Flagging with flags. September 17, 2009 5:54 AM Subscribe
Probably unlikely feature request. I'd like to be able to flag myself. With a flag.
That is, I'd like the option to have little country flags appear next to usernames.
There is no way to ask a question on Ask that does not get a number of helpful wags offering US-only solutions no matter what the OP says about not living in the States. And it would save a lot of LOLAmerica space in the blue if posters could just trigger a little flag to pop up with their comment.
I grant that the potential visual clutter makes this a long shot.
Yahoo! Answers has a little This question was originally asked on Yahoo! Answers [Country name], with little flag icon, at the bottom of non-US questions. Of course it being Yahoo! Answers, the questions still get a lot of "You can buy them on Amazon.com!" and "Apply for WIC!" But if nothing else it's interesting to see.
That is, I'd like the option to have little country flags appear next to usernames.
There is no way to ask a question on Ask that does not get a number of helpful wags offering US-only solutions no matter what the OP says about not living in the States. And it would save a lot of LOLAmerica space in the blue if posters could just trigger a little flag to pop up with their comment.
I grant that the potential visual clutter makes this a long shot.
Yahoo! Answers has a little This question was originally asked on Yahoo! Answers [Country name], with little flag icon, at the bottom of non-US questions. Of course it being Yahoo! Answers, the questions still get a lot of "You can buy them on Amazon.com!" and "Apply for WIC!" But if nothing else it's interesting to see.
If people aren't going to read the question, what makes you think that they'll notice a tiny little flag?
posted by Lemurrhea at 5:57 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by Lemurrhea at 5:57 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
Well, then, maybe it should replace the whole dark-soothing-green thing with white and red and maple leaves.
posted by Plutor at 5:58 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Plutor at 5:58 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
self-flagellation.
posted by gman at 5:58 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by gman at 5:58 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
Just to get it out of the way, this could be done with Greasemonkey that hits the Google Maps API, but it would be rude to both MetaFilter's and Google's servers.
posted by Plutor at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Plutor at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Since I am American, I only know what my country's flag looks like. Other flags would confuse me. Were they states, I would wonder? Could this be some kind of caste system? How can I get the neato green button with the yellow diamond and blue circle?
posted by Mizu at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2009 [10 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2009 [10 favorites]
Reeks of nationalism. I'd rather see a small picture of every users footwear.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:13 AM on September 17, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:13 AM on September 17, 2009 [7 favorites]
A bunch of flags would be confusing. How about just "American," "Friend" and "Foe"?
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?!
Do you want a list?
(just kidding)
posted by FishBike at 6:17 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
Do you want a list?
(just kidding)
posted by FishBike at 6:17 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
If this feature were added, you would really have to like seeing the American flag, since it would be everywhere on Metafilter.
posted by smackfu at 6:18 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by smackfu at 6:18 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
So, you flag it, and we just move on?
posted by owtytrof at 6:18 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by owtytrof at 6:18 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
It probably goes against the It's a Small World mission statement.
And once you start waving national flags, you'll have people demanding little icons indicating various other things, no doubt starting with what sort of genitalia they have and what they like to do with them.
posted by pracowity at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
And once you start waving national flags, you'll have people demanding little icons indicating various other things, no doubt starting with what sort of genitalia they have and what they like to do with them.
posted by pracowity at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
smackfu: If this feature were added, you would really have to like seeing the American flag, since it would be everywhere on Metafilter.
Honestly, I'd probably Ad-block the US flag for that exact reason.
posted by paisley henosis at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
Honestly, I'd probably Ad-block the US flag for that exact reason.
posted by paisley henosis at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
I'm seeing it as an optional feature, where you'd only flag yourself when you found it pertinent to your post. However, I am liking P Aletheias' idea. Perhaps non-US member names could appear in commie red?
posted by kmennie at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by kmennie at 6:21 AM on September 17, 2009
Can I get a UN flag? Because I'm a citizen of the world, man. You can't hug your children with nuclear arms!
posted by backseatpilot at 6:22 AM on September 17, 2009 [10 favorites]
posted by backseatpilot at 6:22 AM on September 17, 2009 [10 favorites]
Also, I did flag myself with a flag the other day. I made a huge mess of a closing tag, and one of the mods fixed it for me. So I'd like to use this thread to acknowledge that person.
Thank you, mystery mod!
posted by paisley henosis at 6:23 AM on September 17, 2009
Thank you, mystery mod!
posted by paisley henosis at 6:23 AM on September 17, 2009
I'd have to use the Nepalese flag (thanks, Carmen Sandiego!) or the Welsh flag. Because it has a dragon.
posted by empyrean at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by empyrean at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Can we have Wikipedia-style userboxes? And have miniature icons for each and every one of the eighty-three of them I'd have to appear after my username in every post and comment I make?
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009
I call the Jolly Roger!
posted by Pastabagel at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Pastabagel at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009
What about us poor immigrants, foreigners in foreign lands? Will we be assimilated into the country we reside or shall we retain the emblems of our birth culture?
posted by Kattullus at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Kattullus at 6:27 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
MetaFilter only has one flag as far as I'm concerned.
posted by burnmp3s at 6:28 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by burnmp3s at 6:28 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Just to get it out of the way, this could be done with Greasemonkey that hits the Google Maps API, but it would be rude to both MetaFilter's and Google's servers.
OTOH, it would be pretty easy to just put a flag next to your own name. If it would make you feel better.
posted by smackfu at 6:31 AM on September 17, 2009
OTOH, it would be pretty easy to just put a flag next to your own name. If it would make you feel better.
posted by smackfu at 6:31 AM on September 17, 2009
Thank you, mystery mod!
You're welcome. It was probably me.
I don't think the flag thing is going to ... er ... fly.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:33 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
You're welcome. It was probably me.
I don't think the flag thing is going to ... er ... fly.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:33 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
My vote is for giant page background flags. With blink tags. Or maybe using marquee tags to make your favorite flag chase everyone else's flags across the screen! Or one flag at the top gloating over a pile of burning flags. There can be only one!!11!
OR MAYBE JUST YOUR NATIONAL ANIMAL, ROARING TRIUMPHANTLY WHILE POOPING OUT THE TATTERED FLAGS OF OUR ENEMIES! OH YES, GREAT NATION, OH YES!
This is how I'd like to see every askme, please.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:34 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
OR MAYBE JUST YOUR NATIONAL ANIMAL, ROARING TRIUMPHANTLY WHILE POOPING OUT THE TATTERED FLAGS OF OUR ENEMIES! OH YES, GREAT NATION, OH YES!
This is how I'd like to see every askme, please.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:34 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't see how flags solve the problem and I do see how they can be potentially harmful.
If the US answer would be "apply to WIC" for instance, maybe there IS a your-country-specific version of that answer but nobody from your country read the question. It seems like it's helpful to have someone throw in the idea of "government assistance program" even if the government and program names are incorrect for your location.
posted by DU at 6:34 AM on September 17, 2009
If the US answer would be "apply to WIC" for instance, maybe there IS a your-country-specific version of that answer but nobody from your country read the question. It seems like it's helpful to have someone throw in the idea of "government assistance program" even if the government and program names are incorrect for your location.
posted by DU at 6:34 AM on September 17, 2009
Will we be assimilated into the country we reside or shall we retain the emblems of our birth culture?
Have you taken the loyalty oath?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:39 AM on September 17, 2009
Have you taken the loyalty oath?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:39 AM on September 17, 2009
As an American, I would like some sort of indication of whether the poster's home country is FOR US or AGAINST US.
posted by bondcliff at 6:47 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by bondcliff at 6:47 AM on September 17, 2009
I definitely see the point but it feels a lot like livejournal icons to me. Maybe if it's something geography-specific mention the name clearly on the front of the AskMe page (and in the title for those using RSS)? I know that if something mentions Providence or Rhode Island (the home of my soul) I will click on it without even reading the rest of the question. Plenty of questions don't have a geographical component such as most things about relationships but for anything related to shipping or local resources something like "Providence, RI-shipping related question" might be of assistance.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:50 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:50 AM on September 17, 2009
I wanna use the flag of Mozambique. It's got a hoe and AK-47 on it.
posted by slimepuppy at 6:50 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by slimepuppy at 6:50 AM on September 17, 2009
OR MAYBE JUST YOUR NATIONAL ANIMAL, ROARING TRIUMPHANTLY WHILE POOPING OUT THE TATTERED FLAGS OF OUR ENEMIES! OH YES, GREAT NATION, OH YES!
The GIS results for "ferocious beaver" are disappointing. And in some cases NSFW.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
The GIS results for "ferocious beaver" are disappointing. And in some cases NSFW.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Why re-invent the wheel?
What we need is the ability to append optional, tasteful signatures with images no larger than, say, 400x150 (very reasonable as this is less than half the width of most screens). This would allow individual expression and flair, and would also, to be frank, bring us in-line with other leading discussion forums.
posted by empyrean at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
What we need is the ability to append optional, tasteful signatures with images no larger than, say, 400x150 (very reasonable as this is less than half the width of most screens). This would allow individual expression and flair, and would also, to be frank, bring us in-line with other leading discussion forums.
posted by empyrean at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
Have you taken the loyalty oath?
They won't let me sign one because my title is the same as my first, middle and last names.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
They won't let me sign one because my title is the same as my first, middle and last names.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:51 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
I know how you feel. I hate when people assume I'm from Illinois.
I'M A CHEESEHEAD, PEOPLE.
posted by desjardins at 7:01 AM on September 17, 2009
I'M A CHEESEHEAD, PEOPLE.
posted by desjardins at 7:01 AM on September 17, 2009
Is there a greasemonkey script to force Americans not to use little Canadian flags?
Or do you not do that anymore?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:04 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Or do you not do that anymore?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:04 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Also, California surfer dude: no one believes you're from Saskatchewan.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:05 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:05 AM on September 17, 2009
Why is there a Jolly Roger, but no Melancholy Roger? If someone could get started on designing that, I would be pleased.
posted by owtytrof at 7:06 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by owtytrof at 7:06 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
"we've always been at war with Eastasia"
posted by pianomover at 7:15 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by pianomover at 7:15 AM on September 17, 2009
Will conservative members be allowed/required to use the "Don't Tread on Me" flag?
posted by drezdn at 7:23 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by drezdn at 7:23 AM on September 17, 2009
Could people use the flag of their favorite sports team?
posted by drezdn at 7:24 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by drezdn at 7:24 AM on September 17, 2009
FIAMO, and not with a national flag! Use the noise or derail option, yeah?
posted by soelo at 7:31 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by soelo at 7:31 AM on September 17, 2009
They won't let me sign one because my title is the same as my first, middle and last names.
Whoah. Major bummer.
posted by zamboni at 7:36 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Whoah. Major bummer.
posted by zamboni at 7:36 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
I claim this post in the name of Mars! Isn't that lovely?
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:39 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:39 AM on September 17, 2009
I still want a birthday icon on people's birthdays.
posted by flatluigi at 7:40 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by flatluigi at 7:40 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
If we all have tiny American flags, what will we do with all these abortions?
posted by biscotti at 7:54 AM on September 17, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by biscotti at 7:54 AM on September 17, 2009 [7 favorites]
Oddly enough, I almost posted this very pony myself the other day. And while part of the issue is with people just not reading the question properly, there's actually more to it than that; often the poster asks a question that is not obviously country-specific, but actually is.
Take for instance this recent AskMe about identifying insects. While srboisvert should probably have indicated where exactly he saw these insects, two people suggested a species that doesn't occur in the UK. Obviously the sensible thing to do when answering these things is to check the user page for location info before posting an answer.
Questions about all sorts of things (health, finance, cars, food, shopping, travel, DIY) often require quite different answers when the poster is outside the US. Having US-specific responses is fine in terms of making the question a useful resource for other people later on, but it often does very little to help the original poster.
I don't think kmennie is asking for little flags all over the site. For my own pony I was going to suggest being able to turn on (via preferences) a small flag icon next to your name in AskMe. The flag wouldn't be needed for US users, since they're pretty much the default. And it probably wouldn't even need to be displayed on the AskMe main page, just inside the individual question pages. Failing that, a simple "Please note: the poster of this question is in Liechtenstein" displayed prominently above the comment box might be an alternative.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 7:59 AM on September 17, 2009
Take for instance this recent AskMe about identifying insects. While srboisvert should probably have indicated where exactly he saw these insects, two people suggested a species that doesn't occur in the UK. Obviously the sensible thing to do when answering these things is to check the user page for location info before posting an answer.
Questions about all sorts of things (health, finance, cars, food, shopping, travel, DIY) often require quite different answers when the poster is outside the US. Having US-specific responses is fine in terms of making the question a useful resource for other people later on, but it often does very little to help the original poster.
I don't think kmennie is asking for little flags all over the site. For my own pony I was going to suggest being able to turn on (via preferences) a small flag icon next to your name in AskMe. The flag wouldn't be needed for US users, since they're pretty much the default. And it probably wouldn't even need to be displayed on the AskMe main page, just inside the individual question pages. Failing that, a simple "Please note: the poster of this question is in Liechtenstein" displayed prominently above the comment box might be an alternative.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 7:59 AM on September 17, 2009
People are crazy if they don't fly a flag of convenience to begin with. Personally, I often go with Panama but sometimes I use Bermuda or Honduras to mix things up.
posted by cmonkey at 7:59 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by cmonkey at 7:59 AM on September 17, 2009
Mrs. Pterodactyl: They won't let me sign one because my title is the same as my first, middle and last names.
That's some kind of catch, that right there. I don't know what kind.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:09 AM on September 17, 2009
That's some kind of catch, that right there. I don't know what kind.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:09 AM on September 17, 2009
Obviously the sensible thing to do when answering these things is to check the user page for location info before posting an answer.
Except I think a lot of people don't change their locations when they move, or they never put them in, or they're off gallivanting away from their responsibilities, having fun in some other country.
posted by rtha at 8:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Except I think a lot of people don't change their locations when they move, or they never put them in, or they're off gallivanting away from their responsibilities, having fun in some other country.
posted by rtha at 8:15 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
*waves white flag*
I surrender! I surrender!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:20 AM on September 17, 2009
I surrender! I surrender!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:20 AM on September 17, 2009
When people are gallivanting, or have recently moved, I would guess they're more likely to remember to mention their location in a question. But that aside, if the flag or location text or whatever is prominent for them too when they ask the question, they'll remember to change it.
I honestly think this is something that could, if done properly, improve the signal-to-noise ration on responses.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:23 AM on September 17, 2009
I honestly think this is something that could, if done properly, improve the signal-to-noise ration on responses.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:23 AM on September 17, 2009
Maybe we could add a note to the posting page or the FAQ, along the lines of: "Keep in mind that around 70% of Ask MetaFilter users are in the US. If you are outside the US and your location is relevant for accurate answers, please mention your location in your question."
posted by pb (staff) at 8:35 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by pb (staff) at 8:35 AM on September 17, 2009 [5 favorites]
There's what rtha mentioned, about being out-of-date, & people who appear to live in the ocean in another hemisphere because they left out a minus sign, & people who want a different flag for where they're from instead of where they happen to be.
If you were to try to Greasemonkey this, the Google Earth file might help, but it's a couple of megabytes; not gigantic, but not something to refetch with every post.
posted by Pronoiac at 8:36 AM on September 17, 2009
If you were to try to Greasemonkey this, the Google Earth file might help, but it's a couple of megabytes; not gigantic, but not something to refetch with every post.
posted by Pronoiac at 8:36 AM on September 17, 2009
http://metafilter.ca
http://metafilter.co.uk
http://metafilter.co.za
or
http://ca.metafilter.com
http://uk.metafilter.com
http://za.metafilter.com
Get yer own metafilter.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:37 AM on September 17, 2009
http://metafilter.co.uk
http://metafilter.co.za
or
http://ca.metafilter.com
http://uk.metafilter.com
http://za.metafilter.com
Get yer own metafilter.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:37 AM on September 17, 2009
I actually like the idea that people might eventually learn to go look at a user's profile before responding to a question or post. There's often other relevant contextual information that may or may not be in a user's profile. I think it's an enormously healthy thing to learn that one almost never knows "enough" to answer well just from reading a few words.
Do most people think to inquire further before blurting something out? Probably not. But on metafilter, I'd bet that additional inquiry is more common than elsewhere, and that I'm not the only one who's learned to do this more frequently as time goes on.
Adapting to users is a good thing, but it's naive and self-defeating to assume that users don't adapt themselves. Of course, sometimes (often) users don't adapt, or adapt in unexpected ways, but that doesn't completely negate my premise.
posted by amtho at 8:41 AM on September 17, 2009
Do most people think to inquire further before blurting something out? Probably not. But on metafilter, I'd bet that additional inquiry is more common than elsewhere, and that I'm not the only one who's learned to do this more frequently as time goes on.
Adapting to users is a good thing, but it's naive and self-defeating to assume that users don't adapt themselves. Of course, sometimes (often) users don't adapt, or adapt in unexpected ways, but that doesn't completely negate my premise.
posted by amtho at 8:41 AM on September 17, 2009
I claim this flag in the name of Brandonia!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:42 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:42 AM on September 17, 2009
If we all have tiny American flags, what will we do with all these abortions?
[chiefwiggum] California Nachos! [/chiefwiggum]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:46 AM on September 17, 2009
[chiefwiggum] California Nachos! [/chiefwiggum]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:46 AM on September 17, 2009
What about us poor immigrants, foreigners in foreign lands? Will we be assimilated into the country we reside or shall we retain the emblems of our birth culture?
"The Italians. We mustn't forget the Italians. Must do something for them. The, ah, we forget them. They are not like us. Difference is they smell different, they look different, act different. After all, you can't blame them. Oh no. Can't do that. They've never had the things we've had."
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:47 AM on September 17, 2009
"The Italians. We mustn't forget the Italians. Must do something for them. The, ah, we forget them. They are not like us. Difference is they smell different, they look different, act different. After all, you can't blame them. Oh no. Can't do that. They've never had the things we've had."
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:47 AM on September 17, 2009
For my own pony I was going to suggest being able to turn on (via preferences) a small flag icon next to your name in AskMe.
There are lots of pieces of information an AskMe poster might include or omit that dramatically affect the quality of advice provided. Location is simply on that list. And if they have to remember to hit the "add country flag" button, why don't we simply say they need to remember to say "BTW, I'm in Laos"?
*hits straight, attached, renting, and non-tv-owning buttons*
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:03 AM on September 17, 2009
There are lots of pieces of information an AskMe poster might include or omit that dramatically affect the quality of advice provided. Location is simply on that list. And if they have to remember to hit the "add country flag" button, why don't we simply say they need to remember to say "BTW, I'm in Laos"?
*hits straight, attached, renting, and non-tv-owning buttons*
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:03 AM on September 17, 2009
There are lots of pieces of information an AskMe poster might include or omit that dramatically affect the quality of advice provided
But this is one that occurs pretty often; maybe you have to be outside the US to notice how location-specific a lot of stuff is. And after all, we do have location as an option in profiles, whereas those other things don't appear.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 9:38 AM on September 17, 2009
But this is one that occurs pretty often; maybe you have to be outside the US to notice how location-specific a lot of stuff is. And after all, we do have location as an option in profiles, whereas those other things don't appear.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 9:38 AM on September 17, 2009
empyrean - Signatures? DO NOT WANT. (are you joking? it's so hard to tell if someone's joking online sometimes)
One of my favorite things about Metafilter is that all the "individual expression and flair" is contained in the posts and the comments that we share. I'm here and NOT on one of those "leading discussion forums" precisely because I'd like to avoid seeing every user's precious little signature image. MeFi is great because it's not in line with those sites.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:38 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
One of my favorite things about Metafilter is that all the "individual expression and flair" is contained in the posts and the comments that we share. I'm here and NOT on one of those "leading discussion forums" precisely because I'd like to avoid seeing every user's precious little signature image. MeFi is great because it's not in line with those sites.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:38 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
http://metafilter.ca
http://metafilter.co.uk
http://metafilter.co.za
Get yer own metafilter.
Can't wait for the Cook Islands MeFi
posted by djgh at 9:47 AM on September 17, 2009
http://metafilter.co.uk
http://metafilter.co.za
Get yer own metafilter.
Can't wait for the Cook Islands MeFi
posted by djgh at 9:47 AM on September 17, 2009
I don't think the flag thing is going to ... er ... fly.
Yes, but what if it's a FREAK flag? What does your hippy librul Vermont sensibility say now, huh?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:53 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yes, but what if it's a FREAK flag? What does your hippy librul Vermont sensibility say now, huh?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:53 AM on September 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
So, I'd like to have the "rising sun" flag beside my questions. Is this a bad idea?
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 9:57 AM on September 17, 2009 [11 favorites]
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 9:57 AM on September 17, 2009 [11 favorites]
pbAdmin: Maybe we could add a note to the posting page or the FAQ, along the lines of: "Keep in mind that around 70% of Ask MetaFilter users are in the US. If you are outside the US and your location is relevant for accurate answers, please mention your location in your question."
It would be lovely if this would have any effect whatesoever, but it won't. Because it doesn't. Even when you specify that you are in a non-USian country, you still get answers that slant at least 70% to "does not apply."
posted by DarlingBri at 10:14 AM on September 17, 2009
It would be lovely if this would have any effect whatesoever, but it won't. Because it doesn't. Even when you specify that you are in a non-USian country, you still get answers that slant at least 70% to "does not apply."
posted by DarlingBri at 10:14 AM on September 17, 2009
drezdn: "Will conservative members be allowed/required to use the "Don't Tread on Me" flag?"
FTFY, and yes.
posted by defenestration at 10:19 AM on September 17, 2009
FTFY, and yes.
posted by defenestration at 10:19 AM on September 17, 2009
I am an anarchist and refuse all flags. Instead I would like every comment I make accompanied by a photo of Peter Kropotkin. Thank you.
posted by languagehat at 10:31 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 10:31 AM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
I say, let's take this whole idea to the next level, to fully actuate its potentiality. Forward-looking, MeFi could utilize location-based awareness in both responses and questions. Filtering the AskMeFi display of the database by geo-spacial location, showing only US-based queries to uniquely American viewers, for example, will realize the particular localized expert knowledge each visitor brings to the table, while pro-actively removing the burden of response from extraneous, non-local players.
As a less-invasive alternative, the thread could be displayed, to geographically-removed stakeholders, with the text "Commenting on this thread is not permitted in your locality. Try MeMail if you want to respond!" in place of the comment modality. The exact message would, by necessity, require careful tuning and focus-shopping, it goes without saying, with careful attention to shaping a positive site-consumer experience.
Taking this decision would put MeFiCo at the forefront of the emerging geo-web trend, and confirm the site's pro-active leadership in the community web-sphere. This decision would be similar to that forward-looking change made in the old 2.0 era of implementing a professional white background. I am certain that we can all agree on how well that turned out.
posted by bonehead at 10:35 AM on September 17, 2009
As a less-invasive alternative, the thread could be displayed, to geographically-removed stakeholders, with the text "Commenting on this thread is not permitted in your locality. Try MeMail if you want to respond!" in place of the comment modality. The exact message would, by necessity, require careful tuning and focus-shopping, it goes without saying, with careful attention to shaping a positive site-consumer experience.
Taking this decision would put MeFiCo at the forefront of the emerging geo-web trend, and confirm the site's pro-active leadership in the community web-sphere. This decision would be similar to that forward-looking change made in the old 2.0 era of implementing a professional white background. I am certain that we can all agree on how well that turned out.
posted by bonehead at 10:35 AM on September 17, 2009
Problem #1: as I understand it, for many legal questions knowing the asker is from the US isn't specific enough, since the answer might depend on state law.
Problem #2: what if you're American and have a question about, let's say, hotels in Paris? Will people see the US flag and assume that you mean Paris, Texas rather than Paris, France?
posted by rjs at 10:40 AM on September 17, 2009
Problem #2: what if you're American and have a question about, let's say, hotels in Paris? Will people see the US flag and assume that you mean Paris, Texas rather than Paris, France?
posted by rjs at 10:40 AM on September 17, 2009
Hmm... you know how the jobs sub-site shows the distance between you and the location of the job? Maybe AskMeFi could do that, giving the distance between you and the location of the asker. With the ability for the asker to manually assign another "location" for their question when it's about some place other than where the live. Just a thought.
posted by FishBike at 10:44 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by FishBike at 10:44 AM on September 17, 2009
Now that the flag thing's taken care of, can we start working on the handkerchief codes?
posted by box at 10:44 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by box at 10:44 AM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
>
And once you start waving national flags, you'll have people demanding little icons indicating various other things, no doubt starting with what sort of genitalia they have and what they like to do with them.
You say that like it's a bad thing. Mah freak flag, let met show you it.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:55 AM on September 17, 2009
And once you start waving national flags, you'll have people demanding little icons indicating various other things, no doubt starting with what sort of genitalia they have and what they like to do with them.
You say that like it's a bad thing. Mah freak flag, let met show you it.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:55 AM on September 17, 2009
Metafilter needs a flag... blue, green, grey bars + plate of beans (or snowflake)?
posted by starman at 11:03 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by starman at 11:03 AM on September 17, 2009
What about us poor immigrants
You have Bob Dylan's pity.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:08 AM on September 17, 2009
You have Bob Dylan's pity.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:08 AM on September 17, 2009
You can't hug your children with nuclear arms!
Bullshit, my nuclear powered HUG-Bot 2000 literally hugs the shit out of children!
posted by Pollomacho at 11:14 AM on September 17, 2009
Bullshit, my nuclear powered HUG-Bot 2000 literally hugs the shit out of children!
posted by Pollomacho at 11:14 AM on September 17, 2009
What about adding subpixel flags?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:16 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:16 AM on September 17, 2009
What about adding subpixel flags?
They're already there, you just gotta look really closely.
posted by FishBike at 11:18 AM on September 17, 2009
They're already there, you just gotta look really closely.
posted by FishBike at 11:18 AM on September 17, 2009
I want a flag with a white professional background, except I use the plain theme so I guess that means I want a black outline of a rectangle.
Or maybe I already have it...
Okay, now I'm freaking myself out...
posted by 1f2frfbf at 11:19 AM on September 17, 2009
Or maybe I already have it...
Okay, now I'm freaking myself out...
posted by 1f2frfbf at 11:19 AM on September 17, 2009
They're already there, you just gotta look really closely.
I should read in-between the pixels? Man, these flame wars are getting nuanced.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:42 AM on September 17, 2009
I should read in-between the pixels? Man, these flame wars are getting nuanced.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:42 AM on September 17, 2009
Metatalk is the place for the snark, and I don't want to break the guidelines, but, I like this idea.
posted by theora55 at 11:58 AM on September 17, 2009
posted by theora55 at 11:58 AM on September 17, 2009
I want a flag with a white professional background, except I use the plain theme so I guess that means I want a black outline of a rectangle.
¿ ▬ / ▭ ?
posted by Pronoiac at 12:27 PM on September 17, 2009
¿ ▬ / ▭ ?
posted by Pronoiac at 12:27 PM on September 17, 2009
Leafing around, I like ⚐ more, but more importantly:
⚠ö⚘Ö⚘⚠
OMG ZOMBIES!
posted by Pronoiac at 12:57 PM on September 17, 2009
⚠ö⚘Ö⚘⚠
OMG ZOMBIES!
posted by Pronoiac at 12:57 PM on September 17, 2009
Don't forget -- it's possible to steal a country with the cunning use of flags.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:01 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:01 PM on September 17, 2009
I initially thought I would like to fly the freak flag, but then realized I do not even know what it looks like. What if it turns out to be really gauche? Or it is some derivative tricolor that constantly gets mistaken for France or Italy?
posted by Meatbomb at 1:10 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by Meatbomb at 1:10 PM on September 17, 2009
Well, that last one doesn't turn out well on an ipod.
posted by Pronoiac at 1:11 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by Pronoiac at 1:11 PM on September 17, 2009
If people aren't going to read the question, what makes you think that they'll notice a tiny little flag?
What Lemurrhea said. Flags won't change anything about people's ability to be perceptive.
I was thinking about asking a question about Brighton (UK) a couple weeks ago. I can totally imagine that even if I were to put a big flaming UK in my post, people would see the US flag (where I'm living) and think I'm talking about Brighton, NY or Brighton, UT or any of a number of American Brightons.
Plus, I prefer conversations to icons, even if they do mean a bit of a derail to find out location specific info that's needed. Most people who have asked a question without learn pretty quickly to provide more information. Besides, didn't we just talk about folks who may not necessarily want to reveal where they live in an AskMe?
posted by oneirodynia at 1:13 PM on September 17, 2009
What Lemurrhea said. Flags won't change anything about people's ability to be perceptive.
I was thinking about asking a question about Brighton (UK) a couple weeks ago. I can totally imagine that even if I were to put a big flaming UK in my post, people would see the US flag (where I'm living) and think I'm talking about Brighton, NY or Brighton, UT or any of a number of American Brightons.
Plus, I prefer conversations to icons, even if they do mean a bit of a derail to find out location specific info that's needed. Most people who have asked a question without learn pretty quickly to provide more information. Besides, didn't we just talk about folks who may not necessarily want to reveal where they live in an AskMe?
posted by oneirodynia at 1:13 PM on September 17, 2009
Or it is some derivative tricolor that constantly gets mistaken for France or Italy?
I was shuffling my pillows around last night and realized they're red white and green. Bizi gara!!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:20 PM on September 17, 2009
I was shuffling my pillows around last night and realized they're red white and green. Bizi gara!!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:20 PM on September 17, 2009
How about sock puppet accounts for questions that are clearly nation-specific. Like a sock puppet called "I'm a Canadian, dammit, don't answer with US-specific referents"?
posted by jasper411 at 1:30 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by jasper411 at 1:30 PM on September 17, 2009
LOLNATIONSTATES
posted by qvantamon at 1:32 PM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by qvantamon at 1:32 PM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
"Keep in mind that around 70% of Ask MetaFilter users are in the US. If you are outside the US and your location is relevant for accurate answers, please mention your location in your question."
I'd argue that even the Americans need to put locations. Just assuming that we're going to guess you're in the USA when you didn't tell us is somewhat annoying and a wee bit rude, it's like going out of the way to rub in that actually this site is an American one and the rest of us are outsiders. No one should assume their location is obvious and there should be no 'default', instead we should focus on being a truly international community with people from everywhere treated as equals. MetaFilter already does a pretty good job of this, I think, and I actually rarely feel like an outsider, but that above statement is a step backwards. If you're going to put anything in the FAQ it should just be:
"If your location is relevant for accurate answers, please mention your location in your question."
Of course it won't matter. People will keep leaving out info that should be in there and other people will keep reading or not reading the questions as much as they already do (I'm guilty of both) and the answers will keep being pretty good anyway.
posted by shelleycat at 2:09 PM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
I'd argue that even the Americans need to put locations. Just assuming that we're going to guess you're in the USA when you didn't tell us is somewhat annoying and a wee bit rude, it's like going out of the way to rub in that actually this site is an American one and the rest of us are outsiders. No one should assume their location is obvious and there should be no 'default', instead we should focus on being a truly international community with people from everywhere treated as equals. MetaFilter already does a pretty good job of this, I think, and I actually rarely feel like an outsider, but that above statement is a step backwards. If you're going to put anything in the FAQ it should just be:
"If your location is relevant for accurate answers, please mention your location in your question."
Of course it won't matter. People will keep leaving out info that should be in there and other people will keep reading or not reading the questions as much as they already do (I'm guilty of both) and the answers will keep being pretty good anyway.
posted by shelleycat at 2:09 PM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
I agree with shelleycat that we should aim to avoid having the US as a default location and furthermore, pb's proposed reminder doesn't actually solve kmennie's stated concern, which is that questions that already indicate a location outside the US still tend to gather a whole lot of US-specific answers.
I don't think there is much we can do about those US-specific answers. Some of them are folks who just didn't read the question through, but I see a whole lot of answers that begin with "I don't know about [non-US country], but in the US ..." A lot of those answers end up being useless to the asker, but I don't think there is any technological solution. Some people just really like answering questions and no flag is going to dissuade them.
posted by ssg at 2:39 PM on September 17, 2009
I don't think there is much we can do about those US-specific answers. Some of them are folks who just didn't read the question through, but I see a whole lot of answers that begin with "I don't know about [non-US country], but in the US ..." A lot of those answers end up being useless to the asker, but I don't think there is any technological solution. Some people just really like answering questions and no flag is going to dissuade them.
posted by ssg at 2:39 PM on September 17, 2009
This question is an interesting backfire: In primary/elementary schools of other countries, is it mandatory for children to sing the national anthem?
They didn't bother to specify what "other countries" meant, so even though I would guess it was "other than the US", they got plenty of US examples.
posted by smackfu at 2:50 PM on September 17, 2009
They didn't bother to specify what "other countries" meant, so even though I would guess it was "other than the US", they got plenty of US examples.
posted by smackfu at 2:50 PM on September 17, 2009
Since on AskMeFi it's totally fine to question the very premise of someone's question, every time someone posts a non-US-related question they should assume all answers start with "and what the fuck are you doing outside the US? what are you? a commie? get to the US, then read these answers".
posted by qvantamon at 3:14 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by qvantamon at 3:14 PM on September 17, 2009
I don't know, do you think this would raise or lower standards?
posted by tellurian at 4:36 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by tellurian at 4:36 PM on September 17, 2009
Now I think about it, I'd get pretty jack of seeing flags everywhere.
posted by tellurian at 4:42 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by tellurian at 4:42 PM on September 17, 2009
I like the footwear idea.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:53 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by small_ruminant at 4:53 PM on September 17, 2009
Can we have quizzes and "poke" buttons and applications? Ooh, mefi applications....then we can play "Vampires vs. prostitutes vs. monks" or somesuch right on the blue!
I don't really think having profile flags is such a bad idea, but I don't think it's a good enough idea to warrant giving in to feature creep. Metafilter is a wonderful island of simplicity on this wild and wacky sea we call the internets...
posted by Salvor Hardin at 5:35 PM on September 17, 2009
I don't really think having profile flags is such a bad idea, but I don't think it's a good enough idea to warrant giving in to feature creep. Metafilter is a wonderful island of simplicity on this wild and wacky sea we call the internets...
posted by Salvor Hardin at 5:35 PM on September 17, 2009
I think it would be neat. Maybe with a little "turn flags on/off" button.
Now, though, what I could reeeally, reeeeeeeeeally get behind is a little flag on the profile page instead of that wholly uninformative—not to mention hideous—little globey Google Maps icon that you have to click on to learn anything from. That there's where your flag goes.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:43 PM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Now, though, what I could reeeally, reeeeeeeeeally get behind is a little flag on the profile page instead of that wholly uninformative—not to mention hideous—little globey Google Maps icon that you have to click on to learn anything from. That there's where your flag goes.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:43 PM on September 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
BTW, here are the best little flag icons: FAMFAMFAM
posted by smackfu at 7:16 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by smackfu at 7:16 PM on September 17, 2009
I don't actually think we need flags, but those little icons in smackfu's link are So! Cute!
posted by shelleycat at 7:27 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by shelleycat at 7:27 PM on September 17, 2009
I think we should use the Libyan flag as the background for Ask Metafilter.
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:00 PM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:00 PM on September 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
OR MAYBE JUST YOUR NATIONAL ANIMAL, ROARING TRIUMPHANTLY WHILE POOPING OUT THE TATTERED FLAGS OF OUR ENEMIES!
Did you ever really look at a Canadian nickel, man? There's some spooky shit going on there.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:11 PM on September 17, 2009
Did you ever really look at a Canadian nickel, man? There's some spooky shit going on there.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:11 PM on September 17, 2009
If I fly my flag upside down does it mean I am in distress and need another question that week?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:27 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:27 PM on September 17, 2009
It would be more efficient to have a midi of the poster's country's national anthem play when you open the question. Surely less distracting.
posted by maxwelton at 11:24 PM on September 17, 2009
posted by maxwelton at 11:24 PM on September 17, 2009
kmennie to feature requests: There is no way to ask a question on Ask that does not get a number of helpful wags offering US-only solutions no matter what the OP says about not living in the States.
But you already have an easy option if you would like to clearly and unequivocally signal to all commenters that you are a Canadian and that your question requires answers tailored to Canadian specificities; just write all of your questions in Angry French.
posted by koeselitz at 1:41 AM on September 18, 2009
But you already have an easy option if you would like to clearly and unequivocally signal to all commenters that you are a Canadian and that your question requires answers tailored to Canadian specificities; just write all of your questions in Angry French.
posted by koeselitz at 1:41 AM on September 18, 2009
desjardins: I'M A CHEESEHEAD, PEOPLE.
Ah. So... you're from Vermont, right?
posted by koeselitz at 1:42 AM on September 18, 2009
Ah. So... you're from Vermont, right?
posted by koeselitz at 1:42 AM on September 18, 2009
I like this. It'd make it very easy for me to ignore the opinions of anyone who is ' MERICAN.
posted by dg at 4:12 AM on September 18, 2009
posted by dg at 4:12 AM on September 18, 2009
I feel all warm and included for having had my MetaTalk post generate so much snark. I don't even need a flag now. :'-)
posted by kmennie at 9:33 AM on September 18, 2009
posted by kmennie at 9:33 AM on September 18, 2009
I'll let you in on a little secret: You never did, kmennie! The magic was in you all along!
posted by Pronoiac at 10:38 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Pronoiac at 10:38 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't care about flags, but please please please please please Do NOT allow signatures!
If you think Metafilter is occasionally classist or elitist or liberal or what-have-you, you must not have seen signatures like the ones on Mom forums.
~~~~~~Cathy~~~~~~
Proud to be a
cloth-diaper using,
family-bedding,
no-more-tears potty-training
sleep-training
breastfeeding
vegan and soy diet feeding
Mom of
3 yr old Christopher and
6 mo old Ashley, who is having her birthday next month!
Member of the Moms of toddlers, October birthdate, April birthdate, breastfeeding Moms, vegetarian Moms and Military families groups!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel defensive before I've even answered a question.
posted by misha at 10:51 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you think Metafilter is occasionally classist or elitist or liberal or what-have-you, you must not have seen signatures like the ones on Mom forums.
~~~~~~Cathy~~~~~~
Proud to be a
cloth-diaper using,
family-bedding,
no-more-tears potty-training
sleep-training
breastfeeding
vegan and soy diet feeding
Mom of
3 yr old Christopher and
6 mo old Ashley, who is having her birthday next month!
Member of the Moms of toddlers, October birthdate, April birthdate, breastfeeding Moms, vegetarian Moms and Military families groups!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel defensive before I've even answered a question.
posted by misha at 10:51 AM on September 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Well, I'd be defensive too, knowing that little Ashley is having her birthday five months ahead of schedule.
posted by box at 11:45 AM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 11:45 AM on September 18, 2009 [3 favorites]
There are few online communities more terrifying than mom communities. I really can't explain why.
posted by Kattullus at 11:48 AM on September 18, 2009
posted by Kattullus at 11:48 AM on September 18, 2009
box, I can't believe I did that! Little Ashley is obviously a precocious child.
posted by misha at 1:21 PM on September 18, 2009
posted by misha at 1:21 PM on September 18, 2009
Um, if we do this flag thing, I'm gonna need mine to be Liberia or the Cayman Islands or something. I've got a little "thing" with the IRS right now.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:28 AM on September 19, 2009
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:28 AM on September 19, 2009
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posted by Loto at 5:56 AM on September 17, 2009 [4 favorites]