Comments on: Help with new user signups wanted

Help with new user signups wanted

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:49:30 -0800

¡Finalmente! I'm finally going to turn on new user signups, and I'm shooting for doing it on Monday. But I could use some help [more inside]

By: mathowie

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:53:13 -0800

So first off, the plan. I'm going to let prospective new users submit a post, and if accepted, they'll get a link to signup emailed to them, and once completed their post will be posted. I have no idea how many people are going to submit links, but I could use help on finding double posts or things seen everywhere else. I'd like the links that get through to be well-written and linking to new faraway interesting places, not whatever's on BoingBoing or Blogdex or a thousand other blogs.

So I was thinking maybe a small team of 3-4 people could take a first pass at the submittal pile once a day or every few hours and weed out the double posts/non-new links before I give them the once over for quality. I myself have recently double posted something I've never seen before and I've missed quite a few double posts in the past few months. I don't know how best to pick people who want to do this, I suppose post here about it and I'll email the ones I trust most? I can't really recall who catches the most double posts consistently.

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:57:34 -0800

I'd be honored to play any part in the screening process, even if it is to play the role of "If Wendell likes it, dump it".

By: Orange Goblin

Orange Goblin — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:57:42 -0800

Well, I've done one or two double posts in the past, I think, but recently caught myself from doing a number of them. Anyway, I'd be glad to help, tho I'm probably not involved enough in Mefi to be eligible.

By: BlueTrain

BlueTrain — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:58:37 -0800

Interesting idea. Having a meritocratic entrance exam seems smart, especially since so many people apparently want to join.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:59:21 -0800

*idly wonders if it was the more users = more cameras equation*

I'd volunteer for quality control, but I have to admit, I'm a bad double-post catcher because I stopped clicking on links.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:00:49 -0800

Oh and for the coders in the house, here's the logic that I'm going to program, tell me if I missed anything:

- new user reads the page explaining stuff and goes to the suggest-a-post page

- fills out all the normal post elements, and includes contact email address (no email, no signup is possible)

- post along with email go into new db table. Make new subtable to track status if it's been checked, not checked, called a double post, and approved

- once approved, send email from approved post to special signup url that contains their email

- they fill out the rest of a signup form (pick username/pass, etc), then submits

- check to make sure email is the same as something approved in the suggested post table, change status to "locked" so they can't signup another account.

- once their account is created, post their suggested post to the site with their new user info attached.

Am I missing anything? Do you see any hackable spots? The only weakness I could see is that someone could spoof the signup page if the knew the email of someone that had an approved post but hadn't signed up yet, but I think the chances are nil someone could get that kind of info.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:01:49 -0800

Finalmente!

You want to lose that initial inverted exclamation mark, Matt - otherwise people will think you're using Spanish instead of the much more sought-after Portuguese.

No, this is truly great news and it seems like the right way to go about it. I predict an unusually high standard of new members, given that so many have been lurking for so long and engaging with MetaFilter through adjacent community weblogs and the all-important #mefi.

Still, one hopes for the odd raving, just-born, know-nothing lunatic infant in the midst of all the blasé sophisticates - for the sheer fun and honoured tradition of it.

Meanwhile, I look forward to registering my long-suffering remaining 73 family members.

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:05:59 -0800

Meanwhile, I look forward to registering my long-suffering remaining 73 family members.

Did I mention that my evil twin has evil triplets?

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:19:07 -0800

This is such great news!!! you rock matt!

I volunteer, but I like most posts, so I may be too lenient--i'm good at catching doubles tho.

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:21:06 -0800

No, this is truly great news and it seems like the right way to go about it. I predict an unusually high standard of new members, given that so many have been lurking for so long and engaging with MetaFilter through adjacent community weblogs and the all-important #mefi.

Maybe. I read MetaFilter and MetaTalk for over a year and a half before I signed up, and I'm still essentially worthless ;)

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:24:01 -0800

I read MetaFilter and MetaTalk for over a year and a half before I signed up, and I'm still essentially worthless ;)
And while you're at it, Matt, would you change TGC's name to "The Inferiority Complex"?

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:26:12 -0800

Dude, the chicks dig self-deprecation--not that I'm any good at it..

By: keswick

keswick — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:28:59 -0800

This is a good thing. Maybe a small percentage of supplicants-- er, applicants could be accepted without review at random, just to keep things interesting? (But not too interesting.)

(Groupthink is boring.)

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:29:01 -0800

I'm not sure about hackable spots, but you might want to limit the number of submissions per day. I have a feeling, after the how long signups have been shut down, that there's going to be tons. Maybe 20 submissions a day or so? 3 or 4 submission judges might be able to handle that.

By: timeistight

timeistight — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:29:54 -0800

I'd love to be on the team.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:01:24 -0800

This is a good thing. Maybe a small percentage of supplicants-- er, applicants could be accepted without review at random, just to keep things interesting? (But not too interesting.)

(Groupthink is boring.)

Keswick's suggestion is crucial, imo. God forbid all the new users should turn up with a stamp of approval on their worthy butts.

I suggest a "lucky draw" mechanism that would allow in an equal number of new users. Certain kinds of personalities (mine, for example) abhor competition, exams and proofs of worthiness and it's singularly unfair, for these people, to have to be put through the hoops when all ~18000 of us existing users just got in for nothing. With excellent results, thanks to the guidelines, self-policing, the Tao of MeFi, bla bla.

There's a tradition to be upheld here, dammit. If this "prove that you're worth it" requisite were extended to all the present users who haven't posted a link for ages and ages (or have posted crappy links in the past) then it would be fair. As it is, though, it clearly isn't.

I say look on the post-driven applicants as a better, latter-day version of the 5 bucks crowd - but keep an equal number of memberships open to random applicants, in the name of justice and fairness.

Btw, I'd love to be part of the team (timestight has my recommendation, though - he spots everything and has no ax to bear) but I'm not very observant or motivated about double posts, as I'm what you might call a "thread man". ;)

By: mathowie

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:07:46 -0800

but Miguel, you're a good writer and would have gotten in surely? While randomness is good, it does incur a high cost to the users that will have to help them along and me for cleaning up messes on the ones that go bad. If I had more time and computing power, I'd be all for more open submissions, but people that can find stuff on the web and write are going to make the best members. It is a challenge compared to the crapshoot everyone else used to signup, but for the sake of the community something has to be in place to maintain and possibly improve the posts here.

By: billsaysthis

billsaysthis — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:14:39 -0800

I would be glad to review the submissions since my rejection rejection letter has not yet resulted in actual employment.

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:17:00 -0800

Miguel, you may not understand this, living in cushy Portugal, but here in the U.S.ofA., life ain't fair. MetaFilter is an American Website (as many non U.S.ian members frequently complain). It's like when some corporation decides it's paying its grunt-workers too much, and rather than cut any current employees' pay, they just cut the pay scale for all the new hires. It's the American Way! (Excuse me, I have to throw up)

On preview: Matt said it righter.

By: keswick

keswick — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:17:03 -0800

Rock. Hard place.

Matt, might I suggest, then, that anyone who submits something a la IraqFilter or NewsFilter be eliminated immediately? That seems to be the primary problem with FPPs, I think.

I don't think anyone can deny most MeFites (myself included) are anti-war and anti-Bush, but we really don't need to sit around and congratulate ourselves on our enlightened views on a daily basis. It's gauche.

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:21:20 -0800

keswick, I trust that Matt's choices for the "selection committee" will be selected for their resistance to NewsFilter posts.

I also trust that I have pretty much killed and buried any chance I had of making it in that committee between my smart-ass comments here and elsewhere...

By: dg

dg — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:27:02 -0800

I think that as long as the "mediation panel" is made up of a representative cross-section of members without exclusive agendas, this process will work well. For what it is worth, my nomination would be for a selection from the following (in no particular order):

timeistight
eyeballkid
quonsar
amberglow
crunchland
mr_crash_davis
stavrosthewonderchicken
kindall
iconomy
languagehat
madamjujujive
dejah420

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:31:39 -0800

I'd add:

vacapinta
plep
oissubke
konolia
and one of those republicans i've heard tell of

to that list : >
and thanks dg--i'm mailing the check now

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:36:16 -0800

I'm sure johnmc is feeling very left out, dg and amberglow.
I think you should buy him an iPod.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:41:24 -0800

jonmc would be good too--he'd help keep out the snots. : >

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:42:43 -0800

If nominated, I shall not run!

If elected, I shall not serve!

Kidding, of course. I'll help out if asked.

By: dg

dg — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:44:32 -0800

Actually, jonmc would be a good addition, for the reason amberglow suggested (hey, someone has to represent us non-highbrows) as would a number of members - those were just the ones that popped into my head at the time.

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:47:30 -0800

Two things:

1) Ummmm..... Hello...... These people over here are making good posts that they hope will get them in. Why reinvent the wheel?

2) " someone could spoof the signup page if the knew the email of someone that had an approved post" -- Why expose the email at all? Store the email in the DB, but use a unique alphanumeric string in the signup email.

By: attackthetaxi

attackthetaxi — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:48:08 -0800

That's a great list, dg.

By: gen

gen — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:53:25 -0800

My nominees would be (not including those who have already been named):

adampsyche
Vidiot
riffola
ColdChef
Kafkaesque
thomcatspike

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:55:22 -0800

1) Ummmm..... Hello...... These people over here are making good posts that they hope will get them in. Why reinvent the wheel?

An excellent point. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow for a great deal of these-are-the-best-of-the-best circle jerking (" ,)

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:58:50 -0800

While randomness is good, it does incur a high cost to the users that will have to help them along and me for cleaning up messes on the ones that go bad. If I had more time and computing power, I'd be all for more open submissions, but people that can find stuff on the web and write are going to make the best members.

Well, if you put it like that... No, fair enough, I agree that the dimensions MetaFilter has reached make other considerations impracticable. Still, something in me bristles about all the existing users (myself included) acting all Founding Fathers-like and sitting in judgement and demanding special rabbit-pulling tricks of all those who simply want to join and be part of this, as if these all-knowing, perfect posters had never thoroughly messed up during the first (and some during the most recent) months of their membership.

I know I did - and still do - and I have to thank a lot of kind and unkind users for laboriously checking my baser impulses.

However, after having reflected on what you say, I think the initial post requirement isn't that big a deal - users can legitimately go wild once they've passed that hurdle and pass through the usual acculturation process (which is what we call it in Europe), same as we all did.

No, No! I admit it was your saying I was a "good writer". Dear me (my mother did warn me, even if it was with a twinkle in her eye), I'm such an easy lay... ;)

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:01:44 -0800

you really are, miguel--he didn't even buy you dinner first

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:12:52 -0800

"users can legitimately go wild once they've passed that hurdle"

Users can go wild with their submission. We like interesting don't we? I hope people won't be tossed out because they lack grace. Interesting wins here. Unique, novel, thought provoking? I'll bet being wild will get more people in than being academic and polite.

At least I hope so.

Can anyone think of current members who are embraced by the community despite being possibly insane or difficult to read? Can we please *not* make this a process for ushering in a bunch of boring ass-kissers?

By: mathowie

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:24:37 -0800

These people over here are making good posts that they hope will get them in. Why reinvent the wheel?

Am I supposed to use that site like it's a high school baseball game and I'm a pro ball scout? There's no structure to that, so I'm trying to make one.

As for the newsfilter or iraqfilter question, the process as you can see isn't immediate. Person X submits post at midnight, moderators look at it in the morning, I take a peek that evening, and then they get the email to get a signup. They have to respond to that and signup before it gets posted, so it's going to discourage "oh my god check out what Jacko did today" kinds of posts.

I just realized an ugly metaphor for this is a mature country. At first immigration is often wide open as a new country wants to grow its tax base. But then eventually it's harder to get a visa and they're only letting PhDs with jobs into the place.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:25:10 -0800

One last thing before I go off and help prepare thanksgiving stuff: how about we let this run through the remainder of the year and check back Jan 1st to see if older members think it was a bad experiment?

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:27:31 -0800

Screw older members, Matt - let them in!

By: dg

dg — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:28:12 -0800

What y6³ said, in spades.

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:44:19 -0800

"Am I supposed to use that site like it's a high school baseball game and I'm a pro ball scout?"

Yes. That was my thinking.

Either way works. And as long as you can scale the admin duties, and the server doesn't melt down, I think we've all proved over the last few years that MetaFilter is unbreakable. It's all good. Aggravating...... but good.

Through the end of the year - Yes. Then let things simmer so that the flavors mingle and the meat has a chance to marinate.

Happy turkey day Matt. We love you.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:50:51 -0800

...otherwise people will think you're using Spanish instead of the much more sought-after Portuguese.

Portuguese as a real language? What a crazy notion!

[grins, ducks, and runs]

Q for mathowie: what qualifies as a "good" post? One that is eloquent? One that merely links to a froody site? One that looks like it'll stimulate a long, interesting, productive discussion?

[realizes that it's really just a quick waddle, what with being ducked over and all that, so stands up proper and makes a dash for safety]

By: Mo Nickels

Mo Nickels — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:53:16 -0800

Bah, we need a cranky old-timer, like myself, to sort out the knobs and newbs who want to join our l33t team. I was writing "I've about had enough of you young punks" posts when you all were still on Speak and Spells. Except for Matt. And jonmc, who is only an old-timer via a wormhole accident.

I would require a form be filled out, which then goes to an acceptance committee, then to a sub-commitee which spins it out for security clearance and checking of references, then we have the MeFi HR department call them in to adminster the sexual harrassment aptitude test, and the HTML quiz.

Some requirements to consider:

1. Must keep their own blog. That way they'll have an outlet for the crap unworthy of the Ole Blue and Gold.
2. Must have dictionary, grammar guide, and working shift keys.
3. Must read Metafilter. Clue one does not read Metafilter: one makes double-posts.
4. Deep-web submarine pilot: knows the Net even Google doesn't know.
5. No more Portguese, unless they bring me more of that good earthy red wine I like.
6. jonmc settles all disputes by interpreting the secret messages in the back-masking of his AC-DC albums as judgments from King Sulamein.
7. Anyone with a knack for non-news, primary source, upstream, first-of-their-kind posts--the kind you don't find on another blog, but the kind you put together yourself--gets a star next to their user name. Then we institute military ranks patterned after the Salvation Army. So we can have one-star, two-star, and three-star generals, and so forth. Everyone can just start calling me Colonel.
8. All future Metafilter Meetups include hazing rituals and witch hunts. I envision them ending in field trips to The Tombs to bail out over-zealous pledges, who will thus qualify for a new user ID.
9. Old, low, unused ID numbers are recycled in such a way as to give newcomers that nouveau riche feeling. Those who waste the prestige of their low-number capital on the MeFi equivalent of Cadillacs with gold detaling will see their ID numbers increment by 20,000 as punishment.

By: johnny7

johnny7 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:56:31 -0800

Look out !!!
It's the good/bad post menagerie.
Just stand very still.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:57:54 -0800

jonmc settles all disputes by interpreting the secret messages in the back-masking of his AC-DC albums as judgments from King Sulamein.

I just played "Highway To Hell" backwards. It toldme to move to a Chicago suburb, buy a riding lawn mower, and join a Unitarian church.

I'd play "Big Balls" next but I'm ascared.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:00:09 -0800

Oh, and I'd nominate:

Mr. BaliHai
McBain
biscotti
owillis
crunchland

By: jonmc

jonmc — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:02:14 -0800

in addition to those previously mentioned of course.

and jpoulos, too.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:05:27 -0800

current members who are embraced by the community despite being possibly insane

*peeks over abutment, scans horizon for kadiddlehopper spoor*

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:05:38 -0800

And jonmc, who is only an old-timer via a wormhole accident.

Heh.

I'd be happy to be part of the ~~Nobel Laureate Committee~~ ~~Happy Fun Choosing Brigade~~ NewUserFilter if you want, but I'm utterly, utterly crap at spotting double posts (one of the reasons I post so infrequently) thanks to extensive brain damage (I guess), so I wouldn't really be of much help in that department...

By: johnny7

johnny7 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:06:36 -0800

What happened to dong resin??

By: jonmc

jonmc — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:08:24 -0800

He broke his leg we had to shoot him.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:08:25 -0800

He's the New Kottke™. With special sauce.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:09:12 -0800

McKottke™?

By: riffola

riffola — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:28:19 -0800

I'd like to volunteer.

Matt, as for spoofing, provide one time use time hashed tokens. If the user wants to signup, he has to use the email and the token to become a member.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:41:26 -0800

I absolutely back riffola's generous offer - there's nothing he doesn't know about MeFi or isn't able to detect, negotiate and, if needs will, put right. Not only his impeccable record here but also his superb handling of #mefi.

All the other posters that were suggested - strangely without exception! - are just as good (or almost), in my experience.

By: brent

brent — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:45:44 -0800

Seems like you have a list of possible screeners by just plugging in any user number. Another suggestion is to send out an email to those who you have maybe read and thought we need more thoughtful users like that. The only thing about opening it up like this is the time constraints. Seems like those who are looking to sign up, will camp out and be the first to run through the door. Use the resources that already make the site great to open up registration. Having others nominate the screeners seems to work well to get the ball rolling. Auctions also seem to have worked well in the past, in case they are serious.

By: ook

ook — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:59:09 -0800

Okay, everyone who at some point just started skimming through the thread hoping to spot their own name in one of these 'nominations' lists, raise your hand...

*raises hand*

By: dg

dg — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:07:50 -0800

The nominations so far:
adampsyche
amberglow
biscotti
ColdChef
crunchland (twice)
dejah420
eyeballkid
iconomy
jonmc
jpoulos
Kafkaesque
kindall
konolia
languagehat
madamjujujive
McBain
Mr. BaliHai
mr_crash_davis
oissubke
owillis
plep
quonsar
riffola
stavrosthewonderchicken
thomcatspike
timeistight
vacapinta
Vidiot

Anyone like to narrow this down to their personal top 3 or 4? It would be a tough call, I think.

By: shepd

shepd — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:19:04 -0800

amberglow for the regular posts
quonsar for the offensive ones
troutfishing for the lefty/greenie ones

Not sure who deserves the righty ones. hama7?

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:20:06 -0800

I'm pretty good at spotting doubles and have a low tolerance for combative NewsFilter posts, and am certainly willing to take my turn at the ~~whack-a-mole~~ selecting. Somebody else will have to filter the techie/Flash posts, though.

Can we please *not* make this a process for ushering in a bunch of boring ass-kissers?

Not to worry, y6, I don't think anybody here wants that crap. We like 'em ornery here on MeFi!

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:20:28 -0800

"I'm a bad double-post catcher because I stopped clicking on links."

I knew it, you son of a bitch!

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:23:11 -0800

Can we please *not* make this a process for ushering in a bunch of boring ass-kissers?

Happy turkey day Matt. We love you.

*hyena laughter*

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:24:32 -0800

"1. Must keep their own blog. That way they'll have an outlet for the crap unworthy of the Ole Blue and Gold."

I don't have my own Blog, and I would like to think (Truth: Not at all) that I make a difference to Metafilter. If I had something I wanted to post to Mefi and I really wanted to be a member, I could still be very literate and thoughtful at the same time, then what difference would having a Blog make?

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:31:30 -0800

That's a good list, and hard to narrow down. Hasn't anyone nominated our favorite swiller of amber? (Miguel, that is.)

I would have preferred to see a more populist method of bringing in new blood, but that's just me.

I believe Y6³ raises a valid point with his link to MonkeyFilter. Those are people who have been waiting for a chance to join MetaFilter, and the quality of their posts is available for perusal now. My suggestion would be to give invitations to that pool of people, at least first.

All that being said, if there's some way that I can help, let me know.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:48:05 -0800

Wow, interesting idea. One twist I might suggest is that people get to submit up to three posts. One could be a fluke find, beginner's luck; and on the flip side of the coin, one quirk could sink them - a standard few of us could hold to! The ability to submit a mini-portfolio of two or three posts would give both submitter and the evaluators a better shake at things. Of course, I don't know how difficult that would be to execute technically.

I like this idea, but I also share some of y6y6y6's concerns. And people who add good in-thread comments or additions are as valuable here if not more so than posters, imo. But it sounds like a worthwhile experiment.

I would add y2karl, miguel, homunculus, mr.balihai, taz and shane to the potential pool of evaluators. And I would be happy to participate.

By: billsaysthis

billsaysthis — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 21:15:27 -0800

*hides invisible ass in corner*

By: timeistight

timeistight — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 21:29:36 -0800

I nominate dg. (Sorry, Miguel, but you know you'd let everyone in.)

And people who add good in-thread comments or additions are as valuable here if not more so than posters, imo.

That's next year's contest.

By: vito90

vito90 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:16:39 -0800

My only thought here is to echo the sentiment regarding giving the MonkeyFilter people some kind of preferential treatment. They seem to have personality there, and personality goes a long way...

By: mischief

mischief — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:36:26 -0800

I was fired as an editor from Plastic. That should count for something. ;-P

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:40:50 -0800

I'm just thinking of one potential problem, which might in fact be solved be MdmJJJ's 3-post suggestion:

9:00am - Potential new user makes wicked-ass post. Sits in database, away from public view.
11:00am - Migs makes essentially the same wicked-ass post. Call it a 6th sense.
5:00pm - Quonsar wakes up (head throbbing, tongue hairy) sees potential new user's post is, lo and behold, a double post. User discarded.

Alternatively, the user might make a post and be approved, then someone else posts the same link before the new user has gone to the validation page to collect their prize.

I think it's a distinct possibility, considering the high turn-over rate of new and wonderful links here. It might just be something the moderators will want to watch closely for.

By: arto

arto — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:56:00 -0800

Assuming, of course, that MonkeyFilter doesn't just become a worthwhile community of its own. (This isn't Highlander, you know, there can be more than one.)

I'd like to second Miguel's notion regarding letting a few random ones in, even if he himself retracted it. I've been here a year, lurked for what seemed like forever (well, a couple or three months anyway) before I lucked out on the old "ten users a day" bit, and it still took me maybe three or four posts before I felt I'd found my voice. Plus, I'd feel a bit daft supporting a new user policy that wouldn't let me in. (And don't go calling me a good writer ala Migs, 'cause I know you'd be lying.)

And as far as criteria go, maybe the less said the better. I'd like to think we're not so much looking for a specific type of poster or personality, as screening out those that wouldn't enhance it (trolls, political axegrinders, etc.)

By: quonsar

quonsar — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 23:04:10 -0800

our favorite swiller of amber? (Miguel, that is.)

amberglow? and miguel?

By: dg

dg — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 23:10:52 -0800

Miguel swallows?

Thanks for the vote, timeistight, but no thanks - everyone on that list is way more qualified than me.

After spending a little time at MonkeyFilter, I am inclined to jump on the bandwagon of letting those who are there and who seem to meet "our standards" have a free pass or something. There would be a limited time when this could work, of course, as you do not want people joining MonkeyFilter and then claiming an inalienable right to membership on MeFi.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 23:12:12 -0800

oh, and i fear i might be something of a pushover for anything politically left or anti-shrub. but i'm willing to help.

By: meech

meech — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 01:37:22 -0800

I'd feel a bit daft supporting a new user policy that wouldn't let me in

Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.

By: seanyboy

seanyboy — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 01:43:11 -0800

I nominate 111 to be one of the judges. God knows, we need some diversity.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 01:57:24 -0800

Hasn't the LeftWing Pinko Cabal™ driven him away with their concerted campaign of abuse, vitriolic hatred and commie-groupthink yet? Garsh!

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 02:10:10 -0800

Not sure who deserves the righty ones. hama7?

Fuck, no. Now, if Fes hadn't'a left....

I miss UncleFes.

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 02:15:16 -0800

madamjujujive (we should just let her run the world actually)
shane
timeistight
amberglow

that's my list of worthy trustees, everyone else is suspect.

1. Must keep their own blog. That way they'll have an outlet for the crap unworthy of the Ole Blue and Gold

some excellent contributors to this site are blogless; they don't have the time to run their own website, they're too busy with school, family, career. or maybe they don't know html, a skill that has nothing to do with overall intelligence. bad suggested rule, bad.

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 02:37:42 -0800

Choosing only four is painful. But for what it's worth:
crunchland
Kafkaesque
languagehat
UncleFes

By: taz

taz — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 04:40:50 -0800

Wow. My connection was out, so I missed all this earlier. Great news! I'd be glad to help in any way, Matt.

By: Frasermoo

Frasermoo — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 05:16:15 -0800

This all sounds rather dangerous. Crunchland would never have made it in with his posting style if he had to be judged by a panel of four 'Metafilter swots'.

Just open the floodgates and let the new blood in.

By: triv

triv — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 06:01:45 -0800

What frasermoo just said, definately.

Not everyone likes the way that Crunchland formats some posts, but it adds variety to meta for better or for worse.

And what Miguel said - add some variety to sign ups by allowing a few random members would be a good thing. We are so much more as a community due to our diversity.

By: triv

triv — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 06:03:28 -0800

and my shortlist of 3-4.

MiguelCardoso
Quonsar
Crunchland
111

variety is the spice of life.

By: metaxa

metaxa — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 06:07:56 -0800

Just to add my 2c.

If Matt wants to open the floodgates on Monday, which is just a few scant days away, then there's no time to take a straw-poll of names and pick the 4 with the most votes. I suggest that all the interested candidates (I think, also that people should only be put forward for this task if *they* put themselves forward, not someone else) names are put into a virtual 'hat' and the first 4 drawn out are our 'lucky' winners....

What do others think?

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 06:51:41 -0800

Sorry, Miguel, but you know you'd let everyone in.

This is true.

By: plep

plep — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 06:55:17 -0800

Good on you Matt, for opening it up.

I've got a feeling, though, it might be a lot of work for just 4 people. How increasing it to about 10 or 12 or s, both to spread the load (if a lot of people are going to try for this), and also introducing maximum diversity into the panel?

I'd also like to add anastasiav, hama7, moonbird and adamgreenfield to the nominations, if they haven't already. (And I'm happy to help with this, but it's most important to get a good range onf people).

By: amberglow

amberglow — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 07:26:01 -0800

Jimbob has a really good point: can the posts by prospectives be hooked up to the search page while they're pending? or will their posts be searchable in any way pre-posting? (and he should be on the list too)

I really think most people would be good at this, as long as they have an open mind, and respect different styles and formats of posts, and different underlying beliefs and interests. And something else to consider: How would each of the team members rate, say, a spirit foam or flava flav alarm clock post? : o

and q: shhh!

By: xmutex

xmutex — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 07:26:38 -0800

oh oh, can I make snarky comments?

By: angry modem

angry modem — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 07:55:45 -0800

Isn't the group essentially supposed to weed out dupes and not based on content? I'm confused by the dialogue in this thread.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:07:38 -0800

Angry Modem gets five points! Woot! Yes, Matt filters out content, the group catches double posts. So we basically need people who reload MeFi every five seconds (most likely those who post in the deleted threads).

By: amberglow

amberglow — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:13:17 -0800

also, matt says: ...but I could use help on finding double posts or things seen everywhere else. I'd like the links that get through to be well-written and linking to new faraway interesting places, not whatever's on BoingBoing or Blogdex or a thousand other blogs. and then, in response to miguel: I'd be all for more open submissions, but people that can find stuff on the web and write are going to make the best members.
It'll be a challenge for whoever ends up doing it. It's quality control with an edge for non-usual sources and well-written posts.

By: PrinceValium

PrinceValium — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:13:51 -0800

Furthermore, some of the best posters are people who mostly lurk and rarely post - and when they do it's a fantastic post.

What was so bad about the 20 people per day thing? It was reasonably successful, and the timing ensured that the only people who joined were those who really wanted to join.

By: iconomy

iconomy — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:15:25 -0800

I'll do it.

By: plep

plep — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:22:40 -0800

Hi, iconomy!

By: alicesshoe

alicesshoe — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 08:30:26 -0800

Matt, as fine an analogy as a new country then mature country is and letting in PhD's only, after these PhD's are in a country and try to find a job, they are met with "you haven't any MeFi [country of choice] experience". Soon they're driving cabs, cleaning buildings, washing pots and the like. Others who enter illegally, fill a void in the trades and work for less than natural citizens because the wages are too low, a standard set by the amount of illegal immigrant workers.

The construction trade is booming in Toronto and the Canadian government is planning to let the illegal immigrants gain status. The workers have been here for quite a few years and have established themselves, although not legal citizens, the construction trade wants them to be legit, because they're screaming for more workers. Read about it here.

I may not have posted diddly as a FPP, however, let's not discount those that add to a topic with many links which further the discussion along, if not adding insight to any particular topic. madamjujujive mentioned this too. She's absolutely right! Somehow, clicking on my name shows inaccurately the number of links I've posted.

Seeming as how I won the lottery to become a member, I'm not sure this hazing of posts is the way to add more members. Where does diversity come from? Maybe just from those that want to become members to add to the discussion, not only posting FPP's.

Just thinking out loud.

By: GhostintheMachine

GhostintheMachine — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 09:05:06 -0800

(somewhat tangental)
If you're opening things up to new members, might I suggest revising the posting instructions somewhat? You're still warning against posting about Iraq and the "upcoming" war. Might confuse the new people.

Not me, though. I already know all about the upcoming war.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:25:27 -0800

mefi
mofi
fofi
fum
i smell the breath
of the portuguese one.

By: y2karl

y2karl — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:57:43 -0800

Out of the ventral orifice comes the smell of quonsar.

By: MrBaliHai

MrBaliHai — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:59:56 -0800

[delurk]

Well, jonmc and mjjj, I'm honored that you'd put forth my name as a vetter of posts, but I have to say that the job doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. In fact, I find the whole concept a bit cliqueish and terribly easy to evade since all prospective appli/suppli-cants would have to do is disguise their worst proclivities until they were confirmed, at which point they would simply revert to their normal behavior.

Gotta run. I think the Turducken is ready.

Hi, iconomy!

[/delurk]

By: ginz

ginz — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 11:33:42 -0800

Hi iconomy and MrBaliHai!

[I really tried to think of something original to say in this thread, but Mo Nickels, Miguel, Frasermoo and alicesshoe already said it all.]

Not-orginal after thought: I really hope for a fresh load of non USA members. Not that I don't love you stoopid amerihkuns, but because.

By: ginz

ginz — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 11:37:40 -0800

insert "i" at appropriate position

By: asok

asok — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:43:24 -0800

It's like UK driving tests. When cars first got on the road there was no test. Then they started testing. Now the test is more intensive, including a multiple choice section requiring 90% accuracy.
I am glad the test wasn't that hard when I took it! OTOH there were, and possibly still are, people driving who have never passed the test! *Not looking in MiguelCardoso's, quonsar's, or Postroad's direction.* /ageist slur

Anyhoo, it is very difficult to contrive a way of filtering new blood without missing out on some really interesting diseases. Judging people on their posting ability may not tell us anything about how they would interact with other members of the community. Trolls come in all sizes, shapes and colours.
If the signups are a free for all, then it may be the people who are on the grapevine who get in. But is that neccessarily a good thing? Those at #mefi and MoFi would probably think so.

Question, how many *good* links are there in a day?
Are the suplicants supposed to have a fantastic link/post ready in a 'here's one I prepared earlier' stylee? If they all have to be bang-up-to-the-minute links are they not more likely to double post? How old does the original post have to be before the supplicant's is declared bouble? I thought I'd leave that typo in, I think it might qualify If one is accepted and then another attempts to join using the same link, would they be rejected as a double?
We all have enough 'trouble' with double posts as it is, even though we are all in the cabal now.

I am also confused as to what exactly the NewUserFilter quango would be checking for, should content not be any concern to them?
I would hope that the NewUserFilter posse would not have members that are unable to conduct a civil conversation on any random topic, in this corner of the matrix. We don't seem to like, or learn anything from, those who do not care to interact via the accepted rules of engagement.
The *most suitable* people may not have the time or inclination to take part in this exercise. (on preview: see above)

I agree with clavdivs, to a certain extent, when he states that he would like to see new membership limited to non-US users (sorry, not time to search). Personally, I would like to see some coherent, civil, intelligent, *right-wing* newbies, who do not have a victim mentallity. As well as coherent, civil, intelligent, *green-anarchists*, who do not have a victim mentallity. More diversity. And ladies.

So UncleFes, Riviera, Kindall, tdismukes, for what it's worth.

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:47:18 -0800

Not sure who deserves the righty ones. hama7?

*coughs, shuffles feet, tries not too look too conspicuous*

Make way for ZionistFilter, wooo!

By: tranquileye

tranquileye — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 15:15:02 -0800

Matt, I volunteer to help out with the weeding and selection.

By: Fat Buddha

Fat Buddha — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 15:54:28 -0800

I love all the Americans on here . Everywhere I go people tell me Yanks are stupid, inward looking morons, and I say not on Mefi they ain't, and not on Spofi either. Even the right wingers are funny, not like our outraged, pinch faced, thin lipped, intolerant British variety.

By: kindall

kindall — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 16:11:29 -0800

I feel honored even to be nominated (and seconded -- thanks dg and asok), but I'm not really interested in the job, and I don't think I'm that qualified, either. I post mainly comments, not links.

By: adrianhon

adrianhon — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 16:17:03 -0800

I wouldn't mind taking a look at posts by prospective members.

By: iconomy

iconomy — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 19:15:15 -0800

Hi back at ginz, MrBaliHai, and plep, and thanks to dg ;)

By: amberglow

amberglow — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:17:40 -0800

matt, just pick names out of a hat--it'll work out fine. I do hope tho, that if someone doesn't make it in the first time with a post that they get more chances.
(and add wendell or stan to that hat, too) : >

By: alicesshoe

alicesshoe — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:24:56 -0800

Yes, but if you pulled languagehat out of the hat, would that be double hatting?

By: amberglow

amberglow — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:36:13 -0800

yup : >
But anyone who can expound on his many and varied hats can judge a post or two.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:51:25 -0800

Wow. *shakes head, whistles* They're auditioning for MeFi membership now..?

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:03:20 -0800

languagehat is a quirky mofo.

By: meech

meech — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:36:03 -0800

While I normally agree with our mighty [yet very sensible] leader I really think this is a mistaken way to open up membership.

I understand that Matt wants less work when these people join but pre-selection really puts the whole website at risk. We don't need a whole group of pre-approved people who all fit into the category of "willing to audition for website and are good at said audition". What chance for lurkers, commenters, the bashful and those that will build to great posts? Also those nominated for the MeFi selection posse already leave large footprints on the site, if they get involved in the approval of the audition link [which I understand is debateable] it over-emphasises their importance at the democratic MeFi.

Metafilter is a [mostly] positive warm community where everyone inside has been allowed by simply filling out the membership form - the community will now be segregated between these early members and the new ones that have demeaned themselves by begging for their MeFi supper. I can't emphasis how much I think it should be the simple first x people each day and take what we get.

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:56:14 -0800

Not that anyone has asked, but of the list of potential "mods" listed above, the three who stand out to me as the best fit for the job are riffola and madamjujujive and iconomy. So if we're nominating people, I second them. There are many others on the list (and many not on the list, for that matter) who would do a fine job and who deserve some measure of recognition for their contributions to the site, but I think those three are most qualified. They are fair and moderate and rational and I think they would take the job most seriously.

Having said that, I think meech and amberglow have an excellent point. Consider how the issue of "paid" memberships has arisen in the past as a point of contention. Maybe we should consider if having a Chosen Few among us might surface in the future as a potential problem?

By: amberglow

amberglow — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 22:01:29 -0800

I think we have to take what we can get meech...and at least this lets new people in (given that it's really not a democracy or our call). We both had to wait for signups to open last year, and this could have been the procedure back then--would we not have joined? I'm hoping that even with a hoop to jump thru there'll be good people that come out of this process.

and on preview: maybe the Chosen Few could be a rotating, ever-changing bunch? That may eliminate any "Council of Elders" thing, and spread the praise (or blame).

By: rory

rory — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 01:32:20 -0800

I nominate ook.

By: JohnR

JohnR — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 05:39:45 -0800

If we are to have sub-super users, I think it would be nice to have pictures of them. This will change things, let us experiment beyond the written word.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 06:58:50 -0800

I understand that Matt wants less work when these people join but pre-selection really puts the whole website at risk.

No, what puts the whole website at risk is having Matt so frazzled that he decides it's not worth it anymore. This happened just before he closed off membership the last time, and the most important thing here is making sure it doesn't happen again. So the part of your comment that stands out is "Matt wants less work." Perspective, people, perspective.

And I agree with amberglow: rotating makes sense. Burnout is a threat for the potential Elders as well as for Numero Uno. (I also agree with those calling for more non-USAnians and women.)

By: fuzz

fuzz — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 08:07:45 -0800

I hope the main goal of the audition is to weed out the inflammatory NewsFilter people who want to turn MeFi into a platform for their crusade, as well as those who don't understand the basic etiquette of the front page. We shoudl accept everyone who can make a decent post, instead of forcing them to jump up and down like trained seals trying to prove they're better than the other posters.

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 08:53:03 -0800

guy posts a 'how clean is your computer ?' link and he's organising the judges, tremendous.

fwiw i nominate :

hama7

111

steveatlinwood

postroad

son_of_minya

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 08:56:25 -0800

btw i am of the firm belief that 111 is actually another users alter ego .

By: Frasermoo

Frasermoo — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 08:57:47 -0800

'Elders' ?

Spare me.

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 09:20:31 -0800

Elders

bwah! ugh. funny but nauseating.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 09:49:32 -0800

btw i am of the firm belief that 111 is actually another users alter ego
Well, they have medication for that sort of thing nowadays ; >

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 10:53:37 -0800

We don't need a whole group of pre-approved people who all fit into the category of "willing to audition for website and are good at said audition".

I had meant to try to recruit one or two intelligent, fun, eclectic friends to MeFi when membership opened up. Unfortunately, they will NOT have the time, nor be willing, to jump through hoops to get in.

By: taz

taz — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 11:24:28 -0800

Okay... Matt's plan is that people can submit posts. Some users from here will check to see that they aren't double posts or links that are overexposed. Then Matt will check them for suitability.

That's it. I don't see any elders or superusers in this - just some people who are willing to do a little legwork so Matt doesn't have to do it all himself. And regarding the "trained seals" aspect, if submitting a post is too demeaning then I, for one, have no idea what to suggest. Matt is trying to accommodate everyone's desire to let new members in without dedicating the next six months of his life to dealing with people who have no idea what the site is about, or who sign on specifically to cause trouble.

By: meech

meech — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 13:35:04 -0800

what puts the whole website at risk is having Matt so frazzled that he decides it's not worth it anymore

I totally agree - is there not a way to find a solution to that problem? Because, despite everyones best efforts, there is going to be a certain uniformity to the new recruits if they are 'selected'.

By: tr33hggr

tr33hggr — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 13:52:27 -0800

It's times like this I wish I was one of the cool ones.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 14:20:53 -0800

there is probably going to be a certain uniformity no matter what. only people who are attracted to mefi will be wanting to join. or those waiting to kick my ass.

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 14:25:05 -0800

"Unfortunately, they will NOT have the time, nor be willing, to jump through hoops"

I call bullshit on your pissy little snark.

If they don't have time to put together something interesting for the new registration thingie, how the hell are they going to be interesting members? Or even members at all.

This site eats up huge amounts of time. If you don't think you have time to go through the new registration process, then you don't have time for MetaFilter period. Why would you want to recruit new members who don't have time to post or comment?

By: mathowie

mathowie — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 14:32:42 -0800

there is going to be a certain uniformity to the new recruits if they are 'selected'.

I don't know what you are implying here as a problem. I'll approve any new post that is good enough for mefi, regardless of the subject matter. If all new users were uniformly good at making posts, I don't exactly see where the problem lies.

Again, I'm going with this idea because I think we've all forgotten about how interesting links really make this place run. I know most new users just want to shoot the shit in comments, but adding a thousand new members to discussions already crowded with hundreds of posts isn't going to shed light on issues, as there are diminishing returns on discussions.

By: fuzz

fuzz — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 15:21:17 -0800

Thanks Matt, that's the way I was hoping you saw it.

By: hama7

hama7 — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 15:22:12 -0800

Not sure who deserves the righty ones. hama7?

I'd like to think my front page posts aren't of any particular slant, but rather interesting things I've found on the web. On the other hand, comments can be, and often are, another matter.

I appreciate the nominations, but my *timeistight* lately, and I probably couldn't devote a sufficient amount of time to such an extensive project. Be that as it may, many thanks again, however, in any case, and so forth and so on.

i am of the firm belief that 111 is actually another users alter ego .

He's not.

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 15:59:38 -0800

hes not

care to shed any more light on that statement ?

i mean , it pretty much clears most things up for me but i could do with something a wee bit more comprehensive.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 16:09:56 -0800

I call bullshit on your pissy little snark.

Yeah, well, I call "Fuck off" on your attempt to categorize it as a "pissy little snark." It wasn't a snark, just a statement of fact.

"Call bullshit" on someone who gives a damn about you and your 'tude, why dontcha? If you didn't live to make snarky comments like that, y6, I might take you seriously when you do.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 19:26:55 -0800

hama7 and 111 in steamy hot...? never mind...

By: specialk420

specialk420 — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 00:37:52 -0800

as self acknowledged member of the black sheep ... one might ask: when will the all too needed herd thinning follow?

By: feelinglistless

feelinglistless — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 06:08:13 -0800

Looking at my last post and my posting history, I'm wondering if, by these rules, I would have got posting rights ever. Looking back over my own posts certain themes occur and I'm stunned at how often I've posted something about the BBC or an obituary. I thought I was quite good at this stuff. But my first post was a double post.

I suppose what I'm asking is, will people be able to post as often as they like until they create that magic post or will they be rejected straight away, and that's it?

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 06:51:10 -0800

I'd agree with clavdivs, Languagehat, and everyone else who has called for more non-USian members and more women :

I think members who fit this criteria will lend Metafilter an authority far beyond the actual number of such additions for a whole range of reasons including the fact that the current USian predominance of members inevitably means that -- as much as we might try to avoid it -- posts and discussion tend to flow along certain lines.

Also, on screening new members for their talents - why not? It's unfair, sure. So is life. It would be nice to raise the overall standard a bit. Metafilter has runs of fantastic posts, sure. But then there are stretches - often when the core of career posters who contribute a significant percentage of the material for Metafilter get tired and take a breather - when quality flags. And all of the high volume contributors of the site have already been through the initial enfante terrible stage. They've been toilet trained, in other words (more or less - and with occasional messes too). But why not pick new members who will be more judicious -or at least less prolifically messy- from the 'git go?

Some more right-wing and iconoclastically minded members would be great to have - as the drooling packs of leftwing Mefilter zombies have eaten up or sent fleeing in terror and disgust all but a few of Metafilter's especially untasty and indigestible right-wing commentators. Thick skins would be a plus.

I wouldn't mind taking a turn doing screening, but as I don't know the secret handshake and password for admittance to the inner circle, I'll forget that I made this offer and deal with the potential headaches if I'm tapped.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 07:42:10 -0800

MetaFilter: drooling packs of leftwing zombies!
Coming soon to a theater near you...

Personally, I think troutfishing would make an excellent screener. It's rare to find someone who genuinely appreciates well-stated opposing views.

By: kenaman

kenaman — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 08:05:21 -0800

Have not have time to read all the comments, but it seems that people are really anxious decide who gains entry.
If metafilter were the world and gaining entry to it birth and proposed entrants pregnancies, then you people would be volunteering for jobs at the abortion clinic, or at least the test-tube baby farm.

All replys should be within the broad terms of my metaphor.

For the record and to save those interested a click I have yet to make a FPP (waiting for the perfect one) but read every day and when interested comment.

By: iconomy

iconomy — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 08:20:51 -0800

Um...no, kenaman. Mathowie asked for help. Reread the first comment in the thread.

What's with the 'you people are just like abortionists' comment from you, and the "inner circle" and "cool people" comments from you other guys?

Mathowie, the guy that runs this site, asked for help. Some of us offered to help. What the hell?

Notice how he said he would email the people he trusted most? I didn't get an email. I guess I'm not as cool and as inner circle as I thought I was. I don't know how I can go on. I'm going to have to burn all of my "I'm cooler and more inner circle on Metafilter than you are" t-shirts. Crap.

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 08:28:03 -0800

thats cause your computers filthy , iconomy.

By: kenaman

kenaman — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 08:34:47 -0800

iconomy - No offence meant to anyone by the metaphor, it started as the world and the clinic part just seemed to fit.

I was simply trying to be provocative as I am not very keen on people judging other people's worthiness.

By: taz

taz — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:36:26 -0800

"3-4 people could...weed out the double posts..."

lather. rinse. repeat. It's really absolutely no wonder Matt was reluctant to do this. My God.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:42:38 -0800

hi iconomy!

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:43:26 -0800

troutfishing - seconded by me.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:53:51 -0800

I haven't sent emails out yet. But seriously, for the thousandth, millionth, billionth time, I wanted a few people that read the site more than I do, to help me find double-posts, AND THAT'S IT.

There's no screening, there is no moderation, there are no content questions. Just double posts.

I'd open the potential posts/members feed to everyone if I thought it would help, but as this thread can attest, it's pretty easy for people to misinterpret things, which is why I'd rather keep it to a small group of super readers and searchers to help weed out the pile.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 11:27:40 -0800

damn, matt...I guess these are out of the question then, huh?

By: rushmc

rushmc — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 11:40:24 -0800

There's no screening, there is no moderation, there are no content questions. Just double posts.

Seems pretty straightforward to me...what's the problem, people?

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 11:51:04 -0800

rushmc agrees with mathowie!

:: starts gluing everything to the ground for the inevitable loss of gravity as the world stops turning ::

By: JanetLand

JanetLand — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 12:23:37 -0800

Excuse me, am I in the right place? I was told there would be screening for vibrating ponies here . . . .

By: specialk420

specialk420 — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 12:24:16 -0800

i nominate shepd.

:)

By: Lynsey

Lynsey — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 14:12:16 -0800

I would love to help, let me know if you'd like me to, Matt.

By: zaelic

zaelic — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 14:41:07 -0800

Council of Elders? Protocols? Oy vey! I just want to be sure that talking Gray Parrots can get in...

By: rushmc

rushmc — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 15:58:33 -0800

rushmc agrees with mathowie!

Hey! Flag on the play! Over the past three years, I've agreed with mathowie approximately 85% of the time, so don't feed the myth.

By: Orange Goblin

Orange Goblin — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 16:29:28 -0800

So has the intake already started?

By: hama7

hama7 — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 16:37:40 -0800

i could do with something a wee bit more comprehensive.

I can't really help you, but this is a perplexing coincidence.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 17:20:44 -0800

"So has the intake already started?"

Orange Goblin, that's just a red herring.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 22:54:37 -0800

mathowie - Sure, it's your website. But aren't you shifting the bar - from a double criteria ( no double posts + high quality, high uniqueness index posts ) "I could use help on finding double posts or things seen everywhere else. I'd like the links that get through to be well-written and linking to new faraway interesting places, not whatever's on BoingBoing or Blogdex or a thousand other blogs." to the single criteria of "no double posts" ?.

I think this might be why people (including myself) became caught up in enthusiastically suggesting qualitative and ( perhaps a stretch ) identity criteria for potential new members.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 23:28:15 -0800

Red herring, post in jaws, makes his way through the thick MeFi underbrush, en route to final glory.

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 02:19:54 -0800

trout, I don't think that is what he's saying.

"...the plan. I'm going to let prospective new users submit a post, and if accepted, they'll get a link to signup emailed to them, and once completed their post will be posted. I have no idea how many people are going to submit links, but I could use help on finding double posts or things seen everywhere else. I'd like the links that get through to be well-written and linking to new faraway interesting places, not whatever's on BoingBoing or Blogdex or a thousand other blogs."

That says to me, that Matt will still be judging on quality ['high uniqueness index'], after his team of little helpers have sorted for duplication...[and made other cmments, no doubt, considering the ability we all seem to have in expanding our brief...]

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 11:24:32 -0800

dash_slot - Ok. Anyway, I'm sure it will work out fine however it's done. I was wondering about the purview of the job because - after offering my time - the thought occured to me that I had just pranced up and volunteered for something which might prove incredibly tedious. Oh well - I'll paint Huck Finn's fence if need be - the tedium of running the site should be shared, I think. I'm not especially worried about being tapped though, as I suspect (based on very little actual evidence) that Matt considers me a loose cannon or a flake. And maybe I am......but I'm an attractive flake, and not sugarcoated at all.. By the way, thanks for the vote. I felt picqued before anyone nominated me for the thankless task. Oy, I tap my fingers to the bone for Metafilter and why? But don't worry about me, I'll just gnaw at my moldy crumbs of scant recognition in the dark...maybe one day I'll be as big as Harvey Pekar, but I'll be ten feet under by then - and whose fault will that be?....*whacks head with cartoonish oversized hammer, snaps out of jewish grandmotherly guilting jag and back to consensus reality*

(meanwhile...) - Go Red Herring! Go!

By: dg

dg — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 14:45:41 -0800

most people would be good at this, as long as they have an open mind, and respect different styles and formats of posts, and different underlying beliefs and interests.
I assume this was tongue in cheek? Otherwise, we may need to look to a different community for the members of the cabal™.

Good to see you around again iconomy

By: tr33hggr

tr33hggr — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 15:47:02 -0800

iconomy - sorry, I was serious. I meant what I said there; these threads remind me of that fact, that's all.

By: kaibutsu

kaibutsu — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 16:49:17 -0800

As a member of the cabal, I can tell you with some certainty that the cabal does not exist.

By: soyjoy

soyjoy — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 19:28:49 -0800

The Metafilter community contemplates Matt's latest post, but can't quite agree on what it means they should do.

By: dg

dg — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 20:11:12 -0800

So, you are saying that mathowie is really just a naughty boy?

By: wendell

wendell — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 21:37:21 -0800

Hey, I like the cabal. Especially BBC America, Food Network, TV Land and Cartoon Network...
Although I wouldn't mind getting the sat-elite...

By: timeistight

timeistight — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 22:01:25 -0800

Looks like redherring made it.

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 22:34:02 -0800

Thanks very much, Gen, for your kind nomination. I don't post as much as I used to, but I still read the site (in spurts, when I can squeeze it in...one downside to doing more stuff IRL is that I have less time for the blue....and I missed most of this thread till now due to a tryptophan haze.)

Of course I'd be more than happy to help if asked.

By: riffola

riffola — Sun, 30 Nov 2003 22:41:42 -0800

Today's December 1st, hence is MeFi going to Link & Think or DWW? If so it might be harder to implement the new scheme today.

P.S: Thanks gen, Miguel, and jpoulus.

By: kindall

kindall — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 09:04:11 -0800

Rock the cabal.

By: anathema

anathema — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 09:14:41 -0800

So, who the hell is on the panel?

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 11:42:52 -0800

Maybe they should operate in anonymity, as did the upper echelons of the chinese communist party when they exercised power or chose a new chairman.

Or, after their reign of pseudoglory has ended, we could make of sacrifice of them, immolating them in a giant wicker cage like the ancient celts used to do (or as in that most groovy 1972 horror flick, "The Wicker man")

Or maybe they should each get a small box of complimentary breath mints.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 11:49:56 -0800

No, no, Matt should emulate Joe Stalin and when each panel has served its purpose, arrest all of them, torture them savagely, and put them on trial to confess that they were agents of Plastic.com and/or Fark all along. Then shoot them and install a new panel. Fun for all! Well, for the rest of us, anyway. And Matt. Matt deserves fun!

By: timeistight

timeistight — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 12:07:27 -0800

It sure sounds like fun!

Is it too late to withdraw my offer? I got really busy all of a sudden.

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 12:36:43 -0800

:: suffers quietly as he realizes that it's Monday and he is NOT part of the cabal ::

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 12:59:19 -0800

Those who talk don't know....those who know don't talk!....

I've never knowingly met a cabal member, but they are sworn to keep a strict secrecy regarding their position - like the highest level of the Masonic order. However, I have heard rumors of weird rites and pranks not unlike those at the Skull and Bones*

*such as the incident involving the mysterious theft of Norbert Weiner's body, later recovered after being found wrapped in an enormous hot-dog bun, in a little used MIT lab room.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 13:55:39 -0800

*keeps silent*

By: timeistight

timeistight — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 14:05:00 -0800

*blabbers cluelessly*

By: amberglow

amberglow — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 14:39:57 -0800

*kicks the ground and mutters about not wanting to be part of any stupid cabal anyway*

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 16:02:16 -0800

*dances*

MetaFilter: Making the Simple, Complicated.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 19:26:17 -0800

So when do we meet the new recruits - through their brilliant and energetic first postings?

By: Frasermoo

Frasermoo — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 01:01:56 -0800

To make life easier, I don't want to be on the panel. Just letting you know.

So when's the fresh meat (and maybe vegetables) arriving?

By: languagehat

languagehat — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 08:25:51 -0800

I think they should be required to show up first in this thread and receive their ritual hazing.
*fills turkey baster with "special sauce"*

By: widdershins

widdershins — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 09:39:54 -0800

I seem to remember soyjoy fessing up to reading all FPPs religiously, so I'd nominate him as a good double post catcher. Amberglow too. And quonsar, since he comments in 90% of them (so he must read them. right?).

But what do I know? My first (and only) post was a dupe. *sobs violently*

By: soyjoy

soyjoy — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 09:45:33 -0800

Thanks, widdershins, but the reason I have to go all the way back and work my way through the posts is that I often go for a long time without being able to come and check things out, so I'd probably be a poor candidate. I only make it here in spurts.

Spurts? Was that you, languagehat?

By: soyjoy

soyjoy — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 09:47:33 -0800

Hmmmm. I guess that last post would've been more credible if I'd waited an hour or two before replying. But no, really, I just happened to be checking out this thread - like everyone else, trying to get the answer, Has this happened yet? And what's it gonna be like?

By: anathema

anathema — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 10:25:27 -0800

WHAT.
THE.
FUCK.
MATT.

C'mon man, what's going on?

By: joaquim

joaquim — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 10:52:12 -0800

You think YOU guys are disappointed about not being on the panel? I get back after a long Thanksgiving weekend and it's all over but the bruised egos. (I'm not really disappointed -- I'm hoping for an influx of non-newsfilter posts. Run, Matt, run!)

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 11:33:30 -0800

All the posts were doubles. The panel has recommended that all applicants be shot, then the bodies hanged and shot again, and the heads placed on pikes on the outer walls as a warning to future applicants.

Thank you for your inquiry.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:41:07 -0800

MetaFilter: I only make it here in spurts.

shudder

[quits dancing, goes on a hard drinking binge]

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:56:30 -0800

(so he must read them. right?).

That's strictly on a need to know basis.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 14:37:24 -0800

quick update: I'm still working on the programming, a couple major projects poppped up at work that I had to put in front of this during the holiday weekend.

By: anathema

anathema — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 14:49:40 -0800

Well, I guess that's ok so long as they popped up with the force of three pees. Surely better than if they had "poped" up. Shudder to think.

By: anathema

anathema — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 14:50:53 -0800

Does that mean that the panel has not yet been chosen?

By: anathema

anathema — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 14:53:55 -0800

Just admit it, Matt. You could not stop taking pictures of your cat with that new camera.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 15:54:27 -0800

That's a very soothing picture - unless you're a rodent.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:58:25 -0800

Two hundred.

w00t.

By: joedan

joedan — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 02:50:23 -0800

wow.

all of this makes me happy that i didn't just say "aw fuck it" when i didn't get in the first time...