I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find it. I'm trying to find the most efficient use of thesession.org. For example, if you wish to view the latest comments on tunes, do you really have to trawl through every page? Is there a short-cut?
In other words, if somebody adds a comment to an old discussion or tune, is there any way of knowing it?
I'm sure you're not saying "Just enjoy. Don't question. Don't try to find out more. Don't try to make the best of the site..." Although there's lots to rejoice about thesession, it appears to be a hugely inefficient site, UNLESS I'm missing something, which is the sole purpose of this discussion.
I _have_ been enjoying this site since broadband reached my wee town, especially your varied openers. If, however, I were to respond to your "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish Sessions" thread of August 26th 2002, it seems that you would never know unless you read all your discussions periodically.
This is not criticism for criticism's sake, but a genuine request for ideas on how best to use the site.
Hi Nigel. Yeah, sorry, didn't mean that to sound cheeky. I'm just not feeling too verbose this dark winter morning.
I also rejoice about thesession, but I think if I had any problem with the way the site worked, I would do as Jeremy recommends on the 'Contact' section of the Home Page i.e.:
"If you have any questions about the site, try reading the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you still can't find an answer to your query, drop me a line..."
Must admit, I personally treat most threads as 'wee transient beasties', - [ not sure if Burns wrote a verse tae thon cratur or not? ] - knowing that, like the good old purple buses in Auld Reekie, if you miss one there's no need to panic cause another one, almost exactly the same, will be along shortly!
Might be worth dropping Jeremy an E-mail. Good Luck.
This site isn't perfect but I like its simplicity(although it's more complicated these days). I admit there's an advantage in old threads returning "to the top", as on some other sites, when new comments are added. However, this leads to some topics being flogged to death well past their sell by date e.g those Gaelic translation threads you get on Footstompin' .
I enjoy the "rolling" aspect of the discussion forum. If you read it fairly regularly, you can easily access the latest comments for even old discussions, tunes etc. Many topics get repeated but I don't think there's much harm in this. Perhaps, it could be easier to trace older discussions on specific topics but we've always got Zina to keep us right there .
The tune section is great but the tune *request* section is a bit of a shambles. Perhaps, it could be monitored(as with the actual tune section) to prevent many of the ridiculous requests which appear from time to time. Of course, a lot of those are genuine mistakes and a misunderstanding of the system. However, there's some of the contributors I really worry about!
Still, I enjoy this site overall. Perhaps, it's because I'm very familiar with it. I agree that it might not seem very efficient to newcomers.
>If, however, I were to respond to your "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish >Sessions" thread of August 26th 2002, it seems that you would >never know unless you read all your discussions periodically.
Hmmm.. I just click on the "Discussions" when I call by. This gives the newest threads (and if you'd added something to
an old topic, I assume it would bump that topic back up near the top?)
No, it doesn't bump it back to the top. But I like like that, it's more like the real world where if you are having a blether down the boozer and someone interjects something relating to a topic you were chatting about two hours ago, everybody groans.
The rolling nature of the discussions - these "wee transient beasties" - believe it or not probably saves us from a lot more bad blood and nastiness than ever occurs here.
I occasionally make forays into other forums - in particular one about birdwatching and one about religious matters. These two both follow the more conventional way of discussions being held at the top of the board if they are still being added to. And lo and behold! all you end up with is the top of the board is filled by the most vitriolic spite filled displays of one-upmanship imaginable - (thats the bird watching site - God save me from ever becoming a competitive twitcher, what a load of ******s!)
Here on theSession, if someone wants a long term fighting slagging spitting match (you know who you are) then he/she is able to keep it up without it dominating the top of the discussion board - like Michaels impage of the blether at the boozer, where if anyone wants a long heated discussion they can take it into another room or the car park.
If you want to speak to someone about a specific point raised in "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish Sessions" - then you can email them privately - that's what the email bit is about. I have had a considerable number of private email correspondences with people over things that fall into the equivalent of the "private conversation at a quiet table". (though none that have been the equivalent of going out into the car park and slugging it out.)
If you want to raise a new thread about Hammer Dulcimers then do so - (you might find that someone will refer to the previous one in 2002).
Mmm, I've been to some sites where you have the option of being informed via e-mail whenever someone has posted on a selected thread. You can be bugged hourly, daily, weekly, etc.
This could be handy when you're looking for information and it takes someone a month to post an answer. You probably would have given up hoping for a response by then, so a heads-up would be nice.
However, I really like the fact that most discussions fade away to make space for the new ones. For one thing, it puts an expiry date on arguments. Sure, we'll argue about the same things again some time, but for now, the thread has moved on. Also, some threads are so long that people posting new messages often repeat what was already said, because they don't have time to read everybody's entries.
And some threads are so long that people posting new messages often repeat what was already said, because they don't have time to read everybody's entries.
(sorry I think I've got an attack of Michaels impage)
That's about right. I think there is a general consensus that it's rude to start to interject without having read all the postings in a thread. And when a thread gets to over 100 odd postings, it's generally accepted that you should leave it alone, un less you were one of the ones responsible for the verbosage. Hence, they eventually peter out, and a good thing too
But welcome to The Session, Nigel. And don't believe everything Johnny J says about me. I *don't* run around pointing out when we've talked about topics before! :p
Nigel, to get back to your original question, what you basically want is the "comments" tab in each section. For example, clicking on the "comments" tab in the tunes section will show you the latest comments added there. Same for recordings, discussions, and sessions. If someone adds a comment to an old tune, discussion, recording, or session, it will show up immediately under the "comments" tab.
Just in case anyone else benefits, Jeremy has answered all my queries about thesession.org (see his post above). I am now able to keep up to date with any new comments posted about any tune, new or old, in the database, and I take back my comment about it being a "a hugely inefficient site". Thanks for all your advice and thoughts.
How Best to Use This Site
How Best to Use This Site
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find it. I'm trying to find the most efficient use of thesession.org. For example, if you wish to view the latest comments on tunes, do you really have to trawl through every page? Is there a short-cut?
In other words, if somebody adds a comment to an old discussion or tune, is there any way of knowing it?
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
If you go to the New tab on the Home page you get the top three new items in each section.
Each section of the site has a Comments tab, which gives you comments sorted from newest to oldest within that section.
There are also RSS feeds of the site's sections. See the FAQ for details.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Just a person
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Yes, I saw that. It says "if you're a geek..." What are RSS feeds?
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rss
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Just a person
Re: How Best to Use This Site
The RSS page shows 20 articles only. Is there a way to access more articles?
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Just Enjoy!
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: How Best to Use This Site
I'm sure you're not saying "Just enjoy. Don't question. Don't try to find out more. Don't try to make the best of the site..." Although there's lots to rejoice about thesession, it appears to be a hugely inefficient site, UNLESS I'm missing something, which is the sole purpose of this discussion.
I _have_ been enjoying this site since broadband reached my wee town, especially your varied openers. If, however, I were to respond to your "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish Sessions" thread of August 26th 2002, it seems that you would never know unless you read all your discussions periodically.
This is not criticism for criticism's sake, but a genuine request for ideas on how best to use the site.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Hi Nigel. Yeah, sorry, didn't mean that to sound cheeky. I'm just not feeling too verbose this dark winter morning.
I also rejoice about thesession, but I think if I had any problem with the way the site worked, I would do as Jeremy recommends on the 'Contact' section of the Home Page i.e.:
"If you have any questions about the site, try reading the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you still can't find an answer to your query, drop me a line..."
Must admit, I personally treat most threads as 'wee transient beasties', - [ not sure if Burns wrote a verse tae thon cratur or not? ] - knowing that, like the good old purple buses in Auld Reekie, if you miss one there's no need to panic cause another one, almost exactly the same, will be along shortly!
Might be worth dropping Jeremy an E-mail. Good Luck.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: How Best to Use This Site
This site isn't perfect but I like its simplicity(although it's more complicated these days). I admit there's an advantage in old threads returning "to the top", as on some other sites, when new comments are added. However, this leads to some topics being flogged to death well past their sell by date e.g those Gaelic translation threads you get on Footstompin'
.
I enjoy the "rolling" aspect of the discussion forum. If you read it fairly regularly, you can easily access the latest comments for even old discussions, tunes etc. Many topics get repeated but I don't think there's much harm in this. Perhaps, it could be easier to trace older discussions on specific topics but we've always got Zina to keep us right there
.
The tune section is great but the tune *request* section is a bit of a shambles. Perhaps, it could be monitored(as with the actual tune section) to prevent many of the ridiculous requests which appear from time to time. Of course, a lot of those are genuine mistakes and a misunderstanding of the system. However, there's some of the contributors I really worry about!
Still, I enjoy this site overall. Perhaps, it's because I'm very familiar with it. I agree that it might not seem very efficient to newcomers.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by John J Returns
Re: How Best to Use This Site
>If, however, I were to respond to your "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish >Sessions" thread of August 26th 2002, it seems that you would >never know unless you read all your discussions periodically.
Hmmm.. I just click on the "Discussions" when I call by. This gives the newest threads (and if you'd added something to
an old topic, I assume it would bump that topic back up near the top?)
Chris
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by spindizzy
Re: How Best to Use This Site
No, it doesn't bump it back to the top. But I like like that, it's more like the real world where if you are having a blether down the boozer and someone interjects something relating to a topic you were chatting about two hours ago, everybody groans.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: How Best to Use This Site
The rolling nature of the discussions - these "wee transient beasties" - believe it or not probably saves us from a lot more bad blood and nastiness than ever occurs here.
I occasionally make forays into other forums - in particular one about birdwatching and one about religious matters. These two both follow the more conventional way of discussions being held at the top of the board if they are still being added to. And lo and behold! all you end up with is the top of the board is filled by the most vitriolic spite filled displays of one-upmanship imaginable - (thats the bird watching site - God save me from ever becoming a competitive twitcher, what a load of ******s!)
Here on theSession, if someone wants a long term fighting slagging spitting match (you know who you are) then he/she is able to keep it up without it dominating the top of the discussion board - like Michaels impage of the blether at the boozer, where if anyone wants a long heated discussion they can take it into another room or the car park.
If you want to speak to someone about a specific point raised in "Hammer Dulcimers in Irish Sessions" - then you can email them privately - that's what the email bit is about. I have had a considerable number of private email correspondences with people over things that fall into the equivalent of the "private conversation at a quiet table". (though none that have been the equivalent of going out into the car park and slugging it out.)
If you want to raise a new thread about Hammer Dulcimers then do so - (you might find that someone will refer to the previous one in 2002).
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Michael's impage? - a Freudian slip.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Mmm, I've been to some sites where you have the option of being informed via e-mail whenever someone has posted on a selected thread. You can be bugged hourly, daily, weekly, etc.
This could be handy when you're looking for information and it takes someone a month to post an answer. You probably would have given up hoping for a response by then, so a heads-up would be nice.
However, I really like the fact that most discussions fade away to make space for the new ones. For one thing, it puts an expiry date on arguments. Sure, we'll argue about the same things again some time, but for now, the thread has moved on. Also, some threads are so long that people posting new messages often repeat what was already said, because they don't have time to read everybody's entries.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Shrog
Re: How Best to Use This Site
And some threads are so long that people posting new messages often repeat what was already said, because they don't have time to read everybody's entries.
(sorry I think I've got an attack of Michaels impage)
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: How Best to Use This Site
That's about right. I think there is a general consensus that it's rude to start to interject without having read all the postings in a thread. And when a thread gets to over 100 odd postings, it's generally accepted that you should leave it alone, un less you were one of the ones responsible for the verbosage. Hence, they eventually peter out, and a good thing too
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Treat all comments about Piano Accordions, bodhrans, accompanists etc. as a personal attack.
(Please note, Piano Accordion is a "proper" name for an Important Instrument so deserves upper case)
first wind-up over.
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by geoffwright
Re: How Best to Use This Site
See what I mean Nigel?
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by Just a person
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Yep, you got a point!
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
But welcome to The Session, Nigel.
And don't believe everything Johnny J says about me. I *don't* run around pointing out when we've talked about topics before! :p
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Nigel, to get back to your original question, what you basically want is the "comments" tab in each section. For example, clicking on the "comments" tab in the tunes section will show you the latest comments added there. Same for recordings, discussions, and sessions. If someone adds a comment to an old tune, discussion, recording, or session, it will show up immediately under the "comments" tab.
Hope that helps.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by Jeremy
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Thanks, Jeremy, that does help.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by nigelg
Re: How Best to Use This Site
Just in case anyone else benefits, Jeremy has answered all my queries about thesession.org (see his post above). I am now able to keep up to date with any new comments posted about any tune, new or old, in the database, and I take back my comment about it being a "a hugely inefficient site". Thanks for all your advice and thoughts.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by nigelg