Breaking News and Search

2/12/03 | Admin Moderator

[Admin Moderator]

There have been many duplicate threads lately. A search is easy to do, but is not 100% foolproof, nonetheless, it is very effective. The Free Republic search feature only looks at words in the title (words from within the article will not work). That is why it is imperative to use the original title. To avoid having duplicate posts, prior to posting an article, search a keyword from the title only. The main search page can be found here:

SEARCH

The best method to search is to pick a key word or two from the title. If the article you are posting is, "Powell Ties 'bin Laden' Message to Iraq", start with 'Powell' for the key word. If it is a hot topic, you might want to use two keywords, in this case, try Powell and laden. For an effective search, select 'match all words' and select 'order by post time'.

Search using 'powell' only - ninth article in list at the time of this posting.

Search using 'powell laden' - Third article in the list at the time of this posting.

Three words or more can also be used. Be aware, three letter words will NOT search. You must use four or more letters per word. So searching for FBI, CIA, ABC, FOX will result in no matches.

Search using FBI

While I have your attention. Please, not every story is breaking news. If there is a hot current event, check breaking news. Most likely, it's there already. If you see a breaking news story on drudge, it's probably posted in breaking news already, please check first.

We don't care about the latest hollywood scandals, the latest Bill or Hillary antics or what Rosie is going to have for breakfast tomorrow, are they really breaking news? Keep them out of breaking news. If Bill would be arrested for crimes against the US, that would be breaking news. Keep breaking news for those really breaking news stories. That would be something that the entire country needs to know. Sorry, your dog catcher elections don't effect the nation.

You all have been doing a great job, but with all the news lately, a reminder helps. Thanks for listening.

You're friendly neighborhood Zot master. And for those that care.......

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Click the picture

[Admin Moderator]

One of the problems is AP will report the story as 'Iraq sells nuclear bombs to Libia'. Reuters will report the exact story, 'Middle east giant makes nuke deal with African nation'.... Each media source has their own story, yet the news is identical. There's not much we can do. Our best key indicator right now is titles.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I particularly like the one where the kittens sing "Independent Woman", originally by Destiny's Child. I even bought my dad a t-shirt with one of the kittens on it, because he likes cats and he liked the movie "Charlie's Angels", which features the song.

[Admin Moderator]

Speling erors dont kount tonite.

[dighton]

Speling erors dont kount tonite.

Güd, thingz R buggrd up b-yond all b-lief.

[Swordmaker]

Several of the duplicate threads had the EXACT same title as mine.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks for the best laugh of the night.

[TomServo]

My kinda thread. Bump.

[wonders]

That's my wish, too. Think there really is a Santa Claus?

[Admin Moderator]

Like I said in the article, it's not 100% foolproof. There are times when you will do everything just perfect. It's happened to me. I've had threads pulled because they were duplicates and I search every single article I post. It's just part of the limitations of the software features we have right now. We're just reminding everyone to remember to search.

[wonders]

ROFLROFLROFL! Funniest post I've read on FR for ages!

[LayoutGuru2]

Sweet... Viking Kittens Rule !!!

[Admin Moderator]

The topic has never really come up. If you are interested, start a group of freepers that could be a team to handle a critical situation.

[Flyer]

That's my wish, too

If we keep our fingers crossed, do our homework, say our prayers, and go to bed early. . . maybe, just maybe!

[Swordmaker]

The best way to handle duplicate threads would be for the System Moderators to link to the first thread posted and then lock the thread.

Adding a specific button to notify the SM of the situation so they can handle it quickly with a thread would be helpful.

[farmfriend]

And then, the activism threads are left per Jim's request, and some others Jim wants there.

And that is where my main gripe lies. Some activism threads are pulled and others aren't but that is old news.

[PFKEY]

That was what I needed.

A good laugh.

Thanks!

[Quix]

THANKS BUMP

[CounterCounterCulture]

Have we solved the problem where we search in NEWS/ACTIVISM and come up empty, then find out later it's been repeatedly posted in, or moved to, GENERAL INTEREST?

[rwfromkansas]

It does not appear that the search functions, self or otherwise, are even working tonight.

[Porterville]

triplicate, maybe even a quint.