Who Invented Buttons That Didn't Work?

There's limited editing time.

This is to prevent situations such as, let's say I wrote I'm gonna vote for John Smith! And you wrote, me, too, jes!

And then I change my post, say, five days later (and you aren't paying attention), to: I'm gonna vote for Mary Jones!

Oops, suddenly you're agreeing with the opposite. I have essentially lulled you into agreeing with me. Imagine this with an abortion or evolution debate and things are not so nice, yes?

It also makes life considerably easier for us Mods, when it comes to spam. Say we allow something we're unsure about on the 1st of the month. And here it is the 29th. And the spammer comes back, and adds a link. Well, think we're gonna see it? Think you will, and will report it to us? Sadly, no. No one is watching ever single little tiny bit of minutiae on the site (and I saw this topic quite by accident -- if you've ever, truly, got a question about site formatting, etc., could you please hit Contact Us at the bottom of any page? We are far, far more likely to see it then. Thanks). By ending editing time, it means that the spammy goalposts aren't moved. This site is moderated by a surprisingly small number of volunteer moderators. We admit that we miss stuff, so things like the editing time limit exist in order to make our lives easier and our time far more effective.

As for changing the buttons, that would involve changing the style sheet (to one without the buttons) every single time an editing time ended. And it's not just for you, it's for, potentially, every single post on a page, if they were all made within not too much time of each other. That's a lot of hits and refreshing on a database -- and just on one topic, so multiply that by hundreds of topics and thousands of posts -- just to change the style sheet to something a little different aesthetically, yes?

You disagree with me, but agreed with Roger. Roger and I had the same point.

Once the buttons no longer work, they shouldn't be an option on your post or topic. It's irritating to think you might still be able to edit something, when in fact, the button doesn't work now. I do understand there is a time limit, and maybe for good reason, and I am okay with that.

What 90% of my issue was is that you cannot delete topics or posts. After a while you may look at one of your topics that is no longer needed, and was centered in a way that would not help others who looked, and it would just make more sense to delete it. After all, it is our topic and our information. We should have the right to delete it if we please. There is a delete button, it just doesn't work by the time you get the answer you want.

i've edited and deleted many posts, yes, there is a time limit, but once you realize that, what does it matter if the buttons are there or not, you know the time has passed, move on

I understand about the editing. I know it can be a hassle and cause more problems because of others inclined to abuse the system. I'm okay with the editing part and it mostly wasn't a problem for me.

The only thing that really bothers me is not being able to delete your topics. It seems pointless to post something while you have a question, you get the question answered, and then what? You have topics out your ears on things that are no longer relavant and people are still adding comments needlessly. This is especially true for people who later decide their topic is a little too personal or revealing, and have second thoughts and want to delete. But, oops, the delete button doesn't work. I understand that people should be sure before they post, but at the same time, no one can predict how their topic will be recieved and sometimes, it's not for the better. Some really personal information people put on here for help, and others bash them for their position/beliefs/thoughts and it turns more into a group ridicule than a proper thread. The person should be able to delete it.

I'm fine with the buttons existing and having limited edit time. Just not limited delete time.

try not to say something you might regret, you'll be fine

That's a ton of help, djjd62.

Answered topics are actually how we get a lot of new members. It's specifically because the topics are answered.

As for the rest, if there are overly personal things out there, members are more than invited to ask via The Help Desk. I guarantee no yeses, but I do guarantee we'll read and consider requests.

and then what? other people can continue to benefit from the answer/s provided

if you're done with 'your' topic, just thumb it down - you won't see it anymore

By the way, the guy who invented buttons that don't work is named "Otis".
The button is named "Close Doors".

I meant this about topics that only benefit the person that asks, as in they're centered around a person's unique situation. I understand other posts might benefit people, but that doesn't necessarily mean the poster wants that information up for others anymore.

As Jespah said (she is a site administrator, is head of moderators), if people regret what they posted they can click on 'contact us' and discuss the matter with the moderators. As she said, that's no guarantee they'll remove something, but I gather sometimes they will.

Also, the topics don't only benefit the person who asked. We have people pick up on a thread and be helped by responses to a situational question some years later.

After a few years reading here, one thing I've learned is that there's really nothing new (unique) under the sun.

If people don't want to share something over the longer term, it's probably best not to post it on the internet.

I suppose I have a different mentality compared to most A2k users because I deal with other site layouts that allow 24/7 deleting on anything. Every site has their pros and cons, I guess.

Is it a site with much debate content, Subliminal0?
I can see all sorts of problems if it is. (See jespah's & my posts above.)


Yes (& as I said earlier) I see the limited editing time a definite pro on this site.

I didn't even consider spam posts, jespah.
But I definitely see your point!



Yes, I see.

I don't, for reasons explained by others. First of all, editing time has recently been expanded and feels luxurious to me now: I appreciate the change. There was feedback on the proposed change, which I think worked out as reasonable, given various considerations.

I suppose in some future iteration of a2k, this could be explained to new folk signing up. I am guessing that typically most people don't read 'fine' print but if any do, it would be useful to know.

BOLD STATEMENT

JESPAH WROTE:



i'M RACING AGAINST TIME TO EDIT THIS CAN YOU CUT ME SOME SLACK FOR A CHANGE?


N ow look what you made me do.

That makes a lot of sense and you got my vote, I didn't know that the buttons were still visible even though not functional. Add that to the mile-long to-do list but our lead programmer (nick ashley) recently got pregnant and this may have to wait for the human jelly thing that he's cooking*.

*From now on everything on able2know is the fault of Nick's baby. That'll learn it to be born without knowing how to walk or defend itself.

Hell yeah! I wish more people would get this elementary concept of the internet being a very public forum. Even if the site removes it there are plenty of other sites caching the pages for the sake of eternal posterity and if you don't want to share something the internet is ******* ridiculous place to put it.