Could we have a timed window for editing comments? June 15, 2006 7:35 AM Subscribe
How difficult would it be to program an edit function into our comments that allows us to revise our contributions within 1-5 minutes of posting it? I think it'd be a very cool thing to have for us OCD types that apologize after we spell something wrong and immediately correct ourselves in the next comment. Also, it could serve as a conscience (you post something, you regret it immediately, and get rid of it). Note, I'm not asking for unlimited editing. Only the ability to edit within 1-5 minutes of your original post.
I use my own admin edit controls probably once every couple days, to fix a typo or clarify a point (I do this immediately after I post so as not to confuse anyone). A five minute window would be good.
Lemme hack on it today.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:07 AM on June 15, 2006
Lemme hack on it today.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:07 AM on June 15, 2006
Wouldn't this cause problems of its own? For example, where in the order of comments would the edited comment go? Would it be moved to be the latest comment of the thread, or would it retain its original position? If the latter, guaranteed that there's going to be some wise-arse that posts a blank or innocuous comment, and then goes back and edits their comment to reply to a comment that, at first blush, doesn't seem to have been posted yet.
Another problem would be the classic SlashDot troll technique of posting flamebait, the thread going rabid, and then going back to edit the comment to make it look innocent. In SlashDot's case, the editing is done using a sig, but it would be equally applicable here in the event of comment editing being introduced.
posted by veedubya at 8:09 AM on June 15, 2006
Another problem would be the classic SlashDot troll technique of posting flamebait, the thread going rabid, and then going back to edit the comment to make it look innocent. In SlashDot's case, the editing is done using a sig, but it would be equally applicable here in the event of comment editing being introduced.
posted by veedubya at 8:09 AM on June 15, 2006
Cool. Thanks.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 8:10 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by SeizeTheDay at 8:10 AM on June 15, 2006
I hate this idea. Think hard before you post, and live with it.
posted by Wolfdog at 8:12 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Wolfdog at 8:12 AM on June 15, 2006
Wouldn't this cause problems of its own?
I've thought of a million problems it could cause, and how someone could exploit it, but people are really perceptive here and notice when things are amiss (like changing your comment completely at the end of the timed edit window). I focused on the abuses of this so much that I stopped thinking about it or working on it a few months ago when it was first requested.
But you know what? Fuck that. You're all adults. 99% of the use will be beneficial and the site will be better for it, so I'll work on it today. Screw what a couple nutjobs could do with it.
Sometimes I think it's better to trust everyone and give members a bit more leeway and control and stop focusing on a hypothetical user that might misuse it.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
I've thought of a million problems it could cause, and how someone could exploit it, but people are really perceptive here and notice when things are amiss (like changing your comment completely at the end of the timed edit window). I focused on the abuses of this so much that I stopped thinking about it or working on it a few months ago when it was first requested.
But you know what? Fuck that. You're all adults. 99% of the use will be beneficial and the site will be better for it, so I'll work on it today. Screw what a couple nutjobs could do with it.
Sometimes I think it's better to trust everyone and give members a bit more leeway and control and stop focusing on a hypothetical user that might misuse it.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
Perhaps if the hack allows edits to three characters...
Just enough to delete a "not".
posted by mischief at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
Just enough to delete a "not".
posted by mischief at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
I also hate this idea. There's no way people will use it just to correct typos.
posted by dobbs at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by dobbs at 8:16 AM on June 15, 2006
You're all adults who can't seem to live with a few typos here and there.
posted by dobbs at 8:18 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by dobbs at 8:18 AM on June 15, 2006
It's in place over at SportsFilter. I'm not sure who coded it up, but I bet rcade could speak to what was done and if it has been abused (or point out someone who can).
posted by togdon at 8:21 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by togdon at 8:21 AM on June 15, 2006
I hate this idea.
Me too. I can't believe you seriously think "You're all adults" is a sensible response to predictions of the madness that will ensue. Many of us are adults, yes, but enough MeFites love gaming the system and pissing people off that I guarantee you're going to wind up regretting this. But do what you want. I'll just stand here clutching my THE END IS COMING signboard.
posted by languagehat at 8:35 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
Me too. I can't believe you seriously think "You're all adults" is a sensible response to predictions of the madness that will ensue. Many of us are adults, yes, but enough MeFites love gaming the system and pissing people off that I guarantee you're going to wind up regretting this. But do what you want. I'll just stand here clutching my THE END IS COMING signboard.
posted by languagehat at 8:35 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
Perhaps if the edited comment was taged with an {edited} note at the end?
-or-
You can't edit text already written, but can add an extra line or two at the end to admit to typo mistakes, that is shaded different to indicate added text?
-and/or-
a serious character limiitator that allows you to only change X number of characters (5-10?)
posted by edgeways at 8:35 AM on June 15, 2006
-or-
You can't edit text already written, but can add an extra line or two at the end to admit to typo mistakes, that is shaded different to indicate added text?
-and/or-
a serious character limiitator that allows you to only change X number of characters (5-10?)
posted by edgeways at 8:35 AM on June 15, 2006
or.. and I like this idea the most, whatever part of a post is edited shows in a different font/color.
posted by edgeways at 8:37 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by edgeways at 8:37 AM on June 15, 2006
I'm not sure who coded it up
Kirkaracha
and if it has been abused
It hasn't. Of course, metafilter is a different beast, but I don't get the assumption that everything will go to hell if matt adds this feature.
If someone wants to cause problems, they can do it. If it really does become a problem on metafilter, he can take it away. Problem solved.
posted by justgary at 8:39 AM on June 15, 2006
Kirkaracha
and if it has been abused
It hasn't. Of course, metafilter is a different beast, but I don't get the assumption that everything will go to hell if matt adds this feature.
If someone wants to cause problems, they can do it. If it really does become a problem on metafilter, he can take it away. Problem solved.
posted by justgary at 8:39 AM on June 15, 2006
I think that the U.S. should invade Iran.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST
I totally disagree. That is a terrible idea. What are you thinking?
posted by someotherjerk at 12:01PM EST
*somejerk edits 12:00PM EST post to read:
I think that we need to discourage people from molesting children.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST*
I laugh at 12:02PM EST.
posted by ND¢ at 8:49 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST
I totally disagree. That is a terrible idea. What are you thinking?
posted by someotherjerk at 12:01PM EST
*somejerk edits 12:00PM EST post to read:
I think that we need to discourage people from molesting children.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST*
I laugh at 12:02PM EST.
posted by ND¢ at 8:49 AM on June 15, 2006
Posts on my little local fishing discussion board can be edited by the author or a moderator...and it's not been a problem..
That said... I'll be curious as to how it will work here in MetaLand. I certainly hope that Matt is correct, and he could certainly undo it if it was problematic. Worth a try, nothing to loose...heck, might even be amusing....
posted by HuronBob at 8:53 AM on June 15, 2006
That said... I'll be curious as to how it will work here in MetaLand. I certainly hope that Matt is correct, and he could certainly undo it if it was problematic. Worth a try, nothing to loose...heck, might even be amusing....
posted by HuronBob at 8:53 AM on June 15, 2006
I love this idea. Most forum software allows you to edit your own comments.
I do think that any editing or deleting of comments should be tagged with the time and name of the editor.
posted by timeistight at 8:55 AM on June 15, 2006
I do think that any editing or deleting of comments should be tagged with the time and name of the editor.
posted by timeistight at 8:55 AM on June 15, 2006
On further thought...could you code it to allow for a strike-through on the original content and a different color on the new content? That would pretty much prevent abuse.
posted by HuronBob at 8:55 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by HuronBob at 8:55 AM on June 15, 2006
I think a simple "edited" note on edited comments would alleviate most of the potential problems. Better yet would be to keep and display a record of previous versions of comments, so it's obvious when people do abuse it.
posted by scottreynen at 8:56 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by scottreynen at 8:56 AM on June 15, 2006
I think that the U.S. should invade Iran.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST
I totally disagree. That is a terrible idea. What are you thinking?
posted by someotherjerk at 12:01PM EST
*somejerk edits 12:00PM EST post to read:
I think that we need to discourage people from molesting children.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST*
I laugh at 12:02PM EST.
Somejerk is banned at 12:05.
posted by justgary at 8:56 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST
I totally disagree. That is a terrible idea. What are you thinking?
posted by someotherjerk at 12:01PM EST
*somejerk edits 12:00PM EST post to read:
I think that we need to discourage people from molesting children.
posted by somejerk at 12:00PM EST*
I laugh at 12:02PM EST.
Somejerk is banned at 12:05.
posted by justgary at 8:56 AM on June 15, 2006
You're all adults.
Yes, but adult what, Matt, adult what?
posted by jonmc at 8:58 AM on June 15, 2006
Yes, but adult what, Matt, adult what?
posted by jonmc at 8:58 AM on June 15, 2006
Well, a simple [Edited 1 Time] could be appended to an altered comment. Besides, anyone abusing the Edit function would undoubtedly be smacked down with a flood of screenshots exposing their disengenuousness within .372 seconds of doing so.
And plus, Matt could add "Abuse of the Edit function by changing the fundamental substance of a comment or to deny or cover up innapropriate behavior will result in an immediate ban," to the guidelines.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:03 AM on June 15, 2006
And plus, Matt could add "Abuse of the Edit function by changing the fundamental substance of a comment or to deny or cover up innapropriate behavior will result in an immediate ban," to the guidelines.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:03 AM on June 15, 2006
Yeah, put an "edited by somejerk at 12:01" tag there and call it good. A few jerks may play with it for a couple of days, but in the long run, I think the functionality will outweigh the abuse.
On the other hand, if it immediately causes Metafilter to slide into a burning pit of fiery sulfur, Matt can always just take it back out. Voila, the site returns to its previous utopia, with only a few archived ugly threads to show for it.
posted by EarBucket at 9:04 AM on June 15, 2006
On the other hand, if it immediately causes Metafilter to slide into a burning pit of fiery sulfur, Matt can always just take it back out. Voila, the site returns to its previous utopia, with only a few archived ugly threads to show for it.
posted by EarBucket at 9:04 AM on June 15, 2006
On not preview, dammit!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:04 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:04 AM on June 15, 2006
Yeah, we've already hashed out the arguments why this is a bad idea (and I was a big contributor to that angle), but it's been a couple months and I've realized I can just kick out the assholes that will abuse it while the rest of us will use it to change a stray your into you're and be better for it. People abusing a five minute window are an edge case, and they'll fuck around with the site no matter what we do. We shouldn't keep features back because of a few bad apples.
For those of you dead set against it, it's pretty easy to simply not use the function and go on about your daily lives.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:08 AM on June 15, 2006
For those of you dead set against it, it's pretty easy to simply not use the function and go on about your daily lives.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:08 AM on June 15, 2006
I totally disagree. That is a terrible idea. What are you thinking?
posted by Plutor at 9:15 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Plutor at 9:15 AM on June 15, 2006
My slow joke makes it look like I'm criticizing Matt. I'm not, I think this is a great idea. If only there was some way for me to edit my comment!
posted by Plutor at 9:16 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Plutor at 9:16 AM on June 15, 2006
On the other hand, if it immediately causes Metafilter to slide into a burning pit of fiery sulfur, Matt can always just take it back out.
Exactly. MeFi's big, but not so big that trials on the production server are verboten, you know? I'm curious to see if it works, and God knows there's a dozen times in the past six months alone that I've really wanted this feature.
posted by Ryvar at 9:20 AM on June 15, 2006
Exactly. MeFi's big, but not so big that trials on the production server are verboten, you know? I'm curious to see if it works, and God knows there's a dozen times in the past six months alone that I've really wanted this feature.
posted by Ryvar at 9:20 AM on June 15, 2006
Also (and this would have been an edit) all the "failed to preview: yes I agree with X that was posted just before me" followup comments would be gone.
posted by Ryvar at 9:22 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Ryvar at 9:22 AM on June 15, 2006
I've realized I can just kick out the assholes that will abuse it while the rest of us will use it to change a stray your into you're and be better for it. People abusing a five minute window are an edge case, and they'll fuck around with the site no matter what we do. We shouldn't keep features back because of a few bad apples.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
posted by justgary at 9:27 AM on June 15, 2006
Couldn't have said it better myself.
posted by justgary at 9:27 AM on June 15, 2006
"...use it to change a stray your into you're..."
Can we edit other peoples' posts to also change "to" into "too", etc.?
posted by inigo2 at 9:38 AM on June 15, 2006
Can we edit other peoples' posts to also change "to" into "too", etc.?
posted by inigo2 at 9:38 AM on June 15, 2006
If you're going to give the boot to anyone who abuses the feature, then I think the edit functionality is a great idea.
posted by Bugbread at 9:38 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Bugbread at 9:38 AM on June 15, 2006
It would be nice if we could see the orgional versions of we wanted too.
posted by delmoi at 9:49 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by delmoi at 9:49 AM on June 15, 2006
delmoi: yeah but it's large posts that are going to be edited more often so journaling would explode the size of the comments DB.
posted by Ryvar at 9:51 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Ryvar at 9:51 AM on June 15, 2006
I definitely agree that any edited posts should be tagged ("[edited]" would be fine) and I think that will eliminate 95% of all abuse potential.
I'm not hopeful of this option holding sway, though, because to my mind it's of a piece with having an indication that a comment was deleted, and that seems unlikely to ever happen...
posted by soyjoy at 9:52 AM on June 15, 2006
I'm not hopeful of this option holding sway, though, because to my mind it's of a piece with having an indication that a comment was deleted, and that seems unlikely to ever happen...
posted by soyjoy at 9:52 AM on June 15, 2006
If this goes ahead, please plan to store every revision in the db for review in cases of contested asshattery.
I still don't like it at all. I think it's ridiculous, I think it'll make the interface slightly more complex without making it any better, and I am certain that the minor applications (quick typo fix?) aren't necessary and the major applications (utterly revoking/changing a comment's content) are a bad idea. But I've gone on at great length in previous threads, so I'm limiting my complaints to this paragraph.
posted by cortex at 9:53 AM on June 15, 2006
I still don't like it at all. I think it's ridiculous, I think it'll make the interface slightly more complex without making it any better, and I am certain that the minor applications (quick typo fix?) aren't necessary and the major applications (utterly revoking/changing a comment's content) are a bad idea. But I've gone on at great length in previous threads, so I'm limiting my complaints to this paragraph.
posted by cortex at 9:53 AM on June 15, 2006
Mod note: I've realized I can just kick out the assholes that will abuse it
That's my feeling as well. I fix my own typos once or twice a week. There are a lot of people who email "hey can you fix my dumb typo?" and it's not that hard to do, but it would be good if people can do it themselves. People who use it to fuck with other people can be dealt with, especially if it's clear from the outset that is what will happen. edited
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:55 AM on June 15, 2006
That's my feeling as well. I fix my own typos once or twice a week. There are a lot of people who email "hey can you fix my dumb typo?" and it's not that hard to do, but it would be good if people can do it themselves. People who use it to fuck with other people can be dealt with, especially if it's clear from the outset that is what will happen. edited
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:55 AM on June 15, 2006
I like this idea. There couldn't be that many times that great confusion would be caused by someone changing the substance of the post in, say, 3 minutes. I vote for.
posted by pardonyou? at 9:57 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by pardonyou? at 9:57 AM on June 15, 2006
I like it. Perhaps add a new flag: "Edit function abuse".
posted by If I Had An Anus at 9:58 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by If I Had An Anus at 9:58 AM on June 15, 2006
jess, you spelled peopel wrong. If only you had a way to fix it.
posted by crunchland at 10:00 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by crunchland at 10:00 AM on June 15, 2006
I support the idea of having some indicator that it was edited. Very brief and non-intusive would be ideal. [edited] works for me.
posted by raedyn at 10:01 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by raedyn at 10:01 AM on June 15, 2006
I support this if it will reduce or eliminate comments correcting spelling erors in a previous comment.
posted by brain_drain at 10:05 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 10:05 AM on June 15, 2006
errors, not erors
posted by brain_drain at 10:05 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 10:05 AM on June 15, 2006
The edit feature we have at SportsFilter is pretty basic. There's no indication that something's been edited, for example, which hasn't caused a problem there but may here. The editing window is three minutes after the initial post. A few people screwed around in the post where we announced the new feature, but other than that no one's abused it as far as I know.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:08 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by kirkaracha at 10:08 AM on June 15, 2006
Matt said he was going to implement an edit feature a long time ago in post 304.
posted by dios at 10:10 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by dios at 10:10 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
If people can't see it properly in the text box or in the live preview screen or in the preview screen, why will their reading ability be improved by a 4th opportunity to review their spiel? It's not like any feet will be removed from mouths.
posted by peacay at 10:11 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by peacay at 10:11 AM on June 15, 2006
For those of you dead set against it, it's pretty easy to simply not use the function and go on about your daily lives.
Wow. If only the world could operate that way. But there are those that believe in taking away everyone's toys because of a few bad apples.
The people who don't like the idea are afraidthe terrorists others will abuse it. They would be first to edit their own posts if they noticed a typo or wanted to add something that slipped past preview. Because they are responsible and the teeming millions aren't.
Same with inline images or the other countless issues that have made Metafilter stray from "the good old days" before newsfilter ruined or them smelling hippies and their anti-war talk. There never were good old days.
People abuse a feature and they should be dealt with, not the feature.
posted by birdherder at 10:13 AM on June 15, 2006
Wow. If only the world could operate that way. But there are those that believe in taking away everyone's toys because of a few bad apples.
The people who don't like the idea are afraid
Same with inline images or the other countless issues that have made Metafilter stray from "the good old days" before newsfilter ruined or them smelling hippies and their anti-war talk. There never were good old days.
People abuse a feature and they should be dealt with, not the feature.
posted by birdherder at 10:13 AM on June 15, 2006
What about the people that want to abuse the new editing function? What about us? All this booting and kicking and banning and what-not talk. Has anyone considered that some people like to abuse things because they enjoy it? Because its funny! I would love the new edit function, but not to fix typos (I no more follow the rules of grammar than I do the "must wash hands" sign). I just want to screw around. The way you people talk, I will face some sort of consequence for this. That is ridiculous. I am telling you in advance that I am going to do it. How then can it be wrong? I propose that we implement this new function, and then we let me abuse it to my hearts content. All in favor?
posted by ND¢ at 10:13 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by ND¢ at 10:13 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
cull the bastards, time for the great dieback!
er- something like that
posted by edgeways at 10:16 AM on June 15, 2006
er- something like that
posted by edgeways at 10:16 AM on June 15, 2006
The people who don't like the idea are afraid the terrorists^W others will abuse it. They would be first to edit their own posts if they noticed a typo or wanted to add something that slipped past preview. Because they are responsible and the teeming millions aren't.
Really? I'd be the first to edit my own posts? I consider myself a paragon of responsibility, above the riffraff? This, sir, is news to me. How'd you figure this all out?
posted by cortex at 10:18 AM on June 15, 2006
Really? I'd be the first to edit my own posts? I consider myself a paragon of responsibility, above the riffraff? This, sir, is news to me. How'd you figure this all out?
posted by cortex at 10:18 AM on June 15, 2006
Posting sometimes reminds me of "chess blindness" where you can't see that you just gave away your queen until the instant you take your finger off it. In tournament play, you lose. In a friendly game you can still say "Whoa! Whoa!" and take it back for a second or two.
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2006
Teacher, Teacher! Jessamym is gaming the system! Ban her.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 10:27 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by SeizeTheDay at 10:27 AM on June 15, 2006
I think this is the worst idea EVER. I think instead, we should have the ability to edit our own posts within 1-5 minutes of posting. I think that would be a MUCH better solution.
Are people going to be allowed to delete their own comments, or am I going to have to go back and blank out any comments that I wish I hadn't made?
posted by blue_beetle at 10:28 AM on June 15, 2006
Are people going to be allowed to delete their own comments, or am I going to have to go back and blank out any comments that I wish I hadn't made?
posted by blue_beetle at 10:28 AM on June 15, 2006
I think instead, we should have the ability to edit our own posts within 1-5 minutes of posting. I think that would be a MUCH better solution.
Are you joking around? This is the only thing we've been discussing so far. An edit window of just a few minutes to comments you just made and that's it.
What did you think people were debating here?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
Are you joking around? This is the only thing we've been discussing so far. An edit window of just a few minutes to comments you just made and that's it.
What did you think people were debating here?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
blue_beetle, the worse idea ever? Perhaps a bit of a hyperbole there?
posted by delfuego at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by delfuego at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
Can we edit other peoples' posts to also change "to" into "too", etc.?
That's taking it to far.
People abuse a feature and they should be dealt with, not the feature.
Comments don't kill threads. People kill threads.
posted by scottreynen at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
That's taking it to far.
People abuse a feature and they should be dealt with, not the feature.
Comments don't kill threads. People kill threads.
posted by scottreynen at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2006
Are you joking around? This is the only thing we've been discussing so far.
I think he meant FPPs, as opposed to comments.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 10:43 AM on June 15, 2006
I think he meant FPPs, as opposed to comments.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 10:43 AM on June 15, 2006
If only there was a way he could edit his comment to make that clearer...
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:44 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:44 AM on June 15, 2006
I thought that it was a joke. Like there is an FPP that says "My favorite color is blue, not red", and there are a hundred comments in the thread that say "My favorite color is blue too" and "Yeah blue rules". But then you just skim the FPP and see the words "favorite color" and "red" and you immediately go to comment without reading any of the other comments, and you say "You are all crazy. Red is a terrible color. Have you people even seen the color blue? That is a good color. Look it up jerks." And then you re-read the FPP and some of the comments and you see that everybody has been saying that blue is their favorite color the whole time. Then you feel stupid and wish that you could take your comment back.
I thought that Blue Beetle was acting out that experience in the context of a "let's have the ability to edit comments" thread in order to illustrate, through humor, another possible advantage of having this feature.
Sometimes I do not understand things.
posted by ND¢ at 10:52 AM on June 15, 2006
I thought that Blue Beetle was acting out that experience in the context of a "let's have the ability to edit comments" thread in order to illustrate, through humor, another possible advantage of having this feature.
Sometimes I do not understand things.
posted by ND¢ at 10:52 AM on June 15, 2006
Jesus, a spellcheck and a preview aren't enough? If you're so OCD then you'd have checked through properly anyway. Pointless feature.
posted by biffa at 11:08 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by biffa at 11:08 AM on June 15, 2006
On a more interesting note, this is the OED's second entry for pizzle.
1901 J. S. FARMER & W. E. HENLEY Slang V. 220/2 Pizzle, the penis. c1930 Confessions of Virtuous Wife ii. 16 We swam in love but his dear pizzle never relaxed its stiffness. 1969 F. B. VICKERS No Man is Himself 153 ‘He cut me pizzle off with a bit o' broke bottle.’ He felt at his penis... ‘It's got a head on it now like a bloody frilly lizard.’ 1981 P. VANSITTART Death of Robin Hood II. iii. 50 The Robene stalked Great Sherwood..green and naked, his pizzle tough and unflagging as leather. 2003 Sunday Times (Nexis) 3 Aug. 45 This arrestingly crude novel, thronged as it is with lusty nuns, flatulent merchants, monks who can't keep their pizzles in their cassocks and flagellation-hungry canons.
posted by biffa at 11:12 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
1901 J. S. FARMER & W. E. HENLEY Slang V. 220/2 Pizzle, the penis. c1930 Confessions of Virtuous Wife ii. 16 We swam in love but his dear pizzle never relaxed its stiffness. 1969 F. B. VICKERS No Man is Himself 153 ‘He cut me pizzle off with a bit o' broke bottle.’ He felt at his penis... ‘It's got a head on it now like a bloody frilly lizard.’ 1981 P. VANSITTART Death of Robin Hood II. iii. 50 The Robene stalked Great Sherwood..green and naked, his pizzle tough and unflagging as leather. 2003 Sunday Times (Nexis) 3 Aug. 45 This arrestingly crude novel, thronged as it is with lusty nuns, flatulent merchants, monks who can't keep their pizzles in their cassocks and flagellation-hungry canons.
posted by biffa at 11:12 AM on June 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
Then you feel stupid and wish that you could take your comment back.
A delete option within three minutes of making a comment is certainly a possibility. People don't comment that quickly to the site, so it's not like five comments could follow in just a few short minutes.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:15 AM on June 15, 2006
A delete option within three minutes of making a comment is certainly a possibility. People don't comment that quickly to the site, so it's not like five comments could follow in just a few short minutes.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:15 AM on June 15, 2006
I would constantly be going:
Hey fuck you asshole!
posted by ND¢ at 12:00PM EST
...and then deleting it instantaneously hoping that almost nobody saw it. I agree with the idea that the potential for abuse should not keep responsible users from being able to enjoy a feature, but that one is just too tempting.
posted by ND¢ at 11:18 AM on June 15, 2006
Hey fuck you asshole!
posted by ND¢ at 12:00PM EST
...and then deleting it instantaneously hoping that almost nobody saw it. I agree with the idea that the potential for abuse should not keep responsible users from being able to enjoy a feature, but that one is just too tempting.
posted by ND¢ at 11:18 AM on June 15, 2006
NDcent, if you can't control your urge to fuck around with the site, you have personal issues. If you keep abusing this feature when it comes out, you will lose your account here. I don't know how to make that any more clear.
Do you push every kid you see dressed in white, because you know, kids are supposed to be dirty and they're just asking mud on their clothes?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:21 AM on June 15, 2006
Do you push every kid you see dressed in white, because you know, kids are supposed to be dirty and they're just asking mud on their clothes?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:21 AM on June 15, 2006
Matt, I love the new attitude... don't let the bastards get you down.
posted by Duncan at 11:24 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by Duncan at 11:24 AM on June 15, 2006
I think ND¢ is (mostly) kidding.
posted by brain_drain at 11:24 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 11:24 AM on June 15, 2006
I am mostly kidding but I do push children. I didn't know that you could find those kinds of things out about people over the internet.
posted by ND¢ at 11:26 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by ND¢ at 11:26 AM on June 15, 2006
Ha, I guess I fail the wryly-sarcastic test. I do infact support the editing of comments (not of FPPs), and as I have very little to contribute to this thread I thought an inane remark was in order. Alas, you have gotten the better of me, my friends. I shall exit this thread post-haste!
posted by blue_beetle at 11:27 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by blue_beetle at 11:27 AM on June 15, 2006
Matt, would deleting the comment wipe it from the database, or just flag it as nonvisible? Because warning that comments stay in the database and are visible to you might cut down on some of the potential abuse.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 11:27 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by monju_bosatsu at 11:27 AM on June 15, 2006
I suggest implementing a system of color coded diffs for comments, browsable through a cunning, yet easy to use DHTML interface. That'll solve everything.
posted by boo_radley at 11:39 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 11:39 AM on June 15, 2006
Is this only going to be for comments, or will FPPs and AskMe questions have the same window?
posted by educatedslacker at 11:52 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by educatedslacker at 11:52 AM on June 15, 2006
Comment diffs would actually be neat. I haven't seen that implemented anywhere else. Like it would say "edited at 12:04 PM" and clicking the date would show what was changed, with strikethroughs and such. Or even just replace the comment div with the old version, using Ajaxy goodness.
posted by smackfu at 11:56 AM on June 15, 2006
posted by smackfu at 11:56 AM on June 15, 2006
I'm going to change MeFi into a CVS repository. If you want to comment, you'll have to do a checkout of the thread code, apply your comment as a change, then commit the file to the repository. Collisions will require resubmitting changes and keeping track of any and all edits. There will be extensive history trees for every thread.
It'll all be command line. It should be great. You all have telnet, correct?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:07 PM on June 15, 2006
It'll all be command line. It should be great. You all have telnet, correct?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 12:07 PM on June 15, 2006
How does somebody not have telnet?
posted by sonofsamiam at 12:14 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 12:14 PM on June 15, 2006
Great, I knew that learning vi would eventually pay off!
posted by soyjoy at 12:19 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by soyjoy at 12:19 PM on June 15, 2006
I've realized I can just kick out the assholes that will abuse it
Well, now that you've realized that you have this power (...), I just hope you will use it.
posted by Gator at 12:35 PM on June 15, 2006
Well, now that you've realized that you have this power (...), I just hope you will use it.
posted by Gator at 12:35 PM on June 15, 2006
If people can't see it properly in the text box or in the live preview screen or in the preview screen, why will their reading ability be improved by a 4th opportunity to review their spiel?
Because they're be reading the comment instead of working on it. They way they look at it is different. That's how it happens with me, anyway. Some people will miss typos no matter what.
Having a a visual indicator that the comment's been edited, having a note on the editing interface that says the original comments are kept in the database and visible to admins, plus quick banning of people who abuse the feature should keep things under control.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:38 PM on June 15, 2006
"I'm going to change MeFi into a CVS repository.", threatens Mathowie. This is awesome beyond words. Totally and utterly without peer. Also, it'd obviate the need for ColdFusion, which is even better.
posted by boo_radley at 12:41 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 12:41 PM on June 15, 2006
Pointless feature.
That the two admins have used themselves.
Many people will love this pointless feature.
posted by justgary at 12:45 PM on June 15, 2006
That the two admins have used themselves.
Many people will love this pointless feature.
posted by justgary at 12:45 PM on June 15, 2006
I would constantly be going:
Hey fuck you asshole!
posted by ND¢ at 12:00PM EST
That brings to mind a different feature request: being able to post in disappearing ink. It'd be great if after 10 seconds the text would burst into a cheesy flame gif.
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:46 PM on June 15, 2006
Hey fuck you asshole!
posted by ND¢ at 12:00PM EST
That brings to mind a different feature request: being able to post in disappearing ink. It'd be great if after 10 seconds the text would burst into a cheesy flame gif.
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:46 PM on June 15, 2006
"I'm going to change MeFi into a CVS repository."
This is, seriously, the best suggestion in the thread. Go with that. Although SVN is sort of the flavor of the month, CVS is mature and has widespread tool support.
Plus, it doesn't require a JVM be kept up on a Windows box, which is a task of herculean proportions.
posted by majick at 12:46 PM on June 15, 2006
This is, seriously, the best suggestion in the thread. Go with that. Although SVN is sort of the flavor of the month, CVS is mature and has widespread tool support.
Plus, it doesn't require a JVM be kept up on a Windows box, which is a task of herculean proportions.
posted by majick at 12:46 PM on June 15, 2006
"Sometimes I think it's better to trust everyone and give members a bit more leeway and control and stop focusing on a hypothetical user that might misuse it."
High five! Awesome!
On the other hand, I kinda think the feature is useless except for placating the mentalists who can't let go of typos. But it'll be nice when I'm high and can't spell.
posted by klangklangston at 12:53 PM on June 15, 2006
High five! Awesome!
On the other hand, I kinda think the feature is useless except for placating the mentalists who can't let go of typos. But it'll be nice when I'm high and can't spell.
posted by klangklangston at 12:53 PM on June 15, 2006
man, I'm really liking matts admin skillz recently. I think the edit feature will work out nicely.
posted by puke & cry at 12:57 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by puke & cry at 12:57 PM on June 15, 2006
I guess if there's an indication that it's been edited (and better still a record of the edit) it would probably be OK. But the ability to delete comments? Are you mad, sir?
[comment edited by languagehat at 4:01 EST]
posted by languagehat at 1:08 PM on June 15, 2006
[comment edited by languagehat at 4:01 EST]
posted by languagehat at 1:08 PM on June 15, 2006
Instead of deleting, you should be able to 'edit' a post into blankness, leaving only the [comment edited] marker... Problem solved.
posted by wendell at 1:26 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by wendell at 1:26 PM on June 15, 2006
Two words: Edit history. Don't abuse it your edits, because keeping a history has the potential to really slow the site down.
posted by Eideteker at 1:33 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by Eideteker at 1:33 PM on June 15, 2006
and color coded diffs aren't the craziness I thought they were. Heck, you could wad them into some ajax if you wanted to.
posted by boo_radley at 1:38 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 1:38 PM on June 15, 2006
But the ability to delete comments? Are you mad, sir?
You're right languagehat. It would be incredibly confusing if comments just disappeared without a trace.
posted by timeistight at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2006
You're right languagehat. It would be incredibly confusing if comments just disappeared without a trace.
posted by timeistight at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2006
how about one minute to delete. There are rarely times in which a comment can elicit much of a response in one minute, and I know a lot of people say things in the heat of the moment they wish they could take back seconds later. You get one minute, and that's it.
I get emails about twice a week asking me to remove something that reveals where someone works, or who they worked with, or how they knew some insider info about the subject of a post that they urged me to delete minutes afterwards.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:49 PM on June 15, 2006
I get emails about twice a week asking me to remove something that reveals where someone works, or who they worked with, or how they knew some insider info about the subject of a post that they urged me to delete minutes afterwards.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:49 PM on June 15, 2006
Nice job, matt. See you at the NAMBLA meeting.
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:56 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:56 PM on June 15, 2006
OH CRAP! FEETURE TOO LATE!
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:56 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:56 PM on June 15, 2006
One minute if there's comments after, but all the time in the world if it's the last comment in thread, and the thread hasn't been closed?
posted by boo_radley at 1:57 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 1:57 PM on June 15, 2006
No, because then you could wait until somebody responds and then quickly edit. Hard time limit.
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:59 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 1:59 PM on June 15, 2006
i like this idea, but i like it because I'm imagining it with a "this post edited by [user x]" tag appended that isn't easily reproducable by those looking to be assholes.
posted by shmegegge at 2:19 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by shmegegge at 2:19 PM on June 15, 2006
All I know is it would save people doing thsi a lot.
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:35 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:35 PM on June 15, 2006
*this
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:36 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:36 PM on June 15, 2006
ooooh is it working now ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:42 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:42 PM on June 15, 2006
oh , not yet but i look forward to it : )
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:43 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 2:43 PM on June 15, 2006
good man.
posted by sonofsamiam at 2:52 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 2:52 PM on June 15, 2006
how about one minute to delete.
That is an awesome idea!
... but could you phrase that in the form of a question, please?
posted by mischief at 4:04 PM on June 15, 2006
That is an awesome idea!
... but could you phrase that in the form of a question, please?
posted by mischief at 4:04 PM on June 15, 2006
I think we should be able to randomly edit *other* folks' coments.
posted by fourcheesemac at 4:50 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by fourcheesemac at 4:50 PM on June 15, 2006
Matt, I am amazed that you think the benefit outweighs the risk. Also, why do you expect that people won't abuse this "feature", when they ignore the guidelines that already exist? And finally, I find it hard to believe that you would ban all the assholes (which I think would be great), since you've allowed many of them to stay here, yet continue to complain about their behavior.
I really hope you will reconsider your decision.
posted by garypratt at 5:05 PM on June 15, 2006
I really hope you will reconsider your decision.
posted by garypratt at 5:05 PM on June 15, 2006
They do fine with this feature on Something Awful. (Actually, they have "silent" edits for a few minutes, and after that they get marked as edited.)
You're saying we're less trustworthy than that crew? I'm insulted.
posted by smackfu at 5:57 PM on June 15, 2006
You're saying we're less trustworthy than that crew? I'm insulted.
posted by smackfu at 5:57 PM on June 15, 2006
You're saying we're less trustworthy than that crew? I'm insulted.
It's not that we're less trustworthy, it's just that our standards of discourse are higher (most of the time).
posted by Ryvar at 6:21 PM on June 15, 2006
It's not that we're less trustworthy, it's just that our standards of discourse are higher (most of the time).
posted by Ryvar at 6:21 PM on June 15, 2006
I've realized I can just kick out the assholes that will abuse it
No shit? Anything to do with the fact that we've been telling you that over and over again?
Anyway, this feature will be nice, although it addresses a pretty edge-case problem, and I look forward to serial abusers getting banhammerated, because I'm mean that way.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:23 PM on June 15, 2006
No shit? Anything to do with the fact that we've been telling you that over and over again?
Anyway, this feature will be nice, although it addresses a pretty edge-case problem, and I look forward to serial abusers getting banhammerated, because I'm mean that way.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:23 PM on June 15, 2006
Instead of a time limit, how about allowing edits/deletions only until the next comment is posted. It might take care of continuity problems in dialog and also addresses the NDcent gambit.
posted by klarck at 6:55 PM on June 15, 2006
posted by klarck at 6:55 PM on June 15, 2006
[comment edited by StickyCarpet at 0:07 EST]
Isn't that a lot of text to invoke for one missing apostrophe? And besides, the whole point is to make me look smarter. You guys will just imagine I made an even dumber mistake.
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:08 PM on June 15, 2006
Isn't that a lot of text to invoke for one missing apostrophe? And besides, the whole point is to make me look smarter. You guys will just imagine I made an even dumber mistake.
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:08 PM on June 15, 2006
Q: "What is best on Metafilter?"
A: "To ban your enemies!
To see their comments deleted before you,
and hear the lamentations of their flameouts!"
posted by blue_beetle at 9:09 PM on June 15, 2006
A: "To ban your enemies!
To see their comments deleted before you,
and hear the lamentations of their flameouts!"
posted by blue_beetle at 9:09 PM on June 15, 2006
I've long dreamed of a gambit being named after me, but I hoped it would be something cooler than typing an insult and then immediately deleting it, or changing what you typed a minute ago to make it look like you said something completely different.
I would much prefer if the hero would drive his motorcycle up the ramp of a parked truck, fly off it jumping over a rising drawbridge, see that killer knife-weilding monkeys riding alligators are swarming on the other side of the drawbridge, stand up on the motorcycle and jump off, throw off his cool poncho like Luke was wearing at the beginning of Jedi, revealing his jet pack underneath, fly over to the bad guy and cockpunch him in such a way that makes him no longer evil and impregnates his wife with the next Einstein, and then lands in a pile of hookers and blow. The formerly evil mastermind would look up from the ground, stroke his formerly evil goatee, and say "Brilliant, the ND¢ gambit".
posted by ND¢ at 6:04 AM on June 16, 2006
I would much prefer if the hero would drive his motorcycle up the ramp of a parked truck, fly off it jumping over a rising drawbridge, see that killer knife-weilding monkeys riding alligators are swarming on the other side of the drawbridge, stand up on the motorcycle and jump off, throw off his cool poncho like Luke was wearing at the beginning of Jedi, revealing his jet pack underneath, fly over to the bad guy and cockpunch him in such a way that makes him no longer evil and impregnates his wife with the next Einstein, and then lands in a pile of hookers and blow. The formerly evil mastermind would look up from the ground, stroke his formerly evil goatee, and say "Brilliant, the ND¢ gambit".
posted by ND¢ at 6:04 AM on June 16, 2006
One minute would be awful fast for those of us who are still on dial-up sometimes. (And keeping it open until the next comment comes in is no good because randomly it could happen that another comment comes in, completely unrelated, within five seconds of your comment, shutting you off.)
Howzabout two minutes? I don't think it would make much difference to the site processing, but it would make a big difference to those with slower connections. And it resonates with the "two-minute warning" in sports and, as we all know from George Carlin, the one that you get just before you're about to die.
posted by soyjoy at 8:14 AM on June 16, 2006
Howzabout two minutes? I don't think it would make much difference to the site processing, but it would make a big difference to those with slower connections. And it resonates with the "two-minute warning" in sports and, as we all know from George Carlin, the one that you get just before you're about to die.
posted by soyjoy at 8:14 AM on June 16, 2006
Sorry, I must have gotten it confused with NDcent maneuver.
posted by klarck at 9:48 AM on June 16, 2006
posted by klarck at 9:48 AM on June 16, 2006
My God ND¢. I think my heart just stopped.
posted by jackofsaxons at 11:35 AM on June 16, 2006
posted by jackofsaxons at 11:35 AM on June 16, 2006
This feature is totally sweet! Thanks Matt!
[this comment has been edited 1 time by grouse]
posted by grouse at 12:27 PM on June 16, 2006
[this comment has been edited 1 time by grouse]
posted by grouse at 12:27 PM on June 16, 2006
(wondering when asterisks became parens)
posted by If I Had An Anus at 1:42 PM on June 16, 2006
posted by If I Had An Anus at 1:42 PM on June 16, 2006
Sweet!
[this comment has been edited 1 time by grouse]
posted by languagehat at 2:02 PM on June 16, 2006
[this comment has been edited 1 time by grouse]
posted by languagehat at 2:02 PM on June 16, 2006
(wondering when asterisks became parens)
They would have if the feature had been available at that moment. *minipout*
posted by raedyn at 2:29 PM on June 16, 2006
They would have if the feature had been available at that moment. *minipout*
posted by raedyn at 2:29 PM on June 16, 2006
The security manager at my lab uses "quotation marks" instead of "asterisks" for "emphasis." It really drove us "nuts" until we figured out what she was "doing."
posted by grouse at 3:03 PM on June 16, 2006
posted by grouse at 3:03 PM on June 16, 2006
is it working ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:55 PM on June 16, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:55 PM on June 16, 2006
nope
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:56 PM on June 16, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:56 PM on June 16, 2006
try agaian
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:22 AM on June 17, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:22 AM on June 17, 2006
npoe
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:23 AM on June 17, 2006
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:23 AM on June 17, 2006
This seems like quite a good idea, and Matt's attitude toward abuse is sensible. Hell, I'd've used it in the thread that turned into 'Is this really a 14-year-old kid or not?' only fifteen minutes ago.
posted by waxbanks at 10:29 AM on June 20, 2006
posted by waxbanks at 10:29 AM on June 20, 2006
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posted by justgary at 7:44 AM on June 15, 2006