Vanity On Duplicate Threads

Free Republic ^ | 3/1/04 | Admin Moderator

[Preech1]

This is just a reminder that before one posts an article, one should check to see if the article has been previously posted in order to avoid duplication.

Duplication causes several problems. Just like the old Monty Python skit about spam, if the same thing is posted over and over, it can drown out other valid posts. It needlessly consumes system resources. It fragments discussion.

In general, moderators will pull duplicate postings when we are alerted to them or when we notice them. This has the benefit of eliminating the "spam" effect and it helps keep discussion from being fragmented. However, it does not really save system resources, and it can be frustrating when one is about to reply to a thread and it vanishes (due to being a duplicate). A better solution is for people to take care to ensure they are not posting a duplicate.

To avoid duplicate postings, some things can help. First, when posting, search to see if the article has already been posted. Load up the "Latest Posts" page and scroll down it to see if the same article is there. Check the sidebars. And use the FR search engine.

Second, do not change the title of an article when posting it. Doing so makes it less likely that another searching to see if an article was posted will find the earlier copy.

Third, don't be in a rush to "be the first" to get an article up. Really, is there a big need to do so?

Also, here is a tip for using the FR search engine. Only words that are four or more letters are examined, so searching on "Pim" or on "CIA" will not accomplish anything.

Finally, I will add that not all duplicates are removed. On the day an article is published, if several hours (four or more) have passed since the article had last been posted, we will tend to leave it up if it is reposted (unless it is still visibile in a sidebar) to make it so that people who don't scroll back several pages will not miss an article of current relevancy. However, this should not be overdone or abused or this may change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS: Announcements; Free Republic; Your Opinion/Questions; Click to Add Topic KEYWORDS: DUPLICATES; PULLING; SEARCHING; Click to Add Keyword --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Preech1]

By the way, this thread is almost as long as the original...

[TomServo]

I am supposed to be going grocery shopping and I cannot leave the computer screen for fear of leaving unanswered questions...

Hey, I went and fed-exed my taxes to the CPA while this thread was going. The questions will still be here...;-)

[Preech1]

Good point...well, I'm off! Gotta buy Spam! (Five kids, don't you know...)

[TomServo]

By the way, this thread is almost as long as the original...

Keep it going....;-)

[TomServo]

Good point...well, I'm off! Gotta buy Spam!

Fry it up!!

[MaryFromMichigan]

Go and shop!
TomServo can hold down the fort!

(TomServo is a nice guy....
I don't care what anybody says.) ;-)

[Preech1]

I'm Baaaaack! Bump this to the Top!

[TomServo]

I don't care what anybody says.) ;-)

Why thank you...(blush)....

[TomServo]

I'm Baaaaack! Bump this to the Top!

LOL!!! Join the fun, CD!!!

[Preech1]

Send in the CLONES!

[george wythe]

I will reiterate: DON'T CHANGE ORIGINAL TITLES.

BTTT

[cyborg]

What's a moosebite?

[Preech1]

Why it bites CHEESE of course...

[Preech1]

Come on guys, 6 more hits and we pass the length of the original thread, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/684933/posts?q=1&&page=51

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[cyborg]

Oh...okay... I think *LOL*

[zook]

Vain Post On Threads that are Copies of Other Posts
Free Republic ^ | 3/1/04 | Admin Moderator


Posted on 03/01/2004 1:13:46 PM EST by Preech1


This is just a reminder that before one posts an article, one should check to see if the article has been previously posted in order to avoid duplication.

[TomServo]

Bump...

[cinFLA]

-Oh, it is sooooo tempting to copy this and repost it!-

No need to. It is already a duplicate thread.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/684933/posts

[Howlin]

They're playing your song. :-)

[TomServo]

They're playing your song. :-)

Ahhhh - music to my ears. ;-)