From now on, this topic will contain information about new creative / content additions (ppt presentations, media links and so on).
I will try and merge the previous announcement topics into this one topic. Bear with me. I'm on a steep learning curve.
As I have indicated elsewhere, some of the separate topics that have been created by posters will soon be merged with the main topic thread. The reason for this is to make the board easier to read and use. They have been locked temporarily so that no one posts there inadvertantly. They feature the little symbol for locked (#).
For now, I would appreciate it if you post a request for a new topic with a brief description of the topic and a reason why it should not be part of the main thread rather than just creating a new topic. You can do so by means of a pm or by posting the request here, under forum news. Be forewarned that these posts may be deleted/moved to archives once the issue has been resolved. The reason for this is to keep the board clean so that everyone can get the most out of it. It is important to have a record, for posterity, not just of content, but of how the content evolves. At the same time, it is important to be able to use the content and functions efficiently. Or so it seems to me.
Skeptical Bystander (Moderator)
The True Crime Weblog Message Board
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MK FORUM NEWS - PLEASE READ
Moderators: skeptical bystander, Michael
31 posts • Page 1 of 1
MK FORUM NEWS - PLEASE READ
by skeptical bystander on Sat May 10, 2008 10:37 am
Last edited by skeptical bystander on Sat May 10, 2008 8:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
Rules of the Board
by skeptical bystander on Sat May 10, 2008 5:53 pm
I would have preferred to post these a bit later, but it looks like some people don't know what to do with themselves on the weekend.
These rules apply to all posters and all posts on this board.
Thank you for respecting them.
As we have stated elsewhere, Steve Huff, Michael and I reserve the right to ban anyone for any reason whatsoever and without prior warning.
Rules for posting on this message board:
1. Read these simple rules before posting, and refer to them whenever you are in doubt as to whether or not you really want to hit the “submit” button.
2. Read/catch up on what’s been posted on the board before posting, whether it is your first time or your first time today. This is a good way to avoid asking questions that have already been answered and making points that have already been raised.
3. Strive for clarity. Think before you write and proofread before you post using the preview function. Use punctuation and bullet points; separate your paragraphs with a line return; if your post is long, take the time to divide it into paragraphs.
4. Resist the temptation to use ALL CAPS. It raises the perceived aggression level of your post considerably and makes you look like a ranting hysteric.
5. Use formatting codes and smilies. These options can make your message easier to decipher and more interesting to read. Italics and underscore are good for adding stress; bold is nice if you want your key message to stand out. Smileys let people—or a particular person know you’re kidding—but don’t use them to “hide” an intentionally snarky comment. People aren’t stupid.
6. Correct and acknowledge errors. If you see that you have made an error, correct it. If you see that someone else has, correct that person gently and succinctly. If necessary, use the quote function to refer to your error. The moderator can then delete erroneous posts.
7. Respect others. Personal attacks, the use of profanity just for the hell of it, and any threatening/abusive/offensive posts are not acceptable. If you disagree with someone, do so in a spirited manner but respectfully. Remember that anonymity plus audience can lead people to excesses they would never allow themselves in a face-to-face encounter. This works both ways. Police yourself, but pay attention to the possibility that someone else may have gotten carried away by the anonymity + audience factor—give them a chance to apologize before you go ballistic. If you are angry at a particular person, whether it is because of something they have said or the way in which they have said it, take a deep breath or walk away for awhile before you reply. Remember that some people like to goad others, and that nothing makes them happier than to know they have succeeded in riling their target. This alone should convince you not to oblige them.
8. Be intellectually honest. Don’t misrepresent other posters’ views or create a straw man to attack. Remember that the force of the better argument is what matters. In this particular case, remember: this isn’t about you; it’s about Meredith.
9. Personal messaging. Personal messages should be sent directly and privately. If you have an issue with someone that could erupt into an OT string of insults, take it into the private sphere. Personal messages can help you to refrain from venting in public.
10. Interpersonal clashes. If all of the above fails, and someone is bugging the sheezy out of you, or you feel they are taunting you, don’t tackle it on the board. Contact the moderator or the webmaster privately (via email or private message). But think twice before you send a message to the moderator complaining about how one poster is treating another. It is up to those concerned to speak up for themselves. The temptation is too great to tattle on someone you don’t like.
11. Trolls and other ignoramuses. Ignore them. They love it when you don’t. They want you to lose it and go ballistic. They want you to look at them and waste your time engaging with them.
12. Be kind to strangers. Welcome new posters and refrain from telling them to get with the program if they raise an old issue. If you think the new poster might be a troll but aren’t sure, ask him or her to clarify a remark. Assume the best but be prepared for the worst.
13. Respect the community. Act and speak as you would in any public forum. Don’t be lulled into complacency by your apparent invisibility.
14. Respect the Moderator and Owner. They are not making a fortune doing this job. They probably would prefer not to intervene at all, but if and when they do, listen and adjust accordingly. If you don’t agree with the moderator, send a PM. If you don’t like the response, take it up with the Owner. Keep your complaints brief and factual.
15. Freedom of Speech. This is a private forum that has a hopefully limited set of rules and maximum latitude to express opinions and present facts. Be sure that you clearly indicate when you are speculating as opposed to “factating.” When you present something as a fact, be prepared to back it up or rectify the error. If you don’t like the subject matter or the tone of discussion in this forum, then find another one or create your own.
16. Outside the forum. Do not bring grievances from other forums here, especially personal ones. And do not take your grievances from here elsewhere; you will be banned if you do this more than once. Read 1 through 15: there are plenty of ways to resolve differences without going on someone else’s blog and stalking the enemies you have made here.
17. No paid posters. If you are or ever have been paid for posting on blogs, boards or forums, take your work and aspirations elsewhere.
These rules apply to all posters and all posts on this board.
Thank you for respecting them.
As we have stated elsewhere, Steve Huff, Michael and I reserve the right to ban anyone for any reason whatsoever and without prior warning.
Rules for posting on this message board:
1. Read these simple rules before posting, and refer to them whenever you are in doubt as to whether or not you really want to hit the “submit” button.
2. Read/catch up on what’s been posted on the board before posting, whether it is your first time or your first time today. This is a good way to avoid asking questions that have already been answered and making points that have already been raised.
3. Strive for clarity. Think before you write and proofread before you post using the preview function. Use punctuation and bullet points; separate your paragraphs with a line return; if your post is long, take the time to divide it into paragraphs.
4. Resist the temptation to use ALL CAPS. It raises the perceived aggression level of your post considerably and makes you look like a ranting hysteric.
5. Use formatting codes and smilies. These options can make your message easier to decipher and more interesting to read. Italics and underscore are good for adding stress; bold is nice if you want your key message to stand out. Smileys let people—or a particular person know you’re kidding—but don’t use them to “hide” an intentionally snarky comment. People aren’t stupid.
6. Correct and acknowledge errors. If you see that you have made an error, correct it. If you see that someone else has, correct that person gently and succinctly. If necessary, use the quote function to refer to your error. The moderator can then delete erroneous posts.
7. Respect others. Personal attacks, the use of profanity just for the hell of it, and any threatening/abusive/offensive posts are not acceptable. If you disagree with someone, do so in a spirited manner but respectfully. Remember that anonymity plus audience can lead people to excesses they would never allow themselves in a face-to-face encounter. This works both ways. Police yourself, but pay attention to the possibility that someone else may have gotten carried away by the anonymity + audience factor—give them a chance to apologize before you go ballistic. If you are angry at a particular person, whether it is because of something they have said or the way in which they have said it, take a deep breath or walk away for awhile before you reply. Remember that some people like to goad others, and that nothing makes them happier than to know they have succeeded in riling their target. This alone should convince you not to oblige them.
8. Be intellectually honest. Don’t misrepresent other posters’ views or create a straw man to attack. Remember that the force of the better argument is what matters. In this particular case, remember: this isn’t about you; it’s about Meredith.
9. Personal messaging. Personal messages should be sent directly and privately. If you have an issue with someone that could erupt into an OT string of insults, take it into the private sphere. Personal messages can help you to refrain from venting in public.
10. Interpersonal clashes. If all of the above fails, and someone is bugging the sheezy out of you, or you feel they are taunting you, don’t tackle it on the board. Contact the moderator or the webmaster privately (via email or private message). But think twice before you send a message to the moderator complaining about how one poster is treating another. It is up to those concerned to speak up for themselves. The temptation is too great to tattle on someone you don’t like.
11. Trolls and other ignoramuses. Ignore them. They love it when you don’t. They want you to lose it and go ballistic. They want you to look at them and waste your time engaging with them.
12. Be kind to strangers. Welcome new posters and refrain from telling them to get with the program if they raise an old issue. If you think the new poster might be a troll but aren’t sure, ask him or her to clarify a remark. Assume the best but be prepared for the worst.
13. Respect the community. Act and speak as you would in any public forum. Don’t be lulled into complacency by your apparent invisibility.
14. Respect the Moderator and Owner. They are not making a fortune doing this job. They probably would prefer not to intervene at all, but if and when they do, listen and adjust accordingly. If you don’t agree with the moderator, send a PM. If you don’t like the response, take it up with the Owner. Keep your complaints brief and factual.
15. Freedom of Speech. This is a private forum that has a hopefully limited set of rules and maximum latitude to express opinions and present facts. Be sure that you clearly indicate when you are speculating as opposed to “factating.” When you present something as a fact, be prepared to back it up or rectify the error. If you don’t like the subject matter or the tone of discussion in this forum, then find another one or create your own.
16. Outside the forum. Do not bring grievances from other forums here, especially personal ones. And do not take your grievances from here elsewhere; you will be banned if you do this more than once. Read 1 through 15: there are plenty of ways to resolve differences without going on someone else’s blog and stalking the enemies you have made here.
17. No paid posters. If you are or ever have been paid for posting on blogs, boards or forums, take your work and aspirations elsewhere.
Last edited by skeptical bystander on Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
by skeptical bystander on Sun May 11, 2008 11:14 am
OT
Hi everyone.
Looks like you are having a good discussion.
I just wanted to let you know that I am working on some structural changes, which will include a "crypt" where I can put deleted posts. The reason I haven't deleted any OT posts since yesterday is that the structure is not yet in place. The new structure will take into account your concerns about keeping the board free of too many topics, etc.
I know it is impossible to please everyone, but that doesn't mean we can't come up with a structure and some features that suit most of the people most of the time.
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!
Hi everyone.
Looks like you are having a good discussion.
I just wanted to let you know that I am working on some structural changes, which will include a "crypt" where I can put deleted posts. The reason I haven't deleted any OT posts since yesterday is that the structure is not yet in place. The new structure will take into account your concerns about keeping the board free of too many topics, etc.
I know it is impossible to please everyone, but that doesn't mean we can't come up with a structure and some features that suit most of the people most of the time.
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
Co-Mod Michael
by skeptical bystander on Sun May 11, 2008 10:55 pm
Just a short message to let everyone know that Michael is going to serve as Co-Moderator. I thought it would be a good idea for two reasons:
1. He has Mod experience and has already been helping me think about how to structure the board. It's time to formalize that role. I think everyone will win.
2. He is eight hours ahead of where I am, which means that we can offer pretty full coverage as a team.
As you can see, he has already cleaned up the board a bit. There are some limitations to what can be done due to the version we have, but we'll do our best to make this board more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
Skeptical Bystander (Moderator)
1. He has Mod experience and has already been helping me think about how to structure the board. It's time to formalize that role. I think everyone will win.
2. He is eight hours ahead of where I am, which means that we can offer pretty full coverage as a team.
As you can see, he has already cleaned up the board a bit. There are some limitations to what can be done due to the version we have, but we'll do our best to make this board more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
Skeptical Bystander (Moderator)
Last edited by skeptical bystander on Mon May 12, 2008 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
by Michael on Mon May 12, 2008 5:11 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hello all. Skep and I have hammered out a plan to structure the Forum. This to a large extent has now been put in place, as you may have noticed.
Firstly, several of the Announcements and Stickys that were news when they were created, but are somewhat redundant now have been de-Announced/Stickified and are now in normal positions on the board
Secondly, I have made the main discussion thread into a Sticky, thereby making sure it remains near the very top of the board, not being subject to moving up and down the board. It will now be where members had left it the time before, making it simple and easy to find immediately on each return.
Thirdly, I have locked off all those topics that either don't justify their being a lone topic in their own right, are redundant as topics or contain a discussion that can easily be continued in one of the main topics. If any of them require something specific a poster need refer to, they can simply link to them/quote from them within their post in the relevant main Topic. This means there will be far fewer Topics that members will have to monitor on a daily basis or be flashing and moving up and down the board confusing people. They of course can still be viewed anytime for reference, just no longer posted to.
Finally, I have bumped up those Topics that are important data topics/remain open so that all the live Topics remain in the top half of the board and will only move about if posted to in that top half area, whilst all the locked discontinued Topcs are in the lower half of the forum. This is a far more simple and clean structure.
My apologies to anyone watching the Topics I bumped up and received email notification due to the 'Bump', but this was necessary to move all the live Topics into the top half of the Forum. However, I performed all this moving about in one session so as to limit any disruption to one day. For the most part, all work that may cause members inconvenience has now been done. Once we get used to the new layout, things should be much simpler for members.
Skep and I do have some organisational plans for the (hopefully very near) future.
1. We intend to have a completely new and seperate forum on the True Crime Message Board called the Meredith Kercher Database, which will house all the Reference and Data Topics (such as Timelines, Media, Legal, Cast of Characters). Members will be able to hop over there to view any items for reference. Those who contribute to them shall be able to continue to do so. However, they shall be off of the main discussion forum, keeping it clean and simple.
2. We also intend to create a Staff Forum. This will be an invisible forum to normal members and will be for Moderators/Admin and any other staff groups Steve may create in the future. Within that forum will also be a 'Crypt' where deleted posts, instead of being deleted entirely, will be sent. This means if any post is deleted by a Moderator in error, it can easily be retrieved. It also means staff have a reference should they ever need to explain their actions in the future. Being an invisible forum, it should not affect Members in any apparent way, but will help ensure Members have an efficient, well-run Message Board.
Steve, Skep and I shall keep you informed on all these matters within this thread. Please feel free to post here any comments, questions or ideas you may have.[/font]
Firstly, several of the Announcements and Stickys that were news when they were created, but are somewhat redundant now have been de-Announced/Stickified and are now in normal positions on the board
Secondly, I have made the main discussion thread into a Sticky, thereby making sure it remains near the very top of the board, not being subject to moving up and down the board. It will now be where members had left it the time before, making it simple and easy to find immediately on each return.
Thirdly, I have locked off all those topics that either don't justify their being a lone topic in their own right, are redundant as topics or contain a discussion that can easily be continued in one of the main topics. If any of them require something specific a poster need refer to, they can simply link to them/quote from them within their post in the relevant main Topic. This means there will be far fewer Topics that members will have to monitor on a daily basis or be flashing and moving up and down the board confusing people. They of course can still be viewed anytime for reference, just no longer posted to.
Finally, I have bumped up those Topics that are important data topics/remain open so that all the live Topics remain in the top half of the board and will only move about if posted to in that top half area, whilst all the locked discontinued Topcs are in the lower half of the forum. This is a far more simple and clean structure.
My apologies to anyone watching the Topics I bumped up and received email notification due to the 'Bump', but this was necessary to move all the live Topics into the top half of the Forum. However, I performed all this moving about in one session so as to limit any disruption to one day. For the most part, all work that may cause members inconvenience has now been done. Once we get used to the new layout, things should be much simpler for members.
Skep and I do have some organisational plans for the (hopefully very near) future.
1. We intend to have a completely new and seperate forum on the True Crime Message Board called the Meredith Kercher Database, which will house all the Reference and Data Topics (such as Timelines, Media, Legal, Cast of Characters). Members will be able to hop over there to view any items for reference. Those who contribute to them shall be able to continue to do so. However, they shall be off of the main discussion forum, keeping it clean and simple.
2. We also intend to create a Staff Forum. This will be an invisible forum to normal members and will be for Moderators/Admin and any other staff groups Steve may create in the future. Within that forum will also be a 'Crypt' where deleted posts, instead of being deleted entirely, will be sent. This means if any post is deleted by a Moderator in error, it can easily be retrieved. It also means staff have a reference should they ever need to explain their actions in the future. Being an invisible forum, it should not affect Members in any apparent way, but will help ensure Members have an efficient, well-run Message Board.
Steve, Skep and I shall keep you informed on all these matters within this thread. Please feel free to post here any comments, questions or ideas you may have.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
New Discussion Thread Created
by skeptical bystander on Thu May 29, 2008 11:53 am
On May 29, 2008 at 10 am on the Pacific Coast of America, Skeptical Bystander created a new topic thread for the ongoing discussion here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/c ... 8-t33.html
The existing one was close to 100 pages.
Please use the new one from now on.
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/c ... 8-t33.html
The existing one was close to 100 pages.
Please use the new one from now on.
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
A Change of Servers
by Michael on Thu May 29, 2008 3:01 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]A heads up to members. Some of you may have been experiencing slower then usual page loads on the board over the past couple of weeks or so. Whilst a whole range of factors will contribute to slow page loads at any one time , the main cause of the problem has been a technical gremlin with our freeforums.org hosts's servers and has therefore been a problem experienced by a great many other hosted forums, although mainly during US peak Internet times. In order to fix the issue our hosts will be moving a large proportion of boards over to a makeshift server as of now and over the next few days. This may mean even slower load times or even inability to access the board temporarily at certain times until the work is completed. Please view the following link:
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=36563
Hopefully the disruption should not last too long.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=36563
Hopefully the disruption should not last too long.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
by Michael on Thu May 29, 2008 9:17 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hi Soozie
Thank you for asking after me. I've been rather unwell I'm afraid but am on the mend now, so unless there's a sudden down turn I'm back
In regard to the forum servers...well, it depends on how smoothly it all goes. It may just simply start getting better without getting worse first. It all depends on whether you're an optimist or not
However, there are some things you can do to help speed up your time on the forum. Whilst the server issue forms the main crux of the problem, the most major secondary problem are our own browsers. What happens is the cache starts to fill and old expired cookies can cause massive load delays. Cleaning out the cache periodically will prevent most of the forum lag.
To save fiddling about in Internet options I highly recommend downloading and installig CrapCleaner (the best program of its kind there is in my view), it's free and you can download it here:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Simply install it and run it from the icon on your desktop (just hit the 'Run Cleaner' button). It's best to close your browser first. It will then clean your cache, Temp Files and all your junk in a few seconds. Then, ideally, reboot. You'll have to sign into your accounts online though as it will have deleted cookies. Simply perform this same task every 2-3 days and you'll find pages should be loading faster with less lag
Tell me, when you browse this forum do you see adverts anywhere?
To greatly improve surfing times, not to mention save your cache being filled with a load of crap and significantly improve online safety and privacy from parasites, you may want to consider installing a Hosts file. It cons online advertising and pestware that your machine is at a different address and gets routed there. In other words, you no longer have to put up with all those annoying adverts all over the web when you surf...they 'vanish', which means your browser doesn't have to spend the time loading them up. All you do is install it and it does the rest, leaving you only needing to update it once a month or so. MVPS is the best Hosts file there is, simply follow the instructions here:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
If you want to browse even faster there are two ways of doing this. The first way is to change within the host file 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0, which makes its blocking even faster still. It's a little more involcved to initially set up, but if anyone is interested simply let me know and I'll write a 'How To'.
What will significantly speed up not just browsing the forum but the Web as a whole is to use a fast browser. For this I highly recommend Opera (free), it's lightning fast and you'll certainly notice the difference. I very much recommend the Beta 2, I've been using it quite a while and it's very stable and 'fast':
http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/next/
It is also possible to speed things up by tweeking your Internet connection, although that's more complicated and requires certain tools.
Of course, remaining virus/trojan/spyware free is also essential as that will greatly slow you down. Make sure you're well protected but avoid cumbersome anti-virus programs...McCafee and Norton should be avoided like the plague as they will greatly slow you down...if possible, opt for other anti-virus vendors, there are many good ones out there as well as some excellent free ones.
Finally, make sure you get all your Windows Updates regularly and defragment often (once a week is good).
If anyone wants any help in speeding things up, or on good security apps or any of the technical stuff, just let me know[/font]
Thank you for asking after me. I've been rather unwell I'm afraid but am on the mend now, so unless there's a sudden down turn I'm back
In regard to the forum servers...well, it depends on how smoothly it all goes. It may just simply start getting better without getting worse first. It all depends on whether you're an optimist or not
However, there are some things you can do to help speed up your time on the forum. Whilst the server issue forms the main crux of the problem, the most major secondary problem are our own browsers. What happens is the cache starts to fill and old expired cookies can cause massive load delays. Cleaning out the cache periodically will prevent most of the forum lag.
To save fiddling about in Internet options I highly recommend downloading and installig CrapCleaner (the best program of its kind there is in my view), it's free and you can download it here:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Simply install it and run it from the icon on your desktop (just hit the 'Run Cleaner' button). It's best to close your browser first. It will then clean your cache, Temp Files and all your junk in a few seconds. Then, ideally, reboot. You'll have to sign into your accounts online though as it will have deleted cookies. Simply perform this same task every 2-3 days and you'll find pages should be loading faster with less lag
Tell me, when you browse this forum do you see adverts anywhere?
To greatly improve surfing times, not to mention save your cache being filled with a load of crap and significantly improve online safety and privacy from parasites, you may want to consider installing a Hosts file. It cons online advertising and pestware that your machine is at a different address and gets routed there. In other words, you no longer have to put up with all those annoying adverts all over the web when you surf...they 'vanish', which means your browser doesn't have to spend the time loading them up. All you do is install it and it does the rest, leaving you only needing to update it once a month or so. MVPS is the best Hosts file there is, simply follow the instructions here:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
If you want to browse even faster there are two ways of doing this. The first way is to change within the host file 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0, which makes its blocking even faster still. It's a little more involcved to initially set up, but if anyone is interested simply let me know and I'll write a 'How To'.
What will significantly speed up not just browsing the forum but the Web as a whole is to use a fast browser. For this I highly recommend Opera (free), it's lightning fast and you'll certainly notice the difference. I very much recommend the Beta 2, I've been using it quite a while and it's very stable and 'fast':
http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/next/
It is also possible to speed things up by tweeking your Internet connection, although that's more complicated and requires certain tools.
Of course, remaining virus/trojan/spyware free is also essential as that will greatly slow you down. Make sure you're well protected but avoid cumbersome anti-virus programs...McCafee and Norton should be avoided like the plague as they will greatly slow you down...if possible, opt for other anti-virus vendors, there are many good ones out there as well as some excellent free ones.
Finally, make sure you get all your Windows Updates regularly and defragment often (once a week is good).
If anyone wants any help in speeding things up, or on good security apps or any of the technical stuff, just let me know
[/font]"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Lag Issues With Forum
by Michael on Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:15 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]You may be currently experiencing major lag in loading the forum. It appears Free Forums have encountered yet another server issue, the problem being on only one of their servers but effecting all of them, and they are currently trying to fix the bug. They have warned that they may even close FreeForums for just a short period in order to sort the problem which means you won't be able to access the forum at all during that time. I've given up trying to access my PM's today due to the lag and I know others have a similar problem:
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=36853
Finally, if you receive a message saying 'there are no available nodes' that means there is an issue with the server. Just a heads up so you all know the problem isn't at your end.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=36853
Finally, if you receive a message saying 'there are no available nodes' that means there is an issue with the server. Just a heads up so you all know the problem isn't at your end.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
PHPBB3 Releae Date Finally!
by Michael on Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:54 am
[font=Comic Sans MS]We now finally have been given the date when our forum will be upgraded to the new phpBB3 format. What do you have to do? Nothing. The idea is that we and all our data will be seemlessly transfered across by the tech guys at freeforums.org (gulp). The date this will all happen has now been set to:
July 7th 2008 - 5:00 PM PST
The new phpBB3 for format should give us lots of exciting new features, although we won't be getting those on the day of the move, rather they will be added in incriments after the move.
Be forwarned, I've no doubt the 7th of July and the days after will see no small amount of disruption.
For the full notification of release, view here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/m ... 26946686a6
For a full description of phpBB3 and its features, view here:
http://www.phpbb.com/about/features/[/font]
July 7th 2008 - 5:00 PM PST
The new phpBB3 for format should give us lots of exciting new features, although we won't be getting those on the day of the move, rather they will be added in incriments after the move.
Be forwarned, I've no doubt the 7th of July and the days after will see no small amount of disruption.
For the full notification of release, view here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/m ... 26946686a6
For a full description of phpBB3 and its features, view here:
http://www.phpbb.com/about/features/[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
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- Location: UK
by rob on Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:30 am
great tech guys 
...just in time to disrupt discussion of the defense lodged ojections to pursuing the recommended charges AND the deliberations of the court in proceeding or not...
let's all go back to halooscan if it buggers up and damn c 'the fox' mellas and goofy we can soldier on! (me only if i'm not too retarded or blinded by the shit in my eyes)
.
...just in time to disrupt discussion of the defense lodged ojections to pursuing the recommended charges AND the deliberations of the court in proceeding or not...
let's all go back to halooscan if it buggers up and damn c 'the fox' mellas and goofy we can soldier on! (me only if i'm not too retarded or blinded by the shit in my eyes)
.
- rob
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:55 am
by soozie UK on Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:06 pm
[font=Times New Roman]Michael, I just took a look at the link for the phpBB3 features and saw something called: Friends/Foes. Would this work like an ignore button for the 2 extremely boring and repetitive foes who frequently troll this board with their garbage and misinformation?
If not, what's it for? Thanks[/font]
If not, what's it for? Thanks[/font]
I will not apologise for personal attacks on certain people who continually lie and twist the truth to suit themselves.
You know who you are Mrs. Multiple-User-Name.
You know who you are Mrs. Multiple-User-Name.
- soozie UK
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:04 pm
- Location: UK
by Michael on Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:12 am
[font=Comic Sans MS]Rob -[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hi Rob,
I understand your worry, but I think any disruption will be less then may be feared. The first public releases of phpBB3 have actually been available on the wild for a good few months now, indeed, it had been initially planned to upgrade on freeforums.org around February/March (which would still have been later then it was in use in a few places elsewhere). freeforums.org decided to revise their plans and rush nothing, spending every minute that was required, testing first a phpBB3 Alpha candidate, then on to a Beta candidate with the help of Freeforum user volunteers. The intent was not only to achieve a full understanding of the software, but also to ensure every bug and potential weakness/danger was completely ironed out of the software 'before' it is released and installed on Freeforums.
This time and that remaining still, has also allowed the Freeforums staff to prepare and adequately plan, in detail, the safest, swiftest and most hitch free method of performing change over and that the support will also be in place that any unforseen problems are tackled swiftly and efficiently as soon as they appear. Had the preparation been different, then the move would be odds on to be a nightmare waiting to happen, but, by rights, the move instead should register a great deal short of a nightmare and much closer to 'painless' as it's possible to be. In fact, they have probably established a protocol of creating the forums and copying the data on to it first with each given short but comprehensive stability/functionality test...and then close the respective redundant forum once having reset the forum address to point to the new site. On finding they can no longer access the site, it would go well for users to then clean out their browsers temp files and cookies, close the browser, reboot, log on again and enter the address for the forum...and that should be the new forum...log in, get a new cookie and Bob should be your mum's brother. That's how 'I' forsee it anyway.[/font]
Rob wrote:great tech guys ...just in time to disrupt discussion of the defense lodged ojections to pursuing the recommended charges AND the deliberations of the court in proceeding or not...
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hi Rob,
I understand your worry, but I think any disruption will be less then may be feared. The first public releases of phpBB3 have actually been available on the wild for a good few months now, indeed, it had been initially planned to upgrade on freeforums.org around February/March (which would still have been later then it was in use in a few places elsewhere). freeforums.org decided to revise their plans and rush nothing, spending every minute that was required, testing first a phpBB3 Alpha candidate, then on to a Beta candidate with the help of Freeforum user volunteers. The intent was not only to achieve a full understanding of the software, but also to ensure every bug and potential weakness/danger was completely ironed out of the software 'before' it is released and installed on Freeforums.
This time and that remaining still, has also allowed the Freeforums staff to prepare and adequately plan, in detail, the safest, swiftest and most hitch free method of performing change over and that the support will also be in place that any unforseen problems are tackled swiftly and efficiently as soon as they appear. Had the preparation been different, then the move would be odds on to be a nightmare waiting to happen, but, by rights, the move instead should register a great deal short of a nightmare and much closer to 'painless' as it's possible to be. In fact, they have probably established a protocol of creating the forums and copying the data on to it first with each given short but comprehensive stability/functionality test...and then close the respective redundant forum once having reset the forum address to point to the new site. On finding they can no longer access the site, it would go well for users to then clean out their browsers temp files and cookies, close the browser, reboot, log on again and enter the address for the forum...and that should be the new forum...log in, get a new cookie and Bob should be your mum's brother. That's how 'I' forsee it anyway.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Shine On!
by Michael on Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:05 am
[font=Comic Sans MS]Soozie -[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]That's exactly what we'll have Soozie...users can choose to ignore particular posters if they wish, for as long as they wish. However, one should be aware, the person/s one is ignoring may actually say something of relevance during that time and should others within a thread be in debate with them, one will only be able to see half a debate, putting much of it out of context, But, whatever, it will be 'user' choice.
What is exciting 'me', is the ability to merge posts and topics...and...and...create 'Child Forums'...each with individualy tailored perms if required!!! Wow, to actually have the tools to be able to Moderate properly!!!! We'll actually be able to show Steve Huff and his blog readers the potential 'asset' and 'resource' he has to True crime HQ...indeed, we already have the most important half...the 'soul'...rendered as 'community'. Many sites begin life with a more advanced tech side, all the bells and whistles in place, and then work over time doing everything possible to create a true 'community'...the majority fail as that's the hardest part of all. We began with a community and simply forged it tighter, despite 'no' bells and whistles, without even many of the small number of currently available mods, simply because they haven't been switched to enable/allow in the Admin Control Panel, despite which, our community has strengthened and modestly expanded. I am imagining how much our game will be able to be raised once Skep and I will be able to do some 'proper' Moderating and really get things organised, finally being able to put into motion some long planned projects that should provide permanent homes for our data, all in one area, allow the community to broaden it's scope, individuals to express themselves in a new variety of ways in their posts, whilst also allowing us to add some general 'zing' to the place...I am very tired of the place looking like 'Mordor'.
The shared purpose that brought us here may have been terrible tragedy, but the place should not look like a morgue...Meredith was far from that in life, though sadly I never had the honour to meet her and experience it directly, and is still where she is now...it would be nice if this forum could physically reflect that to some degree, as this forum and its community is the first 'true' monument to her memory and it was 'Meredith's' light, with a little from Steve Huff in writing about the case, that brought most of us 'together'...and caused us to build it 'together'..........The Kerchers would find the subject matter here upsetting, for certain, but they would be touched and warmed by the spirit harnessed here in testimony to their treasured daughter....................Ma'at!.[/font]
Soozie wrote:Michael, I just took a look at the link for the phpBB3 features and saw something called: Friends/Foes. Would this work like an ignore button for the 2 extremely boring and repetitive foes who frequently troll this board with their garbage and misinformation?
[font=Comic Sans MS]That's exactly what we'll have Soozie...users can choose to ignore particular posters if they wish, for as long as they wish. However, one should be aware, the person/s one is ignoring may actually say something of relevance during that time and should others within a thread be in debate with them, one will only be able to see half a debate, putting much of it out of context, But, whatever, it will be 'user' choice.
What is exciting 'me', is the ability to merge posts and topics...and...and...create 'Child Forums'...each with individualy tailored perms if required!!! Wow, to actually have the tools to be able to Moderate properly!!!!
We'll actually be able to show Steve Huff and his blog readers the potential 'asset' and 'resource' he has to True crime HQ...indeed, we already have the most important half...the 'soul'...rendered as 'community'. Many sites begin life with a more advanced tech side, all the bells and whistles in place, and then work over time doing everything possible to create a true 'community'...the majority fail as that's the hardest part of all. We began with a community and simply forged it tighter, despite 'no' bells and whistles, without even many of the small number of currently available mods, simply because they haven't been switched to enable/allow in the Admin Control Panel, despite which, our community has strengthened and modestly expanded. I am imagining how much our game will be able to be raised once Skep and I will be able to do some 'proper' Moderating and really get things organised, finally being able to put into motion some long planned projects that should provide permanent homes for our data, all in one area, allow the community to broaden it's scope, individuals to express themselves in a new variety of ways in their posts, whilst also allowing us to add some general 'zing' to the place...I am very tired of the place looking like 'Mordor'.The shared purpose that brought us here may have been terrible tragedy, but the place should not look like a morgue...Meredith was far from that in life, though sadly I never had the honour to meet her and experience it directly, and is still where she is now...it would be nice if this forum could physically reflect that to some degree, as this forum and its community is the first 'true' monument to her memory and it was 'Meredith's' light, with a little from Steve Huff in writing about the case, that brought most of us 'together'...and caused us to build it 'together'..........The Kerchers would find the subject matter here upsetting, for certain, but they would be touched and warmed by the spirit harnessed here in testimony to their treasured daughter....................Ma'at!.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
by soozie UK on Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:11 pm
[font=Times New Roman]Thanks Michael, I belong to another forum (audio-related) so I know about ignored posts being visible if someone else quotes from it. And I doubt very much whether the 2 people I'm thinking of (one in particular), will post anything of any relevance, since they haven't done so from the beginning! Why break the habits of a lifetime?? It doesn't matter anyway, it will be so much easier to filter them out than it is now, and will not doubt save quite a few tempers!! It's positive news, that's the main thing.[/font]
I will not apologise for personal attacks on certain people who continually lie and twist the truth to suit themselves.
You know who you are Mrs. Multiple-User-Name.
You know who you are Mrs. Multiple-User-Name.
- soozie UK
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:04 pm
- Location: UK
by rob on Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:00 am
"What is exciting 'me', is the ability to merge posts and topics...and...and...create 'Child Forums'...each with individualy tailored perms if required!!!"
it will be unusable like discus was with bells and whistles hindering conversation.
.
it will be unusable like discus was with bells and whistles hindering conversation.
.
- rob
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:55 am
Forum Upgrade - Short Delay
by Michael on Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:54 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]As you are probably aware, our forum was scheduled to be upgraded from phpBB2 to phpBB3 on the 5th. I was hoping that I would now be posting to say that this has now occured. However, it would seem this has now been delayed. Here is the announcement on the matter from Division at freeforums.org:[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?p=244136#244136
Just to clarify. This means that all 'newly' created forums will be phpBB3. Current phpBB2 forums (namely us) will receive a mod that will allow them to upgrade themselves to phpBB3 towards the end of the week. It is a delay, but only a very short one. The other change is rather then them upgrading us, Steve will have to do it using the Mod that is supplied. Sorry for any confusion.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]PS: Soozie...Rob: My apologies, I've only recently seen your responses to my earlier post in this thread. I shall get to writing a response to you as soon as I'm able.[/font]
Division wrote:With the release due in about five hours I want to give everyone an update. The automated upgrade system will not be ready for the initial release, we expect this to be completed late this week. All new forum signups will be switched over to the V3 system and will be fully functioning.
Closer to release I will be making a post outlining the included and future planned features.
Thanks for using FreeForums.org
[font=Comic Sans MS]http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?p=244136#244136
Just to clarify. This means that all 'newly' created forums will be phpBB3. Current phpBB2 forums (namely us) will receive a mod that will allow them to upgrade themselves to phpBB3 towards the end of the week. It is a delay, but only a very short one. The other change is rather then them upgrading us, Steve will have to do it using the Mod that is supplied. Sorry for any confusion.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]PS: Soozie...Rob: My apologies, I've only recently seen your responses to my earlier post in this thread. I shall get to writing a response to you as soon as I'm able.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Reply
by Michael on Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:37 pm
soozie UK wrote:[font=Times New Roman]Thanks Michael, I belong to another forum (audio-related) so I know about ignored posts being visible if someone else quotes from it. And I doubt very much whether the 2 people I'm thinking of (one in particular), will post anything of any relevance, since they haven't done so from the beginning! Why break the habits of a lifetime?? It doesn't matter anyway, it will be so much easier to filter them out than it is now, and will not doubt save quite a few tempers!! It's positive news, that's the main thing.[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]One thing I should point out though, is I'm unsure if this particular mod will actually come with phpbb3 or whether it will be added for us at some point after.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
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- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Not Really
by Michael on Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:39 pm
rob wrote:"What is exciting 'me', is the ability to merge posts and topics...and...and...create 'Child Forums'...each with individualy tailored perms if required!!!"
it will be unusable like discus was with bells and whistles hindering conversation.
.
[font=Comic Sans MS]Not really Rob, it will be nothing like discus. I think you'll find all the mods will make things far easier, not more complicated.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
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- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
New Off-Topic Thread Created!
by Michael on Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:44 am
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hello All,
I've created a new off-topic thread called 'The Lounge' where you can all chat and post about anything off topic you like. It can be found, along with introductory post, here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/t ... .html#5757
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
I've created a new off-topic thread called 'The Lounge' where you can all chat and post about anything off topic you like. It can be found, along with introductory post, here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/t ... .html#5757
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
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- Location: UK
Organisational Changes and Additions
by Michael on Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:55 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]Organisational Changes and Additions
Today I've been active in performing some administration tasks on the board:
1. Locked a redundant topic
2. Bumped 'Main' threads/topics up so they are above redundanht/locked topics and personal poster topics.
3. I Have renamed the main discusion threads uniformally. Other main threads I have clarified their names so they are more simple and stand out. The names given will remain so permanently. The idea is threads should now be easier to recognise and find. This is just part of the organisational work planned and I shall continue with the project over the next few days.
Thank You
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Today I've been active in performing some administration tasks on the board:
1. Locked a redundant topic
2. Bumped 'Main' threads/topics up so they are above redundanht/locked topics and personal poster topics.
3. I Have renamed the main discusion threads uniformally. Other main threads I have clarified their names so they are more simple and stand out. The names given will remain so permanently. The idea is threads should now be easier to recognise and find. This is just part of the organisational work planned and I shall continue with the project over the next few days.
Thank You
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Last edited by Michael on Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Deletion of Posts
by Michael on Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:51 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hello All,
This is a general anouncement for all those who took part part in yesterday's/last night's/early this morning discussion, in various places, regarding the temporarily implimented 'Rank' forum feature. I shall shortly be deleting all those posts, however, I shall retain copies to a text file for record's sake. I shall be deleting them for the following reasons:
1. A large portion of the posts are in the incorrect thread, the main discussion thread. This makes them very much off-topic. In what is a very large thread already, with very large pages, they add unecessary bulk. At the same time, they seriously detract from the subject at hand whilst at the same time add irrelevant text for anyone researching backwards/forwards through the thread as well as any members who are behind through absence and are catching up.
2. Since the issue no longer exists that the posts refer to, they are off-topic now in whatever thread they are posted. Moreover, as the issue no longer exists, the posts will serve to confuse future members and members who were absent during the discussion.
3. For one particular member, certain aspects of the discussion prompt unpleasant memories, so therefore, since they act as a constant reminder, they need to be removed.
This is just to let everyone know, so they know where their posts went.
Finally, I need to reiterate a Moderator point. The off-topic discussion brought the main thread to a standstill, from which it took almost until this evening for the discussion to fully recover. This is a case in point of why off-topic discussion needs to be kept out of the main thread and why there is a forum rule specifically for this. It would very much help the Moderators to Moderate the board, if members could kindly remember that there are protocols in place for reporting issues, giving feedback, making complaints, making enquiries or engaging in off-topic discussion. In such cases, members have several options available. That is either to PM a Moderator directly, contact a Moderator via email if you have access to their email addresses, or post into either the 'Forum News' or 'Moderator' threads, although private off-board contact is the most optimal if possible. Then, for general off-topic chat there is the 'Off-Topic' thread created especially for that purpose. Thank you all very much for your co-operation.
I shall leave this post up until around the end of the week and then this too shall be removed.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
This is a general anouncement for all those who took part part in yesterday's/last night's/early this morning discussion, in various places, regarding the temporarily implimented 'Rank' forum feature. I shall shortly be deleting all those posts, however, I shall retain copies to a text file for record's sake. I shall be deleting them for the following reasons:
1. A large portion of the posts are in the incorrect thread, the main discussion thread. This makes them very much off-topic. In what is a very large thread already, with very large pages, they add unecessary bulk. At the same time, they seriously detract from the subject at hand whilst at the same time add irrelevant text for anyone researching backwards/forwards through the thread as well as any members who are behind through absence and are catching up.
2. Since the issue no longer exists that the posts refer to, they are off-topic now in whatever thread they are posted. Moreover, as the issue no longer exists, the posts will serve to confuse future members and members who were absent during the discussion.
3. For one particular member, certain aspects of the discussion prompt unpleasant memories, so therefore, since they act as a constant reminder, they need to be removed.
This is just to let everyone know, so they know where their posts went.
Finally, I need to reiterate a Moderator point. The off-topic discussion brought the main thread to a standstill, from which it took almost until this evening for the discussion to fully recover. This is a case in point of why off-topic discussion needs to be kept out of the main thread and why there is a forum rule specifically for this. It would very much help the Moderators to Moderate the board, if members could kindly remember that there are protocols in place for reporting issues, giving feedback, making complaints, making enquiries or engaging in off-topic discussion. In such cases, members have several options available. That is either to PM a Moderator directly, contact a Moderator via email if you have access to their email addresses, or post into either the 'Forum News' or 'Moderator' threads, although private off-board contact is the most optimal if possible. Then, for general off-topic chat there is the 'Off-Topic' thread created especially for that purpose. Thank you all very much for your co-operation.
I shall leave this post up until around the end of the week and then this too shall be removed.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
GROUP PROJECTS - NEW FORUMS
by Michael on Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:51 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]GROUP PROJECTS - NEW FORUMS
In response to:
May's posts here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6762
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6767
And Skep's posts here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6765
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6768
Hi May (great to see you here), hi Skep, All -[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]and[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]Edit: I'm deleting this portion for now until I understand more.
Skep, Fast Pete...let me know if I've misunderstood anything.
Also...umm...yes, Skep's comment regarding nothing much else going on behind the scenes isn't quite strictly true. Since the TJMK board has been now openly discussed, I may as well at the same time announce the fact that over the last couple of weeks, during those odd occasions when I can find the time, been working on my own little project for the community.
As a Moderator, part of my job is to look to the Board's security. For some time now, it has been of a concern to me that something may 'happen' to the board here, be it a software issue, one of the servers at Freeforums.org blowing up or be it malicious attack by those who would wish this board harm (we have been threatened), or be it from malicious attack from any of the many viri and hackers out there that are generally 'out to get you'. In my mind, I therefore felt that we needed a back-up, a 'reserve'...somewhere 'just in case'. I just want to emphasise here that there is no reason for concern, there has not been any 'event' that has suggested this board is vulnerable in any way and Freeforums.org have demonstrated that they are very robust. It's just as Moderators we are supposed to worry about those kind of things and prepare for them 'in the event'.
The TJMK board doesn't really suit the purpose of being a safety replacement to this board should anything happen to this one, as it has a slightly different purpose and has what will be a different (much stricter and restrictive) set of rules in its day-to-day running, on posting etc,.
When I was at Seattle PI, I at that time had a half fancy to create a full forum in order to facilitate a community for those interested in the Meredith Kercher Murder Case. So, I created one but didn't actually take the idea any further, as I was working on another project at the time. After moving to Haloscan, I did float the idea of using my forum as a 'database/filing cabinet', since finding specific information within past Haloscan discussions was extremely unwieldy to say the least, a problem which only increased as Haloscan threads grew longer and longer. My proposal received a cool response, so since that time the forum has just sat there unused and uneeded.
Since that board is also PHPBB2, the exact same software as this one and also hosted as a free forum on Freeforums.org, I decided to utilise it as a 'reserve' board for this one. To that end, I've set it up as a carbon copy of this one. However, it's a carbon copy with a difference. Unlike here, where I have no access to any of the Admin controls/systems (I actually have next 'no' physical capability here) I am able to utilise the full capabilities of the PHPBB2 software aesthetically more pleasing (I am absolutely sick to death of the depressing 'Mordor Delux' theme we have in place here), as well as set the board up 'properly', as things should have been set up here but weren't...forming the main reason of why the issue exists that things here are not very easy to find or well presented.
I just want to emphasise again, the board is not intended to replace or even compliment this one, it is there merely only as a 'back-up'!
It's a work still in progress, I've been doing it all on my own and I haven't been rushing, but members are free to go take a look. The various Iconified themes running down the left hand side of the group are not 'threads', each one is an 'Forum' of its own (as it 'should' be 'here', but instead, we have everything packed into one little sub-forum and hence the mess), but, have a look and any feedback is appreciated/welcome:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org/index.php
As an example of how individual Forums for 'key themes' are an asset, have a look within the 'Timelines' Forum. There, I have copied in each of the individual Timelines and eac one has its own 'Sticky' so they remain headlined at the top of the forum. There, all one needs is to enter the forum and they can see exactly which Timeline they want for retrieval/perusal clearly listed. Whereas here on our board, all the Timelines are within one 'posting thread' which one has to enter and scroll through hunting for the Timeline they want and it's now into two pages. But, have a look and see:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org ... es-f6.html
Within one of the Timeline Sticky Threads (note that I have referenced 'who' created the original post, 'when' it was initially set up, 'where' it was originally created, when it was last 'edited' if at all, by 'whom' and the link to the original. So will be the protocol for anything I copy over):
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org/post2.html#2
One current pupose the reserve board serves, is it allows me as a Moderator/Admin to learn about using the PHPBB2 software, try out and experiment with different featurese etc, which will make me a better Moderator, whilst at the same time not interfere with/annoy the membership, since there isn't one lol. It also in the future may provide a training ground for future Moderators
At the same time, the board serves as a 'show-case' for what can be done, whilst at the same time, any future main changes can be made 'there' so that the membership can have a look and see if they approve before they are made here. Although of course, no changes will be made here, whether the membership wants them or not, unless I get access to the tools to make them. For the record, I can also make changes to the Reserve Board so that it shows up in google searches (ergo, it can also be done 'here')
I would actually very much encourage the membership to register on the Reserve Board now, or in the very near future, so that IF at anytime something happens to TC, everyone is set up and ready to go right from where we left off. At the very least, I would advise members to add it prominently in their favourites.
In the event of anything ever going wrong, we have a couple of people who have been backing up everyones posts, so everything should be preserved.
If anyone would like to volunteer as either a 'Global Moderator' or a specific 'Forum Moderator' on the reserve board and help out, or just generally learn, just contact me.
The Reserve Board is actually called: Perugia Murder File - The Murder of Meredith Kercher, or for short: P.M.F and this is how I shall refer to it from now on.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to ask any questions or provide any feedback.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
In response to:
May's posts here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6762
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6767
And Skep's posts here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6765
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6768
Hi May (great to see you here), hi Skep, All -[/font]
Skep wrote:There hasn't been much going on behind the scenes to speak of, and Michael has been kept in the loop.
[font=Comic Sans MS]and[/font]
May wrote:I also wonder what Michael feels about this too - as the joint moderator?
[font=Comic Sans MS]Edit: I'm deleting this portion for now until I understand more.
Skep, Fast Pete...let me know if I've misunderstood anything.
Also...umm...yes, Skep's comment regarding nothing much else going on behind the scenes isn't quite strictly true. Since the TJMK board has been now openly discussed, I may as well at the same time announce the fact that over the last couple of weeks, during those odd occasions when I can find the time, been working on my own little project for the community.
As a Moderator, part of my job is to look to the Board's security. For some time now, it has been of a concern to me that something may 'happen' to the board here, be it a software issue, one of the servers at Freeforums.org blowing up or be it malicious attack by those who would wish this board harm (we have been threatened), or be it from malicious attack from any of the many viri and hackers out there that are generally 'out to get you'. In my mind, I therefore felt that we needed a back-up, a 'reserve'...somewhere 'just in case'. I just want to emphasise here that there is no reason for concern, there has not been any 'event' that has suggested this board is vulnerable in any way and Freeforums.org have demonstrated that they are very robust. It's just as Moderators we are supposed to worry about those kind of things and prepare for them 'in the event'.
The TJMK board doesn't really suit the purpose of being a safety replacement to this board should anything happen to this one, as it has a slightly different purpose and has what will be a different (much stricter and restrictive) set of rules in its day-to-day running, on posting etc,.
When I was at Seattle PI, I at that time had a half fancy to create a full forum in order to facilitate a community for those interested in the Meredith Kercher Murder Case. So, I created one but didn't actually take the idea any further, as I was working on another project at the time. After moving to Haloscan, I did float the idea of using my forum as a 'database/filing cabinet', since finding specific information within past Haloscan discussions was extremely unwieldy to say the least, a problem which only increased as Haloscan threads grew longer and longer. My proposal received a cool response, so since that time the forum has just sat there unused and uneeded.
Since that board is also PHPBB2, the exact same software as this one and also hosted as a free forum on Freeforums.org, I decided to utilise it as a 'reserve' board for this one. To that end, I've set it up as a carbon copy of this one. However, it's a carbon copy with a difference. Unlike here, where I have no access to any of the Admin controls/systems (I actually have next 'no' physical capability here) I am able to utilise the full capabilities of the PHPBB2 software aesthetically more pleasing (I am absolutely sick to death of the depressing 'Mordor Delux' theme we have in place here), as well as set the board up 'properly', as things should have been set up here but weren't...forming the main reason of why the issue exists that things here are not very easy to find or well presented.
I just want to emphasise again, the board is not intended to replace or even compliment this one, it is there merely only as a 'back-up'!
It's a work still in progress, I've been doing it all on my own and I haven't been rushing, but members are free to go take a look. The various Iconified themes running down the left hand side of the group are not 'threads', each one is an 'Forum' of its own (as it 'should' be 'here', but instead, we have everything packed into one little sub-forum and hence the mess), but, have a look and any feedback is appreciated/welcome:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org/index.php
As an example of how individual Forums for 'key themes' are an asset, have a look within the 'Timelines' Forum. There, I have copied in each of the individual Timelines and eac one has its own 'Sticky' so they remain headlined at the top of the forum. There, all one needs is to enter the forum and they can see exactly which Timeline they want for retrieval/perusal clearly listed. Whereas here on our board, all the Timelines are within one 'posting thread' which one has to enter and scroll through hunting for the Timeline they want and it's now into two pages. But, have a look and see:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org ... es-f6.html
Within one of the Timeline Sticky Threads (note that I have referenced 'who' created the original post, 'when' it was initially set up, 'where' it was originally created, when it was last 'edited' if at all, by 'whom' and the link to the original. So will be the protocol for anything I copy over):
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.org/post2.html#2
One current pupose the reserve board serves, is it allows me as a Moderator/Admin to learn about using the PHPBB2 software, try out and experiment with different featurese etc, which will make me a better Moderator, whilst at the same time not interfere with/annoy the membership, since there isn't one lol. It also in the future may provide a training ground for future Moderators
At the same time, the board serves as a 'show-case' for what can be done, whilst at the same time, any future main changes can be made 'there' so that the membership can have a look and see if they approve before they are made here. Although of course, no changes will be made here, whether the membership wants them or not, unless I get access to the tools to make them. For the record, I can also make changes to the Reserve Board so that it shows up in google searches (ergo, it can also be done 'here')
I would actually very much encourage the membership to register on the Reserve Board now, or in the very near future, so that IF at anytime something happens to TC, everyone is set up and ready to go right from where we left off. At the very least, I would advise members to add it prominently in their favourites.
In the event of anything ever going wrong, we have a couple of people who have been backing up everyones posts, so everything should be preserved.
If anyone would like to volunteer as either a 'Global Moderator' or a specific 'Forum Moderator' on the reserve board and help out, or just generally learn, just contact me.
The Reserve Board is actually called: Perugia Murder File - The Murder of Meredith Kercher, or for short: P.M.F and this is how I shall refer to it from now on.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to ask any questions or provide any feedback.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Last edited by Michael on Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
Re: GROUP PROJECTS - NEW FORUMS
by Fast Pete on Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:38 pm
Michael wrote:Skep, Fast Pete...let me know if I've misunderstood anything.
Sure.
1) TJMK is not a board, Michael. It's a blog. There's a difference. This is a board.
2) What Skep and I posted for May on the main thread describes it better than this.
3) You were enthusiastic, not bitterly against; you in effect said "the more the merrier'.
4) Photos are now going up, and Skep is about to be in touch with all the posters.
5) And people are very keen to begin. They want justice to be SEEN to be done here.
The thing is growing organically. That is good. And so will the readership. Let it ride.
- Fast Pete
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:48 am
- Location: New York
This and that
by skeptical bystander on Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:28 am
Michael,
I don't think your post above clarifies the most important issue, which is whether or not people have been working behind the scenes and keeping you or anyone else out of the loop. This is simply not the case.
The idea for a blog devoted to Meredith Kercher is not new. A haloscan poster from way back created a blog that no one visited. It was hard to get to, for one thing. I think the intention was good: to counter the defense-generated disinformation and keep the facts straight on this complex case.
In my opinion, that need has become more pressing since June. Biscotti has certainly figured that one out, and it looks like Maresca has as well.
This blog would exist in addition to the board. Everyone here would be able to post, with the caveat that what is posted be of high quality, carefully researched and fact-based. In this respect, posts would not have the flow of conversation/discussion, but would take on particular angles of the case and dissect them. This would include dissecting other sources of information. One idea is to ask each poster to choose his or her best post/idea and write something substantial out of it. The aim of this entire exercise is to do justice to Meredith in a way that a private conversation among friends simply cannot do.
A prototype blog will open for visits as soon as there is some material to see. In the meantime, anyone who has any ideas about layout, design, content, etc. can send a PM to Pete. He will know what to do with those ideas, and I'm sure we'll hear about them.
There was a lot of criticism about the look of this board at the beginning. We went through a period where people were setting up threads every time they posted and so on. It took some time to get into a groove. But it seems to me that people got used to it. Some of those people have left or taken a break. New ones have come to join us. I think everyone should be welcome to lurk, post, not post, make suggestions, etc. I think everyone should be free to work on any project they want to, with whomever they want to work with. As I recall, May and Kermit combined their talents to produce a wonderful film that was hush-hush and somewhat secret while it was in the works. Was that a bad thing? I don't think so!
The misunderstanding that seems to have been propagated and that I would like to put a stop to is that a new board is in the works and it will replace this one. That is not the case. I hope everyone realizes this. A blog is not a board. This blog, if it gets past the project phase, would welcome submissions from everyone here. And in case it was not made clear, nobody would be paid for any of it. Not a dime. For reasons that should be obvious.
I don't think your post above clarifies the most important issue, which is whether or not people have been working behind the scenes and keeping you or anyone else out of the loop. This is simply not the case.
The idea for a blog devoted to Meredith Kercher is not new. A haloscan poster from way back created a blog that no one visited. It was hard to get to, for one thing. I think the intention was good: to counter the defense-generated disinformation and keep the facts straight on this complex case.
In my opinion, that need has become more pressing since June. Biscotti has certainly figured that one out, and it looks like Maresca has as well.
This blog would exist in addition to the board. Everyone here would be able to post, with the caveat that what is posted be of high quality, carefully researched and fact-based. In this respect, posts would not have the flow of conversation/discussion, but would take on particular angles of the case and dissect them. This would include dissecting other sources of information. One idea is to ask each poster to choose his or her best post/idea and write something substantial out of it. The aim of this entire exercise is to do justice to Meredith in a way that a private conversation among friends simply cannot do.
A prototype blog will open for visits as soon as there is some material to see. In the meantime, anyone who has any ideas about layout, design, content, etc. can send a PM to Pete. He will know what to do with those ideas, and I'm sure we'll hear about them.
There was a lot of criticism about the look of this board at the beginning. We went through a period where people were setting up threads every time they posted and so on. It took some time to get into a groove. But it seems to me that people got used to it. Some of those people have left or taken a break. New ones have come to join us. I think everyone should be welcome to lurk, post, not post, make suggestions, etc. I think everyone should be free to work on any project they want to, with whomever they want to work with. As I recall, May and Kermit combined their talents to produce a wonderful film that was hush-hush and somewhat secret while it was in the works. Was that a bad thing? I don't think so!
The misunderstanding that seems to have been propagated and that I would like to put a stop to is that a new board is in the works and it will replace this one. That is not the case. I hope everyone realizes this. A blog is not a board. This blog, if it gets past the project phase, would welcome submissions from everyone here. And in case it was not made clear, nobody would be paid for any of it. Not a dime. For reasons that should be obvious.
- skeptical bystander
- Moderator
- Posts: 997
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:42 pm
Response to Fast Pete's Points
by Michael on Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:13 pm
Fast Pete wrote:1) TJMK is not a board, Michael. It's a blog. There's a difference. This is a board
[font=Comic Sans MS]That is an element I misunderstood, so I stand corrected.[/font]
Fast Pete wrote:2) What Skep and I posted for May on the main thread describes it better than this.
[font=Comic Sans MS]No doubt, which is why I asked in my post if I'd misunderstood anything. Also, When I began writing my post, you hadn't at that time responded to May, but must have done so during the time that I was writing my post. Once I'd posted, I saw your response. Any vagueness or incorrections in understanding on my part has mainly been due to the fact that I've been unable to observe the whole site. This, what I've only just very recently come to realise, has been down to a technical issue with my Opera Internet browser, although I'm unsure if the problem is java related or what. I've been forced to use the Opera 9.60 Beta browser over the last 10 days due to serious issues I was having with my Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2* browser [/font]
Fast Pete wrote:3) You were enthusiastic, not bitterly against; you in effect said "the more the merrier'.
[font=Comic Sans MS]Let me just clarify, as there's been a bit of misunderstanding. When I was very first told of the idea by Skep, my immediate concern 'then' was whether it was somehow meant to replace our group. Skep quickly fully reassured me and instructed me on its concept and purpose, at which point I became enthusiastic about it and of a mind 'the more the merrier', which is still my mind on it now. I mention this, simply in case any of the members also have that initial concern and I can say that they need not worry, this group will continue just as it always has. I am enthusiastic about it and it has my full support, in whatever way that support is needed. But, I'll leave the descriptions to those who know it better, I think that's for the best.[/font]
Fast Pete wrote:4) Photos are now going up, and Skep is about to be in touch with all the posters.
[font=Comic Sans MS]Yes, I've seen some of these and the high quality of the shots is very impressive, but doesn't surprise me as I've seen your personal (non-Meredith related) website and the photos there are truly stunning. More importantly, they have been and will continue to be, a great asset in our understanding of the context of the case, adding further to Kermit's excellent PPs and our cause to understand the truth about what happened to Meredith.[/font]
Fast Pete wrote:5) And people are very keen to begin. They want justice to be SEEN to be done here.
[font=Comic Sans MS]As am I and as do I, or at least to see it begin, both as a common member/poster and Moderator. Personally, I don't think any of the personal work I've done on the case is good enough to be a useful asset to the cause, but certainly, there are a great many very fine contributions from many of our members here that will be most valuable and will take it forward. I greatly look forward to seeing things begin falling into place.[/font]
fast Pete wrote:The thing is growing organically. That is good. And so will the readership. Let it ride.
[font=Comic Sans MS]I suppose I've never watched a site grow organically before so I personally find it difficult to visualise with no common point of reference, hence in part why I may have seemed a little bit vague about my understanding of it, but once I see it in progress I'll understand it much better then.
I very much look forward to the time when it's all up and running and am excited about how it will positively and powerfully contribute to our common cause to find the truth about what happened to Meredith. In the meantime, I'll just step out of the way and let you all get on with it, as I don't wish to detract from that.
Michael (Moderator)
*(OT) If anyone has been considering using the IE 8 Beta 2 browser you may find the issues I was having with it and my post on the matter (and those of others) on a non- case related blog reviewing IE8 Beta 2 interesting, here:
http://blogs.howtogeek.com/mysticgeek/2 ... mment-2026
PS: The second 'Michael' who posted in that thread was not myself but a different Michael. Apparently it's a common name.[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
HOSTS FILE - SITE ADS
by Michael on Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:17 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]HOSTS FILE - SITE ADVERTS
Important update regarding my earlier post about Forum Adverts and using a 'HOSTS FILE', posted here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6781
Recently, I have been monitoring reports of a certain number (a very small number) of Freeforum.org site users becoming infected with malware piggy backing within code in forum Adverts and my latest checks have increased my concern. Please read the following thread on Freeforums.org:
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.p ... 77e37fd816
One of the malware infections appears to be 'Webhancer'. Information on this variant:
http://research.sunbelt-software.com/th ... atid=14127
Simply as a precaution, using a 'HOSTS File' to keep the ads from loading onto your systems would be a very good idea. My instruction post on installing a 'Hosts File' here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#2228
As an added precaution, ensure your anti-virus/spyware programs are updated to the latest definition.
For further protection, you might want to consider installing a great little program called 'SpywareBlaster' by Javacool, it's free, small and it loads a definitions file-list of adware and sets a 'killbit' which prevents all those nasty files on its immunisation list from being able to install on your system in the first place. It doesn't run in the background, so it uses no resources. User reviews about SpywareBlaster:
http://majorgeeks.com/review.php?id=19
SpywareBlaster home site and download here:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Stay safe. Please, if anyone notes any infection alerts by their anti-viral/spyware apps, please contact a Moderator.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Important update regarding my earlier post about Forum Adverts and using a 'HOSTS FILE', posted here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#6781
Recently, I have been monitoring reports of a certain number (a very small number) of Freeforum.org site users becoming infected with malware piggy backing within code in forum Adverts and my latest checks have increased my concern. Please read the following thread on Freeforums.org:
http://forum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.p ... 77e37fd816
One of the malware infections appears to be 'Webhancer'. Information on this variant:
http://research.sunbelt-software.com/th ... atid=14127
Simply as a precaution, using a 'HOSTS File' to keep the ads from loading onto your systems would be a very good idea. My instruction post on installing a 'Hosts File' here:
http://truecrimeweblog.freeforums.org/p ... .html#2228
As an added precaution, ensure your anti-virus/spyware programs are updated to the latest definition.
For further protection, you might want to consider installing a great little program called 'SpywareBlaster' by Javacool, it's free, small and it loads a definitions file-list of adware and sets a 'killbit' which prevents all those nasty files on its immunisation list from being able to install on your system in the first place. It doesn't run in the background, so it uses no resources. User reviews about SpywareBlaster:
http://majorgeeks.com/review.php?id=19
SpywareBlaster home site and download here:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Stay safe. Please, if anyone notes any infection alerts by their anti-viral/spyware apps, please contact a Moderator.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
DEBUG MODE ERROR MESSAGE
by Michael on Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:10 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]DEBUG MODE ERROR MESSAGE
Some of you have been reporting getting the following message when sending PM's:[/font]
[align=center]Failed sending email :: PHP ::
DEBUG MODE
Line : 248
File : emailer.php[/align]
[font=Comic Sans MS]I've been getting this too. Other Freeforums users have also been experiencing this. It appears to have started in just PM's, but the error is now spreading to normal posting too. Not to worry, Jackal at Freeforums.org has been made aware of the issue and is looking into it. It should be fixed soon.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Some of you have been reporting getting the following message when sending PM's:[/font]
[align=center]Failed sending email :: PHP ::
DEBUG MODE
Line : 248
File : emailer.php[/align]
[font=Comic Sans MS]I've been getting this too. Other Freeforums users have also been experiencing this. It appears to have started in just PM's, but the error is now spreading to normal posting too. Not to worry, Jackal at Freeforums.org has been made aware of the issue and is looking into it. It should be fixed soon.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
HOSTS FILE - SITE ADVERTS - UPDATE
by Michael on Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:25 pm
[font=Comic Sans MS]HOSTS FILE - SITE ADVERTS - UPDATE
Posted by Jackal at Freeforums.org:[/font]
We are aware that some ads that have been served to users are coming up as being harmful to your computer. We've reverted back to Google ads for the time being until we can fix this issue for you.
Thank you,
-Jackal
[font=Comic Sans MS]The adverts on the forum are now google ones, which means, they should be safe in terms of malware.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
Posted by Jackal at Freeforums.org:[/font]
We are aware that some ads that have been served to users are coming up as being harmful to your computer. We've reverted back to Google ads for the time being until we can fix this issue for you.
Thank you,
-Jackal
[font=Comic Sans MS]The adverts on the forum are now google ones, which means, they should be safe in terms of malware.
Michael (Moderator)[/font]
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
- Michael
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:28 pm
- Location: UK
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