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Comments · 115

  1. Re:great use of cut and paste on ZeroKnowledge's Freedom Server Code Available · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    who cares if it's cut and paste. it's still informative

  2. Re:toms [OT] on Is Rambus Destined to Return? · · Score: 1

    If you see an interesting article on another hardware site then submit it. The submit story link is on the left hand side of all /. pages.

  3. Re:the text. on Alan Cox Interview · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Please visit the special forum dedicated to the discussion of the Karma whoring phenonemon..

  4. Re:Last year on Mythic Sued Over Blocking Auctions of Game Tokens · · Score: 1
    Since karma is a game, I think we - all of us who have ever been moderated down unfairly - need to launch a class action lawsuit against all those that have ever moderated.

    -1 troll indeed - I'll see you in court! PS. did anyone ever answer Mr.Oregon's question - whatever did happen to the Sony classaction?

  5. Lame on Search for Terrestrial Intelligence · · Score: -1, Troll

    of course, now I've decoded it I can't post the result because of the /. lameness filter.

  6. Re:The Message on Search for Terrestrial Intelligence · · Score: -1, Troll
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  7. Moderation on InfoSync Reviews Sharp Zaurus · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  8. Moderation on InfoSync Reviews Sharp Zaurus · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  9. Moderation on Samba Turns 10 · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  10. Re:Gravenreuth on Preliminary Injunction Against SuSE · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  11. Moderation on ZeoSync Makes Claim of Compression Breakthrough · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  12. Moderation on Preliminary Injunction Against SuSE · · Score: -1, Redundant
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  13. Moderation on Samba Turns 10 · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Slashdot Moderation
    last updated 9.9.99 by CmdrTaco
    last summarised 8.Jan.2002 by VA Software

    This document will attempt to explain the moderation system that lies underneath Slashdot's vast comment section. It will try to explain some of the history of the system, as well as how it works (or doesn't work) from both the perspective of the user, and the moderator. It is always in flux.

    1. Why
    2. Goals
    3. History
      1. Before Moderation
      2. Hand Picked Few
      3. 400 Lucky Winners
      4. Today: Most Anyone
    4. Who
    5. How
    6. FAQ
      1. I just got moderator access, what do I do?
      2. Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?
      3. I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!
      4. Is this censorship?
      5. What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?
      6. What is "Karma"?
      7. 3 Days Is Not Enough Time To Moderate!
      8. If I Post in a Discussion I moderated, Why Don't I get My Points Back?
      9. How can I improve my Karma?
    7. Ideas for the Future
    Why?

    The moderation system is designed to sort the gems and the crap from the steady stream of information that flows through the pipe. And wherever possible, it tries to make the readers of the site take on the responsibility.

    Goals

    1. Promote Quality, Discourage Crap
    2. Make Slashdot as readable as possible for as many people as possible.
    3. Do not require a huge amount of time from any single moderator.
    4. Do not allow a single moderator a 'reign of terror'
    History

    Before Moderation

    Hand Picked Few

    400 Lucky Winners

    Today: Most Anyone

    Who

    How

    When a moderator is given access, they are given a number of points of influence to play with. Each comment they moderate deducts a point. When they run out of points, they are done serving until next time it is their turn.

    Moderation takes place by selecting an adjective from a drop down list that appears next to comments. Descriptive words like 'Flamebait' or 'Informative'. Bad words will reduce the comments score by a single point, good words increase a comments score by a single point. All comments are scored on an absolute scale from -1 to 5. Logged in users start at 1 (although this can vary from 0 to 2 based on their overall contribution to discussions) and anonymous users start at 0.

    Moderators can not participate in the same discussion as both a moderator and a poster. This is to prevent abuses, and while it is one of the more controversial aspects of the system, I'm sticking to it. There are enough lurkers that moderate, that if you want to post, feel free.

    Moderation points expire after 3 days if they are left unused. You then go back into the pool and might someday be given access again.

    Concentrate more on promoting than on demoting. The real goal here is to find the juicy good stuff and let others read it. Do not promote personal agendas. Do not let your opinions factor in. Try to be impartial about this. Simply disagreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it down. Likewise, agreeing with a comment is not a valid reason to mark it up. The goal here is to share ideas. To sift through the haystack and find needles. And to keep the children who like to spam Slashdot in check.

    FAQ

    I just got moderator access, what do I do?

    The fact that you are reading this document proves that you are already on the right track.

    Why can't I suddenly moderate any more?

    Moderator access only lasts 3 days.

    You can't moderate and post in the same discussion.

    Do you still have any moderator points left? You only got 5...

    If you unfairly moderate a comment, you might have your access revoked, although this is almost never the reason people lose access.

    I found a comment that was unfairly moderated!

    Lemme know and I'll look at it. Sometimes I might agree and revoke access to a moderator. Usually I disagree and let it go. Its difficult to be the judge on this stuff since it is so subjective.

    Is this censorship?

    We're not technically deleting anything. In fact "We" technically aren't really doing much at all. The masses are doing this for themselves (in theory anyway). And you are always given the option of clicking the threshold control over to '-1' and reading everything uncut, so I really have a hard time saying this truly is censorship. But if you really want to call it that, I can't really argue. We're trying to make as many people happy as possible here- if you don't like something, you can probably change it in the user preferences to more suit your tastes anyway.

    What is a Good Comment? A Bad Comment?

    Good Comments are insightful. You read them and are better off having read them. They add new information to a discussion. They are clear, hopefully well written, or maybe amusing. These are the gems we're looking for, and they deserve to be promoted.

    Average Comments might be slightly offtopic, but still might be worth reading. They might be redundant. They might be a 'Me Too' article. They might say something painfully obvious. They don't detract from the discussion, but they don't necessarily significantly add to it. They are the comments that require the most attention from the moderators, and they also represent the bulk of the comments. (Score: 0-1)

    Bad Comments are flamebait. Bad comments have nothing to do with the article they are attached to. They call someone names. They ridicule someone for having a different opinion without backing it up with anything more tangible than strong words. Bad comments are repeats of something said 15 times already making it quite apparent that the writer didn't read the previous comments. They use foul language. They are hard to read or just don't make any sense. They detract from the article they are attached to.

    What is Karma?

    3 Days Is Not Long Enough To Moderate!

    On the contrary, I think its to long, although maybe I should change it to like "24 hours after you first are informed that you have moderator access". My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't want people to stockpile their points. I want people to use them or lose them. Otherwise people will hold on to their X points until a story comes on that they have a strong opinion in, and they will be tempted to moderate the discussion so as to sway things "their way". By expiring points quickly, moderators are encouraged to use them. Sometimes their points might expire unused, but thats ok: the system will just give points to someone else. r

    Why Don't I get my points back after I post in a discussion I moderated?

    How can I improve my Karma?

    Ideas for the Future

    This is a system in development.

  14. Re:You don't get it... on Nobel Prizes Awarded · · Score: 1

    If I click on "Befriend VALinux" then you become my friend and I become your fan.

    See....

  15. Re:There's a reason for that low price. on Another $99 Web Terminal · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Actually, they say recertified means unused

  16. Re:Notice the term "Recertified" on Another $99 Web Terminal · · Score: 5, Informative


    There is an explanation of "recertified" elsewhere on the site (this one for an IBM product)

    These monitors are recertified by IBM. They are not used. These monitors have been returned to IBM for a number of reasons, i.e.: a customer refused shipment, returned the monitor without opening the box, or received the shipment in a damaged box. IBM completely recertifies these monitors--at their factory--and repacks them in brand new packaging. They are recertified to "as-brand-new" condition and pass quality control checks. They carry the full IBM one-year warranty. Why pay more? These monitors are in brand-new condition, with full factory certification--and you pocket the savings!

  17. WooHoo. on VA Linux Now VA Software · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I'm alive.

  18. Law on Slashback: Dell, 800, Disclosure · · Score: 5, Informative

    Autodialing laws by state.

    If you are so inclined ....

  19. Re:hmmm ... on Scientists build DNA based computer · · Score: 1


    At this level there's a hell of a difference.

    Huge floppy molecules have to interact.

    I doubt you can overclock much either. The required enzymes are already present and heat (which speeds up most "traditional" chemical reactions) simple destroys DNA and other biological molecules.

  20. Re:Repost of another /.? on Beer and Bacteria to be used in Toxin Cleanup · · Score: 1

    Automobiles, trucks, trains and airplanes that run on beer instead of gasoline.

    But .. beer is more expensive than gasoline.
    Gallon of gas (in OR) : about $1.70
    Pint of beer : about $3.00

    (Yeah, both prices are inflated because of government duties etc. Beer is easier & cheaper to make and less polluting)

  21. underpants on New BSD Fashions · · Score: 0, Offtopic


    I program in just my underwear. They don't have any underwear for sale :-(

  22. Re:And you can only guess... on Beer and Bacteria to be used in Toxin Cleanup · · Score: 2, Funny


    Beer from cans? Urgh!

  23. Re:What's the point? on Sega Drops Dreamcast Price To $50 · · Score: 1

    Why do you need them shrink wrapped?

    Here's a little site that can help.

  24. Re:Better get a mirror up on 78,000 Mars Global Surveyor Photos Online · · Score: 1

    Bandwidth yes.

    Storage? I couldn't spot any details but a small sample of images were all about 200Kb in 3 or 4 different formats. That would total about 60Gb. A lot (and I'm sure that estimate is low), but smaller than some people's MP3 collections.

  25. Are we alone? on 78,000 Mars Global Surveyor Photos Online · · Score: 1


    Where's the face?