Our Distinguished Admins January 19, 2006 2:12 PM Subscribe
In this thread, cribcage mentions that " ... blogrrrl has no way of identifying jessamyn (or mathowie, for that matter) as an admin ... ", which seems on its face to be silly because everyone knows that, of course. Right?
Anyway, it got me to thinking that perhaps Matt and Jess' remarks could be highlighted with something to indicate that they're the admins. Maybe a different color, a gold star a'la Stan Chin that's clickable and leads to a page with email/AIM/contact info? Something along those lines could help the filthy five-dolla noobs with their acclimatization to the site.
Just a thought.
Anyway, it got me to thinking that perhaps Matt and Jess' remarks could be highlighted with something to indicate that they're the admins. Maybe a different color, a gold star a'la Stan Chin that's clickable and leads to a page with email/AIM/contact info? Something along those lines could help the filthy five-dolla noobs with their acclimatization to the site.
Just a thought.
He was a complete suck-up.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:19 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:19 PM on January 19, 2006
@jessamyn
@mathowie
?
Or are there already users with names starting with @?
posted by Kickstart70 at 2:20 PM on January 19, 2006
@mathowie
?
Or are there already users with names starting with @?
posted by Kickstart70 at 2:20 PM on January 19, 2006
finally, a valid use for that gold star.
posted by crunchland at 2:21 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by crunchland at 2:21 PM on January 19, 2006
How about the admins' posts say "ghosted by" instead of "posted by," in a different color font, and with a different time zone from the other posts in a thread?
posted by brain_drain at 2:23 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 2:23 PM on January 19, 2006
I think a litle rotating gold crown...
Or maybe a ban-hammer??
posted by jpburns at 2:24 PM on January 19, 2006
Or maybe a ban-hammer??
posted by jpburns at 2:24 PM on January 19, 2006
a little gif that says "admin" next to their name would work.
posted by puke & cry at 2:25 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by puke & cry at 2:25 PM on January 19, 2006
I'd be out of a job! Man's gotta eat.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:27 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:27 PM on January 19, 2006
What does the '.' mean?
Why was my post deleted?
Why do these guys have @ symbols in their usernames?
I wish I could think of a visual way where new users would see that matt & jess interact in a special way. I fear that some would see it is inherently authoritarian, though.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:28 PM on January 19, 2006
Why was my post deleted?
Why do these guys have @ symbols in their usernames?
I wish I could think of a visual way where new users would see that matt & jess interact in a special way. I fear that some would see it is inherently authoritarian, though.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:28 PM on January 19, 2006
I wish I could think of a visual way where new users would see that matt & jess interact in a special way.
I can think of a few.
posted by cellphone at 2:39 PM on January 19, 2006
I can think of a few.
posted by cellphone at 2:39 PM on January 19, 2006
Obviously, it's time to set up Metafilter Boot Camp. I'll whip them into shape. When I'm done with them, they'll never post out of line again.
Next is Metafilter Fat Camp.
God, Country, Filter.
posted by allen.spaulding at 2:43 PM on January 19, 2006
Next is Metafilter Fat Camp.
God, Country, Filter.
posted by allen.spaulding at 2:43 PM on January 19, 2006
Or they could read the FAQ/Wiki. Just saying.
I agree - but when double posters and shillers and self linkers don't even follow the instructions on the unavoidable text before their very eyes...I think that hope is somewhat forlorn.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:44 PM on January 19, 2006
I agree - but when double posters and shillers and self linkers don't even follow the instructions on the unavoidable text before their very eyes...I think that hope is somewhat forlorn.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:44 PM on January 19, 2006
Why not simply "admin" in parentheses or brackets following their names?
posted by scody at 2:47 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by scody at 2:47 PM on January 19, 2006
Hey! What happened to Stan Chin's gold star?
posted by timeistight at 2:50 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by timeistight at 2:50 PM on January 19, 2006
God, Country, Filter.
posted by allen.spaulding at 4:43 PM CST on January 19 [!]
Huah!
posted by JeffK at 2:53 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by allen.spaulding at 4:43 PM CST on January 19 [!]
Huah!
posted by JeffK at 2:53 PM on January 19, 2006
Or they could read the FAQ/Wiki.
As far as I can tell the Wiki page is only linked in the sidebar and footer of the MetaTalk home page (the "FAQ" text in the sidebar isn't linked to the sidebar). The link to the FAQ page from the Wiki home page is buried in text, and the FAQ page is nothing but spam at the moment.
MetaFilter should have an FAQ page that's part of the site and listed in the navigation.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:59 PM on January 19, 2006
When jessamyn deleted a thread of mine and politely emailed me about it, I was able to figure out she was the admin.
Had I lurked for a while or read some documents, I or anyother new user probably would have been able to figure it also.
If they really need to be identified, just put their name and link to their profile in the main header, say in the colored bar that has the date.
but really blogrrl was being an idiot, so there's no real problem. You can't make everyone think
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:00 PM on January 19, 2006
Had I lurked for a while or read some documents, I or anyother new user probably would have been able to figure it also.
If they really need to be identified, just put their name and link to their profile in the main header, say in the colored bar that has the date.
but really blogrrl was being an idiot, so there's no real problem. You can't make everyone think
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:00 PM on January 19, 2006
You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think.
posted by scody at 3:07 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by scody at 3:07 PM on January 19, 2006
You know who else made people wear gold stars?
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:18 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:18 PM on January 19, 2006
I would like a gold star, or something, it's a good idea mcd.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:18 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:18 PM on January 19, 2006
You know who else made people wear gold stars?
Warn by Slovakian Jews.
posted by ericb at 3:20 PM on January 19, 2006
Warn by Slovakian Jews.
posted by ericb at 3:20 PM on January 19, 2006
Doesn't it bother you that you have to get up in the morning and you have to put on a bunch of pieces of flair?
posted by Rothko at 3:24 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Rothko at 3:24 PM on January 19, 2006
Only the first seventeen pieces. After that, I'm expressing myself.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:25 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:25 PM on January 19, 2006
Hey! What happened to Stan Chin?
posted by languagehat at 3:26 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by languagehat at 3:26 PM on January 19, 2006
As well as the "gold stars" or whatever helping newbies work out what's going on, I think they'd also be helpful in threads generally, especially here on MetaTalk, for seeing where they have responded to queries or complaints.
posted by Lotto at 3:33 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Lotto at 3:33 PM on January 19, 2006
Psh. If Jessamyn gets a gold star, I want one too. No fair!
/wahhmbulance
posted by booknerd at 3:34 PM on January 19, 2006
/wahhmbulance
posted by booknerd at 3:34 PM on January 19, 2006
But seriously, it's unnecessary. Metafilter needs less n00bs with their heads up their asses, not to hand them all the info on a silver platter. It takes less than one day of reading a few MeTa threads to figure out who holds the reins.
posted by booknerd at 3:36 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by booknerd at 3:36 PM on January 19, 2006
I still haven't deciphered the horticulture comment.
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:38 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:38 PM on January 19, 2006
I think somewhere there should be an indication of this. At least a brief line in the about page or something.
posted by raedyn at 3:43 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by raedyn at 3:43 PM on January 19, 2006
"Think of a room filled with anonymous sex workers."
If I could think of anything else, I might be a more productive member of society.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:44 PM on January 19, 2006
If I could think of anything else, I might be a more productive member of society.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:44 PM on January 19, 2006
I think n00bs need gold stars, and "sandboxes" where they can play away from the elites like us.
I have nothing against n00bs, I just don't want to look at 'em while eating my favorite dinner.
posted by delmoi at 3:46 PM on January 19, 2006
I have nothing against n00bs, I just don't want to look at 'em while eating my favorite dinner.
posted by delmoi at 3:46 PM on January 19, 2006
An admin tag would work far better than a star. It would be unambiguous.
And didn't we have the Star-Belly Sneetches MeTa thread once before? Or did I dream that?
posted by eyeballkid at 3:46 PM on January 19, 2006
And didn't we have the Star-Belly Sneetches MeTa thread once before? Or did I dream that?
posted by eyeballkid at 3:46 PM on January 19, 2006
I still haven't deciphered the horticulture comment.
whore to culture.
posted by delmoi at 3:47 PM on January 19, 2006
whore to culture.
posted by delmoi at 3:47 PM on January 19, 2006
I still haven't deciphered the horticulture comment.
It's a classic Dorothy Parker joke.
I just think, if I could manage to lurk for ages before posting, why can't everyone? It seems like such basic manners.
posted by CunningLinguist at 3:47 PM on January 19, 2006
It's a classic Dorothy Parker joke.
I just think, if I could manage to lurk for ages before posting, why can't everyone? It seems like such basic manners.
posted by CunningLinguist at 3:47 PM on January 19, 2006
How about a star, that, when moused-over, revealed an admin tag?
Because I know how people pay attention to mouseovers.
posted by graventy at 3:51 PM on January 19, 2006
Because I know how people pay attention to mouseovers.
posted by graventy at 3:51 PM on January 19, 2006
"An admin tag would work far better than a star. It would be unambiguous"
"How about a star, that, when moused-over, revealed an admin tag?"
Yeah, something like those suggestions is what I meant. Maybe a giant ADMIN avatar with a blinking marquee tag.
The point is, there have been a lot of n00bs wondering about "the mods" or "the admins" who could use a not-so-gentle nudge with a cluestick.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:55 PM on January 19, 2006
"How about a star, that, when moused-over, revealed an admin tag?"
Yeah, something like those suggestions is what I meant. Maybe a giant ADMIN avatar with a blinking marquee tag.
The point is, there have been a lot of n00bs wondering about "the mods" or "the admins" who could use a not-so-gentle nudge with a cluestick.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:55 PM on January 19, 2006
Metafilter needs less n00bs with their heads up their asses, not to hand them all the info on a silver platter. It takes less than one day of reading a few MeTa threads to figure out who holds the reins.
I've actually been thinking a lot about this site and trying to navigate around it without getting spanked for being an idiot or a noob or whatever...
I've been here for about 3.5 years, and read the blue/grey/green religiously every single day. I follow most MeTa threads, read almost all the AskMes, peruse the blue daily. I am very familiar with most of the major players here.
That said - I still cannot tell you how on fucking earth to search for something. How to find a URL to insure I'm not making a double post, no clue. There's something about using Google with "metafilter:www.foo" but I can't remember and can't read thru all the old MeTas and am afraid to ask. Finding tags on AskMe, well, there's a link that says "all tags used to date" but then it leads to the top 150 and I don't want to ask because I'll get slapped down for not reading the MeTa post from 3 weeks ago that explained why this is. "Read the Wiki!" seems to be a common response, but for god's sake, the Wiki isn't even a PART of the site! Why isn't there a FAQ right here, easily accessible? (And now I can't even find a link to it from the blue so there's that).
There are other examples but my point is that this place is *not* straightforward in this way. Why aren't there simple links on the blue that say "search for a URL" "search for keyword"? Why can't I just search for the tag "cat" from AskMe easily, without having to go thru this whole "figure out how to compose a really good Google search phrase" thing outside the site?
I can appreciate a bit the fact that all this stuff makes it less easy for any old bonehead to jump in, and it creates a kind of community of people who care enough to take time to figure out the site, BUT I often feel it's unnecessarily confusing and opaque.
I shouldn't even post this because I'm gonna get spanked again, and called an idiot, and condescendingly told to read some obscure thread to find all these answers and more, but what the fuck. Not everyone who participates in this community is a master of the Internets, knows all the little tricks, or understands all the lingo. It just seems a little impenetrable, even to this non-noob (who, whether you believe it or not, really isn't that stupid).
posted by tristeza at 3:58 PM on January 19, 2006 [2 favorites]
I've actually been thinking a lot about this site and trying to navigate around it without getting spanked for being an idiot or a noob or whatever...
I've been here for about 3.5 years, and read the blue/grey/green religiously every single day. I follow most MeTa threads, read almost all the AskMes, peruse the blue daily. I am very familiar with most of the major players here.
That said - I still cannot tell you how on fucking earth to search for something. How to find a URL to insure I'm not making a double post, no clue. There's something about using Google with "metafilter:www.foo" but I can't remember and can't read thru all the old MeTas and am afraid to ask. Finding tags on AskMe, well, there's a link that says "all tags used to date" but then it leads to the top 150 and I don't want to ask because I'll get slapped down for not reading the MeTa post from 3 weeks ago that explained why this is. "Read the Wiki!" seems to be a common response, but for god's sake, the Wiki isn't even a PART of the site! Why isn't there a FAQ right here, easily accessible? (And now I can't even find a link to it from the blue so there's that).
There are other examples but my point is that this place is *not* straightforward in this way. Why aren't there simple links on the blue that say "search for a URL" "search for keyword"? Why can't I just search for the tag "cat" from AskMe easily, without having to go thru this whole "figure out how to compose a really good Google search phrase" thing outside the site?
I can appreciate a bit the fact that all this stuff makes it less easy for any old bonehead to jump in, and it creates a kind of community of people who care enough to take time to figure out the site, BUT I often feel it's unnecessarily confusing and opaque.
I shouldn't even post this because I'm gonna get spanked again, and called an idiot, and condescendingly told to read some obscure thread to find all these answers and more, but what the fuck. Not everyone who participates in this community is a master of the Internets, knows all the little tricks, or understands all the lingo. It just seems a little impenetrable, even to this non-noob (who, whether you believe it or not, really isn't that stupid).
posted by tristeza at 3:58 PM on January 19, 2006 [2 favorites]
I just think, if I could manage to lurk for ages before posting, why can't everyone? It seems like such basic manners.
Aah, but they have to KNOW they're supposed to lurk for ages, don't they. Seems to me, the problem is that a lot of people think this "Meta-Filta" place is a Yahoo! Answers that costs $5 to join. How do you instil people with a sense of history? Of purpose?
I'm still surprised, daily, that we don't have more people turing up here with bad spelling, typing in ALL-CAPS and inserting graphical signature lines. It seems to be the way internet society is headed, these days.
posted by Jimbob at 3:58 PM on January 19, 2006
Aah, but they have to KNOW they're supposed to lurk for ages, don't they. Seems to me, the problem is that a lot of people think this "Meta-Filta" place is a Yahoo! Answers that costs $5 to join. How do you instil people with a sense of history? Of purpose?
I'm still surprised, daily, that we don't have more people turing up here with bad spelling, typing in ALL-CAPS and inserting graphical signature lines. It seems to be the way internet society is headed, these days.
posted by Jimbob at 3:58 PM on January 19, 2006
I've created this mockup.
pasted by
mathowie at 4:01 PM on January 19
posted by moift at 4:02 PM on January 19, 2006
pasted by
mathowie at 4:01 PM on January 19posted by moift at 4:02 PM on January 19, 2006
Tristeza, she speaka da sensa.
posted by dash_slot- at 4:06 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by dash_slot- at 4:06 PM on January 19, 2006
whore to culture.
Dammit. Now, can someone help me tie my shoes?
posted by horsewithnoname at 4:07 PM on January 19, 2006
Dammit. Now, can someone help me tie my shoes?
posted by horsewithnoname at 4:07 PM on January 19, 2006
They told me not to eat those paint chips.
posted by horsewithnoname at 4:12 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by horsewithnoname at 4:12 PM on January 19, 2006
This is silly. When the admins are administrating, it's pretty obvious that they're admins. When they're just contributing posts or comments like everybody else, it's irrelevant that they're admins. In the thread that sparked this suggestion, for instance, jessamyn provide a polite and helpful answer, but so did several mere mortals. Does it matter that one of the answers came from an admin?
Conversely, had jessamyn said "I deleted your post because it was in the wrong section of the site," it would have been relevaant, but also blindingly obvious, who was wearing an admin hat.
In the blue and the green, marking posts from admin is only an unnecessary distraction; in the grey it's relevant but obvious whenever it needs to be.
posted by nowonmai at 4:18 PM on January 19, 2006
Conversely, had jessamyn said "I deleted your post because it was in the wrong section of the site," it would have been relevaant, but also blindingly obvious, who was wearing an admin hat.
In the blue and the green, marking posts from admin is only an unnecessary distraction; in the grey it's relevant but obvious whenever it needs to be.
posted by nowonmai at 4:18 PM on January 19, 2006
They told me not to eat those paint chips.
You mean lead candy?
posted by cortex at 4:18 PM on January 19, 2006
You mean lead candy?
posted by cortex at 4:18 PM on January 19, 2006
(And I agree with what nowonmai just said: make the mathowie/jessamyn thing clear on the about page and elsewhere as you see fit, and leave it at that.)
posted by cortex at 4:19 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by cortex at 4:19 PM on January 19, 2006
Jessamyn and Matt are both normal users of MetaFilter. They're posts should only be highlighted when they're doing something administery (?), like when something is corrected on a thread. Otherwise, their comments would probably be best left as normal.
posted by Mijo Bijo at 4:22 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Mijo Bijo at 4:22 PM on January 19, 2006
"They're posts should only be highlighted when they're doing something administery ...
posted by MACCHU PICCHU at 5:22 PM MST on January 19 [!]"
Or homophonery.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:29 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by MACCHU PICCHU at 5:22 PM MST on January 19 [!]"
Or homophonery.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:29 PM on January 19, 2006
Well gee, here's a thought: any change by a mod gets posted all upfront like with different font, with a highlighted link to the front. Acceptable?
posted by Wulfgar! at 4:32 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Wulfgar! at 4:32 PM on January 19, 2006
As a relative newbie who hasn't (to the best of my knowledge) pissed off anybody too majorly, I don't understand how anyone could post without having read enough to know who mathowie and jessamyn are.
Perhaps we don't want people who can't/don't read? Or am I too new to be this snobbish?
posted by JMOZ at 4:38 PM on January 19, 2006
Perhaps we don't want people who can't/don't read? Or am I too new to be this snobbish?
posted by JMOZ at 4:38 PM on January 19, 2006
"Think of a room filled with anonymous sex workers."
YOU ARE IN A ROOM FILLED WITH ANONYMOUS SEX WORKERS
>WEAR CONDOM
THERE ARE NO CONDOMS HERE
Also, topically: I like my Metafilter flat (topographically and socially), so I'm not sure, good-hearted as the suggestion is, that I like it. Just put the info with links to Matt's and Jessamyn's profiles on the signup page and assume that people can read. I'm mostly with people who say that too much lowering of hurdles makes everyone lame.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:38 PM on January 19, 2006
YOU ARE IN A ROOM FILLED WITH ANONYMOUS SEX WORKERS
>WEAR CONDOM
THERE ARE NO CONDOMS HERE
Also, topically: I like my Metafilter flat (topographically and socially), so I'm not sure, good-hearted as the suggestion is, that I like it. Just put the info with links to Matt's and Jessamyn's profiles on the signup page and assume that people can read. I'm mostly with people who say that too much lowering of hurdles makes everyone lame.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:38 PM on January 19, 2006
I am sympathetic to trizteza's comment. maybe...maybe we can hold off on all those snazzy web 2.0 pony requests for a while in favor of accessibility features? maybe a real FAQ 10 questions long covering the real basics (who what when where why how)? maybe incorporate the wiki? maybe clean up and clarify some of the instruction/indication text on various important pages here and there? (post a link & the aforementioned tags page, for example) ...maybe work on dare I say it? search functionality? I believe these are things that can be done to ensure that what makes people flock to this damn website is maintained.
that's my standing pony request. requisite plochops forthcoming.
posted by carsonb at 4:39 PM on January 19, 2006
that's my standing pony request. requisite plochops forthcoming.
posted by carsonb at 4:39 PM on January 19, 2006
Pay your 5 bucks, get stuck in. Yeah you might get burned, but you don't stick your hand in a fire twice.
posted by Frasermoo at 4:55 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Frasermoo at 4:55 PM on January 19, 2006
As a sort of counter-argument to traditional usability arguments, I'd like to point out that nethack is one of the finest video games ever made.
posted by cortex at 5:00 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by cortex at 5:00 PM on January 19, 2006
You know, when I joined, I knew who the admins were and who the big name posters were because I paid attention. I read the about page, I found my way to the wiki. I read through Metatalk before rushing off to post something.
I just don't get where $5 entitles people to waltz in and not have the common sense to read the help pages right there in front of their faces. And I don't understand why we should all cater to these people by dumbing down the site with little bulbs over Matt and Jess for the dumbasses to gather like moths.
posted by FunkyHelix at 5:08 PM on January 19, 2006
I just don't get where $5 entitles people to waltz in and not have the common sense to read the help pages right there in front of their faces. And I don't understand why we should all cater to these people by dumbing down the site with little bulbs over Matt and Jess for the dumbasses to gather like moths.
posted by FunkyHelix at 5:08 PM on January 19, 2006
Why aren't there simple links on the blue that say "search for a URL" "search for keyword"? Why can't I just search for the tag "cat" from AskMe easily
Those things are in the works.
posted by Gator at 5:12 PM on January 19, 2006
Those things are in the works.
posted by Gator at 5:12 PM on January 19, 2006
While we're at it, I think it'd be a good idea to indicate XX/XY chromosomal status so that no one has to find out the hard way.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:18 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:18 PM on January 19, 2006
And avatars and sig lines and automatic text-to-emoticon parsing, so we can show off our flair and devil-may-care knacks for Personal Expression!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:20 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:20 PM on January 19, 2006
" ... assume that people can read ... "
"I knew who the admins were and who the big name posters were because I paid attention"
Agreed, on both points.
However, recent history will show that neither of the two is a given any longer. I was just brainstorming, trying to eliminate a bit of the n00b confusion, even though they are so scrumptious.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:24 PM on January 19, 2006
"I knew who the admins were and who the big name posters were because I paid attention"
Agreed, on both points.
However, recent history will show that neither of the two is a given any longer. I was just brainstorming, trying to eliminate a bit of the n00b confusion, even though they are so scrumptious.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:24 PM on January 19, 2006
Consider also that for every newbie that causes a ruckus, one way or the other, there are a whole bunch who get by with quite success.
posted by cortex at 5:24 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by cortex at 5:24 PM on January 19, 2006
"I think it'd be a good idea to indicate XX/XY chromosomal status so that no one has to find out the hard way"
Your use of the word "hard" has given you away.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:25 PM on January 19, 2006
Your use of the word "hard" has given you away.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:25 PM on January 19, 2006
What a coincidence that there was a recent AskMe on that topic!
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:34 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:34 PM on January 19, 2006
While we're at it, I think it'd be a good idea to indicate XX/XY chromosomal status
Hey, what about XXY?
posted by Jimbob at 5:37 PM on January 19, 2006
Hey, what about XXY?
posted by Jimbob at 5:37 PM on January 19, 2006
You gotta understand
She wants to be your man
She's got another plan
posted by cortex at 5:53 PM on January 19, 2006
She wants to be your man
She's got another plan
posted by cortex at 5:53 PM on January 19, 2006
Oh puuuleeeasse. One of the nicest things about this place is its egalitarianism. From what I've seen so far, the role of the admins here is to ensure that the place runs smoothly, not lord their position of superiority over the other members. The very light hand and even temper of Matt and Jess stand in stark contrast to the bloated egos and cavalier dispensation of justice I've witnessed from other site admins. This is perhaps the primary reason for the success of this place.
It hardly matters that Jessamyn was not immediately identifiable as an administrator to Blogrrl. The point is that her very sound advice was ignored. Should it have carried more weight because it was posted by an administrator? Only to someone more persuaded by titles than by reason. From the attitude expressed by the poster, I'm guessing Beelzebub himself could have proffered it , and she still would have pulled her little snit.
That said, I also have flagged tristeza's comment as fantastic.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 6:33 PM on January 19, 2006
It hardly matters that Jessamyn was not immediately identifiable as an administrator to Blogrrl. The point is that her very sound advice was ignored. Should it have carried more weight because it was posted by an administrator? Only to someone more persuaded by titles than by reason. From the attitude expressed by the poster, I'm guessing Beelzebub himself could have proffered it , and she still would have pulled her little snit.
That said, I also have flagged tristeza's comment as fantastic.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 6:33 PM on January 19, 2006
Stop picking on people with lots of R's in their name!!! Don't make me LEAVE METAFILTER FOREVER (tm)!!!
posted by Krrrlson at 6:35 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Krrrlson at 6:35 PM on January 19, 2006
But XX/XY is really just X/Y, unless Y is 0, in which case, it's undefined!
They're posts should only be highlighted when they're doing something administery (?), like when something is corrected on a thread.
Hmm. The words ex cathedra leap to mind.
posted by eriko at 6:37 PM on January 19, 2006
They're posts should only be highlighted when they're doing something administery (?), like when something is corrected on a thread.
Hmm. The words ex cathedra leap to mind.
posted by eriko at 6:37 PM on January 19, 2006
Oh, yeah.
If I could think of anything else, I might be a more productive member of society.
Mr. C D wins!
posted by eriko at 6:38 PM on January 19, 2006
If I could think of anything else, I might be a more productive member of society.
Mr. C D wins!
posted by eriko at 6:38 PM on January 19, 2006
If it were made compulsory to have an email addi when posting an AskMe question or a post to the grey or blue....well, people who fuck up and have their precious words torched would soon hear from the overlords themselves as the nature of their error(s). Just a thought..
FAQ is a good idea. M&J's home phone numbers on the signup page is probably a good idea but no avatars, no neon headwear. They're supposed to be undercover most of the time. Besides, they would most likely get a bucket load more spamefi mail.
posted by peacay at 6:53 PM on January 19, 2006
FAQ is a good idea. M&J's home phone numbers on the signup page is probably a good idea but no avatars, no neon headwear. They're supposed to be undercover most of the time. Besides, they would most likely get a bucket load more spamefi mail.
posted by peacay at 6:53 PM on January 19, 2006
Fuck. I always miss the flameouts. Isn't there some kind of batshitinsane-alert mailing list to which I could subscribe?
posted by blag at 7:00 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by blag at 7:00 PM on January 19, 2006
Trizteza said: I've actually been thinking a lot about this site and trying to navigate around it without getting spanked for being an idiot or a noob or whatever...
Well said and apt. I was rather intimidated when I first logged in here. God, the rush of my first post was incredible. I might as well have gone cliff diving somewhere arid.
Me? I just try not to worry about it too much, not take it personally, and do whatever feels good. Getting spanked is sexy. And educational.
I suspect if more people were able to not take it so damn personally, we'd have a lot less ruffled feathers.
But then MeTa would be mindfuckingly boring. Like widget inventory database boring.
As such, I keep getting tempted to post some really insane, rude, entitled and offensive rant to MeTa just so I can get in on a little of that loving. 300+ comments of bare-assed hide-chapping directed intensely upon my person would be a hoot and a half. Maybe two whole hoots.
(Feel free to direct creative exercises in swearing, insults against my lineage, criticisms of my choice in underpants and other assgrabbery at my email. Fucking go nuts! Though, I reserve the right to bitch back.)
posted by loquacious at 7:26 PM on January 19, 2006
Well said and apt. I was rather intimidated when I first logged in here. God, the rush of my first post was incredible. I might as well have gone cliff diving somewhere arid.
Me? I just try not to worry about it too much, not take it personally, and do whatever feels good. Getting spanked is sexy. And educational.
I suspect if more people were able to not take it so damn personally, we'd have a lot less ruffled feathers.
But then MeTa would be mindfuckingly boring. Like widget inventory database boring.
As such, I keep getting tempted to post some really insane, rude, entitled and offensive rant to MeTa just so I can get in on a little of that loving. 300+ comments of bare-assed hide-chapping directed intensely upon my person would be a hoot and a half. Maybe two whole hoots.
(Feel free to direct creative exercises in swearing, insults against my lineage, criticisms of my choice in underpants and other assgrabbery at my email. Fucking go nuts! Though, I reserve the right to bitch back.)
posted by loquacious at 7:26 PM on January 19, 2006
Personally, I don't understand why anyone would go through the trouble of signing up and paying if they haven't hung out long enough to check out what the site was about and get a feel for things. Part of "getting the feel of things" is finding out what posts go where and knowing who the admins are.
posted by Iamtherealme at 7:31 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by Iamtherealme at 7:31 PM on January 19, 2006
FAQ is a good idea.
Yeah, I'm starting to have an email inbox filled with basic questions and I've been considering this for the past few months.
I'll try taking a crack at this tomorrow. I'm thinking a "post a question for the FAQ" form on MetaTalk and at faq.metafilter.com, and me and jessamyn can approve the commonly asked ones and group them into categories, to be displayed on a page with just the FAQ (at faq.metafilter.com).
WRT the original question here, I don't think I want to put big flaming admin logos next to my name. I'd rather participate as just another member in the other parts of the site (perhaps maybe only for metatalk I'd consider it, but I still prefer not to and hope a FAQ answers all).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:35 PM on January 19, 2006
Yeah, I'm starting to have an email inbox filled with basic questions and I've been considering this for the past few months.
I'll try taking a crack at this tomorrow. I'm thinking a "post a question for the FAQ" form on MetaTalk and at faq.metafilter.com, and me and jessamyn can approve the commonly asked ones and group them into categories, to be displayed on a page with just the FAQ (at faq.metafilter.com).
WRT the original question here, I don't think I want to put big flaming admin logos next to my name. I'd rather participate as just another member in the other parts of the site (perhaps maybe only for metatalk I'd consider it, but I still prefer not to and hope a FAQ answers all).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:35 PM on January 19, 2006
Metatalk: mindfuckingly boring
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:44 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:44 PM on January 19, 2006
"I don't think I want to put big flaming admin logos next to my name"
Yeah, flaming may be a little too obvious. Maybe bolded, or an asterisk, or something a little more low-key might be better.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:46 PM on January 19, 2006
Yeah, flaming may be a little too obvious. Maybe bolded, or an asterisk, or something a little more low-key might be better.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:46 PM on January 19, 2006
Getting spanked is sexy. And educational.
*educates loquacious*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:48 PM on January 19, 2006
*educates loquacious*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:48 PM on January 19, 2006
A FAQ is nice but not good enough. Before people sign up they should have to answer a quiz:
Who are the admins?
a) mathowie
b) quonsar
c) jessamyn
d) mr_crash_davis
e) VP Admin
What is the significance of the number 9622?
etc.
The answers would be easy to find, but the person would have to prove they found 'em.
(This is only half - nay, a third - joking.)
posted by soyjoy at 7:49 PM on January 19, 2006
Who are the admins?
a) mathowie
b) quonsar
c) jessamyn
d) mr_crash_davis
e) VP Admin
What is the significance of the number 9622?
etc.
The answers would be easy to find, but the person would have to prove they found 'em.
(This is only half - nay, a third - joking.)
posted by soyjoy at 7:49 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by 
mathowie
Has a nice "it's raining men!" feel to it.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:05 PM on January 19, 2006
mathowieHas a nice "it's raining men!" feel to it.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:05 PM on January 19, 2006
I just think, if I could manage to lurk for ages before posting, why can't everyone?
Two ideas:
-- only let people sign up new accounts in March (for example; so long as it's not September). If I had to wait 2 years to sign up, why do the n00bs get instantly gratified?
-- extend the delay between paying $5 and being able to post/comment. Maybe a month?
Of course, each of these lessens the number of $5 drops toward MeFi's existence. Presumably advertising is paying the bills and not signup fees.
posted by Aknaton at 8:25 PM on January 19, 2006
Two ideas:
-- only let people sign up new accounts in March (for example; so long as it's not September). If I had to wait 2 years to sign up, why do the n00bs get instantly gratified?
-- extend the delay between paying $5 and being able to post/comment. Maybe a month?
Of course, each of these lessens the number of $5 drops toward MeFi's existence. Presumably advertising is paying the bills and not signup fees.
posted by Aknaton at 8:25 PM on January 19, 2006
I do often wonder how many people sign up just to use Ask, and don't realize there are two whole other colours over here.
*sigh*
posted by anastasiav at 8:30 PM on January 19, 2006
*sigh*
posted by anastasiav at 8:30 PM on January 19, 2006
Potential members, after paying their $5, are mailed out a "Metafilter Member Package", comprising a copy of The Thesis, a 32-page booklet on the history and ettiquette of Metafilter, a short-answer questionnaire testing knowledge of the booklet, and a cute, squeezable rubber quonsar toy. Questionnaires must be submitted, by post, within two weeks of delivery of the package, for assessment by a panel. Successful applicants have their membership activated and will receive, in due course, a laminated membership card that entitles them to a 15% discount on all merchandise at ParisParamus's "Roses Returned" 2nd hand boutique, beauty salon, and law firm.
Should they fail the assessment, they are entitled to keep the quonsar toy.
posted by Jimbob at 9:30 PM on January 19, 2006
Should they fail the assessment, they are entitled to keep the quonsar toy.
posted by Jimbob at 9:30 PM on January 19, 2006
I want limited edition cards that have pictures of mefites and their posting averages!
posted by TwelveTwo at 10:12 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by TwelveTwo at 10:12 PM on January 19, 2006
Awww and his nose is orange
*cuddles with quonsar toy*
*disturbing on so many levels*
posted by wheelieman at 10:19 PM on January 19, 2006
*cuddles with quonsar toy*
*disturbing on so many levels*
posted by wheelieman at 10:19 PM on January 19, 2006
fireworks... words in letters etched in lead a foot high, a procession of such debauchery it would make Caligula himself blush... hummm perhaps not. OTOH I never read the wiki, did some lurking and haven't truly pissed anyone off, except for that one time but that didn't count. A FAQ should cover it, otherwise some peep prob should GTFU.
posted by edgeways at 10:27 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by edgeways at 10:27 PM on January 19, 2006
Argh. My quonsar toy drank all my booze and puked in my fucking shoes.
posted by loquacious at 10:29 PM on January 19, 2006
posted by loquacious at 10:29 PM on January 19, 2006
With regards to extending the waiting period between paying and being able to post, I think it's a bad idea. Better just to encourage people to lurk for a while before posting. I lurked for probably 6 months and would have continued to do so indefinitely, except that I had a burning question for AskMe that I wanted to post. People can read and comprehend (and learn!) well before actually getting around to paying for it.
(BTW, my AskMe thread was a smashing success, thanks to Jessamyn and others)
posted by booknerd at 11:56 PM on January 19, 2006
(BTW, my AskMe thread was a smashing success, thanks to Jessamyn and others)
posted by booknerd at 11:56 PM on January 19, 2006
cortex: As a sort of counter-argument to traditional usability arguments, I'd like to point out that nethack is one of the finest video games ever made.
I paid $5 and had to like cortex against my better judgement; this sux.
posted by fleacircus at 2:44 AM on January 20, 2006
I paid $5 and had to like cortex against my better judgement; this sux.
posted by fleacircus at 2:44 AM on January 20, 2006
My quonsar toy drank all my booze and puked in my fucking shoes.
You should have worn rubbers. What other special shoes are available?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:23 AM on January 20, 2006
You should have worn rubbers. What other special shoes are available?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:23 AM on January 20, 2006
Wait a minute, JimBob. Don't you mean this thesis? That sucker's over 100 pages. (It's good, too)
posted by Roger Dodger at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2006
posted by Roger Dodger at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2006
WRT the original question here, I don't think I want to put big flaming admin logos next to my name. I'd rather participate as just another member in the other parts of the site (perhaps maybe only for metatalk I'd consider it, but I still prefer not to and hope a FAQ answers all).
I think it's a good idea in MetaTalk threads, where even users who know who the admins are would benefit. With all the noise, it'd be nice to be able to find the answer to the question quickly. I find myself scrolling down the page looking for your or jessamyn's name.
posted by MarkAnd at 5:41 AM on January 20, 2006
I think it's a good idea in MetaTalk threads, where even users who know who the admins are would benefit. With all the noise, it'd be nice to be able to find the answer to the question quickly. I find myself scrolling down the page looking for your or jessamyn's name.
posted by MarkAnd at 5:41 AM on January 20, 2006
How about this:
How about you try a little fucking harder, huh?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2006
How about you try a little fucking harder, huh?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2006
"Think of a room filled with anonymous sex workers."
*grabs tub of fish oil*
posted by PenguinBukkake at 6:48 AM on January 20, 2006
*grabs tub of fish oil*
posted by PenguinBukkake at 6:48 AM on January 20, 2006
I'm going to agree with booknerd- plenty of people read for a long time before making a post and are capable of making a good post after a week (or often even sooner), so extending the time before a first post isn't necessarily helpful. I'm newish here and I've only made one (reasonably well-received) FPP, but I had it all ready the day I joined.
One thing I proposed to Matt when I joined would be a MeFi Mentorship program, and I still think it might be a decent idea if we can shift the burden away from Matt and Jessamyn. Users who are generally respected (I know- there's no universals there, but we can figure that out) would volunteer to read a newbie's first few prospective posts and offer comments on appropriateness, etc.
The newbie doesn't have to learn to swim by being thrown into the water and we can preserve the quality of MeFi. Of course, it WOULD make MeTa a bit less exciting.
posted by JMOZ at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2006
One thing I proposed to Matt when I joined would be a MeFi Mentorship program, and I still think it might be a decent idea if we can shift the burden away from Matt and Jessamyn. Users who are generally respected (I know- there's no universals there, but we can figure that out) would volunteer to read a newbie's first few prospective posts and offer comments on appropriateness, etc.
The newbie doesn't have to learn to swim by being thrown into the water and we can preserve the quality of MeFi. Of course, it WOULD make MeTa a bit less exciting.
posted by JMOZ at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2006
I can't believe I missed those XX/XY threads. (As for the MeTa post, I guess I wasn't in the mood to click into a "no better than any other date rapist" train wreck.)
mdn's comments in the MeTa thread, are, incidentally, fantastic.
posted by nobody at 9:42 AM on January 20, 2006
mdn's comments in the MeTa thread, are, incidentally, fantastic.
posted by nobody at 9:42 AM on January 20, 2006
Metafilter needs less n00bs with their heads up their asses, not to hand them all the info on a silver platter.
God, yes.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:53 AM on January 20, 2006
God, yes.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:53 AM on January 20, 2006
One thing I proposed to Matt when I joined would be a MeFi Mentorship program
That would be imapctful.
posted by fixedgear at 11:13 AM on January 20, 2006
That would be imapctful.
posted by fixedgear at 11:13 AM on January 20, 2006
I'd be willing to teach a course for noobs on making mediocre posts that everyone ignores. And possibly run a workshop on lesser known simpsons/seinfeld misquotes that no one seems to enjoy.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:16 PM on January 20, 2006
posted by blue_beetle at 1:16 PM on January 20, 2006
"Metafilter needs less n00bs with their heads up their asses, not to hand them all the info on a silver platter."
Perhaps if the info was available 'on a silver platter' instead of distributed over multiple pages (that info which is available anyway), then fewer noob problems would arise.
posted by mischief at 2:28 PM on January 20, 2006
Perhaps if the info was available 'on a silver platter' instead of distributed over multiple pages (that info which is available anyway), then fewer noob problems would arise.
posted by mischief at 2:28 PM on January 20, 2006
How about if the word “admin” showed somewhere on the front page of MeTa (other than in user posts?) Maybe in a link for signed-in users to a form that sends mail directly to admins?
posted by ijoshua at 12:21 PM on January 21, 2006
posted by ijoshua at 12:21 PM on January 21, 2006
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by graventy at 2:18 PM on January 19, 2006