I'm looking at moving On Line Opinion across to WordPress, and I wondered what features users of OLO might like in a new version.

I have some ideas, but I'd rather hear yours first.

However, there are some sophisticated sites which use WordPress, so they might be worth looking at before you comment. An Australian one is
www.crikey.com.au; and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ is an overseas one.

I'm also interested in knowing what devices you might like to use to access OLO. I can see what percentage use mobile devices now from the stats, but that doesn't take account of people who might like to use mobile devices but find it difficult, so don't, for example.

Forum software is another issue. We currently treat our forums threads like a second class type of article. Would we be best off incorporating that approach in a new version, or would something closer to a forum work better.

Some questions to kick-off. There may be others later.

Wordpress is a good idea so why not just use their BBPress forum software?
http://bbpress.org/

I as you will know use only desk top at home.
Am happy with forum but will follow any change.
I think we need to ask who is paying for the changes.
Is there a need to increase funding?
Will watch thread with interest.

Editable comments.

Retractable comments.

Threaded comments.

Article ratings.

Comment ratings.

Avatars?

A do-gooder filter ?

Or...we could each have an individual filter...

Graham, I like most of the current format on OLO.

I think we could try and have more articles on other subjects than politics.
Could we perhaps have a section for political articles, and then another for general news?

Cheers,
Suse.

for..me the biggest issue..is keeping my info/posted
available..online..for free..

and this the old forum..does wonderfully

i have followed a few forum.changes..and it usually means more work
then..the call..for more mods..and eventually.censure..by pumped up..no-bodies..with bias ego agendas[so generally i..dislike changes

but..it would be nice..to
be able..to twitter/facebook..link..to a specific comment

to signify agreement..without needing to post
to have outside links..saved..on-site..for when inevitably the link disappears[reading the old articles is occasionally frustrating as the link has expired

i feel on occasion..people might like a print..option
but really..people come..to..read others posts..or post their own

sop some..may like the means to follow others posts[regardless of topic]/..but that too..could also..be used to hound..harras others..[everything has its positive/negative]

for example i..love..how the post remains..on the posting pages
if pages shift...but often..loose connection..and loose the post half posted..completely..it would be nice..if it was still there..when i get back online..but not at expense of loosing posts availability..by public

new forums..mean..new things..and i..have learned..to hate changes
i note that of..the posters replying to articles..many..never..seem to find this place[general]..[ok.maybe its the topics too]

i have often..been frustrated..
when new info comes/relative to an old post/topic
and i cant simply..place an update..or an..i told you so..button?

well said button...or bull..rating..but these all get abused

ok..two posts
cut

so..i need endlessly repeat..
[often..the same things..on-duel running threads]..that often.lead in .divergent directions..

i -believe..a believability/rating on posts
and..a formal complaint page..

[no anon whining to mods..complain..at thread..[anon..by mod permission..if need b..but reason..for banning,..or upset..is vital

quotes box maybe..or some format..to write bold
or post..pictures[but that costs uploading time]..soit could be a payable option

people will raise pay for vieuw..or pay for comment..but according credit points..could offset..any costs..but public access is vital..[i..hate exclusive clubs..im writing for the peasant..not wanna be elite princes]..stuf;.them..and their secrets

whatever you decide..as long as past posts are on-line..im fine
i would like to edit..but know they would only get too long..but brevity..limit..of 350..serves its uses..but many need cut posts in half..ditto post limits ./.but 8..is plenty[some of us lack focus or control]

often..after writing/posting..i wish..i could edit
but more wish simply to..keep what we got.

.some are deliberately fuzzy
[but most..are simple illiteracy..and too..much left brain/methodology..[word divination]..inspired retort]

in..the end..its about
the..posters..feeling better for posting reply..and feeling..they..helped..in someway[the occasional agenda..poster..might..get their own editable page..leaving the original..post as posted

yes our own page..where we can
post things like my edits..of old texts..im
constantly..searching where could i..squeeze this bit..so its available..online..fair use..creative license?[extended patent right..over original creation?

[at my risk..not the forums..]
the forum..presently..works just fine

i hate changes..but thats not my call

an easy way..to spilt a topic
as it gets too..long..or diverges too far..off topic..
but remains easy..to connect back into..back to..its original context

personality/personal..blog pages is important
i would post my bio..here..but facebook..lol

non expiry..of right to reply..specific past posts/topics
the ability to use non-real-names ..or real names simply

latest posts pages..more specialized blog by topic pages
ability to..move whole or part-topics to..other page access[with auto update for those wanting..notification..of the new page

then..there are the other formats
like great vidio clips..or audio files..[olo-radio?]

olo-tv..olo-hard copy..
olo-mag..olo-zine...olo-art..
olo-science..olo-church/..temple-mosque..
olo-aps..olo-printing..olo-file..olo..highs..olo-lows

true believer blog
[religion/atheist/lib..geeen..etc]

darn..i gotta..stop..[pushing these buttons]

everything has a cost
let..him who gains pay..
[except i love..open-public access]..[but thats been said]

who..owns the format..can they shut it down?
expire/change format..or..delete..?..

no..i love..what we got

in general..MORE..discussions per category,..on the same page
about 20..?..as standard..plus latest reply's box

slightly..larger print size..[for easier/read-abilty]
in posting-box..ability to use ..color..for different parts of topic ?

ability to contact others?
[on the olo-record..but person/person..privately]

low resolution-pictures?

A change is on the way. Good to hear, Graham.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with the current format, but a change is good every so often.

I’d love a post-posting edit facility, available for ?ten minutes after posting.

Love to see different fonts, font colours, background colours and emoticons…. to give it a bit of variety.

Something for emphasis so one can't get accused of shouting.

Yes Indi. Simple old-fashioned bold and italics would be great!

some blogs offer an..ignore feature
i would change that to a..please explain attachment..to the post?

publish your proof..
[back-up..what you just said]..or the post..may perish?
and that..the reply..it will be easy-refutable..included inthe post

but its getting too..safe
anyhow thought..the topic needed an refresh..[done]

Like every comment you make, well no the vast majority, Indy that first remark would kill OLO if used.
Who judges that group you target and want filtered out?
Did you truly want that in the site.
I have no doubt it will not happen but how am I to judge your one line judgments you pass of as a post.
Maybe , well we can do it now, we can use more news story's post links from other sources and start threads based on that.
I am unsure any site can stop our focus on politics religion and refugees.
Best thing to defend your self from them is to not post in those threads you dislike and post other subjects.
A good thread can be ten comments long,
new subjects is a good thought.
But do others want to post or read in them.

i had a post idea
but it..would need special things

i saw once a survey..
that only by voting on i..reveals the result

here is my further thought..

first we need a basic story-premise..
[like..:..sam caught..]..

thats it finish..the sentance

then each fill in..their full story line detail
only after giving..our own story..can you read all replies

original thought

i have an..idea..for a special thread
i would post it here..but its better of here

the thing..is..we each put things different
my thought was reach writes..a story..about a same topic
and ONLY after posting..can you read the other replies..[i suppose its more a game..i will expand on it ..at the right thread

grayhams new thread
for specs we would like to see..for a possible new olo/forum

link deletted

it begins with..[say]..
whoolio..left the forum..because;....
AND..[of course we couldnt do that..[that was already..asked here
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6052&page=0

hypothetically/speaking..of course
link added for context

[i assure you..no two replies..will be identical]

if the right question was asked..
it could become an amusing live app

ohh..a MUST HAVE FEATURE
a,..*more of the same topic..box?

i noted the empty 3rd/box.[general section-index.]
where now only..this topic exists

[ar..the election topics...connection/issues..etc
moved..or deleted..or merely not indexed?]

further..
avoid too many 'main' index pages
there are parts in this forum..i visit..and i can only back page out of

[they are those options..on that top bar]

thats always confused me..
yet some great stuff on-it..that never makes..mention..of them..on..any of the..other 3?..[5?] index/pages

Graham, I like the current format but there is one feature I would like
to see, and that is ability to include graphs and perhaps photos.

They could be limited in size as generally definition would not be a problem.
Would there be a copyright problem ?

Indy that first remark would kill OLO if used.
Belly,
So, what you're saying is in fact an admission that there are too many do-gooders ? Of course we can't always agree, I mean there are a hell of a lot of users yet the the vast majority don't appear to post. It'd be interesting why that is. Are they simply just silent observers or do they think they can't or bother to contribute ? I can imagine that the pointless point-scoring that does take up too much space could be a put-off for the sincere minded.
I have said it before that I would like to see the age & sex of the poster included i.e. User 47 M or User 35 F. This would be very helpful in my opinion for those who watch this forum to form informed opinion.

individual..age discrimination?

ps im 104 year sold..
sp please./.just allows me to blather..
or worse ignore..the 5 year old...with..an inteligrent question..or opinion?

heck..once i find out people age sex..
my posting style changes..and i hate that extra burden..[of writing to sex age race belief etc..]

what next marital status or iq?

UOG,
that's the kind of blathering that could be eliminated. Where does discrimination come into this ? Aren't you at all interested in how society could be bettered ? It would also be a real positve to keep religion out of discussions about bettering the Nation.

"UOG,
that's the kind of blathering that could be eliminated...."

Yo - individual's championing censorship, but only for posters with whom he disagrees.

Why am I not surprised?

Hi Graham

Thanks for asking, and for all your good work.

Main thing is the ability to conduct a sub-conversation within a thread. For example, the old newsgroups. Jo Nova's blog is an example.

So a thread might look like this.
A
B
C

then someone wants to answer B, so he adds his bit, so the whole thing looks like this:
A
B
b1
C

then someone answers that:
A
B
b1
b2
C.

And so on.

Other thing is the ability to quote others, to italicise and other such basic formatting.

Rather than threads opening up at the top of the comments, I would very much like to see them open at the bottom, which is the active end.

With the current setup you virtually have to open every thread twice. You open it once and get only the first page Then you hit ‘All’, or perhaps the last page, and wait for it to load again!

I don’t think we need to complicate it in the way that Jardine suggests. Even when there are several subconversations going within one thread, the linear listing of posts works perfectly well, as far as I can see.

It would be great to have a forum that dealt with
good old-fashioned discussion, free of toxicity.

A set of policies in place that
disallowed:

1) To openly attack another poster who had opinions
that differed from one's own.

2) Posts that contained the name of a specific individual used
in a negative connotation.

3)Posts that promoted racial/ethnic hatred and or - violence.

4) Creating threads for the sole purpose of causing
forum unrest.

5) Ongoing harrassment to specific or other posters.

6) Insultingly refer to other posters.

7) Allowing threads that consistenlty attack only one side
of politics.

That's it for now.

Hmmm Foxy you are proposing something close to banning anything that
offends another.
It is not possible to have a true discussion if you have to avoid
offending someone else.

On the contrary Bazz,
what I am proposing is good old-fashioned informed
discussion, free of toxicity.

I'm not concerned about
having things said that may offend some people,
kindly re-read my post. I'm talking about deliberate
and wilful acts.

Foxy,
you're talking nonsense but I don't want to offend so I'm not saying it deliberately.

Dear Individual,

What do you regard as nonsense of what
I have suggested for the new On Line Opinion?

I'm not concerned about
having things said that may offend some people,
Foxy,
That doesn't make sense. You say you're not concerned at statements which offend people. what then are you on about ?

Dear Individual,

You accused me of talking nonsense.
And you refuse to explain which part
of what I was suggesting you regarded as nonsense.

Perhaps you should go back and re-read what I
am suggesting - or
alternatively perhaps you do regard my suggestion
of having a discussion forum free of toxicity -
as nonsense.

Also - what suggestions do you have for improving
the forum. Apart from calling things others suggest
as nonsense that is.

Foxy, you can already "Recommend this comment for deletion" if something's seriously over-the-top.

individual, I presume the many silent users are redundant.
They joined once years ago and never bothered deleting their account.

Perhaps users who haven't commented in a year should be sent a message asking them if they want their account to continue. If they don't respond affirmatively within a week, account deleted by admin.

What is prompting this change, GY?
You spent years developing this site, and it would have (hundreds of?) links from other sites directing more potential users to it.
Those links would now lead to a dead end.
Change URLs? Branding no-no #42.

I agree with Ludwig about the opening page for comments.
Opening with the last page might be better for those already involved in the discussion.
Or perhaps an option when opening comments: first, last or all pages.

Bold/italic would be useful.

GY, keep it as it is. This site is a world wide think-tank.....with the best thinkers.(yes we debate hard, but we are all what we are, and you cant get better than that. A great site is built with the passion that all members give without question.

That's all that needed to be said.

Planet3

I do not see many if any, of us showing the skill and understanding to truly address what GY is asking.
Yet some here are not learned enough to have input on tec matters.
I count my self as one not truly understanding the tec stuff we can have.
However opening a thread at the last page works against as many as it favors.
After all we can after opening pick the page we want then open it.
I open all,every time,go back to my last post then read all after.
Knowing what others have said helps keep on subject, or to follow the new direction if you wish.
I use Italics as highlight when it is there, do not intend to post an avatar or tell my age,well ok 68 but my inquiring mind is just ten years old and interested in every thing.
Like likes it gives evidence to conform or deny.
Individual is proof we must not stop posters just because we do not share their views.
Indy works extremely hard to force people to be uninterested in him, that may have solid reasons we do not know of for being his way.
We recently said no! to a call to ban one of us,if we call for that we lack back bone,some go because they are unhappy with us some because they feel, not forced, they have warn out their welcome.
Last? come on you tec blokes and girls help GY out.

you refuse to explain which part of what I was suggesting you regarded as nonsense.
Foxy,
I'm at a loss what your problem is. On one had you say you want to prevent offending comments yet a moment late you say you're not concerned of having things said that may offend people. That (at least) to me doesn't make sense hence my use of the term non-sense.
Belly,
you're going slack, no Abbott blaming in this thread ?
Shocadelic,
I think Bold/Italic would help greatly to emphasise & yes GY is doing a great service to the community.

belly..MOST OF US..STILL..posting
love olo as it is..just like you do

i..love the page opens..the way it does
and love everything..except the print size..in the post box
but even if it was bigger..my word choice-framing will..still confuse

[but..only need ask the kids/how to make it look bigger..not better..

[so maybe an app..in the teq section..
that explains common..problems and simple fixes]

thing is
this olo..is gray-mans baby
and i think.,.,its grown-up..into..an.amassing unifying presence

you dont muck..around with almost perfect
nothing..in..our lives..can ever..be perfect

[so why risk..it..for what?
..we got more to loose..than..we stand to gain*!*]..so please lets just keep what we already got..[built together over decades

so i just thank..god..
for what graham..has begot

so..i love..0l0..as it is..as i find it
for good or ill..the forum..we got fits..the bill..[cost..not lost]..

Graham,

The HuffingtonPost layout is attractive and reader friendly. So any move in that direction would be good.

Just a small suggestion on housekeeping, while the forum rules work well, many forums now prohibit labelling other posters directly or indirectly as 'trolls'. It is regarded as serious abuse. In any event, OLO's rules require complaints to be made direct to the moderator, so it would be in keeping with the present rules, and the amendment would only require the addition of a word or two.

Perhaps others might like to comment on that suggestion.

"Just a small suggestion on housekeeping, while the forum rules work well, many forums now prohibit labelling other posters directly or indirectly as 'trolls'."

"Perhaps others might like to comment on that suggestion."

Now why would otb want to outlaw some posters calling other posters trolls?

Beats me....

Dear Graham,

As you are well aware - many forums provide information
on how to recognise and deal with
troll behaviour. We've had threads in the past that
have covered this topic.
It appears that trolls are a very common problem on
public forums such as OLO.

Serious toxic abuses should not be tolerated.
These constitute openly attacking another poster
who has different opinions or naming
a specific individual in a vile, insulting connotation, and
ongoing harrassment of specific posters.

Reputable forums
consider these acts as serious abuses. We certainly could
do without them on OLO.

Poirot, "Now why would otb want to outlaw some posters calling other posters trolls?"

You needed to read my post. Here you go, I copied the section for you,

<Just a small suggestion on housekeeping, while the forum rules work well, many forums now prohibit labelling other posters directly or indirectly as 'trolls'. It is regarded as serious abuse. In any event, OLO's rules require complaints to be made direct to the moderator, so it would be in keeping with the present rules, and the amendment would only require the addition of a word or two>

what..is a troll..except name calling

of the worst type..nothing is lower..than a troll

no benefit nor doubt..you drift away..
from what others NEED to say..or dont want to hear..
all of a sudden..your a troll

well guess what
trolls live under bridges..
because we are so despised

we live in the margins..but..bridge the cap..of your knowing..
and..say no..to..to..the precepts..included in the words..no trolling..allowed

it means your guilty..if you dare change a topic
cause...

heck..now you..got me trolling..yet again
so i ask..how to judge other..a troll..when others have walked away from it all

are you prepared..to..pay..the toll
so..needy..of keeping the post..within your narrow bounds

I LOVE TROLLS

they at least..let ya know..someone is out there..
needing to post too

send your trolls here
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=15257&page=0

im feeling alone..give it a go..i wont mind
why dont people troll..more?

each troll..is a post*!*
that brings..people..back home..to let them..too know..we are no longer alone..

come on..give me a troll
till..i find better things to..do..come-on..stump..the troll

otb,

Yes, but Graham has no intention of following us around cleaning up after us and smacking our bottoms.

Some people (not mentioning any names) display trolling behaviour - that's usually why they're referred to as trolls.

><many forums now prohibit labelling other posters directly or indirectly as 'trolls'. It is regarded as serious abuse.><

Whereas trolling is prohibited by common decency. It is regarded as a serious abuse: we have this wonderful technology at our fingertips to send our ideas shooting off across the world in the blink of an eye and the best ideas some people can come up with are those that demean and belittle other people. What can you do but shake your head?

I feel sorry for trolls. If you read between the lines of their spitefulness you see the words of man in pain: 'want me', 'need me', 'pay attention to me', 'help me'.

I want to but you can't help anybody that isn't willing to help themselves. While they're lashing out in rage and frustration there isn't much to do but stand clear. When they have calmed you can give them the attention they keen for. In time they may learn that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

The preceding lament for trolls applies quite a lot of the time I suspect. But some trolls are just jerks and there is nothing you can do about them.

Whether they be lonely trolls seeking attention or jerk trolls the best treatment is not to feed them: it strengthens jerks trolls and it conditions lonely trolls in the wrong way. A lonely troll who gets fed too much - especially after midnight - can turn into a jerk troll and you can't fix them after that.

Trolls feed on attention: when you sense a troll in your midst try to give it a wide berth. If it engages you personally remain silent and avoid any form of retaliation. I know it can be hard but in this case you need to do what Jesus would do and turn the other cheek. When a troll gets hungry enough it will eventually crawl away and seek sustenance on another forum.

And if you don't want to be called a troll... don't behave like a troll. It's not quantum electrodynamics.

Cheers,

Tony

.

Dear Graham,

.

The possibility to use bold, italics and underlyning would be useful.

Also, I would welcome the possibilty to be able to change my pseudo if I so desire. Naturally, all the archives of previous posts should be maintained and linked-up historically, indicating under which pseudo they were posted. Everybody should be able to check back to see the previous pseudos of anybody posting on OLO.

I wanted to do this some years ago when I found people were being confused by mu pseodo, "Banjo Paterson", and somebody else who had the pseudo of "Banjo". At the time, I was told it was not possible.

Could it be made possible with the new specs, please ?

.

actually..that..letter..cross-out feature

where the words appear..[but with a line..through them.]
like they were edited out,,because they..were wrongly used..or not relevant..to the reply

also i recall..that changing formatting..
occasionally..changes...the posted info..
thus 'archived-info''..on occasion..become illegible..and newer posts confounded...by different formatting paging..[one might find..say..the the ads dont work[unlikely]..but i..thought worth remembering

thus i would prefer keeping what we got
even tweaks..can..introduce..change..plus the risk..viral [virus] induced changes..

and confusion..as to patent property rights..[in part]..maybe in part..or whole..owned/claimable..by the program writers..owning/holding/contrloing..the codes

OTB thanks, in a way your post aimed at me proves my point not yours.
We are earning our own reputations and it has always been so.
I found few true trolls and only a few true troublemakers in my time here.
That started in 2005, we did have fools and sock puppets but by and large we are relatively clean, TL has said words you should read and value.
OUG I see nothing to fear in any change so do not fear it.
If we now and again return to long ago threads *the car park* one and two, you can see SOME come to assert them selves and too stand for no opposition to their own views.

No one wants to talk about funding but it remains hanging in the air, not all the best things in life are free.

I recommend OLO introduce a yearly awards program something akin to a mini-Oscars/Academy Awards (ok a mini-mini-mini Oscars!)

At first glance it might seem all too cumbersome or time-consuming for OLO staff to administer-- but it could be automated as a additional voting coupon at the bottom of each post.

I am sure the brains trust at/on OLO can come up with some great titles.But here's a few for starters:
i) The wittiest post/poster of the year.
2) The biggest baddest cherry pick of the year (a fitting name for this one might be 'the Poirot' award)
3) The most informative post/poster of the year (this might be named 'the SPQR' award)
and so on and so on...

We might even have a tally board ala the AFL or ARL Brownlow/Daly M medal comp!

It could potentiality add a whole new fun dimension, perhaps give OLO an edge on those other, lesser forums...attract media interest ...I could well envisage the leader board/winners --ala the X Factor finalists --being invited onto breakfast time TV!

I remember reading sometime ago about
"The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" that was
part of the American Rowan and Martin Show in Los Angeles
called "Laugh In." It was a satire and the award went to
those whose accomplishments were of a dubious nature.

We could have something similar here on OLO. Perhaps
The Middle-Finger Award? I'm sure that there could be a vast
list of candidates that we could all come up with. ;-)

cont'd ...

Humour and satire often helps take the "mickey" out of
certain situations and helps to diffuse things.
An award such as this may just work, if done
in fun with the realisation its not meant to be taken
seriously.

and so folks..thats how
the "now you..gone and dun it"..award was born

otherwise renowned..as the
"oops you stepped in-to/that one"..honors

or.."the you were..really really bored..wernt you'..award

Hi Graham,

IMHO it is not the medium that counts, it is the content and management.

I’m at a loss to understand why you throw into your own Forum, the issue of “how” your product is delivered and ignore the content, are you trying to do a Fairfax?

The content and management of OLO has been criticized by some regular OLO’ers, me included, and you respond with this mealy mouthed, distraction and compromise.

I personally don’t give a hoot “how” your product is delivered as long as it does not compromise balance, diversity, freedom of speech and the management of those who are only capable of responding with ideological rhetoric rather than considered, self developed and logical responses.

You are failing your own vehicle of OLO. Don’t fall into the trap of compromise vs popularity.

This was once a great site, now it is relegated, with your complicity, to a mediocre forum for those who “bait” their perceived opposition rather than offering the opportunity to generate genuine debate.

Product, market, channel, relevance, context, competitors and fit.

Get with the program or lose the consumer base you have created

spindoc,

How can the management you suggest be done economically?

Reading the forum rules and particularly the last paragraph in bold, the over-arching considerations are freedom of comment and low cost of administration (necessary to offer the site).

Even if voluntary administrators or moderators assist, there are always those who think that their opinion should prevail and will indulge in endless challenges. The site is available 24/365 and a delay on acceptance of comments has its faults.

>>How can the management you suggest be done economically?<<

By volunteers. The best forum I've ever participated in was run not-for-profit, without any advertising and maintained by volunteers. It worked because everyone involved wanted it to work for its own sake, not for the sake of lining their wallets.

>>there are always those who think that their opinion should prevail and will indulge in endless challenges.<<

Of course there will be people like that. This is the internet. It attracts all types including the endlessly combative. What makes you think that a single moderator is better equipped to handle to the gladiators than a team of moderators?

>>The site is available 24/365 and a delay on acceptance of comments has its faults.<<

The not-for-profit forum I referred to above was also available 24/365.25 and it had no delay on acceptance of comments: it was still better managed than this joint. It's basically just a question of manpower: with a team of moderators there was almost always one active on the forum during peak periods which meant that out-of-line behaviour was dealt with immediately. A single man just can't effectively police such a high traffic website even if he drinks a lot of coffee.

Cheers,

Tony

For clarification if it is needed, when I said,

"The site is available 24/365 and a delay on acceptance of comments has its faults",

I was trying to say that if all posts had to be cleared by a moderator first, there would be delays.

I am happy with the present arrangements where our posts appear immediately. The present system where members assist moderators by reporting posts is fine too.

two forums ago..i was at a forum..where..near all; posters were mods
next thing..we saw mass deletions..[mainly my posts]..to clean the site up..of all the god freaks

mainly topic replies..the mods..didnt.like..
next..posters they didnt like and famously..when one mod..banned another mod

too many..wanna'be/mods have a god complex

some people..cant handle..others thoughts..simply being on
so next we had specific topic/section mods..then the forum change
by then..it was down to a hard core of 4..

then..my evolution rebuttal thread got deleted..my posts accused of stuffing up-site search..[funny how my 5000 posts..from day one..show up..in every seach-term..they wanted to search]

[i began..the topic..or was a respondent..to the question
that took 10 years to accumulate..next..my posts were chewing up..forum memory..[not their vidios..or profuse funny of topic picture trolls..and their ohh so clever avitar gifs

yes thosde with adgendas..seek out powewer
a forum..they can cleanup..with.. a push of the button

some people have too much agenda..to be mod
buy some hate..anything with the name god in it

24..7 be dammed..im sick of over service
and getting over the need to post..maybe if i was paid to troll..or to spin..the corporate agenda..or a double agent..if only i wasnt this powerless..i would enjoy..beating up..posters who our less lettered..or more literate..than me

[where is..the moderate..in mod?]

thats only revealed..by the posts..that remain
but more revealed..by that they delete..at the witching hour...in the 24/7 spin cycle.

Spindoc wins this years Darwin award, and the self satisfied on for self amusement beyond the call of duty.
OTB every post is moderated before it lives and why not.
GY must be in a quandary having asked a question for the most part the answers point to a kids sand box being the best way.
Was the question how to fix perceived problems?
I think it is about what to include in the new system.
Now as a grin and chance to kick me, how about those pillars of the house of Menzies SPQR and Spindoc start at hread to award posters these awards.
SPQR gets for his post here the three unwise monkeys award for any group unable to see hear and speak are surely unwise.
Belly?exerlence in spmelling award

In addition to SPQR's suggestion, how about we have a award for those who think there're amusing and clever - but who aren't.

There are a few of them about.....

It makes it so much more difficult for those of us who really are.

: )

Okay - " a award"

Grrrrrr

We do need some sort of time limited correction device for stupid typos - which seem to evade us in the previews.

i will nominate..Belly
for the 'exerlence in spmelling award'

[experience..in excellence..of smelling the spelling award]
the*..ei-ost-sa/..award

i..nominate johan..for
'the dis-s-pel/mall-ing..
honorable..[but misguided],intention-mention'

how about
a news thread..we can update
or a gossip thread..we can update
beyond..the base standard..expiry/time limits

like a sticky-thread..
for the best joke-thread

or a polie watch..thread..or party-policy..thread
or a standard by which..a thread can be revived..from dead
often..once the banning..has expired..we return..to find..the thread is dead.

anyhow..i feel so...tired
same same same..let it go..yet again..

how is visiter numbers..or other causes
maybe some stats..will help clarify
or a word..from our sponsor?

what can we change..
before..we must change any-other thing..re the 0l0..forum

Belly, "OTB every post is moderated before it lives and why not."

You misunderstood me. My comment related to posts in reply, such as in this existing thread.

I was not referring to new threads, where this facility is used,

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/new-thread.asp

@Poirot,

<<those who think there're amusing and clever - but who aren't>>

Still and all, such persons (whoever they might be) are in a mite better position than those who are funny but don't know it ...'cause their psyc hasn't told them the bad news yet.

Dear SPQR,

That's precisely why Poirot introduces humour into her
posts. To make some people realise that what they are
saying is absurd. Of course it doesn't always work.

OTB,

To achieve the content management objectives does not necessarily impose additional cost. All that is required is changed rules for acceptance and moderation. Not more moderation but different criteria. In fact, once any changes in criteria are established it could reduce moderation resources because clear criteria, not rules, become part of the acceptance contract we must all meet.

Some suggestions:

The volume of social/humanitarian/eco/political issues needs to be brought into balance. One could be forgiven for thinking that OLO has become and extension of ABC/SBS content. All their favorite topics get a disproportionate coverage. If this is because writers and posters table these topics the most, or there are fewer other topics raised. Then this is evidence of the criticism I leveled at GY, populism.

There need to be some clear guidelines as to what is acceptable as “comment”. Increasingly we see links being posted not as support for a reasoned case, but as a substitute. It goes “Here is my opinion, here is where I got it and I agree with it and have adopted it”.

If the link does not substantiate a case you have already built and articulated it should be invalidated.

Likewise some of us try to close debate rather than open it. Mile after mile of closed "thought-terminating clichés” are trotted out as responses. Words are the tools we use to think with. These "clichés” constrict rather than expand understanding. They function to reduce complexities of experience into trite, platitudinous "buzz words". This is not debate, it is a technique for closing down a debate and should be invalidated.

Shooting the messenger; When evidence against an opinion is presented, the response is often to question the motivation of the presenter. This is a closed argument technique, adds nothing to the debate, discourages posters from tabling substantive opinion for their case an causes truncation of threads and should be invalidated.

Absolutism and Totalism should immediately be invalidated. If it seeks to close the debate, generates conflict and results in name calling, it’s juvenile and should be the basis for invalidation.

Dear spindoc,

Thank You for a very fair and well reasoned assessment.
You've given us plenty of suggestions for how we can all
learn through the discourse of debate and how we can try
to maintain a high standard of intellectual discussion.

Ideas should be challenged, however the poster should
never be personally attacked. Attacking a person's
fundamental traits and character and provoking flaming
as you rightly point out should garner a trolling
infraction. It is understood that discussions may be
heated at times due to certain topics but good debaters
challenge ideas not attack the poster. Using sarcasm,
humour, wit, is perfectly acceptable - as long as it
doesn't cross that line. We should all remember to attack
a person's arguments rather than the person.

Using insulting words or expressessions shouldn't be
allowed and a language filter would enable to censor
common expletives such as "idiot" "moron" - and others,
which arrack a person's fundamental traits and character.

Again, Thank You - you've put it very well. When we have
such a wide range of posters differing in - age, religions,
political outlooks, education, et cetera, we certainly should
be able to learn through from each other
through the discourse of discussion.
At least we can give it a try and attempt to do better than
what's been happening to date. Graham is giving us a chance
to do precisely that with his new OLO.

lexies..important ponts.<Ideas should be challenged,>>

yet..some resist..any challange..as a matter of pride
[ignoring..pride goeth..before the fall

<<..however the poster should
never be personally attacked.>>

foxy..my dear..if all..they..[opok we]..'got'..is name calling
they..[we]..clearly lack..proof of concept..[ie are lost,..have lost..'it'..thus deserve..our sympathy..[condolences]..not censure]

<<Attacking..a person's
fundamental/traits..and character..>>..age
or sex..or belief..or political-status..or sacred cows..

reveals.more about the..respondent..than..the target

<<and provoking/flaming..[edit]..should garner a trolling
infraction.>>

there is..the flaw..lets say..the sexual-innuendo
[as a hypothetical]..was there..a pre suggesitve..[its so delicate an area..misogynists could easybe set up..[trolled for/yet replying a sublimial troll..[say][i recall..the 4 inch penis..from...holiio's threat]

thing is..a certain-type could use this..as an excuise to/do a julia
no doubt others arise relative to..atheist/theist..][labor/liberals/greenflies..etc

<<..It is understood..that discussions may be
heated at times..due to certain topics.but good debaters
challenge ideas>>

thats..the point..labor/liberal..
and never the twain..shall meet/or accept/defeat
we know where we stand..we arnt going to change minds..so why keep..pushing..[is it trolling?]..is it flame..knowing its going to.upset belly.or a shadelow miner

<<..not attack the poster. Using sarcasm,
humour, wit, is perfectly acceptable - as long as it
doesn't cross that line.>>

if all..we got..is you..name called me..
thats not a rebuttal..but a concession./.[you..know what im saying]

<<..We should all remember.,.to attack>>

i thought it would read.;.different..without
the rider clause..of

attack..<<..a person's arguments..rather than the person.>>

bu..foxy lady..if we cant refute..the argument
we reveal..we got none..[oits clear..the second..we see the nameutterd..

but..how else can we..pass the time of day?
if we got..nuthin..all we got left..is run away..or hide..or

name call..we need a sdimple pictorial..giff
for when that occurs..but when..it occurs..we know we won..

but..one..wot?

revealing..the troll toll sig..[sign]
[a..simple cross..we each chose to..bare]..bear..beware*

rom/page55
http://miraclevision.com/acim/urtext/acim-urtext-2003-upe-ready-edition.pdf

seeing..the body..as the Temple
alters..part of..the misperception,..but..not all of it.

It DOES recognize,.however,..that the concept of addition or subtraction..in PHYSICAL terms..is not..appropriate.

But..the next step..is to realize..that a Temple..is not*..a building at all...Its REAL holiness..lies in..*the INNER altar,[heart-loves][passions..we embody..into works....around which*..the building..[body]..is built.*

The inappropriate..emphasis..which men..have put..on beautiful church BUILDINGS..is a sign of their own fear..of/Atonement,..and unwillingness..to reach the altar itself...

The REAL beauty..of the Temple
cannot be seen..with the physical eye.
[The spiritual eye,.on the..other hand,.cannot see the
building at all,..but it..*perceives the altar..within*..with perfect clarity.

This is..because the
spiritual-eye..[minds-eye]..has perfect vision.

For perfect effectiveness,..the chalice..of the Atonement belongs at the center..of the..inner altar,..where..it undoes..the Separation,..and restores the wholeness..of the..wholly-Spirit.

Before the Separation,..the mind was..invulnerable to fear,..because fear did not exist...Both..the Separation..and the fear were MISCREATIONS..of the mind,..which have to be..CONSCIOUSLY..chosen..to be..undone.

This is what the Bible means..by the “Restoration of the Temple”.
It DOES NOT mean..the/restoration..of the building/HOUSING..life's-treasures,..but..

*it DOES mean..the opening..of..the altar[heart]
..to receive..the/Atonement...[at-one-meant]

This heals the Separation,..and places within..*man..the one defense against all..separation-mind errors..which can make him perfectly invulnerable.

The acceptance..of the Atonement..*by everyone..is only a matter of time.*..In fact,..both/TIME..and MATTER..[divisional/dire-versions].were created..for this purpose,.

This appears..to contradict..free-will,
because of..the inevitability..of this decision.

If you review..the idea carefully,..you will..realize that this is not true...Everything is limited..in some way..by the manner of its creation.

Free will can temporize,..and is capable..of enormous procrastination...But it cannot..depart/entirely*..from its Creator,..who set..the limits..on its..own/ability..to miscreate..by virtue of..its own-real purpose.[cause/be-cause]

The misuse of will..engenders..a situation which,..in the extreme, becomes altogether..intolerable..Pain thresholds...can be high,.but they are not limitless...

Eventually,.everybody..gradually..begins to recognize,..however dimly,.that there..*MUST be..*a better way.[note-topic/heading]

As this recognition*..is more firmly established,..
it becomes..a perceptual..turning-point...*This ultimately..reawakens
the spiritual eye,..simultaneously weakening..the investment in physical sight..

The/alternating investment..in the two types/or levels..of perception is usually experienced as..conflict..for a long time,..and can become very acute.

But..the outcome..is
as certain..as God=love/grace/mercy.logic/light sustaining life.:)

The spiritual /eye..*literally *..CANNOT*..SEE error,
and..merely..*looks for Atonement...[at-ONE-meant]..in..love..of other

i recall..once..the parrable..of the dog
that killed a chicken..

the master hung..the dead bird..around the dogs neck
to teach..it..that their spirits..now were inextricably linked

we must sort-out our issues..openly fearlessly endlessly
this current forum..suits us our purpose..admirably

if the forum..moves..will..i..be able..to move..too
i feel..lets keep the old girl..it gets the job done

[ok maybe not for everyone..but one by one..
we all..see the joke..and enjoin..back..into the fun

love everyone

Hi Foxy,

Thanks for your comments about some of my suggestions to raise the level of OLO debate.

I know we don’t agree on many issues but we seem to able to work things out. On that note and at the risk of upsetting some posters, I’d like to expand on my issues with Absolutism, Totalism and the false premise.

I’ll use the skeptic/denier analogy by way of example based on the frequency of its use. Much of the case of warmers vs. skeptics, which always seems to cause so much abuse and vilification from both sides, is often based on a false premise.

The false premise is that deniers are deniers because they don’t accept climate change is real. Wrong. Most skeptics I think fully accept that the climate changes. What is in question is to what extent it is human induced?

The next skeptical question is “where is the evidence?”. Since this is much more difficult to address, the debate persistently regresses back to “you are denying climate change”.

No matter how often it is said that climate change is accepted, the relentless pursuit of those asking the question about evidence and not the claim continues post after post after post.

The term denier based the rejection of climate change is a false and misleading premise.

It has no positives and serves only to feed the angst of those using the term, generates frustration, diverts the debate, baits the contrary view, provides a rationale for abuse and blocks any opportunity for the two sides of the debate to accept or discuss an alternative perspective.

So here is another suggestion. Can we all accept that skeptics are not skeptical that the climate changes, they are skeptical about the link and extent of human inducement?

There are many other examples from all sides but if this example has any merit, a great deal of venom can be removed from all such discussions simply by removing the use of the false premise.

Any takers?

OUG,

Your posts are often poetic and reflect an enormous and compassionate intellect. But they are often difficult for mere mortals such as I to fully appreciate.

You sometimes accompany your posts with dozens of links. Whilst these may well be the sources of your passion and interest, they do provide a good example of the substitution of opinion/debate for links.

Your links undoubtedly provide the inspiration for your poetic outpourings and I would not like to see your unique influence changed on OLO.

Please do not read my comments about the use of links as a criticism of you. It may seem odd that I express a view that excludes you from this general criticism but I think your uniqueness is your absolution.

<< if the forum..moves..will..i..be able..to move..too >> ?

I’m not asking that question of you my friend.

spindoc..i..know links are often used as distractions
but in the last case..its essential..[see i edited jesus words]
but have been..given that right..by..the words..at the link..thus this link..is vital
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6040&page=0
as was..the science..
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=15257&page=0

but..there i go..linking./.it together..yet again

ps..i agree..with your..[exampled]..points..
[even..if off-topic..they give..a real-life example]
so..i will add..to that point..

given..that all..you said is true
we still dont..got consensus..on..the remedy

ok..we know..the problem..wont be solved..
by us..paying compulsory cash grabs..to govt bottom-line
or for the money-market..to cash=in..on thin-air..but that influence indulgence/cash grab..proof of it..its right there

govt lawyers lies..polies lie
media lies..even/our patents..lied../.\..they..lied to..us collectively/consistently..collusive..even treacherously...for far..too long

the sky is falling..
ok..now lets move on...

no more money cash splashes..
the bankers been..lying..for far too long

govt can..fix anything..for free
just issue a govt bond..

now go..look how
world bank..no!
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6064&page=0

grim..what works=govt printing..its own..money
not borrowed..at interest from..bankers[who stole the money system..plus the gold/silver from...our coin..and teeth..

continues at..end

who..via USURY..scape the cream..
into;;their own tax free trust funds..that own..any thing of value[via paper proof..now cyber proof..only..

true govt money is based onthe value..of our estates
[based on the assets worth..[increase..of capital; base..creates its own funds..thus free govt medical..free services etc

govt is CREATED...reason of being..is about service
but now its about revenue raising..from..its poor..and stealing us blind..by selling off our services..for capitalist profit

lately..going in to..take the gold reserves from..building 7..@[911]..cyclone sandy..[more gold lost]../sadman-insane gold got took..then..gadfiffy's gold..etc etc..[loot and plunder has to..stop]

we need govt..to create the money..to..build the asset
to..repair the asset..to hold control..over the value..of its own legal tender..and the business..of lending..interest free

[only coin..is lawful-tender..but by deflating the worth of notes..they stole everything else

govt dont..*need to borrow..*nuthin
nor even raise any tax/user pays
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=cec+money+creation+nat+bank
it need merely issue a bond..and govt bond is as good ass gold
[because it holds SUPPOSEDLY..[but by acts of treason..all.our service assets..safe from..capitalist-gain/price-rise..pain.

Dear spindoc,

We should be able to learn from each other
through the discourse of debate and as I stated
earlier, ideas should be challenged, however the
poster should never be personally attacked. And
attacking a person's fundamental traits and
character provokes flaming shich should garner a
trolling infraction.

Attacking a person instead
of the argument disrupts the flow of conversation
and ideas. It is distracting, rude, and self-serving.
It is a blatant disregard for others when things are
said just to rile them up. It shows insecurity.
We should refer to these people as bullies because
the outcome is the same. These people get off on other
people's distress. They're people who post deliberately
abusive messages with the intention of provoking a
response (maximum disruption and argument). And this
behavour causes a great deal of damage and should not be
tolerated on a reputable forum. Its behaviour that
encourages flaming and disruption.

I use an old fashioned laptop computer to access OLO, running a Firefox (Version 24) web browser. As for features I would like, Jon J's list looked good, in particular article ratings.

Hi Foxy,

Whilst I don’t fully know where GY is going with this, he has opened up the floor for us all to offer some suggestions and try to add some value, I for one appreciate his gesture. I find it curious that only sixteen of our vast list of OLO’ers has offered any comment at all?

I think we have something of real value here on OLO, if it can be improved and attract even more contributors that has to be good. If the future looks more adult and more civil then great.

I agree entirely that some comments are deliberately inflammatory and yes, I too have done my share of that. I’m trying to understand what traits cause the abuse and vilification in order to recognize it, call it out for what it is and perhaps, just perhaps, get contributors to think twice before doing it. If this comes to pass as a moderators call, I would comply.

So many times we hear it said that by resorting to abuse one has already given up on the argument, if that is the case why let them continue? I’m not talking about the type of abuse that in the past might have had the comment deleted, I’m talking about the deliberate provocation that “causes” the problems we are talking about.

Such behavior does cause many problems as you point out and the few seem to spoil it for the many.

If a such abuse is recognized as argumental capitulation, let it be the last say they have on that particular thread, if they have declared their own failure, Bye!

One problem solved? Tick.

spindoc..the reason..so..few are on this topic
is in the main..because..its in the teq/section
[just putting it general/would have doubled responses]
but these would be as if nothing..if grayham..wrote an article

[ps all the forum...indexes should have the topic..if its serious

other thing..is..off topic trolls,
complaints..to mods..need allof our attentions
thus..each..one....should become a new topic..that points out the problem..and should resolve itself..just by 'going-public'..should stop abuse.

refute the words
not ban..the poster
preferably..in..their own topic..[in..the teq section]

but..[i never scroll down that far
for..example..i..[only noticed it cause i..was searching for another post
and opened 20 pages..then noticed the topic

i..figure the number..of index-topic..should be increased..
plus active threads be..more easy to find..

index spec's..should fix any issues

i feel we could use..the adverts-box
to advertise..our own current threads

Dear spindoc,

I'm so glad that we're having this discussion as I
am getting so much out of it. It's making me look at some
things in a different way, and hopefully I shall become
a better poster myself as a result.

Hi, thanks for the comments to date. I have been paying attention, I just wanted to let you go without any prompting from me. Most of what you are asking is fairly trivial to do in WordPress - a little bit of formatting, nested comments so you can follow a conversation and rating of comments.

I was wondering about some of the other features around. Say the possibility of logging-in using Facebook or another social network. In the past users have asked if they could have the ability to send mail to other users anonymously. Other ideas might involve an enhanced user page.

I'm also interested in how the forum interacts with the article page. As forum threads are really micro posts, perhaps we could deal with them differently and allow users to submit them with the potential of them being articles rather than threads.

Spindoc's comments are interesting, but I don't know how I could implement them without the moderator getting dragged into every argument. As I read them I'd potentially need to adjudicate the logicality of every claim. I could see the site emptying of posters very quickly and me being villified as some sort of moderator Nazi.

It would be nice to get rid of all abuse, but the problem there is the slippery slope. I've been tending to let minor eruptions go as they often blow over without intervention.

Graham,

You replied to me in the same vein once when I complained about a term being bandied about by another poster. Your take being that you didn't wish moderation to be overwhelming.

You were right - and I think your moderation of this site has worked quite well for the most part.

Usually what happens is that posters on OLO self-moderate. If anyone gets too far out of hand, they are jumped on quick smart. The upshot being that people sometimes push the envelope, but there isn't a huge amount of abuse of the serious variety - and if that occurs, we have you to turn to.

The nature of the sharing of "opinion" is for it be robust. I wouldn't wish to see us reduced to tiptoeing around the forum, afraid to step on each others' bunions

imglad..they changes seemsimple

re..the articles motion
i..dislike the 4 reply/limitation..of articles

if article-poster..wants to reply..all respondants..
4 replies..wont be enough..[thus i love the 8..reply format]

but each..has its use
[can..it be by..option..of article auther?

that said..i would like to..write..an..rever expanding article..
that adds pages..to original article[as the thread replies develop..the concept

the reply box..couldbe the record..of how the text evolved
...but for better suggestions..the replies..offerd..

thus as the facts change..the origonal as..the article/commentary..expands..

a potentially..never ending story
that closes..with the last..reply

[its like a summery..of the blog replies]
but needs ability..to expand/edit..posted articles..[via an edit function]

generally speaking..i hate facebook/tweeters etc
BUT..them..[their members]..accessing our forum..via their id/password..can..only be good

plus their posts go..into..facebook..
where it can..be more easy be noticed..by friends/followings etc

but if it means..us only logging
into olo..via facebook/tweeter..no..

those formats i have found to be totally useless..
from tweet-boxes..not posting..to..face-books un certainties

for..them..to access olo..great..
us..posting on..to face-off..and tweeters..no way

[that said..i..love sharing a great post..
with..just a click..of the button..thus do..use them..

to put it there..a few times..[but thats...their only good use]

It's not a question of stepping on anyone's
bunions that should be a concern here. None of
us want a lifeless forum. Ideas
should be challenged and we all understand that
discussions may be heated at times due to certain
topics - however posters should stick to attacking a person's
arguments rather than their person. Attacking a
person's fundamental traits and character and
provoking flaming should garner a trolling
infraction. Nobody is suggesting that we make this a
dull and boring forum - only requesting that personally
attacking posters should be made a no-go area.
Who knows this just may raise the bar on discussions.
After all as we know
its far easier to insult than to actually
discuss an issue.

cont'd ...

I forgot to add that yes - most posters do self-moderate
(or at least try to do so), however they're not the ones
that cause the problems in the first place.

i..tried your huffington..post link
it takes a long time to load pages..and will be expensive..with all..the imagery..they are huge pages..[digitally speaking]

i visited 3 stories..boring..then this
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/20-psychological-studies-_n_4098779.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

this looked interesting..but reading the replies..
i didnt see one link..not one..i..love links
there were from..memory 14 replies
with 75 pending*....

i could have posted..via my face-off...or tweeters
but know my comment..wont get..past their..VERY SLOW MODS

its too..glossy..too slow
but thats..just my..opinion..

besides i love links....and faster upload
[my computer is still..slow..so im..closing the link..
despite the article looking very interesting..the format..[for me]..seems clunky

Graham,

Being an engineer I like to focus on features that provide utility to the user.

1 Get the links to open on the last page (or page 0) rather than the first page, as I am normally looking for recent comments. This is especially useful for phones.

2 The use of phones to post comments is questionable, as anyone using a phone is most likely to post a twitteresque sound bite with no research or serious thought, which the vacuous twitteratti of the left are so fond.

3 Nested comments within a thread would be useful, as it would enable those that would divert a thread to continue their conversation while others can focus on the original issue.

All in all the existing format is a pleasant place to vent one's spleen, and the old adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a good guide to avoid adding features without functionality.

i agree with the nested comment..thing
but who..decides what nests or what rests?
still..for retaining context..[often..the context too..has importance]
anything..is better than deletion..

mods are..important..but we all..have inherent bias..possibility
and..keeping the ego..separated from the ergo..seems the go.

again..i need re-state..
my biggest bug bear[dead links]
is there not..a way..to make a attributed/fair-use..
on-site..link cache..stash..[in-house link..in the posting box memory]..?

anyhow

Graham, I've considered how to 'enhance the user experience' and think options for modifying user preferences should be considered.

From a set of defaults a user might select how they interface with the site: font style, size, auto resizing, most discussed/recent/last posted/viewed/etc presentation, comment threads open with first/last/last viewed/from last 'X' hours/page #.

As regards posting comments I would suggest revisiting the options below the user/date stamp.

Sometimes I would like to indicate quiet approval of a particular comment or a thank you without the need to post a comment to do so. A button for each of these could log a, for example, 'WmTrevor liked' or 'WmTrevor said thanks' as a simple msg to a poster when they were next online or visited that thread. A couple of available courtesies without distracting a thread or everyone else.

I wouldn't add any negative options... the 'recommend for deletion' serves its purpose.

However, on occasions I would like to 'enhance my on line experience' of threads by opting to filter out some commenters. So maybe a thread-specific toggle button to 'hide this user's comments'. A personal Filter Out or FO button.

This would serve as a private selection choice and is only censorship in the sense of its being self censorship of who I wish to bother having on my screen or reading.

A more difficult task would be to help encourage 'newbies' or 'lurkers' to post comments with less fear of being mauled by the more robust debaters (asserters might be a more accurate noun form) here.

Dual or side-by-side article threads, maybe? I could elect to post to either the commentary (same as now, which permits discussion and response) or the one-off comment thread (which, being limited to a single opinion, wouldn't). Then I could view one, the other or both interleaved.

win..makes some great points
but importantly..raises the issue of people..wanting to comment
plus the..issue..of experience and silly fears re posting[that is important]

i think..the facebook/tweeter log in..will cover that
but active participation..that frightens some..its a useless fear,,but*

jesus covered that..in the acimurtexts
people need to be fearless..re speaking-up
[the image of..the horse shoe nail..that lost the war]

if only..i had ...tried.

Dear Graham,

There are many tempting features possible, but the risk is that they clutter the page. I like the clean, pure text format of this site, even if the price is to have less features. Let us continue to concentrate on content rather than fancy looks.

...Arrhum...(Sound of clearing throat)!

...A website change with aesthetics the major motivator, is unnecessary IMO.

...I agree though (along with OUG), with extending the comment limit as being in order: But to cover the downside of such a change,a "walled off" facility for posters to discourse endlessly with another fellow poster away from the article, is a necessity to limit the effect of a "take-over" by comment; a facility currently available to posters wishing to blanket opinion on any particular topic, by combining forces for the direct purpose of smothering opposing opinion.

PS:

And can we improve the post-time imprint to include ADST for the majority of the population not housed in Queensland!

i.would love a topic..like ask..a theist
[or ask an athiest..[or ask a muslim..or ask a jew..
even ask a mother ..or ask a lawyer..or ask the mod..or ask an elder..or ask a pope..or a polly

or what..questions
we would ask of god?

can we get the questions asked..of god..made..into a topic?

ok..lets try?

its a rehash..of previous thought..but
i find so often..im..going through..the search-box
looking for how i put it [the present..new question]..better last time..

but its so often fruitless
i feel a big..thing we need is a search..results for more of the same
with the longer posts..out ranking the lower reply topics

[like i recall..once posting..long studies re marriage..
it would be so great..if more of the same..were all ready available..

linked with the present..thread..
by key auto..key-word search..options
[as chosen.. by..specific authers..via a word-linking option..at posting/page]

[plus..update-able]..[by other posters..
or mods..manually?..[or..simply..by link/by..or by topic name title.

postum scripto..
i should have asked..previous reply deleted
made its own topic..but such is life

it occurs tome...that there maybe..
when/if..a new format..is created..there might be a summery page made available..[a few lines longer..than..the details..on our personal posted-page]..that lists all..of our posts..first few lines..or first paragraph

or just the first..few lines of post replies
that might be expandable..[opening to..read..
as set..by settings..preferences..or..by click

on second thought..no
i..put throw it out here
to..see if it inspires..others further thought's

post limits still bump..the limits on..occasion
but do force more consideration..into..the post's we do..have

anyhow
i..still..love what we got.

it is so often fruitless
i feel a big..thing we need is a search..results for more of the same
with the longer posts..out ranking the lower reply topics but risk is that it can clutter the page.

This forum only needs a few lines of code to make it better. The ability to edit or delete your own posts and a a means to insert a picture, that's it! Probably about 10 lines of code. Oh and it would be great but not possible unfortunately and that is to force people to write their very own thoughts instead of cutting and pasting everything they find on spoogle or their local library. I can read that garbage myself without them plagiarising it from others! This place is more like pastebin than an opinion site

It's rather off-topic (and late) but I can't resist commending Foxy on her suggestion of a 'Middle Finger Award'.
I haven't had such a good laugh in ages.
Really tickled my fancy (and I could immediately think of someone - in sheep's clothing - to whom I could apply that very thought; but then, that would be unkind, as well as being contrary to our improved debating/discussion ethics - as suggested/proposed at least).

As for OLO format:
I think a posted link can adequately serve the purpose for wanting to include a graph or photograph (even if it means giving a reference to the page/section of the linked content) - and has the benefit of identifying the source and bona-fides of the subject content (and of keeping posts concise).

As for 'thank-you' comments, a 'like' button should suffice (with the number of 'likes' recorded against the relevant posting), but I don't think any recording of the person/people who recorded the 'like(s)' is really necessary (and would complicate forum record-keeping and data storage).

I like the current format of OLO, and would hate to see 'emoticons' or other such superfluous and distracting detritus introduced. This is meant to be a serious forum, not a playground.
Bold/italics may be ok, but we can make do without these.

As for keeping to topic: I don't like the idea of 'side' threads - an unnecessary complication. I think a thread should be allowed to flow, and if someone tries to hijack the thread (or it simply runs off-track) it should be up to posters to haul it back (or continue along the off-track if this proves more relevant/interesting and stimulating). Life's too short to get too picky.

Argument style: Skeptics may challenge the 'anthropogenics' of climate change, but why do they constantly point to supposed global cooling as a counter to evidence of sea-ice melt, shrinking ice-caps, dwindling glaciers, sea-level rise and ocean acidification? Correlation please?

Yuyutsu is a purist, and I tend to agree with him that an uncluttered and un-embellished OLO is hard to beat.

Good luck with it Graham; and thanks.

i must admit..this message..is wrong
[i see it often]..

<<"Sorry

Your post limit for this article has already been reached.
You may only post to a particular thread 8 times in any given 24 hour window. You may post again in 2 hours.">>

HERE>>IS THE ERROR..

<<..Comment Added...>>

WRONG..

comment wasnt added

to make..things worse..about 3 or 4 days ago..
my computer decides..to not allow me to back page[as a message comes up

<<Return to comments for this thread.>>

thats another thing that changed..about a month back[6 weeks?]
it USED to..automatically go..to page 1..but one day just stopped doing it on both my fav sites

the last two mornings i have had to log in
somehow..the log in..system..has been..modified..or changed

i know the message says after two hours..we get logged out
but it was never enforced before[my heart skips a beat every time i have some reply..in mind..go to post..then have to dredge..into my left brain..to recall the access coding..then once logged in..have somehow lost my right brain impulse to post.

thing is logging out is what many other sites do
when they ban..you..so every time i see any..log in box..im thinking am i banned..again..or is this a fake page..to obtain..my acces code[all..sorts of mind stuff that rots away the urge to post]

even now my chest is feeling the pain

so log ins..[computers know..other computers]..
the log in..is that other big..brother bothering..that says we dont know you[but i know damm well..they know everyone..online all the time.

so..log in..log on..prefer it gone
[its as silly as them..dumb-cop shows..saying
keep the dude on..the line..as were trying to trace them

they never heard of caller id?

they know us..their job is to watch..us
loging..in to post..is..just so old school
better a message in the posting box..saying we know who you are by your computer..[if your name dont appear..its cause the silly..computer has logged you out..

but we value your cuss-tom..
so please log back in..via this posting name
we will update the...de'tails..if you dont want to use..a name we will..simply print the post under your computers id/details..no sweat

chest pain..still..paining
that rejected feeling..just wears one down
[but i bare it..knowing my rejection pains..are as nothing..compared to..gods.

logged out again

logged out..again
now..forgot where/what i..was intending..to post

im..noting..that topic-responses..follow..in a flury
immediate its posting..but fewer later replies..unless the thread/gains ongoing interest.[its like we said what we wanted to say..

and unless we are specially.,.interested]..simply go away.
rr find it too hard to return

i was im my mailbox..and realized..i..rarely..if ever open..the notifications..cause usually..i got a lot of pages open..so refresh

but i..thought..on the occasion..that the page has closed
the email/link..effective...to get to the page..[and notifications]..but thats about all.

yet emails must be a huge..burden..yet vital

i..lost where the topic was going
but it was something along the line of ..a front page
[on-site..browser]..with all my open threads..open..on it.