MetaFilter

Welcome Kirkaracha: Our New Web Development Team Member

Yay!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 11:26 PM on February 9, 2024

Amazing list of curmudgeonly websites

I wish there were an automated way to load the last-known-good Wayback Machine link if a page goes down.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 12:44 PM on January 15, 2024

The Wayback Machine does have a browser extension.

Yes, I have and use it. It is helpful, but unfortunately it doesn't nearly do what I asked above, which is be an automatic fallback when a site goes down, either for days for years or decades. That would require both a way to detect when the important pages of a site go down (all too often sites don't just 404 upon death but get replaced by placeholder pages or error messages or blank Wordpress… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 8:52 AM on January 16, 2024

10th Annual MST Club Xmas Marathon!

We'll be glad to have you, JanetLand!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 8:16 AM on December 22, 2023

This is not relevant, but a short about the preparation of turkey came up, and the remark was "Google 'what are giblets'"

Giblets was the BEST EVER blog character, on Fafblog! And of everything rotten Google has done lately, their benign neglect of Blogspot means Fafblog is still online, preserved in amber from the days of Occupy Wall Street. I hope wherever you are, Fafnir, Giblets and the Medium Lobster, you are well.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:36 AM on December 22, 2023

You can have us playing in the background, and watch for bits of serendipitous noise. A villain monologues at you, and over the speakers comes the Ice Cream Bunny's HURR HURR HURR
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 4:06 PM on December 22, 2023

Yeah, it's always been difficult to introduce to people. It's just a sequence of movies, shorts and other videos you can watch along to. You can create an account, but you don't have to.

Everyone is welcome, even non-MeFi members, so long as they're civil and friendly.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 7:09 PM on December 22, 2023

Aaaah I'm recharged a bit and am building the list for the next portion. I gather I missed a number of people, thanks for stopping by!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:37 AM on December 23, 2023

The next section (about 9-10 hours) is some of the less iconic riffing, but also some of the funnier/weird Christmas items and MST3K's showing of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 11:26 AM on December 23, 2023

Ah, I don't see it? Where is it?
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:28 AM on December 24, 2023

Morning of the 24th, and the chosen content of the hour is Christmas episodes of TV shows! Most of them are cartoons, but there are some others mixed in....
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:28 AM on December 24, 2023

We're up to riffing tonight! We'll be watching the Cinematic Titanic version of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians in a bit!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 2:55 PM on December 24, 2023

We're very shortly moving in to a double feature of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and Santa Claus, both Mystery Science Theater 3000 versions! These are as broadcast versions, found on Youtube, so their pace is kind of lazy, but that gives you more chance to drop by!

After that we're planning for Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny, and then, the Star Wars Holiday Special, both Rifftrax versions. And after that, a period of extremely cheesy movies!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 12:17 PM on December 25, 2023

We're on Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny now, and around 9 PM Eastern time, the Star Wars Holiday Special
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 5:00 PM on December 25, 2023

After a couple of problems starting it (the SWHS always seems a bit cursed for us) it's underway. Happy Lumpy and Itchy day everyone!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 6:30 PM on December 25, 2023

Ah, one of the biggest problems with the marathon, one that we've always struggled with, is the need to be all things for all people, when experiences, preferences and expectations vary so widely between viewers, and time is merely linear.

For example, the entire marathon we had Letters From Satan Claus ready to go, a ridiculous horror movie where a young girl makes a mistake in addressing a letter to Santa and so many years later caused The Devil to wreak supernatural… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:52 AM on December 26, 2023

What we might try doing next time is a "hands-off" marathon. There is no reason we can't just construct a three day long playlist and let it go, only making changes as needed. It would reduce the work a little, or at least move it to ahead of time.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 2:31 PM on December 26, 2023

One sad thing about it all that I didn't mention in the big comment is that the absence of oneswellfoop really weighs me down sometimes, and especially at MST Club shows. People just disappear from Metafilter for all kinds of reasons, and sometimes they come back, but foop being gone, in the context of his health problems, seems pretty final. We all miss him more than words can say.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 2:45 PM on December 26, 2023

At the very least I think it needs to be reconsidered. Maybe fewer than three days, or with more people helping, or something like that.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:52 PM on December 28, 2023

Thanks for volunteering everyone. I might ask for help when we get back around to the holidays again, or maybe could try a test run on some other auspicious event? I've done a show the past two Electron Nights as a tension reliever, maybe when November rolls back around? Or maybe some time earlier?

BTW--I think we're doing our usual Sunday show tonight for New Year's Eve, maybe with a break for a ball drop if we can pipe a broadcast stream into the channel somehow (we've… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 5:15 AM on December 31, 2023

MeFi Business/Legal Update Follow-Up

Yay! The best of luck for all of us! We're doing what Reddit does not!

I could help a bit I guess? I don't have many qualifications other than being on the first go-round of the Steering Committee and helping with last year's fundraiser, and having some ideas.

My impression of being on the Steering Committee was a lot of people with good opinions, a little drama, and on my part bringing forth a lot of ideas that no one really had time/energy to… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 11:14 AM on October 18, 2023

MeFi Business/Legal Update

Will this mean it's more likely that metafilter will continue to exist?
Really, that's the fundamental thing I care about.

Think about what Metafilter is. It's a group of discussion boards with some extra stuff alongside, and a community around it. The site itself is important, it has a voluminous history that needs to be preserved, but not actually essential?

Even if Metafilter as a specific website or company… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 8:52 PM on October 10, 2023

Please note, in case I somehow didn't overqualify that comment enough, that I really hope it doesn't come to that. I just think that Metafilter is a lot more than its site software.

To weigh in on the switchover to being a non-profit, I've said it and before and I say it again, it's nice that we're doing it right, but also telling that Reddit is working on an freaking IPO, while having a gigantic volunteer workforce. I dearly hope that whatever law… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 7:48 AM on October 11, 2023

Up above I made a comment that could have been construed as against democratically electing a board, like happened with the Steering Committee. And I do still think that's an opportunity for some malicious group to swoop in and buy votes, not that I think that would really happen to Metafilter at this stage of the game.

But then a few other people said they didn't think a democratically-elected board wasn't a good idea, and I'm not sure I am on board with that either? I… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:54 PM on October 13, 2023

Hey, let's chat

Thanks to everyone who donated! (I am not saying this in any kind of official capacity. I don't have an official capacity. I used to be on the Steering Committee but it's still On Hold, and anyway my term is long over now. I can still thank people who donated though! The best kind of thanks are the unofficial and random kind!)
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:41 PM on September 15, 2023

2023 MeFi Fundraising Month

Yay! If there's something I can do to help with the fundraising let me know. We've had someone say they weren't fond of the crouton-meter though, but maybe doing something else? Another auction would be nice, maybe? It was really popular!

I don't know if it'd be okay for me to help with it given how MeFi is trying to reorganize. It still seems really weird to me that Reddit can be planning a freaking IPO with an entirely volunteer moderation staff but our Steering… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:03 PM on August 1, 2023

[MeFi Site Update] July 19th

Wow, harsh on the croutons. Eh, is okay though.

I could maybe help with the fundraiser again this year, if possible? The Steering Committee is still on hold, but the fundraiser stuff we did last year was mostly extra things we just decided to do.

At first I was a bit annoyed that the SC might be prevented from doing things as volunteers because of MeFi's legal status, but at least we're not doing it like Reddit, a company planning an actual IPO… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 1:29 PM on July 27, 2023

I've noticed the Twitter "nothing to see here" glitch happening all over the internet lately. Also, the most recent update of the Twitter app for Android changed it's name to X, which I took as my excuse to bin it entirely.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:08 AM on July 29, 2023

MeFi24 in 2023

While many voices from the early days are gone, sadly missed, some passed away, there are new voices here now too. Metafilter doesn't just have to look to the past, it can show the way to the future, that the web is valuable just for being itself. May some of the old folk come back, and may Metafilter survive and prosper for decades to come, or even, dare I hope, longer. I think it's the best place on the internet.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 10:02 PM on July 14, 2023

I am sad oneswellfoop isn't here.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 11:26 PM on July 17, 2023

GoFunMe

Playlists are limited to 200 videos, so it would have to be the most recent videos found in posts, not all.

This is not my experience, my Youtube oddity list DANGER RADIOACTIVE is much longer than 200 videos.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:56 PM on May 1, 2023

🔊🌐 🔊 MetaFilter Events: How it went in 2022, plus 2 standalone events

(Strong Bad voice) "It's over!" At least the Ryan North one is. He's so much fun to talk to and he packed the time with interesting information and stories.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 5:41 PM on March 29, 2023

We've now finished with the second talk, with Drew Curtis. It was great! Thanks everyone for coming by.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:33 PM on March 31, 2023

Metatalktail Hour: Well, obviously

Hey! Metafilter Events is starting talks again this TUESDAY! We're starting off with Ryan North! Here's the event link!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 1:04 PM on March 26, 2023

I was wrong! MeFi Events starts WEDNESDAY with Ryan North's talk, and FRIDAY for Drew Curtis'! Please adjust your schedule and expectations accordingly! Fortunately the Eventbrite page has always been right.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 7:19 PM on March 26, 2023

Last call for SC nominations

I'm on the SC, and I don't feel burnt out. I think SC members largely pick their own commitment level. I can't put a huge amount of time into it because of other things. I have to draw strong boundaries because of them and my financial situation. (I honestly feel like I've slacked off, but the way I see it, that's why there's 12 positions, to dilute the responsibility.)
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 12:44 AM on March 24, 2023

That's pretty much how I see the position, snofoam? Most of the things that I've seen done haven't been things we have to do, but things we want to do? If I was being asked to put my name up to be elected to do tasks that had to be done I wouldn't have nominated myself, I couldn't have nominated myself. I feel like the expectation upon SC members as seen here is in excess of the reality, but then I've always been a pretty laid back member.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:05 PM on March 24, 2023

Like, the fundraiser felt like a major responsibility and the site might stop existing without it, so we jumped in. I didn't see it as much as our responsibility as something we should do, especially since the fundraiser that usually happened in November was put off because of the elections.

On that subject. Statements that the site is still in crisis are technically true in the sense that donations naturally trail off over time, and we don't have many… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:46 PM on March 24, 2023

March is Steering Committee election season

There are some people on the Steering Committee who put in an amazing amount of time and energy. Myself (I'm sticking on for the next term), I'm a lot more laid back, and mostly just try to help people out who need it. This time that meant I helped a lot with Events, which I found out I kind of enjoy and am doing more with for the upcoming season, this time actively looking for new people to talk with (and we have some GREAT people for that, I can't believe some of the people who said yes so far,… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 8:24 AM on March 2, 2023

I think, regarding the SC (and speaking for myself, not the other members), that some of us have spent a lot more time on it than others? Not to speak against the slackers, by no means, I myself am one of them, out of necessity. But there are some who, alternatively, have poured their souls into it.

I don't think all of us put in 10 hours a week. I think the efforts of those of us who have put in a lot of time are kind of giving the impression that all… [more]
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 11:02 AM on March 3, 2023

Open Gaming Thread: What are you playing right now?

I've been playing a good amount of No Man's Sky, which is pretty good, although I think Starflight still did it better and also fit on one floppy disk. And I've been playing more Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch. Literally slapping hordes of monsters silly as a gigantic 8-bit Zelda fairy never seems to get old, which is good, because that game has over a thousand levels.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:10 PM on February 17, 2023

surlyben, I did a Q&A with the developer of Sailwind for Gamasutra (now Game Developer) just over a year ago!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 5:30 AM on February 18, 2023

fleacircus I'm still playing ACNH! If you want to come over to my island sometime and get recipes, art, cash or other things let me know! I'll visit your island too/instead at your option, if you want!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 4:27 PM on February 19, 2023

I really hate that mobile games fall out of support so fast, and once they do it's not only essentially impossible to play them but it's even as if they never existed, app stores frequently just hide things that aren't for your device. 100 Rogues? Unplayable, invisible. Defense of the Oasis? Unplayable, invisible. Completely disposable software, absolutely gone now, Apple simply doesn't care if we loved it it's not the newest and latest.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 4:58 PM on February 20, 2023

The Korok seed subquest is one of the most ridiculous things Nintendo's ever put into a game. There's 900 of them! (Of course, there's 1,000 moons in Super Mario Odyssey!)
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 3:50 PM on February 21, 2023

SaltySalticid, you could play cortex's own Ennuigi.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:03 PM on February 23, 2023

Oh no! We played a lot of redactle last year, I'm sorry to see it go if it has in fact died.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:17 AM on March 1, 2023

Best of the Web anniversaries and transcripts

I've been following the podcast quite a bit lately, it's great to listen to while Doordashing!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 9:08 PM on February 17, 2023

Wow. That's almost but not quite entirely unlike an episode of the podcast.
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 2:01 PM on February 24, 2023

New Moderation Team Member

Hey! Congrats and welcome!
posted to MetaTalk by JHarris at 5:42 AM on February 16, 2023