Will we spin ourselves off with all these spinoffs? March 23, 2003 11:31 AM Subscribe
Already there are BookFilter for books; SportsFilter for sports; a 9622.net and 1142.net for chattiness and fun. Not to mention the increasingly vigorous #mefi chatroom and other offshoots I may be unaware of. There's been talk of a MovieFilter and a News and/or PoliticsFilter. The admirable FreeFilter project makes it easy to set up other special-interest, breakaway micro-MetaFilters.
Is it possible that all this syphoning-off will one day syphon off the core of MetaFilter itself? Or are all these spin-offs mere adjuncts? For what it's worth, I'm plainly on the side of eclecticism and inclusiveness.
Is it possible that all this syphoning-off will one day syphon off the core of MetaFilter itself? Or are all these spin-offs mere adjuncts? For what it's worth, I'm plainly on the side of eclecticism and inclusiveness.
eclecticism and inclusiveness
I'm not sure what that has to do with all the other ~Filters...
Personally BookFilter threatens to take me even more away from MeFi than I already was, and 1142 was a delight when I had more free time. The "core" of MeFi has shifted over time and will likely continue to shift with or without the rest of the FilterFamily. Unless you want to start an "it was better when" thread, the shifting core seems totally okay, unless you're speaking geologically, that is.
posted by jessamyn at 12:07 PM on March 23, 2003
I'm not sure what that has to do with all the other ~Filters...
Personally BookFilter threatens to take me even more away from MeFi than I already was, and 1142 was a delight when I had more free time. The "core" of MeFi has shifted over time and will likely continue to shift with or without the rest of the FilterFamily. Unless you want to start an "it was better when" thread, the shifting core seems totally okay, unless you're speaking geologically, that is.
posted by jessamyn at 12:07 PM on March 23, 2003
You can't tell people to leave and worry about what happens when they do.
All the MeFi-inspired sites help the main site by taking topics and behaviour that weren't appropriate here and providing an outlet for them. Ultimately, it benefits the site I think. Every one of the branches leads back up the tree here.
posted by cCranium at 12:12 PM on March 23, 2003
All the MeFi-inspired sites help the main site by taking topics and behaviour that weren't appropriate here and providing an outlet for them. Ultimately, it benefits the site I think. Every one of the branches leads back up the tree here.
posted by cCranium at 12:12 PM on March 23, 2003
All the splinter sites are helping to keep MeFi true to its posting guidelines.
posted by girlhacker at 12:18 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by girlhacker at 12:18 PM on March 23, 2003
girlhacker - if that's the case, than I'll pay someone hard cash to develop Iraqfilter and lure all the war posters away...
posted by jonson at 12:37 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by jonson at 12:37 PM on March 23, 2003
MetaFilter has reached critical mass.
Slashdot is a good place to look at for reference here. Slashdot is, at the most basic, a 'catch all' nerd discusson and weblog site. But.. lots of spin offs have been launched. There are now weblogs for C programmers, VM programmers, PHP coders, people interested in Science, people interested in online rights and law.. yet Slashdot has not shrunk because of it. Indeed, Slashdot now spends a lot of its time linking to the sites which cater to niche topics. I think MetaFilter will start to do the same, and links to BookFilter and SportsFilter will become common occurances.
FreeFilter 0.3 will be another radical overhaul, and finally present us with a truly stable FreeFilter platform. FreeFilter 0.2 has the power at the moment, but you need to be into SQL to admin it properly, and the code is not particularly modular or easy to deal with.
FreeFilter 0.3, another total rewrite, solves these issues and presents a fully Web based administration environment. It's out in early April. Keep an eye on the FreeFilter site for details. BTW, FreeFilter now has its own dedicated server, so things can only get better! Thanks for the support.
posted by wackybrit at 12:37 PM on March 23, 2003
Slashdot is a good place to look at for reference here. Slashdot is, at the most basic, a 'catch all' nerd discusson and weblog site. But.. lots of spin offs have been launched. There are now weblogs for C programmers, VM programmers, PHP coders, people interested in Science, people interested in online rights and law.. yet Slashdot has not shrunk because of it. Indeed, Slashdot now spends a lot of its time linking to the sites which cater to niche topics. I think MetaFilter will start to do the same, and links to BookFilter and SportsFilter will become common occurances.
FreeFilter 0.3 will be another radical overhaul, and finally present us with a truly stable FreeFilter platform. FreeFilter 0.2 has the power at the moment, but you need to be into SQL to admin it properly, and the code is not particularly modular or easy to deal with.
FreeFilter 0.3, another total rewrite, solves these issues and presents a fully Web based administration environment. It's out in early April. Keep an eye on the FreeFilter site for details. BTW, FreeFilter now has its own dedicated server, so things can only get better! Thanks for the support.
posted by wackybrit at 12:37 PM on March 23, 2003
I'll pay someone hard cash to develop Iraqfilter and lure all the war posters away...
Send a proposal to Mr. Haughey!
posted by girlhacker at 12:42 PM on March 23, 2003
Send a proposal to Mr. Haughey!
posted by girlhacker at 12:42 PM on March 23, 2003
I don't get it, 1142.net leads back to this thread.
I think the meta-offshoots are a healthy thing to be encouraged. The core of mefi will hold up, there'll just be more sites to surf through.
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:09 PM on March 23, 2003
I think the meta-offshoots are a healthy thing to be encouraged. The core of mefi will hold up, there'll just be more sites to surf through.
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:09 PM on March 23, 2003
Ah, it's an old cult thread. I just went and looked up the thread number and read through it for a few moments. Did 1142 evolve into metatalk? It started as a very meta post that disolved into a inane discussion, which reminded me of, well, metatalk.
Why does the URL lead to this thread though? Or does it just lead to the latest meta thread?
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:28 PM on March 23, 2003
Why does the URL lead to this thread though? Or does it just lead to the latest meta thread?
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:28 PM on March 23, 2003
No offense is intended towards the curious, but 1142 is a private community.
posted by cCranium at 1:33 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by cCranium at 1:33 PM on March 23, 2003
Believe me 1142 is private. I know, I know.
[Hangs head in shame after similar previous misdemeanor]
Can I vote for Agonyfilter? People can anonymously post their problems and we all get to offer advice anonymously too. Like we're all anonymously in this together ....
... Wackybrit ... do you think you'll ever get it to the Blogger stage where someone can set up a 'filter with a minimum of progamming language using a graphical interface or wizard?
posted by feelinglistless at 1:49 PM on March 23, 2003
[Hangs head in shame after similar previous misdemeanor]
Can I vote for Agonyfilter? People can anonymously post their problems and we all get to offer advice anonymously too. Like we're all anonymously in this together ....
... Wackybrit ... do you think you'll ever get it to the Blogger stage where someone can set up a 'filter with a minimum of progamming language using a graphical interface or wizard?
posted by feelinglistless at 1:49 PM on March 23, 2003
...set up a 'filter with a minimum of progamming language using a graphical interface or wizard?
Yahoo!filter
posted by andrew cooke at 2:16 PM on March 23, 2003
Yahoo!filter
posted by andrew cooke at 2:16 PM on March 23, 2003
Pardon me whilst I speak in code.
!TFE I nac ton teg no 2411 retie. Dnes liam-e ro gnihtemos.
posted by thirteen at 2:31 PM on March 23, 2003
!TFE I nac ton teg no 2411 retie. Dnes liam-e ro gnihtemos.
posted by thirteen at 2:31 PM on March 23, 2003
Geez, just when I figure I know my way around here, there's another dark and secret corner. Thats the beauty of mefi, isn't it? I'm actually pretty amused by the FightClub styled way many users keep things secret for secrecy's sake. It's like being a member of an exclusive club, or further, a secret society within a secret society. In a 100 years I wonder if people will talk about the Mefi's like we talk about the Masons. (Considering of course that Matt inserts his consciousness into the server in a attempt at immortality.)
posted by elwoodwiles at 2:48 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by elwoodwiles at 2:48 PM on March 23, 2003
jonson:
I'll pay someone hard cash to develop Iraqfilter and lure all the war posters away...
God forbid that readers might actually be confronted with something that is happening in the world.
posted by mark13 at 3:11 PM on March 23, 2003
I'll pay someone hard cash to develop Iraqfilter and lure all the war posters away...
God forbid that readers might actually be confronted with something that is happening in the world.
posted by mark13 at 3:11 PM on March 23, 2003
Watching bookfilter develop, I think it's going to turn out to be quite a different beast from MetaFilter. Starting Monday, ?! is going to open a section for members to write reviews, and I'm hoping we get a system set up for putting together a reading list. BoFi will develop, I imagine, a radically different pace and feel over the next few months. This is nothing but good, methinks.
posted by kaibutsu at 3:12 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by kaibutsu at 3:12 PM on March 23, 2003
Why does the URL lead to this thread though? Or does it just lead to the latest meta thread?
It didn't point to this thread until Miguel started this thread. (It couldn't have, no?) Miguel evidently did a brash no-no. Mentioning 9622 is usually frowned upon, too.
1142 redirected it afterwards. Someone likes their privacy! If you really like to fill your head with conspiracies, though, you can look at this. But why bother? I don't know if it's at all accurate.
I'm actually pretty amused by the FightClub styled way...
Most of the joking references to FightClub involve 9622, or some other innocuous extra-curricular gathering of Mefites. Diverse people gather at 9622 but, if the bulk of Mefi knew of it, rumours of a cabal or Mefiosa might develop. Which is not the case. There is no cabal. Well, I'm sure there are some small plots here and there, but nothing worth mentioning.
You can correct me when the MefiMasons make their bid for world supremacy.
Heh! Spellcheck changes "FightClub" to "nightclub"! Not that I use Spellcheck...
posted by Shane at 3:52 PM on March 23, 2003
It didn't point to this thread until Miguel started this thread. (It couldn't have, no?) Miguel evidently did a brash no-no. Mentioning 9622 is usually frowned upon, too.
1142 redirected it afterwards. Someone likes their privacy! If you really like to fill your head with conspiracies, though, you can look at this. But why bother? I don't know if it's at all accurate.
I'm actually pretty amused by the FightClub styled way...
Most of the joking references to FightClub involve 9622, or some other innocuous extra-curricular gathering of Mefites. Diverse people gather at 9622 but, if the bulk of Mefi knew of it, rumours of a cabal or Mefiosa might develop. Which is not the case. There is no cabal. Well, I'm sure there are some small plots here and there, but nothing worth mentioning.
You can correct me when the MefiMasons make their bid for world supremacy.
Heh! Spellcheck changes "FightClub" to "nightclub"! Not that I use Spellcheck...
posted by Shane at 3:52 PM on March 23, 2003
How about Looking At The Back Of Your Head Recede Into Infinity In The Barbershop MirrorFilter?
posted by y2karl at 4:03 PM on March 23, 2003
posted by y2karl at 4:03 PM on March 23, 2003
Uh, cCranium, you might want to password-protect a site for a "private community," rather than shut it down when people figure out it exists.
Just, you know, more practical that way.
posted by PrinceValium at 5:12 PM on March 23, 2003
Just, you know, more practical that way.
posted by PrinceValium at 5:12 PM on March 23, 2003
Diverse people gather at 9622 but, if the bulk of Mefi knew of it, rumours of a cabal or Mefiosa might develop.
Whatever, Heather. As long as the cool kids are happy. *makes finger-down-throat gagging gesture*
Anyway, BookFilter and SportsFilter both seem like they're becoming great sites. I'm loving BookFilter.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 5:25 PM on March 23, 2003
Whatever, Heather. As long as the cool kids are happy. *makes finger-down-throat gagging gesture*
Anyway, BookFilter and SportsFilter both seem like they're becoming great sites. I'm loving BookFilter.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 5:25 PM on March 23, 2003
Uh, cCranium, you might want to password-protect a site for a "private community," rather than shut it down when people figure out it exists.
Just, you know, more practical that way.
Well, 1142 is sort of open. Just not massively open. As in, they don't mind if people find it and join in and participate, but they do mind if 14000 people come knocking.
posted by Neale at 5:34 PM on March 23, 2003
Just, you know, more practical that way.
Well, 1142 is sort of open. Just not massively open. As in, they don't mind if people find it and join in and participate, but they do mind if 14000 people come knocking.
posted by Neale at 5:34 PM on March 23, 2003
this is why i thought limiting the number of groups on that ms messaging/music sharing app was a cool combination of necessity and good design. everyone (me excluded, of course) wants to be in a clique, but there's a balancing act between two many and too few that seems to be difficult to get right on the 'net.
and the consequences can be wryly amusing...
posted by andrew cooke at 6:09 PM on March 23, 2003
and the consequences can be wryly amusing...
posted by andrew cooke at 6:09 PM on March 23, 2003
Whatever, Heather. As long as the cool kids are happy. *makes finger-down-throat gagging gesture*
Hey, take out your I-wasn't-part-of-the-high-school-cliques-angst somewhere else, and get over it. I've never been part of a clique in my fucking life, fuckwit.
posted by Shane at 6:56 PM on March 23, 2003
Hey, take out your I-wasn't-part-of-the-high-school-cliques-angst somewhere else, and get over it. I've never been part of a clique in my fucking life, fuckwit.
posted by Shane at 6:56 PM on March 23, 2003
* whacks everyone with a ruler, old farts and newbies alike *
Right. Knock it off, you lot. There's plenty of internet for everyone without getting all bitchy about it.
posted by yhbc at 7:36 PM on March 23, 2003
Right. Knock it off, you lot. There's plenty of internet for everyone without getting all bitchy about it.
posted by yhbc at 7:36 PM on March 23, 2003
There's plenty of internet for everyone without getting all bitchy about it.
Oh, that's just fine, coming from one of you Heathers over at 9622 : )
Seriously, out-of-the-fucking-blue-goddamned-arbitrary-insults amaze me. You could call me a slimesucking asshole and I'd laugh it off--but a Heather? Where I come from that's as pleasant as walking into the Barrio screaming insults about "spics" in bad Calo. Mucho pedo : )
posted by Shane at 7:56 PM on March 23, 2003
Oh, that's just fine, coming from one of you Heathers over at 9622 : )
Seriously, out-of-the-fucking-blue-goddamned-arbitrary-insults amaze me. You could call me a slimesucking asshole and I'd laugh it off--but a Heather? Where I come from that's as pleasant as walking into the Barrio screaming insults about "spics" in bad Calo. Mucho pedo : )
posted by Shane at 7:56 PM on March 23, 2003
You could call me a slimesucking asshole and I'd laugh it off--but a Heather?
That is way harsh -- he called me a J.D., but at least I live 'til the end. I'd like to know what his damage his.
posted by j.edwards at 8:25 PM on March 23, 2003
That is way harsh -- he called me a J.D., but at least I live 'til the end. I'd like to know what his damage his.
posted by j.edwards at 8:25 PM on March 23, 2003
Jeez, it's like I can smell the cornnuts regurgitating from here!
Oh c'mon, I love all the cool kids or else I wouldn't eat lunch in this cafeteria. ";)"
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:41 PM on March 23, 2003
Oh c'mon, I love all the cool kids or else I wouldn't eat lunch in this cafeteria. ";)"
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:41 PM on March 23, 2003
Wow, that brouhaha died out quickly. Not that I'm disappointed.
[insert my usual peace-sign graphic here]
posted by Shane at 6:04 AM on March 24, 2003
[insert my usual peace-sign graphic here]
posted by Shane at 6:04 AM on March 24, 2003
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posted by jmd82 at 11:45 AM on March 23, 2003 [1 favorite]