Posted on 03/01/2004 10:13:46 AM PST by Preech1
This is just a reminder that before one posts an article, one should check to see if the article has been previously posted in order to avoid duplication.
Duplication causes several problems. Just like the old Monty Python skit about spam, if the same thing is posted over and over, it can drown out other valid posts. It needlessly consumes system resources. It fragments discussion.
In general, moderators will pull duplicate postings when we are alerted to them or when we notice them. This has the benefit of eliminating the "spam" effect and it helps keep discussion from being fragmented. However, it does not really save system resources, and it can be frustrating when one is about to reply to a thread and it vanishes (due to being a duplicate). A better solution is for people to take care to ensure they are not posting a duplicate.
To avoid duplicate postings, some things can help. First, when posting, search to see if the article has already been posted. Load up the "Latest Posts" page and scroll down it to see if the same article is there. Check the sidebars. And use the FR search engine.
Second, do not change the title of an article when posting it. Doing so makes it less likely that another searching to see if an article was posted will find the earlier copy.
Third, don't be in a rush to "be the first" to get an article up. Really, is there a big need to do so?
Also, here is a tip for using the FR search engine. Only words that are four or more letters are examined, so searching on "Pim" or on "CIA" will not accomplish anything.
Finally, I will add that not all duplicates are removed. On the day an article is published, if several hours (four or more) have passed since the article had last been posted, we will tend to leave it up if it is reposted (unless it is still visibile in a sidebar) to make it so that people who don't scroll back several pages will not miss an article of current relevancy. However, this should not be overdone or abused or this may change.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS: Announcements; Free Republic; Your Opinion/Questions; Click to Add Topic KEYWORDS: DUPLICATES; PULLING; SEARCHING; Click to Add Keyword --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Only words that are four or more letters are examined, so searching on "Pim" or on "CIA" will not accomplish anything.Has this been fixed? For example, when I go to the latest threads page and do a TITLE(DATE) search on 'CIA,' it returns a whole bunch of articles with 'CIA' in the title. Same with 'PIM.' Are all the articles not retrieved or something? Just wondering, thanks.
I'll have Blue Lancer's Spam. I love it!
Bonfire of the Vanities
Repost a repost of an already reposted thread? Interesting.
It is apparent to me that you are trying to bring a little decorum to an otherwise nonstop verbal barrage of well...ummm...horsepucky.
Waitress: Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam; spam bacon sausage and spam; spam egg spam spam bacon and spam; spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam...
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam...
Waitress: ...spam spam spam egg and spam; spam spam spam spam spam spam baked beans spam spam spam...
Vikings: Spam! Lovely spam! Lovely spam!
Waitress: ...or Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy and with a fried egg on top and spam.
Wife: Have you got anything without spam?
Waitress: Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
Wife: I don't want ANY spam!
Man: Why can't she have egg bacon spam and sausage?
Wife: THAT'S got spam in it!
Man: Hasn't got as much spam in it as spam egg sausage and spam, has it?
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam... (Crescendo through next few lines...)
Wife: Could you do the egg bacon spam and sausage without the spam then?
Waitress: Urgghh!
Wife: What do you mean 'Urgghh'? I don't like spam!
Vikings: Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up!
Vikings: Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up! (Vikings stop) Bloody Vikings! You can't have egg bacon spam and sausage without the spam.
Wife: I don't like spam!
Man: Sshh, dear, don't cause a fuss. I'll have your spam. I love it. I'm having spam spam spam spam spam spam spam beaked beans spam spam spam and spam!
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam. Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up!! Baked beans are off.
Man: Well could I have her spam instead of the baked beans then?
Don't search by keyword. Search for a significant word in from the title of the article. Of course - that's one reason we're asked to post original titles only...
You're doin' fine....
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