I got an email stating that the Karma Picker script isn’t working. I did some digging and the reason is that SIGforum currently requires a logged in account to view threads. The script requires a public facing web page to extract the user names from.

I don’t have a fix at the moment.

Yep. Same reason that you can no longer search within the forum using Google or other search engines (except for older cached pages).

I must have stepped on your toes, Rogue, and hurt your feelings, over some point of contention about guns, because you seem to me to be ready to capitalize on claims I make on that subject and others, and it seems now we can extend it to decisions I make regarding the management of this forum.

Or maybe it's just your nature and I never before noticed.

sigmonkey, this is just a temporary state of affairs.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I must have stepped on your toes, Rogue, and hurt your feelings, over some point of contention about guns, because you seem to me to be ready to capitalize on claims I make on that subject and others, and it seems now we can extend it to decisions I make regarding the management of this forum.

Or maybe it's just your nature and I never before noticed.

You're reading way too much into it. It had nothing to do with you personally. You're perceiving criticism where there is none.

Just expanding on another effect I had noticed lately.

Yes, of course, Rogue. Merely another mistake of mine. Of course.

I'm not sure why you're trying to pick a fight with me, but I'm not going to engage.

I hope you have a better day, Para.

As I said, it's all on me- me and my bad day.

I initially balked at posting about it as I assumed it would be temporary. While it is part of SIGforum culture that doesn’t really exist elsewhere, karmas only happen a couple times a month. I didn’t want requests like “could you open up the site for me to run the Karma Picker?” because the site is obviously locked for a good reason.

Also, when it opens up again, as always I request that users only run it as necessary as it does use the bandwidth that is graciously offered freely by parabellum and lbj.

Sorry, Mark, called you sigmonkey. There I go again. Mistakes galore.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Yep. Same reason that you can no longer search within the forum using Google or other search engines (except for older cached pages).

Not sure why one would want to do that anyway? The Advanced Search function on SIGforum [Find -> Advanced Search] works REALLY well.

I first noticed it when I was logged out and couldn't remember my password and was trying to look for a post. I was initially annoyed but I think it's actually a really good idea to not have everything as outward facing as it was. Karmas can still be done with random number pickers that can be found online. Just enter the number of comments on a post and have it pick one. A little more work but worth it for the added security of the site.

Mark123: It’s good to see you posting.

I don’t know you but I always like reading your posts.

I was tempted to post a what happened for you.

How’s Marky doing?

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Sorry, Mark, called you sigmonkey. ...

LOL

I was worried my cat shit posted something and got me in trubble again!

(I gave him my password in case I forget it...)

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Sorry, Mark, called you sigmonkey. There I go again. Mistakes galore.

That’s ok. I like that guy.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Yep. Same reason that you can no longer search within the forum using Google or other search engines (except for older cached pages).

Not sure why one would want to do that anyway? The Advanced Search function on SIGforum [Find -> Advanced Search] works REALLY well.

Fringe cases such as when you want to find a post, can’t remember the username but do remember the CUT.

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:
Mark123: It’s good to see you posting.

I don’t know you but I always like reading your posts.

I was tempted to post a what happened for you.

How’s Marky doing?

Not much has changed for Marky, which is good. His GFR hovers around 40-42%, creatinine levels jump and then subside but are still around 2. We’re pretty sure he will eventually require dialysis and a kidney transplant.

He turned 28 on this past Monday and wanted to visit his sister in Myrtle Beach so we drove there last week and back on Tuesday. He had a blast.

I, for one, (not that my opinion matters an iota), am happy that Para has effectively locked out Google and other site scrapers as a side effect of making sure our unique community stays that way. Sorry that it had consequences for Mark's karma picker, but anybody who has a login can certainly do their own selection and randomization of contributors in a thread.

Here is an example: some time ago I noticed that the last post in many threads seemed to be from my account. So I scraped a few pages of the Lounge summary thread into a text file and ran several filters (awk, sed, etc.) on it plucking out the initiator and closer of the first ten or so Lounge overview pages. It was not much of a challenge, and I learned that my perceptions can be wrong, something that I have experienced many times in my life.

Obviously, those who might have a commercial interest in the participants and content of this forum can do similar in far more depth for their own purposes, but not so much now that an account is required for access. Thank you Para for shielding us from this flavor of net.abuse!

Glad I wasn't being a dumbass and using it incorrectly, which was my first thought.

Also glad it's temporary. For now, my 20-sided die will get some use.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Sorry, Mark, called you sigmonkey. ...

LOL

I was worried my cat shit posted something and got me in trubble again!

(I gave him my password in case I forget it...)

You sir like to live dangerously. Everyone knows cats can't be trusted.

Me don't understand this thread.