Possible Site Issues This Weekend (Wizbang)

This weekend (actually it's already begun) I will be recoding the backend at Wizbang and for good measure slapping on a new (temporary) coat of paint. Be advised that on occasion one page may not look like another while things are being rebuilt. Overnight tonight the majority of pages should be rebuilt with the new look.

If you just have to know how it will all turn out you can view the Weekend Caption Contest™ in the new format, or this post. It goes without saying that voting for this and all future caption contests is definitely enabled...

Update: The switch is done. All of the important pages have been converted, and I'll be going through some of the lesser used pages and updating them this weekend. I'll be making changes through the weekend, but the general look (minus some more tweaking) has been applied. Notice that you can use Typekey for commenting. We'll be adding several other authentication services in the coming months including our own local user accounts and OpenID.

Comments (37)

Will this new design get us... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by John F Not Kerry | July 6, 2007 4:52 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

John F Not Kerry:

Will this new design get us the caption contest results any faster? LOL

Posted on July 6, 2007 16:52

In a sense it will since th... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Kevin | July 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kevin:

In a sense it will since there will be numeric ratings for each entry.

Posted on July 6, 2007 16:57

At last, a way to weed out ... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by BChoinski | July 6, 2007 5:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

BChoinski:

At last, a way to weed out the sociopathic mutterings of some of these damn trolls.

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:11

Which is why I made the dec... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Kevin | July 6, 2007 5:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Which is why I made the decision to roll it out even before the new design was done. I'll be fixing up the fonts, colors, and text arrangement a bit, but not much more as I'm spending more time working on the overal redesign. That will have the Troll-o-matic as well plus a host of other features as well as a better look.

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:16

Hm... Comment scoring... ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Linoge | July 6, 2007 5:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Linoge:

Hm... Comment scoring... I am not sure whether to hug someone, or run away and hide. It sounds great on paper, but there has obviously been a targeted spamming campaign levied against the Wizbang posts themselves... I only wonder if the lefties have it in them to continue the campaign on down to the commenters.

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:17

Hey, wait a minute! You gav... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by HughS | July 6, 2007 5:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

HughS:

Hey, wait a minute! You gave those guys at Blue a new suit before we got one!
Well, at least we know how to wear it.....

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:26

Not to worry, I've looked i... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Kevin | July 6, 2007 5:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Not to worry, I've looked in the logs as found some of the IP address ranges being used to carry out that little campaign. I'll be banning those ranges from accessing the comment, trackback, and rating scripts at the server level shortly.

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:34

"Hey, wait a minute! You... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 5:46 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)

Lee Ward:

"Hey, wait a minute! You gave those guys at Blue a new suit before we got one! Well, at least we know how to wear it....."

We wrote the 'new suit', Hugh - and if I'd known the Republican'ts were going to be wearing it I could have saved some money by using less material in the crotch. heh.

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:46

Leeward, do you absolutely ... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by C-C-G | July 6, 2007 5:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

C-C-G:

Leeward, do you absolutely have to bring your anti-Republican bigotry into every single thread?

Posted on July 6, 2007 17:53

Uhm, yes, actually.... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 6:00 PM | Score: -5 (5 votes cast)

Uhm, yes, actually.

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:00

Yuck. Looks like Wizbang Bl... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Peter F. | July 6, 2007 6:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Peter F.:

Yuck. Looks like Wizbang Blue(NoBalls).

Relax. I kid. ;-)

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:11

Well, thank you for definin... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by C-C-G | July 6, 2007 6:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Well, thank you for defining yourself as a bigoted partisan hack, Leeward.

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:21

At least I have a sense of ... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 6:29 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)

At least I have a sense of humor, CCG... and I bet your suit crotch has plenty of room for a new sense of humor, if you decide to get one.

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:29

LeeI see that you ar... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by HughS | July 6, 2007 6:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lee
I see that you are still smarting from your ill considered spelling bravado. Your correction is gladly accepted.
Now, get back to cleaning those windows in your glass house and try to improve your cajones' metaphors.

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:30

besides -- the patented tro... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 6:32 PM | Score: -1 (3 votes cast)

besides -- the patented troll-o-matic makes thread cleanup a breeze. Just vote down the comments you don't like and they become invisible.

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:32

Just vote down the co... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by HughS | July 6, 2007 6:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Just vote down the comments you don't like and they become invisible

Well of course! That fits neatly into your post modernist deconstructionist meme....if you don't like a comment, just say it means something else. And if that doesn't work, just make it disappear!

Posted on July 6, 2007 18:49

Of course if this becomes o... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by WildWillie | July 6, 2007 7:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

WildWillie:

Of course if this becomes obusive, I'm gone. Homey don't play that. ww

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:07

Note: If you're tryin... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by HughS | July 6, 2007 7:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Note: If you're trying to test out the "Troll-o-matic" (comment threshold setting) you will be dumped back to the existing version of the page when setting your own threshold. Your preference is set, you'll just have to use your browsers Back button return to the new version of the page and see your setting. This is a temporary situation caused by having two versions of the page - one primary the other secondary. It will be fixed during the cleanup process this weekend.

Looks like Kevin has deployed a unilateral ABM shield to the troll missiles. Expect the usual complaints from those who will not live by the same set of rules we must live by.

_______________________________________________
Citizens Press Report, somewhere near Wizbang! bunker:

One activist group, protesting outside Wizbang HQ claimed "Google Bombs for Peace! Boycott Wizbang!" Another protestor lamented, "If we can't bury their comments, how will they ever learn? It's for the children!"

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:12

What's buried is up to each... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Kevin | July 6, 2007 7:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

What's buried is up to each reader. By default all comments are shown. Each individual can set their own level on the Troll-o-matic or leave the default settings. This seems like good balancing measure versus more extreme solutions.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:16

I guess that means that Lee... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by C-C-G | July 6, 2007 7:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I guess that means that Leeward will never have to answer another direct question again. He'll just claim it was hidden by the Troll-o-matic.

I'm not so sure this is such a good idea, Kevin.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:17

And yes Lee did a lot of wo... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by Kevin | July 6, 2007 7:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

And yes Lee did a lot of work in customization that is much appreciated. Like I said I'll be looking at changing some of his customizations as I get things moving.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:18

"Well of course! That fi... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 7:25 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

"Well of course! That fits neatly into your post modernist deconstructionist meme....if you don't like a comment, just say it means something else. And if that doesn't work, just make it disappear!"

Lol! Poor Hugh, he even boo's his own side if he perceives a leftward lean.

We had this feature over at Wizbang Blue and we turned it off, but I suspect you guys will like it a lot.

This is a good thing, Hugh - it means Wizbang bloggers can lie with impunity -- knowing that when a lefty comes along and tells the truth the gang of trolls in the comment thread will vote the comment down until it disappears.

All seriousness aside, it lets the community vote out a troll comment by scoring it downward. You'll like it, Hugh, once you get over the fact that you think I like it and therefore you feel it's your duty to not like it... lol

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:25

The Troll-o-matic has the s... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Mac Lorry | July 6, 2007 7:27 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

Mac Lorry:

The Troll-o-matic has the same limitation as the V chip, which is they only filter in one direction. Adults would sometimes like to use the V chip to hide everything suitable for children. The result is less channel surfing to find something interesting to watch. Some of the troll posts have the best entertainment value, if that's what you are looking for.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:27

"And yes Lee did a lot o... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Lee Ward | July 6, 2007 7:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"And yes Lee did a lot of work in customization that is much appreciated. Like I said I'll be looking at changing some of his customizations as I get things moving."

Yep - I called this particular scheme "Larkin's Blues" because Larkin and I went back and forth trying out different shades of blues until we settled on this one combination.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:30

So now we learn what price ... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Mac Lorry | July 6, 2007 7:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

So now we learn what price was paid for wizbang blue. That's actually good news. For a while there I was worried Kevin had gone over to the dark side.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:43

LeeWe had th... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by HughS | July 6, 2007 7:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lee

it means Wizbang bloggers can lie with impunity

I suspect you guys turned it off for lack of comments. But how would I know? As to Wizbang bloggers lying with impunity....Lee, where HAVE you been during the last several days? Coulter? Copyright law? Respect of such? Irresponsible editing and improper use of copyrighted material? Flagrant abuse of such?

You have GOT TO GET OUT OF THAT GLASS HOUSE.

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:48

Thanks, Kevin, for taking c... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Linoge | July 6, 2007 7:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Thanks, Kevin, for taking care of banning those IP ranges. I am still not sure I like the idea - popularity contests are so high scool - but, who knows?

As for the new scheme.... honestly, I do not really like it that much. I think it will work a little better than this one, sure, but... *shrug* Of course, if my weblog is any indication of my tastes, maybe I should not be listened to ;).

Posted on July 6, 2007 19:58

Trust me, Linoge, it's gonn... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by C-C-G | July 6, 2007 8:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Trust me, Linoge, it's gonna be useless.

The lefties will vote down every single conservative comment.

Conservatives will do the same to the lefties.

So every comment's ratings will be so low that you can't set the troll filter low enough to truly screen out the trolls.

Mark my words.

Posted on July 6, 2007 20:13

I like the cute little *Boo... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by LAB | July 6, 2007 8:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

LAB:

I like the cute little *Boom* dot over the "i".

Posted on July 6, 2007 20:35

I see the trolls down-votin... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by jpm100 | July 6, 2007 9:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

jpm100:

I see the trolls down-voting others more than being down-voted themselves.

Posted on July 6, 2007 21:49

Another good point, jpm.</p... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by C-C-G | July 6, 2007 9:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Another good point, jpm.

Posted on July 6, 2007 21:52

Unfortunately, I do believe... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Linoge | July 6, 2007 10:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Unfortunately, I do believe JPM has the most accurate outlook on the situation. Trolls, motivated by hate as they are, will be much more mindful of the +/- system, and remarkably more willing to use it to continue their "message". Those people who come here for an honest debate/comment, however, are probably much less likely to use it, simply because their emotions will run lower.

That, and I definitely see the possibilities for score-wars, which cause all manner of problems...

Posted on July 6, 2007 22:01

Hey, I thought I was the Tr... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by kim | July 6, 2007 10:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

kim:

Hey, I thought I was the Troll-o-Matic feature here.
=================================

Posted on July 6, 2007 22:04

Hey, as long as the site do... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by Knightbrigade | July 6, 2007 11:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Knightbrigade:

Hey, as long as the site doesn't crash my browser anymore I'll be a happy camper.

Posted on July 6, 2007 23:27

LOVE the new look, Kevin.</... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by Candy | July 7, 2007 2:00 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Candy:

LOVE the new look, Kevin.

Regardless of what you do and how hard to try to please us all, somebody will always bitch.

Posted on July 7, 2007 02:00

Thanks Candy!It's ... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by Kevin | July 7, 2007 2:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kevin

Thanks Candy!

It's not where I envision us being, but it's a hell of a lot more functional in the interim.

Posted on July 7, 2007 02:11

One suggestion for the voti... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by bobdog | July 7, 2007 10:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

bobdog:

One suggestion for the voting icons - you might want to put up a confirm box on the "report this post" icon to prevent accidental clicking.

Who said Lee Ward was a waste of skin? If what he says is true, he seems to have come up with at least one good idea, as long as it doesn't turn into a Digg toy for malcontents. Could we have a global checkbox so we can automatically assign a multiplier of -5 on Lee's posts across the board? It would save us all so much time.

I still maintain that registration is the only way to return to civil conversation. Anonymous hate is just too easy for trolls to ignore. Narcissism has become sport.

Posted on July 7, 2007 10:15

Possible Site Issues This Weekend

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