The new anonymous questions can easily make Ask Metafilter NSFW. October 14, 2004 7:10 AM Subscribe
The new anonymous questions can easily make Ask Metafilter NSFW. For example, this question is pretty tame, but I wouldn't want it on my screen for others to read. Is there any solution to this?
Scrolling doesn't do jack shit if you're at a company who employs a Carnivore-like keyword scanning system to supervise Net access and hand down judgements accordingly. I don't; many do.
This same issue occurred to me yesterday, when I realized that there's no way for an anonymous user to pull a "More Inside", wherein potentially volatile content can be tucked away.
posted by Danelope at 8:28 AM on October 14, 2004
This same issue occurred to me yesterday, when I realized that there's no way for an anonymous user to pull a "More Inside", wherein potentially volatile content can be tucked away.
posted by Danelope at 8:28 AM on October 14, 2004
I think we're reaching the limits of what Matt can reasonably be expected to do to allow people unfettered access to MetaFilter from work. Ultimately, people have to make a choice about whether they feel comfortable visiting the site from their workplace and the possible repercussions of that choice.
If someone wants to invent some kind of filtered version of the site that parses out all potentially job-threatening language, great, here's the AskMetafilter XML feed, have at it. But aren't you still running the risk of getting fired for visiting non-work related sites on company time?
posted by filmgoerjuan at 8:58 AM on October 14, 2004
If someone wants to invent some kind of filtered version of the site that parses out all potentially job-threatening language, great, here's the AskMetafilter XML feed, have at it. But aren't you still running the risk of getting fired for visiting non-work related sites on company time?
posted by filmgoerjuan at 8:58 AM on October 14, 2004
I think the only solution for now, is to not visit Ask MetaFilter at work.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 8:59 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 8:59 AM on October 14, 2004
On Preview: What filmgoerjuan said.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 8:59 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 8:59 AM on October 14, 2004
One of the current problems with anon posting is the ability to reply to needed questions within the posts. I know Matt said he's going to create the ability for anon commenting. Now that I think about it, maybe anon commenting should be relegated to the user who posted the original anon thread to ensure that somebody else doesn't mess around inside of posts.
posted by jmd82 at 9:06 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by jmd82 at 9:06 AM on October 14, 2004
anonymous comments could be credited to a nonreversible hash of the poster's username. With a per-thread salt or something to make it harder to connect it up across threads. Or something. Basically a consistent per-thread pseudonymity instead of outright anonymity, to prevent people from mucking around with shit.
posted by kenko at 9:19 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by kenko at 9:19 AM on October 14, 2004
Yes, but I think the anonymous commenting feature is intended so that both posters and commenters can respond to a sensitive question that they don't necessarily want associated with their username. While I admire the lack of inhibitions that most people responding to the sex/relationship questions have shown, I can certainly understand that there are users out there who have a useful contribution to make but want to remain as anonymous as the person posing the question in the first place.
As for kenko's concern, I would assume that mathowie is going to screen anonymous comments as well before they get added to a thread. I think having a zero tolerance policy for anonymous posts/anonymous comments would be a good thing (i.e. submit a deliberately asinine anonymous post/comment and lose the ability to submit anonymous posts/comments on the site).
posted by filmgoerjuan at 9:23 AM on October 14, 2004
As for kenko's concern, I would assume that mathowie is going to screen anonymous comments as well before they get added to a thread. I think having a zero tolerance policy for anonymous posts/anonymous comments would be a good thing (i.e. submit a deliberately asinine anonymous post/comment and lose the ability to submit anonymous posts/comments on the site).
posted by filmgoerjuan at 9:23 AM on October 14, 2004
smack: Does your job require that you have net access for research purposes? If so, then your employer should have no problem with MeFi or any of its auxiliary pages.
If not, then you shouldn't be on MeFi at work. Period.
No sympathy here for your plight. Now, get back to work!
;-P
posted by mischief at 9:41 AM on October 14, 2004
If not, then you shouldn't be on MeFi at work. Period.
No sympathy here for your plight. Now, get back to work!
;-P
posted by mischief at 9:41 AM on October 14, 2004
I dont see what the big deal is. It seems the solution would be for the 'Ask a Question' page to have two boxes: One for the question and another for More Inside.
And jaded, why don't you just scroll past this Metatalk question next time?
posted by vacapinta at 9:53 AM on October 14, 2004
And jaded, why don't you just scroll past this Metatalk question next time?
posted by vacapinta at 9:53 AM on October 14, 2004
Filmgoerjuan, that would create a lot of work for ol' #1. Plus, in order to make sure that anonymous comment n, purporting to answer questions raised about anonymous comment m (or the anonymous post) is really by the same person, he'd have to remember who posted what anonymous post or comment ... much more work, and I don't see how it could feasibly be done without associating comments to usernames in the db, which is not to be desired.
posted by kenko at 10:06 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by kenko at 10:06 AM on October 14, 2004
I'm adding the feature to allow "more inside" posts to anon questions (and all questions, actually), so this should alleviate the problem.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:11 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:11 AM on October 14, 2004
With only 20k users, any simple hash of the username would be trival to break. You could ofcourse stir in a secret, but all in all it'd be needless complexity: Anonymous identities need only be preserved within a single thread. So followups by the question poster could be labelled as such and the first person to post an anonymous reply in the thread would be called "anonymous replier 1" for the rest of the thread. This could all be done in the thread display code, and would only need a single "this comment/post is anonymous" flag in the database.
Alternatively, Matt could make a system where we all get to pick a single pseudonym to use anonymously on AskMeFi (like we all signed up for a separate user if signups were still open, only with there being a (non-public) link between the usernames to prevent abuse).
A drawback of this system would be that after enough comments and posts by a single pseudonym people might be able to guess who they are, if not by the facts they describe then by the writing style.
posted by fvw at 10:49 AM on October 14, 2004
Alternatively, Matt could make a system where we all get to pick a single pseudonym to use anonymously on AskMeFi (like we all signed up for a separate user if signups were still open, only with there being a (non-public) link between the usernames to prevent abuse).
A drawback of this system would be that after enough comments and posts by a single pseudonym people might be able to guess who they are, if not by the facts they describe then by the writing style.
posted by fvw at 10:49 AM on October 14, 2004
Oh, duh. Numbering the anonymous identities within a thread is a much better idea.
posted by kenko at 11:39 AM on October 14, 2004
posted by kenko at 11:39 AM on October 14, 2004
If that thread doesn't pass muster at work, how do read the rest of the site, where asshat, fuckwit and links to goatse abound?
posted by me3dia at 12:25 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by me3dia at 12:25 PM on October 14, 2004
Metafilter: where asshat, fuckwit and links to goatse abound
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:15 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:15 PM on October 14, 2004
i'm tired of having to worry about people's workplaces. get some balls and fight back / move jobs / get things changed. stop telling me what to do because you work at a shit place. this is the internet - i was here before your crap company.
posted by andrew cooke at 1:28 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by andrew cooke at 1:28 PM on October 14, 2004
Alternatively, Matt could make a system where we all get to pick a single pseudonym to use anonymously on AskMeFi
Numbering the anonymous identities within a thread is a much better idea.
This is opening a huge can of worms. I don't think anonymous comments are necessary at all. There's a reason Matt has resisted all the convoluted suggestions that people have made about all the Mefi sites over the years--the sites work because they're simple and straightforward, without a lot of rules (or even "features") to complicate things.
IMO, AskMe should be left well enough alone.
I also don't see why anonymous questions make AskMe more NSFW than any other questions--especially since Matt is monitoring the anonymous ones.
posted by jpoulos at 1:47 PM on October 14, 2004
Numbering the anonymous identities within a thread is a much better idea.
This is opening a huge can of worms. I don't think anonymous comments are necessary at all. There's a reason Matt has resisted all the convoluted suggestions that people have made about all the Mefi sites over the years--the sites work because they're simple and straightforward, without a lot of rules (or even "features") to complicate things.
IMO, AskMe should be left well enough alone.
I also don't see why anonymous questions make AskMe more NSFW than any other questions--especially since Matt is monitoring the anonymous ones.
posted by jpoulos at 1:47 PM on October 14, 2004
Clearly a fourth sub-site is needed:
ScrewMe (AKA The Pink), for all your sex-related questions.
posted by darukaru at 1:57 PM on October 14, 2004
ScrewMe (AKA The Pink), for all your sex-related questions.
posted by darukaru at 1:57 PM on October 14, 2004
I think we're reaching the limits of what Matt can reasonably be expected to do to allow people unfettered access to MetaFilter from work.
You said it. If you insist on working at some draconian shithole that will bring serious repercussions to bear if you surf at work, yet somehow still can't manage to avoid reading MeFi at your desk, and, furthermore, think that the community needs to excise its content to accommodate your incongruous little strategy, then... well, maybe you should be fired and banned.
Just kidding, 'course, but in all honesty, the solution is relaxing one of the 3 above requirements.
[darukaru made me laugh]
posted by scarabic at 2:02 PM on October 14, 2004
You said it. If you insist on working at some draconian shithole that will bring serious repercussions to bear if you surf at work, yet somehow still can't manage to avoid reading MeFi at your desk, and, furthermore, think that the community needs to excise its content to accommodate your incongruous little strategy, then... well, maybe you should be fired and banned.
Just kidding, 'course, but in all honesty, the solution is relaxing one of the 3 above requirements.
[darukaru made me laugh]
posted by scarabic at 2:02 PM on October 14, 2004
I'll second andrew cooke. If you're at all worried about your work surfing either stop it or get a proper job where you get credit for the results of your work rather than what you do every second of the day.
OK, so full screen goatse isn't on, but gurlz asking about the pleasures in the lady garden shouldn't be a problem.
posted by i_cola at 2:30 PM on October 14, 2004
OK, so full screen goatse isn't on, but gurlz asking about the pleasures in the lady garden shouldn't be a problem.
posted by i_cola at 2:30 PM on October 14, 2004
SCROLL PAST YOUR COMPUTER AND GO OUTSIDE.
posted by SpaceCadet at 3:05 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by SpaceCadet at 3:05 PM on October 14, 2004
You're welcome. I reigned myself in and didn't quote any of the really juicy stuff about O'Reilly in my fpp last night. It was incredibly tempting, but I had to think of the children.
posted by The God Complex at 3:16 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by The God Complex at 3:16 PM on October 14, 2004
I don't think anonymous comments are necessary at all.
SECONDED.
Also, I must admit that I am constantly amused by people's insatiable desire to display their personal sexual and relationship peccadillos for the world to see (even under the veil of anonymity), asking, desperately "Am I normal? *sob*" and "What should I do? *whimper*"
Call me an empathy-bereft sociopath if you like (hell, it's been done before), but I think this sort of caring and sharing and white ball of healing light stuff can go a wee bit far. What ever happened to knowing who you are and what you want and the hell with the monkeymass?
Oh, right, most people never said that. Sorry. Projecting again.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:12 PM on October 14, 2004
SECONDED.
Also, I must admit that I am constantly amused by people's insatiable desire to display their personal sexual and relationship peccadillos for the world to see (even under the veil of anonymity), asking, desperately "Am I normal? *sob*" and "What should I do? *whimper*"
Call me an empathy-bereft sociopath if you like (hell, it's been done before), but I think this sort of caring and sharing and white ball of healing light stuff can go a wee bit far. What ever happened to knowing who you are and what you want and the hell with the monkeymass?
Oh, right, most people never said that. Sorry. Projecting again.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:12 PM on October 14, 2004
Coming from the guy who plaintively queried the MeFi community about its testicle blowdrying habits, all I can say is only connect, wonderchickenman, only connect.
posted by onlyconnect at 4:28 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by onlyconnect at 4:28 PM on October 14, 2004
Add me to those asking people to take responsibility for their own choices (as I've argued in the past). Metafilter is R-rated (at least). If it is not appropriate to view an R-rated site at your workplace, then surf elsewhere during work hours.
As for anonymity, remember that we were all anonymous when we first joined Metafilter...those who have relinquished some or all of that anonymity have done so by their own choice. I am opposed to all additional levels of anonymity, as I really don't care to hear about your various crotch infections and self-centered moping when you get dumped.
posted by rushmc at 4:34 PM on October 14, 2004
As for anonymity, remember that we were all anonymous when we first joined Metafilter...those who have relinquished some or all of that anonymity have done so by their own choice. I am opposed to all additional levels of anonymity, as I really don't care to hear about your various crotch infections and self-centered moping when you get dumped.
posted by rushmc at 4:34 PM on October 14, 2004
Call me an empathy-bereft sociopath if you like (hell, it's been done before), but I think this sort of caring and sharing and white ball of healing light stuff can go a wee bit far. What ever happened to knowing who you are and what you want and the hell with the monkeymass?
Well, in response to the make-me-stop-watching-porn-through-liberal-guilt question I responded with what I thought was a pretty fair response: Who says liberals don't like porn?
Of course it was deleted because even stupidly loaded questions apparently can't be disagreed with on any grounds, so whatever. I don't really use Ask Me anyway, since half my comments end up being "disappeared". So, ya know, it's probably better off without us naysayers, because I'd pretty much suggest what you just did every time it came up if I hung around there too often.
posted by The God Complex at 4:38 PM on October 14, 2004
Well, in response to the make-me-stop-watching-porn-through-liberal-guilt question I responded with what I thought was a pretty fair response: Who says liberals don't like porn?
Of course it was deleted because even stupidly loaded questions apparently can't be disagreed with on any grounds, so whatever. I don't really use Ask Me anyway, since half my comments end up being "disappeared". So, ya know, it's probably better off without us naysayers, because I'd pretty much suggest what you just did every time it came up if I hung around there too often.
posted by The God Complex at 4:38 PM on October 14, 2004
Coming from the guy who plaintively queried the MeFi community about its testicle blowdrying habits, all I can say is only connect, wonderchickenman, only connect.
Hey, it wasn't about me blowdrying my balls, and worrying that I was.... (dun duun dunnnnn) different. It was mere curiosity about whether, as I so often suspect, Korean folks are actually from another planet. I don't think 'plaintively' means what you think it means.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:45 PM on October 14, 2004
Hey, it wasn't about me blowdrying my balls, and worrying that I was.... (dun duun dunnnnn) different. It was mere curiosity about whether, as I so often suspect, Korean folks are actually from another planet. I don't think 'plaintively' means what you think it means.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:45 PM on October 14, 2004
rushmc, then for bob's sake why on earth do you keep commenting in those threads? Like stavros, you seem to be saying one thing and doing another.
posted by onlyconnect at 4:45 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by onlyconnect at 4:45 PM on October 14, 2004
That said, I love the AskMe, and I'm all for people helping people and all that good stuff. I just get a little squinchy when it's about relationships and sex0ring and such. It is a fundamental truism, at least in my world, that each and every relationship is different.
You know, a unique snowflake, alla that. And it's not as if there's a dearth of information available in these self-obsessed, media-saturated times, about this sort of thing.
Which militates against the very idea of AskMe, perhaps, so maybe I'm just being a rugged individualist crank again. Morning coffee ahoy!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:50 PM on October 14, 2004
You know, a unique snowflake, alla that. And it's not as if there's a dearth of information available in these self-obsessed, media-saturated times, about this sort of thing.
Which militates against the very idea of AskMe, perhaps, so maybe I'm just being a rugged individualist crank again. Morning coffee ahoy!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:50 PM on October 14, 2004
Is there any solution to this?
Yea... get rid of anonymous everything. I think posting questions anonymously is a dumb idea... for Metafilter. If you have a question that you would rather not have connected to your username, then perhaps you should go somewhere else for advice. Why does AskMe have to be able to cover every basis for a every potential "question"?
If your hard drive clicks, AskMe. If your dick is sore or your pussy stinks, AskSomeoneElse.
posted by Witty at 5:06 PM on October 14, 2004
Yea... get rid of anonymous everything. I think posting questions anonymously is a dumb idea... for Metafilter. If you have a question that you would rather not have connected to your username, then perhaps you should go somewhere else for advice. Why does AskMe have to be able to cover every basis for a every potential "question"?
If your hard drive clicks, AskMe. If your dick is sore or your pussy stinks, AskSomeoneElse.
posted by Witty at 5:06 PM on October 14, 2004
I just get a little squinchy when it's about relationships and sex0ring and such.
Maybe sex and relationship AskMe questions should be pay-per-post and pay-per-comment when posted anonymously and pay-per-view for all. That would handle the too sexy for work situation and generate revenue for Matt at the same time.
posted by y2karl at 5:16 PM on October 14, 2004
Maybe sex and relationship AskMe questions should be pay-per-post and pay-per-comment when posted anonymously and pay-per-view for all. That would handle the too sexy for work situation and generate revenue for Matt at the same time.
posted by y2karl at 5:16 PM on October 14, 2004
I would call this tone plaintive, stavros: "I'm... disconcerted by the habit of many of the men in the change room, once they get out of the shower, to fling one foot up on the counter in front of the mirror, nude, and use the blow dryer on their dangly bits. I use that thing on my head, before I go back to work." You sound complaining and somewhat woeful, though I will concede that it is not about your own behavior, but about the behavior of those around you.
I still think it's poor form for you to use AskMe for very personal questions, and then begrudge the medium to others when they do the same in a tone that doesn't meet with your approval. As others have said, I am much more interested in the social questions than in the ones about computer hardware and digital cameras, and I'd like to see them continue. But your last comment adds a bit of perspective, so I'll stop now.
Witty, gee, I must have missed those questions. But I have enjoyed the anonymous AskMe questions, and I disagree with your cramped definition of what AskMe should be.
posted by onlyconnect at 5:19 PM on October 14, 2004
I still think it's poor form for you to use AskMe for very personal questions, and then begrudge the medium to others when they do the same in a tone that doesn't meet with your approval. As others have said, I am much more interested in the social questions than in the ones about computer hardware and digital cameras, and I'd like to see them continue. But your last comment adds a bit of perspective, so I'll stop now.
Witty, gee, I must have missed those questions. But I have enjoyed the anonymous AskMe questions, and I disagree with your cramped definition of what AskMe should be.
posted by onlyconnect at 5:19 PM on October 14, 2004
I still think it's poor form for you to use AskMe for very personal questions
Fair enough, but I still don't see how my question was personal. Just using the word 'testicles' doesn't make it so, does it?
Hell, I was joking around in that post, and I thought people would get a laugh out of the question, as it seemed many did. If the humour in my tone didn't come across, that's my fault. But I submit that there's a gulf deep and wide between the nature of that post of mine you mention (which was a 'sit abound with a few pals with a beer and tell a funny story and ask what they think', at least in my mind) and the kinds of questions that I think we're talking about.
I'm not suggesting they be banned (or have toll charges applied, although y2karl's idea isn't a bad one), of course. I'm just saying they make chuckle (in a hopefully avuncular way), and make me want to suggest to the questioners that they just sit down and have a good think. Which I don't do, of course. As so many suggest, I just scroll on past.
But your last comment adds a bit of perspective, so I'll stop now.
OK. Me too. But no promises...
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:34 PM on October 14, 2004
Fair enough, but I still don't see how my question was personal. Just using the word 'testicles' doesn't make it so, does it?
Hell, I was joking around in that post, and I thought people would get a laugh out of the question, as it seemed many did. If the humour in my tone didn't come across, that's my fault. But I submit that there's a gulf deep and wide between the nature of that post of mine you mention (which was a 'sit abound with a few pals with a beer and tell a funny story and ask what they think', at least in my mind) and the kinds of questions that I think we're talking about.
I'm not suggesting they be banned (or have toll charges applied, although y2karl's idea isn't a bad one), of course. I'm just saying they make chuckle (in a hopefully avuncular way), and make me want to suggest to the questioners that they just sit down and have a good think. Which I don't do, of course. As so many suggest, I just scroll on past.
But your last comment adds a bit of perspective, so I'll stop now.
OK. Me too. But no promises...
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:34 PM on October 14, 2004
(To clarify, in case anyone thinks I was gaming the AskMe : when I say I was joking around, I mean that it was a serious question in the sense that it was true, and I was curious about the answer, but that I tried to present it in a jocular, amusing way.)
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:36 PM on October 14, 2004
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:36 PM on October 14, 2004
Call me an empathy-bereft sociopath if you like
HArdly, but I will call you a white male hetero over 30. I'm guessing there, of course, but it's a pretty secure place to be. Maybe you're not nervous about any of your tastes / urges / habits. That's cool. People do over-obsess and what have you, but give 'em a break. Perhaps the worst that will happen is they'll actually find out how normal they *are.* That sounds like it would be an improvement in your book, right?
Besides, I'm sure you have a group of friends / family who know where your blog is and know what your MeFi handle is and drop in to see what you're saying. Isn't there anything you might want to talk about that maybe those people don't all know?
posted by scarabic at 6:07 PM on October 14, 2004
HArdly, but I will call you a white male hetero over 30. I'm guessing there, of course, but it's a pretty secure place to be. Maybe you're not nervous about any of your tastes / urges / habits. That's cool. People do over-obsess and what have you, but give 'em a break. Perhaps the worst that will happen is they'll actually find out how normal they *are.* That sounds like it would be an improvement in your book, right?
Besides, I'm sure you have a group of friends / family who know where your blog is and know what your MeFi handle is and drop in to see what you're saying. Isn't there anything you might want to talk about that maybe those people don't all know?
posted by scarabic at 6:07 PM on October 14, 2004
Why not do an AxMe about this:
(meta)Filtering stuff at work:
I'd like to tame the content of webpages automatically at home so that work filters don't fire me or prevent me from accessing pages. Could you reccomend a proxy that will automatically delete vulgarities from pages, and possible also strip pictures not from the same host as the site?
I'd say something like NetNanny would do it, but I don't know if it sets up a proxy or not.
posted by shepd at 6:11 PM on October 14, 2004
(meta)Filtering stuff at work:
I'd like to tame the content of webpages automatically at home so that work filters don't fire me or prevent me from accessing pages. Could you reccomend a proxy that will automatically delete vulgarities from pages, and possible also strip pictures not from the same host as the site?
I'd say something like NetNanny would do it, but I don't know if it sets up a proxy or not.
posted by shepd at 6:11 PM on October 14, 2004
"as I so often suspect, Korean folks are actually from another planet"
Wouldn't that just shoot intelligent design straight to hell?! heheh
posted by mischief at 6:44 PM on October 14, 2004
Wouldn't that just shoot intelligent design straight to hell?! heheh
posted by mischief at 6:44 PM on October 14, 2004
If your hard drive clicks, AskMe. If your dick is sore or your pussy stinks, AskSomeoneElse.
Fuckin' eh! I hate the AskAnon.
I am especially hating the anonymous questions that need not be anonymous, like the body hair one. WTF? First, that was a damnably stupid question; second, there was no need for that to be anonymous. Everyfuckinghuman has body hair, so wtf is all the shame about? Geezus.
I am also hating the crapflood of questions being asked. For godsakes, people, we can't deal with fifty low-quality questions a day, especially when the damn page only shows a dozen or two at a time. Geezusx2.
AskMe had a lot of potential for being really great. Now I think it has a lot of potential for being nigh useless. I'm guessing it disappears from my browsing list within the month.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:48 PM on October 14, 2004
Fuckin' eh! I hate the AskAnon.
I am especially hating the anonymous questions that need not be anonymous, like the body hair one. WTF? First, that was a damnably stupid question; second, there was no need for that to be anonymous. Everyfuckinghuman has body hair, so wtf is all the shame about? Geezus.
I am also hating the crapflood of questions being asked. For godsakes, people, we can't deal with fifty low-quality questions a day, especially when the damn page only shows a dozen or two at a time. Geezusx2.
AskMe had a lot of potential for being really great. Now I think it has a lot of potential for being nigh useless. I'm guessing it disappears from my browsing list within the month.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:48 PM on October 14, 2004
Yowch, such rage. So far I still like Ask MeFi, anonymous questions and all.
posted by fvw at 12:00 AM on October 15, 2004
posted by fvw at 12:00 AM on October 15, 2004
Gee, folks are getting so emotional about this. It must be something along the lines of kicking the cat when you are in a bad mood, is all I can figure. Here is AskMe, just a little page where people can ask questions, not the Battle of the Bulge. Answer if you feel so inclined, or don't. No need to get hysterical.
Regarding the original question, the only solution is don't read MeFi at work if it's going to get you in trouble; it will never be possible to sanitize everything here. This website isn't wearing any pants.
posted by taz at 1:50 AM on October 15, 2004
Regarding the original question, the only solution is don't read MeFi at work if it's going to get you in trouble; it will never be possible to sanitize everything here. This website isn't wearing any pants.
posted by taz at 1:50 AM on October 15, 2004
"hating the crapflood of questions"
It's new. Give it some time to settle. Sheesh! ;-P
posted by mischief at 5:13 AM on October 15, 2004
It's new. Give it some time to settle. Sheesh! ;-P
posted by mischief at 5:13 AM on October 15, 2004
As an adendum to my previous opinions: I too dislike the anonymous question. I recently posted a question anonymously for a friend, so I see why people want advice but wish to remain anonymous. If you've got a question and don't want to post it yourself, find another mefite whom you trust and have them post it for you. That would probably eliminate 90% of the need. One could even go onto #mefi IRC under a different name and find someone there.
Even seanyboy's AskAnon would be preferable, IMO.
posted by jpoulos at 6:40 AM on October 15, 2004
Even seanyboy's AskAnon would be preferable, IMO.
posted by jpoulos at 6:40 AM on October 15, 2004
What's a little torture between friends?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:56 AM on October 15, 2004
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:56 AM on October 15, 2004
jpoulos, what would make AskAnon preferable? How do they meaningfully differ?
posted by kenko at 7:28 AM on October 15, 2004
posted by kenko at 7:28 AM on October 15, 2004
I'm also getting a little choked that AskMe is getting crapflooded with "PollFilter" and "OpinionFilter" posts.
I was under the distinct impression that it was to be used for questions that would lead to useful, functional answers that would actually help people solve a problem. Asking whether people generally dis/like hairy backs doesn't solve a thing.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:35 AM on October 15, 2004
I was under the distinct impression that it was to be used for questions that would lead to useful, functional answers that would actually help people solve a problem. Asking whether people generally dis/like hairy backs doesn't solve a thing.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:35 AM on October 15, 2004
And now jpoulos says he "dislikes" anonymous questions -- even though he asked one himself for a friend once -- and would like to take away the ability of people who don't have mefi buddies or the ability to access #mefi to ask anonymous questions. People, you must post your anonymous questions only jpoulos' way, or not at all!
When did people here get so stingy? When did it become okay to try to gerrymander the site into something that works perfectly for you and only you?
posted by onlyconnect at 11:01 AM on October 15, 2004
When did people here get so stingy? When did it become okay to try to gerrymander the site into something that works perfectly for you and only you?
posted by onlyconnect at 11:01 AM on October 15, 2004
and would like to take away the ability of people who don't have mefi buddies or the ability to access #mefi to ask anonymous questions
I have no ability to take anything away from anyone. Everyone is expressing their opinions--which is what Metatalk is for and which you've been doing a lot in this thread--and I'm expressing mine. I recognize people's desire for anonymity, I offered an alternative solution--one which doesn't involve encryption or alternative user names. That's all.
If someone on this site isn't completely anonymous to the real world, it's through their own doing. Why should matt have to bend over backwards? And why should something that works extremely well, in the opinion of not just me but of most users, be fucked with so thoroughly just so people have a place to anonymously but publicly fret about their back hair?
posted by jpoulos at 1:50 PM on October 15, 2004
I have no ability to take anything away from anyone. Everyone is expressing their opinions--which is what Metatalk is for and which you've been doing a lot in this thread--and I'm expressing mine. I recognize people's desire for anonymity, I offered an alternative solution--one which doesn't involve encryption or alternative user names. That's all.
If someone on this site isn't completely anonymous to the real world, it's through their own doing. Why should matt have to bend over backwards? And why should something that works extremely well, in the opinion of not just me but of most users, be fucked with so thoroughly just so people have a place to anonymously but publicly fret about their back hair?
posted by jpoulos at 1:50 PM on October 15, 2004
jpoulos, what would make AskAnon preferable?
First: having an truly anonymous poster (without the anonymous commenting feature) keeps people from requesting additional information from the questioner. The questioner can't provide info without revealing their identity.
Second, it prevents private communication through email. If I have a response that I'd rather not make public, I can email the poster, who can contact the original questioner, or put me in contact with them directly.
The anonymous poster necessitates the anonymous commenter--which simply can't work without seriously changing the dynamic of the site. By setting up an identifiable proxy for the questioner, that is eliminated.
posted by jpoulos at 1:59 PM on October 15, 2004
First: having an truly anonymous poster (without the anonymous commenting feature) keeps people from requesting additional information from the questioner. The questioner can't provide info without revealing their identity.
Second, it prevents private communication through email. If I have a response that I'd rather not make public, I can email the poster, who can contact the original questioner, or put me in contact with them directly.
The anonymous poster necessitates the anonymous commenter--which simply can't work without seriously changing the dynamic of the site. By setting up an identifiable proxy for the questioner, that is eliminated.
posted by jpoulos at 1:59 PM on October 15, 2004
Why should matt have to bend over backwards?
jpoulos, in your previous comment you said that you didn't like anonymous questions and thought any need for them could be met without using the "anonymous" name. Now you defend this comment in part by saying it creates extra work for Matt. This makes no sense, because Matt already coded anonymous AskMe posting into the system. By asking, in effect, for its removal, you are the one who is making more work for Matt.
Everyone is expressing their opinions--which is what Metatalk is for and which you've been doing a lot in this thread--and I'm expressing mine.
Let me be clear. I have no problem with you expressing your opinion. (And btw, you and I have now contributed an equal number of comments to this thread -- 5.) I have a problem with the opinion itself, in which you acknowledge the need for anonymous posting but quibble that people should only be able to do it the way you have done it, a way which would not work for many mefites. It seems, frankly, a little bit selfish.
And why should something that works extremely well, in the opinion of not just me but of most users
The desire for the ability to post anonymously to AskMe has come up countless times in the past, and as you know this solution was implemented in part because of seanyboy's AskAnon workaround. Many, many users wanted this ability, and Matt was kind enough to work it in. Thank you, Matt.
it prevents private communication through email
Note that email via seanyboy's AskAnon isn't possible either. Private email with anonymous posting just is not an option. Why not just leave a comment in the site saying you would like to email the poster and let them get in touch with you? In any case, it still seems like a plus for the anonymous poster who doesn't have mefi friends or access to #mefi to be able to post and get some answers, even if they cannot immediately get your emailed advice.
having an truly anonymous poster ... keeps people from requesting additional information from the questioner
Nothing stops people from asking for more info in the post and the anonymous poster from (anonymously) emailing the answers either to Matt or to someone else who has posted in the AskMe thread. It doesn't have to be as hard as you make it sound.
posted by onlyconnect at 3:39 PM on October 15, 2004
jpoulos, in your previous comment you said that you didn't like anonymous questions and thought any need for them could be met without using the "anonymous" name. Now you defend this comment in part by saying it creates extra work for Matt. This makes no sense, because Matt already coded anonymous AskMe posting into the system. By asking, in effect, for its removal, you are the one who is making more work for Matt.
Everyone is expressing their opinions--which is what Metatalk is for and which you've been doing a lot in this thread--and I'm expressing mine.
Let me be clear. I have no problem with you expressing your opinion. (And btw, you and I have now contributed an equal number of comments to this thread -- 5.) I have a problem with the opinion itself, in which you acknowledge the need for anonymous posting but quibble that people should only be able to do it the way you have done it, a way which would not work for many mefites. It seems, frankly, a little bit selfish.
And why should something that works extremely well, in the opinion of not just me but of most users
The desire for the ability to post anonymously to AskMe has come up countless times in the past, and as you know this solution was implemented in part because of seanyboy's AskAnon workaround. Many, many users wanted this ability, and Matt was kind enough to work it in. Thank you, Matt.
it prevents private communication through email
Note that email via seanyboy's AskAnon isn't possible either. Private email with anonymous posting just is not an option. Why not just leave a comment in the site saying you would like to email the poster and let them get in touch with you? In any case, it still seems like a plus for the anonymous poster who doesn't have mefi friends or access to #mefi to be able to post and get some answers, even if they cannot immediately get your emailed advice.
having an truly anonymous poster ... keeps people from requesting additional information from the questioner
Nothing stops people from asking for more info in the post and the anonymous poster from (anonymously) emailing the answers either to Matt or to someone else who has posted in the AskMe thread. It doesn't have to be as hard as you make it sound.
posted by onlyconnect at 3:39 PM on October 15, 2004
All your "selfish" talk is just silly. You're the one who wants a goddam pony.
posted by jpoulos at 9:04 AM on October 16, 2004
posted by jpoulos at 9:04 AM on October 16, 2004
ShutupShutupShutup!
(It was going to be done, I'm just the one who did it.)
posted by erratic frog at 10:21 AM on October 16, 2004
(It was going to be done, I'm just the one who did it.)
posted by erratic frog at 10:21 AM on October 16, 2004
"There's this guy I like and have liked for a long time. I don't know if he has any idea how I feel, or if it would scare him away if I just asked him "Hey, I like you a lot, how do you feel about that?" I only know him online, we've never met, but it feels like we've known each other forever. Do I risk the cherished friendship we have by taking this step, or do I keep the status quo and hope that someday he'll realize that I'm always here for him, waiting?"
Honestly, if this is the kind of sophomoric babycrap we're going to get with anon posting, let's just fucking shoot the pony, OK? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people that they feel the need to ask the world something like this? This place already feels like a symposium of unmedicated 14-year-olds sometimes -- do we really need to push it over the edge into TeenFilter? [/grumpy old man]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:24 PM on October 16, 2004
Honestly, if this is the kind of sophomoric babycrap we're going to get with anon posting, let's just fucking shoot the pony, OK? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people that they feel the need to ask the world something like this? This place already feels like a symposium of unmedicated 14-year-olds sometimes -- do we really need to push it over the edge into TeenFilter? [/grumpy old man]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:24 PM on October 16, 2004
All your "selfish" talk is just silly. You're the one who wants a goddam pony.
Wrong. I never asked Matt for anything.
And again, stavros, I'm astounded that the same guy who posted to AskMe about testicular grooming habits is complaining because other AskMe posts are too adolescent for his tastes. If you don't like it, it's not so hard to scroll down.
posted by onlyconnect at 4:35 PM on October 17, 2004
Wrong. I never asked Matt for anything.
And again, stavros, I'm astounded that the same guy who posted to AskMe about testicular grooming habits is complaining because other AskMe posts are too adolescent for his tastes. If you don't like it, it's not so hard to scroll down.
posted by onlyconnect at 4:35 PM on October 17, 2004
Shrug.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:12 PM on October 17, 2004
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:12 PM on October 17, 2004
I'm with stav. As if there weren't enough Agony Aunt websites out there for teeny-bopper questions about high-school crushes, we have to put up with it on AskMe? There's nothing interesting about "ooh, I like him but I'm afraid to tell him." Stav's testes-question was cheesy shit, too, but at least it was unusual, which slightly mitigates his error.
And, yes, I've asked some dumbasfuck questions on AskMe, too. I apologize, and regret having asked them.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:40 AM on October 18, 2004
And, yes, I've asked some dumbasfuck questions on AskMe, too. I apologize, and regret having asked them.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:40 AM on October 18, 2004
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posted by jaded at 7:51 AM on October 14, 2004