Countdown to posting?

December 21, 2004 12:09 PM

Countdown to posting?
I had a good AskMeFi question and went to post it but got the No Posty For You page.
Would it be possible to get a countdown timer involved so that I could get an idea of when I could ask the question?
posted by fenriq to Feature Requests at 12:09 PM (70 comments total)

1) Look at your own user page.

2) Find the last time you posted a question to AskMe.

The math is left as an exercise for the reader.
posted by rev_crash_davis at 12:19 PM on December 21, 2004

Check to see when your last one was and add a week.


Can I just point to this one as a great example of how awesome AskMe can be? I had to wait a week to ask it, but it was worth it.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:20 PM on December 21, 2004

Math is hard.
posted by adampsyche at 12:22 PM on December 21, 2004

Oh man, nobody ever said I'd need math here.

I know its possible to figure it out but it'd be easier to just have a built in countdown.

Math is hard.
posted by SpringBreakBarbie at 12:22 PM PST on December 21

It sure is, Barbie, here have another beer bong!
posted by fenriq at 12:23 PM on December 21, 2004

Don't hate the baby, fen.
posted by fandango_matt at 12:53 PM on December 21, 2004

The "no post for you page" obviously knows the relevant numbers, becuase it uses them to bitchslap you. How hard could it be to show it to you? That's what computers are for.
posted by smackfu at 12:56 PM on December 21, 2004

I'll just reiterate my opinion that it would be much, much better to have a four-times-a-month limit. Yah!
posted by taz at 1:02 PM on December 21, 2004

Oh, and when the no-post timer is implemented, can it flash in different colors? And dispense ponies?
posted by Doohickie at 1:09 PM on December 21, 2004

taz, that's silly. My opinion is that being able to post 52 times a year makes a lot more sense. Hah!
posted by iconomy at 1:15 PM on December 21, 2004

Doohickie, I think you have to go to Japan for machines that dispense ponies.

It would also be cool to have a countdown to deletion timer for the soon-to-be-deleted bad FPP's.
posted by fenriq at 1:18 PM on December 21, 2004

Oh, and when the no-post timer is implemented, can it flash in different colors? And dispense ponies?

I'm rather see something that administers electric shocks if posts contain words like "noob" or "Hi! This is my first post here!"
posted by fandango_matt at 1:22 PM on December 21, 2004

I hate this site and what it's doing to Daddy.
posted by mathowie's baby at 1:27 PM on December 21, 2004

Well, we hate you, mathowie's baby. Because you keep matt from coding our ponies.
posted by Bugbread at 1:39 PM on December 21, 2004

I'll just reiterate my opinion that it would be much, much better to have a four-times-a-month limit. Yah!

agreed.
posted by fishfucker at 1:48 PM on December 21, 2004

I agree with taz as well, but I just couldn't work it into the earlier snark. People say that one could run out of questions just as easily with 4/month, but I think most people would try to limit themselves to 3/month and save that last one for a real emergency. Maybe #1 could set up "rollover questions" so if we don't use them up in a given month, the roll over to the next, just like a cellular account. I mean, that can't be any harder to code than a pony dispenser, can it?
posted by Doohickie at 2:00 PM on December 21, 2004

I'm rather see something that administers electric shocks if posts contain words like "noob" or "Hi! This is my first post here!"

The shocks may not be electric, but quonsar still does a pretty good job of administering them.
posted by Doohickie at 2:01 PM on December 21, 2004

Mathowie's Baby would be a great movie title or band name.

Sudden thought: Mathowie's baby = Babthowie?
posted by fandango_matt at 2:08 PM on December 21, 2004

I don't think you're supposed to be patiently watching your user page for a timer to hit zero. The posting limit is basically an enforcement of a general guideline, that being "don't post all the time, dammit."

Looking at a timer gives a feeling that you're wasting your opportunity, and would make people want to post stuff just because they can. Plus, I think there are a few users who would love to know exactly when they can post again, thus allowing them to maximize their "efficiency" in posting exactly every 24 hours. Timers will encourage that.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 2:10 PM on December 21, 2004

I want a question queue, where I could enter my questions in the order I want them asked, and when the time for my post came up, Bam!, it would get posted. Actually, that would be great for MeFi proper, as well.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 2:23 PM on December 21, 2004

I want a question queue

Imagine all the MeTa posts whining, "Why hasn't my post been published yet?!?"
posted by me3dia at 2:28 PM on December 21, 2004

monju_bosatsu, I don't think that would be so good since someone could end up posting the link/similar question you had queued to post in the time between when you set it up to post and when it actually gets the chance to post. Even something in the code to prevent the same link from being posted in such a case could fail if the URL is different but the content the same.
posted by DyRE at 2:31 PM on December 21, 2004

That's true, DyRE, but I would think that would be much more worrisome in the blue. I think questions covering similar content would be less likely in the green, or alternatively, that questions covering similar content will get asked anyway, because people seem to do a poorer job searching in the green.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 2:34 PM on December 21, 2004

A question queue? I imagine Matt's queue of AskMe Anonymously questions is big enough. Can't y'all write your questions on one o' them there Posty-notes you innernet folks are always stickin' to yer TVs?
posted by fandango_matt at 2:39 PM on December 21, 2004

it would be much, much better to have a four-times-a-month limit.

I can see it now: January 4th, "I've used up all my questions and I still can't get my stereo to work with my iPod. We have to get rid of this four-times-a-month limit."

It's still a good idea.
posted by Arch Stanton at 2:46 PM on December 21, 2004

Hey, how about a bribery system? If it's been six days since your last question, send Matt a buck and you go to the head of the line; five days, three bucks; four days, five bucks; if it's been only five minutes but you just can't wait, $100 and a week's worth of babysitting gets you right onto the Green. Everybody wins!
posted by languagehat at 2:49 PM on December 21, 2004

So, for clarification - do anonymous askme's count towards the 52 max/year (assuming one maxes out their privilege)?
posted by PurplePorpoise at 2:53 PM on December 21, 2004

Oh good point. You know, when I started ask metafilter, I thought asking for a buck per question would keep things sane, but that would have killed the magic that was created.

How about one a week and any beyond that cost you a buck?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:56 PM on December 21, 2004

I'm down, Matt.

And, FWIW, I wasn't thinking about the countdown being on the user page but on the "post a link" page.
posted by fenriq at 3:03 PM on December 21, 2004

How about one a week and any beyond that cost you a buck?

If the system is fully automated, why not? Otherwise - how much manual work will you end up doing for $1.00?
posted by WestCoaster at 3:24 PM on December 21, 2004

How about one a week and any beyond that cost you a buck?

Paypal or directly in the g-string?
posted by yerfatma at 3:39 PM on December 21, 2004

Directly in the baby.
posted by metaculpa at 4:19 PM on December 21, 2004

Why did I say that?
What I really meant to say:

Thanks, matt.
That's a great solution.
posted by metaculpa at 4:20 PM on December 21, 2004

Pfft, you'd be better to go for the babysitting.
posted by tracicle at 4:29 PM on December 21, 2004

More power to you, Haughey... you gave it away for free, and like any good dealer, you're now starting to charge the junkies for it.
posted by crunchland at 4:36 PM on December 21, 2004

Maybe #1 could set up "rollover questions" so if we don't use them up in a given month

Damnit! I want my rollover questions! I figure I've been soooooo good:

Secret Life of Gravy has posted
2 questions and 120 answers to Ask MetaFilter

2 questions in a year...that would be a lot of roll over questions.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:25 PM on December 21, 2004

Can I have your questions?
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:43 PM on December 21, 2004

Can I have your questions?

I'm going to sell mine on eBay.
posted by fandango_matt at 5:50 PM on December 21, 2004

I had an actual emergency question the other night when I saw that page. I had to ask it in MeTa instead. I'm Ok, if anyone cares.
posted by jonmc at 6:05 PM on December 21, 2004

"I'm Ok, if anyone cares."

And by OK you mean "the normal jonmc", not necessarily "OK" in the sense the rest of the world may mean "OK".

Right?
posted by rev_crash_davis at 6:51 PM on December 21, 2004

How about one a week and any beyond that cost you a buck?

even better idea than four a month.
posted by fishfucker at 7:25 PM on December 21, 2004

although there would be the concern of "hey, i paid a dollar for that question and you deleted it!" ... suppose that hasn't yet proven to be a problem with the pay-memberships, so... i do have the feeling that people would be more inclined to be lazy about google research if they're paying a buck. "of course I didn't search google! I paid a fuckin' dollar!"
posted by fishfucker at 7:27 PM on December 21, 2004

I feel like charging a buck per question cheapens my contribution as an answerer.
posted by grouse at 7:30 PM on December 21, 2004

Maybe whoever answers the question best gets the buck.
posted by Doohickie at 7:38 PM on December 21, 2004

And by OK you mean "the normal jonmc", not necessarily "OK" in the sense the rest of the world may mean "OK".

Right?

Well, the question was about drinking from a beer I had accidentally ashed my cigarette into and whether that could harm me.

And as another prominent NYC MeFite once said, I'm one of the most "normal" people here.
posted by jonmc at 7:40 PM on December 21, 2004

I would pay up to $10 per question and still think myself a'blessed!
posted by Hildago at 8:11 PM on December 21, 2004

Can I have your questions?
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:43 PM PST on December 21

Ummmmmm.....no.

I'm going to save them up and have a good blow out. 50 questions in one day:

1. I just woke up and had the weirdest dream. Does anyone know of a good place on the net that interprets dreams?

2. I just tripped and stubbed my toe. It is now half-severed and hanging on by a little piece of skin. Should I go see a doctor?

3. While I was drinking my coffee I thought "Damnit! I'm ready to quit drinking caffeine." Have any of you ever managed to quit cold turkey?

4. The newspaper takes me 25 minutes to read. How long should it take do you think?

5.The next door neighbor who voted for Bush and mows her lawn at 6:00 am on Saturday morning just came by to borrow some milk. How should I handle this?

6. I am making eggs for breakfast. What is your favorite egg recipe?

7. I am going to go poo now. When do you poo, in the morning, in the evening, or?

27. I am driving into downtown Raleigh this afternoon. What would you recommend I do or see? I only have $17.00.

37. I am at the video rental store but I can't remember the title of a movie my friend told me about. (+)

47. I have to buy a gift for my neighbor next door because she gave me a gift this morning. What would you give somebody who voted for Bush and likes to mow their lawn every week?

48. I've searched every where but I can't find a store that sells these really great slippers I once saw 10 years ago (+)

49. I am having trouble thinking of more questions to ask. What questions do you think I should ask?

50. I like my pillow but every morning I wake up with a stiff neck. Do you think it is time for a new pillow?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:15 PM on December 21, 2004

MeTa: I am going to go poo now.

*ROFL*
posted by gen at 8:57 PM on December 21, 2004

Gravy wins.
posted by danOstuporStar at 9:04 PM on December 21, 2004

I love SLoG, but she doesn't know it. How can I tell her that she rocks my world?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy's next door neighbor at 9:12 PM PST on December 21


I wish I had a credit card.
posted by taz at 9:15 PM on December 21, 2004

47. I have to buy a gift for my neighbor next door because she gave me a gift this morning. What would you give somebody who voted for Bush and likes to mow their lawn every week?

She's actually allowed to mow it four times a month. Perhaps you could convince her to mow it four times on the first of the month, and then you'll have silence for the rest of the month?
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:24 PM on December 21, 2004

But if she doesn't mow it one month, can she roll those mowings over to the next month and mow four days in a row?
posted by Doohickie at 9:56 PM on December 21, 2004

Secret Life of Gravy is my hero.

That, or I'm just easily amused.
posted by carabiner at 10:10 PM on December 21, 2004

Nope, Secret Life is my hero too.

Of course, I have a burning need to know questions 8-26, 28-36 and 38-46.

I can't begin to guess why Matt deleted just those.
posted by fenriq at 10:32 PM on December 21, 2004

How about 3,640* questions in a lifetime? How about one free question then you have to pay $3,639 to ask any others?

* Assumes life-expectancy of 70
posted by TimeFactor at 10:38 PM on December 21, 2004

How about a ?
posted by Doohickie at 10:55 PM on December 21, 2004

How about one a week and any beyond that cost you a buck?

Very good idea, I think. This also keeps the pressure off people to sign up for a second user account "just in case" they really, really have something they need to ask metafilter.
posted by weston at 11:00 PM on December 21, 2004

taz, nicely done by the way.
posted by ..ooOOoo....ooOOoo.. at 12:36 AM on December 22, 2004

"taz, nicely done by the way."

Y'all don't want me to make my small typeface "symbol", do you? Cause then you'd never fool me. And that would sort you out right quick, wouldn't it?
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:45 AM on December 22, 2004

SLoG is my heroine. You rock girl!

I wish she were my neighbor...
posted by kamylyon at 6:02 AM on December 22, 2004

I am going to go poo now. When do you poo, in the morning, in the evening, or?

ain't we got fun....
posted by jonmc at 6:58 AM on December 22, 2004

2. I just tripped and stubbed my toe. It is now half-severed and hanging on by a little piece of skin. Should I go see a doctor?

Don't forget the converse of that:

29. I've been using a felt-tip pen all day, and now there's a narrow black streak about 1/2" long on the palm of one hand. Should I rush to the emergency room immediately, or just write out my last will and testament in the few minutes I have left?
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:06 AM on December 22, 2004

Or will that just worsen the black streaK?
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:18 AM on December 22, 2004

"There's the cutest black cat with long white streaks all the way down its back who's hiding under the house; should I just poke it with a stick and hope it will decide to come inside?"

Hey! Fake AskMe is even more fun than real AskMe!
posted by taz at 7:53 AM on December 22, 2004

I would pay up to $10 per question and still think myself a'blessed!

You can use the Google Answers service for as little as $2.50, getting answers from "more than 500 carefully screened Researchers".

I hesitate to compare-and-contrast Google Researchers with MeFi members ...
posted by WestCoaster at 11:23 AM on December 22, 2004

I hate this site and what it's doing to Daddy.
posted by mathowie's baby at 1:27 PM PST on December 21

that's awfully quick to be literate.
posted by juv3nal at 1:38 PM on December 22, 2004

Sorry, SLoG, but jonmc wins.
posted by eriko at 6:22 PM on December 22, 2004

Okay, late to the party, but here's why this is a bad idea: people write questions, cue them up and then forget about them. How often have you read an AskMe thread where responders ask for question refinements of the poster, but the poster never comes back to the thread? For me, too often. As an answerer, I would be discouraged to reply to a possibly unmanned question-bot.
posted by squirrel at 7:31 PM on December 22, 2004

Sorry, SLoG, but jonmc wins.

Heh. I'll have to bring out the big guns.

28. I'm using Outlook Express on a 1999 Gateway with Windows 98 and the email from my parents keeps showing up in all caps. This is driving me nuts. Hope me?

29. I bought cheap bird seed this time and I think the squirrels are farting a lot. Should I go back to the expensive stuff?

30. My cats just ate my next door neighbor. Now they are looking at me funny. I would like to give them away, but nobody will take them.

31. I am remembering a Christmas song from when I was a kid. It goes something like: Duh duh duh Santa!
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:47 PM on December 22, 2004

SLoG, nice questions. Downtown Raleigh can reward exploration. What do you want to see?
posted by Vidiot at 9:07 PM on December 22, 2004

29. I bought cheap bird seed this time and I think the squirrels are farting a lot. Should I go back to the expensive stuff?

It never pays to chince on birdseed, friends.
posted by squirrel at 6:50 PM on December 23, 2004