PowerSwitch

Is it possible to add an ignore option so we can hide posts by those we find offensive/annoying/trolling?

I think it would help keep interesting debates and conversations from devolving into mud-slinging matches if those who vehemently disagree couldn't be provoked so obviously.

It's been requested before, tpals. I don't think this particular version of forum software supports the option. PS is probably too impoverished to upgrade.

You can opt not to follow certain threads, tpals.

Nothing like stating the obvious

Err…some, sometimes most, threads are worth following. The continued disruption by this RGR/Ralph troll is - at its very best - irritating.

Renewing my request for ignore.

Having a politician on the forum is like letting in a wet dog that has rolled around on a decaying dead skunk.

I come here to learn; often to get both sides of a debate, but when someone like that has diarrhea of the keyboard it makes it nearly impossible to find the truth. I know he won't be banned (yet), but I really don't want to have to wade through his muck.

Also, how much would it cost?

Because, seriously, give me a way to shut him up.

Why oh why do some people so dislike anything that challenges their ideas that they wish to silence people and be abusive.

It happens to be that I first signed up to this forum a long time ago (possibly on an older version - as my original signup date is 24th November 2005). I also chaired the all party parliamentary group on peak oil and gas. That does not require that I have to agree with everyone about how Greece and the Banking system operates.

Some people agree with me. Some people disagree with me. That does not warrant attempts to silence me nor does it justify being abusive.

I was getting the Ick effect off your posts before I even knew you were a politician. I trust my instincts that flag you as a creep to avoid.

I don't care if others read your posts. I choose not to. An ignore option would allow me to do so easily and cleanly.

If you would prefer not to engage with anyone who has any practical experience of how the political system works then that is your choice.

tpals there is a "stop watching this topic" button at the bottom left of every page and you can also skip through any contribution from someone that you don't wish to read.

kenneal - lagger wrote:tpals there is a "stop watching this topic" button at the bottom left of every page and you can also skip through any contribution from someone that you don't wish to read.

You didn't answer the question of how much it would cost to improve the forum by adding the ignore option.

I haven't got the foggiest about that. James, any thoughts?

tpals wrote:how much it would cost to improve the forum by adding the ignore option.

This forum currently runs on PHPBB 2.0.22 - a codebase that hasn't maintained for over a decade.

PHPBB 3+ contains a migrate ('convert') function that is fairly straightforward to use, so after upgrade, all the users/posts/etc can be imported (it uses the same database backend).

Advantages of upgrading include:

Less work for mods removing spam, due to updated CAPCHA files - meaning we can get rid of the increasingly restrictive DODGY word filters.

Less work for mods due to ignore function ('friends and foes lists') enabling users to self filter-noise/trolls.

Better security, due to not running an obsolete, unmaintained codebase.

...And to answer the original question: It's FREE.

It should take no more than a couple of hours of admin's time to set up.

It might be an opportunity to look at the hosting arrangements, as some large hosting firms would probably be happy to host this site/forum for free (eg TSOHost).

It's something that may have to be done eventually anyway, as one day there will likely be an update to something else (other than the PHPBB 2 code, of course... apache, PHP, MYSQL) that breaks the site.

Failing that, if current trends continue, all posts will look identical in a few years:

WE ARE DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY DODGY.....

Sounds good to me! Anyone in charge willing to make the change?