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Answerbag news, notes, and announcements.

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AB-Rich	March 6th, 2012 at 1:06 pm Survey ad unit throttled I'm very happy to report that based on your suggestions, the folks at Demand have scaled back the Google survey ad, and it should now appear only once per login session. As with any code push we anticipate problems, so if the survey module is still appearing multiple times, first try logging out then back in again. If it still persists, please post a reply to this blog with as much information as you have. Thanks--even more than usual--for all your feedback on this, and hopefully your Answerbag travels will go much more smoothly from now on. 51 comments \| Post one Comments I'm sorry things didn't work out as well as y'all had hoped. Increasing your revenue is important not only to the stockholders, but to us, as well...better insuring the continuing our enjoyment of a flourishing free site financially. Once this is settled, ask your seniors to consider pointing Members who click on an advertisers site. Such measured added traffic will put AB in better standing with such advertisers and potential advertisers...and we'll all benefit. Thanks, again, Rich, for your dedicated attention to the problem and to us Members...enduring the massive headache it created. You've done a great job on this one. Thank the others in Administration, as well. Chuck Report by ChuckExAnon on March 6th, 2012 I agree with what Chuck said. You gave this very prompt attention and fixed the boo-boo in record time. I have not seen the survey in several days and I am elated about that. Maybe if it could be out over on the right hand side, I might click it once in a while. Thanks for the quick action and getting things smoothed out. Karen Report by BaileysMom12 COAT of Motherly Love on March 6th, 2012 BEER FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED, ON ME! This announcement good for one beer, choice of the recipient, at any time in the future wherein we should meet in person. Thanks, Rich! It's MUCH appreciated! Report by The Chief on March 6th, 2012 As the fourth commenter here, I agree with the first three comments. :) Thank you, AB-Rich and all. Report by WelbyQuentin on March 6th, 2012 Thank you Rich. Report by Gingerminx on March 6th, 2012 Posted on behalf of Bornabrit I already posted on the blog entitled "there is nothing wrong with your computer screen" regarding this issue,I wrote the following: I think it would be a good idea for people to click onto the adds that are displayed to the right of their computer... to.help support AB..maybe we should do it by our out first name initial..all a- g hit a ad monday, g-n hit a add tues n-u hit the ad wednesday and u -x hit it thursday..the advertisers wont know what has hit them...:-) For example if your name is Julie you would hit the add tuesday..? All you would have to do is click on one add per person once a week! This will keep the advertisers happy and more apt to continue advertiseing on AB which in return will keep AB open for years...:-) what yer think? anybody? can you add a yea or a na..to vote? Report by Gingerminx on March 6th, 2012 Hey, Ginger... We DO need to be more supportive towards supporting the AB Site. It provides us with a lot of pleasure and we should understand that it shouldn't be considered a free ride. I mean, what does it hurt for us to click on an advertiser or two from time to time? I enjoy AB and I want to ensure that it flourishes. I feel relatively certain that you and others feel the same way. Good wishes to ya, ya old Kiwi. :-) Report by ChuckExAnon on March 6th, 2012 Bornabrit has a good suggestion. If we want to keep what we have we will have to work with them. So let's try to find an answer. I don't know if it was suggested since i haven't been able to stay on very long recently for personal reasons. But what if we do a small survey when we log in and out? Report by dorothybulls on March 6th, 2012 Lol Thanks Chuck. It was on behalf of Bornabrit and I think she would like the feed back on it. Report by Gingerminx on March 6th, 2012 Nothing has changed for me. I still get a survey each time I want to post a comment to an answer. Sameold sameold. If someone could figure out why I'm so lucky and fix it I'd sure appreciate it. Happy Wednesday to all you lucky survey-free AB members! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 Regarding Bornabrit's suggestion. I'd like to try it. She and I discussed this prior to the surveys being thrust upon us and in fact when I first saw them I thought it was Bornabrit's suggestion that had caused it. She outlined her idea to me and I told her if it were implemented I'd certainly support it because it wouldn't be any inconvenience to AB members (certainly nothing at all like the surveys) and it would afford us AB members an opportunity to show our support. But her idea is nothing at all like the surveys and would not be an obstacle to communication and it would be a way to support the site. What we have now....correction...what I still have now is an impediment/obstacle/roadblock/stonewall that I must get through each day. Since Rich says Demand Media has scaled it back and it will appear only once per each login session I have hopes that will be the case for me too once someone smarter than me can figure out why I'm still afflicted with them. So here's to a new day. Perhaps today? :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 FYI I did as Rich suggested. I logged out and then logged back in. Didn't help. I have no additional information to offer other than each time I try to comment on an answer I still must first answer a survey. Still. Sameold sameold surveys too. No change there either! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 I'm not sure about this, Rosie, but if we could get you to vote Republican just one time in your life, I think all your problems here just might be solved. Whatcha think, lady? :-) Seriously, though, I'm sorry you continue to have this aggravating problem. I miss you slappin' me around every morning. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 7th, 2012 Hey guys, I aint even seen this survey your all talking about .Why? Report by Tel UK- Licensed to fish! on March 7th, 2012 Tel, It seems the survey only appears if you have a US IP Address. We should count our blessings I think. Report by Brian I on March 7th, 2012 To Chuck...I'm gonna keep slapping you upside the face sweetie...it's just taking me a he** of a lot longer to wade through my alerts. Ten answers requires answering 10 surveys. I'll get around to ya. About voting Republican just one time? As much as I love Answerbag I couldn't do that. My folks would turn over in their graves and haunt me the rest of my life which might be very very short if I were a turncoat!. Thanks for your concern and Happy Wednesday! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 This message is per Bornabrit's request. She is unable to post to the blog and is aware that some of you are also unable to do so..for whatever reason. She has asked a question and would like your support. if you agree. The question begins.." Hey everybody would you mind checking out my idea......" If you answer her question that will show your support for her idea. Thank you on Bornabrit's behalf and Happy Wednesday from me to all of you! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 Logging off and logging back on as you suggest doesn't seem to have any effect on the frequency of the surveys. They keep appearing on almost all of the questions. I posted an answer this morning but I wasn't able to view it without responding to the survey. Why is there no way to skip the survey? On some sites it's possible to skip the ads after about 5 seconds. I wouldn't mind responding to some of them if I didn't feel that I was required to in order to participate in AB. Report by tominhouston on March 7th, 2012 they only thing I agree in is the BEER the Chief suggested. I say YES to that survey...lolol gad there are some good beers around... let's go. ok fine I will pay for the appetizers, lolol. Report by Shunyata on March 7th, 2012 Thank you, AnonymousGirl! You too the words right out of my mouth. I'm still getting the 1 or 2 survey questions every single time I click on a question. This Google ad module is way too invasive, and it's convincing me to spend less and less time on AB. I loved coming to answerbag, contributing my insight, and learning about others, but this ad has changed it. I'm tired of seeing some irrelevant question blocking all the other answers. I can't even post a comment without google breathing down my neck with it's "survey." I'm sorry, but this is really disheartening. It's destroying everything that made AnswerBag wonderful to begin with: The freedom to pick, choose, and ignore certain questions! I'm still very supportive of the AB staff and their efforts, but Demand Media really needs to find something less annoying and frustrating. Maybe a quick survey right after members log in, instead of something that pops up on every question... This is the second time I've logged in today, and the ad is still coming up all the time. Report by BabyRottie: thinkin of leavin Google-AB on March 7th, 2012 ^^ @ BabyRottie: I asked Rich and Gingerminx if they could remove my comment because I felt that I went a bit too far in what I said, so my comment is no longer publicly viewable. :P Thanks for the support, though. :) And you're welcome. :) Somehow, after I said what I did, the surveys miraculously disappeared for me! I don't know whose doing that is, but, thank you whoever did it! :D It may sound weird, but I'd rather pay Answerbag if that's what it took than to see those invasive surveys every day. I don't really want to leave Answerbag. It's one of the sites I view as one of my homes on the web. I think it says a lot about Rich that he's allowing all this criticism about the surveys and taking it seriously. :) Report by AnonymousGirl on March 7th, 2012 i am still waiting for me free beer Report by - MojoThunder - on March 7th, 2012 To tominhouston...so you're in the same boat I am then? Whew. I thought the internet thugs were just targeting me. I'm gonna hang in until everything gets back to normal. How about you? Happy Wednesday tom! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2012 So far it has not been a big deal for me. No hassle. It is no problem to make a quick decision and click. I honestly can not tell you 'how many times' the survey question appears - so it must not bother me at all. Hope you get enough revenue to keep AnswerBag going for a very long time. Fr Joe :-)) Report by Fr Joe on March 7th, 2012 Fr Joe do you get surveys every time you respond to an answer on a question you ask? If you get ten answers you must respond to ten surveys? This does not annoy you at all? Good for you. That is a great attitude to have. No moaning? No complaining? Just acceptance? Good for you. I will try that. I'm still buried in surveys. Talking about it has done nothing to change my situation.. Maybe being quiet about will? Anyway. Good Job Fr Joe. Good Job. Happy Thursday! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 8th, 2012 Still getting the F'n surveys in Fire Fox and IE I dont but I get all sorts of cookie alerts that are just as much a pain in the neck. Thanks for messing things up again. WTF! Can't you find another way to make cash than fucking up the flow and fun of the site??? Report by Cruiser says Google THIS!! on March 8th, 2012 I still get surveys, yes more than 1 at signing in.( AS PROMISED). besides that I already suggested 2 x that which bornabrit suggests now a) in the other bloG b) in several questions POSTED. I guess no one is reading what I wrote. shrug. cruiser, Buddy, yeah well.... everyone is thanking. Reality is the surveys are still there. WITHOUT AB MEMBERS this site would be dead. SO HOW ABOUT A LITTLE GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE MEMBERS CONTRIBUTING FOR YEARS? AB IS BASED ON MEMBER PARTICIPATION. I understand AB wants to make money..... Let's find a way to do so ( put the darn surveys to the right of the homescreen) and let the point hogs answer the surveys for "EXTRA points". obviously the suggestions I made REPEATEDLY (which is now honored double and tripled as B's idea,) seem suddenly a valid suggestion. shrug AND I do not get it that I know of at least one member who still gets hundreds of surveys a day. I guess it's all about money and control..... At least in companies we buy comodities from the costumer has some say. Maybe make AB a minimal monthly pay site, for extra income... 6 bucks a year. with 10.000 members that is 60.000 bucks a year. with 10 bucks a year it's 100.000 a year. with 60 bucks a year it's 600.000 a year income for AB and 5 bucks a month for its members. give 1 month free, before peopel have to pay. AOL used to be that way and the website was a good one until everything was for feee, and the creeps and freaks infiltrated. let the other members do their thing and answer and ask questions. But .........................................................meanwhile those surveys are less but still there. we are BOUND TO ANSWER THEM IF WE WANT TO COMMUNICATE VIEWS AND READ OTHER POSTER'S VIEWS. Mojo, yeah let's go for a beer, lolol ( but I have to have breakfast first, lolol Report by Shunyata on March 8th, 2012 Thanks for scaling back the surveys. It sure makes coming here more pleasant and I love Bornabrit's idea. I am not an ad clicker but if it would help the site, I'm all for it. Now, where's that beer? Report by Galeanda on March 8th, 2012 I'm still waiting to have the survey ad unit throttled. How much longer? Report by Doogie on March 8th, 2012 I've reported that some people haven't seen a letup; I'll post again when I get an update from the tech folks. Report by AB-Rich on March 8th, 2012 thanks Report by Shunyata on March 8th, 2012 @MojoThunder: I was offering the beer to the Demend weenies who are working to fix this; but just for you, the next time I'm in your neck of the woods I'll drop you a Personal Messaage and you can claim a free beer, too! Report by The Chief on March 8th, 2012 I get a survey on every question every time on every log-in. Report by Mister_Bromide on March 9th, 2012 I want getting any surveys , now I am getting one for each question. I am fed up all ready. Report by Moley the contrary female dragon on March 9th, 2012 Up to today I had not seen a single one of those 'survey' questions. Now I suddenly do, on every question (in same login session) i get a box titled: "Answer a quick question to continue reading this page." A more precise message would be: "This website has graciously agreed to withhold the content you came to see, as a means of forcing you to answer our marketing survey questions which we are well aware you would not waste your time on otherwise." Well we all make choices in life. I will be looking in every now and again to see if this crap is GONE. regards JakobA Report by JakobA I^_^I the alooney on March 9th, 2012 YAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEE! :-) Report by Peaches on March 9th, 2012 I'm on my wife's computer right now...it showed up once, I randomly clicked an answer to it, and it hasn't put in an appearance since logging in. I'll check back on ly laptop in about a week and see how it's doing then. I'm gonna be at sea soing a tech assess on one of our aircraft carries for about a week, so I'' be cold-turkey from AB during then. Here's hoping everything smooth sailing then! (During my tech assess AND here on the site.) :):) Report by The Chief on March 10th, 2012 wow,... chief.... have fun being on an aircraft carrier..... we will miss ya. Report by Shunyata on March 10th, 2012 Don't like it, remove it! Report by aiar on March 11th, 2012 It's still there and blocking the other answers so we cannot read them. I do not want to install adblocker. If AB doesn't get this stupid thing off there and fix it and test it before it goes live, then I am out. Tired of this silliness - get it together. Report by AJ-Says on March 12th, 2012 It has now been 9 days since we were informed the google adds had been throttled. I'm still waiting. What exactly are the tech folks doing? Report by Doogie on March 15th, 2012 It's doing it on my dad's computer, but before I took mine to the shop, the survey thing would only pop up once. Without downloading anything (since this computer is NOT mine), is there a way to make the survey stop? It's really frustrating me... Thanks! Report by BabyRottweiler on March 15th, 2012 Apologies, but I've received no more information on the status of the fix since my last post. Report by AB-Rich on March 16th, 2012 Thanks for the update Rich. Report by Doogie on March 17th, 2012 Thanks, Rich! I'll just work around it until my computer gets fixed! Report by BabyRottweiler on March 17th, 2012 Using Firefox and still getting these damn pop-ups EVERY click and the worst is when I want to edit my answer I have to go though this shit over and over. Thanks! Report by Cruiser says Google THIS!! on March 20th, 2012 YAY! Finally fixed! Thanx! Report by Cruiser says Google THIS!! on March 21st, 2012 Thanks Rich!!! Report by Doogie on March 21st, 2012 Praises be! The surveys seem to have disappeared! So far I've only seen them a couple of times today. To whomever was in the trenches working this problem I want to tell you that my father thanks you, my mother thanks you, my sister thanks you and I thank you. Happy Friday all! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 23rd, 2012 Surveys are back. Maybe they were on hiatus/sabbatical? Now you see 'em, now you don't, now you do. :( Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on April 3rd, 2012 No new blog post in over 2 1/2 months? What gives? Report by Tondoteottotote on May 22nd, 2012
AB-Rich	March 2nd, 2012 at 9:06 am Survey ad update As of 20 minutes ago we pushed some code that should stop the Google survey from requiring you to answer the same question multiple times. However, I'm told the ad unit was designed to obscure content beneath it until you click. That may work for other sites, but scanning all answers to see if you want to contribute, or who else has participated, is how a lot of people use Answerbag. It's hard to invest time in clicking through a survey before you know what's on the page that's being obscured. Plus, as many of you have already reported, it's a large hassle. The folks at Demand have asked for feedback on this survey module, so please post your comments here, or directly to admin@answerbag.com. Thanks. 79 comments \| Post one Comments still not working with IE Report by - MojoThunder - on March 2nd, 2012 and also, there are times when there is no survey ... just telling me to SHARE this page Report by - MojoThunder - on March 2nd, 2012 From Bornabrit, who asked that I post this here for her: well at first the surveys didnt seem to bad, one here and one there. Now it feels almost like a worm virus has attacked AB..On one of my questions a lone I answered 7 surveys while trying to see 7 of the 10 answers..another popped up and I said enough... But I am hanging in here..:-) Report by The Chief on March 2nd, 2012 Everyone will just answer non-sense answers, so what is the point in collecting this information? Is there something else they're collecting when you click? Is the survey just a trick to get other information from your computer? Looks like I will finally have to get AdBlock, and I really liked seeing all the nonsensical ads on this site: I'll miss you Ants on Bagel and Russian mail order brides. Report by Mister_Bromide on March 2nd, 2012 I refuse to answer any survey that is being forced on me like these are. I will give it another day or two and, if these ads continue, I will be leaving AB for a site that cares about what we want. It appears that AB staff cares more about making money off these ads than they do about cleaning up the garbage that is trying to take over the site. I have AdBlock and it is not keeping the surveys away. Report by Wellduh on March 2nd, 2012 From Bornabrit: She says she's seeing a big difference now. (No specifics on what that difference is, but much better according to her.) Report by The Chief on March 2nd, 2012 Well, of course it was designed to obscure content. I didn't imagine for a second that that was in any way a glitch. I have no interest in volunteering information so that I can be better targeted by Google's Wave Motion Gun, but AdBlock seems to remedy the situation. As long as I don't have to see it or know about it in any way, I don't care what you do. Report by Talimze on March 2nd, 2012 I use Internet Explorer7 and the "fix" is not working for me. The answer that precedes the survey crap is the only one showing...all other attempts to answer continue to show as BLANK. I even re-booted my computer and reentered the Site, thinking that might be necessary to pick up the instituted "correction". No such luck. No change. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 2nd, 2012 Talimze, AdBlock belongs to google, too as far as I know. They are buying off hundreds of not thousands of internet companies, they throw all the data into their new mega program. small bits of info, allows google to trace you down to even your SS#. They sell info to companies and to the gov. It's the biggest new program. Rich, you open a question or alert AND in order to answer I have to FOR EACH SINGLE RESPONSE I wish to read, or maybe even respond to, answer the google add. in other words. I go to a question. I see 5 responses. I can't see what the people said, I have to each time fill a survey. I also cannot post, unless I answer a survey each time. excuse me: but that is preposterous. Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 2nd, 2012 P, yep I checked it AdPlus belongs to google. as does Facebook, and twitter and U Tube also belong to google. You really want to be in that system? Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 2nd, 2012 Not happening for me. I have answered the same question about Motorola today at least a dozen times. ..some on the same question thread.If others find respite from that I would like to know how. This may be the straw. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 2nd, 2012 I just saw this on CNN: Obama just stepped up to the podium and blamed this all on Bush...and Demand Media has just asked for a Bail Out! Stay tuned! Report by ChuckExAnon on March 2nd, 2012 Cut the BS and get rid of this stupid thing. I do not wish to participate at all at any time. I am not intrested so stop the stupidity and tell google to shove it! Report by Thinker on March 2nd, 2012 I do not mind the survey but but think the options for answering the questions should be designed better so we can be more honest with it. For instance they asked what size chocolates we are accustomed to purchasing and there are no options for those of us who purchase NO chocolates. The assumption is simply made that we all purchase them period. Also I have answered some of the same questions many times. Is this what they want? Report by Anonymous on March 2nd, 2012 If you're going to keep it, I suggest that it be an OPTION to fill out (People should be allowed to say, "Not at this time"), or at the very least, it NOT appear on ALL questions/answer groups... but maybe work like the "You may be able to answer this question" popup. It's intrusive (moreso than the normal ads); and It blocks content (what about those who come to AB because of an answer? What if their answer is NOT the first in the list?). Might I suggest that this NOT be placed where it is and NOT be required, but maybe placed on the right side in place of THAT ad block? Report by BigDaddyBS on March 2nd, 2012 It would seem that anything Google wants...Google gets...worldwide, even to the point of self-inflicted wounds. Money talks...Members walk. In a way, it's a little scary. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 2nd, 2012 Hmmmm... No change from the conditions I reported in the other blog. This google survey thingie is really hampering the use of the site. I can only see one answer at a time (others will not show the text at all unless I view each individual posting separately, cumbersome to put it mildly). Report by The Chief on March 2nd, 2012 If I'm not logged in to AB and see a question I'm interested in answering, I have to answer a survey to see if someone else has already given the same answer. If they haven't, after I log in, I have to answer yet another survey, even though I already answered one to reveal the rest of the answers. I started ignoring the content of the survey and began clicking the first answer so it would go away and I could get to the reason why I visit the site in the first place. I don't want all of this survey nonsense connected to my Google account in some future, unforeseen way, so I have to remember to log out of it before I even come to AB. I don't want to go through all of this annoyance and hassle to participate. It's too much. Sorry guys. Report by Little Prince on March 2nd, 2012 Well so far for me I have not had any problems , in fact I have not had to fill out any thing to see QorA's and I am running IE... but then my computer has a mind of its own ...lol Report by buxtonite ..slowly losing my mind on March 2nd, 2012 It's not working for me. I use IE9. Report by XT on March 2nd, 2012 This sucks the big one! What Rosie said. Report by trouble... on March 2nd, 2012 Well, I use Mozilla Firefox and everything is once again hunky-dory. From what I read in the previous comments, I'm not EVEN going to go to IE or Chrome. Oh, and to whomever it may concern - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Report by lindisfarne on March 2nd, 2012 lindisfarne, oh cool, firefox is google owned ,too, so is facebook, so is twitter, and u tube and ad Block, and many other sites.. and from each , and therefore from you google gathers data... welcome to 1984 so when on firefox of course you don't have to answer hundreds of surveys, because google gets your private info bits anyway through firefox.... it's just added to ab now, to rake in more information bits about people. they can with this new program trace every bit of info about you, by just having a few tiny pieces of info. for instance the state you live in and a pic you posted somewhere on the internet, and voila, they can trace you down to everything including SS# Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 3rd, 2012 This new program is driving people away. It will certainly not attract new members. In order to support this site it takes people to be here. By driving them away the program is working exactly the opposite from its stated intention. You need different surveys each time. You need to restrict the number of surveys to one per question...not one per answer. Receiving 10 answers to a question and having to answer 10 surveys in order to comment is simply insane. I've received messages from AB members who are bailing and wanted to say goodebye to me first. I have asked them to check back from time to time in hopes that the ship will be righted. This time it isn't simply a massive reconfiguration. This time it is throwing roadblocks, detours, obstacles in the way of communication. It is taking all the fun away. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 3rd, 2012 I will not provide you with marketing research data to sell. I won't answer the questions. Must you drive people away every 24 months -- is that some kind of unspoken rule? Report by Thriftymaid on March 3rd, 2012 So far I still haven't seen the surveys but I have to say that if I would get them, it sounds so utterly annoying that I probably wouldn't come back either. The whole selling out of people's information is insane. For the same reason I unsubscribed from youtube not so long ago, you couldn't log in there anymore without subscribing to google. For me, that's crossing the line. I'm not so naieve to think that my data is not registered somewhere, but there certainly are limits when I'm using internet. I'm not on facebook either for the same reason, among a few others. I do use adblock which seems to help, if it wouldn't and AB keeps on this track with the marketing information thing, I would not come back. Not because of the annoyance of the extra time, but because I refuse to answer such marketing questions. Report by Bloed... on stand-by on March 3rd, 2012 Since I keep getting the same surveys recycled constantly I am now giving different answers each time I see the same questions. I have no idea what anyone is planning to do with the results of the survey but they will be meaningless. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is varying his/her answers.The person who thought this up didn't think things through to the ultimate logical conclusion. Driving people away and having meaningless survey results left in their wake. Who wins here? Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 3rd, 2012 Could it be that Internet Explorer --such as I use-- will not cooperate in that IE and Google are search engine competitors, i.e., Google/Bing? Whatever...AB still isn't working for me properly this morning. And I doubt that I'll be putting up with it much longer...not that y'all would give a rat's behind! :-( Report by ChuckExAnon on March 3rd, 2012 Been gone for a day or two and yikes! Not fun :( I use Chrome and can only see one response and the same survey questions over and over and no other answer :( I'm sad it's broken. Will another browser be better? I keep getting emails from people leaving. Now I know why. Report by Galeanda on March 3rd, 2012 It's bad...REALLY bad...when the only thing interesting to read on the Site is the Blog, hoping...hoping there's news that this horrendous screw-up is finally fixed! :-( Report by ChuckExAnon on March 3rd, 2012 doesn't look like ab is reversing the process. well: as trumph says: money money money money Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 3rd, 2012 For those not yet aware, read this article posted just two days ago and see what Google is doing. Think about protecting your privacy by not falling prey: http://www.newsmax.com/SciTech/Google-Privacy-Internet/2012/03/01/id/431078 Report by ChuckExAnon on March 3rd, 2012 Hmmm... I use IE9 and am still having problems. I'm not understanding why I should have to change browsers to Firefox or some such other browser in order to enjoy this site. I may download something like AdBlock to see if this helps. I have yet to decide on this. It is disconcerting, however, that what is happening is an obvious gathering of marketing information. However, we aren't being told anything about any legal privacy dynamics which may or may not be in place for this. My understanding of this circumstance, based on what I've gathered through various articles in the news about such matters with respect to online privacy, is that there IS no privacy unless it's specifically expressed somewhere. And, interestingly, such privacy may STILL be lacking if some of the court cases are any indication. What is this information being used for? How is it tabulated? In what way is this being tied back to us as individuals, such as screen names, email addresses, IP records, and more? The previous blog says that my responses to these surveys won't accrue to my profile. Fine. However, I will not answer these surveys as a method of gaining easy access to all the questions and answers that I SHOULD be getting by virtue of the purpose of this website in the first place. Whatever this fix is, it isn't 100% successful. The ad module still shows up as part of the first answer at the top of the list to a question. And the text for all subsequent answers is NOT visible unless I go through the time consuming and laborious process of actually clicking the permalink to each answer. Report by The Chief on March 3rd, 2012 The code to fix the repeat questions hasn't worked for everyone, and from what I've seen around the site, it seems like we're driving a lot of traffic to sites where you can download ad blocking software. Part of my job is to collect and communicate people's concerns about the site, and also to offer the Demand folks my own perspective. Based on the few site analytics that have been shared with me, including Q&A-type ads is certainly a defensible decision, in the abstract. This ad module borrows from the model of the ad you sometimes see immediately preceding a video you clicked on. You grit your teeth or avert your gaze for 10-15 seconds, then it ends and you get the video you came for. That model is all over the Web, and for a site that needs to generate ad revenue to survive (read: pretty much all of them), it's understandable. However, I don't think this model maps well to how people interact on Answerbag, and I've communicated that along with your feedback to the folks at Demand. You generally need to scan a page to see what answers and comments have already been posted, and who posted them, to decide if you want to participate, or if you're even interested in reading the page. Shielding that content until you take action, as opposed to passively waiting out a video ad, isn't likely to inspire the kind of contributions and interactions that have made this site what it is. I'm pleased to report that they're considering making this module appear less often, possibly only to users who aren't already logged in (for example, people who enter the site from a search results page), and I hope that's the decision they make. The larger issue of Web privacy, and who has access to what data, is extremely important for everyone to understand, so you can make your own decision. Everyone has different comfort levels, and there's a lot of information and disinformation out there, so I encourage you to learn as much about it as you can. Report by AB-Rich on March 3rd, 2012 Good. You're in the loop and reading our contributions here. If you don't know, you can't act to change things. Once you do know then we've done our job. Thank you. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 3rd, 2012 Chuck, thanks for that link. I checked out what google knows about me and not only is it hardly anythign at all, some of it is wrong lol. I look at the internet in this way, everythign I post is able to be viewed by anyone, and collected, so I don't post anythign I wouldn't be happy with people knowing. I do not give real names, or addresses or anything personal like that. Sounds good Rich, I hope they listen to you. Report by Gingerminx on March 3rd, 2012 I"m all for seeing it LESS often as I can't access any of the other answers at all, even after clicking the survey questions. But I don't think that showing the module to people who aren't logged in, those that come from searching for an answer, for instance is a good idea either since it might make them just go away to find answers they can SEE. They might not even know there are other answers other than that top one. I don't understand why the module makes it a requirement to click to see more. Why not just have it there for those that want to answer or not? I don't understand making a place to have questions answered so hard to get that information. If this was my first time here I'd rather go to Just Ask and pay for solid info Report by Galeanda on March 3rd, 2012 Thank you, Ginger...and to other good people. And to you, too, Rich, for your dedicated attention...but I think that it will soon be good-bye for me. AB has been great to/for me these three-plus years. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 3rd, 2012 Thanks, Rich. Showing the module less often may be an answer. So would being able to opt out by clicking a "close" button, or placing the module in a less obtrusive locastion. I don't understand how the software works for this, other than what you've described in this blog. However, you are correct in that it is interfering greatly with the ability of the users to participate in the activities which drew them to this site in the first place. I would also like to offer another point of view: Members come and go...and it is very important that new members are given the best impression they can receive here. I would suggest that if a new visitor to this site were to encounter this particular ad module, it would tend to discourage them from staying, returning at a later date, or recommending the site to others. So please consider this during your discussions. I think the ad module CAN work, so long as there are some limitations and modifications in place which make it less intrusive and don't interfere with the functionality of the site. Report by The Chief on March 3rd, 2012 right chuck: I think the mega data collection is "talked down"as being NOTHING, by many as "so what?" or " I got nothing to hide" OR "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL". Thios data collecting program infiltrating the net through multiple programs now is a much much much more powerful thing than many can even imagine. The power behind the collection, analysis, usage and manipulation of data about each person..... is unbelievable.... and obviously people are unaware of it....;and shrug it off with paranoia, and hysteria..... Of course we basicLLY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. Have you however even tried to follow through with the thought what google can do with thousands of bits of info about people? I doubt it. Most people do not know how info of harmless nature can be manipulated against people and if only by sublimely influencing you through clever commercials. Knowledge in this case is power, and I assure you and warn everyone, that that power can be and will be very dangerous and to the disadvantage of all who underestimate it. Europeans have known this for a while and speculated on it, protecting their privacy much much better than here in the USA. I daresay again people have no idea what power is given to google... oh well, yes, I agree chuck, it was a good time as long as it lasted. I really liked asking and answering questions. I still have a small hope this will be stopped. If it doesn't get corrected.... I know I cannot follow into the PAC program.... and yes, I realize a very few are already glad to hear I might leave. Shunyata http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/02/im-being-followed-how-google-151-and-104-other-companies-151-are-tracking-me-on-the-web/253758 Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 3rd, 2012 Rich and the chief, The Chief you said: "Showing the module less often may be an answer. " IMO , with due respect that would not be the answer. a.s.a. a person clicks the survey, or avoids it through firefox or adBlock( owned by google) they are in the google mega data collector. I don't want to be part of it. The chief, You said: "So would being able to opt out by clicking a "close" button, or placing the module in a less obtrusive locastion." Yes, I agree with this The Chief. People could if AB gives them a "reward" of one point or 100, answer all these silly surveys as often as they wish by clicking an access button to the right for instance, which takes up maybe a large part of the right screen saying " EXTRA 1000 Points, click here" (if you answer the survey) I am sure ENOUGH people would love it and jump on that. Meanwhile all who are interested in asking and answering questions could have their fun back and still make this a "high number member and Q and A site." shunyata Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 3rd, 2012 Having the survey module only displayed to people who are not logged in to AB sounds like a great solution. Report by Little Prince on March 3rd, 2012 In Firefox I have seen no survey at all. And that is the way I like it ;-)) Report by JakobA I^_^I the alooney on March 3rd, 2012 Well, I just logged on again through Firefox and guess what? They're back. Ya know, why? WHY is it so dam#ed vital to AB that they decide to start this at all? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! It's absurdly and unnecessarily annoying and frustrating that this...this THING has invaded us at all. Please, I'm honestly asking AB to give me a reason NOT to leave. I don't want to go, but privacy issues and inconvenience are quickly leading me to the door. I mean hey, if they want to weed out the undesirables and what-have-you, man-up and send us a nice, polite email explaining that we are no longer welcome here and we will be deleted. Oh, and that we have a nice day! Report by lindisfarne on March 3rd, 2012 Lindisfarne, I sure second this 100% : "Please, I'm honestly asking AB to give me a reason NOT to leave. I don't want to go, but privacy issues and inconvenience are quickly leading me to the door." Yes, and I 100% agree there should be an opportunity in such cases to have ones acc. completetly deleted. Many people are sweeping this all aside... circumventing the survey, but with it at the same time without knowing signing up for google anyway through firefox and adblock ( owned by google). I can only appeal to all, to take your privacy as something important. yes, and a wonderful Sunday to all. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 3rd, 2012 JakobA. I also use Firefox and I'm getting all the surveys. I don't why you don't and I do, do you? Happy Sunday to you. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 4th, 2012 Do you use an ad blocker with it Rosie? Shunyata where did you see firefox is owned by google? I thought it was owned by the Mozilla Foundation. Report by Gingerminx on March 4th, 2012 Well I do not often agree with you Shunyata but this time I do. This whole power of google goes way too far. I am not subscribed to any of the google products as far as I know. But I do still use their search engine, and am highly tempted to find me a good alternative. I am not sure about firefox and adblock being owned by google, please do provide us with a link.. and I welcome to hear any ideas regarding a new search engine. Back to AB, for me it's clear, if I have to log in through google, I'm out. I do understand that AB needs to make money, but I do not want to pay the price with giving up even more of my privacy. The point-reward system sounds interesting to me. Reward those who click on advertisements with points, and we might all be happy here. Report by Bloed... on stand-by on March 4th, 2012 This is truly an amazing, enlightning exercise we all are going through here. It is not unlike when a government has all the power and its leadership cares little about its people...its subjects...regardless of the long-term consequences that might come about. Watching a good thing crumble provides a sad, but facinating lesson here, to be sure. Watch closely...and learn. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 4th, 2012 Bloed>900 Million which google paid firefox for rights PER YEAR. There are also about a dozen articles online you can look into that firefox's "adblock" doesn't work right any more since google got its fingers in firefox. well they were engged all along...they have been in the same office from the beginning. http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/12/22/firefox-google-agree-to-00m-deal/ mozilla and google are in the same office. mozilla was making 123 million a year through adds FROM GOOGLE TIL NOW. Goodle bought rights for 900 million. the deal is that google is the default search engine in FIREFOX. Mozilla Firefox may no longer be the second-most popular web browser on the planet, but that hasn't stopped Google from making a new deal with Mozilla worth about $900 million. The deal was cut in order to make Google the default search engine in Firefox for the next three years. The price tag Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., is paying to remain the default search engine on Firefox, owned by the Mozilla Founadtion, also based in Mountain View, Calif., is nearly three times as much as the previous deal made between the two companies. In 2010, 84 percent of Mozilla's $123 million revenue came from the Google search deal, according to ZDNet. The deal comes a few months after Google Chrome became the second-most popular web browser. Chrome now has 25.7 percent of global web browser market share according Read Write Web. Of course, Google is also the default search engine in the company's own browser. GOOGLE CHROME OWNS ALREADY 27.5 PERCENT OF ALL GLOBAL WEB BROWSING. Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/12/22/firefox-google-agree-to-00m-deal/#ixzz1oA1nQ3VO The majority of the revenues comes from Google Inc., which is the default search engine on Mozilla Firefox. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Foundation together with google Fact: Google pays AdSense publishers (Web site owners) $1 for each new user who installs Firefox + Google Toolbar as a result of a referral link from one of their pages. Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13739_3-9776759-46.html#ixzz1oA0RkYRC http://download.cnet.com/Adblock-Plus-for-Mozilla-Firefox/3000-11745_4-10636539.html DEMAND MEADIA, GOOGLE, ANSWERBAG WORK TOGETHER. IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/04/25/google-traffic-to-demand-media-sites-down-40-percent/ http://www.socaltech.com/interview_with_joel_downs__founder__answerbag/s-0007273.html maybe this helps. firefox get 69 million form google a year. read below webpage http://news.cnet.com/8301-13739_3-9776759-46.html Has Google abandoned the "don't be evil" thing? Google was caught invading Apple Iphone customer data when people weren't even using Google products! http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970204880404577225380456599176-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwNjExNDYyWj.html Read more: Has Google abandoned the "don't be evil" thing? \| Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2673975#ixzz1oA7a4hTu http://www.google.com/ads/resources/ http://www.google.com/ads/affiliatenetwork/publishers/ http://wiki.ask.com/Adblock_Plus http://www.google.com/ads/affiliatenetwork/advertisers/ http://www.google.com/ads/affiliatenetwork/partners/index.html#tab0=2 Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 4th, 2012 last but not least GOOGLE agreed to allow users to "opt out" of the data collection, so why can't AB create a system where users can opt out of being forced to survey. http://www.courant.com/business/hc-privacy-online-20120223,0,5989087.story Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 4th, 2012 for those who do not want to comb through all the above websites, please realize this: the internet is NOT FOR FREE. It is about big business... Whoever sells the most adds, has the most members to sell adds to, makes the most money. why would google give firefox almost a BILLION dollar to access its user data hm? Charity? nice nice ness? NO ! people on the internet assume it's all free. NOTHING IS FREE. The government is now trying to stop the super power google. Will they be able to? I bet not, because google will make them a nice " I give you data offer". so basically what answerbag is doing is selling "ad potentials" to the biggest internet manipulator called google. what does it mean? it means Income. Did youn ever think all these people who work hard behind the curtain are working for your pleasure, and entertainment? A fact is: websites are created to MAKE MONEY. I do not know if AB follows some of the suggestions I made in order to satisfy google's data collection greed " reward survey answerers with points." Put the survey in the side of the page, let people answer their questions and see their responses without being forced into answering surveys. I am 100% sure a lot of people will jump on the surveys for extra points. They don't care that their data is "colelcted and used". It is in the nature of the beast to want to answer such stuff. If they get rewarded "with points", voila, google gets it's data and makes more bucks and everyone is happy ever after. lol. I am well aware of internet companies not being there " to be nice to people and SERVE THEM". it all about money and advertisement and collection of data. what good does it do AB if many members quit because they don't want to be part of google? You think, well a new generation will arive and do just that answer surveys. Ok then,.... it's the boss's choice. after all : the internet is about data collection and money. and that is a fact. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 4th, 2012 OK...for those who are and have been as stupid as I am: The other day when this business first came on the Site, I had read Rich's Blog and was more than willing to help AB achieve additional revenue for our free site. After all, it has given me plenty of pleasure...so, I don't mind giving back. When I tried to respond to my first survey, Google asked me for a lot of additional personal information that I was unwilling to give...and closed the window. Ergo, I continued to be locked out from viewing the various threads. Today, however, it seems that I'm home-free. That is, I can now see all the traffic...answers...that are posted. All I had to do is answer one survey today. ..and Google didn't ask me any additional personal information. I just had to answer the survery...as dumb as it was. Maybe y'all had already figured this out...but, dumb me, I hadn't until today. Perhaps I missed something through all these last two blogs...or, not being the brightest bulb in the chandelier, I'm just plain stupid. In order to rid yourself of all these frustrations, I suggest you give it a try. Answer one survey and you'll be back up 'n runnin' again, enjoying the Site just as you did before. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 4th, 2012 Chuck, if it were that easy my friend. it isn't though. Answering 1 survey, one single one... will allow google access to your data. I posted 1 wrong information above. "google chrome alone owns 27.5 % of all internet business". that is ONLY google chrome. I personally do not search on google nor ever use google in any way. until now just being part of AB, imo dIDN'T mean YET you ar epart of google. However, THE INTERNET LINKS ARE TEMPTING AND TRICKY AND INTER CONNECTED. the survey is the "entry key FOR google, regardless if you answer 1 survey my friend or 1 million." There are plenty of people who have found ways to "fool" google by creating accounts with fake acc. names, fake addresses , age, etc. because they knew already, even IF you "close your account" with google, google admitted to " keep the data running" and they can still access you through this cancelled account. It's probably a lost fight, fighting google. The government has/is taking steps to stop google. it ain't gonna happen, because I bet al my wealth on it that google will make the gov a " good offer" to feed the gov. with "analyzed data" about each citizen. voila we have 1984 come true. Let's assume AB owners care about AB members, ok, and of course still want to make money, too. The only "member positive"and money making thing they could do is separate Q and A from surveys. I am 100% sure people will go for the "survey" feature for extra points, and AB get's its money from google, and Google gets the info it wants, and the AB member answering the surveys gets "points". lol You get my drift? we can't escape "loss of privacy", however we can at least make efforts to protect it a bit. A member suggested to me due to my opposition voiced " get off the internet if you don't like it "( indirect quote from a Q/A thead, is the same thing when people said " get out of the USA of you don't support bush and the Iraq OCCUPATION". Voicing ones view and disagreement to the mega power called Google doens't mean I want to go offline. my Business once run without the internet 40 years ago,"depends" on internet connections.... to go back to snail mail would be detrimental. Just because I oppose the tremendous GOOGLE MONOPOLY controlling the internet, doesn't mean I don't like the internet or AB. ANY monopolization IS DANGEROUS. And no it is far from paranoia. we used to have 52 broadcasting companies in the USA, now we have 5 which run it all, and it's all government controlled. The question is: do you really wish to have a mega concern like Google collect all your data and manipulate it as well as sell it? I understand You got nothing to hide, but it is short sighted to " give away all privacy " to the money manipulators. Again the worship of money can become very dangerous. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 4th, 2012 Thank you Rich. Report by Lady Antebellium on March 4th, 2012 To Ginger...no I don't use an ad blocker.If we all use adblocker then the surveys will never be answered. Don't know how well that will be received by whomever it was who thought surveys would be a good idea. That is a bandaid. It doesn't solve the problem. It only allows you to avoid it. I dunno. Seems to me the better way would be to fix the problem so that everyone can enjoy the site...not just the ones with adblocker. Just my opinion. To Chuck...I have not been asked any personal questions at all. I am relentlessly and endlessly buried in surveys. Each time I try to comment on an answer to a question of mine I must answer a survey. Ten answers, ten surveys. They are all repetitious too. If I answer questions I can avoid surveys if I don't read any of the thread. If I ask a question I don't have to deal with surveys. But if try to comment on answers I'm nailed each time. I use Firefox. I'm still buried. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 4th, 2012 I enjoy using AB, it's pretty much the only thing I do online, other than check email and pay bills. The survey deal is nonsense, just to throw my 2 cents in. AB can run their site however they want, I guess. I can take AB or leave it, and looks like I'll have to leave it. I don't like having anything forced on me. I've responded to one survey, and it kept going and going. Insane. Report by drequeen on March 4th, 2012 After being away a while, I am finding no excessive google polls/questions. In fact, not even one since I've officially signed in a bit ago -- they also became less and less over the last several days when i was just perusing the site without signing in. Several days ago I had already wrote about my thoughts to AB Rich through the answerbag Contact Us option. Things seem smooth-going for me so far, as far as this topic. I wish the best to all . Be Well, WelbyQuentin Report by WelbyQuentin on March 4th, 2012 Every question I click on, I get to see one answer. Below is the survey, and below that is the rest of the page greyed out. This happens with EVERY question I click on. I use Firefox, which some suggest is a way to reduce the nuisance. So far, no luck. Report by drequeen on March 4th, 2012 welby, are you in GB? it seems people who go on AB in england don't see the surveys.... maybe I am wrong. drequeen,.....yep Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 4th, 2012 @shunyata-- No, not GB. But for a while the same thing that drequeen writes about, above your comment, happened to me. I answered a poll-question each time, then the rest of the grayed-out answers appeared. I was not signed into answerbag at the time. Over the last several days, the polls have decreased, with very little grayed-out answers. Today is the first time I signed into answerbag in a long while and everything was as usual -- no polls of any kind. I don't know if it's anything I've done or not done to result in the polls dramatically decreasing. I do use Firefox. I'll probably be unable to sign into answerbag for a while again for various reasons. I hope things work well for all. Be Well, all :) Report by WelbyQuentin on March 4th, 2012 Sure Rosie. Personally I woudl rather use the blocker and enjoy the site. Report by Gingerminx on March 4th, 2012 questions: if the surveys stay and all members upload firefox and AD Bock so not to have to fill out surveys.... google gets nothing? or? why not find an other solution? separate Q/A from surveys, and those who want to answer, with point rewards can answer them. Right now I see that the members online ( which is way fewer than ususal)have the blocks, as they tell me, and with this google gets nothing. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 5th, 2012 To Rosie: I'm having no problems again this morning. Yesterday, after responding to but one survey, and not being asked for additional personal information the way I was on my first try, I've been cleared to go. I even anticipated that I might have to respond to another survey once the day changed. It didn't happen. My AB is operating just as it had prior to AB's having added this new Google Survey thing. And unlike yourself, I've even made comments to certain responders, and no surveys have popped up at any time. [By the way, the "personal" information that Google asked on my first tried included wanting to know my email address, my date of birth and another question which I can't recall. Even though I realize that AB has my email address, I did not think I wanted to give it to Google lest they think that gave them authorization to spam the hell out of me...and regarding my date of birth, that, too, is none of Google's damn business...and I was wondering whether there would be a follow-up window asking me for DNA!!! I want my lawyer!!! :-) Anyway, I try to be as protective as I can be on the Internet. I do no on-line banking, I purchase nothing on-line, I don't pay bills on-line. Regardless, I still know that Internet hackers can get to us one way or another...afterall, if they can hack the Pentagon and the White House, which they have, I KNOW they can hack us little people if they choose, as well.] I use Internet Explorer Version 7 on one laptop and Internet Explorer Version 8 on my newer laptop. Both are operating fine here at AB. I have no ad blocker other than what automatically comes with IE. My Anti-virus, McAfee, has also recently gotten into blocking ads, as well...when they deem that the ad site is "unsafe". They block some of the ads here on AB claiming that reason, something about which I advised AB Administration some time back...and if McAfee's claim is untrue, the advertiser and AB should be upset at McAfee's interference of revenue...IMO. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 5th, 2012 Why were my comments deleted from this thread? Were they not valid question, or am I simply not worthy to post here? Report by BACzero on March 5th, 2012 Lucky you Chuck. I'm still buried in surveys. I can avoid them when I answer questions if I don' want to read other answers on the thread. But I'm nailed when I want to comment on answers to my questions. If I get 10 answers I have to respond to 10 surveys before I can leave the comment on each answer. I was behind the 8-ball commenting on the answers I got before but now? Impossible to keep up. I used to whiz through the question threads commenting on each answer. Now I slog through it very slowly as if I'm walking through hardening molasses. It is a very tiring ordeal. The solution? Stop asking questions and just answer others. That way I can avoid surveys. But that takes a lot of my fun away because I love getting into conversations with some of my responders and some of the threads can get very long and those are my favorites usually. So I am slowed down considerably and don't get as much done each day as I used to. Price we pay for what exactly? Happy Monday my friend! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 5th, 2012 I don't have facebook or google+. I am not getting surveys just saying I have to share the Q on one of those sites to see it without an option not to share. Report by guirion on March 5th, 2012 I guess the best we can hope for is that the brainiacs in the front office are working their butts off to make the Site workable for everyone, while preserving their reasonable hopes to increase their revenues with the new program. Obviously, it's not an easy undertaking. I wish them well. Perhaps we'll hear again from Rich today, updating their progress. We lose too many good people when these major changes occur...and that distresses me. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 5th, 2012 I'm running Linux with a custom browser ... I have not seen the ads or surveys at all ... even when I try the Linux versions of Chrome and Firefox, I do not see the ads or the surveys. Report by Takei-Shihan on March 5th, 2012 takei, I have linux Chuck I have through my anti virus program DOZENS OF google programs blocked. to no avail, the surveys are there. I cannot look into anyone's comments except the first comment or answer, without doing the survey. so all I get right now, cliCKING on any alert or question is 1 single responder's answer. nothing else. I can't read anyone else's comment. I raked throuGH my blocking featureS and yes all the google programs are block and yet I see the GOOGLE survey add MODULE WHICH PREVENTS ME TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL RESPONDERS. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr yes chuck, I hope too, Rich will DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 5th, 2012 Demand Media has told wall street that it aims to have double digit growth in 2012 after having a fourth quater loss last year. . http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/17/us-demand-media-results-idUSTRE81F23020120217?type=companyNews . Google was invited here by demand and everytime any ad link is clicked here demand gets a check. Forcing us to click any link has got to be a sweet cash cow for demand and a way to create that double digit growth. Report by Doogie on March 5th, 2012 I am in the UK. using firefox . No special ad blockers just AVG free. No surveys here. I guess I am just lucky. Report by Moley the contrary female dragon on March 5th, 2012 There's a major glitch with the new ad module... All the answers below it appear blank until you answer the question(s). This is aggravating as I DO NOT come to this site to answer questions about products/services I have no use for. There should be a close button on the module for those who don't want to participate in this irritating excuse for a survey. I'm extremely disappointed that AB has done it again: They have taken a system that was working fine, and threw yet another monkey wrench into it just to flush the Bag down the tubes once again. Bring back the Up-rate and Down-rate system, and get rid of all these ads! I miss the old AB... Report by BabyRottie: thinkin of leavin Google-AB on March 5th, 2012 Hello there Rich! Thank you so much for all of your care and concern with this situation on AB!:) Report by dorothybulls on March 5th, 2012 March 2nd 9 am was the last we heard from AB. Now it's March 6th 9 am. same module still intact. I cannot acess other responder's responses unless I submit to dozens of commerical GOOGLE questioning surveys. is this to stay? really? I see an exponential lessening of number of questions, answers, responses because many other people feel this way, they don't want to put up with this sh.. WHAT GOOG DOES IT DO GOOGLE AND ITS SURVEYS if everyone blocks them through adBlock? HELLO AB can you find an other solution? Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 6th, 2012 sorry for misspelling: what good does it do for AB, google, demand media, if everyone finds a way to block the flood of surveys? no surveys answered no money honey. in fact I only heard of 2 people who submit to this survey flood. the rest is either not here, or they found programs to block the surveys. Report by Shunyata says no to google on March 6th, 2012 Still here. Still slogging through surveys. Too stubborn to throw in the towel. I may be the only one still buried in surveys. Bring it on! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 6th, 2012 Another problem I found is that if I ask a question I can't go back and read the answers without having to click on a survey to see more than the first answer. That stinks for a question and answer site. A person couldn't even find the best answer to make it Askers Pick so it will be at the top for others. Report by Galeanda on March 6th, 2012 What survey are you all on about,I haven't had it. Dont you want my opinion AB ? Report by Tel UK- Licensed to fish! on March 7th, 2012
AB-Rich	February 28th, 2012 at 4:43 pm There is nothing wrong with your computer screen... In days to come, you may notice a new module appearing beneath the first answer on our question pages, with a title like "Support this site by answering a quick question," with two or more clickable answer options. This is a Google-powered ad module, and while it might look like a new kind of Q&A or poll, your responses won't accrue to your Answerbag profile. However, the title is accurate: clicking on these will help support the site. If people find the streamlined format interesting, we could also use that as input for future design changes, perhaps for a long-requested mobile site. As always, let us know what you think once it goes live, and we appreciate your feedback. 29 comments \| Post one Comments goodle powered ad module? is AB now part of goodle? or has AB sold part of it to google? Report by shunyata on February 29th, 2012 Well, now, that's interesting. I read this a couple days ago and scratched my head, because it wasn't implimented at that time and I couldn't form any opinions because of it. Now, however, I've seen it and have discovered two annoying things associated with it (other than the module itself, that is): When I view a question and all the answers, I will see the first answer with the module looking like it's attached to that answer and, in fact, looking like it's part of the answer. Which almost made me flag the answer as "spam", because it looked exactly like a typical form of spam, namely a person posts an answer and then includes links in the answer which promotes another site. Fortunately, I remembered this Blog and didn't flag it. The other think I noticed was that all other answers below this one were blank, making it look like the people either inadvertently posted nothing or perhaps edited out their posting. Again, I almost flagged these as "nonsense". But I didn't...instead, I clicked the permalink for these and their answers actually showed up then. When I went back to view the question with all the answers, the individual answers all showed up...until the module popped up, then the text for all the ones below the first answer disappeared again. This "Google-powered ad module" is causing some technical and practical problems which interfere with the normal use of this site and should be addressed quickly. I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea...but it's placement and the problems I outlined above are sure to cause problems. Report by The Chief on March 1st, 2012 Bull shit!! Why be a member here if you have to put up with that crap. You morons screwed this place up two years ago and went and did it again I see. We count me out as I will not be part of your 24/7 survey. Report by Cruiser says adios on March 1st, 2012 I saw this new feature for the first time today. It appeared in the thread of the following question: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2682753 There were 16 responses/answers. One answer, the top answer before the new feature, appeared. The remaining 15 answer boxes were all blank. It seems there may be a glictch. Good luck. Report by ChuckExAnon on March 1st, 2012 There's a major glitch with the new ad module... All the answers below it appear blank until you answer the question(s). This is aggravating as I DO NOT come to this site to answer questions about products/services I have no use for. There should be a close button on the module for those who don't want to participate in this irritating excuse for a survey. I'm extremely disappointed that AB has done it again: They have taken a system that was working fine, and threw yet another monkey wrench into it just to flush the Bag down the tubes once again. Bring back the Up-rate and Down-rate system, and get rid of all these ads! I miss the old AB... Report by BabyRottie on March 1st, 2012 Posted on behalf of Bornabrit, who is having problems posting this herself: The surveys only take a minute, no big deal but I think it would be a good idea for people to click onto the adds that are displayed to the right of your computer....help support AB..maybe we should do it by our out first name initial..all a- g hit a ad monday, g-n hit a add tues n-u hit the ad wednesday and u -x hit it thursday..the advertisers wont know what has hit them...:-) For example if your name is Julie you would hit the add tuesday..? All you would have to do is click on one add per person once a week! This will keep the advertisers happy and more apt to continue advertiseing on AB which in return will keep AB open for years...:-) what yer think? anybody? can you add a yea or a na..to vote?? Report by The Chief on March 1st, 2012 If we can't see other responses because of a glitch then I will be patient. If we have to take a survey every time we go to a question then I'll be moving on to a site that doesn't make this a requirement for me. AB is going downhill with what it allows and, other than some good CL's it shows poor management planning in my opinion. Report by Wellduh on March 1st, 2012 so that's it? I can't see other responders' responses to a question UNLESS I join google and that survey, and with this google has your info and can sell it to whoever they wish. sigh Report by shunyata on March 1st, 2012 Thanks for the reports, the masked answers are indeed a glitch, and I'm told Google has provided some code that will fix it. It should be pushed tomorrow morning. Report by AB-Rich on March 1st, 2012 Rich so AB has sold to google, too hm? I am not sure as to members knowing how many things google already owns and how power ful it is using your private info. Report by S108 on March 1st, 2012 Thanks, Rich! That will be much appreciated! Report by The Chief on March 1st, 2012 Wow. How much do these programmers make for creating "glitches"? Report by Mister_Bromide on March 1st, 2012 You screwed AB over a couple of years ago and now you are doing so again. Stop the BS all the time. Leave AB as it was before this new question crap. get rid of the answer thing. I am trying to be polite here and say what I feel nicely so read between the lines. Report by Thinker on March 1st, 2012 I've decided to take a small vacation from AB. Some of it is the new survey crap. It wouldn't be so bad if it popped up once a day but, it pops up on every question. I had the same survey questions three times today..GGGRRRRR!!!! Can it not be fixed to where you get only one survey question a day and not every single time you go to answer a question?? I am going to take a two week rest to see if some of the issues are worked out. A lot of the users on here are getting a bit above the acceptable level of abuse on other users too. Things are getting a little out of hand. Time for me to step back and enjoy some peace and quiet for a while.. AB-Rich, I know you are doing a good job here, you have always helped me when I needed it and that's the reason I am not staying away for very long. I do appreciate everything you have done so far!! Report by BaileysMom12 COAT of Motherly Love on March 1st, 2012 Google doesn't own Answerbag, but this is an ad module they created. Once we push the code that fixes the initial glitches, I'm told we should be able to customize it based on your feedback, so please keep it coming. Report by AB-Rich on March 1st, 2012 I don't want to answer any of the questions because I don't want the Templars at Google to have my dox, and so I can't do anything. I guess I'll go read a book or something. Congratulations on the module, though. I hope you make all the monies. Report by Talimze on March 1st, 2012 The lack of foresight and/or testing prior to initializing is scary. I don't appreciate the apparent lack of professionalism, specifically when it affects the ease of access for AB members. Oh, but you say it's only down for a day or so and allege it will be fixed tomorrow. Okay, well, that immediately deescalates any frustration I may have experienced! (sarcasm intended) Report by lindisfarne on March 1st, 2012 The ads are annoying. Report by Stu B in his fleece-lined COAT on March 1st, 2012 Just spent awhile commenting on the answers to one question since the new system was implemented. It took much longer because with each comment to an answer I could not continue without answering a survey question. So that's the down side of the new system. The upside, on the other hand? I love giving my opinion. So that part I don't mind at all. It might be better to restrict the number of survey questions though. Have one survey question per question thread instead of one per each answer/ comment on that thread? This new system will certainly increase the amount of time it takes to respond to all our alerts. The result of that will probably be fewer questions asked, fewer answers given and fewer comments. I don't mind it if there is no other choice. Activity on AB will simply be slowed down....way down. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 2nd, 2012 I have spent two hours on AB this morhing and only gotten through the answers to three of my questions. I'm spending more time answering surveys than I am commenting on answers to my questions. If I have 10 respondents on a question thread I have to answer 10 surveys. Some of the surveys are the same. I'm not sure folks will be likely to put up with the new system as it is. I know I won't be able to get through all my alerts at this rate and someone like Bornabrit will never catch up due to the popularity of her questions. So maybe some tweaking is in order here to make this new system manageable/tolerable so we don't get frustrated? Just sayin'...... Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 2nd, 2012 How about making it possible to opt out of answering the surveys period? Report by Stu B in his fleece-lined COAT on March 2nd, 2012 There are too many surveys to answer too often. It makes AnswerBag participation cumbersome and annoying. It doesn't endear me to any product that I'm quizzed about more than once, either. Report by Little Prince on March 2nd, 2012 well, I cannot access any of the other comments, without answering surveys. so this means, every time I have an alert, let's say 120 alerts, I have to answer 120 surveys. I opened 1 question this morning wishing to see the comment, and voila, "answer the survey", else all other responder's window is "blank". Report by shunyata says no thank you to google on March 2nd, 2012 stuB nope we can't opt out. and I be damn if I give my data, which I TRUSTED to AB when becoming a member to the mega data collector called GOOGLE. they collect, they analyze, and they then sell your data. I guess since we are not paying members we cannot protest to this sell out... you just have become a profitable bit of information the the mega information collector called google. a.s.a. they have your name, e-mail address registered with ab, they got your IP, your address etc. I happen to listen to a discussion on NPR 3 days ago, about the DANGER google presents to everyone. oh and just as a side info,....the point system stopped completely 3 days ago. I truly enjoyed AB until now.... This data gathering forced is however not acceptable. adios amigos. Report by shunyata says no thank you to google on March 2nd, 2012 What gives? So as of today, I am no longer given the option of answering a polling question, my only option is to "share the page" if I want to view the other answers? WTF? Honestly! I think this whole poll thing is a sad excuse for a money maker. Report by BACzero on March 2nd, 2012 Another issue I've discovered... after answering the poll question, sometimes a second question pops up, so I have to answer a series of questions before being allowed to proceed. Report by BACzero on March 2nd, 2012 Who would answer a question knowing that his/her answer will not appear? Obviously, only those who have no clue. During my tenure here a AB, I've seen many glitches and the distressing changes of December 2009 that saw the departure of so many great members...but none could be compared to the self-destruction of this one. Please...please get this fixed, removed...fast! Report by ChuckExAnon on March 2nd, 2012 Please remove the google ad module! It's a frustrating nuisance that is driving many wonderful AB contributors away! We don't come to AB to take surveys for things we don't care about! We come to AB to answer questions that interest us, give advice, receive answers for topics or thoughts that puzzle us, and mostly, we come here to enjoy the sense of community. We might not know each member personally, but AB brings together all different people, and that's what makes it so special. I finally returned to AB in January after leaving when the format got changed in 2009. I missed asking for advice, learning about new things, and answering random, serious, and even stupid questions. I came back and was horribly disappointed at the number of wonderful members that left permanently. I was almost one of them, and after the new google ad module popped up and blocked most of the answers, I'm sorely tempted to leave again and not come back. It's taken so long for the AB community to rebuild, and it'll never be as fun as it used to be, but please, please, please get rid of this ad module before it destroys AB forever!!! Report by BabyRottie is thinking of leaving Google on March 2nd, 2012 money money money money Report by OVER and OUT no to google on March 2nd, 2012
AB-Rich	January 18th, 2012 at 1:03 pm SOPA/PIPA Today, Wikipedia, craigslist and many other sites are protesting proposed legislation that threatens to fundamentally alter the responsibilities of Websites to control the content posted on them. Yes, this would extend to Answerbag as well, and even though we're a relatively small outpost on the Web, a few Answerbaggers have started polls and discussions about the proposed legislation: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2639957 http://www.answerbag.com/polls/answerbag-participate-anti-sopa-stop-online-piracy-act-blackout-january-18th-2012-not_2653012 Feel free to join in the discussion! 5 comments \| Post one Comments All I have to say is that I hope these bills are put down because, while I am quite capable of living like I did before the internet, I would not like it. Now I know how limited and biased the news media available just in this nation really is. I would miss a lot about the internet but being confined to non internet news media scares the crap out of me. I also have no doubt that what news media we could access online would be strictly regulated so it would be no better than non online news media. Report by Arisztid on January 18th, 2012 :) Thank you for addressing this issue! Report by AnonymousGirl on January 18th, 2012 Tol Ari...the heat was too much for the politcos. They all backed down and the bills have been tabled for the forseeable future. These guys had no idea what they were doing. The ones that backed it initially got scared and withdrew support. Nothing is as strong as the people banding together in a common cause and speaking out. Nothing! Happy Saturday! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on January 21st, 2012 I'm glad this was backed down. Now I can't find the "Contact Us" page so I need to suggest the following: Please add the "Arab Spring" subcategory under http://www.answerbag.com/category/politics-and-modern-events_578 Thank you. Report by Running, Fall Up on February 3rd, 2012 Now the others are starting to agree to a chatroom! See http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11825053 Report by Running, Fall Up on February 8th, 2012
AB-Rich	January 4th, 2012 at 10:35 pm Facebook login should be working now Thanks to everyone who helped us track down the cause of the recent Facebook login problems, and for your patience over the holidays. It should be fixed now, so try it when you can and post here if you have any problems. And happy 2012! 9 comments \| Post one Comments Cheers Rich, that is good news and I saw a question it it today where someone was saying it was fixed for them so I guess it has worked, at least for some. Well done :) Report by Gingerminx on January 4th, 2012 thank you Rich. Happy 2012 to everyone! :-) Report by iwnit on January 4th, 2012 I tried it today and it worked just fine, even quicker than usual :) Thanks for the fix. I'm sure many will appreciate it. Report by Galeanda on January 5th, 2012 Hi AB-Rich :) I'm glad for others that option works but I plan on never facebooking my way around the internet. The plain old single sign-in option is the one I've used since "AB Day One for Me" and it has always worked 100% of the time for me. Excellent. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," so I add, "Please don't ever take away the option of just simply signing into answerbag, and only, answerbag." But perhaps I'm the only one who just signs in without the excess social sites following me here. :) My best to everyone! Be well, all ~ Report by WelbyQuentin on January 5th, 2012 I agree with Welby. I also have nothing to do with Facebook and use the single sign-in option. Please don't remove that. Report by Stu B in his fleece-lined COAT on January 5th, 2012 Nope Welby, you are not alone. I do the same thing and in fact I don't belong to any of those social networking sites. Report by Gingerminx on January 5th, 2012 Yeah, me too. Never used the fbook sign in but I'm glad to hear it's fixed for those that do. :) Happy 2012! Report by trouble... slouching toward the Apocalyp on January 6th, 2012 Happy New year Rich! Thank you so much for helping me when i was in need. All has been working just well for me lately. A few others have experienced questions being slowly posted. But i am Happy! Thank you again and a have a good one! Report by dorothybulls on January 6th, 2012 I am glad to hear things are working out with Answerbag's Facebook sign in feature, even though I prefer not to use it myself! On an unrelated note, could you please do a blog post about SOPA??? Thanks!! More details here: "What could the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) mean for Answerbag?" http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2639957 "Should Answerbag participate in the anti-SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) blackout on January 18th, 2012? Why or why not?" http://www.answerbag.com/polls/answerbag-participate-anti-sopa-stop-online-piracy-act-blackout-january-18th-2012-not_2653012 Report by AnonymousGirl on January 16th, 2012
AB-Rich	November 28th, 2011 at 11:47 am Holiday flags Music, decorations, temperatures and commercial intensity are just some of the things that change during the holiday season, and we here at Answerbag thought it might be a good time to ask whether you think we should alter our spam flag review policy accordingly. Our usual rule of thumb to accept a spam flag is if it promotes a product or includes a link that's repetitive across many answers or comments, isn't responsive to the question, or otherwise is more about promoting commerce than conversation. However, during the holidays we've traditionally seen more Q&A about what is and isn't worth buying. Some folks think that's a valid use for Answerbag, while others might just as reasonably feel inclined to flag such posts as spam. With that said, what do you suggest our threshold for accepting a spam flag should be? Should it change during the holidays? The moderators will be reviewing your responses, and if we can come to some consensus, that will be the basis of our policy. Thanks, and happy holidays to all! 18 comments \| Post one Comments Thanks for the post Rich. I think your spam policy should be the same all year 'round. Spam is spam is spam IMO. I think if people want to advertise their products on AB at any time of year .. they should pay for the "space" like the rest of your advertisers do. That's fair to everyone ... and no one wants to see more "ads" than necessary. Happy Holidays to you! Report by Mrs. Cleaver on November 28th, 2011 Accept them if they're truly spam. Reject them if they're not. Report by AnonymousGirl on November 28th, 2011 Spam policy? I was put in the penalty box for "spam" when I sent a message to AB staff via the contact form with what I thought was a good suggestion for the site. Is that the spam policy you're talking about? Report by East Hill on November 28th, 2011 __________ ... blatant attempts to sell crap with a question ... FLAG and remove. __________ ... valid answers with a sales link included ... allow and ignore flags. __________ Report by Takei-Shihan on November 28th, 2011 If its out and out spam no matter what time of year it is.. then remove it. Report by buxtonite ..slowly losing my mind on November 28th, 2011 It will obviously be a subjective process; you will have to just take each case individually. For the ones specific to what is/isn't worth buying: Eliminate them because everyone knows they can just go to amazon product ratings or similar to find out that stuff. Leave the ones with a little tweak to them, like what tool is best for a specific purpose or something. People may mix real comments with ads and stuff though, making it difficult to draw a hard cutoff line. For that, use Spam Agent, your anti spam filtering solution. Spam Agent comes preset with over 1,500 filters for the most common spam issues. You also have the ability to create your own custom filters - as many as you wish! View the complete feature list at http://www.anti-spam-software.com/ Report by Dylan K. on November 28th, 2011 Spam is spam. It's promoting things without having bought space or time here. I think it would be opening pandora's box to the world of spammers out there and have AB as their dumping ground for links to all sorts of things. I like to think of this place as free from obvious commercial links in answers. Responses about where to buy something from one member to another is one thing, giving out links is spam. Report by Galeanda on November 28th, 2011 In my view, there should be Zero Tolerance of Spam at any time of the year. There are many reasons, but allow me to list a few: Advertising income is the lifeblood of the Site. Free advertising offers no income to the Site, whatsoever, and is, in fact, theft of service. Thieves by nature, spammers lack integrity. They come from all over the world. Their intentions may go even further than marketing a product or products, but may even use their lures to inflict viruses and engage in identity theft. AB should exercise reasonable protective measures against such invasions and ward off those who would violate the Members’ security, comfort and enjoyment level. I’ve seen spammers in direct competition with legitimate advertisers. If I were a paying advertiser, and I noted free spamming competitors, I’d be incensed and would view a site’s staff as possibly incompetent for its inattentive negligence in allowing it. I would think that a positive marketing tool would be found in pointing out to potential advertisers the absence of spam on the Site, an all too common bane on most social dialogue sites. And if I were a potential advertiser, I would certainly examine a site for its spam tolerance, and would not be inclined to advertise where a site was spam infested during multiple holiday times or any time of year. I would want to advertise on a reasonably “clean” site...or as clean as possible. Bottom line, I think that AB’s Moderators do a fine job rapidly responding to Flags. Theirs is a critical function in my view. I wouldn’t interrupt that performance with some new-found level of holiday tolerance. AB is far improved in cleaning out the spam of late...and I don’t mean just in attacking the BOT attacks, which, thank goodness, are considerably under control this year. If anything, reenforce the message to spammers: At Christmastime, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day...whenever...you are not welcomed here! Zero Tolerance. On the other hand, if you would like to advertise here on Answerbag at a reasonable rate, feel free to contact our Marketing Department Report by ChuckExAnon on November 28th, 2011 The more I'm on the internet, the more I don't understand hardly any of it. I'd suggest to do whatever your rules-setup is. I'd rather see spam then some of the words/speeches I see on the site. I'm quite-correctly told by others whom I respect that I need to remember that it's just the internet , that answerbag is just an internet site, that I need not take it so seriously -- so a little spam here and there does not bother me. I can take a little spam easier than some of the words on the site I'd call hateful and vicious. [ And I understand why those words can remain, depending on the rules. And what I think of certain thoughts of others does not make my opinion of those words a flagging requirement. ] Though if someone asks, do you like Pepsi better than Coke, I hardly call that spam. Or which facial cleanser works best for acne? If someone answers, I wouldn't call that spam. Nor "what album would you recommend is the best by Simple Minds?" It almost seems if someone recommends a movie to go see, than that could be spam, too. i don't know. I went off topic anyway. I'll just continue to participate as usual -- and take the lumps if they happen. Report by WelbyQuentin on November 28th, 2011 Rich i think each one has to be investigated individually the same way all year. And i was very impressed when a Horrible answer yesterday was investigated so quickly. Thank you and Enjoy your Holidays! Report by dorothybulls on November 28th, 2011 The current policy is fine the way it is, year round. Essentially, spam is using the site with the intent to promote the sales of a product or service. This is not what Answerbag is all about. In general, if a product, service, or website is posted as part of a legitimate answer/comment to a legitimate question, it's pretty much understood it's not spam. Another problem with slacking off on the rules as a seasonal response is the fact that these questions, and their associated answers, are available all year round...which would give people a "double-standard" impression. "Why was my answer rejected when it's just like the answers posted to (fill in the blank)?" Additionally, it becomes more difficult to properly moderate on several levels. A new standard would be implimented for the holiday season(s), yet a few months later I must remember to screen spam postings to see if they were posted during the "acceptable" time frame. No, thank you. I like the rules on spam just the way they are! :):) Report by The Chief on November 28th, 2011 I don't support a special holiday rule for spam. It is better if the moderators (CL included) manage to see the big picture and look at other postings of the possible spammer and check for multiple spam postings or for multiple accounts. This takes more time, but it could bring more if you reject several spam postings at the same time or even suspend the spammer account. Isolated "commercial" postings could be given the benefice of the doubt, especially if they answer the question. Report by iwnit on November 28th, 2011 Special rules for the holidays? Is that really necessary? No, don't you change a thing. I love you just as you are.:) Report by trouble slouching toward the Apocalypse on November 29th, 2011 Spam is spam..why allow it during the holiday season....which isn´t even a holiday for a lot of groups? Just get rid of it:) Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on November 29th, 2011 Keep the same spam policy. There is a difference when someone asks: "do you know a good webshop for ordering suits," and people answer those questions by providing links, with questions that have nothing to do with products but do get answered with links to such sites. I always thought such a distinction was part of the spam policy anyway. If you suddenly allow for un-asked spam, we will all get crazy by an overflooding with spammers here. Report by BloedEnMelk on November 29th, 2011 advertising a product and talking about a product, a present, a possible present is imo not a spam. imo a spam would be if the person " obviously" wants to sell a product. Report by shunyata on November 29th, 2011 No change. Keep everything the way it is. Report by rose1980 on December 2nd, 2011 Heh, I know consensus when I see it :). Thanks for all your feedback! Report by AB-Rich on December 6th, 2011
AB-Rich	October 28th, 2011 at 12:17 pm Think of two words... ...that you'd use to describe Answerbag. Regardless of how long you've been on the site, the first two words that come to your mind probably aren't "stable" and "mature" :). But those are some of the words the folks at Demand Media used during a recent conference call to describe our little corner of the Web, and they have some possible implications for us. For those who need a brief history lesson, or who've never scrolled down and deciphered the logos at the bottom of every page, Answerbag was acquired in 2006 by Demand Media, a company with a lot of high-traffic Websites in its portfolio. While we've benefited from Demand's resources, we're also one of many, many mouths Demand needs to feed. In that situation, you prioritize, and seeing Answerbag as stable and mature means we need less attention. And I think, on balance, that this is a good thing. There are some possible downsides. We probably won't get development time to build new features or address longstanding but non-critical problems for a while. If there are tech snafus that affect only a few people, or are intermittent, they're unlikely to get investigated. Of course, any large-scale problems will put us at the top of the priority list, and the community leaders, moderators and I will be here to help, and take care of anything within the scope of our skills, admin tools and database access. However, once people are comfortable with the way a site works, changing it can yield understandable resistance, even with the best intentions. You're here to ask, answer and interact, not to continually relearn interfaces and rating systems. Anyone who was around during previous redesigns can attest to the impact each one had on the Answerbag community. Many folks would have traded in the new look and functions for the site they were familiar with, even with its quirks and flaws. So essentially, being stable and mature means we'll have our familiar site for a while. Answerbaggers past and present have built something that can withstand flaws and redesigns, and at its core remain a place people want to be. Thanks doesn't nearly cover it, but...thanks! 22 comments \| Post one Comments You're welcome! :-) Two words to describe Answerbag: Answer... Bag :D Report by AnonymousGirl on October 28th, 2011 random and useful XP Report by elle9o on October 28th, 2011 Enriching Multifaceted Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on October 28th, 2011 How about a bag full of nuts! Report by aiar on October 28th, 2011 Enlightening... Effervescent... btw...you have answered my minor snafu problem... Report by beanss on October 28th, 2011 Two "F" words: Friendly and Fun. I visited the Demand Media Site the other day and found no mention whatsoever about Answerbag...nowhere, at all. The Page has no Search feature, either. In any case, I was disappointed that we were not even worth of a mention. I recall having heard about Answerbag on FoxNews back in '08, and that's I came to AB. How is the word getting out these days? I mean, how do we go about attracting new members? Anyway, thanks for the Blog entry, Rich. The Members always appreciated hearing from you. Chuck Report by ChuckExAnon on October 28th, 2011 Facebook Twitter. Report by Mister_Bromide on October 28th, 2011 "But those are some of the words the folks at Demand Media used during a recent conference call to describe our little corner of the Web, and they have some possible implications for us. Why does this make me a bit uncomfortable? Report by Arisztid on October 28th, 2011 Ask. Answer. Report by Inducted Kitty on October 28th, 2011 O.K. yeah... Report by trouble slouching toward the Apocalypse on October 30th, 2011 International Variety Report by Mrs. Cleaver on October 30th, 2011 inquisitive informative Report by shunyata on October 30th, 2011 Fun and Addicting! Report by rose1980 on October 31st, 2011 fun, friendly Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 31st, 2011 Rich FYI I am no longer getting access to ádd a description´as part of the question...don´t know if this is an AB glitch or not:) gracias Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on November 2nd, 2011 Totally AWESOME Report by zoso1166 on November 2nd, 2011 Dynamic brain-cloud. Report by Little Prince on November 5th, 2011 Fun, mind-boggling. As to mature, I doubt it will be that again since the lowering of the minimum age limit to align with facebook. PS: I have missing comments again. Report by Gingerminx on November 8th, 2011 I may be mature, and I may be stable. Thanks very much. But despite these two qualities, I am still bloody annoyed at the continualy messed up presentation of AB on my screen. No I would have no trouble accepting responsibility for this - I'm an IT idiot. But AB appears in different styles seemingly on it's own whim. One is obviously the correct one. The other is obviously not - there's no link to log out for example. Perhaps the little logo DemandMedia have at the bottom of screens should be rephrased. Driven (badly) by DemandMedia. How(in the name of God) Partner. Just a suggestion. I expect the aggravating issues to continue. Report by MrWitch on November 18th, 2011 Engaging. Broadening. Report by LynfromNM on November 27th, 2011 Sorry to toss a wet blanket on the holiday cheer, but I notice that the missing, late, and disappearing comments bugs are still around... I think they're going into their 3rd year anniversary now. Have the site engineering folk just declared that they're insoluble, and will always remain? Or is there still some thought that someday they'll be addressed? Report by HasntBeen on November 30th, 2011 when I see comments have disappeared. I just add a comment of my own.. usually just a full stop. it brings back the missing comments. Report by Moley the contrary female dragon on January 5th, 2012
AB-Rich	September 24th, 2011 at 11:56 am Ghost authors? How would you feel if you spoke and no sound came out? We're now up to four Answerbaggers who are in a similar situation--their questions aren't appearing on the live feed on the main page, and worse, anyone who answers those questions find their answers similarly absent. If you'd like to help us track this problem down, post a question, then check the live feed on the home page to see if your question gets listed there. If it doesn't, please post here and we'll add your name to the list of ABers whose accounts have entered...The Twilight Zone. The lesson here, as always, is never use the word "temporary" when describing technical difficulties :). Thanks, Rich 68 comments \| Post one Comments OK, maybe I'm missing something here [it happens...:-)], but if, as you state, the Question did not appear on the live feed, i.e., the Happening Now Home Page, how did anyone see the question in the first place to answer it and be similarly absent?!? Report by ChuckExAnon on September 24th, 2011 There are certain categories that will never appear on the home page; anything to do with homosexuality and outside the bag come to mind. I always thought that this was built into the system as censorship. Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 24th, 2011 It's not a problem that greatly bothers me, because I rarely see anything more recent than 11th September. :( Report by Prunesquallor on September 24th, 2011 Bornabrit was unable to post a message on here so she told me to do it. This is her message: Dear all.. Many of us , when we ask a question, it does not appear on the homepage, although we can see it and others can answer it on our profile under our questions . Also, when they answer it that doesn't appear on the homepage. It's not happening to everybody, some people's new posts go to the homepage and therefore keep getting answered from there from the refreshed homepage. This puts at a huge disadvantage those whose posts don't go to the homepage. I've personally answered a lot of my friend's questions from their profiles and seen that the answers never appear on the homepage. When I answer straight from the homepage, that's the only time the answers show up. Hope this helps explain.. just do the test that Rich explains and you will know if this is happening to you.. Bornabrit Report by Andy B on September 24th, 2011 I noticed that my answers only appear on the Home page when I answer a question that's currently on the Home page. If I answer an earlier question, it doesn't appear on the Home page. Why do you think that is? Report by Andy B on September 24th, 2011 Questions posted by everyone are still added to the site; they can be accessed through notifications, friends' activity lists, the profile page of the person who posted the question, and via searching. But many people choose which questions to answer, and which conversations to participate in, by looking at the live feed. Thanks all for the info--the more we can deliver to the tech folks, the more likely it is we can get this fixed. Report by AB-Rich on September 24th, 2011 Some of the questions I posted don't appear on the home page, too. Report by waboo on September 24th, 2011 In my experrience, this happens on your third or fourth question in a day. I have always thought that this is how AB makes sure no one member dominates the home page. Hope this helps. Report by HoboJoe on September 24th, 2011 Wasn't she (Bornabrit) wrongfully put in the PB for spam before (and very recently at that)? I wonder if this has something to do with it. You might want to look into whether or not the other ones were recently accused of spamming the site by the AB Staff and put into the box for it as well. As for how I'd feel if I were in that situation, I'd feel awesome. I would love it if my questions didn't show up on the "Happening Now" page at all and I think it would be pretty cool if we could opt out of being listed on the "Leaderboards". Report by AnonymousGirl on September 24th, 2011 Here's one that I asked and got no responses to. Not sure if it's the system or the question itself. lol http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11261708 Report by LarryH54 on September 24th, 2011 My account has sporadically been "ghosted". Sometimes questions post, and sometimes not. Report by byankno1 on September 24th, 2011 I have become used to it that answers never post, or disappear, and later sometimes re-appear. answers of others sometimes are missing in alert feature.maybe the program selects it all randomly. I just am putting up with it. Report by shunyata on September 24th, 2011 This morning my questions weren't showing up on the home page. Just tried it and it went on. Bornabrit is having many problems. Maybe you could email her and give her some help. Thank you! Report by dorothybulls on September 24th, 2011 http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2577195 This question I answered of Bornabrit's just showed up in the Happening Now page. I hope that's a good sign? Report by AnonymousGirl on September 24th, 2011 Please note: AnonymousGirl last comment. The question she answered was an OLD question of Bornabrits! Report by dorothybulls on September 24th, 2011 One other possible culprit to look into: The recent drop-down ads that appear on some pages and not others. The drop-downs are a new advertising strategy, and I've noticed strange events with the Site since their initiation that were not happening prior to...events that I won't go into here, since they're not serious. I was just wondering if these new drop-downs are interfering with the otherwise "normal" operation of the Site. Just sayin'...another possibility for you to have looked into as related to this specific issue. And thanks, again, for raising the issue with the troops. Staff communication has been so much improved. Bravo! Report by ChuckExAnon on September 25th, 2011 My comments from yesterday are not showing and the Alerts aren't being made current. Report by rose1980 on September 25th, 2011 Update on Bornabrit: Both old and new questions are not posting on homepage today Sunday the same as they were not posting yesterday! Report by dorothybulls on September 25th, 2011 OK, this is what I’ve done and these are the results. Upon Bornabrit’s IM request to me, I performed the following: I answered her most recently posted Question, which I pulled up from her Profile Question Page. My answer did not cause her Question to appear on the Home Page and, for the same reason, my answer did not appear there, either. It does, however, appear in the thread attached to her Question Page line-up. I then posted the following “Test Question” of my own: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2581777 which did NOT appear on the Home Page. [which, not using protection, caused me to hope that Bornabrit had not given me an AB-STD of sorts! :-)] I then answered a few Questions appearing on the Home Page. No problems. They appeared in normal course. I then posted a second “Test Question” of my own, using a different category than that of the first attempt: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2581797 This one DID appear on the Home Page almost instantly. At this writing there have been three (3) responses. Interestingly enough, I rated and commented on all three of answers...but only one (1) of the comments appeared.. The other two (2) show “No comments”. Bornabrit [isn’t she beautiful...those gorgeous eyes?!?] is understandably frustrated...perhaps others, as well. She can read all this stuff, but can’t participate. She’s a real asset to the Site. I hope this gets straightened out and she up ‘n running real soon. OK, Rich, it’s all yours. :-) Report by ChuckExAnon on September 25th, 2011 Thank you all for your love and support...I am sorry BornaBrit for not responding earlier as all of this is confusing to me....and let's face it...pointless. I have enough problems in my life and I don't need any from one of the only places I have had any pleasure. Hey Rich...will you please delete my account? Thanks and goodbye all :( Report by Element-99 on September 25th, 2011 My early questions are disappearing out of my profile one by one. Every time I post a new question, it pushes another old one out of my profile. How can I retrieve my older questions and get them back into my profile? Has anyone else had this problem? Report by Andy B on September 25th, 2011 @Andy B: We only get a single page of traffic for Questions and Answers on a Member's Profile. Once you've reached the maximum on either of those pages --as you have-- the old ones are no longer viewable. A new answer pushed the old, bottom one out. AB may have them stored in their archives, but that's where they're going to remain...at least for now. We once had multiple pages, but no longer. And let's deal with one issue at a time, OK? If you have other issues, use the "Contact Us" feature found in "About Answerbag" at the bottom of every page. Keep in mind, though, these people are extremely busy addressing priority issues. The subject of this particular blog is the most important for now.'' Thanks, I don't mean to offend. Report by ChuckExAnon on September 25th, 2011 OK, ChuckExAnon, I see what you mean. I thought it was a glitch in my profile. Now I know what it really is, I've no need to mention it again. Thanks for telling me. Report by Andy B on September 25th, 2011 Bornabrit would like people to know that she is able to post using different categories as Chuck suggested. She is trying out different ones and said she will give me a list for others to try as well. She also noted that this started after the problems with the facebook like link that was removed and wondered if the two could be connected. Just somethign the techs might like to think about it. She appreciates the effort everyone is putting in to try and fix this very frustrating problem. Report by Gingerminx on September 25th, 2011 My best to all ( Be Well, Element-99, I'll miss you-- ) I don't think I am personally experiencing any of these circumstances of this thread but I don't ask many questions on the site, either. I am seeing various test questions, etc appearing on the site, so I hope that is good. I hope everyone's concerns get resolved successfully -- and thanks Rich for keeping in touch with everyone. Report by WelbyQuentin on September 25th, 2011 @Andy: Yeah, like Chuck said, older questions get removed off your profile after you ask enough. This feature is awesome. Hopefully they never change it to add every asked question since the beginning like it was before. Your old questions (as long as they were not removed from the public's eye) are most likely still around for public viewing. They just can't be accessed from your "Questions" page. @Gingerminx: The same thing occurred to me previously, that perhaps fixing the Facebook "like" button had something to do with this for some reason or other. It does seem odd that it would only affect certain people and not others, though.... @Rich: The last two questions I answered of Bornabrit's (which are very recent) managed to show up on the "Happening Now" page. Seems like progress is being made. :-) Report by . on September 26th, 2011 note that this question has no 'like' button' http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/548094#ans11268082 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 26th, 2011 sorry disregard my last comment...the question was asked by me:) Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 26th, 2011 @DA BEN: LMFAO...'cause I've been there 'n done that, myself! :-) Report by ChuckExAnon on September 26th, 2011 Yep, me too. Only it's my answers and comments that don't post. This morning I couldn't like answers or see comments others had made about my answers. Hell, I couldn't even get to this blog! Frustration is putting it mildly! Reminds me of something we used to say in the Army. WTF? Over. Still can't get to the comments.:( Report by trouble slouching toward the Apocalypse on September 27th, 2011 Now login have gone buggy. Again with Facebook butting in to make a 'joint login' (that dont dont remember and is not automatic). Maybe the lesson we should learn her is that adding Facebook to everything is not the best thing after sliced bread. Personally I hate the place. Marketing execs gone wild. Report by JakobA I^_^I on September 27th, 2011 Bornabrit is super and should never be in the P box Report by Patti jo on September 27th, 2011 I asked a question last night on purpose and it showed up on the main page and thats the first in the last 6/7 questions I've asked , so hopefully it's fixed now Report by Patti jo on September 27th, 2011 Bornabrit has been checking out the categories and the following is a list of the ones she is having trouble with: The categories having problems are as follows: 1:Out side the bag,first thing that comes to mind,this ot that,deep thoughts.( subcategories of outside the bag) 2: Relationships and subcategories 3: about answerbag 4: answerbag glitches &..all answerbag categories 5 life and society depending on the subcategory comes and goes 6 enviromental Report by Gingerminx on September 27th, 2011 Bornabrit has asked that I post the following for her: Bornabrit has personally gone through just about all the categories to fine out which ones do and dont go through the live homepage. She did this by either asking or answering questions and then watching the live homepage..the ones stated above are the ones that didnt go through the live homepage. So it would appear that she has put forth a tremendous effort to help narrow down which categories are involved in this problem. Thanks, Bornabrit! :):) Report by The Chief on September 27th, 2011 I echo The Chief's thanks to Bornabrit and all those who have invested time in figuring out clues and workarounds. We have a meeting tomorrow, after which I'll hopefully have some updates. Report by AB-Rich on September 28th, 2011 Please work on the comment box when you can , it takes me forever to leave a thank you comment or even just a comment , it keeps going back to the top of the page and I have to come back down and start over , in order to leave a comment ! Thank you bunches Report by Patti jo on September 29th, 2011 Hi, Patti jo. The problem you are having would only be an Answerbag problem if everyone, or a lot of folks, were experiencing it and it was being caused by AB Site programs or operations. Personally, I'm not having the same problem that you are...and I haven't heard that many others are, either. What I'm trying to say is that the problem may be with your own computer...the sensitivity of your touch pad/mouse, or the security system you are using, or your Internet speed or a host of other things. You may need to make certain you allow everything on the page your are working on to fully load, including the several ads, before you attempt to post your comments...otherwise the page will "shift" to the top while you're in the midst of what your are doing. I know it can be a pain in the a$$, but sometimes you have to be patient. I'm not saying that what I've written here is gospel...but it is what I've personally experienced in the past when I just wanted to get something done...on MY timing. And what I'm saying is that AB staff folks aren't likely able to solve your individual problem. I'm only responding here because I know that they --Staff-- just can't address every individual problem presented to them...and I just can't keep my mouth shut. :-) Stay well, lil Lady. Chuck Report by ChuckExAnon on September 29th, 2011 @ Chuck , Any help is welcomed and I thank you . After almost 6 years of being here I sure understand what the staff go through , thats why I said , when they get a chance ! Thank you so much again Your friend Patti Report by Patti jo on September 29th, 2011 My question also did not appear on the homepage. I guess I am in the "Twilight Zone" as well! Sad, sad. : > ( Report by Self Consuming Cannibal on September 30th, 2011 Update: the short version is that this may be expected behavior. As some of you have theorized, over the years there have been problems with spam users flooding the homepage, and some of the "circuit breaker" code designed to prevent this may be limiting what gets posted on the main page. I say "may," because the people who wrote this code no longer work on Answerbag, and tracking it down and fixing it--while making sure not to break anything else--isn't a quick job if you're not already familiar with the code. I reported this to the Demand folks on Thursday and they acknowledge that this is a serious problem, and are trying to track down developers who may still be at Demand who can hopefully provide some insight on this. When I know more I'll post again. Report by AB-Rich on October 1st, 2011 Rich i am having problems once again! When i push comment it closes and goes back to my question and i have to find the answer once again open comment once more to make the comment.Or my comment is appearing as an answer of mine. Report by dorothybulls on October 1st, 2011 To Patti jo, dorothybulls, Rich, et al.: Regarding problems being brought to your attention regarding the "Comment" feature. I just realized that there was a time back before the changeover that we were unable to flag/report comments. When the Site was changed back in late '09, or shortly thereafter, a new feature was added whereby comments could, in fact, be reported/flagged where Terms of Use (TOU) violations were thought to have occurred. Perhaps that new feature has gone awry and is causing folks to have problems posting their comments lately. Just a thought! Chuck Report by ChuckExAnon on October 1st, 2011 Well the question that i asked never came up on the home page, and never came up on the questions page either. it came up in the category page. i answered my question to see if it would come up on the home page what's happening...after some time later...still nothing. ...this is the first time this has happened for me. Report by Baba on October 5th, 2011 well it finally came to the Questions page after 43 minutes Report by Baba on October 5th, 2011 Still haveng problems when i try to make a coment it closes and goes to the question and i have to try at least three times before i can stop on comment and type. Can you help me please? Report by dorothybulls on October 5th, 2011 I am receiving alerts about comments that aren't there when I look at the site. Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 7th, 2011 and now my questions are not posting on the main page again...I'm not complaining...just trying to help you solve the problems Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 8th, 2011 does this help with the main page problem of questions not showing? Note the time of the order of appearance on the page, Activity Posted Philip_H9732 answered the question: What is the longest mount of time you have kept an article of clothing? 18 seconds ago XT answered the question: Research has shown that Answer Bag can be linked to _____________. 11 seconds ago Gratefully Me answered the question: Research has shown that Answer Bag can be linked to _____________. 3 seconds ago nest answered the question: Research has shown that Answer Bag can be linked to _____________. 2 seconds ago Scumop answered the question: What if you found out that God and The Lord weren't the same guy, and one answered to the other? 18 seconds ago Read more: Answerbag.com \| Ask Questions, Get Answers, Find Information http://www.answerbag.com/#ixzz1aJoZDRdL Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 9th, 2011 Rich please give us an update reguarding the problems that many others who are not leaving messages to make you aware of the problems. Today one more problem has been added. Some of my old questions in Alert that friends have answered go to new main page and disappear. Please let us know what we can do. Thank you! Report by dorothybulls on October 10th, 2011 I'm afraid some of these problems are a mix of new and old. Phantom comment notifications sometimes happen when you receive a comment but the post is flagged and deleted before you view it. When a link redirects to the home page, that's usually a sign that it has been flagged and removed; send a link to the question via the Contact Us page and we'll review it. Report by AB-Rich on October 10th, 2011 Thank you Rich Report by Patti jo on October 10th, 2011 @ ChuckExAnon, you may have something there , I may try to use another browser as well , I'm using Internet Exployer and I bet using Firefox would help . Thanks again , I'll try that @ Dorothybulls , you might also try using Firefox Report by Patti jo on October 10th, 2011 Changing my browser did the trick , now I can leave comments fast and easy ! I went to Firefox Report by Patti jo on October 11th, 2011 I have just posted two questions (about 15 minutes ago) which do not show at the main page.. One was in the category of 'Home and Garden', the other one in 'outside the bag > first thing coming to mind'. One has now shown up at the 'questions' page, but not on the homepage. The other one (asked first) has not shown up on both pages yet. I don't post questions often, but I have noticed earlier that 'outside the bag' questions often do not come to the main page (or it takes a lot of time before they appear). So I;m not sure if it is me, or AB. Sorry if I have said something that has been said before, I haven't read all 52 comments. :) Report by BloedEnMelk on October 12th, 2011 Thank you so much Rich for your suggestions. When i get a chance i will give it a try! And i would like you to know there are some very wonderful answerbaggers on ab who are very supportive. Thank you once again! Report by dorothybulls on October 12th, 2011 Not showing up in the live feed http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2595736 Report by my2cents on October 16th, 2011 my comment on this question disappeared:( http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/11357140 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 17th, 2011 I agree with Dorothybulls. we are not complaining we are trying to help you make this site better. Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 17th, 2011 Update: As patty jo suggested i changed my browser over to another and haven't had a real problem since then. However i haven't had much time on ab lately for a true test. I cannot wait until i do have the time! Thank you DA BEN yanggui for your help and support as well! Report by dorothybulls on October 17th, 2011 A question I asked a few minutes ago in Marriage Traditions isn't showing up on the Home Page. I've had comments not show up and a few answers but this is the first question that I've noticed. http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2598260 So, am I a ghost now? Or Lost in Space :) Report by Galeanda on October 20th, 2011 Only a very few of my questions are showing up on the main page...and furthermore, when I answered one of Rosie's questions from 'questions asked by my friends'..it didn't show up on the home page either. Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 21st, 2011 Galeanda I'm a ghost with you I think:) Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 21st, 2011 I just tried to report a question (/q_view/2597628) as offensive. And found it impossible, because the report div that pops up go UNDER the first answer so the submit button is neither visible nor clickable. The report divs for answers work fine. Current browser is IE. It should be supported ;) Report by JakobA I^_^I on October 21st, 2011 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 21st, 2011 http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2599153 this question runs outside the box the question is in. So much so, that I cannot read what is under the other answerbag material on the screen. This is happening to a lot of questions. Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on October 21st, 2011 Oh No! Rich everything was fine for a week after changing my Browser as Patti jo suggested. And now all comments are disappearing as Galeanda's are. Report by dorothybulls on October 22nd, 2011 I asked about this before but the problem persist. In Sept./Oct. I researched that I have asked apprx. 172 questions, out of these I can only find a total of 10 question left on the home page question archives. I can't find the 2 questions I posted on 10/26/11 on the home page message board. Needless to say it seems strange to me. It seems that questions I post dissapear after apprx. 9 hours and are archived to my page but not on the home page archives. I would greatly appreciate at least an answer even if it is to just disregard/ignore the problem... Beanss! Report by beanss on October 27th, 2011
AB-Rich	September 16th, 2011 at 11:01 am So what had happened... Greetings all, You may remember the mysterious appearance of Facebook likes alongside Answerbag likes in answers last week. Well, we didn't like (pun intended) those any more than you did, so they should be gone for good. In the process of fixing that last weekend, we broke the question categorization tool, but that's now back too. Thanks everyone for your reports, and for your opinions, from polite to passionate ;). Of course, we now have reports that the Questions page isn't updating; the workaround for now is to view the live feed on the home page, though doing so lets you view answers as well as questions. Thanks and happy Answerbagging, Rich 18 comments \| Post one Comments Sorry but you had those reports days ago and more than once. Report by Wellduh on September 16th, 2011 Thanks as always Rich for your responsiveness to the needs and opinions of the community. And for your diplomacy. ;-) Report by gtravels loves her life penguin on September 16th, 2011 Thanks for the update Rich. It's very helpful to know that AB is aware of these things and is working on them. I really appreciate that! Report by Mrs. Cleaver on September 16th, 2011 Thanks again Rich Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 16th, 2011 Cheers Rich! I am so glad to hear that that facebook like won't be back, it was a real pain in my sit upon. Report by Gingerminx on September 16th, 2011 Many thanks always, Rich. You didn't have to take the time to explain...but you did! That calls for deserved admiration. From the many...from me...you got it, the admiration, that is, including, as gtravels said, the diplomacy! Don't think it goes unnoticed. Report by ChuckExAnon on September 16th, 2011 Thanks so much, Rich! I'm glad to hear that you guys don't like those Facebook "like" buttons, either! This news made my evening. It's also great to hear, yet again, that you guys are on top of things and are listening. Report by Dot A.G. on September 16th, 2011 Thank you Rich! Report by XT on September 16th, 2011 Everyone thought i was making the problems up for attention! lol Thank you! Report by dorothybulls on September 16th, 2011 Please get rid of all Facebook icons! Do you have a concrete number of how many people use them? Are they just there so you look like you're up-to-date? Report by Mister_Bromide on September 16th, 2011 Thanks so much Rich Report by Patti jo on September 16th, 2011 Why are my early questions disappearing one by one off the list in my profile? I can see that my question about star signs - which I posted only about 2 months ago - is going to be the next one to disappear. I'm still getting occasional answers to that question. I commented on an answer to it yesterday and I am still waiting for more feedback. How can I retrieve my early questions? Report by Andy B on September 19th, 2011 Thanks Rich. Good call. Report by trouble slouching toward the Apocalypse on September 20th, 2011 Rich just to let you know i am showing that i have mail and there is none. Thank you for all your information! Report by dorothybulls on September 20th, 2011 My mute option has disappeared:( Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 20th, 2011 The '' Question '' button is still going back to Sept. 11 , 2011 ! Thanks a bunch Report by Patti jo on September 21st, 2011 What's the update on getting the current questions to show consistently? Report by Wellduh on September 23rd, 2011 we had a great converstion. why was this question answer line removed/disappeared. please reinstate Report by shunyata on September 24th, 2011
AB-Rich	September 11th, 2011 at 3:35 pm Temporary technical difficulties Hi all, We're aware Answerbag is sporadically available today, sometimes disconnecting and not allowing new questions to be categorized appropriately. Please bear with us, and if you notice any other odd behavior (apart from the usual oddness ;)) please post them here. Thanks, Rich 34 comments \| Post one Comments Have you any idea what's causing it? Report by Andy B on September 11th, 2011 Before seeing your new Blog, I had just sent a "Contact Us" regarding the problems I encountered, i.e., I am unable to pull up my Profile Page or my Alerts. When the attempt is made, I'm brought back to the Home Page. Good luck in the repair. Maybe it's the "terrorists"... :-} Report by ChuckExAnon on September 11th, 2011 I cannot choose a category for any questions ? Has this been addressed yet? Report by ARTICFOX700 on September 11th, 2011 Be patient, everyone. They're aware of the problem(s). They're trying to address it/them. Don't ask, or expect, explanations. Just let them do their work...Please. And thanks, Rich, for communicating with us troops. That's always appreciated...by most of us. Report by ChuckExAnon on September 11th, 2011 When I click "Profile" on the top, it's redirect to home page. Do you know what the problem is? Report by XT on September 11th, 2011 it also seems comment and messages, and questions are missing besides my points going backward. oh well the advertisements seem to be intact. Report by shunyata on September 11th, 2011 thanks for letting us know, Rich Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 11th, 2011 Oh, so that explains everything. Thanks for letting us know. I know I don't hold it against you guys, just so long as that Facebook "Like" button under answers stays away. Answerbag usually works like a peach (at least for me). It's great to know you guys are on top of things. ^_^ Report by AnonymousGirl on September 11th, 2011 My Profile and Alert pages can be accessed again. Thank you. Response time was commendable. Again, thanks for communicating with us about the problem(s). Report by ChuckExAnon on September 11th, 2011 Thank you Rich. Report by XT on September 11th, 2011 Thanks all for your patience and understanding, when I have more details about why this is happening/has happened I'll post an update. Report by AB-Rich on September 11th, 2011 Thank you for letting us know Rich. I agree with AG about that facebook like link that was at the bottom of the answers. So long as it stays gone I am happy. Report by Gingerminx on September 11th, 2011 When flagging something in the wrong category, the only choice for a correct category is "Adult". Report by Mrs. Cleaver on September 12th, 2011 thanks for letting us know Report by shunyata on September 12th, 2011 Note Inwits answer in the following question....the links continue right across the whole screen...(do not stay in the answer area). This has been happening for some time but seems to be more prevalent now:) http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2573537#ans11215777 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 12th, 2011 Categorising problem is even worse today than it was yesterday. How long before I can post new questions? Report by Andy B on September 12th, 2011 I can only occasionally see a current question. Most of what I get now are 20-24 hrs old. Is this a problem with me or is it one that you are aware of and are working on? Report by Wellduh on September 12th, 2011 (apart from the usual oddness ;)) I love that!:D Report by trouble slouching toward the Apocalypse on September 12th, 2011 I've just noticed other people are posting new questions, but it's still stubbornly refusing to display the appropriate category for my next question. How can I post a new question about snow? Report by Andy B on September 12th, 2011 The categorization problem is on the fix list for tomorrow--hopefully it isn't too complex. The Facebook Like vs. Answerbag Like situation might be tangled up in this too--more info as I get it from the tech folks.... Report by AB-Rich on September 12th, 2011 How did it get like this? Also, how come other people have managed to post new questions but I can't? I bet we'll see snow on the ground by the time I've posted my snow question. Report by Andy B on September 12th, 2011 @ Andy B Different browsers behave differently in many 'edge' situations. As an example IE will but borders on the outside of a sized area (increasing its effective size); Mozilla puts them on the inside (decreasing its effective area). Report by JakobA I^_^I on September 12th, 2011 LOL I thought it was my Wifi connection acting up again. Report by LarryH54 on September 12th, 2011 It isn't sporadic at all. It has been this way for about 48 hours now. Why is it so hard to fix? I am still seeing the same questions from 2 days ago and can't get any current ones. Report by virginiabay on September 13th, 2011 How do I categorise a Music question? It is not offering me that option. How long before I can post a new question about music? Report by Andy B on September 13th, 2011 Sorry to report no new information about the problem. However, you can categorize questions by entering a term in the category search box (e.g. snow) on the Ask a Question page, and access all categories containing that term. Report by AB-Rich on September 13th, 2011 Some members profile names are not showing up on the questions or answers ! Thanks a bunch Patti jo Report by Patti jo on September 14th, 2011 Category browse is now fixed! Thanks everyone for your input. Otherl tech problems that aren't widespread we collect through the Contact Us link here: http://www.answerbag.com/contact-us/ Report by AB-Rich on September 15th, 2011 What about the fact that we are mostly only getting questions from 9-11? Is that problem being addressed? Report by Wellduh on September 15th, 2011 Sure Rich! Report by aiar on September 15th, 2011 Will the question page be fixed? It seems to be stuck. Report by Gingerminx on September 15th, 2011 I don't think the profile name thing is true. I changed my screen name to " . " on purpose and therefore it looked like my profile name wasn't showing up to Patti jo. However, I purposely made my screen name like that. I believe that's what Patti jo is referring to because she thought it was an error and even told me so. It was just a misunderstanding, though. Not a glitch. Report by Dot A.G. on September 16th, 2011 New messages instead of showing as the topmost message on the page is showing as the last though the correct time and date is being reflected. Report by ENigma on September 19th, 2011 Seems it's still broken. The latest question at the top of the questions page was asked on 11 Sept. Report by RC loves ice cream on September 24th, 2011
AB-Rich	August 3rd, 2011 at 1:40 pm Related questions module When you're viewing a question, you may have noticed a "Related Questions" module on the lower right of the page. It's designed to offer suggestions for similar questions that may not be in the same category as the one you're currently viewing, and that you might not find otherwise. Some of you pointed out that this module would occasionally suggest questions that were...suggestive, like links to adult questions from non-adult pages. As of last week that should be fixed, but if you see any other questionable suggestions, or want to comment on the usefulness of the module more generally, please let us know either here or via Contact Us. Thanks! 9 comments \| Post one Comments I think it can be pretty useful. Perhaps showing questions from different users whenever possible would be nice. Thanks for the heads up, Rich! Report by AnonymousGirl on August 3rd, 2011 Thanks for the info Rich ! Why are pictures not posting , I love to add a picture to my answers ? Please Rich Report by Patti jo on August 4th, 2011 Thanks Rich! You are ALWAYS coming to our rescue. Ask Lex (who I TOTALLY trust now) to add me and message me when he has time. . Freedom00 Report by Freedom00 on August 4th, 2011 Hi Rich, the only thing I noticed it, that sometimes Questions posted are united with "similar" Questions posted before. I also noticed that sometimes such union is "incorrect" because the Question posted was maybe related but different in character. Report by shunyata on August 7th, 2011 PS: I also find "uniting" a NEW question with a question that was asked 5 years ago, because it is vaguely related, sort of weird or discouraging. Report by shunyata on August 7th, 2011 I AM VERY VERY ANGRY What happened to my answer to http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2329862 And WHO took the decision to remove it ? It seem to me that any non-incoherent criticism of Christianity is increasingly being used as a 'valid' reason to censor the site and remove comments, answers and even whole questions. If I thought this was a deliberate policy decision from AB management I would be even more angry. regards JakobA Report by JakobA I^_^I on August 25th, 2011 PS: the 'contact us' link have been removed from the bottom of every page. The closest I could find were a 'contact form' on the 'About Answerbag' page. Report by JakobA I^_^I on August 25th, 2011 I'm not sure that I understand why this is happening or even if it should be...but on the home page there are questions appearing that will send you into AB4Adults. This one for example: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2567883 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 2nd, 2011 Are we supposed to have facebook crap at the bottom left of each answer now (to be the first of my friends to like this)? I really hope not. Not only is the addition irritating but it might be adding to my lag since each of those links have to be loaded. Report by Arisztid on September 7th, 2011
AB-Rich	July 11th, 2011 at 12:08 pm Messages for the mods? We're happy to welcome back AB-Eric to our small stable of moderators! These are the folks who review and investigate your reports of inappropriate content on Answerbag, and work mostly behind the scenes, unlike our stalwart community leaders. When you submit reports through the Contact Us link, I compile and communicate them to the mods as necessary, but I think it's important to give you folks the chance to ask questions or voice concerns directly to the moderators, so I invite you to do so as a reply to this post. I'd ask only that you keep your comments general, to avoid this becoming a list of specific grievances. Remember, moderators can't fix bugs or add features, and to anticipate the most common moderation complaint (Why was X removed but not Y?): --Probably no one reported Y --Maybe Y is in an appropriate category for the content, X wasn't --X may have been posted by an account that was later nuked, removing all its content, even if some was valid --X may have become a venue for personal attacks or spam, and removed on that basis --We may have simply made a mistake. Submit a request via Contact Us, and I'll review it. I restore content that people claim was wrongly-removed, though I'm not able to confirm every action with an individual reply. So if you'd like to suggest ways for us to make better decisions about which content to remove and which to keep, here's your chance.... 19 comments \| Post one Comments I might suggest that moderators do more of a job of "policing" flags rather than simply just removing content that is flagged and then asking users to flag less if problems arise or flags are challenged. Most users are only flagging what they feel is unacceptable .. but they aren't always as well-versed on what is and isn't acceptable as mods are. Report by Mrs. Cleaver on July 11th, 2011 Yes, I agree. Sometimes the most innocuous questions are removed, and I know that many users are so tired of contacting moderators to get the decision changed that they are no longer bothering. Surely it's not difficult for a moderator to decide what is and what is not acceptable. In cases where there is a real difficulty in deciding, perhaps they could forward the postings to a higher authority. I also agree that the users have a responsibility to flag wisely, and not because they don't like a particular person or subject. The moderators could help in reinforcing that lesson. Report by Prunesquallor on July 11th, 2011 Don't Penalty Box people who don't deserve it. It has to be said. Report by Isaac on July 11th, 2011 Where do I begin. I spend a lot of time on ABAdult and I moderate as much as I possibly can. But not matter How much time I spend moderating, it is like the wild west out there. The Adult section has basically turned into the new craigslist. Several times a day there are people posting questions such as: -"who ants to naked skype?" -"Who wants to trade nude pics?" -"I'm looking to hook up with a slutty chick in Cleavland tonight. Who's game?" Also, many of these posters claim to be underage. I just saw a 12 year old asking for someone to meet him for sex! Now there are big problems with this. I can flag these questions, but even if I do, they are ALWAYS listed on that persons page. So if they post an email or msn chat name, it doesn't matter if they are flagged. Their message is still getting out. Also, the vast majority of people abusing AB in this way are first time users. They ask one inappropriate question and never come back. This can be easily fixed by making it so only contributors can post questions. For example: -users must have at least 5pts to post a question -users may answer questions immediately but must wait at least 5 days to post a question -users must answer 5 questions before they can ask questions. These are very simple requirements that would help to ensure that AB does not get a sleazy reputation as an online hookup site. If you are afraid of the site being less accessible then just do it to the Adult section. It is not really advertised would not be as noticed. Besides that is where all these problem users are trolling anyway. Another problem I see is duplicate questions. Now I realize that I can flag them myself, but I don't always know if something is duplicated or not. However when you go to flag a duplicate it will conveniently bring up a list of questions close to the one you selected. Sometimes with exact duplicates listed. My problem is, if the system knows that there are exact duplicates of questions, why is it allowing them to be posted. That seems like something the mods could be deleting behind the scenes. Oh well I guess that is enough for now, but I will post more when I think of them. Report by buster on July 11th, 2011 The best thing for mods to do on this site, I think, is simply to be more careful. I realize that there is a lot for them to go through, but they really shouldn't just be removing things that are flagged without any real investigation, no matter how tedious it is. And that is what is happening. I've had many answers deleted for no discernible reason, and I've been wrongfully banned on more than one occasion. I can appeal the bans and they get sorted out quickly, but I often don't notice that my answers are gone until months later, and by then there isn't much point. One way that can be improved is if we could get some kind of notification when our content is removed. I don't even get an email notification when I get banned anymore, I just have to find it out by trying to post a five paragraph answer. So, maybe if we could get some notice when our posts are removed, we could keep better track of it and hopefully that would instill some caution in the mods who otherwise remove content with impunity. Report by Talimze on July 11th, 2011 Hello everyone, Thanks for your suggestions on how to improve the moderation process. We'll keep trying to get better. AB-Eric Moderator Report by AB-Eric on July 11th, 2011 I would like to second Talimze's comment on notifications. There are several areas that I would really like to have notifications for -if a person is placed in the penalty box, they should at least be to for what purpose, it would be nice to be able to make an appeal, but at the very least you should know why you are there. -I would like a notification if any content I have added has been removed. I work hard on everything I put up here. I should know when it is taken down. -as an aside I would like a notification if my answer is chosen as a 'best answer' I know that technically we are supposed to receive an email, but that rarely happens. I don't see why we can't receive them along with alerts on other likes and comments. -also when I post in the forum it would be nice to receive notifications like any other question (sorry for the asides.) Report by buster on July 11th, 2011 Welcome to AB - AB-Eric glad your here Report by Patti jo on July 11th, 2011 @buster: I understand your concerns as you expressed in you first suggestions above. Regarding your one suggestion restricting brand new Members posting a Question, however, if that had been the case back when I joined the Site in 2008, I likely wouldn't have joined at all. You see, I had heard about AB on FoxNews, and I had a question in my mind that I was interested in for answers. I thought I'd give AB a shot. Then, when I asked the question --my first action on the Site-- and received answers, I decided to explore the Site further...and, BOOM, I was hooked. :-) What I'm trying to say, aside from the scoundrels that are lurking out there, there are likely far more who come to AB for an answer to a particular question and then decide to hang in here. I don't think the good folks, potential members, should be discouraged from posting their question by virtue of a hard-nosed restriction. The Site needs a flow of good members in order to grow. We just need to look for, spot report and hopefully zap the scoundrels when they show up. I do, however, respect what you're suggesting in an effort to protect our Site, particularly from the predators. Report by ChuckExAnon on July 12th, 2011 Hi there Eric! Welcome back! Mahalo for returning. We missed ya! Happy Tuesday to you! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on July 12th, 2011 I agree with Chuck. If Answerbag didn't let me post a question right away, I'd be turned off from this site (probably forever). Anyway, this is great news. Welcome back, Eric! Report by AnonymousGirl on July 12th, 2011 I do hear what you are saying. I know it is not a perfect solution, but maybe it can be at least a jumping off point. As I had mentioned earlier, maybe this could by implemented only on AB4Adults. Many sites have stronger security on adult sections, and hopefully the only people it would drive away are those looking to abuse the system. Report by buster on July 13th, 2011 @ Moderators: The only recommendation I have is to carefully review all flaged material. Inappropriately rejected material is frustrating. That said, I realize the sheer amount of flagged material to be reviewed must be phenominal and you have my respect for the amount of work that alone must take. @ AB Members: As a reminder, please don't forget that the Community Leaders are also here to help. We are not Moderators, which means (among other things) that we are not in the "flow path" for reviewing flagged material, nor do we get any messages from the "Contact us" link. But, unlike the Moderators, CL's are easier to access on a one-to-one basis via Personal Message to us. Do not forget that we are part of the resources available to you. @ Eric: Welcome back! Report by The Chief on July 14th, 2011 Welcome back Eric. I've been a very good boy since you've been gone.:) Report by trouble ... on July 15th, 2011 Welcome Home, Eric! Can you help me with a teensy problem? I am logged in and can view the home page and my profile and open and view questions, but no answers display. When i answer a question it vanishes. When I click on my question to comment on answers, I get a blank white page. No answers display. Has something happened? Thanks for any guidance you may have. Report by Chicago Lady on July 20th, 2011 Report by Chicago Lady on July 20th, 2011 Thanks all for the comments, and once again The Chief provides a much better summary and explanation of what we do than I did! Chicago Lady, sorry to hear you're having problems with the site. Our role as moderators and community leaders is to collect reports and evidence of site glitches and forward them to the tech folks. One of the first things they ask is how many users are affected, and when it's just one person, their usual response it that it's probably something wrong on your end, like a browser setting. If this persists, feel free to email admin@answerbag.com with more details and we'll do what we can to help diagnose it. Report by AB-Rich on July 22nd, 2011 Thanks so much, Rich! I am not the only one as I found other questions about it. However, it has resolved itself!! Hurray!!!! We appreciate all you do!!! :-) Report by Chicago Lady on July 24th, 2011 Notifications on content removal is a super idea. We had it 2 years ago, but then it stopped. Maybe it can be reinstated by just reconnecting that software. Report by JakobA I^_^I on August 26th, 2011
AB-Rich	June 8th, 2011 at 10:33 am Points dance We've had some reports that people's point totals are dancing up and down (usually down) unpredictably. We've seen this behavior before and are investigating. In the meantime, if this has happened to you, could you post a comment to this blog with as much information as you have? Thanks and stay tuned... 78 comments \| Post one Comments Thanks for opening up this blog! My points were about 1000 less than yesterday and the lot in the leaderboard accordingly. Report by Whitehair on June 8th, 2011 My points have dropped since last night. I don't know exactly how much, but around 400-500. Report by Booknight on June 8th, 2011 My points dropped 5,400 since yesterday. I always see my points go up early a.m. .. when Leaderboard is updated. Today for the first time, I saw them plunge at that same time. I always see slight fluctuations (50 or so) during the day, but never this much. Report by Mrs. Cleaver on June 8th, 2011 Sure. On Tuesday when I signed off at noon my point total was 120,085 (with a visit for awhile into 120,180 land. It has done this daily since forever and I can't figure it out why but who cares?). This morning, Wednesday, my points were at 117,293. I figured there was some sort of massive points adjustment and didn't think it necessary to even ask a question about it. Others have however so here we all are! Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on June 8th, 2011 I neglected to add that my profile is all I ever look at which is how I know the points i have on a daily basis. I know there are leaderboards but since I don't look at them I haven't a clue what they were and I don't have a clue what are. I assume they bounced around as well. Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on June 8th, 2011 i've lost about 5000 / to 6000 since yesterday. i had 32,000 ish now i have 26,000 something Report by The Anonymous Witch on June 8th, 2011 have lost two thousand Report by Baba on June 8th, 2011 I nearly hit 10,00 then dropped back down to 8,000 - darn! Report by Scotslass on June 8th, 2011 I was on 4200 and now on 3700 Report by Little Miss Sunshine on June 8th, 2011 I don't look at my points that often, but I have noticed this already quite some time ago that it can bounce up and down with a few hundred points in a short time.... Report by BloedEnMelk on June 8th, 2011 I think I lost about 5000 points Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on June 8th, 2011 I'm down about 4500 points. Report by gtravels loves her life penguin on June 8th, 2011 Was around 2,200, now around 1,750. Report by drequeen on June 8th, 2011 well I guess the wrath of whatever hit me the worst. darn I lost more than 15.000+ points overnight. Rich, the website cannot exist without members posting questions and answers. I actually made it my duty to answer MANY questions no one seems to want to answer, as a service to AB. I find it like a kick in the teeth having overnight taken more than 15.000+ points from my account. every time I look at your pic I am thinking, ' this guy is holding a german beer mug". is that so? I have a small collection of such mugs. their original purpose was to keep the beer cold. cheers chris I like AB, but I think members deserve some respect. I have written about the problem to " contact us" half a dozen time over the last 3 months. No one ever bothers to answer. My points are at a certain level in the morning than 100-200 less at night, every night. this however tops it all 15.000+points less, is not really encouraging me to make the ( profitable to AB staff) efforts to answer questions. Report by shunyata on June 8th, 2011 PS: I ask respectfully to repair the a) glitch and add the b) missing points of more than 15.000 points. I am looking at the leaderboard. it seems " only a few are being punished here". and it seems I have the greatest losses. to get 15.000 points takes a LONG time. so please correct the matter. Report by shunyata on June 8th, 2011 My points are 4,154 now. I have no idea what they were yesterday. Report by JakobA I^_^I on June 8th, 2011 Was at Sage and over 1100 points this morning now down to 986 and Brain Report by Echo141 on June 8th, 2011 I seem to have lost 2,000. I was at something like 17,490. Report by Prunesquallor on June 8th, 2011 Thanks everyone, and please continue to post. We have a conference call scheduled for tomorrow and I'll post any updates. Report by AB-Rich on June 8th, 2011 I'm down aroundI 1825 points. I was less than 200 points from 8,000. Report by J and B on June 8th, 2011 I seem to have lost around a thousand or so points. Report by Gingerminx on June 8th, 2011 I rarely check mine but I know the last time I did I was only about 2000 from the next rank. Now I'm almost 6000 points away. I don't know when the 4000 points disappeared. Report by Wellduh on June 8th, 2011 I remember having over 71,000 (maybe even over 72,000) something points and I now only have 68,000 something points according to my profile stats. It's not that big of a deal. It just struck me as odd. It's great to hear that you're looking into this, though! It shows you guys are paying attention, regardless of the people who make claims that you aren't. :-) Report by AnonymousGirl on June 8th, 2011 I was a Guru a couple of days ago.Since this question came up I'm now a Maestro again. What happened?. Report by level headed on June 8th, 2011 Yesterday I had more than 900 points (I can't precise it), today I got only 838. Report by Diogo on June 8th, 2011 Mine has dropped 50 - 100 points. However, shunyata reports a drop of around 15,000 points. http://www.answerbag.com/profile/1212798/ Here is a question with some posts on this, most with numbers associated with them: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2513765#ans10819061 Report by The Chief on June 8th, 2011 i dnt really keep track of my points so i wouldnt know :s lol Report by ian on June 8th, 2011 seems no one is down 15.000+ points like me. I mean really AB CORRECT THIS PLEASE Report by shunyata on June 8th, 2011 Hi, I was at over 20,000 points (cuz I became a Swami!), but now my points are lower now and I've been demoted to Guru! ;-) Report by Shemarq the Wamama on June 8th, 2011 Another disappearing question: Atheists, can you refute these arguments? by Jacobb 6 hours ago \| 11 answers Read more: Atheists, can you refute these arguments - search results \| Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/search/?q=Atheists%2C+can+you+refute+these+arguments#ixzz1OkFwE3u9 the url of the question is http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2514070 but that only takes us to the 'social sciences' category. Rather annoying as I had just spent almost 2 hours formulating and posting an answer. Could these disappearing questions have something to do with people loosing points ? (because the likes questions and answers get disappear with the question) Report by JakobA I^_^I on June 8th, 2011 Mine dropped from 9903 to 9755 in one day. Report by Stu B needs no COAT for summer on June 8th, 2011 Mine won't pick up - and I've never made the leaderboard, despite the fact that I rarely answer less than 20 questions a DAY. Report by Slartibartfast on June 8th, 2011 Yes,and my points have dropped by over 2000.That's all I have.Thanks for looking into it guys. Report by Charlie is a girl on June 8th, 2011 @JakobA, It had been rejected by someone. I do not see why as I do not think it violates the terms of service and it is a legitimate question. So, I can't say how long it will stay but I reinstated it. Report by Gingerminx on June 8th, 2011 yesterday it was about 2600... now it's 2400+ :( Please fix this. I♥AB! Report by Mr. Bean -ciccierrr05- on June 8th, 2011 I've lost 600 or so points... are people un liking my answers? Report by TallJasperMan on June 8th, 2011 For those reading through this whole string... You do not lose points to your total if people unlike any of their previous likes. Only the number of points shown on your questions or answers is affected when this happens. Report by The Chief on June 9th, 2011 Yeterday I had over 4450 points and answered more questions. today I open up and I now have 3600. Where are my 800+ points? Report by pintapride on June 9th, 2011 My points dropped 8,000 yesterday. From number 60 (29,357 points) down to number 99 (21,357 points) on the leaderboard. Report by waboo on June 9th, 2011 shunyata .. i tried to help you out because i was concened about you losing so many points . a google cashad page of the leader board from april 1st (6 days ago) shows you had 44,268 points .... you now have 31,735 you said you lost 15,000+ would have put you at 46,735 points yesterday . are you saying you actually made more than 2,467 points in 6 days ? wow .. i'm impressed . i truly hope you get your Correct amount of points back . ....good luck . ... ;-) Report by The Anonymous Witch on June 9th, 2011 sorry .. * june 1st* (6 days ago ) Report by The Anonymous Witch on June 9th, 2011 Ah, back up again - thank you. :) Report by Prunesquallor on June 9th, 2011 Looks like things are back to normal for me! Thanks, guys! :-) Report by AnonymousGirl on June 9th, 2011 not sure how 65 liked questions and 341 liked answers in the past 7 days relates to over 2,465 points in 6 days .. but it looks like shunyata got his 15000 too. i'm so happy for him .... ;-) mine are up too . not where i thought they were but they are up . Report by The Anonymous Witch on June 9th, 2011 It would appear that missing points have been returned for the moment, BUT there is still an annoying discrepancy between the numbers on the Leader Board versus the numbers on our profile pages. Which one is right ?? While the "point dance" is on the front burner, why not fix this discrepancy at the same time ?? Report by Ice man on June 9th, 2011 Mine seem to be back to normal now....thanks Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on June 9th, 2011 Thanks for the overnight work - whoever did it - mine look about right now. Report by Whitehair on June 9th, 2011 I'm back too. Mahalo to all! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on June 9th, 2011 I'm still trying to verify my previous point total. I'll post when I can prove my loss, but not before. Report by ConservativelyLiberal on June 9th, 2011 I seem to be back to normal, cheers! Report by Gingerminx on June 9th, 2011 Sorry to trouble you with this, I have not been on the site for the past month or so and I have just logged in to find I have lost 1,000 points and dropped 100 places on the leaderboard. As I am a supporter of the points system and have received them hopefully for good answers/questions, there must be a catastrophic fault, unless there is something else going on; hacking? Having logged on today, there does seem to be a technical glich, as they returned to normal!!!! Report by kaetalist on June 9th, 2011 Thanks everyone for your reports and support. While there weren't any firm answers as of the conference call I referred to earlier in this thread, since it apparently fixed itself, this has all the symptoms of a database synchronization issue. I'll post more info as I get it, and hopefully my next blog won't have to resort to site glitch reports to draw this volume of comments ;). Report by AB-Rich on June 10th, 2011 Interesting. I actually find this blog post quite accurately titled. They seem to go back and forth. They drop, but eventually do seem to fix themselves on their own. There seems to be a delay. Figuring out what that delay is might help you figure out the answers you need. I wonder if it's similar to the questions, answers and comments that don't show up right away, but are still there. Maybe we haven't lost any points at all. Maybe they just don't show up as soon as we want them to or consistently. The same can be said for alerts. There seems to be delays in those as well at times. Report by AnonymousGirl on June 12th, 2011 not so anonymous Girl. it seems no matter what is " fixed" points either don't move, upward, or they move upward in the morning, and by night they are where they were before. I just for curiosity watched the last W E E K. MY POINTS ARE aroudn 200 more in the morning, by night they are back to what they were a week ago. shrug. Report by shunyata on June 13th, 2011 Hi Spicy, not sure how that commentary about an offensive person got into this blog? anyway I went to that profile, and see no offenisve stuff. anyway, lol, meanwhile my points are "more" in the morning and in the evenings they plopright back to the previous day's count. I think the AB puter has a heat stroke? shall we send it a keg of beer? Report by shunyata on June 14th, 2011 Lost 3k or 4k for a few days. Now seems back to near normal/what I expected. Thx for checking this. Report by Fr Joe on June 14th, 2011 Why did I lost nearly 1,000 points overnight, and drop way down in the leaderboard as well? :-( Report by Chicago Lady on July 1st, 2011 Good morning, Chicago Lady. It appears that everyone got hit by the point system bug again last night. It's obviously a recurring glitch in the computer system. As you can see, it happened earlier, on June 8. They'll get it fixed, I'm sure, even though it may be only a temporary one...until they find the core culprit. Inasmuch as Rich may not be checking this old Blog traffic, I sent a Contact Us message early this morning, but most of Admistration was still fast asleep Pacific Time. And if they're on a long weekend holiday, the problem may not be addressed for a few daze (sic) from now. We'll just have to wait 'n see. In the meantime, CL, you have a good Independence Day. Stay sober! :-) Chuck Report by ChuckExAnon on July 1st, 2011 Hey! Last night my score was over 8,000. This morning it's 6,429. What's going on???? Report by J and B on July 1st, 2011 Ahh I am a geek :) I've been recording mine and Ombliss's points because we're having a points competition. (Childish, I know. But I'm winning :D!!) Yesterday I had 8,554 and today I have 8,230. Ombliss had 8,319 yesterday and has 6,848 today. To the big bosses who are gonna fix it: I would like mine putting back to normal. But Ombliss told me earlier that he likes his points going backwards and can it continue please? :D lol Oh, and I've disappeared off the top of one of the leaderboards too :( Report by JuiceWGO on July 1st, 2011 @J and B: Read my message just above yours. The point system glitch has been a problem several times in the past. Based on past experience, as soon as Administration can get to it, it will be corrected at least temporarily and your points will be restored. Remember, though, this is a holiday weekend, and Administration may not be on duty. @JuiceWGO: Too funny! :-) Two Members fighting for the AB World Cup! :-) Good Luck to you both! Report by ChuckExAnon on July 1st, 2011 Hi Rich, Just checked my points I'm down about 750 since yesterday. Seems like everyone is having trouble today as there are several questions posted about this. Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this. Thanks, 34th st. Report by 34th st. on July 1st, 2011 Here we go again, lost at least 600 points overnight. Will wait and see.... Report by Whitehair on July 1st, 2011 Same here, I just dropped a few hundred points... Report by BloedEnMelk on July 1st, 2011 I lost a few hundred as well. Report by Michelle on July 1st, 2011 Thanks folks, this should help isolate the problem, but if past experience is any indication, it should fix itself within a few days...then those of who who've lost a level title get to re-experience the joy of making it again ;). Continued apologies... Report by AB-Rich on July 1st, 2011 I lost 10,000 or so points, sir.. Report by waboo on July 1st, 2011 Rich, The bouncing points just hit big time again, today. Some members have experienced a drop of several thousand points, some not at all. Report by The Chief on July 1st, 2011 The points problem seems to be back, like others have said. I was excited to see that it looked to me like I almost reached Illuminati, but then I realized it said 69 instead of a number somewhere in the 70s. I wonder if it's a beginning of the month thing. Report by ... on July 1st, 2011 Well my points total came back after this seismic shift, but unfortunately they have gone down again. Yesterday my points total was 18,150. There was quite a lot of activity both before then and afterwards, so I was expecting the total to go up quite a bit. This morning it was on 16,001. Report by Prunesquallor on July 1st, 2011 Rich, Its just happen again, over 700 points have just gone for some reason!! If it isn't tough enough that the few of us left that like points struggle to keep ABers happy by answering and posting questions, we then lose all those hard earned points. I'm sure they will come back, they did last time. More on the future, no-one is answering the contact form and the enquiry I made about whether it is a good idea that if someone takes the trouble to answer a question, that you would automatically get a point is still outstanding. I have asked questions about this most people say they forget. Can AB also encourage people to "say thanks for the answers with points". To keep up AB revenues we need to get people excited again about the site, so can we also go back to people being able to give up to 10 points, so they can then decide how good the answer is. Also because there is so much disatisfaction on many topics can we get some campaigns together. We don't need minuses back though. Sorry to moan, look forward to hearing from you. Report by kaetalist on July 1st, 2011 yeah sigh, I had more than 50.000 + ( around 50.700 +)and now I am demoted to 33.000. sort of weird becaue most were only demoted a few hundred or a few thousand points. I can actually prove I had way over 50.000. I had a discussion in one of the question/ answer posts were we spoke of points and the " titles " one gets, two days ago. Please be kind and correct the situation. thanks. Report by shunyata on July 1st, 2011 2,500 ish points missing from me this morning, why bother having them? Report by Scotslass on July 2nd, 2011 Thanks, just logged back and have my points back! Report by Scotslass on July 2nd, 2011 Yeah, also got mine back, still would like to hear your thoughts about my points suggestions Rich. Cheers Report by kaetalist on July 2nd, 2011 Compliments to AB Staff, specifically Rich, for the the attention, communication and correction provided to the Site on this recurring issue of Point System breakdown. Go now, Rich, and enjoy what remains of this Holiday weekend. Report by ChuckExAnon on July 2nd, 2011 The more things change the more they stay the same. Ever it was thus. It is simply the ebb and flow of life. One day you're on top of the mountain..the next day you're down in the dumps. But the next mountain is just ahead! Happy Saturday everyone and Happy upcoming 4th of July! :) Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on July 2nd, 2011 Hi Rich, I don't much care about points, I just like the fun of answering questions, but since you ask, yes it has happened to me, 100 or so, which returned of their own accord a day or so later. IZZY Report by Izzy Eckerslyke on July 13th, 2011
AB-Rich	May 20th, 2011 at 11:43 am Changing labels... Few individuals have had more--and more diverse--labels throughout their lives than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bodybuilder, actor, politician, and more recently...well, I'm sure you can come up with your own labels. We have him in the "Movie stars and celebrities" category, which is pretty much a catch-all for anyone famous: http://www.answerbag.com/category/arnold-schwarzenegger_1437 But at various points in his life, if you wanted to ask questions about Arnie, you'd naturally look in sports, acting, California government, or the extended Kennedy family. My question, which builds off the previous blog about when current events become history: should labels evolve? Are they relevant on Answerbag? How would you have been labeled at different points in your life? 11 comments \| Post one Comments Child Young girl Young woman Wife Mother Survivor Old lady Report by RosieGHM Jetpacker on May 20th, 2011 I think perhaps the categories are necessary..and to simplify it just list their activities under the one name....ie Schwarzenegger for all of his activies. How would I have labelled my life child student teenager university adult older adult retired old:) Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on May 20th, 2011 Thanks for inviting input, Rich! I think the current category is fine. "Celebrity" pretty much covers everyone famous. However, you raise a good point. Once they are dead, do they remain in the same category, alphabetized by name? (A-H, etc.) I think they should. If you created sub-categories (living or dead) we would still search by name. Often I do not know if someone has passed, and think they are still living. So...I think the current category works. Report by Chicago Lady on May 20th, 2011 Young person, Teenager (cringe....) Adult Supposedly Adult Old person Old fart who shouldn't be driving Fat, Dumb, and Happy Are labels revelant? Don't believe so. For some it turns into a pecking order status game. "I'm a scholar", "I'm an engineer with a degree", "Well, I'm an engineer with 3 degrees", etc.... Do they belong on Answerbag - no. Report by Fr Joe on May 21st, 2011 I do not think they should. Informally we have such a division already, with questions about Arnold the moviestar under films, Arnold the politician under politics, etc. Fine by me. Also AnswerBag have been there for a while now, and things that were important to the teen should be left behind in its appropriate category. We all laugh at the ignorant 'Am I Pregnant' questions, but surely some of us have also asked it at some time :-)) Report by JakobA I^_^I on May 21st, 2011 annoying little boy young jock great sports athlete drug addict good worker Report by IronMike1488 on May 22nd, 2011 What's with all the questions that overlap the boundaries of the answer box and continue across the screen?...an example: this question http://www.answerbag.com/polls/nose-job-wrong-nose_2505062 Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on May 24th, 2011 Da Ben Dan, That question doesn't go over the boundary in my browser. Report by Gingerminx on May 24th, 2011 There have been times when (what da ben dan has described) has happened to me to. But, upon a refresh of my browser, the intended page is back to the way it should have been. And by the way, when I copy and pasted the link into my browser, it did not pull up the intended question, but instead, pulled up a category page for the "Health" category. Report by byankno1 on May 25th, 2011 I recently posted questions that were celebrity related, but not film/movie related. I was looking for a more generic category, such as stars and celebrities. I think movie stars really should be a separate category because there are some very quiet stars that really never achieve as much celebrity noise as the fleeting sex tape celebs. Maybe a category under Life & Society for generic celebs and then broken down as needed into Web, Music, etc. That way art questions and tech questions don't get confused with general celeb curiosity buzz questions. I'm sure Rachel Globus would agree. Report by Halliburton Shill on June 1st, 2011 what is happening with the mute button on comments...sometimes it appears and at other times nada? Report by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on June 7th, 2011
AB-Rich	May 3rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm Politics and modern events? With the death of Osama bin Laden dominating the day's discussion, I thought I'd point out that we have a dedicated category for OBL-related Q&A: http://www.answerbag.com/category/osama-bin-laden_6860 But this brings up one of the paradoxes of categorization. You might notice this is a subcategory of Politics and modern events--but how much time should pass before a "modern event" becomes "history"? We have no internal policy guideline on this, so we'd love to hear your thoughts! 6 comments \| Post one Comments Love it. Now all those questions can be shoved into one place and I will no longer have to view the people who celebrate a persons death. Report by Gingerminx on May 3rd, 2011 Right on Ginger. Good idea Rich. I will refrain from asking more " critical" questions, because I think people convinced me I MUST be more loyal to our beloved goernment, because after all thEY do know truth, speak truth always. the end for me on this topic. Thanks for putting all questions into the new category. I wish I could delete my old ones posted yesterday. cheers Report by shunyata on May 3rd, 2011 It's not that big of a deal. The following day after a historical event is history. His death is history. Weather or not to show his dead picture is still an event waiting to happen. Report by rose1980 on May 4th, 2011 The transition from modern events to history depends on your perspective. A professor of ancient history is going to have a far different view of modern than CNN. Personally, I would move events over 20 years old into the history section. Report by OldCW wears The COAT of the Cosmos on May 4th, 2011 Why 20 years? That seems rather arbitrary. Report by Stu B in white tie and tailCOAT on May 4th, 2011 My opinion? Play it by ear. Regardless of the historical circumstances behind OBL's death, so long as his influence is felt in his terrorist organization's actions, then current events will keep it alive. Give it some time and simply move it to a historical category whenever it "feels" right. Could be a week, a month, or a year. No rush. Report by The Chief on May 5th, 2011

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