MetaTalk posts tagged with profiles

#FF66CC

zippy — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:59:59 -0800

ThePinkSuperhero's profile page is the best evar. Or is it? Are there other user profiles with CSS or HTML awesomery?

I didn't even ask for this pony, but I'll take it!

PCup — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 05:40:06 -0800

Same account, two different browsers - my Theme preference isn't respected in both browsers. I like this "feature," so I'm just mentioning it - not requesting a change. I recently noticed that my phone was displaying the Plain theme, but my browser was displaying the Default (blue background) theme. So I decided to do some testing on two different browsers. This could be useful if you like to use one theme on your PC and another on your phone, because you can set up the theme you want for your phone, log in on your phone, then return to your PC and change the theme the one one you want for your PC. As far as I can tell, as long as you stay logged in on your phone it will keep the old theme. Summary of findings: if I'm logged in to the same account on two different browsers (or two different devices), changing the Theme or Font preferences in one browser does not automatically change that preference in a second browser. BUT! If I visit the Preferences page in the second browser, the Preferences page shows all of my newly-saved preferences. It appears that MetaFilter’s back-end saves the Preferences, but the page’s appearance is controlled by cookies and the cookies for each browser don’t get reset until I log out or save preferences in the new browser. Details: (note that in this example I’m using Chrome to make the change and IE to demonstrate that the theme doesn’t change, but it works equally well if I use IE to make the change and then go to Chrome to show that it doesn’t change) 1. Log in to my account (PCup) on Chrome. Theme is Default. 2. Log in to same account (PCup) on Internet Explorer. Theme is Default. 3. In Chrome, go to Preferences, change theme to Plain, hit Save. Return to main page (www.metafilter.com) - it shows the Plain theme. 4. Return to Internet Explorer and navigate around. It still shows the Default theme. Going to ask.metafilter.com doesn't change this, doing a hard refresh (Ctrl + F5) doesn't change it, closing the browser window then re-opening it and returnong to MetaFilter doesn’t change it. As long as I a) stay logged in and b) don’t hit Save on the Preference page (more on that below), IE sticks with the Default theme even though I changed my Theme to Plain in Preferences in Chrome on the same MetaFilter account. 5a. If I log out of MeFi in IE and log back in, then I get the Plain theme. 5b. If I visit the Preferences pages, it shows the correct saved preferences (Plain theme), but the page is still displaying with the Default theme (blue background). So the data (which theme) is correct, but what the browser displays is out of sync with that data. If I don’t touch any of the preferences and hit Save, then IE gets the saved theme (Plain). I’m guessing that when I hit Save a cookie in my browser gets updated and from then on the browser requests the new Theme from the site? I actually like this. I want the Plain theme on my phone and the Default theme on my computer, so as long as I change the setting on one device and not the other and stay logged in then I get that desired behavior. But I’m guessing that this is a border case where if I’m logged in to MeFi on browsers A and B, I can change the Preferences on browser A and the cookie that holds the Preferences on browser B is not changed. Just an interesting border case. And possibly helpful to people who, like me, want different themes on different devices. Anyway, I’m not looking for anything to change, just describing the behavior because it's more interesting than doing my real job. I would like to hear if my theory about why the two browsers using the same account can simultaneously display the different Theme is correct – is it due to cookies not being updated in one of the browsers?

spread the jam

ifjuly — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:10:34 -0800

Super minor pony request: the option to add a This Is My Jam updating widget to profiles? I know you can already have the TIMJ button on your profile, but there are additional widget options for showing recent updates for things like Last.fm, Flickr, LibraryThing, and Twitter. Was wondering if it'd be possible to add that for TIMJ. Asking 'cause I use TIMJ all the time and love it, and I figure there's probably some way to do this since you can crosspost TIMJ updates to Facebook and Twitter. But I don't know the ins and outs exactly, and the site's fairly new and small. Obviously this is not a pressing pony, but still. Thought it'd be cool and it doesn't hurt to ask.

A Mefi profile guide: recommending web hosting, domain registrar, cms, e-mail services

Foci for Analysis — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:37:44 -0800

Inspired by samsara's and deezil's helpful malware removal guides on their profile pages, I've written a short and practical beginner's guide recommending domain name registrars, web hosting, content management systems and e-mail services. I hope the guide is of some use to people who want to host their own stuff, as opposed using hosted platforms like Tumblr or Blogger, using solid and hassle-free tech. I wrote this guide because it tends to be hard to find *one* single practical guide that covers all aspects of running a web site (as far as solution providers and tech are concerned). I've tried to keep my recommendations limited to one or two solutions where all solutions are compatible with one another. It's a work in progress - wrote it yesterday! - so I would really appreciate your feedback.

Interesting Profiles?

Wretch729 — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:21:08 -0800

Is there a good collection of recent interesting/informative mefite profiles? If not can you all suggest some to me? I know we've done this in the past (1, 2) but it's been a while and many of the profiles linked in those posts have since been changed. Crunchland's, for instance, is apparently a shadow of its former self. I'll start with some random examples, based on reading those older threads: Mutant's profile is a finance course in itself Jessamyn has a mini FAQ for frequent AskMes. deezil has a malware fighting tool kit robocop is bleeding has a bunch of short fiction kattullus has some funny stuff about Metafilter's culture peacay's profile is... eclectic madamjujujive has a lot of links to member's personal sites (but some have gone zombie) Cortex's has a pony

Dating on the green

hwyengr — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:49:34 -0800

Isn't linking to your online dating profile in AskMe self-linking? The phenomenon of folks posting links to their OKCupid profiles on AskMe is picking up steam. I don't know why, but I find this a little troubling. It seems like this exploits the green, since not only are you asking for advice on your profile, but you're advertising that you're single and looking, and look, here's all my interests and contact info. It just feels a little off, no?

So what exactly is the purpose of the profile?

bpm140 — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:18:09 -0800

What's wrong with referencing someone's profile info in a discussion? Earlier today there was a pretty solid discussion going on in one of the FPPs. One comment in particular stood out as a bit over the top emotionally and I checked out the profile to see if maybe the person had significant relevant experience and maybe we touched a nerve. Based upon the person's profile, it was just the opposite. When I brought this up in the thread I was quickly smacked down by another commentor and eventually my comment was deleted (I'm guessing because it got flagged by someone). I'd love to hear from the community why referencing someone else's self description is unacceptable. Is it EVER acceptable to reference someone's profile in a discussion or are they the love that dares not speak its name -- only to be viewed and never commented upon? Consider this a teaching opportunity for me.

"And now to add a quote from Ayn Rand ..."

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:27:36 -0800

Related to pony still in the stable: how often do you update your profile? I was originally going to put in a pony request to have "[User X] has updated their profile" appear in the Contact Activity, but then, how often do you all change your profile anyway? Do you change the pic? Your statement to the community? Your favorite posts? When was the last time you changed any of these, if ever? About how often does it happen? I'm just curious, is all, if this pony request would, if implemented, even get a lot of use. Or if you all are totally switching things up in your profile on a regular basis without anyone knowing unless they keep checking it out to see if you updated anything.

We all know Deezil has an awesome profile.. who else?

royalsong — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:38:50 -0800

What are some really cool mefite profiles? So, I was checking out By The Grace of God's profile and s/he has some really interesting links to metafilter posts that I never seen before. We've had a couple of posts asking for useful information in people's profiles. (one by BtGoG him/herself!) I want to ask if there are any not-quite-so-informational but still really interesting/cool profiles out there in the mefite community? We're a creative bunch, and I'm sure there has to be more profiles that people have used as an outlet for their creativity. (and I could certainly use some inspiration seeing as I have one of the most dull profiles ever)

Pony request: Add Google+ to the Social Apps list in profiles?

Jacqueline — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:24:00 -0800

Pony request: Add Google+ to the Social Apps list in profiles?

Pony Request: "Health Month" as User Profile Choice

WCityMike — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:23:04 -0800

Pony Request: Adding Health Month to the external profiles one can add to their profile. The URL construction is "http://healthmonth.com/profile/[user name]" and is accessible to anyone (logged in or no). The site's icon is already made available small. The Metafilter team on the site's growing well given it's only been around since early February. Thanks for considering the request.

Are profiles crawled?

defenestration — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:33:13 -0800

Are MeFi profiles crawled by search engines? I remember reading that they weren't, but I just googled my real name and found my MeFi profile.

Time to update the about prompt on the profile page?

empath — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:29:47 -0800

Should we update the 'About' prompt on the profile page? It still asks when the first time you used the internet was. At this point it's kind of like asking when the first time you watched TV was.

A sobering pony request

The Winsome Parker Lewis — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:31:40 -0800

A little note on the profiles of MeFites who are deceased? I apologize if this is inappropriately morbid or ill-timed, but after the digital afterlife FPP and the obit thread for Bill Zeller, I'd say the subject weighs heavily on many of our minds this week. I was touched by the one-line note someone (mathowie?) appended to the top of null terminated's profile. It's a simple way to memorialize a user who's no longer with us, as well as a useful bit of information for future wanderers who find that page without any context. I assume this is unique to null terminated's profile. Obviously not everyone will have a MeTa thread to mark his or her passing... but I think a standardized way to indicate someone has (been confirmed to have) died, with or without details, would be very appropriate for posterity's sake. It's a tiny gesture, like laying virtual flowers atop a virtual ledger. As MetaFilter enters another new year, the reality of members passing away becomes more apparent; I think acknowledging this officially is a thoughtful way for us to demonstrate our community.

Nice work, deezil.

fake — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:38:24 -0800

deezil has an excellent spyware removal/virus removal guide in his profile. Are there other members with similarly useful content?

High signal profiles

By The Grace of God — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:12:00 -0800

I find that Mutant's profile is full of useful information, about himself and his areas of expertise. Do you guys know of any other profiles with useful and interesting information, particularly about specialty subjects?

Comments signal to noise ratios in profile?

seasparrow — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:46:02 -0800

Pony Request: Signal to Noise ratio on profiles? I am perhaps overly proud that while I don't make many comments, many of those that I do make are selected as "best answer". In a perfect world I could inflate my vanity by seeing this reflected somewhere in my profile: For instance: "23% of your comments selected as best answers."

Adding services to the 'also on' field in user profiles?

Lutoslawski — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:15:27 -0800

A (Shetland) pony? Adding more services to the 'also on' field in user profiles? Forgive me as I'm sure this has come up before, but alas my searching has failed me. I'm wondering what the protocol is for adding additional services to the 'also on' feature in user profiles. Specifically (for me) I'd like PRX and LibriVox on the list, but I'm also wondering in general how services get added..

Should the profiles of deceased MeFites be preserved?

Faint of Butt — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:09:02 -0800

When an account is disabled, all the profile information disappears. Might it be better to preserve the information when the account is disabled due to the owner's death? Under most circumstances, it makes sense to delete the profile information when an account is disabled. For example, it's appropriate when someone wants to leave MetaFilter of their own volition and doesn't want to leave any trace. It's also appropriate when a spammer or scammer shows up and gets the banhammer, and we want to flush them down the memory hole. This morning, though, seized by a fit of 10th-anniversary nostalgia, I was browsing through the wiki and found the page of deceased MeFites. There are good people listed there, people who were appreciated for their contributions to the community: Radio7, alicila, poopy, Cancergiggles and Soulbee, just to name a few. But if you visit their profile pages, hardly anything remains except for their post histories and a blunt "This account is disabled," indistinguishable from the page of a banned self-linker. Even if it's too late to restore the profiles of those who have already passed on, perhaps, in the future, when we lose a good MeFite, his or her profile could remain as a memorial? Maybe a note could even be added to indicate the date on which MetaFilter learned of the death. It would be respectful and appropriate, I think. I know it's what I would want.

interesting profiles

wheelieman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:47:33 -0800

We have profiles: I know of Mutant's jaw dropping profile and crunchland's informitive one. What other user's profiles are worth checking out? People with pink backgrounds and/or consuming large doughnuts need not apply, I know about you already :).

How do I get last.fm tracks to show up on my profile?

arimathea — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:55:31 -0800

What's the secret to getting last.fm played tracks to show up on my profile? I've checked out this thread and added my information and made sure that information was public, but I still don't see tracks on my profile several hours after I did all the right things. Is there a way to debug this, or am I missing something?

On MeFi, everyone knows you're dog.

grumblebee — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:19:55 -0800

Greasemonkey: here's a script that displays profile pics next to posts. Cortex warned me some people will hate it and want to roast me alive. To those people, let me suggest a side dish of Potatoes au Gratin and a glass of Merlot. I've had this installed for a week. It's subtly but profoundly changed my MeFi experience. I'm not sure if it's made it better or worse. I'm not sure if I'll keep it installed or not. I noticed that almost everyone on MeTa has a pic, only about 40% of those on MeFi have them and most people who post to AskMe don't. I'll leave the interpretation of those stats to brighter minds. I'm just learning Greasemonkey coding for the first time, so there may be some rough edges to my script. Enjoy. Or not.

Muxtape

empath — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:12:09 -0800

Can we add muxtape as a social service for the profiles? I bet a lot of mefites muxtapes up.

The daft bit at the top

sgt.serenity — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:19:59 -0800

Hello - is there no way to link to sites on our profiles or am I just not clever enough ? Is it stopped now ? was there a reason for not letting people link to sites on their profiles or is it just a case of me not knowing any html whatsoever ? Anyway, you're all looking wonderful this evening.

Numeristerical!

Rhaomi — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:43:57 -0800

Are there any Mefi user accounts that have a coincidental (or intentional) relationship with their user number? This comment by Burhanistan makes me wonder if there are any user accounts on Mefi that have some connection to their user number, either through serendipity (say, user numbers that are the same as one's zip code or date of birth) or by design, where they play off the name in a witty way (for example?). Also, now that Mefi is getting more and more members, and since the $5 fee turns many people away mid-signup, leaving many empty user profiles behind, how hard would it be to snag an "interesting" number? Is there even a way to keep track of the newest users, short of typing in higher and higher numbers after http://www.metafilter.com/user/ ? Will this "flaw" in the process that creates ever-larger swathes of nonexistent profiles ever be corrected?