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751

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 11, 2008, 02:22 AM »

Let me ask a question from a different angle that my provide some insight into how tagging should work.

Forget, for a moment, trying to find something. IOW, don't think in terms of searching for something. But instead think of filtering out stuff you have no interest in reading.

What tools would help you filter out stuff in a forum, any forum, not just DC, that would save you a little valuable time each time you visit?

752

General Software Discussion / Re: TOP 11 Tools for Sending BIG Files

« Last post by tinjaw on January 11, 2008, 02:17 AM »

It depends on the FTP server software, but generally yes, most do.

753

Living Room / Re: Wanted: Electronic/Searchable Holy Books

« Last post by tinjaw on January 11, 2008, 02:10 AM »

Are you really wanting to find something in print or a program?

-cmpm (January 10, 2008, 09:20 PM)

A program. See first post.

Do you really want to do some searching?
It's not hard. You have to think.

But no one can control the wind.

If you want to 'see' look for Abraham.
The Father of many nations-religions.

-cmpm (January 10, 2008, 09:20 PM)

Not sure I understand what you are saying here. No, I don't want to search. Searching will bring up a list of software. I'm very capable of doing a search. I don't want a list of software though, I want the personal experience of DC's members to filter that list and provide me with valuable real life experience.

The is a big difference between, "Please do a Google search on my behalf and summarize your findings." and "What software do you recommend because you are a subject matter expert with personal experience using the software in question,. And if there isn't exactly what I am looking for do you know of something close?"

But I am not sure if that is what you are asking.

If all you want is to compare texts of different religions, It's already been done.
Search within searches, is not hard to do.

Gathering all the many texts would fill your hard drive.
And a few more.
Especially since they are still being written.

-cmpm (January 10, 2008, 09:20 PM)

I am not just wanting to compare texts, I want a reference book of the primary sources and certain pieces of data precompiled into useful means, like timelines, overlaid maps, commentary specific to the particular passages in question. For example, take some event, when do the different holy books say it happened? What do the different books call the participants? Do the call the location by the same name? Do they place it at the same place on the map? etc.

754

Living Room / Re: Wanted: Electronic/Searchable Holy Books

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 06:01 PM »

I must say that I am completely taken aback that such a piece of software doesn't already exist. You'd think that the geeks in the computer science department and the greeks in the classical literature department would get together and create something for the academic institutions of the world. Maybe I should get a 1/4 million dollar grant and build it myself. Hey Darwin, get the paperwork started. 

755

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 02:15 PM »

I looks like I am not effectively communicating my vision. What I am proposing is a generic framework. The NSFW aspects of it are just the first use case. Maybe I should just come out and say it. What I am proposing/building/discussing is a generic "attention" framework that I think can be leveraged for things much greater than keeping some priss from seeing the work fuck. (I'll give you a minute to recover from that.)

The Content Pledge is just a use case of a "Statement of Interest". Let's look at the complete opposite use case. I am not trying to protect my virgin eyes from something horrible that will scar me for life, instead I am a very busy computer programmer who only wants to talk about encryption, compression, and little rubber duckies. It's not that I find 3D CAD/CAM offensive, it's that I don't have enough time to read every *** **** thread that gets posted here. And don't be so f&*#ing narcissistic to think that it is all about you and this community. This is something that any community will be able to use. So get your fornicating heads out of your excretion point and look at the bigger picture.

Hopefully this post, the wording, the examples, and the gist will show you why this IS a Good Thing!!!!

756

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 07:24 AM »

Well, parts of your ideas are okay, but I reaaaaally dislike the "Content Pledge" idea. Gives me the creeps, to be honest.

-f0dder (January 10, 2008, 07:13 AM)

I don't see why, it is a strictly voluntary matter, which will effect you in the least possible manner I can imagine. i.e. if somebody clicks on your profiles they will get a message that you don't have a Content Pledge. They will still get everyone of your posts, unless *they* decide to filter you out personally. No different than somebody choosing to use the filter by username plugin.

Again, I welcome discussion.

Added: I don't see this turning into a  McCarthy-style witch hunt, with loyalty oaths and such. And if it does, it fails as an experiment and we rip it out.

757

Living Room / Re: Beware Domain Searching at Network Solutions!

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 07:20 AM »

Let me add my 2 cents. I think your program, Renegade, is a "Bad Idea" ^TM. I do not think you should promote and facilitate a Denial of Service (yes, that is what the courts/lawyers will call it) attack on anybody, even the jerks at Network Solutions.

Additionally, this won't cost them but a few cents of electricity. You will be spending hundreds, if not thousands, of you own time, money, and effort, for a very minuscule return.

I, personally, will not be participating in any way in your plans.

P.S. Don't worry, I still have a man crush on you. 

758

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Resident random filename generator

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 07:16 AM »

First of all I would say that whatever piece of software you are using that is doing this is broken. That is not the proper way to do things. So, I would say "The Correct Answer" is to file a bug report with the developer of that software.

The second thing I would suggest is looking to FARR and the plugin I believe HamRadio made, that produces random strings of text based on a template similar to what you are asking for. The developer may be able to extend it to populate the clipboard.

If that can do what you need, great. If not, I should be very easy for somebody to whip up a short AHK/AutoIt script to create such pseudo-random names initiated by a hotkey and based on a template.

Check up on the former and reply with you findings and I am sure somebody (maybed even me, if I can find the time) will be able to wrap this up for you in a script.

759

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 07:07 AM »

f0dder,

I understand your concern and I believe you my be feeling that way because you haven't seen "the big picture" yet.

1) This is only the portion of the automated means of classifying.
2) This mode of operations will NOT be the default. People will have to purposefully go to their profile and ask for the various filtering to be turned on.
3) Nothing is being censored. All content will remain in its original form, and if you, as the reader/poster chose to do nothing differently from the way you do things now, you will see no change to the forums.
4) There will be further posting by me describing how I picture voluntary tagging, by the author/contributer/poster to work.

Please understand I am 100% against censorship. I am 100% for privacy. I am a Libertarian. Rest assured all of these things will be strictly voluntary and be turned off by default.

Personally I would rather we had greater participation and that our (very good, frankly) information gets to more readers. The people throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Added: Please also understand that I am just starting the discussion. I am not one to sit in the back and wait until the end to throw out my opinions. You know that.  And, these are also only my personal initial suggestions. I'm sure I will mold and change them as the discussion happens. That is my intent. Remember I like "Try, Then Modify".

760

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Resident random filename generator

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 05:51 AM »

Please excuse me, but I am a little confused. If you want to save the file with the same name, you use "save". If you want to save the file with a different name, you use "save as".

Are you saying the following scenario occurs?

1) You create a new graphic.
2) You choose File|Save and call it MyFile1.ext
3) You choose File|New and create a brand new grphic.
4) You choose File|Save and the save dialog is already populated with MyFile1.ext.

761

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 12:22 AM »

It's bedtime for me now. I will continue this tomorrow. Please post your thoughts on what I have posted so far.

762

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 10, 2008, 12:21 AM »

The second thing I wanted to do is create a new user icons, to be displayed like the current icons

that would link to a user's "Content Pledge". The content pledge would be something that is part of a member's profile.

The default would state that the user has not created a personalized "Content Pledge" and the member's Content Pledge icon will signal that it is advised to use discretion when view any posts by this member.

If a member opts to fill out a personalized Content Pledge, they will check a series of boxes for the types of content they pledge to voluntarily refrain from posting. There will be absolutely no means of registering your agreement or disagreement that the user is holding to their pledge. IOW, no way for you to signal good or bad feedback about that member's choice to hold to their Content Pledge. It is up to you to keep your own personal notes about your feelings and I would suggest we implement the SMF plugin to filter out all posts by member name on a member-by-member basis, based on the member's personal "blacklist".

The Content Pledge will be integrated into the forum software so member's can use their personal profile settings to filter out/identify/modify any postings by other members whose Content Pledge is not inline with your personal choice.

For example, (and I will mock this up at a later date) the Content Pledge will have checkboxes for things like:

• I will not post links to URLs that are flagged by the OpenDNS Adult Site Filter.
• I will not use curse words in my postings.
• I will refrain from the use of sexual innuendo.
• I will refrain from posting on religious matters.

I also have grander plans for the Content Pledge that I will expound upon at a later date.

(to be continued...)

763

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 10:45 PM »

The first thing I started to plan was a way for classifying posts in a automagic manner. I envision a section in the member profiles to select several options for filtering out various things based on the autoclassifications done by this modification. The modification would, of course, be server side and be done without the need for human effort.

1) An option to handle "naughty words".

• User can create their own naughty word list.
• User can start with a default list and modify as they wish.

Based on this list, when threads are displayed, they will be modified in some manner, also chosen by the member on their profile.

• Don't display the entire thread, but instead redirect to a page that lists the reasons the thread has been deemed "inappropriate" based on their profile.
• Display the thread, but not individual posts in the thread that have been deemed inappropriate.

There would also be links to override and display the thread/post if the member chooses as well as links to provide a more detailed report on why it was deemed inappropriate. Furthermore those pages linked to would have a further link to provide feedback on how the system is working.
Short of not displaying the thread/post, the profile can be set to modify the way the thread/post is displayed.
I plan on making some mock screen shots to demonstrate these. However, some options might include:

• Modifying hyperlinks to such threads/posts.
• Substituting *'s for the letters of an inappropriate word.
• Substituting the icon for inappropriate words.
• Encasing the inappropriate sentence in a spoiler tag.

2) An option to flag external links.
I have taken the initiative to contact the folks at OpenDNS. I would work (in conjunction with wordzilla and mouser) with the folks at OpenDNS to allow for DC servers to run the URLs through OpenDNS and determine if they are classified as "adult - for nudity", "adult - for mature themes", "known phishing site", etc.
The information obtained from OpenDNS (Adult site data is provided by St. Bernard's iGuard. iGuard is the 100% human-reviewed URL database from St. Bernard Software.) would cause the hyperlink to be modified in some manner to signal the possibly objectionable material.

(to be continued...)

764

General Software Discussion / Re: Need to limit all but a few applications to keep my kids focused on homework

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 10:12 PM »

...I've actually had a brief conversation with mouser about doing a software review on Parental Control software... ...I'm working on putting that review together...

-jazper (January 09, 2008, 10:04 PM)

* tinjaw points his wand of delegation in jazper's direction.

765

General Software Discussion / Re: Need to limit all but a few applications to keep my kids focused on homework

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 10:02 PM »

Ok, Tinjaw.....I was already registered from WAY BACK WHEN.......but HERE I am!      Recruited and at your service.....

-Tendrils (January 09, 2008, 09:55 PM)

I had nooo idea. You stinker. 

OK, let me get this project organized. You all talk amongst yourselves for a bit and stir up some ideas.

766

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 09:22 PM »

FYI - For things of interest about DC when I'm away, I send "myself" a PM so I don't forget.  Of course, I know you knew that.  I just mentioned it for the benefit of others.

-CodeTRUCKER (January 09, 2008, 08:26 PM)

The problem is that I was doing it on a tablet of paper with a pen.  Otherwise it is usually online or I email myself a file.

767

Living Room / Re: Wanted: Electronic/Searchable Holy Books

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 09:13 PM »

I am grateful for all of the web links. I will be compiling them into a list. However, I want to reemphasize my original post in this thread. My main search if for software that I can use to compare, contrast, etc. the various books. I have been able to locate many of these holy texts online in the past, but it is difficult to study them in the manner I desire, and hence my request for a particular type of software application.

768

Living Room / Re: Beware Domain Searching at Network Solutions!

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 08:23 PM »

Yeah! Yet one more reason for me to keep hating Network Solutions with every cell in my body. They have been crooks and cheats since day one. I believe the only reason people still use them is they don't know there are alternatives.

769

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 08:14 PM »

The genius that I am, I left my notes at the office.

Let me see if I can recall it all. Give me a few minutes.... 

770

General Software Discussion / Re: Need to limit all but a few applications to keep my kids focused on homework

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 07:29 PM »

(Watch closely folks. Tinjaw, a old gray beard around here, is going to dazzle you. Not only is he going to provide a halfway decent answer, he is also going to simultaneously deflect the question to another member and delegate some research to them in the process. Kids, don't try this at home.)

cnbingham,

That's a great question! It's one of those where you hear people always answer things like "I'm sure you can.", "There's got to be a way to do that.", and "There has to be something you can buy to do that." Yet, nobody provides any details on just how.

I'm sure many parents would like a simple How-To article on this topic. I'm sure teachers would love it as well.

(Here it comes.)

That reminds me of a thread started recently by techidave.

(Did you see that smoooooth deflection. Watch now for the delegation.)

It would be great to have a feature article on educational software for the classroom and the home. And let's not for get the homeschooling classroom/home!! What I think would be neat is a series of threads, mini-reviews and then a nice summary article on this stuff. I'd be happy to work on the summary article if people like you cnbingham (ah!!! you didn't see that coming did you, schwing), techidave (see, this is the one you thought was going to get the finger pointed at them... alone. hehe.), and other teachers helped gather some data and do some mini-reviews.

I can help write up some easy How-Tos like maybe a "Parent as System Administrators: How to Series" with stuff like using the stuff built into Windows and free Microsoft products to focus your children's attention on homework during certain times. (For example, creating a separate user account with limited privileges.)

I'm sure some of the parent around here have some experience with products they have purchased and would be willing to provide us with some information and opinions.

And I think I am going to recruit an unsuspecting teacher friend of mine to join DC and help out. (If she doesn't I will give you all her email address so you can harass her. Yes, Melissa, I'm looking at you. )

Give me a few days to get this organized.

771

Living Room / Re: Wanted: Electronic/Searchable Holy Books

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 07:06 PM »

This is a very fruitful thread, but it is quite Judeo-Christian slanted. If there are non-Judeo-Christians among the readers of this thread, I am interested in all the major holy books - The Koran, Tao Te Ching, etc. Again, if you are hesitant to post in this thread publicly, send me a PM. I plan on summarizing everything sent to me via PM in a post to this thread after removing any personal info. I would at least like to be able to present a list with all of the world's major religions covered.

772

Official Announcements / Re: JANUARY 2008 GIANT SHAREWARE GIVEAWAY AND DISCOUNT CELEBRATION

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 10:05 AM »

Just to show you how awesome this month's giveaways are IMNSHO, I have highlighted in green all of the software I personally purchased and use, orange for stuff I asked for and got, and Teal for stuff on my "purchase when funds available" list.

AI Roboform (discount):     
AM-Notebook (discount):    
Backup4All Professional (discount):    
BB Flashback 1.5 (discount):    
Beyond Compare (discount):    
Camtasia Studio:    My employer purchased this at our request
Directory Opus (discount):    
Double Killer Pro (discount):    
Direct Access (discount):    
FontCreator Professional (discount):    
FontExpert 2007 (discount):    
Genie Backup Manager Pro (discount):    
GoodSync (discount):    
Help & Manual 4 Professional: < I always wanted this but didn't have the cash, and I won it in a previous giveaway.
Local Website Archive (discount):    
MainType (discount):    
My Life Organized (discount):    
NoteZilla (discount):    
novaPDF Professional (discount):    
PerfectDisk Professional (discount):    
RecentX (discount):    
SnagIt (TechSmith):    
Super Flexible File Synchronizer (discount):    
SyncBackSE and Onlick Utilities (discount):    
TechSupport Alert Premium 12 month subscription:    
True Launch Bar (discount):    
Website-Watcher Business (discount):     < non-business version
XPlorer^2 (discount):

That's 22 out of 28 I personally have "endorsed". This is quite an impressive list. And two things are the main contributers to why this is possible. 1) The hard work of cthorpe & mouser. 2) The reputation DonationCoder has earned by the great community that calls this home. Vendors see the benefits this site provides to point out quality software and bring them customers because of that.

Now please excuse me while I go put in my requests for the teal software in the January GiveAway.

773

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 09, 2008, 09:05 AM »

I took a look at Chris' (Veign) test case.  Simple clear and doesn't add any noticeble "noise" to the experience.  Give it a test-drive!

-CodeTRUCKER (January 08, 2008, 11:45 PM)

Link please.

=0=

codeTRUCKER, you've been quite prolific, and, I dare say, productive. I think you have done a good job of summarizing and focusing the criteria.

=0=

I would like to do something that I do for all my projects. I would like us, the DC community, to come up with a goal statement. This will help to keep the project focused and on track. It should then be broken down into intermediate milestones. We can then take a pseudo-spiral development approach. I also favor a try-then-adjust repetitive cycle.

Some attempts at sparking a goal statement:

• Provide a means for participants to opt-out of conversations they do not wish to pay attention to. (For whatever reason)

We can have secondary or tertiary goals that overlap, or are completely "Free" as any solution to the primary goal will also cover the secondary/tertiary.

Examples:

• Augment existing searching mechanisms.
• Allow readers to see "censored" versions of postings.
• Assist contributers to better classify their contributions.

=0=

I have several ideas in my head that I need to organize first, and then I will post them here. If I can find the time I would like to work with Wordzilla on these and try them out individually and in combination to see if they are effective or just add clutter. I'll post those ideas as soon as I can.

774

Living Room / Re: Anyone Else Have an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Problem in the Winter?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 08, 2008, 07:01 PM »

Plogs Anti-Static O.R. Shoes - Medimex Traditional Style Clogs
http://www.allheart.com/plogs1.html

100 Anti Static, Skid Shoe Covers Large Blue NR New - eBay (item 300180083257 end time Feb-04-08 16:07:54 PST)
http://cgi.ebay.com/...083257QQcmdZViewItem

775

Living Room / Re: Anyone Else Have an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Problem in the Winter?

« Last post by tinjaw on January 08, 2008, 05:26 PM »

Ditto what app said. You should also look at what you wear on your feet while walking around the house. If you can wear something with pure rubber soles.