Is it time for a change?
| RESPONSE FROM S. Rita Larivee and Dennis Coday at NCR We agree with the topic of this discussion and have experienced the same frustration. Why don’t we do something about it? you ask. Well we are, but these things take time. The systems needed to run projects like this conversation café cannot be purchased off the shelf, plugged in and played. Every tweak and adjustment requires a custom fix that has to be tested across multiple platforms. We could have purchased a simpler program, but you wouldn’t have experienced the variety of options or the depth of material we can provide with this system. So it takes time to make changes, but the changes are worth the wait. But let us take this opportunity to share with you know how pleased we are with your responses and suggestions. Without your consistent use of the system, we’d be unable to improve it. You have provided us with excellent interventions for developing this new entity. Like most new endeavors, it’s not until real people use a system in real that you know what works and what doesn’t. We only started this venture in mid-summer. It has developed in so many ways, so quickly -- last month alone, we had 113,000 visitors and expect to surpass that figure this month -- that we’ve had to reorganize our resources in response to your requests. Also, we are busy raising the money needed to continue this conversation center. Technology is expensive, but we are committed to providing constructive ways for individuals and groups to dialogue about important issues facing the church, society and the global family. We ask for your patience and understanding … and, yes, we heard the banging on the table . . . but e-mail also works just fine. So, again, thank you for assistance in helping to build the future. We are grateful. |
Sr. Rita & Dennis: I'm
Sr. Rita & Dennis:
I'm coming in a little late, but I want to say that I don't see a big problem in finding the latest postings. I think the systems works fine as is. I will also say that the order of postings sometimes seems out of whack, but I don't really spend much time trying to figure it out, so there may well be a logic to it that is not immediately clear to me.
I understand what you mean about what it takes to make changes in the system. It might appear to those outside the organization that purchasing a prepackaged software is the way to go, but when you have a complex set of needs, programming your own system often makes more sense in the long run and gives you better flexibility.
Thank you for being so responsive to the desires of all of us out here and giving us such a terrific place to exchange ideas. It's very much appreciated.
Kate
Sorry Kate, but I can't
Sorry Kate, but I can't agree. There are a number of nice bells and whistles with the system but at its heart the most important issue is how it handles discussion threads. This it does poorly. I, and clearly others from their comments, find the handling of discussion threads inadequate. I have sometimes given up in frustration trying to locate the continuation of an interesting discussion. There are many examples readily available on the Internet of software with a superior structure for handling discussion threads.
With over twenty years experience in Software Development and Software Maintenance, I can appreciate the demands of thorough testing etc. However I hope that the inadequacies of how this system handles discussion threads are given the highest priority. It would be a pity if the medium continued to get in the way of the message.
Jim Houston
Jim: I agree with you that
Jim:
I agree with you that the most important technical thing is how the responses are handled within the thread. I just haven't had a problem with it. Maybe I'm just lucky.
In Christ,
Kate
Kate, Blessed are the
Kate,
Blessed are the peacemakers!
However, the system is such that if a "Recent Comments" reply is anywhere but on page 1 of the discussion thread, it will not go directly to the new posting. It goes to the top of the thread. And that does mean wading through some old discussion to find new posts. It rather takes the sparkle off tracking conversations; they lose their real-time feel.
But I am happy that wwob brought it up and happy to see the reply.
I have to say that listening to other Catholics talk about so many diffent topics has opened up my eyes to different perspectives and broadened the way I see many issues. It is also amazing to see a better articulation of issues or thoughts that cross my mind.
Molly: I'm sitting here
Molly:
I'm sitting here smiling, because I don't think I've ever been called a peacemaker. Must be God's handiwork.
When I get into a thread, I scan, looking for anything that says NEW on the side. I confess I've never verified the accuracy. I've always assumed they are scattered because they are near whatever text they are in response to, unless they are in response to the last post, then they're at the top. As I say, I haven't spent any times verifying the methodology, but so far so good.
It's a pleasure to chat with you.
Kate
You're just the nicest
You're just the nicest person. You must be from Kansas.
123bow: LOL. I'm originally
123bow:
LOL. I'm originally from Baltimore, MD. But I've been in California long enough to call myself a Californian.
I've never been to Kansas. Are the people there known for being nice?
Kate
Molly J and I are prime
Molly J and I are prime examples of the wonderfully hospitable, ultra nice folks who live here in the garden spot of creation.
123bow: If I ever find
123bow:
If I ever find myself in the vicinity, I will make it a point to stop and enjoy the local hospitality. It sounds inviting. I'm about to hit my limit on city living.
Kate
Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response. I'm looking forward eagerly to the time when the improvements are in place.
Thank You Sister Rita and
Thank You Sister Rita and Dennis!
We of course take all you hard work and expensive maintenance and system and programs testing for granted. I want to thank you and all who make this site possible profusely. For without you, our voice would not be heard.
God Bless You and guide you in finding the resources necessary to continue to grant us this opportunity to voice our opinions on issues surrounding the "being" of our church! Amen.
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
Is it time for a
Is it time for a change?
Thank you for your suggestions. We are working the problem. Be sure to read our response at the top of the page.
Agree with all. Thank you.
Agree with all. Thank you.
Why do these "work arounds"?
Why do these "work arounds"? Why not fix the system. Posting at the top of the thread disassociates that post from the one that's being replied to in some cases. Bang on the table until they fix the system.
I'm with you, mates.
I'm with you, mates.
If we all just always
If we all just always replied at the top of Page One we would have a list in chronological order with the most recent comments proceeding in order downward from Page one. I don't even think we'd have to post a reply that said see Top of Page One.
Just Do it! Than all recent comments on each thread would be easy to find. Browsing down from the top of the thread. You could address the person you were responding to too, by their screen name. So they would know the post was in reply to their post.
For example:
Frannie and everybody else here I think that's a great idea let's Just do It! :-)
Thank You WWOB for this great thread. :-)
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
Am I supportive of this
Am I supportive of this one...as the list grows, I simply don't have the time to "hunt" for recent comments anymore. The site used to be very responsive, immediately directing the reader to the reply (as I recall--correct me if I'm wrong). Is it possible that as more information is being carried, the software is breaking down a bit, and simply isn't "up to" the increased load? I'm no computer "expert". Perhaps for now Frannie's idea is a good one, especially for the longer threads.
Count me among those who are
Count me among those who are frustrated by the lack of user-friendliness of the threads. I've kveteched about this in a number of postings.
But your comment that this may be a software problem gets me to thinking, shootingstar.
Yesterday, it occurred to me that since I'm using NCR's generous services to post on these threads, I should give something back. I sent a donation to NCR.
I had dropped my subscription to NCR last year for a number of reasons, including what seemed to me a certain tentativeness about letting voices on the margins into the conversation. I did express my opinions to the big guns in an email, and I give NCR credit for responding to my concerns in a reply email. I would also note that the NCR cafe itself may be a positive response to those who had urged the paper to let more voices into the conversation (though web postings don't carry the weight of published commentary).
Point of rambling: could it be that NCR just doesn't have the resources to do all it would like to do with the software for this discussion? If so, maybe contributing to NCR would help.
Just a thought....
William D. Lindsey
It's frustrating to me as
It's frustrating to me as well. One thing that we ourselves can do is reply:see page 1 and then post the reply as a comment which will go directly to the top of page 1.
I too have expressed my
I too have expressed my frustration at the poor layout of the threads on this site. I received a reply back saying that improvements were being investigated. Given the amount of tried-and-tested forum-handling software available, it seems odd that NCR opted for what looks like a partially developed system.
Here all the time I thought
Here all the time I thought it was just me! I think this blog has great value, but I too have the same frustration you do.
Thanks for introducing this
Thanks for introducing this thread. I have contacted the site administrator more than once about this subject.
We Must Not Confuse What Is Essential In The Church With That Which Is Mutable, No Matter How Ancient It May Be
Kinda like the institutional
Kinda like the institutional bureaucracy of The Church, isn't it. Let the folks rant;forbid an open discussion; respond with nice meaningless words; wait for the dissatisfied to shut up or leave.
Let's see. November 5 to July 9. 9 months. Long enough to make a baby. Evidently not long enough to make this a user friendly site.