What's the best way to work this site?

me | 2/20/04 | me

[7.62 x 51mm]

Wow, bb! I haven't played with those keys for years. Thanks a million. I'm still feeling my way around here, too.

[boxerblues]

I had to teach my hubby those as he was having so much trouble using the mouse, once you get used to it works faster than reaching for the mouse

[BykrBayb]

Netscape 4.78. I can't use the latest version. For some reason, it locks up my computer.

[No Blue States]

Just open a big thread then tab down 235 posts to the bottom to see what the general concensus is, even though there rarely is one.

Then post a comment you think is both original and profound so you can scroll up later to see 5 other freepers beat you to it.

This will teach you that you have a great mind and others think like you.

[Joe Bonforte]

Some serious advice:

Avoid the following types of threads unless you have a strong interest in the topic:

- Evolution/creationism
- Drug War (often starts with an article about another drug bust gone bad or something on medical marijuana)
- Pornography
- Whether Bush is a conservative or not

For all of these, it's the same arguments over and over. (I say this even though I participate on a couple of these types of threads.) So if you read a few and get the gist, and don't care to get any deeper, just skip them from then on. You won't really be missing anything, especially if your mind is already made up.

You can also save a lot of time by avoiding the Zotted threads. (Do you know what a Zotted thread is?) They are funny, but they are often time-sucking monsters that build up huge numbers of fairly trivial replies. If you want to read them for entertainment, fine. But don't expect to learn anything from them.

[Joe Bonforte]

Oops, I forgot to mention another type to avoid - the free trade/NAFTA/decline of manufacturing/unfair Chinese slave laborer/etc. threads. The also just go round and round, and never really get anywhere. (Not to mention exhibiting that some posters are abysmally ignorant of economics.)

[BykrBayb]

Ooh, ooh, ooh!!! We have winner! Ctrl + R works on mine! I'm so excited!

[boxerblues]

Careful one more Ooh and they start censoring the thread

[Lazamataz]

Did you ask his permission first, or did you just walk up and start doing it?

You gotta get permission to rub off, now?

I remember a simpler time, when any teenage boy with a bottle of baby oil, a beach towel, and a dream could rub off.

Now ya gotta fill out forms, get permission, contact the Patriot Act Office, and usually get adequate insurance.

[Xenalyte]

You gotta get permission to rub off, now?

Unless he's mellowed in his old age, Off doesn't like being rubbed. (At least, that's what he SAID.)

[BykrBayb]

Short skirt, fishnet stockings, stiletto heels.

or...

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Keywords & ping-lists
There is an update coming
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1069823/posts

[bwteim]

"Avoid the following types of threads unless you have a strong interest in the topic......."

Joe,

In your list of threads to avoid, you left off the OS War Threads... (PC vs Mac vs Unix vs Atari vs Commodore vs Kay-Pro)

[US_MilitaryRules]

Sit on your butt and point and click!

[Twinkie]

I wish ya'll would quit being smarty pants!

[tm22721]

It's almost like being with a woman; start at the top and work your way down slowly.

Login in after midnight. :^)

I like both of these suggestions.

BUMP

[backhoe]

NJ-- control-n will pop up as many extra browsers as your machine's power will support ( my old 486, Win 95 could run about 3 before slowing too much )-- use one to hold your place on the site, the others to look elsewhere, track a hot post, etc.

You can copy the links easily with Outlook Express & send them wherever you like, to pass the info on.

Our bump lists & keyword indexing will show tons of information about various subjects.

Although it's old, I wrote this as an aid:

Research & Analysis via FreeRepublic...

[Lazamataz]

What's the best way to work this site?

Hire five offshore Chinese workers at $0.20/hr to follow it for you.

[Nick Danger]

I do not know if anyone can keep up or even make a dent as posting go by so fast. Blink and there are 5 new stories. Help.

This is why The Lord invented the 80-20 rule. You can safely assume that 80% of the stuff flying by is crap. Note that your definition of "crap" will be different from mine, or anyone else's. There are people who come here for the Moose & Cheese threads, and to them, all that politics stuff is crap.

The main thing is to let go of the idea that you need to read every note, or you'll miss something. There was a time on FR when people really could read every note. And you know what? 80% of it was crap. It's a Law of the Universe.

These are great times. Now you can get almost 100% good stuff, by learning how to identify crap quickly and having no remorse about moving on fast, as soon as you see those first telltale signs of crappiness. Remember, the odds are 80% in your favor that the next random thread you open will be crap. If you smell it when you walk in, the odds are... you're right. So get out, and don't look back.

[backhoe]

http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/bkkeys97.html
Windows keyboard shortcuts