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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT

28 Jan 00 - 01:00 AM (#169571)
Subject: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,OF HONOR

I think there should be a yearly membership fee.

The forum and the rest of the site should be exclusive to members only, and totally de-regulated.

Say $100.00 per member per year.....to Max.

.....and an allowance of $0.02 per week to Joe Offer....

.........and a good caning for MBO.......


28 Jan 00 - 01:11 AM (#169577)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Lonesome EJ

I'm sorry, I can't agree. Except for Mbo's caning, maybe


28 Jan 00 - 05:52 AM (#169615)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Skipjack K8

Smaller font size = bile


28 Jan 00 - 07:34 AM (#169619)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,Penny S. (same machine, different user profi

I am now viewing this with a smaller font size - I don't know how it does it - I don't know why it does it - but I wish it wouldn't. I don't advise it.

Penny


28 Jan 00 - 07:58 AM (#169622)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Vixen

On a more serious note--(say, B#?)

I've wondered for awhile if personal messages could somehow get forwarded to our own email addressess.

Otherwise, I think this is the best-designed website I frequent. Any improvements Max sees fit to make are fine with me!

Max the Mudcat rules (punctuate as you will!)

V


28 Jan 00 - 08:01 AM (#169624)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Wolfgang

Vixen, really as we will? max. the mud: cat rules
Wolfgang


28 Jan 00 - 08:18 AM (#169632)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Liz the Squeak

How can you improve on perfection, except maybe more chocolate....?

LTS


28 Jan 00 - 08:25 AM (#169639)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: InOBU

Well, I am opposed to the whole thing, though, if Mbo really wants a canning, there is this rather serrious girl from Wales,who wears a lot of black leather, and who I believe he may appreciate to do the job..., but I agree with my old professor, Derrick Bell, who once said of that sort of thing, It is just such an awful immage, isnt it?
Larry


28 Jan 00 - 08:41 AM (#169648)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Willie-O

When yer serious Welsh girl is done caning Mbo, I've got some chairs that need it...

That's all the Cat needs, a financial fence around it which will exclude the genuinely struggling folkies--and de-regulated inside? One wonders exactly what regulations are to be disposed of? Common courtesy?

Willie-O


28 Jan 00 - 09:15 AM (#169660)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Vixen

Well, Wolfgang, I was actually thinking of:

Max! The Mudcat Rules! (bring out yer rulebook so we can figure out what needs improvement) or
Max, the Mudcat, Rules! (Max, who is a mudcat, reigns over the site) (a meteorological event of note!) or
Max, the Mudcat Rules! (just an affirmation of what we know already.)

I hadn't actually thought of breaking up "Mudcat" into its constituent words as "punctuation;" I think of punctuation as small marks like commas, periods, and semi-colons [now don't get too medical about this!]

In any case, Wolfgang, you have made me think a little differently today, and the world, I'm sure, will be improved for that! (no conceit in *my* family--I got it all!)

V


28 Jan 00 - 09:29 AM (#169666)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST

Right on, LtS! The mudcat is perfect! Just add chocolate! Max is a genuinely great and generous person to give this great site to all of us! Now if we could just all behave, kids, and not cause Max any more headaches....

Mary McCaffrey


28 Jan 00 - 09:57 AM (#169683)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Ah, Mary, 'tis the nature of beastie to demand to be fed and flop around noisily when it's not . . . real mudcats have even been known to spit once in a while . . .

The only thing I think that could improve this place would be MORE OF IT!! And maybe an All Max 2001 Calendar . . . and who mentioned chocolate? Ah well, a girl can dream, can't she. . .

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 10:09 AM (#169687)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Oh, I dunno'..........How about a porn section with pictures of young, transvestite, masochistic, Moravian, banjo players being flogged with an incandescent pickle?

Just a thought.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 10:12 AM (#169689)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Spaw -- ya gotta cut back on Caitrin's cookies!!

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 10:15 AM (#169691)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,Auxiris

Why banjo players? Why not accordion players for a change?

cheers, Auxiris


28 Jan 00 - 10:16 AM (#169693)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Moravians don't play accordions.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 11:32 AM (#169744)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Jon Freeman

I like Mudcat and think that it a very well designed site. I also believe that Max and company do an excellent job but let us not forget that because of the open way Max runs it, some of the quality is down to us mere posters here - to a certain degree, Mudcat is what we make it and I am pleased to be in the company of so many people who have so much to offer...

Jon

PS spaw and Aine, I am a banjo player, but there again I'm not young, transvestite, masochistic or Moravian and I have never seen an "incandescent pickle"... maybe I'm missing out on something.


28 Jan 00 - 11:38 AM (#169751)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Dear Jon,

I wouldn't mind having you on a calendar -- pickle or no pickle -- but, you'd definitely have to pose with your banjo!

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 11:42 AM (#169758)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

'Spaw used to have an incandescent pickle, but it done cooled some. Now, MBo, especially when young Caitrin is typing, gets a real yearning for those incandescent pickles. A pregnant thought...

Seriously, I think Max has done a really fine job organizing the MudCat. The Personal Messages feature could have a "reply" button -- it takes some minutes to figure out that you're supposed to click on the sender's name to reply.

And one really cool feature would be a generated list of messages added to threads you are tracking by date and name, since you last read it, showing up on your personal page. For example:

Thread: Max a Million?
From: kat/katlaughing
Date/Time: 01/27/00 1107 (hot linked to the message)

then you could just scamper through your tracked threads without scrolling up and down the whole encyclopedia of the moment.

A

A.


28 Jan 00 - 11:42 AM (#169759)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Mbo

I don't think Mudcat needs any improvements, it's PERFECT the way it is. And why should I be caned, huh? Does this look like Singapore or something? I don't scratch things on people's cars--I only scratch ice off of mine.

--Mbo


28 Jan 00 - 11:47 AM (#169765)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Dear Mbo,

The only 'cane' I'd give you is some sugar cane. Boy, does that bring back memories of my grand-daddy going out in the backyard, hacking off a piece of sugar cane and divvying it up around the table for a treat. Anyone know a good song about sugar cane?

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 11:50 AM (#169767)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Art Thieme

I truly believe that Gargoyle should be charged at least as much as Michael Jordan's bank balance for his membership. Those proceeds should then be used to placate all of us who must endure his rantings---eapecially Max.

Love,

Art


28 Jan 00 - 11:51 AM (#169769)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Mbo

Okinawa sure would! It's their number one crop!

--Mbo


28 Jan 00 - 11:54 AM (#169771)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Well once again I must take the cucumber by the vine and illuminate those of you sorely lacking enlightenment. Please feel free to thank me after you have seen the light and been pickled.

And who the hell funds this stuff?

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 12:21 PM (#169778)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Sorcha

Thanks, 'spaw, it's nice to know what our tax dollars are really paying for!


28 Jan 00 - 01:18 PM (#169799)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

Holy simoley!!! Who had the time to do that much elegant pseudoscience on a spoof!!?? Musta been someone whose support was otherwise provided. (Not, I might add, applicable to Spaw's pickle). Anyway, 'spaw, yer right, I do feel free to thank you.

A.


28 Jan 00 - 01:25 PM (#169805)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: annamill

Changes? Changes! Max does this for free and he does have a life..sort of, to here him tell it. Stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and be glad for a place that puts our wonderful diversity and music together. Just enjoy it! Cheez!

Love, annap


28 Jan 00 - 01:34 PM (#169813)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Geez annap....I don't think a little porn and incandescent pickles would be too much to ask.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 01:35 PM (#169814)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)

Why does the index of posts have 2-line entries in some threads, and 1-line entries in other threads ? T.


28 Jan 00 - 01:37 PM (#169816)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

I'm with annap!

And don't just look this gifthorse in the mouth -- Put something in it -- like some money to help Max and Dick keep this wonderful place going!!!

SUPPORT THE MUDCAT -- CONTRIBUTE NOW!!

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 01:56 PM (#169819)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: katlaughing

Couldn't agree with you more, Art.


28 Jan 00 - 02:23 PM (#169828)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: McGrath of Harlow

Penny - since you're on a strange computer a personal message might not get there - but if the type face is too small, go up to View at the top of the screen and click on text size and adjust. (That's for Internet Explorer - but any browser has an equivalent away of adjusting things.)

And I hesitate to suggest any changes. As it says in King Lear "Striving to better oft we mar what's well." Or as the American version puts it "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I suppose some kind of spell check on the thread messages would save us a bit of embarassment at times. But it would also cost us much innocent fun at other people's expense, so we'd as well do without it.

Again, some kind of Guide for the Perplexed explaining the technical ins-and-outs, and a few of the customs and traditions of the place would be useful.

But even that would have a downside to it - finding out things by yourself, or being advised by other 'catters is good in itself - and the customs and traditions are never going to stay the same for all time, so if they get negotiated as we go that's probably the best way. Provided that we keep friendly while we are doing it, and don't try throwing heavy virtual objects at each other or telling lies about who we are, or signing in as GUEST except when we're on a strange machine or something.


28 Jan 00 - 02:30 PM (#169833)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

One thing I might like is a quick-preview for posts so I could be saved the embarassment of broken HTML brackets and such.

Mudcat is a joy, and you all help make it so. Especially Max and Joe, who are quiet heros.

A


28 Jan 00 - 04:44 PM (#169892)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Caitrin

Oh my...there are actually people in this world who desire bioluminescent food. Just what on earth would anyone do with a glowinthedark pickle? 'spaw, don't answer that!!


28 Jan 00 - 04:54 PM (#169900)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: sophocleese

Caitrin, you'd let it shine. Not something you want to keep under a bushel, I think, well actually maybe you would.


28 Jan 00 - 04:59 PM (#169902)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: MMario

Guide for the perplexed?

it would have to be a GuideBYthe Perplexed is what I'm afraid of.....


28 Jan 00 - 05:00 PM (#169903)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Mbo

But if that light is under a bushel--brrr! It's missing something kinda crucial...You've got to be bright to be the light of the world! So let your love light shine before man, let your love light shine, so we might know some kindness again--we all need help to feel fine!

--Mbo (It's Godspell)


28 Jan 00 - 05:01 PM (#169906)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: MMario

allright, who took my spaces away.....

I want them back....just the way they were. one in front of the BY and one behind it!


28 Jan 00 - 05:04 PM (#169907)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

As for hiding luminescent pickles, I guess it depends on whose bushel you're hiding it under, Mbo! And that, gentle folk, is where we wil leave that!

A.


28 Jan 00 - 05:14 PM (#169910)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Well actually its not.........Although I readily admit that "whose bushel" is important, I think that "where" in relationship to the bushel as a whole (hole?) would carry a lot of weight too...especially if you're the bushel!

......and Meebo..Try to chill out a bit or you're gonna' blow a headpipe man!!!

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 05:17 PM (#169911)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: MMario

musing thoughtfully

y'know, if we could harness the energy Mbo puts out, we could probably put an end to energy shortages worldwide...


28 Jan 00 - 05:25 PM (#169914)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

I dunno Mario...Personally I was wondering if his pickle lit up...........

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 05:52 PM (#169926)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: MK

Well you know, since everyday there is always a thread called THOUGHT FOR THE DAY, what about a dedicated thread called THINGS THAT PISS YOU OFF TODAY, or BEEF FOR THE DAY.....or BITE ME.........whatever the name, you get my drift.

It could be a thread dedicated to expressing whatever is really pissing you off in life, here on Mudcat, your musical skills or lack thereof, obervational humor (ala Seinfeld, etc.) a chance to insult and offend other members ---whatever, but we confine all to this one thread, and have nice friendly discussions about everything else in the other threads.

I am being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, so please don't take the above writen statements real seriously.

I'll start it off I guess...by borrowing some stuff from my profile, which always remains relevant for me. 8-)

Things that bug me : Real estate agents, bankers, lawyers, traffic cops, chevrons, auto insurance companies, politicians, shirts and ties, dental checkups, bad drag comics, Oshawa-Ontario, watery eggs, extremely attractive men, suggestions of, descriptions of, and braggarts of vasectomies, and single sheet toilet paper.

....oh and bad guitar players with really expensive guitars....

Cheers!


28 Jan 00 - 06:05 PM (#169932)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Bill D

just to prove that our friend catspaw does NOT tease us with spoofs that have no basis...here is an actual pickle being electrified..

(no charge this time, either, 'spaw..)


28 Jan 00 - 06:23 PM (#169939)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Thank you Bill!!! Gotta' admit though, that picture is kinda' revolting, so to speak.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 06:41 PM (#169948)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: The Shambles

How about A SONG FOR THE DAY?


28 Jan 00 - 06:43 PM (#169949)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Sorcha

I don't wanna pickle.............


28 Jan 00 - 06:56 PM (#169954)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Well there you go Shambles...a song of the day.

But Sorch.....I think you'd like Cleigh. The little guy ain't got much of a pickle at all.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 06:57 PM (#169955)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: katlaughing

Shambles, we tried that...nobody came.


28 Jan 00 - 06:58 PM (#169957)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Liz the Squeak

Just wanna ride on ma motorsickle.....

And a luminous pickle would be great for when eating burgers in the car. That damn little green booger thing just slides out. If it was luminous I'd be able to find it without banging my head on the dash or hitting the horn with my boobies..... Maybe a motorsickle would be better.....

LTS


28 Jan 00 - 06:59 PM (#169958)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

...except the pickle.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 07:08 PM (#169964)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

All right now y'all --- If you're in the mood for a little bit of songwriting, why don't you take it over to the SONG CHALLENGE! thread and try to top Amos' winning entry?

Come on, one of you cucumber admirers could give us some kind of musical tribute (watch it, Spaw!) to the incandescent pickle, surely!

The gauntlet has been thrown!! I double dog dare ya!!

-- Áine


28 Jan 00 - 07:16 PM (#169968)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Jo Taylor

Amos -
You can trace a thread - click on 'add thread to tracer' at the foot of the thread, or click on 'trace' at the end of the title on the main page. Used to be able to 'view new messages since last visit' too, but I can't see that now, where's it gone?
Jo


28 Jan 00 - 07:25 PM (#169971)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Its in the "Quick Links" Jo.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 07:48 PM (#169978)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Midchuck

Things that bug Michael K.:

"Things that bug me : Real estate agents, bankers, lawyers, traffic cops, chevrons, auto insurance companies, politicians, shirts and ties, dental checkups, bad drag comics, Oshawa-Ontario, watery eggs, extremely attractive men, suggestions of, descriptions of, and braggarts of vasectomies, and single sheet toilet paper.

....oh and bad guitar players with really expensive guitars...."

Since I am a lawyer, for my day job; and a not-very-good guitar player with two or three fairly expensive, if not really expensive, guitars, I think my feelings are hurt.

Maybe I'll call up Harry Fox Agency and complain about what the people here are getting away with...naw, they might check on what I might be getting away with...maybe I'll ask M. K. if he is bugged by all lawyers...that would imply he knows all of the million or so of us well enough to judge each one....naw...if he's the kind of person who's more comfortable thinking in broad categories without regard to the sufficiency of his data, he'd just miss the point...maybe I'll start posting long, pompous, incomprehensible lawyerly rants on all the threads until the whole forum bogs down under the weight of the verbiage...naw, that's been tried...Anyone else have any good ideas?

Peter.


28 Jan 00 - 08:10 PM (#169986)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Dear Peter,

As a former legal secretary, I can testify that not ALL lawyers are the pompous, verbose, incomprehensibly ranting doo-dahs they are thought to be. However, and you, of all people, know that this is true, very many of them are. And I'll even add egotistical and overly self-centered to their curriculae vitae.

Peter, pick up one of your not overly expensive guitars, and strum some soothing chords for yourself. You know what kind of person you are, and that you are not defined by your profession. You're a Mudcatter, aren't you? Well, that proves to me that you are miles above most of the lawyers I ever worked with!

While you're playing, I'll be writing songs and cooking some wonderful Guinness Chili, and know that I was not one of the legal secretaries about whom stories are told in the conference room during a partners' meeting.

Best wishes with your music *and* your career, Áine


28 Jan 00 - 08:15 PM (#169987)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Little Neophyte

Don't worry Peter, I have an expensive car and I am a bad driver.

Now that you mention it, there are some postings that get bogged down under a weight of verbiage. Maybe people should write a synopsis for posting longer than 6 inches.

By the way guys, are these pickles Kosher?

BB


28 Jan 00 - 08:22 PM (#169988)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: catspaw49

Check the stem Bonnie.

Spaw


28 Jan 00 - 08:29 PM (#169991)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Little Neophyte

Thanks Catspaw, I can only eat circumsized pickles.

BB


28 Jan 00 - 08:31 PM (#169992)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: katlaughing

Oh, no, Bonnie, I'm afraid you just handed Spaw a great line...."synopsis....for longer than 6 inches". wiht just a little twsist, I can just hear it:

"Any of ya with pickles six inches or longer....line up over here and start writing your synopses!" **BG**

Peter/Midchuck, it was a generalisation that I hope we don't make a habit of here. If one wants to generalise, it could be said of just about any profession. (Though Michael did say he speaking with his tongue in cheek.)

Personally, I think posting what bugs us might accentuate the negative a bit much.

Does the glow-in-the-dark pickle remind anyone else of the dueling fluorescent *donned* condoms in that movie which had John Ritter in it, sometime in the 1980's?

All the best,

katlaughing


28 Jan 00 - 08:35 PM (#169993)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Little Neophyte

Kat I am not sure if Michael speaks with tong in cheek or foot in mouth?

BB


28 Jan 00 - 08:57 PM (#170003)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: katlaughing

Well, Bon, he said it was his tongue but not being there, one never knows.*BG*


28 Jan 00 - 09:41 PM (#170022)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

"Come on, one of you cucumber admirers could give us some kind of musical tribute (watch it, Spaw!) to the incandescent pickle, surely!

The gauntlet has been thrown!! I double dog dare ya!! "

Can't turn down a double fog dar. I'm an ol' double dog from years back.

See the Song Challenge thread for a submission on an incandescent pickle tune.

But just remember, it was a double dog dare.

A>


28 Jan 00 - 09:45 PM (#170025)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Sorcha

All I can come up with is several different first lines:
What's That Pickle Doing Where My Pickle Oughta BE?
I"m a little pickle, short and stout
Walking at night, along the Burger Way,
Oh, I wish I were a pickle on a bun
etc. etc. etc. Can't get any farther. Brain too clogged with green stuff that is NOT pickles.


28 Jan 00 - 11:15 PM (#170055)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Mark Cohen

You can't fool me, Bill D. That picture is NOT of an incandescent pickle. It has been cleverly distorted by the use of state-of-the-art digital photodistortion techniques to LOOK like an incandescent pickle. In fact, as anybody can plainly see, it is really nothing more than an incandescent ocarina.

Dammit, guys, I've been happily hanging out at the Mudcat for a year, ignoring all the links people put in their posts. Now 'Spaw and Bill D. have gone and spoiled it all -- now I gotta look at every one to see if they're as brilliant as these!

Aloha,
Mark


28 Jan 00 - 11:29 PM (#170059)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

*** CALLING ALL INCANDESCENT PICKLE LOVERS ***

We have two fabulous entries in the SONG CHALLENGE! thread for the best incandescent pickle song and we need your votes!! Please hurry over and cast your ballot in the Great Pickle-Off now -- your Mudcat Song Challenge need YOU!

-- Áine (ain't it amazing what a double dog dare can do?)


28 Jan 00 - 11:35 PM (#170062)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,OF HONOR

.......re:Midchuck..........

...you have presented an equisite paradox......................................a sensitive? lawyer..............................................................with a thin skin.

I'm calling the Smithsonian right now.

I'm sure they won't be able to wait to get their hands on you!...................


28 Jan 00 - 11:51 PM (#170072)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST

Banish THE infediles


28 Jan 00 - 11:55 PM (#170073)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: sophocleese

Inphidells? Wear?


28 Jan 00 - 11:59 PM (#170075)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Metchosin

infurance, obviously.


29 Jan 00 - 08:47 PM (#170197)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Caitrin

Wut infiddles?


29 Jan 00 - 09:47 PM (#170232)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Mbo

Wut in fiddles? I heard of some folks who use dry oatmeal to clean the dust out o' your violin!

--Mbo


01 Feb 00 - 12:03 PM (#171715)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Art Thieme

Nothing I say here is going to change a damn thing. As Utah Phillips said, "If elections could actually change anything, they'd be illegal !" I'm left feeling like one of the "NEW INDIANS".

Where did our garden go??? It went to the lowest common denomenator.

Chief Red Cloud (Art)


01 Feb 00 - 12:34 PM (#171728)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Barbara Shaw

OK, here's a serious suggestion for improvement.

Would it be possible to make all posts HTML format, so web addresses would automatically become clickable links? My mail browser does this as an option, and I wonder if it would be possible here. This would save a lot of churn when people attempt HTML but make mistakes.


01 Feb 00 - 12:51 PM (#171736)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Max

When I was a young lad, I was shopping for a car stereo. I looked at simple ones and complicated ones with all the bells a wistles. A salesman said to me at one point, that the more features you have, the more there is to break.

I can add automatic blue clicky things, but that is one more thing that could break, or confuse someone. And the song "blue clicky thing" may have never been written. And who would have learned how to do the HTML? You all may be old, but your not too old to learn some new things. Here's a chance to impress those wiseass kids of yours.

Not just break, but CONFUSE people. The more time I spend answering questions and helping people, the less I have to enjoy my creation, and do things that really make this place better. Everything I do here, I have to ask myself how many people will it confuse.

The next things we do to the mudcat will be slight. We have a list of 20 little bugs to fix, need a system to add new Folk Legacy and Camsco Albums, etc, and these we probably won't get to till April at best. Oh, and I forgot about the CHAT. Hang in there folks, we're working on it all the time.


01 Feb 00 - 12:57 PM (#171739)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

Max, sir Max:

We'll hang as long and as low as you need, mate; you da Man!!

Many thanks for all the fine work on this premiere creation of yours. I only hope you get to enjoy it a great deal.

A.


01 Feb 00 - 01:24 PM (#171748)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,Mbo

Thanks, Max! if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have learned HTML. Now I'm reveling in it! Another great inspiration from Mudcat!

--Mbo


01 Feb 00 - 01:25 PM (#171752)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Peter T.

Apart from more courtesy all round, the only thing I would change would be to have a "magazine" section linked to the main page, an adaptation of what already is happening with the Songbook, etc., where some of the major musical themes here that recur -- voice, chord theory, how to deal with an audience, guitar playing -- and things like record reviews contributed by Mudcatters could be formally "boxed" a bit more permanently than the threads, but linked to the ongoing thread space.
yours, Peter T.


01 Feb 00 - 01:29 PM (#171753)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: annamill

I'm glad, Max, that you're in the frame of mind that will keep Mudcat going. I was so afraid, with all the stuff that's been going on around here, that you'd just want to hang it up. It must be quite a drain. All the problem makers, they don't care. If Mudcat crashes, so what. They'll just go somewhere else and cause problems. Those of us who do care about Mudcat and each other, would be badly hurt. I've been waiting for that other show to drop. I'm glad it's not. Yet. Maybe this would have been better in a personal message, but I wanted all my fellow Mudcatter/Mudcateers to know how I was feeling. I wish us all luck.

Love, annap


01 Feb 00 - 01:40 PM (#171758)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Max

annap: Its not a drain, its a challenge. I have a BA in Philosophy, so I always ponder about the nature of this virtual community. I also am obviously interested in technology, so it is an interesting marriage of things. I can sit on top of my Mt. Olympus and wield my powers (programming) to make sure things run smoothly in my little universe. (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain)

Been thinking about much of the controversy as of late, and have been thinking of technical aids to try to chill things out.

I got lucky here. I am mere hours away from a BS exclusion script. Check out http://www.mudcat.org/threadsnot.cfm?Title=BS and see the forum as normal, but with no BS threads showing. You can replace the BS with anything you want to filter out. I will be incorporating this into the normal forum soon.

Just like the SuperSearch, this crunches the computer more, so with each neat thing I add, the Mudcat gets a little slower and a little less reliable. Keep using the auction, buying our cd's and shopping at Amazon with this link: http://amazon.mudcat.org. Thanks all.


01 Feb 00 - 01:40 PM (#171759)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Áine

Dear Peter T.,

I think your idea for a 'magazine' is a great one. I'm sure that Max could make room on the Mudcat server for you when you want to start it up. I'm sure that there are many Mudcatters who would love to contribute articles. Good luck on your new Mudcat 'franchise'!

-- Áine


01 Feb 00 - 01:47 PM (#171767)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Peter T.

I should also say that I am with Annap on this one. I am only interested in whatever enhances, not complicates Max's space/time/environment. As I have said many times, we should start every morning with the Mudcat chant and 3 bows in Max's direction.
yours, Peter T.


01 Feb 00 - 02:05 PM (#171780)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: McGrath of Harlow

Keep it simple. The more special features and imporovements there are in anything, the more there is to go wrong. "They paved Paradise, and put in a parking lot"

Max the philosopher. Makes sense. There was a cartoon once I saw - this door with a notice on it saying "Department of Philosophy", and a little man was walking out of it, saying "Oh well, that's life - mustn't grumble."

I recommend that approach to life to some permanent house guests.


01 Feb 00 - 02:09 PM (#171784)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if we all chipped in, maybe we could get the 'Cat some additional hardware? A dual processor 350 MHz Pentium with spare terabyte of storage?

I have no idea how many 'Catters there are, but a little voluntary action would surely cover an additional server to Max' specs; or has this been tried before?

A


01 Feb 00 - 02:54 PM (#171803)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Bill in Alabama

Hey Art-- If you happen to come back here and see this--I agree completely!


01 Feb 00 - 05:35 PM (#171865)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Amos

Max:

How much of a performance hit would it be to filter a message for being equal to the one just before it, thus preventing duplicate postings due to inadvertant double clicks on the Submit button? You could even trim it to the first hundred or two chars, or maybe the first fifty and the last fifty, as a way of reducing the CPU cycles; but it would save you storage in the long run:>).

A


01 Feb 00 - 05:41 PM (#171872)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Max

We already have the solution for double posting, we just need time to implement it. We have a development version of the Mudcat that you all never see, that in all senses is the future of the mudcat. Changes, upgrades, features and whatnot are all on the other Mudcat (BizarroMudcat) until we make sure it works and are happy with the performance etc. Many obvious things on the Mudcat are already fixed there, like I said, we just need to do it here.


01 Feb 00 - 06:06 PM (#171882)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,The Lowest Common Denominator

I was just wondering what Art and Bill from Alabama were doing wearing feathers and warpaint.

LCD


01 Feb 00 - 06:32 PM (#171893)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Little Neophyte

LCD, I heard there was a Drag Queen Folk Festival coming up. Art and Bill were just organizing their costumes.
BB


01 Feb 00 - 09:03 PM (#171948)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: GUEST,ddw

Max has done a great job of organizing this site and most of the time Mudcatters are great company.

Maybe I should just thank Max — which I do, lavishly — and ignore the odd unpleasantness — which I also do as much as possible — but there is one thing I'd suggest as an improvement.

Since I know sweet bugger all about programming, I don't even know if it's possible, but I was wondering if the REPLY TO THREAD box could be enlarged, say stretched across the screen, so we could see our texts in a format closer to the way they'll appear in the post.

Thanx again, Max!

To the rest of ya, cheers *BG*

david


02 Feb 00 - 01:43 AM (#172123)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Art Thieme

By "new Indians" I meant that this was a pretty nice oasis for a while, but now the tribe has been defeated. What we had was unique and friendly here at Mudcat---filled with poetry and intellect.--- RESPECT for each other was natural and simply the way things were. For many of us it was valuable and worth keeping---so much so that I saved many of the older beautiful and info-filled threads on floppys just in case my computer blew up. But it must seem to the new people hanging here now that simplistic and strident talk has always been the norm at Mudcat. I just want to tell you that it wasn't normal then and it should not be normal now. But it is the way things are now. And that's why I, for one, don't hang here much lately. I can only hope that Mudcat is passing through the negative segment of the bell curve and may soon experience an upswing. Truly, folks, I ain't holding my breath.

Affectionately,

Art Thieme


02 Feb 00 - 01:49 AM (#172125)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Sorcha

Art, I was guilty, and now I feel guilty. Please don't go away for long, I think we've all learned our lesson, if not well, and things are much better than last week. Please don't go away for long.I've seen you at Winfield, and love your stuff.


02 Feb 00 - 09:29 AM (#172228)
Subject: RE: AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON MUDCAT
From: Barbara Shaw

Hi Max. My kids aren't impressed by HTML, nor am I. (I've been a programmer for a LONG time, being so old). My suggestion about making clickable links had more to do with focussing on music than on fighting with the syntax.

Anyway, thanks for the site, however you do it!