Architect's Rants

I receive an Email... it is a new User that has joined one of our Communities, but wait, another Email follows - this one a rejection of their Registration from a mail host - the mail host did not recognize the Email of the user. I did a little investigation by tracking the IP of the person online since they are still in the mode of Registering. It so happens that the host rejected the Email because they put a typo in their Email address while Registering, so it went to the wrong host. Now, I was about to send them an Email telling them that the reason they will not be able to access our Community is because of the mistake. However, after some thought I did not bother, why should I? Time is money, I could be doing something better, actually I have LOTS to do! On the Registration form it says to enter your Email TWICE and check it over to make sure it is CORRECT. Now the same user is wasting lots of time trying to figure out why they did not get the validation Email. Even now they are trying to Post without even looking for a validation Email - what does this mean - they did not read a thing, just joined and was hoping to "say something". Thanks goodness they did not join, such ignorance should not be rewarded with seeing their nonsense perpetuated on our Community. Read and enter the fields correctly and stop making yourself look... you know.

It amazes me how easily offended users on the net can become when they read something not even addressed to them. I know they are offended because of the angry tone of their words. They become sarcastic and begin to attack the person who made whatever statements that upset them. People using the net need to understand that the world does not revolve around them and that everyone is entitled to a view point no matter how differing it is to your view. Granted, direct insults should never be accepted, and I wonder why some Administrators allow this to perpetuate and grow in any Discussion.

I run a Community where guests are allowed to comment on Topics they are interested in without becoming a Member. This 'extra' anonymity makes them feel they can bash other responses within the Thread with some kind of authority on the subject as though they were experts. The funny part about it, that is not really comical at all, is they cannot spell to save their life! I was never a great speller and I rarely check my grammar simply because there is just too much for me to do online. However, if I were going to add input to a Topic on a Constructive Community as though I knew something about it then I would at least check my spelling, so I don't look like a dummy. I guess the anonymity makes all text ills justifiable though, right?

Running a host is more difficult than running a busy site. I say this because updates cause you to rethink the way people use your website. Recently, I was having problems with some code on certain interactive sites. After about a day and a half of checking it came down to an automated script that updated itself and in turn disabled another script that became incompatible because of the update. One big solution for this is to check and re-check your logs often regardless to whether the information you get there seems repetitive. Sometimes one line of errors out of a thousand lines of errors may give the solution to a big problem or future problem. Another thing to do is regular visit your sites. You will be surprised to find that the latest update on a server has disabled the functionality on a site, and I'm not only talking about scripted sites, but static ones too!

By the number of messages you see online with someone saying they are "Looking For Friends", you have to wonder what has happened to real interpersonal interaction? Mostly teenagers or early adults are the ones asking for friends in such a direct way. I say direct because usually you enter a community and friendships are built gradually and naturally as people get to 'know you' online, but the "Looking For Friends" user seems to have no qualms about declaring the reason for his / her participation.

A key reason for this may be due to the fact that the computer allows you to 'appear' friendly to someone who may not want to be friends with you. In a typical community you can place a avatar that makes you look handsome, strong or heroic. You can then build yourself up to 'be' something of a societal ideal when in person most may see you as the known loser. The Looking for Friends user will often seek after people who are ready to instantly appease their needs. If things become too complicated or questionable then they move on. A basic example of this is debate. Looking for Friends is not interested in sensible topics, most times topics about self are more entertaining, so long as they are not critical. If you do decide to take on a user who is Looking for Friends, then you need to be agreeable and complimentary, answer their post in an instant and be sure to say how much you like them on the way out.

So, know anyone 'Looking for Friends' online?