Email links encryption and comment count questions

February 9, 2003 11:44 AM

I have two issues. First, shouldn't the email link on the user pages be encrypted to make it harder for spam robots to collect the address? Second, why isn't the comment count on user pages updated when threads are deleted? I have 4 Metatalk comments listed, but only two of them are still online.
posted by einarorn to Feature Requests at 11:44 AM (8 comments total)

1. emails are only shown to other members, the general public never sees your email address. A spammer would have to be a member of the site, and since it is closed to new members, would be unlikely to happen ever.

2. I don't do an additional delete on all comments within deleted threads, but could.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:52 AM on February 9, 2003

you could do that on metatalk, but please not on mefi. the links to threads/comments on a users page are often the only way to dig up a deleted thread, which now have those nice reason for deletion boxes. so much nicer than "nothing to see here. move along."
posted by quonsar at 2:24 PM on February 9, 2003

Removing comments in deleted threads takes away another layer of accountability in a community that relies on public shaming to keep in check those who seek attention via idiotic comments. If some users know that their comments are likely to be deleted in a thread that seems destined for the scrap heap, it provides another reason to throw standards out the window. If you make a comment, you need to be aware that it will stand on your record permanently.

The comments in deleted threads often provide the reason why the thread was axed, so deleting them may lead to more [whine]'Why was my thread deleted"[/whine] posts in MeTa. We really need lots more of those, don't we?
posted by dg at 2:55 PM on February 9, 2003

Well, maybe we need to come up with a more efficient way to find deleted messages.
posted by crunchland at 2:56 PM on February 9, 2003

They're deleted for a reason...
posted by Orange Goblin at 3:38 PM on February 9, 2003

Is the postcount number really that big of a deal to anyone? Seems like setting it up so that they are updated when threads are deleted would be more of a headache than it would be worth.

(postcount ++)
posted by UKnowForKids at 3:55 PM on February 9, 2003

I have 4 Metatalk comments listed, but only two of them are still online.

Just out of curiosity, why do you care?
posted by vraxoin at 6:40 AM on February 10, 2003

Just out of curiosity, why do you care?

I really don't care. I just was just pointing out that it didn't make much sense. I don't think I'll lose much sleep over it :-)
posted by einarorn at 10:38 AM on February 10, 2003