The Proper Care and Feeding of the Free Republic Keyword Feature

[Admin Moderator]

The Free Republic keyword feature serves a valuable purpose, it alerts posters to topics that they are interested in and supplements those topics which aren't already listed as available topics.

1. Please do not add words like "and" and "the" to the keywords. And PLEASE do not add every word from your title to the keywords, that's just plain annoying.

2. Please do not use keywords to troll posters. The mods can see who adds keywords and you're only going to get yourself in trouble.

3. Please do not add keywords to bump old theads. The purpose of keywords is to alert posters to current threads about the topic they're interested in. Adding a keyword to a thread from 2003 defeats that purpose.

4. Keywords on troll threads are exempt unless they contain profanity or an obscenity.

5.We are aware of several posters who abuse the keyword feature and we would appreciate it if they would stop.

Thanks.

[dfwgator]

Thailand?

[Admin Moderator]

The moderation for the many years I've been on FreeRepublic has been mostly remarkably even-handed and fair, but in the past year or so there has been a very notable double standard in place.

The moderators act on instructions from Jim Robinson and Jim is well aware of what we do. Many of you are not aware, but we have our own moderator log and we post all of our actions there and frequently discuss with other mods and Jim how to deal with certain situations.

There is rarely just one moderator on duty and none has an agenda. We often recuse ourselves where we feel we can't make an impartial decision.

We don't read every thread or reply and occasionally miss an abuse report. We rely on the members to let us know about abuses and we take action when warranted.

Certain topics have earned the dubious distinction of being quickly moved to the Smokey Back Room. Some of the posters on these threads argue the same points over and over to the same posters on the other side, with the same results. They will never change their own position nor sway their opponents. When they get frustrated they start flame wars and report abuse on each other.

Rather than suspend them all, over and over, we move the threads and ignore all but the most egregious abuses.

[humblegunner]

So.. my adding "canned opinions" to the keywords of talk radio threads is perfectly fine?

WooHoo!

[GretchenM]

Your sentence about chum already being in the water instantly brought up a picture of Bruce when the bit of blood wafted under his nose ... and his earlier remark, something like, What's a couple of bites like you doing here? But I couldn't find a .gif of that, so Dory and Nemo got the guest spot.

That was one of the cutest movies. There are lots of lines from it that come in handy in every day life.

Mentally replay the music from Psycho's shower scene, followed by ... Puh RAH nuh!

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your Nemo comments. I think the Twilight Zone theme would sound fairly good with that photo as well, or perhaps even the Jaws sound effect.

[IMTOFT]

That is too hilarious. My wife comes by the office and says, "What are you laughing at?"

Nothing, honey. You have to be there.

[JRios1968]

What about those who add funny keywords (several) to one specific thread? DO they get set up the Zot?

Not that I would ever do such a thing, of course...

[Doctor Stochastic]

Also, why is "anthrax" still in the topic section (it really hasn't been an issue in almost five years)?

He asked sheepishly.

[Finger Monkey]

wowee

impressive

[AmericanMade1776]

I am scared.

[Responsibility2nd]

BUMP

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

ROTFLOL!

and ditto for your tagline!

[Zeppo]

Give it a try... I dare you... :-)

[SunkenCiv]

My all-time favorite keyword, which I've never added to any topic, ever, but wish I had.

[endthematrix]

Re: #3

That's bogus. Could you imagine what Able Danger and the Atta trail threads would be like. It's about research.


Cindy, there are some others who do some great archiving, but can't remember names (I do remember yours!) and wonder how you think of this?

[Cindy]

OPINION: I use the keyword function quite a bit.
It's more useful and quicker than Google at times.

Example: The jihadis have made/make so many threats; that keyword
search, The Threat Matrix index and Google are useful tools
to assist me in researching quicker and more efficiently.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks! Misspelled keywords are also a bit of a nuisance for those who rely on keywords to locate topics of interest. :')

[SunkenCiv]

Might it be possible to have a sort of point and shoot keyword menu, for adding common keywords (with the current add-anything window still along for the ride)?

[TigersEye]

I missed this thread when it was posted. I have thought of posting my own thread on the value and use of keywords many times. The keyword function here is an incredible archiving and networking tool, if used properly and diligently, but unfortunately few FReepers realize that and many threads disappear into the digital void with no relevant keywords added at all.