[IMC-bristol] Comments delayed.

[Mike Tonks]

Hi Mark,

Firstly - congrats on the film showing - nice work.  I loved the film.

Secondly, as for postings and comments on the bristol indymedia site, 
there is only one form of moderation possible using the current software 
- that is called 'after moderation'.  That means that all postings go 
directly to the site.  Volunteers have access to hide articles and 
comments if they spot something that needs to be removed, but in general 
the policy is not to hiden comments unless there is a serious abuse of 
the service.

What you are describing is 'before moderation', where the comments are 
read before being allowed onto the site.  The bimc software does not 
make this possible.  However, we are aware that the posting process is 
unreliable and slow.  Generally, a little patience seems to be the best 
remedy - things tend to appear eventually.  Also, sometime a thread 
seems to get stuck, and a comment does not appear until another has been 
posted.  Even are best techies are baffled by this, but it has been the 
same for two years and it seems to work in it's own funny way.

Also, if you have any specific issues with hiding, then go to the 
administration page.  There is a link for 'show comments', and you can 
clearly see what has been hidden.  If it's not in the list, then it 
didn't work - we do not delete items from this list, as the software 
does not allow this.

We are looking into migrating to an improved software system, but 
transferring the archive of older stories is a big barrier to this. 
Also, volunteer time is of a premium, and the job is not easy.  If you 
want to send some cash to ease the process, feel free...  We need a new 
server, and 2Mb leased line and probably 1 - 2 weeks of developer time.

Hopefully some of this will be covered by some funding applications, and 
the time will be given for free, other commitments allowing.

Regards,

Mike

Mark Watson wrote:
> Whilst it may be entirely proper for the update of certain comment 
> threads to be delayed or frustrated completely, as is appears the case, 
> I think it may be wise for the person doing this to be frank about the 
> policy on this matter.  At the moment it may be put down to 
> technological snags but a vole in a coal mine can see there is a guiding 
> hand.....Full disclosure, I suggest, may further the honourable aims of 
> this site, whilst sneaky but clearly well meant subterfuge may fuel the 
> imaginations of some of our more paranoid contributors.  This cannot be 
> good for the site.
>  
> I do not seek to take issue to those charged with the onerous task of 
> moderating this site but just ask under what circumstances comments are 
> held back.
>  
> It clearly is occuring and I think a clear statement from those who can 
> do this may help the site as this matter is clearly causing confusion 
> and frustration for many contributors.
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> mark.
>  
> 
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.515 / Virus Database: 313 - Release Date: 01/09/2003
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> This email list at: http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-bristol
> Archive of this list: http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-bristol/
> Tech List: http://lists.indymedia.org/imc-bristol-tech
> BrisIMC http://bristol.indymedia.org/
> _______________________________________________
> Imc-bristol mailing list
> Imc-bristol at lists.indymedia.org
> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-bristol