It occurred to me, while looking through the sessions section of this site, that a fair few of the London sessions are no more.
So you do a search: London, for example. Up come a number of entries. You choose one you like or is convenient, whatever. Then you have to click on it, then read the comments, maybe sometimes scroll down to find out it has finished up.
I considered emailing Jeremy to ask is there some way that a finished up session can somehow be indicated on its title link on the list which a search yields. But I thought maybe put this question out to other members - I hope you don't mind, Jeremy. I know you prefer people to email you with comments regarding the layout of the site, but I'm wondering, is it just me, or have other people encountered this issue.
I have very much come round to the idea of preserving entries of defunct sessions here - I didn't always - but it does provide some historical record of past sessions. I don't know if that was what was intended but it does. There are many pubs dotted throughout SE London where sessions used to occur - some which I'd attended but many more before even my time, going back to Lucy Farr and Danny Meehan's heyday, in the so-called "Golden Era" and there must have been zillions more like that in North London, Manchester etc. I've only found these out by reading snippets here and there but also talking to players who've been around for a fair while. You'd be surprised just how many there are. So some record is important (to session geeks like me anyway.)
So could a defunct session be thus indicated and would that be desirable to members? Could this be done by tick-box or something? Then appropriately indicated on the search result list by eg a letter "D" or suchlike?
Apologies in advance if this seriously contravenes the rules of The Session.
It's not only history - you can often hear about a session that "used to be at the Cat and Fiddle". If it's not listed here, and you can't find someone who's been lately, you might go and be told that it died weeks, months or years ago. If it is listed here, and commented as defunct, it saves you a wasted trip.
But I agree it would be nice to see at first glance that a listed session no longer happens.
Well sometimes the comments section on a defunct session may be of value as it may mention where the session moved to when it closed.
Also there are a finite number of possible session locations (usually pubs) so it is useful to know that there isn't a session at a certain pub
If the defunct tag was added it might be just as useful to add a number tag for number of years in operation - where does all this end for our poor webmaster.
It's a good idea to list the defunct sessions as there is also the possibility that they might be ressurected at a later date if we were aware that they once existed.
Musicians looking for a session friendly pub or one which had the potential to be might consider trying them again, especially after a change of management. It's also possible that the owners might still be amenable to having a session there and the problem might have been due to differences between musicians, the standard of the music, insufficient players, or just lack of interest.
As times moves on, it's possible that a session might become a more feasible prospect.
Michael, a suggestion like that can only make me wish you had ticks.
Apart from that, thanks for the input. If Jeremy does think about this, I'm sure he'll want to do something simple to install and easy to operate. Maybe we should keep it simple?
Okay, here's what I think: I think that if a session is defunct, the person who submitted the session should update the schedule, deselecting any dates that were selected. I'll get working on some way of visually indicating that a session has no schedule (and is therefore defunct). I'll also see about adding a one-click "this session is no longer active" link which would have the same effect as deselecting all the days in the schedule.
Okay. I've made the changes. If anyone has submitted a session that is no longer active, please be sure to edit the schedule accordingly.
I've also made some changes to the way the schedule editing works. It now uses checkboxes instead of the annoying multiple select box.
Now if a session has no schedule (and is therefore defunct), the name of the venue appears with a line through it on the details tab. I haven't yet applied this to search results: that may take a bit more time.
Jeremy, this is a great addition but there is one problem. If the person who submitted the session is no longer participating in thesession.org, then the session can't be updated. For example, our session at the Blue Dragon in Albuquerque, NM was defunct and is now active again on a weekly basis. But, it was submitted by chicagofiddler, whose last entry in his history was two years ago. I don't know who he is, and he does not come to the session. I did email him to change the listing, but if he is not around, then it will stay as defunct--even though the comments indicate it is active again.
John, perhaps in exceptional circumstances such as you've described, Jeremy could be prevailed upon to exercise his overriding authority as webmaster and make the necessary amendments himself.
I guess then you have to revert to the old system of just writing an entry to that effect in the comments section - at least for the time being. If several sessions have problems such as that described by John Conoboy, or the reverse, that it's finished but the original submitter is also not around, which I suspect could be the case, this would be a lot of work for Jeremy.
I unticked the day boxes for Shillelagh's as there's nothing happening there at present. On that basis, it is a good system.
Sessions which are defunct
Sessions which are defunct
It occurred to me, while looking through the sessions section of this site, that a fair few of the London sessions are no more.
So you do a search: London, for example. Up come a number of entries. You choose one you like or is convenient, whatever. Then you have to click on it, then read the comments, maybe sometimes scroll down to find out it has finished up.
I considered emailing Jeremy to ask is there some way that a finished up session can somehow be indicated on its title link on the list which a search yields. But I thought maybe put this question out to other members - I hope you don't mind, Jeremy. I know you prefer people to email you with comments regarding the layout of the site, but I'm wondering, is it just me, or have other people encountered this issue.
I have very much come round to the idea of preserving entries of defunct sessions here - I didn't always - but it does provide some historical record of past sessions. I don't know if that was what was intended but it does. There are many pubs dotted throughout SE London where sessions used to occur - some which I'd attended but many more before even my time, going back to Lucy Farr and Danny Meehan's heyday, in the so-called "Golden Era" and there must have been zillions more like that in North London, Manchester etc. I've only found these out by reading snippets here and there but also talking to players who've been around for a fair while. You'd be surprised just how many there are. So some record is important (to session geeks like me anyway.)
So could a defunct session be thus indicated and would that be desirable to members? Could this be done by tick-box or something? Then appropriately indicated on the search result list by eg a letter "D" or suchlike?
Apologies in advance if this seriously contravenes the rules of The Session.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by ____
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Yes agreed and what about a "BNS" for Brand New Session"
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/12106
Mikk
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by mikk
Re: Sessions which are defunct
It's not only history - you can often hear about a session that "used to be at the Cat and Fiddle". If it's not listed here, and you can't find someone who's been lately, you might go and be told that it died weeks, months or years ago. If it is listed here, and commented as defunct, it saves you a wasted trip.
But I agree it would be nice to see at first glance that a listed session no longer happens.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Lingpupa
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Well sometimes the comments section on a defunct session may be of value as it may mention where the session moved to when it closed.
Also there are a finite number of possible session locations (usually pubs) so it is useful to know that there isn't a session at a certain pub
If the defunct tag was added it might be just as useful to add a number tag for number of years in operation - where does all this end for our poor webmaster.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Donough
Re: Sessions which are defunct
How about using dates as applied to authors?
e.g. July 2006 -
or May 2005 - June 2006
depicting as current or RIP
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Sessions which are defunct
why not list every pub in the world and put a little tick next to the ones that have a session?
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Is there still a session on the North Coast of NSW? (Aus)
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by mcknowall
Re: Sessions which are defunct
It's a good idea to list the defunct sessions as there is also the possibility that they might be ressurected at a later date if we were aware that they once existed.
Musicians looking for a session friendly pub or one which had the potential to be might consider trying them again, especially after a change of management. It's also possible that the owners might still be amenable to having a session there and the problem might have been due to differences between musicians, the standard of the music, insufficient players, or just lack of interest.
As times moves on, it's possible that a session might become a more feasible prospect.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by John J Returns
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Michael, a suggestion like that can only make me wish you had ticks.
Apart from that, thanks for the input. If Jeremy does think about this, I'm sure he'll want to do something simple to install and easy to operate. Maybe we should keep it simple?
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by ____
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Okay, here's what I think: I think that if a session is defunct, the person who submitted the session should update the schedule, deselecting any dates that were selected. I'll get working on some way of visually indicating that a session has no schedule (and is therefore defunct). I'll also see about adding a one-click "this session is no longer active" link which would have the same effect as deselecting all the days in the schedule.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Jeremy
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Many thanks Jeremy.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by ____
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Okay. I've made the changes. If anyone has submitted a session that is no longer active, please be sure to edit the schedule accordingly.
I've also made some changes to the way the schedule editing works. It now uses checkboxes instead of the annoying multiple select box.
Now if a session has no schedule (and is therefore defunct), the name of the venue appears with a line through it on the details tab. I haven't yet applied this to search results: that may take a bit more time.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Jeremy
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Excellent solution!
I had run into this issue when preparing for business trips, and wondering if I should take a whistle or not.
Thanks guys.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Man I'd hate to lug a whistle around if it wasn't nesc. :>)
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Kheelch
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Take one anyway - you never know what might be around the next corner!
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by Wurzel
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Whistles make such a suspicious profile when going through security. That’s why I only travel with my nickle-plated ocarina.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by fidkid
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Jeremy, this is a great addition but there is one problem. If the person who submitted the session is no longer participating in thesession.org, then the session can't be updated. For example, our session at the Blue Dragon in Albuquerque, NM was defunct and is now active again on a weekly basis. But, it was submitted by chicagofiddler, whose last entry in his history was two years ago. I don't know who he is, and he does not come to the session. I did email him to change the listing, but if he is not around, then it will stay as defunct--even though the comments indicate it is active again.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by John Conoboy
Re: Sessions which are defunct
John, perhaps in exceptional circumstances such as you've described, Jeremy could be prevailed upon to exercise his overriding authority as webmaster and make the necessary amendments himself.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by t-j
Re: Sessions which are defunct
I guess then you have to revert to the old system of just writing an entry to that effect in the comments section - at least for the time being. If several sessions have problems such as that described by John Conoboy, or the reverse, that it's finished but the original submitter is also not around, which I suspect could be the case, this would be a lot of work for Jeremy.
I unticked the day boxes for Shillelagh's as there's nothing happening there at present. On that basis, it is a good system.
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by ____
Re: Sessions which are defunct
Or in my case, I now live about 16000 km from the sessions I entered. If they die, I probably won't know about it.
# Posted on December 23rd 2006 by Lingpupa
Re: Sessions which are defunct
You're on here - couldn't someone email via this site?
# Posted on December 23rd 2006 by ____
Re: Sessions which are defunct
They are not net savvy.
# Posted on December 24th 2006 by Lingpupa