doing a "copy" command. 2. The URL should now be on your computer clipboard. 3. Return to the Mudcat thread you wish to post to. 4. Click on the "Make a link ("blue clicky") link. 5. When the clicky screen appears, paste the URL into the "Link URL" box. 6. Optionally, type the name of the link - how you want it to appear in your post - into the "Link text (optional)" box. 7. Hit the "Create link" button. 8. When the HTML line of text appears, copy it into your clipboard and return to your post. 9. Paste the link HTML into the post... |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:06 AM (#2952376) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Wesley S I think you're right. You should start a new website of your own and run it exactly the way you want to. Wesley S {founding member of The National Sarcasm Society} |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:37 AM (#2952387) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: TopcatBanjo I understand what you mean about the site being somewhat primitive compared to other forums (fora?) but I think there are a few threads somewhere which deal with the whys and wherefores. However, I cannot understand why anyone who just follows the bloody instructions, can't make a blue clicky. People on here are constantly bleating "can't do the clicky" as they copy and paste useless non-links. Can't be arsed to read the instructions more like! Yes, it's a bit more convoluted compared to other sites but it only takes a few moments and is perfectly easy to follow. |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:51 AM (#2952400) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion I do follow the instructions; & inevitably find that when I have followed the instructions [as given, & repeated by Will above] the thread I propose to add to, along with Mudcat in toto, has vanished from my desktop. When I get it back, the copy I have started has vanished, so I start again, and it vanishes again, and so ad infinitum ~~~ So what am I doing wrong? & why should one have to follow all these idiot complicated instructions anyhow instead of just doing it the simple copy·&·paste way one can work anywhere else on the Web? Sarkie-bugger Wesley S: up yours too, on a bold-italicised-blue·clicky; & when I do start my own website, one of the ways I shall choose to run it will be to keep you off it, you fatuously aggressive little man. ~Michael~ |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:52 AM (#2952401) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray I suspect this thread will be soon be deleted as it concerns the Mudcat Divine Law that Must Not Be Discussed or Questioned. Basically, the whole thing resides in someone's shed rather than on a remote Internet server, hence the creaky tech. Also, if anything happens to said shed, then it's bang goes the entire archive which I would have thought was worth preserving for Malcolm Douglas's contributions alone. Still, creaky tech is the least of Mudcat's problems and when I see a thread that involves the words MUDCAT and BULLSHIT I might think of a few ways that could run right now, mostly concerning CENSORSHIP, MODERATION and PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, but I would never discuss those things on the forum in fear of EX-COMMUNICATION from what remains a very useful resource. |
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26 Jul 10 - 09:16 AM (#2952413) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: maeve Michael, regarding the vanishing text issue- It's the back and forth business that creates the frustrating problem to which you allude. Try opening 3 separate tabs or windows: one for Mudcat, click on the the Make a Link to bring it up a 2nd window, and the third tab or window should contain the other site to which you wish to link. You can copy the link in your informational site, then go over to the "Make a Link" window and paste it in there, and click "Create Link". Your newly coded link info will appear. Copy/Paste that code into the Mudcat message posting window and Bob's your uncle. It can be helpful to use the "Test the link" and "Preview" options. As for the whys and wherefores of Mudcat; it belongs to Max who can do as he pleases. He's updated several functions recently, and has made it clear he is interested in continued development within his vision for Mudcat. Suggestions for his consideration can be posted in this thread. If my suggestion above isn't helpful, do please send me a PM and I'll try to help further. Regards, maeve |
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26 Jul 10 - 09:21 AM (#2952416) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray Did I just imagine it or did a post from MtheGM just magically vanish before my eyes? That's the only vanishing text issue that bothers me.
-Joe Offer- |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:02 AM (#2952434) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Old Vermin Compared with, say, The Guardian's Comment is Free pages, Mudcat boasts an extra and essential feature. You can preview your postas a specific exercise. This means that you have an extra chance to spot typos or errors and get the chance to reconsider the wisdom of the post. That is very good. |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:06 AM (#2952438) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Amos Why not just learn the very simple HTML codes as patiently and repeatedly explained on various threads by Joe Offer and others? Stick a bloody HREF in your text, paste in the URL, put the brackets in the right place and you're done. Oi!! You're getting all snarly because you haven't been arsed to understand the subject. A |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:28 AM (#2952445) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: ranger1 Amos, you're going to make him annoyed with your typo. it's "a href= (place your url here, but without the parentheses)" with the <> around it. Then type whatever you want the words in blue to say, and then plop "/a" with the <> around it afterwards and ta-dah! Your very own blue clickie thing! |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:30 AM (#2952446) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion No, Amos: you rudely & ill-temperedly underrate me, for motives I find it difficult to fathom. I have no difficulty with the ital & bold &c functions, which I use frequently & without too much difficulty; but still don't see why they have to be so elaborately more complicated than the methods obtaining on other sites, & on WP systems generally. The blue-clickies, as shown by the helpful posts from Maeve & Will above, are so complex that I can't think why anyone bothers with them {but thank you, Will & Maeve, nevertheless}. If you, Amos, wish to address me again, kindly mind [& mend] your manners, & moderate your modes of expression. I don't see why I should be expected to have any dealings with ill-bred yobbos of the sort you seem, for reasons which, I reiterate, I cannot comprehend, to wish to appear to be. ~Michael~ |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:44 AM (#2952452) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Amos Well, if you can manage the brackets concept, stretch a bit and clear up your understanding of the href bracket, and all will be sunshine again. It is not hard if you clear up what the various bits are for. Just sayin'.... |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:46 AM (#2952454) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: The Fooles Troupe "the thread I propose to add to, along with Mudcat in toto, has vanished from my desktop. When I get it back, the copy I have started has vanished, so I start again, and it vanishes again, and so ad infinitum ~~~ So what am I doing wrong" Maeve said it before I got to it - and forget Internet Explorer - get and use Firefox - can have dozens of tabs open at once so you just pop from one to the other to do all this magic. Actually, If I am in a hurry, i just post the plain html direct - it's not really all that hard to just copy that and paste it into a new blank tab in Firefox anyway... |
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26 Jul 10 - 10:58 AM (#2952469) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: olddude Michael as a software engineer myself I completely understand why ... You have to remember that mudcat was up and running when other people were just talking about have a web forum . In fact most major companies did not yet have a website when Max launched it... It was absolutely state of the art at the time ... as far as enhancements ... well yes but that takes time and money ... Remember this site makes no money ... Max does it out of love and people donate their time and resources to keep it running. Yes today their are far more powerful technologies ... sure it can use PHP, Ajax, or Java JSP with an XML layer. Do you want to pay for it ... That is the reason |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:05 AM (#2952472) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion Many thanks, Dan. That makes excellent sense indeed. ~Michael~ |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:14 AM (#2952480) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Rapparee I kinda like the old-fashioned, hand-crafted, HTML. |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:33 AM (#2952502) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,leeneia Here's how I do it: THE "BLUE CLICKY" COCKTAIL - RECIPE 1. Copy the URL of the site you wish to add to your post by highlighting it in your browser and doing a "copy" command. 2. The URL should now be on your computer clipboard. 3. Return to the Mudcat thread you wish to post to. 4. RIGHT lick on the "Make a link ("blue clicky") link. Select 'open in new window' from the drop-down menu that appears. 5. When the clicky screen appears, paste the URL into the "Link URL" box. 6. Optionally, type the name of the link - how you want it to appear in your post - into the "Link text (optional)" box. 7. Hit the "Create link" button. 8. When the HTML line of text appears, copy it into your clipboard and return to your post. 9. Paste the link HTML into the post... 10. BE AWARE THAT YOU WON'T SEE THE NICE NEW LINK AT THIS TIME, BUT OTHERS WILL SEE IT. ======== If the instructions explained number 10, there would far less confusion over clickies. |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:33 AM (#2952503) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Will Fly Me too. |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:37 AM (#2952506) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion Ih the html is bagzafun ~~ or can be. It's they danged clickies!!! |
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26 Jul 10 - 12:02 PM (#2952521) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: jeffp One big thing to remember when making blue clickies is to include the "http://" as part of the URL. Otherwise it won't work at all. |
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26 Jul 10 - 12:15 PM (#2952528) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
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26 Jul 10 - 12:22 PM (#2952532) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:06 PM (#2952563) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Wesley S Actually MtheGM there is another option to starting your own website. You can ask for a refund on all the support checks you've sent Max over the years to maintain this free website which he maintains out of the goodness of his heart. What?! You've haven't been sending Max checks to help out and assist paying for the softwear? Well then - never mind.... Did you ever think that - just perhaps - the title of this thread is a little over the top? You can't seem to manage a blue clicky so it's "why all the bullshit?". It's not a "little irritation" or a "minor inconvenience"? It's "bullshit"? Your life must be pretty good if this is your definition of "bullshit". Eagerly awaiting the debut of your new and improved website..... Blue clicky |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:11 PM (#2952566) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Rapparee .snoitcerid dewollof tsuJ .tab eht ffo thgir tuo ti dereggif I .od ot drah TAHT lla t'nia ti ,skcuhS |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:13 PM (#2952569) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: olddude No problem Michael. When we compare the new forums functionality with the mudcat they do have many enhanced features. But alas it takes funds to do a face lift for sure. The blue clicky's can get to be a hassle sometimes for the extra step but nothing to bad. I am amazed he built this thing so many years ago when everyone else was trying to figure out how to do database interfaces with security and functionality. Max already had it. It was an amazing piece of programming in its day and like the old pocket watch just keeps on tickin |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:20 PM (#2952573) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Dave the Gnome Wesley S {founding member of The National Sarcasm Society} Yea, sure. A national sarcasm society is JUST what we need... :D (eG) |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:21 PM (#2952574) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Wesley S Like we need YOUR support....... |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:23 PM (#2952576) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: olddude Most forums today you will see they are built on PHPBB which has become the defacto standard that everyone uses .. I am sure if Mudcat was starting out fresh that is probably what it would have and hence all the modern functionality. The problem trying to move in that direction is over a decade of historical research that has been collected in custom table structures. A software developer would have to write scripts to copy all of the history into the new table structures that are used by PHPBB. That would be incredibly expensive or time consuming for someone to donate their time. But the Cat functions and does a great job of it also .. I actually would hate to see it look like every other Forum on the net .. takes the tradition out of it ... and we are all about tradition for sure. |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:25 PM (#2952578) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: katlaughing And it is not housed in a shed! Show some respect, sheesh! Mudcat is the Woody Guthrie/LibbaCotten/etc. of the Internet and you would have it electrified, stir-fried, baked and served on a silver platter at the Ritz!LOL! MtheGM, you can always just post the link and one of us can wave our magic clone wand to make it into a blue clicky. They've been immortalized in song, ya know: clickety, which, if memory serves, Kevin did for the Mudcat CDs we did years ago. Great song! |
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26 Jul 10 - 01:30 PM (#2952580) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Amos Just so you know, Rapaire's backward text is not done through an HTML coding trick; it is done in a word processor, probably Microsoft's, and then pasted as ordinary text after it has been reversed. A |
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26 Jul 10 - 02:53 PM (#2952638) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: ragdall MtheGM, I appreciate the uncluttered, easy to read format of Mudcat. It's perfect just the way it is. Don't worry if you can't master making a hyperlink. Just copy and paste the URL in your post and the first html literate person who reads the thread will happily post a link. Failing that, most of us are capable of copying the URL from your post and pasting it into the address bar of our browsers if we are interested in seeing the page. rags |
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26 Jul 10 - 03:32 PM (#2952657) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray And it is not housed in a shed! Show some respect, sheesh! My hearty apologies; it should of course have read shack. For the curious, here's a rare image believed to be the home of Mudcat and maybe one or two of its elves: Mudcat HQ. Word is, those times Mudcat is off-line is actually due to Sasquatch attacks, feudin' inbread serpent-handlin' hillbillies and radioactive interference from ET activity. |
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26 Jul 10 - 03:50 PM (#2952667) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: MGM·Lion Thanks for excellent advice, Rags. |
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26 Jul 10 - 03:56 PM (#2952671) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: mousethief I really do not understand why the clicky programming is so hard. |
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26 Jul 10 - 04:33 PM (#2952689) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Ebbie This is amazing. Bad mouthing a resource begun and maintained and financed largely by volunteers? For shame. If only you did as well. |
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26 Jul 10 - 04:42 PM (#2952694) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: GUEST,number 6 Rags ... I agree, well said! biLL |
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26 Jul 10 - 06:59 PM (#2952793) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Old Vermin
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26 Jul 10 - 07:03 PM (#2952798) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Old Vermin And after the mention above of shack or shed, we note the Usenet newsgroup uk.rec.sheds, if treewind hasn't already mentioned it. |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:09 PM (#2952800) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Rapparee You're 100% wrong, Amos. |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:09 PM (#2952801) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Rapparee And I CERTAINLY wouldn't use Word!! |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:38 PM (#2952822) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Noreen ˙ɹǝɥʇıǝ `pɹoʍ uı ǝuop ʇ,usı sıɥʇ |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:42 PM (#2952827) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: ragdall |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:58 PM (#2952835) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Beer That is far out rags. ad. |
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26 Jul 10 - 07:59 PM (#2952836) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: frogprince I wish they wuld fix Mudcat so peopel cuoldnt' clutur it up with al that stoopid html coed stuf! |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:00 PM (#2952839) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: ragdall Not too far out, I hope, Adrien? I have a question for Noreen: ¿uǝǝɹoN ǝuop ʇi si ǝɹǝÉ¥ʍ |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:03 PM (#2952840) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: maeve Great stuff, Clever Ones! |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:18 PM (#2952846) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: ragdall Google says that the codes for upside down lettering are here http://www.upsidedowntext.com/unicode Yes, I have far too much spare time on my hands today, or rather I'm avoiding the work that I should be doing. rags slips quietly away. |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:32 PM (#2952857) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: open mike ˙bɹo˙ʇxǝʇdıןɟ˙ʍʍʍ ʇɐ ǝpɐɯ sɐʍ sıɥʇ ˙sʇsod ɹnoʎ uı ǝʇsɐd oʇ sʞuıן ǝʞɐɯ ʎןısɐǝ uɐɔ noʎ ǝɹǝɥʍ ɹǝıɟıʞɔıןq ɐ ǝʌɐɥ ǝʍ ʇɐɥʇ sı buıɥʇ ןnɟɹǝpuoʍ ǝɥʇ http://www.fliptext.org >ɐ/ all the work of making a Blue clicky (blickie) has been done for us.. at the "make-a-link" blickie below -- lucky us!! |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:39 PM (#2952862) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Joe_F When there's bullshit on one side & horseshit on the other, sit on the fence. As I recently said on another thread, I find it easier to insert the HTML codes by hand than to use the make-a-link link. However, I always use the preview option when I do that, in case I make a mistake. It is nice to know that a charitable human will convert a URL to a link if I neglect to do so. However, automating that process might be possible on this site, as it has been shown to be on some others. |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:40 PM (#2952863) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Fergie This is why I like Mudcat just as it is. Max, through selfless endeavour and dedication has done a fantastic job over many years. It's straight forward and simple. I've learned so much from the people that hang out here. Hey it's not perfect but is the best free resource for traditional songs and singing and knowledge of the subject on the net. If you think you can do something to improve this site, PM Max or one of the moderators or elves, and pass them your positive criticisms and maybe suggest some way you might be willing and able to assist them to improve this fantastic site. Otherwise get positive, get a life or get out of here. Fergus PS thanks to Max and all involve. |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:53 PM (#2952867) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Rapparee |
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26 Jul 10 - 08:54 PM (#2952868) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: Janie I LOVE the clickifier function. I have more trouble remembering html code than I have remembering song lyrics. |
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26 Jul 10 - 09:20 PM (#2952880) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: olddude Folks Michael is a very good person. Like many of us sometime technology gets frustrating ... Heck I want to wack my computer about 7 times a day. Poor choice of wording for the thread but it wasn't meant to be harsh just frustration setting in ... we all do it |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:13 PM (#2952931) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? From: jacqui.c Making clickies really isn't difficult. I've even managed to talk Kendall through doing it. |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:24 PM (#2952935) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: Joe Offer
I find it's best to open a new browser window [CTRL-N] and navigate your way to the site you want to link to. Highlight and copy [CTRL-C] the URL (address) of the site, and then go back to your Mudcat message and paste [CTRL-V] the URL into your link. Be sure to include the http:// in that URL. The quotation marks are standard procedure, but most links work just fine without quotation marks. |
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26 Jul 10 - 11:42 PM (#2952941) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: number 6 Geeeezuz H. Joe !! anyway ... I've been in the IT business for 36 years ... been a programmer, systems analyst, applications designer, systems architect and yadda yadda yadda. Frankly I cannot give a rat's ass about HTML codes, font triggers or whatever. All through my so called IT career I have always been extremely annoyed by smart ass users who boast of their computer skills. These people constantly got into areas they shouldn't have and mucked up so many things they made many a work day a challenge to clean up their mess. In this thread I now see many of these smart ass users who are now retired and spending way too much time cluttering up a well intentioned thread here on the Mudcat with their smart ass antics. Hmmmmmpf biLL |
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27 Jul 10 - 12:18 AM (#2952949) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: MGM·Lion Thank you for kind words, Dan. Frustration, yes; & perhaps ill-chosen vocabulary ~~ tho I have always understood that the BS prefix we put to non-musical posts simply stands for that fairly moderate expletive I employed to which a certain amount of exception has been taken ~~ is not that so? ~Michael~ |
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27 Jul 10 - 04:09 AM (#2952993) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: Sandra in Sydney Someone once said BS = Breeze Shooting, but that's not a term we use this side of the pond. sandra (who often posts in the BS area) |
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27 Jul 10 - 04:51 AM (#2953005) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: MGM·Lion Which Joe or clone, btw, has added 'HTML' to my original title? As I have said before, it is not the HTML processes for itals, bold, &c, with which I have the problems, tho they are a bit round the worldish [which is, as several have pointed out to me, a factor of their admirable pioneering antiquity]; but, despite endeavours & encouragements from many good friends on this thread, I do continue to find the blue-clicky requirements opaque in the extreme. ~Michael~
If you have trouble understanding the logic of making clickable links, by may find the "blickifier" function helpful - you'll find it near the message-posting box in every thread. -Joe Offer- |
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27 Jul 10 - 07:16 AM (#2953058) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: TheSnail olddude The blue clicky's can get to be a hassle sometimes.... Hi olddude. Didn't realise you were a greengrocer. |
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27 Jul 10 - 08:16 AM (#2953095) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: The Fooles Troupe Actually many tricks such as Rapaire's can be done in Firefox with the LeetKey addon. .n0dd4 y3{|733L 3h7 h71w x0f3r1F n1 3n0d 38 n4( 5'3r14p4R 54 h(u5 5k(1r7 yn4m y||4u7(4 and others... |
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27 Jul 10 - 09:59 AM (#2953148) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: GUEST,leeneia A voice of one that crieth in the wilderness... Explain to people that when they post the href thing, that is all they will see on their own computer. They won't see the blue clicky themselves, but it will be working for others. |
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27 Jul 10 - 10:12 AM (#2953152) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: TheSnail GUEST,leeneia They won't see the blue clicky themselves, but it will be working for others Check the Preview box and then Submit Message. It won't send the message but will show you what it will look like. If it's OK,Submit Message again. |
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27 Jul 10 - 12:21 PM (#2953238) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the bullshit? (HTML) From: olddude Snail LOL ... that was good .. yup can't type ... can't see ... time for new glasses ... |
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27 Jul 10 - 01:12 PM (#2953268) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Joe Offer I'm going to post my color-coded link demo again, and give a bit of explanation. Get a cup of coffee and focus yourself on this brief message, and you'll find you'll master links in no time. HTML isn't hard, if you just get the hang of the logic of HTML. The Mudcat HTML guide will give a more comprehensive explanation, but here are some basics. An HTML command is always enclosed in <angle brackets>. The command is turned off by repeating it, with a slash in front of it, again enclosed in </angle brackets>. Most HTML commands are reasonably intuitive:
u for underline i for italics h1, h2, h3, etc. for Headlines blockquote for indented text hr for horizontal rule (line) But links start with <a...> (plus modifiers, usually href=) and end with </a> - which, to my mind, isn't particularly intuitive. Still, it follows the same pattern of starting with a command <a...> (plus modifiers) and ending with </a>. In the example below, you'll see that
the target URL is in red and the link text (which can be anything, even a picture) is in blue
Note that the full Web address - including http://, is required for links outside Mudcat. I find it's best to copy [CTRL-C] the URL (address) from the address bar of my browser, and then paste [CTRL-V] it into the link I'm making. If you're posting links at Mudcat, the quotation marks are optional. I prefer not to use them, because they complicate the task of making links. Simple is better, I think. Fewer misteaks. It may be easier and quicker to open a new browser window [CTRL-N] and navigate your way to the site you want to link to. Highlight and copy [CTRL-C] the URL (address) of the site, and then go back to your Mudcat message and paste [CTRL-V] the URL into your link. Be sure to include the http:// in that URL. The quotation marks are standard procedure, but most links work just fine without quotation marks. I don't find e-mail links particularly helpful nowadays, since so many people use Web-based e-mail that doesn't work with the links.
-Joe Offer- So, in short, here's all you need to make a link: See? It's easy!! |
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27 Jul 10 - 02:04 PM (#2953304) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Amos The "A" stands for anchor, because the location on the page where you place the "a" is where the link is anchored, from the viewpoint of the reader. The "href" stands for "hypertext reference". So "a href" denotes anchoring a hypertext reference, or a link to another location. A |
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27 Jul 10 - 05:37 PM (#2953429) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: PoppaGator Back when I was new to Mudcat, I had trouble, briefly, getting the "blue clicky" thing to work. My links would lead to some other place within the Mudcat site, not to my intended destination. I eventually learned what the problem was: I was not including the entire web address to which I intended to link. If you copy an entire URL, including the "http://" part, the "Make a link ("blue clicky")" shortcut works like a charm, every time. But the way the "blickifier" formula works, your link won't get outside of Mudcat if you omit the opening code... And, as long as all you want to do with HTML is to post working links and maybe make italics and boldface, etc., you do NOT have to learn Joe's color-coded link instructions. Just click the blue-clicky link, copy-and-paste your destination URL in the appropriate place, and paste it into your message. To see the link exactly as it will appear in the message, and to test it is you wish, preview your message before posting. |
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27 Jul 10 - 05:44 PM (#2953437) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Bill D I still say that it makes it all even easier if you don't put the quotation marks in the address HTML. In 15 years, I never have, and if you miss one..or hit a ' instead, it messes things up. |
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27 Jul 10 - 06:08 PM (#2953467) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Bill D The first few months I tried to post using clickies, I saved a copy of the code, like Joe Offer posted above, in big, colorful type, so I could just substitute MY content...then one day, it dawned on me that I saw the pattern! Then, by frequenting a group where helper programs were discussed, I got myself several of those to do the stuff that went beyond the plain 'a href=' stuff. Now I do links easily, but don't even try to 'learn' the fancy stuff... I just let a pre-written program do it for me. (and olddude said it perfectly...Mudcat was written before those automated forums existed. Be glad, MtheGM, that you weren't trying this when we still had to do manual line breaks! (note the checked box below) The first clones were constantly having to manually put in lyrics line breaks.) |
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27 Jul 10 - 06:51 PM (#2953487) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Jim Dixon I fully agree with the change to the title of this thread. Not only this thread, but many threads would benefit from a more clear and specific thread title. |
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27 Jul 10 - 07:23 PM (#2953509) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: ragdall I think a more accurate title for Michael's difficulty with Mudcat would be, "BS: Mudcat: automatic hyperlinks for posted URLs needed". ... As I have said before, it is not the HTML processes for itals, bold, &c, with which I have the problems, tho they are a bit round the worldish [which is, as several have pointed out to me, a factor of their admirable pioneering antiquity]; but, despite endeavours & encouragements from many good friends on this thread, I do continue to find the blue-clicky requirements opaque in the extreme. Michael, 1. Are you able to find your way back and forth between two windows or tabs? Do you know how to copy and paste? If not, one of us would be thrilled to walk you through those processes. If you are able to perform both of those tasks, please read on: 2. If you click the link under the new message field, Make a link ("blue clicky"), a new window will open. 3. Paste or type the URL you wish to share into both the Link URL: and the Link text (optional*): fields. 4. Click the Create Link button. 5. Copy the entire line(s) under "Cut and paste this into your post:" 6. Return to the window that contains the field in which you were typing a message and paste what you just copied there. 7. Click in the square beside Preview, then click Submit Message. Does the result look okay? If so, click Submit Message again. Try it, it works. rags |
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27 Jul 10 - 10:29 PM (#2953569) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: GUEST,leeneia On my computer I have to RIGHT CLICK on 'make a link.' A left click does nothing. I used my computer for years before I even asked myself what the right button was for. I bet many people who say they can't make clickies are failing to right click. And whether I test the link or not, it is still true that the first time I copy the href thing, the link is not visible to me, only to others. |
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27 Jul 10 - 10:49 PM (#2953584) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: katlaughing Joe, were the misteaks tasty?**BG** Shoot, it's been so long since we had to manually put in the line breaks, I'd forgotten all about them! |
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27 Jul 10 - 11:37 PM (#2953591) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Rags ~~ thank you. But my invariable problem is that when I reach your sequence #5, the whole of the window will have vanished from my desktop when I try to get back to it actually to insert the link which I think I have made. THAT is where the process always comes to a fullstop for me; so all this helpful advice about 'preview' & 'others will see it even tho I won't' & so forth is wasted, becoz the bloody copy is no longer there for me to work on by this stage. It will have gone · vanished · away into the ewigkeit!!! But thank you all very much just the same. Joe ~ many thanks for the PMs; resaon I have not responded as fully as perhaps I should is that I find them a bit of a distraction from this central problem I have rubricated here, which is really what I am seeking the solution to & which is what led to my originating this thread in the first place. ~Michael~ |
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27 Jul 10 - 11:50 PM (#2953597) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Joe Offer Well, Michael- I was kinda hoping you'd read my carefully-prepared guide and learn to make a link, but there's really no need. If you simply post the URL, the interested people will follow it. Besides, we moderators change most URLs we see to clickable links. I don't think the program we use, ColdFusion, has the ability to make automatic links in forum messages. But for those of us who have learned, making our own links is very satisfying. If you haven't learned, then the "Blue Clicky" maker at the bottom of each thread, may be a handy tool for you. For me, it's quicker to make my own. -Joe- |
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28 Jul 10 - 12:02 AM (#2953600) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Thanks, Joe. Sorry couldn't be more helpful about the other thing. Will come back to it later & try again ~~ it's 0430 hours here at the moment & I am only just up. I try to use the 'blue clicky' maker as you suggest ~~ that is where the above-mentioned problem, 2 posts back, always originates. Shall in future take your advice of just pasting in the URL for others to copy & paste, or for you or a clone to turn into a clicky on my behalf. But I still feel frustrated at not being able to perform this op which others find so simple without the copy in its entirety vanishing, as I describe in my last post! Why-o-why does this happen ~~ only to me, it appears! ~Michael~ |
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28 Jul 10 - 12:02 AM (#2953601) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Joe Offer Here's a simple link you can copy-paste. Just replace the "xxx" with the address you want: <a href=xxx>click here</a> |
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28 Jul 10 - 12:06 AM (#2953602) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Many thanks, Joe. I have saved that to copy & paste & shall certainly give it a try when occasion arises. ~Michael~ |
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28 Jul 10 - 03:17 PM (#2953967) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: ragdall Michael, Which browser are you using? (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari... etc.) |
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28 Jul 10 - 05:15 PM (#2954046) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Firefox, Rags. Ought to work, but copy never survives the clicky-links. Why? ~Michael~ |
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28 Jul 10 - 05:45 PM (#2954064) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: ragdall Michael, I use Firefox too and I've had trouble with windows "vanishing" too, but they don't really disappear, but they just go behind another window. I've taken a screen shot of the operation on Firefox: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diffuse/4839024950/ Do you have a task bar at the bottom of your screen like the one in that image? (It begins with "Start"). In my example, you can also see two buttons, "BS: Mudcat~~Why..." and "Link Maker - Mozilla Fi". Those mean that there are two windows open. When I can see one of those windows on my monitor, I can click the button for the other and that window will come to the front. rags |
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28 Jul 10 - 06:25 PM (#2954087) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Don Firth The REAL Mudcat headquarters Don Firth |
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28 Jul 10 - 09:07 PM (#2954177) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: The Fooles Troupe "I use Firefox too and I've had trouble with windows "vanishing" too, but they don't really disappear, but they just go behind another window." With Firefox, you can have a 'Tab Bar' up the top (or bottom) that shows you all the many windows you can have open at once - I won't say WHERE you go to turn that on or off, as I have so many other plug ins that may be modifying that :-) but you CAN also have it set up so that each new url opens in a new window - Ragdalls pic shows that. Personally I find the multi tabs easier. |
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29 Jul 10 - 12:52 AM (#2954248) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Thank you all for help ~~ shall keep this all this useful info on file for future ref. ~Michael~ |
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29 Jul 10 - 03:39 AM (#2954282) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: My guru always said At the risk of seeming somewhat niaive (how on earth is that spelt?), Michael has mentioned things disappearing while working via his 'desktop' several times. I always do links etc while in my 'browser'. Am I missing something? |
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29 Jul 10 - 03:49 AM (#2954294) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: ragdall My guru always said, semantics? |
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29 Jul 10 - 02:35 PM (#2954627) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion ...guru... ~~ I work ON my desktop, WITHIN my browser. I have never used the preposition 'via', with which you saddle me, in relation to either. FYO ~~ naïve Regards ~Michael~ |
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29 Jul 10 - 03:09 PM (#2954651) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Amos my invariable problem is that when I reach your sequence #5, the whole of the window will have vanished from my desktop Try using "New Tab" instead of "New Window" then you can just jump between tabs to go back and forth. A |
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29 Jul 10 - 09:09 PM (#2954868) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: catspaw49 Like Bill, I remember the days of line breaks and having to learn HTML just to post much around here. Most of us learned all that through Mudcat. And if you notice the link maker even refers to a link as a "Blue Clicky".......We were all so dumb we had no idea what it was called and Rick Fielding coined the phrase "Blue Clicky Thing" which ended up as a song by Amos as I recall. BUT MtheGM YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS: Michael, I know you find it a bit difficult to use parts of the 'Cat and that is normal. You see, many of us who have been around for a long time have access to features that you don't, like the automatic link maker. There is also a built in spell check with selective override and a far more advanced posting set-up with complete formatting functions. You don't have access to these and there is a reason for that which you need to know. We really don't like you Michael. You're a Brit and a pain in the ass Brit to boot. You're intelligent which is threatening to us and we suspect you have rampant dyspepsia because you lost your balls in a Rugby scrum. Correct me if I'm wrong but one of your team thought it was a scrotum instead of a scrum and.......well, I can't go into the details here.....far too disgusting and sad. We also assume you like cricket which of course makes you suspect in many countries just on the face of it. Even though you're pretty much a complete jackwad and all, I wanted to be honest with you here as outside of these many character flaws you're not a bad sort of jackass at all. Regards, Spaw |
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30 Jul 10 - 06:53 PM (#2955435) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: Joe Offer Michael, Spaw's just trying to tell you how much he likes you. He's a little clumsy and shy about it, but that's what he means.... -Joe- |
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30 Jul 10 - 11:26 PM (#2955520) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: McGrath of Harlow Thanks, kat, for remembering that Blue Clicky Thing song I wrote when I first fell in love with the Mudcat. (And that hasn't changed.) And I forgive spaw for ascribing it to Amos - except that actually I take that as a compliment to me. The only bits of HTML I have picked up come from the way things get done here, and I like the way it's helped me to do that. I've never seen another net forum that comes within distant spying range of the Cat. I think a big part of that is the deceptively neat and minimalist approach. Changes to that kind of thing need to be done carefully and cautiously, and that's how Max has always done it. One bit of essential advice I don't think has been mentioned - when you write a post and preview it to check how it looks, always be sure to click on the links to make sure. It's embarrassing sometimes when you miss that out, and the link goes nowhere, or to some strange other place that wasn't intended. |
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31 Jul 10 - 12:06 AM (#2955526) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion Joe: Yes, thank you; one thing I am learning about the Cat as a relative newbie is what makes Spaw tick! Spaw: I have never played rugby [can't even understand the rules tho they are not quite as opaque as those of what u~guize are pleased to call 'football' over there, teeheehee] ~~ soccer always my winter game; I was my school's #1 choice goalkeeper 60 years ago. Nor did I greatly care for cricket ~~ tennis ever my summer game in youth thru to late middle-age. So your guesses & animadversions way offbeam. Still'n'all ~~ luv u 2! xxx ~Michael·the·not·so·bad·pain·in·the·arse[sic]·brit·jackass~ |
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31 Jul 10 - 04:30 PM (#2955852) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion ... and I had better make clear that by 'school' I mean 'school': not university ~~ I can never understand why you-lot over there will call your universities 'schools'; & what the hell do you call your schools, where children/adolescents are educated up to 16/18? ~Michael~ |
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31 Jul 10 - 06:20 PM (#2955911) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: catspaw49 I was so happy to have my fears assuaged that I pissed myself in joy......or it may be this aging thing has stepped it up a notch................... We use "school" for all levels but in conversation and to clarify, the breakdown goes like this: The law requires 12 years (grade levels) of education generally preceded by a year of Kindergarten. The lower grades are sometimes referred to as "Primary" and the upper grades as "Secondary." If your kids are in grades 1-6 they are in "Elementary School." Grades 9-12 are called "High School and the years in between are either "Junior High" or "Middle School." Up to this point, unless you choose a private school, education is free. "Post Secondary" education has tuition and what you generally call "University," we call "College." The word University is almost always preceded by "the" and College is not. In other words, we use college in much the same way you use university. In conversation you might ask where someone went to college but never where they went to university. You might get an answer that they went to the University of Michigan or The Ohio State University but if they brought up the subject they would say, "I went to college at Ohio State." There are many post secondary schools that also teach 4 year programs in multiple fields but they are known as colleges and are often smaller than universities. Oberlin College where Caroline Paton went to school is one of the finest post secondary schools in the country whereas the University of Michigan is attended by dimwitted assholes having two digit IQ scores like Gerald Ford, the President that pardoned Richard Nixon. I know this probably is more than you wanted to know but I've spent 12 years here at Mudcat trying to figure out your system and thought this might save you some time. I want you to know that about 250 years back we kicked the shit out of y'all so we could fuck up the language and the culture in any way we damn well pleased and as you can see we've done a real job of it. Pride in accomplishment is the American motto and whenever we can fuck something up beyond all recognition we try to take it even one step more! Spaw |
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01 Aug 10 - 12:04 AM (#2955986) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion I once remarked to an American guest in my Cambridge college, Christ's College [alma mater of Milton, Darwin...], that I had been 'at school' with a quite distinguished actor on our tv. "What, here at Christ's?" she enquired. No, of course not; that was my university, or college ~~ but never, as in her American-thinking mind, my "school". I was referring to Hendon County Grammar School, which I attended 11-18, 1943-50. That is the sort of usage I was asking about. Americans, whatever you say, Spaw, do use 'school', at least colloquially, to mean college or university ~~ as in, e.g., "Where did you go to school?" "Cornell." This might, on Shakespearean evidence, once have existed here as an obsolete usage ~ "Go not to school at Wittenberg," enjoins Hamlet's mother, meaning he should not go back to his university for the new term; but it is entirely obsolete now. ~Michael~ |
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01 Aug 10 - 07:37 AM (#2956075) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: McGrath of Harlow Then there's the London School of Economics. A University will typically contain a number of constituent colleges, some of which might be called colleges, others might be called schools, or there are various other titles, such as "Hall". Variety in language is the spice of life, inside countries as well as between them. Isn't this thread drifting pleasantly? |
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01 Aug 10 - 01:31 PM (#2956189) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion ... and at Oxford {where that? ed} they use the term "Schools" for what we at Cambridge call "Faculties": as in School of Classics, School of English, &c. But, I mean, what would you expect? ~Michael~ |
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02 Aug 10 - 12:54 AM (#2956493) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MGM·Lion ... except that they don't call "Classics' Classics for some reason, but some foncy-poncy name of their perverse Oxonian own that I haven't forgotten exactly but can't be bothered to recall just now. Oh ~ 101, btw. ~Michael~ |
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02 Aug 10 - 02:45 PM (#2956866) Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat ~~ why all the HTML required for links? From: MikeL2 hi ¡¡¡ ʎʞɔıןɔ ǝɥʇ ɥʇıʍ ǝןbnɹʇs ןןıʇs ı ʇnq - oʇ ǝןqɐ ǝq pןnoɥs ǝuoʎuɐ os ʇı op uɐɔ ı But I am not complaining. I like Mudcat the way it is. Cheers MikeL2 |
