I hope this solar sail can be reconstructed soon so that we might live in a future much like the one portrayed in the movie "Tron". However, if it continues to fail, its chances of succeeding are going to be much slimmer..
Another virus that doesn't affect web-based email (not to mention pine or MacOS or whatever). Seems pretty clear that Outlook will continue to be exploited in new ways for the forseeable future.
This will not be the last time we see a Slashdot headline of this nature (and I seem to recall that it's not the first either...)
This is, after all, the same Supreme Court that just overturned the states' medical marijuana initiatives, and ruled that cops can take you to jail when they pull you over for any reason they feel like (seat belt, "underinflated tires", etc.)
I feel this will not be a ruling that the average Slashdot reader will be happy or comfortable with.
MOD THIS UP AND WIN FREE STUFF! (Score:5, Insightful)
Try this--it really works!!! You won't be disappointed. For every +1 mod point you spend
on this post, you will get a little video that pops up on your screen that is SO FUNNY!!!!
You will laugh and laugh--it's worth it. Also, you recieve valuable Slashdot coupons
redeemable at any participating "Slashdots" store in a mall near you, and you will be
entered in our MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE sweepstakes.
All this -- for just ONE MOD POINT!!!!!!!
Please pass this post on to five other friends who you'd like to make millionares of.
Slashdot is testing their EMAIL TRACKING system which will tally the forwarded
emails--the 'dotter with the most forwards will win a trip to DISNEYLAND!
This document will now, for your amuse/amazement, attempt to explain the First Post (FP) phenomenon in
more illuminative detail.
1. Why would anyone want to do this?
Like all creative endeavours this life has to offer, FPing is driven by a plethora of individuals with a myriad of motivations. Admittedly, there are some in the FP community whose aims lean toward the worldly side--FPing has a large fanbase, and the constant lure of the money and women available to its stars is a recurring issue--but for the most part, FP participants find that the exhiliration of "First Post!!!" is in itself its own reward.
2. What makes a successful FPer successful? What separates the dabblers from the pros? Consistency: the top FPers are there all the time, like pro golfers. Meme propagation: your
tagline and/or schtick is picked up and emulated by others. "Knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em", to borrow from Rogerian wisdom. Having a memorable message to share.
3. Are there any helpful hints or shortcuts available for the novice FP gamer? Get a login! If you are not logged in, there is a delay between the time an article is posted
and the time you see it (1 minute?). It's just enough time to cheat you out of that sweet FP
that was RIGHTFULLY YOURS. Plus, AC FPing is generally (though not universally) frowned
upon--and besides, you want to receive full credit for your FP, don't you? So, get logged in.
Get a feel for when articles are posted. For some, this activity borders on the mystical. Others favor a more scientific approach, noting peak posting times (highest activity falls within the timeframe of USA Eastern
Standard Time "workday"), editor posting habits, recurring features (Slashback, JonKatz's Sunday morning movie review), and other such data as indicators of optimal First Post opportunity windows. You know, whatever works for you.
Be careful if attempting to increase your advantage artificially, as this snippet from the FAQ mentions: "Sometimes it will happen that someone runs some sort of scripted vandalism on us (DOS-type things such as continuous reloading, or scripted attempts to get "first posts"), and in these cases we will block the site. (This doesn't happen all that often.) "
This would suggest that scripted FP attempts would be frowned upon (although many claim the Bone-O-Rama has worked for them!). Most veteran FP gurus use the tried and true Refresh Method.
4. Isn't this trolling? Isn't it detrimental to the greater discussion forum of Slashdot?
By definition, the art of trolling (and true trolling is, indeed, a high art) requires the involvement of others
who do not recognize the troll, and respond accordingly. A troll which garners no response is not a successful troll. First Posting is a singular pursuit which does not require the validation of others to be
considered a victory, and although there is some crossover between the members of their respective
communities, FPing and Trolling are for the most part separate entities. Slashdot's editors would seem to
consider the first post artists to be harmless (judging from the above quoted FAQ entry) and mostly negated by the moderation process. Furthermore, anyone who thinks First Posting is detrimental to/. discussion has obviously not been reading much/. discussion.
5. What should I post when I go for first? Can you break down some science regarding FP etiquette? Try to develop your own unique FP voice! Imitation, while flattering, can often be construed as lameness.
Be bold about it; an FP followed by a question mark (FP?) seems timid and uncertain...make your first post
a proactive one!
Content varies--you might feel comfortable with a simple declaration of "fp", but you will
eventually want to explore deeper avenues of expression, since the declaration of your initial comment gives you the floor of a large and attentive forum...
Strive to be humble in victory, yet gracious in defeat. The FP community commonly offers public congratulations to those who achieve a first post.
6. Will I lose "karma" for attaining FP glory?
Most assuredly so. Almost all First Posts are destined for -1 status almost immediately (due to/. editors
hand-moderation , as well as more zealous readers bearing mod points), with occasional exceptions.
If karma really matters to you, there are options available to you: 1) participate in metamoderation! Don't mark anything "Unfair"; rate at least 7-8 posts as "Fair" (excepting, of course, the work of your FP brethren and sistren you will no doubt be faced with!), and you can gain one point back per day. 2) make positive contributions to the Slashdot community by balancing your FP prowess with insightful and informative posts which then are modded up as such, thus equalizing your yin/yang of karma give and take, or whatever. 3) Learn to karma whore, which many would insist is pretty much the same thing. See the
Karma Whore FAQ for more detail.
7. What's this about money and women? Can I get paid to do the wild thing? Is FPing potentially lucrative?
We cannot at this time confirm nor deny the FP "bounty" payments allegedly issued by Slashdot/Andover
to top-ranking FP celebrities (supposedly as reward for incresed site hits from repeated reloads), other than to suggest such a purely hypothetical scenario as a possible further reason to be logged in when you FP!
We can assure you, however, that the huge FP fanbase and the incredible women are VERY MUCH REAL YES SIR. Note the many first post declarations of love for various girlfriends as proof. The First Post loyalists who browse at -1 just to follow our sport are some of the nicest folks you'll ever encounter on Slashdot; sometimes they are blessed with mod points which they then take great risk to bestow upon us. Bless y'all.
8. Slashdot only archives posts ranked "1" and above. Since FPs are normally moderated below this threshold, aren't you wasting your time?
No.
Partially as a response to this policy, many in the FP community are raising their children to be first posters
as well as volunteering their time in local First Post Temples in order to assist newer recruits ("We must expand," they say, "get more pupil...so that--the knowledge will spread...") in their studies, thereby ensuring that future generations will always have an FP presence of the Right Now, archiving be damned. Also, independent archives are beginning to be preserved by a few of the more prominent First Post tribes for historical purposes. As long as the FP community remains fresh and self-perpetuating, the issue of archiving is rendered moot.
1. Why would anyone want to do this?
Like all creative endeavours this life has to offer, FPing is driven by a plethora of individuals with a myriad of motivations. Admittedly, there are some in the FP community whose aims lean toward the worldly side--FPing has a large fanbase, and the constant lure of the money and women available to its stars is a recurring issue--but for the most part, FP participants find that the exhiliration of "First Post!!!" is in itself its own reward.
9. Don't you people have a life?
Why, sure. How else could we have girlfriends to profess undying FP love for, or dead homiez to give props to? Admittedly the lifestyle of the average First Post superstar is quite hectic, but consistency is frequently based upon dedication to ones craft in this constantly evolving FP game, so the best soon learn to find a healthy middle ground (or are blessed with the Gift, and just know when a glorious FP is there for the taking).
Slashdot Mirror
I hope this solar sail can be reconstructed soon so that we might live in a future much like the one portrayed in the movie "Tron". However, if it continues to fail, its chances of succeeding are going to be much slimmer ..
This will not be the last time we see a Slashdot headline of this nature (and I seem to recall that it's not the first either...)
That's what the banner ad at the top asks. It is then followed by this article. QED!
I feel this will not be a ruling that the average Slashdot reader will be happy or comfortable with.
(Score:5, Insightful)
Try this--it really works!!! You won't be disappointed. For every +1 mod point you spend on this post, you will get a little video that pops up on your screen that is SO FUNNY!!!! You will laugh and laugh--it's worth it. Also, you recieve valuable Slashdot coupons redeemable at any participating "Slashdots" store in a mall near you, and you will be entered in our MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE sweepstakes.
All this -- for just ONE MOD POINT!!!!!!!
Please pass this post on to five other friends who you'd like to make millionares of. Slashdot is testing their EMAIL TRACKING system which will tally the forwarded emails--the 'dotter with the most forwards will win a trip to DISNEYLAND!
Offer ends soon, so don't fuck around!!!!!
1. Why would anyone want to do this?
Like all creative endeavours this life has to offer, FPing is driven by a plethora of individuals with a myriad of motivations. Admittedly, there are some in the FP community whose aims lean toward the worldly side--FPing has a large fanbase, and the constant lure of the money and women available to its stars is a recurring issue--but for the most part, FP participants find that the exhiliration of "First Post!!!" is in itself its own reward.
2. What makes a successful FPer successful? What separates the dabblers from the pros?
Consistency: the top FPers are there all the time, like pro golfers. Meme propagation: your tagline and/or schtick is picked up and emulated by others. "Knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em", to borrow from Rogerian wisdom. Having a memorable message to share.
3. Are there any helpful hints or shortcuts available for the novice FP gamer?
Get a login! If you are not logged in, there is a delay between the time an article is posted and the time you see it (1 minute?). It's just enough time to cheat you out of that sweet FP that was RIGHTFULLY YOURS. Plus, AC FPing is generally (though not universally) frowned upon--and besides, you want to receive full credit for your FP, don't you? So, get logged in.
Get a feel for when articles are posted. For some, this activity borders on the mystical. Others favor a more scientific approach, noting peak posting times (highest activity falls within the timeframe of USA Eastern Standard Time "workday"), editor posting habits, recurring features (Slashback, JonKatz's Sunday morning movie review), and other such data as indicators of optimal First Post opportunity windows. You know, whatever works for you.
Be careful if attempting to increase your advantage artificially, as this snippet from the FAQ mentions:
"Sometimes it will happen that someone runs some sort of scripted vandalism on us (DOS-type things such as continuous reloading, or scripted attempts to get "first posts"), and in these cases we will block the site. (This doesn't happen all that often.) "
This would suggest that scripted FP attempts would be frowned upon (although many claim the Bone-O-Rama has worked for them!). Most veteran FP gurus use the tried and true Refresh Method.
4. Isn't this trolling? Isn't it detrimental to the greater discussion forum of Slashdot? /. discussion has obviously not been reading much /. discussion.
By definition, the art of trolling (and true trolling is, indeed, a high art) requires the involvement of others who do not recognize the troll, and respond accordingly. A troll which garners no response is not a successful troll. First Posting is a singular pursuit which does not require the validation of others to be considered a victory, and although there is some crossover between the members of their respective communities, FPing and Trolling are for the most part separate entities. Slashdot's editors would seem to consider the first post artists to be harmless (judging from the above quoted FAQ entry) and mostly negated by the moderation process. Furthermore, anyone who thinks First Posting is detrimental to
5. What should I post when I go for first? Can you break down some science regarding FP etiquette?
Try to develop your own unique FP voice! Imitation, while flattering, can often be construed as lameness.
Be bold about it; an FP followed by a question mark (FP?) seems timid and uncertain...make your first post a proactive one!
Content varies--you might feel comfortable with a simple declaration of "fp", but you will eventually want to explore deeper avenues of expression, since the declaration of your initial comment gives you the floor of a large and attentive forum...
Strive to be humble in victory, yet gracious in defeat. The FP community commonly offers public congratulations to those who achieve a first post.
6. Will I lose "karma" for attaining FP glory? /. editors
hand-moderation , as well as more zealous readers bearing mod points), with occasional exceptions.
Most assuredly so. Almost all First Posts are destined for -1 status almost immediately (due to
If karma really matters to you, there are options available to you:
1) participate in metamoderation! Don't mark anything "Unfair"; rate at least 7-8 posts as "Fair" (excepting, of course, the work of your FP brethren and sistren you will no doubt be faced with!), and you can gain one point back per day.
2) make positive contributions to the Slashdot community by balancing your FP prowess with insightful and informative posts which then are modded up as such, thus equalizing your yin/yang of karma give and take, or whatever.
3) Learn to karma whore, which many would insist is pretty much the same thing. See the Karma Whore FAQ for more detail.
7. What's this about money and women? Can I get paid to do the wild thing? Is FPing potentially lucrative?
We cannot at this time confirm nor deny the FP "bounty" payments allegedly issued by Slashdot/Andover to top-ranking FP celebrities (supposedly as reward for incresed site hits from repeated reloads), other than to suggest such a purely hypothetical scenario as a possible further reason to be logged in when you FP!
We can assure you, however, that the huge FP fanbase and the incredible women are VERY MUCH REAL YES SIR. Note the many first post declarations of love for various girlfriends as proof. The First Post loyalists who browse at -1 just to follow our sport are some of the nicest folks you'll ever encounter on Slashdot; sometimes they are blessed with mod points which they then take great risk to bestow upon us. Bless y'all.
8. Slashdot only archives posts ranked "1" and above. Since FPs are normally moderated below this threshold, aren't you wasting your time?
No.
Partially as a response to this policy, many in the FP community are raising their children to be first posters as well as volunteering their time in local First Post Temples in order to assist newer recruits ("We must expand," they say, "get more pupil...so that--the knowledge will spread...") in their studies, thereby ensuring that future generations will always have an FP presence of the Right Now, archiving be damned. Also, independent archives are beginning to be preserved by a few of the more prominent First Post tribes for historical purposes. As long as the FP community remains fresh and self-perpetuating, the issue of archiving is rendered moot.
9. Is this the entire FAQ?
Nope, there's more.
Like all creative endeavours this life has to offer, FPing is driven by a plethora of individuals with a myriad of motivations. Admittedly, there are some in the FP community whose aims lean toward the worldly side--FPing has a large fanbase, and the constant lure of the money and women available to its stars is a recurring issue--but for the most part, FP participants find that the exhiliration of "First Post!!!" is in itself its own reward.
9. Don't you people have a life?
Why, sure. How else could we have girlfriends to profess undying FP love for, or dead homiez to give props to? Admittedly the lifestyle of the average First Post superstar is quite hectic, but consistency is frequently based upon dedication to ones craft in this constantly evolving FP game, so the best soon learn to find a healthy middle ground (or are blessed with the Gift, and just know when a glorious FP is there for the taking).
/. now has almost half a million users. w00t.