Sorry for not being fully aware of this forum's history, but I'm curious about how the Admins/WebDevs came to the conclusion that this is a good way to deal with the exploits of a few troublemakers? Is that the reason for threads going read-only after that period of time. Or is there another reason that I can't for the life of me figure out?

And why should that be more important than providing an inviting experience for the majority of visitors here that aren't a thorn in the side of the forum's day-to-day operation?

48 hours? What went into the decision-making process that made you determine this particular period of time would be good? Why not 24 hours? Why not a week, or a month, or 3 months?

Apologies if you find my curiosity annoying, but I surely can't be the only person who'd like to know.

Don't mind me, just tapping a shim in here.

Don't really know for sure, maybe to it has to do with traffic/bandwidth. Just a guess, but I do think that it is a ? that's better left up to the administrators to explain.

I don't know why 48 hours was chosen, but it was one of many changes that were added at the same time.

Some time ago (over a year, IIRC), a malicious user posted HTML code that allowed him access to certain administrative functions. This prompted a major redesign of TalkBack that heavily clamped down on security.

There were also a few threads that seemed to go on FOREVER, and I mean for months at a time. Adding the 48 hour timeout served to limit the length of these threads, some of which were so long that they became highly confusing.

I know you have legitimate questions about TalkBack. However, TalkBack is in the process of being replaced with new software, which has been described by administrators in other threads as being completely different. You might want to consider focusing your attention there.

As I think I alluded to, I've been getting some back-story about that.
I'm still trying to figure out how security and an automatic lock-down after 48 hours of inactivity are connected. If somebody is hell-bent on causing problems, that limitation sure isn't going to stop them. And how does the "48-hour rule" benefit the majority of visitors who don't cause that kind of trouble?

Think about it: Who or what does it hurt if a popular thread stays open indefinitely? The people participating might really be enjoying it, and don't find it confusing, and are able to keep up with the shifting focus. I could point you toward some vital thread in a few other forums that have survived for YEARS, with well over 1,000 posts. They're still vital and current, and the participants know what's going on.

(One in particular—far off-topic for the forum where it lives—is about food. The thread is stocked to the rafters with recipes, stories about great restaurants, questions and recommendations. It may go into a lull for a while, but then somebody will post about a terrific BBQ contest they competed in. BOOM! The thread pops back up to the top of the list, and the confab picks up right where it left off. The upside of this is that, instead of a dozen or more threads being started about food, there's only one, and everyone knows where to find it. It's actually far LESS confusing for anyone who wants to talk about that stuff. Then, there's another in that same Forum where we discuss what music we're listening to lately, new artist or song discoveries, etc. Again, everyone knows where to find it, and all that talk is conveniently gathered in one place.)

Ahhhh....Now there we get to some new info I wasn't aware of. Since it's been years since I'd visited here, I was thinking that this WAS the new forum software, and that it was just going through some growing pains as the L.O.L. admins tweaked out the settings, and experimented with what works and what doesn't.

You know, this IPS software isn't so bad. Once you're used to it.

And if they do the 48 hr lockdown with the new stuff, it'll still be stupid.

There is so much potential here, and if the whole idea is to limit bandwidth,
well then the place will never actually work right. And besides, it's all text
and a couple of avatars. How much bandwidth could this place be using?

Threads from long ago should be able to pop back to the top. If there is
new software coming, all the past here will be lost forever. Sad, really.

I'd like to see a limit on how long in length a topic can go. After page 3 it's the same old comments recycled in a different form. Talk about a waste of bandwidth.......

I agree pretty much, DWYL...the software's not bad. And I'm sure it offers a bazillion possibilities for configuration. Shoot, they could even enable a restricted set of tags so that HTML could be used, without compromizing security.

And bandwidth concerns, for a database/userbase this small? It should be pretty much a non-issue these days, especially for a company like LNP.



I have to strongly disagree.

The fewer limitations, the better.

If you're tired of a topic, and the sniping and regurgitation it might foment, you have the option to not visit.

If it's length-limited, or locked down, those who might want to continue have NO options.

It's the advertisements. TalkBack is basically unusable on a dial-up connection; considering that my company often does remote desktop connections over dial-up, that says a lot. TalkBack is even sluggish on an economy DSL connection.

You sound like a prime candidate for the "AdBlock" extension for Firefox or the newer "AdBlock Plus" (along with the ancillary "FilterSet.G" black list that hooks into AdBlock's functionality.)

You might also want to read this short comparison of AdBlock & AdBlock Plus.

I've been using AdBlock for a long time, and it really slams the door on ads and pop-ups. Text ads--I don't mind them so much. They're unobtrusive, I can scan them quickly, and I'll still click on ones that might be relevant to me. I don't need flashy gee-gaws to grab my attention. Well-crafted text does the trick.

I'm not NORMALLY on a dial-up or a slow DSL connection, although in my travels I get to use both. Being a field service engineer (and technical help to friends and relatives), I get to see a lot.

I avoid Firefox extensions, primarily because most of the security leaks in Firefox are usually associated with an extension. Besides, the primary reason I switched to Firefox from Internet Exploder was because of stability and unpredictability issues, and I don't want to introduce any surprises into Firefox.

You need a Mac if you worry so much about security issues! A new one'll run all yer Winders stuff too!
( Insert laughing raspberry emoticon here, thumbs in ears, fingers waggling )

A-a-a-n-y way...I know of tons of Windows/Firefox users that have the AdBlock extension (among others...for some extensions, I wonder how I ever surfed without them), and none report problems. And I'm talking about hardcore coders and others who would recognize problems.

Something else I just tried; you probably already know about this:

Try the "Lo-Fi" version of the board. All text and very fast. Spartan, but quick.

Great Idea.



I really hate to get off topic, but how do you create a topic?







This forum is not very inviting if you hold a particular point of view, I've noted.