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New Greens and Purples?

Code of conduct, suggestions, and information on forums.debian.net.
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confuseling
Posts: 2121
Joined: 2009-10-21 01:03

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#21 Post by confuseling »

So, while the powers that be are paying attention, can we fix the ridiculously broken search? Or even just link it to a custom google search or something.

How many duplicate threads do we think this situation creates?

http://forums.debian.net/search.php?keywords=usb
The Forum's search box is terrible. Use site specific search, e.g.
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A ... terms+here

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Absent Minded
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#22 Post by Absent Minded »

custom google search... put

Code: Select all

http://www.google.com
in your browser address bar, enter your search terms in the feild provided, add

Code: Select all

site:forums.debian.net
to the end of your search criteria...

I am hoping that the recent additions in staff will help our spam problem.

In all fairness I think we forget that all of the staff here are volinteer and not paid site admins. Our admins, at least most of them have full-time jobs in addition to being developers for Debian. By the time one gets home from work often 10+ hours of ones day has been shot. Making time for family and still donating time to develop for Debian quite honestly doesn't leave a whole lot of time for much else I would imagine. This is the first time the forum has been able to add a few administrators that are not active DDs. I do hope you all will concider these things before you pass judgment on the admins that quite honestly saved this forum from extinction just a few short years ago. Yes, things have been rough at times but the forum is still here to be used. If not for Mez and the other admins that felt this forum still offered some value to our community and the Debian project this forum would not exist today as the original founders up and abandoned the forum when things became too rough for them. I haven't forgotten and you all shouldn't either.

Best regards,
AM
Serving the community the best way I can.
Spreading the tradition of Community Spirit.
Please read some Basic Forum Philosophy
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish, he eats for life.
Updated Nov. 19, 2012

confuseling
Posts: 2121
Joined: 2009-10-21 01:03

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#23 Post by confuseling »

I have nothing useful to add about the politics, so let's not go there...

I'm not asking how to do a google search. I'm pointing out that the built in search is fundamentally broken. Having a button labelled 'search' which doesn't work is perverse, and must create many duplicate threads. How many frustrated new users are going to type search terms into what looks to all intents and purposes like the official forum for a major Linux distribution, come up blank, and think "Well, maybe I won't start a new thread quite yet, perhaps the search box doesn't work"?

I'm almost tempted to say we'd be better off if you just got rid of it, assuming nobody wants to fix it.
The Forum's search box is terrible. Use site specific search, e.g.
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A ... terms+here

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Soapm
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#24 Post by Soapm »

vbrummond wrote:Ride now! Ride to victory against the viagra hordes!
Poor Dilbert, first someone took his left nut now we're cutting off his recreational meds...

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dasein
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#25 Post by dasein »

confuseling wrote:I'm almost tempted to say we'd be better off if you just got rid of it, assuming nobody wants to fix it.
Or maybe replace it with a custom Google search box? (Dunno how mechanically difficult it'd be to implement. Not that most folks bother to search anyway, but for those that do, and all that.)

confuseling
Posts: 2121
Joined: 2009-10-21 01:03

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#26 Post by confuseling »

Good idea!
confuseling wrote:...Or even just link it to a custom google search or something.
:wink:
The Forum's search box is terrible. Use site specific search, e.g.
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A ... terms+here

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dasein
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Location: Terra Incantationum

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#27 Post by dasein »

Sorry if I missed an earlier mention of a custom Google search. I'm a little distracted these days, wielding the Hammer of SpamBeGone against the Viagran hordes.

Randicus
Posts: 2663
Joined: 2011-05-08 09:11

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#28 Post by Randicus »

Absent Minded wrote:In all fairness I think we forget that all of the staff here are volinteer and not paid site admins. Our admins, at least most of them have full-time jobs in addition to being developers for Debian.
I am in no way intending to insult the admins. I sympathise with the situation you describe, but the simple truth is, if they do not have any time to devote to the board, the problem is easily rectified. Add people to the position who do have time to administer the board. That would be a winning scenario for everyone. The old admins would not need to worry about the board, the new admins could improve the board, and the members would be happy having a better board. I do not know what new powers have been granted to the people in green, but I hope they are enough to make a difference. Good luck guys.

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saulgoode
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#29 Post by saulgoode »

confuseling wrote:I'm not asking how to do a google search. I'm pointing out that the built in search is fundamentally broken. Having a button labelled 'search' which doesn't work is perverse, and must create many duplicate threads.
Isn't the problem with your example that your search term ("usb") is too short? If it is something else, perhaps you could elaborate? I have not noticed a failing of the search utility on this forum that isn't typical of every other PHPBB forum I've used.
Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it. -- Brian Kernighan

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nadir
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#30 Post by nadir »

Absent Minded wrote: If not for Mez and the other admins that felt this forum still offered some value to our community and the Debian project this forum would not exist today as the original founders up and abandoned the forum when things became too rough for them. I haven't forgotten and you all shouldn't either.

Best regards,
AM
Let me add this:
Without users there is no forum either.
One shouldn't forget that.

On a site note:
Why most, if not all, Gnu/Linux forums ( a free OS, the RevolutionOS ) are handled like a third world junta is beyond me.
Obviously i am the only one who sees it like that. Or only of few.
And no, i am not exaggerating: "You agree that “Debian User Forums” have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should we see fit."
That, the default phpbb agreement says: all rules are null and void for us. We can do what we want (either explain it by rules, or without any explanation, because we want to. Yes, we can).
Compare it with this: "By contrast, the GNU General Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom ... To protect your rights, we need to prevent others from denying you
these rights or asking you to surrender the rights. "
Do both rules speak in the name of the same spirit?
But that is me. Obviously i lost contact to reality."The same rules are valid for everyone. Even the ones in power". Who has ever hurd of such a nonsense?


yabba da hut,
JustAnotherLinuxUser
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

MALsPa
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#31 Post by MALsPa »

Absent Minded wrote:In all fairness I think we forget that all of the staff here are volinteer and not paid site admins. Our admins, at least most of them have full-time jobs in addition to being developers for Debian. By the time one gets home from work often 10+ hours of ones day has been shot. Making time for family and still donating time to develop for Debian quite honestly doesn't leave a whole lot of time for much else I would imagine. This is the first time the forum has been able to add a few administrators that are not active DDs. I do hope you all will concider these things before you pass judgment on the admins that quite honestly saved this forum from extinction just a few short years ago. Yes, things have been rough at times but the forum is still here to be used. If not for Mez and the other admins that felt this forum still offered some value to our community and the Debian project this forum would not exist today as the original founders up and abandoned the forum when things became too rough for them. I haven't forgotten and you all shouldn't either.
The efforts of the Debian User Forums staff are appreciated. Good luck with getting this spam mess cleaned up.

confuseling
Posts: 2121
Joined: 2009-10-21 01:03

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#32 Post by confuseling »

saulgoode wrote:
confuseling wrote:I'm not asking how to do a google search. I'm pointing out that the built in search is fundamentally broken. Having a button labelled 'search' which doesn't work is perverse, and must create many duplicate threads.
Isn't the problem with your example that your search term ("usb") is too short? If it is something else, perhaps you could elaborate? I have not noticed a failing of the search utility on this forum that isn't typical of every other PHPBB forum I've used.
That is the problem, yes, but many terms people are likely to be searching for are short, and many new users aren't going to realise it's a restriction of the board. Even if it just said "Search term is too short" it'd improve things.

Outside searches will often order things better as well, an example being

http://forums.debian.net/search.php?key ... esting+sid

vs

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=mixed+testi ... debian.net
The Forum's search box is terrible. Use site specific search, e.g.
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A ... terms+here

cynwulf

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#33 Post by cynwulf »

The counter spam division are doing well against the louis vuitton hand bag wielding hordes... but can they keep it up forever...? The mindless bots do not tire and do not bore easily...

@confuseling: the phpBB built in search can be tweaked from the admincp but is quite crap and puts a huge load on the server. This is why the outside search method (search_term site:forums.debian.net) is often suggested.

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Absent Minded
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#34 Post by Absent Minded »

I am hoping we can come up with better solutions to the spam problem. It is being worked on. It definantly would be nice as well if an improved search feature could be implamented without advertizing or implying endorsment of a specific search engine, I know, more polotics... but that is something that we have to concider as well.

There was a comparison made earlier between the GPL software licence and forum polocies/rules. One shouldn't forget the GPL licence doesn't just protect the end user but also the original developer of the software as well. What was said would be much like someone coming into ones home or place of business and having no regard for the owners property or respect for them. Are any of you going to tollerate someone coming into your home or business, disrespecting you or your family? Are you going to allow someone to rearange your place or reformat your computers hard drive? I highly doubt it... It is like saying but you believe in free software so I can do what I want with your stuff in your home. The GPL protects both the developer and the end user. The GPL allows one to make a copy of the original code once you have aquired it' maybe one had to pay or maybe not but it doesn't allow one to claim rights to that software one doesn't have. There is always more to concider than just one side of things.
Serving the community the best way I can.
Spreading the tradition of Community Spirit.
Please read some Basic Forum Philosophy
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish, he eats for life.
Updated Nov. 19, 2012

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nadir
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#35 Post by nadir »

Oh?
Now that you say i got to agree.
Anyone who visits me has to do as i say and to say what i want.
Else i usually shoot them without further warning.
The sign at my door says: I am the law. (so they knew what they came for).
Sure. It is the well know hospitality to be found here, in northern Europe. I think it is the prototype of what one calls hospitality.

Strange enough no interesting people ever visit me. They all only say what i say myself. My life is a bit boring.
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

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Absent Minded
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#36 Post by Absent Minded »

nadir wrote:Oh?
Now that you say i got to agree.
Anyone who visits me has to do as i say and to say what i want.
Else i usually shoot them without further warning.
The sign at my door says: I am the law. (so they knew what they came for).
Sure. It is the well know hospitality to be found here, in northern Europe. I think it is the prototype of what one calls hospitality.

Strange enough no interesting people ever visit me. They all only say what i say myself. My life is a bit boring.
I am sure even you have certian limits to what you will allow in your home. We use to be friends and yet because we have a differance of opinion on just a few things I get treated like I am now your bitter enimy. So yes, dispite your stance that everyone should get to do and say whatever they want, if it is not your way, it's the highway.
Serving the community the best way I can.
Spreading the tradition of Community Spirit.
Please read some Basic Forum Philosophy
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish, he eats for life.
Updated Nov. 19, 2012

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llivv
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#37 Post by llivv »

Absent Minded wrote: So yes, dispite your stance that everyone should get to do and say whatever they want, if it is not your way, it's the highway.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have taken that for granted for at least several years now. I just agree to disagree and try to ignore ( whenever the need rise-up )
In memory of Ian Ashley Murdock (1973 - 2015) founder of the Debian project.

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nadir
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#38 Post by nadir »

Your observation of me is right.
I am not sarcastic or kidding, it _is_ right.
I can't say i am proud of it.

I wish i could say: " i am sorry, it won't happen again."
But that would be a lie.
As long people (moderators) will moderate, i will complain about that.
The moderators got buttons. I got words.
It has got nothing to do with you, AbsentMinded, but with the position you got.
You should know that i shout at any moderator, no matter who he is.


In Germany we say this: "You can't get out of your skin"
If i am being seen as an object, as someone you can push around (move his posts, close his threads, remove his threads, etc) i go straight nut (that would be my skin. And i will not be able to change that. Not sure if i even want it).

But i would not forbid anyone to say whatever he wants. For me it is the most basic human right of all.
I will go mad, i will shout at him, i will curse. But i will not say: he/she shall not be allowed to speak (anymore)
Perhaps i would do it if i could. We don't know. I can't, and of that i am glad.

Something must be seriously wrong with me. I can't see anyone else who is looking for the same thing (a place where people can speak free without any restrictions). People say: "it is not possible. It is chaos. " darknets are close, though.

-
Take care.
I seriously hope you are well.
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

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Absent Minded
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Re: New Greens and Purples?

#39 Post by Absent Minded »

nadir wrote:Your observation of me is right.
I am not sarcastic or kidding, it _is_ right.
I can't say i am proud of it.

I wish i could say: " i am sorry, it won't happen again."
But that would be a lie.
As long people (moderators) will moderate, i will complain about that.
The moderators got buttons. I got words.
It has got nothing to do with you, AbsentMinded, but with the position you got.
You should know that i shout at any moderator, no matter who he is.


In Germany we say this: "You can't get out of your skin"
If i am being seen as an object, as someone you can push around (move his posts, close his threads, remove his threads, etc) i go straight nut (that would be my skin. And i will not be able to change that. Not sure if i even want it).

But i would not forbid anyone to say whatever he wants. For me it is the most basic human right of all.
I will go mad, i will shout at him, i will curse. But i will not say: he/she shall not be allowed to speak (anymore)
Perhaps i would do it if i could. We don't know. I can't, and of that i am glad.

Something must be seriously wrong with me. I can't see anyone else who is looking for the same thing (a place where people can speak free without any restrictions). People say: "it is not possible. It is chaos. " darknets are close, though.

-
Take care.
I seriously hope you are well.
Nadir, thank you. Yes, I am well. I try to remember in all things that people are people and not just a number or a name. I try very hard to be fair with everyone.
Serving the community the best way I can.
Spreading the tradition of Community Spirit.
Please read some Basic Forum Philosophy
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish, he eats for life.
Updated Nov. 19, 2012

emariz
Posts: 2901
Joined: 2008-10-17 07:59

Re: New Greens and Purples?

#40 Post by emariz »

purple-dasein owes me a drink:
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=450935#p450935
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=451861#p451861

Even though the European Union is German nowadays, the Germans could not win here.

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