I think we need an "Ask the Chief" thread... [Archive]

Boteroesque Babe

10-01-2005, 09:27 AM

A dumb question and a not-as-dumb question, for Conrad or anyone else who may know:

I had someone on the phone yesterday who asked me to upload their avatar pic for them. So I logged out as Boteroesque Babe (first time doing that), and logged in using the other person's name and password. I got a welcome message, but apparently wasn't actually signed in, because I couldn't see the person's "User CP" option, and the sign-in prompt was still in the upper right corner. I had the person log out, thinking that's what was blocking me, but I still couldn't get access to their Control Panel. After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally had him sign back in and I walked him through the upload.

But it left me wondering, was I not allowed to log in as another person because I had already logged in once from this computer as myself? If not, wouldn't that be a good idea? Is there a way to limit it to one registered user per computer? It's long been suspected much of our troll activity comes from just a handful of people, and if such a restriction could be implemented, that would surely cut way down on unwanteds.

Since some share computers with a significant other who also uses the boards, the limit could be two users per. That would accomodate couples, yet still cut down on trolls.

And here's the dumb question. Been meaning to ask for ages. I might check the board in the morning, and rather than closing out of it when I'm finished, the window stays open in the background, sometimes for hours. Even though it's not being used, it's technically active. Does this effect bandwidth usage? I'd hate to think this practice was part of your problem.

Webmaster

10-01-2005, 10:31 AM

... was I not allowed to log in as another person because I had already logged in once from this computer as myself? If not, wouldn't that be a good idea? Is there a way to limit it to one registered user per computer? It's long been suspected much of our troll activity comes from just a handful of people, and if such a restriction could be implemented, that would surely cut way down on unwanteds.
Once you log out the system generally informs you that all cookies have been cleared. If you then select "Return to the page you left" or something like that, the login box should be empty so you can log in as someone else. I do that all the time as I use two logins for admin stuff and discussion. I don't think I can set a limit per computer; that would be pretty much impossible as IP addresses are usually dynamically assigned.
And here's the dumb question. Been meaning to ask for ages. I might check the board in the morning, and rather than closing out of it when I'm finished, the window stays open in the background, sometimes for hours. Even though it's not being used, it's technically active. Does this effect bandwidth usage? I'd hate to think this practice was part of your problem.
The system should log out inactive users. Ill need to check up on that.

panhype

10-01-2005, 10:52 AM

The system does so, at least with my account. And it does so within a very short span (3 - 5 mins). I was replying to a few threads and had to re-login each time. I think you should check that because, once people got the hang with it, they will hit the *preview* buttton all the time or refresh pages just to 'show' activity - something that only drives the bandwidth up.
i PERSONALLY don't see a problem with inactive logged-in accounts

The system should log out inactive users. Ill need to check up on that.

Webmaster

10-01-2005, 11:28 AM

The system does so, at least with my account. And it does so within a very short span (3 - 5 mins). I was replying to a few threads and had to re-login each time. I think you should check that because, once people got the hang with it, they will hit the *preview* buttton all the time or refresh pages just to 'show' activity - something that only drives the bandwidth up.
i PERSONALLY don't see a problem with inactive logged-in accounts

I just checked. The user timeout is set to 15 minutes. My biggest challenge ahead will be to optimize the system (i.e. vBulletin settings, php settings, MySQL setting) as much as I can. I wish I had an optimization expert to help me.

panhype

10-01-2005, 01:20 PM

hmm.. wasn't aware how much the time 'flies' when replying..
I just checked. The user timeout is set to 15 minutes. My biggest challenge ahead will be to optimize the system (i.e. vBulletin settings, php settings, MySQL setting) as much as I can. I wish I had an optimization expert to help me.

rainyday

10-01-2005, 01:42 PM

And here's the dumb question. Been meaning to ask for ages. I might check the board in the morning, and rather than closing out of it when I'm finished, the window stays open in the background, sometimes for hours. Even though it's not being used, it's technically active. Does this effect bandwidth usage? I'd hate to think this practice was part of your problem.

I'm guilty of that as well. I tend to do that both here and in chat, where sometimes I'll log in then wander away from my desk for several hours. Fortunately chat doesn't seem to log us out.

Boteroesque Babe

10-01-2005, 01:55 PM

Rainy's first ever post on the new system is a response to ME?!? [wipes tear away from cheek and bites bent finger to stifle screams of glee]

Good to see ya here, Girly. And yes, my abundant respect and affection for you will be every bit as creepy on this board as it was on the other. Hope you can deal.

Boteroesque Babe

10-01-2005, 02:02 PM

The user timeout is set to 15 minutes.

That is odd. My window sits behind what I'm working on for hours, and I'm still logged on when I return to it. Sometimes I'm not even here, and it's still on when I get back. Maybe it has something to do with the way AOL handles its cache.

rainyday

10-01-2005, 02:17 PM

****waving to my stalker**** ;)

Glad to see you re-enlisted to the new board right away too, BB. Wouldn't be the same without ya.

Webmaster

10-01-2005, 02:21 PM

I'm guilty of that as well. I tend to do that both here and in chat, where sometimes I'll log in then wander away from my desk for several hours. Fortunately chat doesn't seem to log us out.

Welcome to the new forum system, rainy!!

I was just in chat a while ago. 20 people were there, but no one said a single peep for a full ten minutes. Not pleasant. Normally it's one big party in there. Chat should log people out, but it does appear that people's browser settings may have something to do with it.

You are SUCH a rascalette! We're finally treated to an almost full body shot of rainy and it's so microscopic that all red-blooded FAs will cry in agony over this fiendish teasing.

CurvyEm

10-01-2005, 02:57 PM

That is odd. My window sits behind what I'm working on for hours, and I'm still logged on when I return to it. Sometimes I'm not even here, and it's still on when I get back. Maybe it has something to do with the way AOL handles its cache.

It doesn't log you out (you can stay logged in forever) but after 15 minutes of being inactive it takes you off the inactive users list and no longer registers you as being on the site.

Boteroesque Babe

10-01-2005, 03:28 PM

I was just in chat a while ago. 20 people were there, but no one said a single peep for a full ten minutes. Not pleasant. Normally it's one big party in there.

I wouldn't sweat it, Chief. I got an e-mail earlier from a sistah who's very active online, and she said all the fat-related forums are ghost towns this weekend. Apparently this is the hottest spot in Fat City. [Imagines Conrad as a tuxedoed night club owner, sending champagne to people's tables and pressing the congratulatory flesh.]

Boteroesque Babe

10-01-2005, 03:30 PM

It doesn't log you out (you can stay logged in forever) but after 15 minutes of being inactive it takes you off the inactive users list and no longer registers you as being on the site.

Gotcha. Thanks, Curvy.

ataraxia

10-01-2005, 04:10 PM

All of the boards that I read are dead this afternoon. Not just fat-related, either.

Must be something in the water :p

rainyday

10-01-2005, 04:45 PM

Thanks for the welcome, Conrad. I'm sure all the squinting FA's will survive. It's a full 80 pixels ;)

I was signed in when you came on it looks like, but I was here reading the boards instead. I'd really hate if chat logged us out automatically. I usually come back and read what I missed and then join in again. It's unusually quiet today. Normally it's a very lively place, as you know.

Nate Bouchard

10-01-2005, 04:50 PM

We're finally treated to an almost full body shot of rainy and it's so microscopic that all red-blooded FAs will cry in agony over this fiendish teasing.

THE HORROR!!! THE HORROR!!!!

I agree... ;)

Egbert Souse

10-01-2005, 07:11 PM

Glad to see you re-enlisted to the new board right away too, BB. Wouldn't be the same without ya.[/QUOTE]

And likewise to you on both counts, rd. Hope you'll stick around and keep the vibe right. Btw, in order to be here, "i agreed" to not be vulgar or profane. It's gonna be a challenge but a deal's a deal. I'd like to add my warmest, Pat Booney kinda wecome to you.

rainyday

10-01-2005, 09:42 PM

And likewise to you on both counts, rd. Hope you'll stick around and keep the vibe right. Btw, in order to be here, "i agreed" to not be vulgar or profane. It's gonna be a challenge but a deal's a deal. I'd like to add my warmest, Pat Booney kinda wecome to you.

Thank you, Eggie. I gotta admit though I sometimes like the profane you (never seen a vulgar side). I'm trying to picture you in white Pat Boone shoes and the image keeps flickering because it's just so darn WRONG! Sneak a little profane in now and then anyway, okay? Spices up the place ;)

(Edited to add: I just realized you might be quoting from the rules about the not being profane or vulgar thing, so maybe I better not encourage you to break them. So I never said the above, okay?)

Webmaster

10-03-2005, 12:43 PM

I was signed in when you came on it looks like, but I was here reading the boards instead. I'd really hate if chat logged us out automatically. I usually come back and read what I missed and then join in again. It's unusually quiet today. Normally it's a very lively place, as you know.

I forget what the chat timeout is. In general, inactive logins add to system load, and they can be quite annoying. Nothing worse than talking to someone who is, in fact, not there. I, too, was surprised that no one was saying a peep on a Saturday afternoon. Maybe my problem is that I quickly get impatient when people take forever to answer.

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 12:49 PM

Egbert Souse

10-03-2005, 08:12 PM

I can't help noticing that this thread entitled, "I think we need an "Ask the Chief" thread..." was posted not by the Chief (who is probably up to his eyeballs in emails and pm's and hasn't had a decent night's sleep since last Thursday), but by you (who are probably playing a cd by some illiterate adolescent electric guitar player at a very loud volume and generally putting a serious dent in whatever peace there was on that god forsaken island you're trying to live on). It seems more appropriate, therefore, to address this question to you if you don't mind setting the air guitar down long enough to contemplate my little issue.

You got any idea how to edit our Group Memberships?
I'm sure it's no surprise that i happen to be a member of some pretty heady Groups but my User CP doesn't seem to want to know about it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

rainyday

10-03-2005, 08:23 PM

Good idea, Eg. I vote we should submit our DIY, stubborn stain and relationship questions to her too. Oh and automotive, too.

I'll start. If the "maintenance needed" light comes on in my car, then goes out by the next time I start it, does that mean the car fixed itself?

Waiting breathlessly for an answer, BB :cool:

Webmaster

10-03-2005, 08:29 PM

The board appearance on my browser has suddenly gotten super wide, causing only a fraction of it to be visible at a time. Same thing that happens when someone posts a too-big photo, but it's ten times that, and on every page, apparently. Renders it pretty much unusable.

Are you adjusting settings, or something? I know I haven't.

Muchas gracias for bringing that to my attention. What had happened that my attempt to accommodate people who requested larger fonts had backfired and essentially nuked the entire forum software. Freak accident, but it took the entire day to get things back to normal, more or less. So it's usable once again, and I learned another valuable lesson in software management.

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 08:32 PM

You got any idea how to edit our Group Memberships?

I didn't know there were any groups to member.

And it's 11:24, Boy. You know dern well that's Jon Stewart time for me. I put the air guitar down and load up on irreverent current events, same time every night. Followed by a dozen banana moon pies, then it's off to bed for me.

(Hmm.... which smiley face should accompany that moon pie remark?......)

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 08:38 PM

Good idea, Eg. I vote we should submit our DIY, stubborn stain and relationship questions to her too. Oh and automotive, too.

I wouldn't if I were you, Rainy. I've got a big, honkin' red dot next to the name in my profile. Dunno what it means, but I'm guessin' it ain't good. At the very least, it renders me unworthy of your stain, automotive, and stubborn relationship questions.

But since you've asked, yes, if your car's dummy light stops blinking, it means it fixed itself, and no electrical tape (to cover the annoying blinking light) will be necessary. In certain states, it also means it's a good day to play the lottery.

Good luck!

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 08:41 PM

Muchas gracias for bringing that to my attention.

Thanks, Chief. Everything looks great. Speedier, too.

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 08:45 PM

I try every day, just to be told:

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Egbert Souse again."

It sounds so... naughty high school.

Webmaster

10-03-2005, 08:54 PM

Thanks, Chief. Everything looks great. Speedier, too.

Ought to be speedier. I borrowed 50% bandwidth from another server. Say, did you watch "The Apprentice" the other night? Lamborghinis, oh my. I always thought those went really, really well with a voluptuous vixen poured/squeezed into the passenger seat (yes, I'll do the driving). What would Jon Stewart say?

Egbert Souse

10-03-2005, 08:59 PM

rd, i think BB was too fixated on Moon Pies and Jon Stewart to give your question the consideration it deserved.

Here's my approach...
the "check engine" light came on in my truck about 80K ago.
I went out and bought a car. Apparently THAT showed the sumbitch!
I think it made my truck nervous because it's been trouble-free (albeit with the "check engine" light glaring) ever since.

Boteroesque Babe

10-03-2005, 09:04 PM

Say, did you watch "The Apprentice" the other night? Lamborghinis, oh my. I always thought those went really, really well with a voluptuous vixen poured/squeezed into the passenger seat (yes, I'll do the driving). What would Jon Stewart say?

Didn't see "The Apprentice" and I don't think I've been in a Lamborghini since getting fat, but I do have a photo somewhere of a very plump, pretending-she-wouldn't-be-too-scared-to-drive-it woman wedged into the driver's side of a Ferrari. Lucky for all involved, I'm too sleepy to hunt it down.

And I'm quite sure Jon Stewart would say, "Whahhhh?" Perhaps accompanied by squeaky cartoon eye-rubbing.

rainyday

10-04-2005, 01:06 AM

I wouldn't if I were you, Rainy. I've got a big, honkin' red dot next to the name in my profile. Dunno what it means, but I'm guessin' it ain't good.

Looks green now. Someone must have fixed you up. And it's not blinking, which has to be good.

the "check engine" light came on in my truck about 80K ago. I went out and bought a car. Apparently THAT showed the sumbitch!

Hmm, I think I don't think I've ever heard Frick and Frack recommend that strategy lol.

Boteroesque Babe

10-04-2005, 05:16 AM

Looks green now.

Is it? Didn't notice. I solved the problem with a piece of electrical tape.

Egbert Souse

10-05-2005, 11:43 AM

Somehow, BB, i sense that "speedy" isn't your thing. I'd bet that it's more your style to move placidly along, savoring every captivating morsel in life.
You don't need no Lamborghini or Ferrari and, besides, how long would one of those silly things last in the neighborhoods where all the good barBQ places are?

Nahh...whatCHOO need to be riding in is a slightly beat-looking Ford Escort. Not only will it attract less attention from the masses grumpy about the class divide, but i'll bet the music will me more interesting.
(and yes, i do the driving AND bring a big roll of tape to get the dog hair off your clothes afterward).

Boteroesque Babe

10-05-2005, 09:01 PM

Just pull up out front and honk.

AnnMarie

10-05-2005, 09:05 PM

I've got a big, honkin' red dot next to the name in my profile.

I do see a red dot in the lower left corner of your ID block (next to posts), but it's because you've selected to remain "invisible"... whereas others are grey if they are offline and green if they are on. Not sure if that's the red dot you were talking about, but I never noticed your green reputation block as any color other than green.

Eh.

Jeannie

10-29-2005, 06:17 PM

I ran a search and didn't come up with anything and looked through all the threads. I need a little tech help please. I used the drop down box at the bottom of the page to check out the "Imagize Style" and it won't let me change back to "default Style." Has anyone ever come up against this problem? I really DISLIKE Imagize style. :(

I sure do hope someone can help. This Imagize style is giving me a headache with its background glare and tiny print!