questions about web site

[imthefoolonthehill]

1. Does the admin maintain and add new things to the site?
2. If he does, does he do it alone?
3. Do people manually type up the books?
4. how do you determine the copywrite issues for the books?
5. For such a great web-site, why do you suppose the forum is so quiet? It is more quiet than most forums I have run across-and this web site is much better than most of those.

6. Whats up with those people who become members and then don't post? What other reason is there to sign up?

Add more or answer? I don't care. :-) It seems that a topic like this should be in a section about the web site.

[Admin]

1. yes
2. yes
3. no - ocr scanning software is used
4. loc.gov/copyright/ has a search engine where you can search copyright records.
5. most website visitors are not interested in discussing literature - they're just here because they need to do research for an assignment.
6. your guess is as good as mine.. many of them sign up just to post once for a book request or something.

[imthefoolonthehill]

thx for the answers to 1-5... but if you look at the member list... a lot of people who sign up never even post. Isn't that odd?

[Koa]

It is but it happens to many forums. I can see your point... posting once or twice and then disappear is understandable: maybe they only need 1 thing, or they have no time to visit the forum, or their interest decreases... but registering to never post can seem a bit weird. Nevermind I guess ;)

As we are on the thread of 'Ask to Admin' ;), i was wondering... I've seen some forums that have the possibility of posting as a guest, that is, without registering. I find that it would be extremely useful to this forum, as it has a whole section just for books request and as we notice people use the forum to ask things for homework. What do you think? Am I right in thinking that it has been decided not to give that opportunity for fear of things like spam or people causing troubles without being registered (if it makes any difference whether a troublemaker is registered or not)?

By the way Admin, your good job in keeping this site is impressive! :o *claps hands*

[piquant]

I'd just like to say that I like the pace this site moves at. I'm busy with classes and studying so if I miss a couple days I don't lose the tread of conversation. Also, it is nice to "know" the people here. If there were too many people it would be difficult to rember everyones personality and idiosyncrasies. Although, sometimes new blood is nice to keep the site from stagnating.

This is the best site like this I've been to, it's easy to use, friendly and informitive. What more could you ask for?! ;)

[Admin]

Allowing unregistered posts is a bad bad thing.

I allow such posts on the main site under the book comments. I have to moderate them because 50% of them are vulgar, stupid, or something else.

That takes alot of time because there are alot of posts.

Having to moderate the forums as well would be too much work.

[Koa]

I see, and it's as i imagined. I was just wondering :)

[Melodylemming]

Where dp you get the texts here from? Do you scan then yourself, or do you get them from some other source?

[Admin]

Another source mostly. Project Gutenberg is an institution that scans texts and distributes them free of charge. I take those and divide them into chapters and make them searchable.

[Melodylemming]

Oh, I know Project Gutenburg. I proofread at pgdp.net. I was just wondering.

[imthefoolonthehill]

I agree with admin... the annonymous posting thing would be bad

[Jay]

To Admin:
Okay, but you can't know if any of the new members won't be posting vulgar posts as well. They can just sign in and go on being vulgar, this time as a members. Then does it mean that you, our almighty Admin, would have to moderate ALL the posts on the forums either. There's no quarantee the members will behave properly. Or you assume they would? What would you do if there would show any vulgar member (acting badly often, occasional slips are tolerable, right?)? Just wondering, didn't mean to ofend anybody, sorry if I did.

[Admin]

These forums require email authentication to post. So if a member really wants to post something bad they need to go through many steps to do so.

Trust me. 50% of book comments need to be deleted whereas maybe 2% of the forum posts have problems. If all someone has to do is type something and hit submit the potential for bad posts is much much higher.

[Jay]

Thanks, it's good to know it's not that easy to see abusive words here, it sure helps. I think most of the members would agree with me and appreciate the afford you have to go through with this and with running this great site.