Why are forums bouncing around?

[jamesgammel]

About a week ago there was a New forum, "Remotes". One or two of my posts got moved there when it first appeared. Now a week later and that Forum has disappeared. Whoever did it must be either related or is a big fan of Michael Jackson's because the posts that were there got scattered into "Neverland". I did finally find them but it took some good hunting.

It's Hard enough to try and decide which of the forums is most appropriate to post into, without making it even more difficult by somehow changing the "rules" in such a short time.

Some time ago, I asked for a forum that was specifically for posting notices for the software (Maybe call it "Tools"?). This would be "locked" and only the appropriate "moderator"(?) or developer would be able to post in his own responsibility area section. IE, Mark in KM, Mark Pauker in IR, Gregg in RM, and Nils in RDFs and Image maps. The version number of the "latest" or current version should be visible, and a link to the files area provided as well. That would eliminate the need to make a post in software(which states it's for "development", etc, ). Heck, that'd be the first place I'd go when I visited this forum.

The visitors here could then have quick and easy access to know if they need to upgrade.

There has also been some confusion as to where to go to get downloads. just today, someone had been told to go to sourceforge to get RM. then he found he needed DecodeCCF and asked if it was there too. That's a result of confusion because we have to go to two, sometimes three different sites, Yahoo JP-1, YahooJP-1-KM, and Sourceforge. Why can't RM be available at Yahoo JP-1 like (almost) everything else? Having to find a mirror site that works can be a PITA as well, and almost so frustrating that it's really easy to say "screw-it, I'll just live with the old one I already have."

FWIW, Getting new IR's is much nicer now since it's much smaller without the rdfs. The new rdf pointing feature is nice too.

Jim

[Mark Pierson]

About a week ago there was a New forum, "Remotes". One or two of my posts got moved there when it first appeared. Now a week later and that Forum has disappeared.

I created the Remotes forum thinking it would help segregate posts. Rob disagreed and moved most of those posts over to General. He's entitled to do that as it's his forum.

It's Hard enough to try and decide which of the forums is most appropriate to post into, without making it even more difficult by somehow changing the "rules" in such a short time.

Nobody changed the rules. It's a simple matter of houskeeping. I guess I mostly agree with the less-is-more philosophy.

Some time ago, I asked for a forum that was specifically for posting notices for the software.

We already have Software. Mark, Greg, Nils, and I have used it extensively to notify people of new releases.

There has also been some confusion as to where to go to get downloads.

Everything is available in the JP1 Files area, either directly or through a link.

[gfb107]

I am willing to put RM releases in the JP1 Tiles area (in addition to using SourceForge), if there is a general consensus that it will reduce confusion.

I use SourceForge as a repository for the source. It keeps track of changes, allows retrieval of any previous version, and it manages changes made by multiple developers (which I had hoped there would be more of), and also has mechanisms in place for reporting and tracking bugs and feature requests. It is a very common place for open source software projects to keep the source and distributions.

[gfb107]

Some time ago, I asked for a forum that was specifically for posting notices for the software.

We already have Software. Mark, Greg, Nils, and I have used it extensively to notify people of new releases.

I think he's looking for a forum with ONLY notices of new releases, and that isn't cluttered with other discussion of any kind.

[jamesgammel]

Right, the software is labelled it's for DISCUSSION of software either released or in development. The "sticky" has links, but doesn't tell the version, which means you have to go to yahoo to check, or dig down thru the posts to see the latest. Some people (majority?) only visit if they have a new device, and thus need to see if someone already posted something for it. Considering the low frequency level of new releases, Discussion may bury the version release notice pretty deep, and you may have to review PAGES to see what the current release is. I'd like to see an added forum that's locked FROM discussion, and posts the current release version for immediate view when visiting this site. IE, if I know my current KM is 8.03, and that locked forum says the current version is 8.04, I'd know that a new one has been released, and i better go get it. If that was a "link" all the better.

Scenario: Vacation for 2 weeks. Get online come to the site. the current way, I'd have to either click on the links and go to yahoo tools to see the current version, or scroll down maybe several pages of "software DISCUSSION" to find what releases was made while i was gone. IF a lot of software post were made, it may end up scrolling several pages. It's not like new releases come out every day or every week, sometimes it might be MONTHS with some. If you LEAVE the site, just to check on versions at yahoo, you LOSE your "new messages since last visit" settings. For me that's a nightmare,so I'd have to read all the new posts, then go check. IF the sticky had version's noted, it would work the way I'd like, but it doesn't. Basically, what i wanted was a "Bulletin board" which can only be changed/updated by the appropriate softeware "keeper", without the cluttter of "discussion".
Gregg seems to have a better ability for seeing the other guy's point of view. Since RM should now leave out the "NILS parts", the downloads should be faster. Being able to get them from either site would certainly help with the Mirror download problems. I wouldn't recommend dropping the sourceforge site, as it's most useful for him.

And, for the record, Not ALL the files are at JP-1, nor are there links. Just the other day someone asked for the IR source, and Rob had to provide a LINK to JP-1-KM to get it. That's OK if you can get in, but since I CAN'T, I can't even see what files are there to get. A link at JP-1 for JP-1KM is worthless if it doesn't work for you. Nils used to post rdf updates there, and I always had to ask him to email them for me. That's a inconvenience for Nils and me. Luckily he now posts at the regular JP-1 site so that was eliminated as a problem.

Jim

Jim

[mr_d_p_gumby]

Scenario: Vacation for 2 weeks.

Yeah, that'll happen, Jim! Your post count would go down the toilet!

And, for the record, Not ALL the files are at JP-1, nor are there links.

We all know that the current setup for file storage is less than optimum. Remember that Yahoo imposes a limit on the storage in any one group, and right now the JP1 area is pretty full. From time to time, Rob tries to alleviate this by moving what he considers to be secondary material over to the JP1-KM area. It's a judgement call on his part, and maybe not everyone agrees with his judgement, but that's life.

Until someone figures out how to get all the files stored over here, we'll just have to live with the limitations Yahoo imposes on us.

[Mark Pierson]

If you LEAVE the site, just to check on versions at yahoo, you LOSE your "new messages since last visit" settings. For me that's a nightmare,so I'd have to read all the new posts, then go check.

Jim, have you ever tried opening multiple browser windows? You can read the forum AND visit Yahoo at the same time!. It's called Window's multitasking... it's what Window's as an OS is all about. Whatever shortcomings there may be having discussion here and storage at Yahoo, they're not things that can't be easily overcome.

Another thing I'll mention FWIW is that most software developers, whether small potatoes Excel writers like me, or the Microsoft's of the world will always tell you to check for updates and bug fixes periodically for ANY piece of software you use. I strive to let everyone know that a new version of KM is available (I think I'll start using the Announcement feature like Tommy did with his new interface doc's). Short of emailing it to everyone, I don't know how else to make it any easier.

[jamesgammel]

Mark Pierson Expert:Quote:

(James Gammel): There has also been some confusion as to where to go to get downloads.

(Mark): Everything is available in the JP1 Files area, either directly or through a link.

The point was, What Mark said isn't quite true, is it? The issue isn't that Rob moves some stuff ofer to the KM forum, but that Yahoo JP-1 doesn't always have a link to that stuff that's moved, nor are we even able to see what's been moved. If a link was provided, then I guess we'd know 1. That it even exists, 2. That it's in the KM forum.

The second issue is not everyone can even access what's in the JP1KM files even if they knew they were there. I'm well aware of the file situation at Yahoo Jp-1. And yes, the situation isn't ideal. And yes, moving some secondary files over to KM is a stop-gap method because of that.

AND, You Rob and Mark seem to be the only ones who take issue with Post counts. I for one think it's stupid to even keep track of such a trivial issue. Fact is, Rob must as well, he emailied me to answer at post at Remote Central, Universal remotes forum. I hadn't visited that forum in MONTHS, nor intended to. It saved him from answering it, and the guy ordered a cable and joined this group. Should we ask him if my answering was of any useful benefit to him? He did privately email afterwards wanting to know how to do a procedure which I answered.
From steve's response, I don't think his "elevation" to postaholic was exactly complimenery to him either. Gregg is at 174, why don't you ask him if he looking forward to possibly go from "expert" to "postaholic" when he hits 200. But then, whoever does that changing likely has different "rules" for whom they choose to denegrate.

BTW, thanks again for the answer on Multi-macros, I'll assume that came from experience and knowledge, and not just assumptions.

Jim

[Mark Pierson]

From steve's response, I don't think his "elevation" to postaholic was exactly complimenery to him either. Gregg is at 174, why don't you ask him if he looking forward to possibly go from "expert" to "postaholic" when he hits 200. But then, whoever does that changing likely has different "rules" for whom they choose to denegrate.

The user titles you're referring to are automatically assigned by the forum software at various post count milestones. The exceptions are Advanced and Expert which can be assigned to anyone by Rob (and myself if he ever asks). Greg's Expert will never automatically change.

[mr_d_p_gumby]

AND, You Rob and Mark seem to be the only ones who take issue with Post counts.

I personally don't care how much or how little you decide to post; that is your decision. Just relax, Jim, my remark was intended to be taken humorously... ... at least I didn't try to tell you to go to WalMart and buy a remote...

I think you've made a valid point that it could be made easier to find the latest versions of the software. My comment was simply intended to point out that it's not easy for the Moderators around here to keep everything as organized as they'd like.

BTW, thanks again for the answer on Multi-macros, I'll assume that came from experience and knowledge, and not just assumptions.

Thanks, I think (not sure if you used the back or front of your hand here). How about if I let you figure out the answer to that question?

[Mark Pierson]

AND, You Rob and Mark seem to be the only ones who take issue with Post counts. I for one think it's stupid to even keep track of such a trivial issue.

Funny, you seemed to make a big deal out of it a couple of weeks ago.

But then, whoever does that changing likely has different "rules" for whom they choose to denegrate.

Get down off the soapbox, Jim. I take exception to the inference of this statement. There is no "whoever" involved, except for the use of Advanced or Expert (which I can do, but won't unless Rob asks). Perhaps "Postaholic" isn't the best term Rob could have come up with, but it is no way meant to denegrate anyone (we all know Rob has a warped sense of humor ).

[usblipitor]

Short of emailing [new versions of KM] to everyone, I don't know how else to make it any easier.

Sign me up Mark! (just kidding! love your work!)

From steve's response, I don't think his "elevation" to postaholic was exactly complimenery to him either.

Titles are important to people. Meaningless, but important. Bill Gates had no title when he created microsoft; Albert Einstein had no title when he developed the Theory of Relativity. But still, people (like James and me) feel that titles are important. I like having the MD PhD after my name, even though I am retired and it is meaningless. In the olden days, it was Sir, like "Sir Lancelot", or Sir Loin Noone said "Mr Lancelot".
I did quite a bit of looking at theasauruses and thinking. It would be nice to not be a "postaholic" anymore How about:

Expert: for the experts
Specialist (not as good as Expert but better than Advanced): for Nils

Novice: 0 posts
Amatueur: 50 posts
Apprentice: 100 posts
Proficient: 150 posts
Advanced: 250 posts
Master: 500 posts
Grand Master: 1000 posts
Messiah: 10,000 posts (just kidding)

James (and everyone), Are these titles (except the last one) acceptable?
Do these ideas sound OK to you Robman? After all, it is really only your opinion that matters anyway!

[jamesgammel]

Actually I thought the "just getting started" wasn't really all that bad, certainly better than "newbie" or novice. I just fail to see where numbers of posts has any bearing on anything.

"Getting Good at this" I thought was actually a complement, I didn't know tho that it was merely tied to numbers of posts. I guess that wasn't so much a reflection on JP-1 abilities as I thought, but just a matter of reaching some threshold on post count. Now apparantly that wasn't a "upgrade" decided by someone based on capability. Now Mark has made it just dirty and cheap.

But, Like you said, it's just a stupid title. What I wonder tho is how many "newbies" just see that and ignore what's said, or don't even bother to read replies, because they think it's from someone who really is quite stupid and just merely posts a lot of stupid, totally worthless and meaningless posts.

FWIW, I respect that MD, and PhD behind your name and totally ignore that rediculous, demeaning title that you got. Funny tho, I never even bothered to put the M.A and M.Ed. behind mine, I never saw the value in it, never seeing the value in trying to impress anyone with how much education I happened to achieve. Besides, I knew an awful lot of PhD characters who didn't seem to have much smarts to get around in the regular world.

Since you secifically asked me, I'm not in favor of any crazy Titling scheme based solely on number of posts.

Jim

[Mark Pierson]

Now Mark has made it just dirty and cheap.

Excuse me? Just how did I make it dirty and cheap? I simply pointed out how the user rank feature of the phpBB software works.

Like you said, it's just a stupid title.

Then why are you making such a big deal about it?

totally ignore that rediculous, demeaning title that you got.

In what way is it demeaning?

I'm not in favor of any crazy Titling scheme based solely on number of posts.

It's a feature of the software... it's not meant as an insult, nor is it used to demean.

[The Robman]

Jim, STOP IT, don't make me have to warn you again.