Vanity Post on Vanity Posts, Duplicate Posts, Trash Posts, Commie Propaganda, etc., Vol V, No. 1

Free Republic ^ | 1/26/02 | Jim Robinson

[Cyber Liberty]

I think you guys are doing great. I hope the bandwidth isn't getting busted again, though.

[GeneD]

Having just made a duplicate post (arrrrrgh!!) I know what you're up against. Keep in mind these things:

1. The same story often appears in different versions: different news sources, different posts of the same story, different dates and times of posts. To what extent they comprise "duplicates" will always be in dispute.

2. Sometimes headlines will change without the story proper changing. This is especially true of wire-service dispatches, and stories in The New York Times (don't ask).

3. Even the slightest variation in spelling or punctuation can prevent a story from showing up in Search.

And agreed, headlines should not be in ALL CAPS, but some sources (notably Drudge Report) headline stories in caps. Correct the case size and you risk running a duplicate; use the caps and you show off.

This member will always try to do his best to keep his fellow members informed, and to adhere to the reasonable rules. But please realize, as I trust you do, nobody's perfect.

[toupsie]

And, while I'm thinking about it, QUIT trashing our conservative candidates.

Well, I think if we don't keep their feet to the flames they will end up going to watch movies and socializing with super liberals such as Ted Kennedy. They might go as far as to adopt their issues and sign in legislation that is close to their liberal hearts like massive spending on education.

Oh wait...too late...

[Focault's Pendulum]

Enforce? And how do I do that? Delete your posts? Ban your accounts? Why not just ask the posters to cool it?

Actually Jim, the way you've been going about it recently, works fine. I have had a thread or two pulled, along with a questionable photo. In retrospect I can admit I was wrong. The admonishments from the moderators were polite, and their explanations appeared to be reasonable.

I can understand, tho not agree with, someone getting angry when their feelings are hurt and feel the need to lash out, and resort to childish tactics. But, for the most part, we're all grown adults here, and should be able to accept the rules as set forth.

You gotta admit, tho, some of those Vanity posts are so ridiculous, they desrve the ribbing they get from the "usual suspects". Not that I'm one of "them".

[Jim Robinson]

Suggestion, do not use the entire title in your search. Choose a single significant word from the title to search on. It will usually get a hit if the article has already been posted.

[CedarDave]

Two comments:
1. Thanks for reposting. I did not see the original (was not logged on Friday night or Saturday), and
2. Regarding duplicate posts, I don't mind them because I'm not on FR 24/7 (or even 12/5!) and so miss some or even many. Having said that, I liked it when the moderator identifed the thread as a duplicate and locked the thread from additional postings. I haven't seen many "locked" duplicate threads lately and expect it's because it takes too much time for the moderator to take the action shown above. In any event, a locked thread with a link sents readers to the original one and cuts down on duplicate comments on the thread. If possible, I would like to see this feature/action by the moderators return to the forum.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

BTTT

[willieroe]

Are you searching with a key word from the article title, like "Enron", or are you searching with an entire article title?

[Jim Robinson]

Ditto.

[DoughtyOne]

I'd agree with that, but then you addressed a specific issue. In my opinion that isn't trashing. It's valid observation from you prespective.

[Travis McGee]

LOL! Thanks!

[TLBSHOW]

now now! LOL

[meandog]

That would include Browne, Buchanan, Bush, Keyes, et al, or whomever else may be your favorite trashee (examples listed in alphabetical sequence).

Including McCain?

[dighton]

Folks who equate the USA with terrorist gangs will get the fullest extent of my contempt, and if that gets me banned so be it.

When the need arises, feel free to borrow from my large stock of asterisks.

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[GeneD]

I humbly thank you for your suggestions.

One other potential problem comes up: subheads. Not many stories have them, but a few do. Space permitting I use them (linking headline and subhead with a colon) because sometimes the heading won't be understandable without them. I'm posting one now, in fact. I view it as a reasonable compromise.

As for "my title" (and I'm as guilty of that as anyone), I'll try to avoid it, saving my editorial comments for the post proper, though my sacrasm may break through every now and then in keywords.

P. S. I just realized: somebody misspelled a word in the heading! Now there's something.

[Cyber Liberty]

McCain's not really a Republican, nor a conservative, so he's fair game.

[ofMagog]

And may those who post What's your favorite (or worst) .... whatever vanities spend a miminum of one week in the woodshed! Favorite car, alien being, pencil, football player, NASCAR driver, triangle shape, city, movie scene, book, tombstone inscription, song, past life experience, vacation paradise, Batman Jack dress color, paper clip and/or toe nail color, etc. have all been done myriad times...

[DoughtyOne]

Grin...

[murdoog]

We can all disagree without being disagreeable, using profanity and or personally attacking each other.

1. No we can't.
2. You are a big poo-poo head.

[MeekOneGOP]

ROFL!