#More Thread Chaos
14 messages in this thread
I guess there are few things that really upset me about CIS other than
misleading threads. I've made several complaints this year, and I'm
normally NOT an unhappy person.
What's the point of using Whap to pull down interesting messages for
specific threads if the SYSOPS fail to organize them properly? I'm not
talking about one or two messages that move into a different direction than
the thread title would indicate, but over 100! This really makes me feel
like I'm not getting what I paid for, almost like paying to receive junk
mail.
The AMIGA 2000 UPGRADES?? thread is the latest example. Rather than being
anything meaningful to the general amiga population, this thread (what I
read and didn't skip over) seemed to be a user-specific tutorial that moved
into a variety of other directions. I've seen the DTPForum even provide
announcements go beyond organizing to SPOTLIGHT threads of general
interest, but I'm not even asking for that, just for a basic level of
service!
From past discussions, I understand that the SYSOP staff has occasional
problems, but I think it's more fair for me to complain than remain silent
and not tell anyone about it. It's taken me long enough to recognize that
around the Amiga sections on CIS, any thread with more than 75 or so
messages must suffer from poor message organization and less from activity
that would indicate useful or interesting information.
*** jd
I'd like to second this. It's infuriating to download a long thread in
which the comments bear no relationship to the subject headers. Rather than
blame the Sysops though, perhaps it is up to the users of the system to
show a little more thought?
Joe Wylot (UK)
– via Whap!
Joe,
Many of our users do not seem to know that they can change the subject on
any message they write. It really would help if users would make their
subject headings match the content of their messages. I think we all tend
to read and answer messages without even looking at the subject header most
of the time. And that is how things get so far afield from the header.
Betty
Betty,
If you could convince CIS to leave the 'reply' attached if we DID change
the subject, I think you would find it being done a lot more often.
Unfortunately, the 'thread' gets broken at that point. It's not obvious at
all that the message has ANYTHING to do with a previous comment/message.
Vic,
At the point that the subject matter is no longer pertinent to the subject
header, it does not NEED to remain a part of that thread. I think that is
the whole point people were making about the threads drifting so far from
the subject they were supposed to address.
Betty
Vic –
If the thread did not get broken from the orignal, then you would be in
the same shape as befor – Very Long message thread. Only with your
suggestion a few of the message would have different subject headers. But
what's the point in doing it that way?
– Roy Pahnke – Casper, Wyomin'
Betty,
I think it's a problem in two parts. First, reading the thread subject
(Sb:) and verifying that it belongs in that thread. Secondly, hitting the
Originate button, instead of the Save button. I don't think you'll see
much change, but I promise I'll try.
<from a very guilty offender>
Brian J. Bartlett
It's true that I rarely read the subject header… and the drifting of
topics from the header is a common problem in all forums and in net mail on
bbs' as well. It's a constant struggle for the sysops/moderators to keep
things on track (or even in the right forum/conference).
My problem is that I'm using TapCIS on my PC here on CIS, and it's message
system doesn't seem to allow the changing of the Sb: portion of the header.
Actually, I take that back… I found that by hitting U, you can use TapCIS
to change subject, section and more. (not very convenient as you have to
enter ALL the information, but it works).
John;
People being people, all threads rapidly diverge from the original title.
I used to get pretty frustrated also but finally decided that only when a
new message title shows up is it likely to be on the stated topic.
An Amiga message processed by Whap!,
bill
Bill,
I sometimes forget the human nature of this system, maybe that's why I put
so much responsibility on the sysops to help organize it. You're right,
new messages would most reliably be related to the thread, if only Whap
gave us a way to identify them!
I only log on once a week, and I don't always remember the threads from the
previous week. Time to write an ARexx program to compare thread titles, I
suppose… If I've downloaded a divergent thread, however, I make sure to
never bother reading it again (unless it diverged but was still REALLY
interesting).
Maybe the sysops could economize by sending periodic reminders to request
users to start their own threads when they're changing subjects and briefly
describe how this is done (in Whap terms).
*** jd
John,
at one time we did have a mighty "Keeper of the Threads" (and we may
still have one) by the name of Thomas Holiday. Judging from the workload,
I wouldn't wish the job on anyone. With only 1000 slots for messages in
each forum, you would have less slots available if you had "Thread Cop"
messages appearing every day.
As for how to do it with whap, it's very simple. Hit the "Originate"
button instead of the "Save" button. The fundamental problem is that most
of us don't look at the Sb: line and I don't think that will change. I do
promise to try to be a better whapper (no comments from the gallery!), I
really do 🙂
Brian J. Bartlett
Brian,
While the Whap instructions aren't difficult, my main point was to remind
others and make it easy for them to police their own threads as a way of
easing the sysop workload. Prevention being better than the cure…
*** jd
John;
Hummm, maybe they should use then "login messages" for that purpose. Just
a gentle reminder every few days to keep the subjects and topics matched.
I know that I become more careful only after a message such as yours is
posted (reminds me that not everyone really tries to keep track of
everything). Even for myself, there are probably discussions that I MISS
because the subject line is for something that I would not normally follow.
An Amiga message processed by Whap!,
bill