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When to frontpage a node?

by jeroenes (Priest)
on May 31, 2001 at 13:21 UTC ( [id://84500]=monkdiscuss: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??

As I noticed before, there is no real standard for when to frontpage a node, and I feel this is not sufficient. This morning I asked in CB why a particular node was frontpaged, and it appeared some monks have really different 'rules' for frontpages than I have (some others act similar).

My ruleset goes like:

  1. I 'OK' a node if it's properly formatted, doesn't feel trollish and it is posted in the right section. If it's not, I go to CB and ask for other opinions. I may move it thereafter. or consider it.
  2. I do not normally frontpage a node.
  3. If a node is really something of special beauty or importance, I frontpage it. If I'm not sure, I go to CB for more opinions.
  4. I never frontpage my own nodes, as frontpaged nodes have an unfair headstart.

The other monk said he frontpaged a node because he didn't know the answer and didn't see any replies.

As always, the truth lies in the middle, and I'm probably too restrictive. So, what do you think?

Jeroen
"We are not alone"(FZ)

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
(boo) HOWTO : approve and front page new nodes
by boo_radley (Parson) on May 31, 2001 at 17:04 UTC
    I'll frontpage a node if it makes me say "That's a good question", whether or not I know the answer. This typically doesn't apply to FAQish bits, although at this point I acknowledge the need to repeat FAQ questions once in a while.
    For SoPW, I tend to favor questions that have focus on one particular interest or concern. An example would be Win32::API access violation, though I didn't fp it.

    Meditations are a little less clear, typically most thought provoking posts -- things that really do inspire some meditation on a topic. I think meditations is the appropriate section for golfing, since golf inspires very deep thought about (typically) trivial problems and the way the language works.

    I have not approved or frontpaged any discussion node that talks about voting unfairness, votes or other sensitive topics. I still believe in the school of dice-rolling and knock-taking, and besides, what does it matter in the end, eh?
    Most suggestions for improvements are approved. Ones that are innovative or profound make the front page. Things that point out hidden alcoves and sliding bookcases in the monastery are also good.

    I don't frontpage my own nodes.

Re: When to frontpage a node?
by Masem (Monsignor) on May 31, 2001 at 16:58 UTC
    As pointed out by others, the frontpage is the first page that a new user to PM is going to see. Thus, we want stuff that will make sure the new user will appriciate and get a good idea what PM is all about; it may not be the most interesting posts, nor high in reputation, but it should be typical of what PM is. Thus, a SOPW question that may not be FAQish but may not be 'challenging' to advanced monks but is a good question for the beginner to intermediate program to ask and get answers from is a good front page item. Interesting JAPHs or ObFu are good as well, as well as discussions/mediations about programming perl in general (PM specific discussions I'd be a bit wary on, unless someone outside of PM would benefit from.).

    Of course, part of the problem is that is seems to only require one level 6+ monk to frontpage a node. It makes sense for one monk to give the OK or not, but I think it would make better sense that nodes to be frontpaged have to have at least 5 monks (for example) give their agreement in this aspect. This would allow for more freedom in assigning a node as frontpage, while having a bit of democratic process in deciding how the frontpage should look.


    Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com || "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain
      I can't approve yet, but I like your idea of multiple monks approving a node before it is FP'd.

      Stuffy
      That's my story, and I'm sticking to it, unless I'm wrong in which case I will probably change it ;~)
Re: When to frontpage a node?
by tomhukins (Curate) on May 31, 2001 at 14:00 UTC

    I don't yet have enough experience to place nodes on the front page, so my views aren't based on experience.

    When I first discovered Perl Monks, I visited it by going straight to the home page. I assumed that all nodes would be listed there, as there's no indication that the topics covered have been deemed important. After a while I discovered Newest Nodes, and realised that nodes only appear on the front page after they have been approved.

    So, if fewer nodes are approved on the front page, some newcomers might think that there isn't much going on at Perl Monks.

    On the other hand, I like the idea of having something between Newest Nodes and Best Nodes, that contains the most interesting posts. If the front page serves this purpose, the front page should contain a notice clearly stating this, with a pointer to Newest Nodes for newcomers who want to read more.

    Of course, all this is IMHO, and assuming that vroom and others have infinite time to modify this site according to users' whims. ;-)

      In theory, the various sections, Snippets Section, Perl Monks Discussion, etc., are supposed to take care of this. All the approved but not front-paged nodes land here. In practice, I spend all my time looking through Newest Nodes -- which includes dangerous unapproved material (ooh!) -- and almost never use the other sections.

      On the other hand, things that land on the front page are virtually guaranteed to go stratospheric (or infernal) with the voting. One monk mentioned the time he promoted a reaped node to the Front Page and it promptly went from -6 to +1. As such, promotion to the front page is really like a super double pumped-up-on-steroids ++, so should be treated that way.

      (I also, am speaking only from the receiving end of this, as I have miles to go before I can approve.)

Automatic OK? (was Re: When to frontpage a node?)
by Albannach (Monsignor) on Jun 01, 2001 at 22:23 UTC
    The front page question has been covered, but I'd like to add a question on node approval. Would it not make sense that a node with one or more replies from monks (or maybe even some threshold positive reputation) be automatically approved? I've seen a lot of unapproved nodes with good questions and good answers, and unless I'm mistaken (please correct me), an anonymous monk can't even see the answer unless it has been approved.

    --
    I'd like to be able to assign to an luser

      AnonyMonk can see them via Newest Nodes, by searching, or even via "his" list of write-ups, just like the rest of us.

      "He" is unlikely to know much about these ways of finding the replies and he can't modify his User Settings to allow him to see unapproved content from the main sections pages [ nor to get /msg'd when a reply happens (and he'd have to use private message xml ticker or a client that uses that to get the /msg, and then beat all of the other AnonyMonks to it) ].

      I'm ambivalent toward the idea of automatic approval (trolls could even trigger the auto-approve intentionally). I'd just rather higher-level monks pay more attention to this part of their job. (:

              - tye (but my friends call me "Tye")

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