Bring Out Our Dead! Pitch in to create a 9/11 CT Best Thread Index!

[Caustic Logic]

I received a finished page today with seven recommended threads. One was marked as questionable, and I agreed that it shouldn't be included. So that's six out of 250. That struck me as extremely low, so I checked out the page and found quite a few more that I would have (and have) included. So far, three of my additions have been in category 22, concerning psychology, logic, debate methods, bias, etc.; and four have concerned other conspiracy theories that truthers raise: OKC, Federal Reserve, etc.

Again, if in doubt, be inclusive.

Thanks. That's about what I've been doing. So far I'm marking yesses, nos, and maybes to revisit. It's 34 nos, 15 maybes, 3 yesses, so far. Need to consider the full range of categories better, and move faster since I'm set for some revisiting.

 

[Gravy]

One thing I didn't make clear is that I'd like there to be some keywords/tags in that column for each thread, preferably different ones than are in the thread description. Some people left it blank when the thread wasn't tagged. And the thread tags are sometimes generic and vague. Better ones can often be found in the OP or the first replies. This isn't a big deal, but anything that can aid a search is welcome.

 

[Dave Rogers]

MJD1982's endless thread "Conspiracy Facts" (http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84473) was on my page. I did not include it in the index thinking it was a (very large) pointless waste of time that no one really needs to be exposed to.

In fairness to a very large (and popular) thread if anyone can find a redeeming quality to that thread I will reconsider. (personally I think it should be buried and the shovel thrown away)

If I never see the word "propitious" again, it will be a week too soon.

(Oops.)

Dave

 

[Dr Adequate]

Have you got enough volunteers yet?

 

[T.A.M.]

I am about 60% through my page.

Likely will be done by week's end.

TAM

 

[Gravy]

Have you got enough volunteers yet?

There are 8 pages that aren't taken yet. I figure I'll do another page, and two people have asked for another if necessary, although I haven't assigned anything yet. Horatius is on his second page.

Assuming I assign those two pages, that leaves 5 pages unspoken for, 23 to 27.

After I posted my stats about this forum, Sword_of_Truth announced that he was done here. I PM'd him, saying "Don't go yet! We need you!" I haven't heard from him. Be careful what you wish for!

I am about 60% through my page.

Likely will be done by week's end.

TAM

Excellent. FYI, most of the finished pages I've received have had 21-37 threads. That should make for a good index that's fairly inclusive but manageable to read and sort.

 

[Gravy]

I've eliminated a few threads from consideration just because I feel it isn't worth wading through miles of sewage just to find a few nuggets of wisdom. For instance, one of Max Photon's threads had one or two posts of good information hid within 10 pages of garbage. I decided last night not to include it on the list because the overall worth of the thread was below the standard I was imposing.

ETA: JUst in case anyone is curious, it was this thread. Thermite Was Placed in Box-Columns and Spandrel Gaps to Heat-Weaken WTC Steel

Good! (I thought your selections were excellent, by the way.)

 

[Gravy]

MJD1982's endless thread "Conspiracy Facts" (http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84473) was on my page. I did not include it in the index thinking it was a (very large) pointless waste of time that no one really needs to be exposed to.

In fairness to a very large (and popular) thread if anyone can find a redeeming quality to that thread I will reconsider. (personally I think it should be buried and the shovel thrown away)

DGM

I agree with you. And as Christophera's "Realistice" thread, and many recent threads, show, popular does not necessarily mean high quality.

I wonder if MJD's behavior comes under the category of "malignant narcissism." He sure liked to see his own words repeated.

 

[Sparky]

Good! (I thought your selections were excellent, by the way.)

Thanks! I struggled with a lot of my decisions but I'm glad to hear that I apparently made the right choices.

 

[Magenta]

I can do a page if you still need volunteers, Gravy. I only just saw the thread as I haven't visited for a while.

One thing I didn't make clear is that I'd like there to be some keywords/tags in that column for each thread, preferably different ones than are in the thread description. Some people left it blank when the thread wasn't tagged. And the thread tags are sometimes generic and vague. Better ones can often be found in the OP or the first replies. This isn't a big deal, but anything that can aid a search is welcome.

Would it be a good idea for the threads that make the final cut to be re-tagged appropriately?

Given the shortcomings of the search function, tags can be a useful way of finding relevant threads *if* they're used consistently. But a lot of threads have no tags, irrelevant tags, misspelled tags, etc. It doesn't matter for a lot of threads as it only means they will sink into well-deserved oblivion, but it's a shame if threads with useful information become more difficult to find because they're not tagged appropriately. I know the spreadsheet is intended to overcome the problem of difficult-to-find information, but adding proper tagging would provide an additional means of finding things.

 

[LashL]

I have slogged through slightly over 50% of my page so far, and will be done by the end of the week.

 

[Hokulele]

I am making my way through my page slowly, but surely. I will probably finish sometime this weekend.

 

[Gravy]

I can do a page if you still need volunteers, Gravy. I only just saw the thread as I haven't visited for a while.

Thanks! I'll PM you the info.

Would it be a good idea for the threads that make the final cut to be re-tagged appropriately?

Given the shortcomings of the search function, tags can be a useful way of finding relevant threads *if* they're used consistently. But a lot of threads have no tags, irrelevant tags, misspelled tags, etc. It doesn't matter for a lot of threads as it only means they will sink into well-deserved oblivion, but it's a shame if threads with useful information become more difficult to find because they're not tagged appropriately. I know the spreadsheet is intended to overcome the problem of difficult-to-find information, but adding proper tagging would provide an additional means of finding things.

It's a great idea, and hopefully the forum taggers will be up for it, especially since we'll have the info for them.

However, we'll be missing a lot, even from the best threads, unless we're up for doing more work. Two people indicated "no tags" on some threads (one had 8 of 37 threads marked that way). I wasn't asking everyone to look out for that, so for everyone else there's no way to tell what keywords/tags on the spreadsheet were added by our participants, and what other threads have no tags, without looking at every thread again. Most people are well into their pages or already done. I will send a PM to those who aren't finished, asking them to start doing this.

Let's also start it with the new pages.
I haven't done my pages yet, though, so there are 9 virgin pages that we can start this with. When you see a "keeper" thread without tags, in that column on the spreadsheet first add an asterisk, then the tags you think should be there. I can then sort those threads and give them to the taggers.

Since forum tags are a maximum of three words each and are separated by commas, let's keep to that format. Assuming the thread has no tags, your entry would look like this:

*WTC 7 witness, John Doe, Silverstein, pull it, Daniel Nigro,

Again, the more specific the tags are, the better. Names of participants are particularly helpful.

 

[Dr Adequate]

There are 8 pages that aren't taken yet. I figure I'll do another page, and two people have asked for another if necessary, although I haven't assigned anything yet. Horatius is on his second page.

Assuming I assign those two pages, that leaves 5 pages unspoken for, 23 to 27.

I'd be OK to do another one if you give me a page number.

 

[Dave Rogers]

I've looked through a whole load of irrelevant dross over the last couple of days, and the strain is starting to tell so badly that I've even started responding to Heiwa. Gravy, is this a genuine project, or are you just putting us through some evil form of aversion therapy?

Dave

 

[Gaspode]

Thanks! I'll PM you the info.


It's a great idea, and hopefully the forum taggers will be up for it, especially since we'll have the info for them.

However, we'll be missing a lot, even from the best threads, unless we're up for doing more work. Two people indicated "no tags" on some threads (one had 8 of 37 threads marked that way). I wasn't asking everyone to look out for that, so for everyone else there's no way to tell what keywords/tags on the spreadsheet were added by our participants, and what other threads have no tags, without looking at every thread again. Most people are well into their pages or already done. I will send a PM to those who aren't finished, asking them to start doing this.

Let's also start it with the new pages.
I haven't done my pages yet, though, so there are 9 virgin pages that we can start this with. When you see a "keeper" thread without tags, in that column on the spreadsheet first add an asterisk, then the tags you think should be there. I can then sort those threads and give them to the taggers.

Since forum tags are a maximum of three words each and are separated by commas, let's keep to that format. Assuming the thread has no tags, your entry would look like this:

*WTC 7 witness, John Doe, Silverstein, pull it, Daniel Nigro,

Again, the more specific the tags are, the better. Names of participants are particularly helpful.

Let me know which tags you want on the threads and I can do those.

Tags should be as specific as possible. In the past I've used tags like 911 eyewitness, 911 hijackers so as to keep these separate from any non-911 threads that discussed similar subjects. Names should be in full - Larry Silverstein, Daniel Nigro, Val McClatchey. Don't include titles since these can change - Steven Jones, not Dr Steven Jones.

Tags can now be more than three words but tags with more than that will probably not be useful. The maximum length of a tag is 25 characters. Myself and the other taggers can add ten tags in addition to those already on the thread.

In addition to the Best Thread index I suggest having a specific tag for these threads, say Best of 911. Anyone encountering one of these threads by chance can then easily find all the others.

 

[Dave Rogers]

Don't include titles since these can change - Steven Jones, not Dr Steven Jones.

Now there's a thought. The last time I heard of a physicist being stripped of a doctorate was Jan Hendrik Schon of Bell Labs, in 2004, for falsifying research data. That's unlikely to happen to Jones, though, unless he actually publishes some.

Dave

 

[Gravy]

Let me know which tags you want on the threads and I can do those.

Tags should be as specific as possible. In the past I've used tags like 911 eyewitness, 911 hijackers so as to keep these separate from any non-911 threads that discussed similar subjects. Names should be in full - Larry Silverstein, Daniel Nigro, Val McClatchey. Don't include titles since these can change - Steven Jones, not Dr Steven Jones.

Tags can now be more than three words but tags with more than that will probably not be useful. The maximum length of a tag is 25 characters. Myself and the other taggers can add ten tags in addition to those already on the thread.

In addition to the Best Thread index I suggest having a specific tag for these threads, say Best of 911. Anyone encountering one of these threads by chance can then easily find all the others.

When I read the first line of your post I said to myself, "Who is this madman?" Ah, one of the League of Gentleperson Taggers is amongst us! That's nice. Thanks for the offer, the info, and the advice.

The "Best of 911" is a great idea. When everything's ready I'll create a new column for that and merge it with the tags column, so indexers don't have to type it in themselves.

ETA: I don't need to put a comma after the last tag, do I?

 

[Gravy]

Now there's a thought. The last time I heard of a physicist being stripped of a doctorate was Jan Hendrik Schon of Bell Labs, in 2004, for falsifying research data. That's unlikely to happen to Jones, though, unless he actually publishes some.

Dave

I barked out a laugh so hard at this that it startled the hell out of my cat, which dug its claws deeply into my leg as it jumped off my lap. I'll probably die of tetanus, thanks to you.

 

[ElMondoHummus]

Hey, Gravy, I'll take a page. It might be a week or so before I end up finishing it, but I'll do one.