« first day (160 days earlier)      last day (4846 days later) » 
00:00 - 03:0003:00 - 06:0006:00 - 16:0016:00 - 20:0020:00 - 22:0022:00 - 00:00

Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
10:00 PM
I just get hung up on the fact that stackoverflow.com is he original coding related site, and so the meta site suggests it's just for meta discussions on that site
 
Tim Stone
Tim Stone
@Pekka I thought the answer to that was "Try hard, because we're not going to tell you the specifics"?
 
Pekka
Pekka
@TimStone oh, it is? Well, that would suck.
I thought I had seen some metrics once
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
9
A: Stop special-casing Stack Overflow's meta.

Michael MrozekIf I understand it correctly, meta.SO is really meta.SE -- it's the meta for all sites. The only reason it's not at meta.SE is that meta.SE already exists -- it's the meta for SE1 sites. Rather than evict the existing meta.SE, they just left meta.SO alone, but it's intended as the meta for all SE...

 
Zypher
Zypher
@Pekka IIRC it's ask and/or answer 10 quetions
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
Seems just a byproduct of the way the network evolved, and I need to get over my interpretation of semantics ;)
 
Pekka
Pekka
10:01 PM
@Zypher fair enough, thanks, that explains why I haven't fulfilled my Graphics.SE commitment yet
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
Thanks, Michael, Lance.
 
radp
radp
@JoostSchuur It is probably, and that's the exact reason why MSO can't be MSE
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
1
Q: What is the exact commitment when commiting to an area51 site?

Lance RobertsI've lost whatever reference I had for what I actually committed to when I committed to Web Applications. Could someone either point me to it, or post the text, so I can keep up my end of the deal?

support area51 commitment-phase faq-proposed
 
radp
radp
That said I wonder what'd happen if I made a "Stack Exchange" proposal on Area51.
I guess it'd be closed as duplicate, although it'd be the "proper" way to make a "real" capital.
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@MichaelMrozek OK, you've got another bronze badge now.
 
radp
radp
10:04 PM
(besides, I mean, meta.stackexchange.stackexchange.com -- priceless.)
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur No, you need to accept that SO is not only the first but also the best site in SE.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
Why do people post programming questions on Meta?
 
Shog9
Shog9
@ChrisF Same reason they post stupid questions on SO - they're stupid.
 
Tim Stone
Tim Stone
@ChrisF This has always confused me too. How do they even end up there?
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
@ChrisF It's really rare, but there were two today for some unexplained reason
 
radp
radp
10:05 PM
@Shog9 Definitely the one that needs the most kool aid when it comes to scalability
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
@MichaelMrozek I just helped close another
 
radp
radp
btw my global inbox just reset
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
@ChrisF Oh yeah, I hadn't seen that one. Weird
 
radp
radp
I hope that doesn't mean I missed notifications in one of the 34 sites.
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
More importantly, all three were closed by a mod and yet none were migrated to SO :)
 
Shog9
Shog9
10:06 PM
@radp I'm uncomfortable with your use of "kool aid"; do you mean "sugar water / empty carbs" or "Jim Jones suicide drink"... ?
 
radp
radp
@Shog9 I give no special meaning to the term; I've seen it used as "something special kids need to function normally"
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
@Shog9: Well... My point in this question I'm about to post is that as the network grows to encompass sites covering topics with a wider array of ways to express an opinion in both the question and answer, editing makes it seem like people are saying things they don't mean, because it's not easily viewable who said what unless you view the diffs, which are hidden on other pages.
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Pekka, when you get back to the room, scroll up a dozen or so messages from this one, and you'll see the link you want for the A51 commitment requirements.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
@MichaelMrozek I had to check, but the migrate to any site option is available on the SE 2.0 metas.
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur If it makes you feel any better, there are a fair number of people who are uncomfortable with editing on SO as well (we keep them in the basement though)
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
10:08 PM
@ChrisF Only?
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@JoostSchuur hidden?
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
@MichaelMrozek Not a mod on any of the original sites so I can't check there
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
@shog9: I'd ask you to upvote my comments on the atheism site then, but I think that's called vote shopping ;)
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@Shog9 I don't think he knows about the jonestown incident
 
Shog9
Shog9
@drachenstern That's a shame.
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
10:09 PM
Hidden in the sense that while you can easily get to it by clicking on the link, it's still not very in your face when you just read the questions.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
Jonestown
Jonestown was the informal name for the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, an intentional community in northwestern Guyana formed by the Peoples Temple, an American cult led by Jim Jones. It became internationally notorious when, on November 18, 1978, 918 people died in the settlement as well as in a nearby airstrip and in Georgetown, Guyana's capital. The name of the settlement became synonymous with the incidents at those locations. A total of 909 Temple members died in Jonestown, all but two from apparent cyanide poisoning, in an event termed "revolutionary suicide" by Jones and som...
@JoostSchuur here we prefer the term rep whoring :p **JOKE**
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
At least personally, I'm so accustomed to reading questions, I don't give it much of a thought as to who may have provided an edit in the text.
 
Tim Stone
Tim Stone
@drachenstern The disclaimer is always the most important part. :P
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@JoostSchuur neither is the wikipedia link for history
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
@drachenstern: Yeah. I'm trying to be open minded on the particular point in the original question I asked, but at the same time, I do want to get a sense of who else agrees with me
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
10:11 PM
and I usually assume it hasn't got a lot of controversy behind the article
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur Nor should you. The point of editing isn't to create some sort of puzzle for future readers, it's to improve their experience. That's why the original author has a one-click rollback ability.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
So the hard and fast rule is this: if someone edits your question and it's not on meta (special case due to mod tags) and you disagree, roll it back. If they keep editing it "for you" then flag it for a mod to lock it. That's the only rule there can be on edits.
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
I was thinking about edit wars and the policy about reverting edits too. I haven't reverted it yet.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
why oh why doesn't this page.Master already have jQuery included???
NEEDS MOAR JQUERY
 
Tim Stone
Tim Stone
@drachenstern Because it's a blight on the earth.
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
10:13 PM
Specifically, someone edited my question with the rules that responses should be one book per answers. I disagree with that, because I don't want people to think I want to limit them in their answers.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@TimStone indeed
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur IMHO, edit wars are almost always over-hyped. They only get interesting when the OP writes something monumentally stupid and then loses it when corrections are made.
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
I understand the logic behind one proposed book (on the topic I asked about) per answer, so that they can each be upvoted on their own merit, I just don't want other people putting those words in my mouth
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
Wow:
want to feel old today? "What are the Windows a:\ and b:\ drives used for?" http://goo.gl/AQjvM
Tweeted by codinghorror on January 11, 2011 at 10:08 PM
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@MichaelMrozek O. M. G. /facepalm
I guess it was time
 
Tim Stone
Tim Stone
10:15 PM
@MichaelMrozek I was feeling pretty young up until that point.
 
Pekka
Pekka
@LanceRoberts excellent, thanks!
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
Hence my whole point that sites with a less technical topic should have higher thresholds for editing. It's fine to correct my SQL syntax, but don't alter my detailed take on religion or atheism e.g.
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur Get over it. They're only putting words in your mouth if you disagree with the words but leave them in anyway - at which point it's your own fault.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
Ha - I remember when Windows first came out - before there were a:\ and b:\ drives
 
Shog9
Shog9
@ChrisF wtf?
 
Pekka
Pekka
10:16 PM
@ChrisF Huh? I think a:\ and b:\ predated windows
I've known DOS since 3.2 and it's always been there
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
It can only be my 'fault' if they are right. And this is a subjective matter with no right or wrong.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
It was a lame attempt at joke
Sorry
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
Oh wait, I misread what you said
Eats shoots and leaves.
;)
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
I'll get my coat
 
Pekka
Pekka
@ChrisF :)
Wow, those commitment rules are pretty stiff!
Visit at least 3 times a week
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
10:18 PM
(that was my obscure way of saying a missing punctuation made me read your sentence differently)
 
Pekka
Pekka
During the whole beta phase
Which can run for an indefinite period of time
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
You get your commitment token back earlier than the end of public beta
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
But at least you learn something new everyday:
6
A: For what are the windows A:\ and B:\ drives used for?

NickLess an answer, more of an anecdote. In this Microsoft article, it says: "You can assign the letters C through Z to each drive on your computer. A and B are usually reserved for floppy disk drives, but if your computer does not have floppy disk drives, you can assign A and B to volu...

 
Pekka
Pekka
@ChrisF ah, fair enough
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
At least I did for the sites I've committed to so far
 
Joost Schuur
Joost Schuur
10:20 PM
Obviously, the correct answer is to tell how old a person is ;)
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
Apparently it's only for a week because that's all I've been on the dba.SE beta and I've got my commit token back just now
 
Shog9
Shog9
@JoostSchuur no worries (I would edit your comment to reflect your realization, but...)
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@drachenstern I think the worst question was the one asking what the hard drive light was for, since that is still useful.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@LanceRoberts to whom? Most people I know would rather have a hidden thin client and only have keyboard, mouse, monitor and someplace to put their "usb thingy"
 
oKtosiTe
oKtosiTe
@Zypher No. You already took care of my insignificant "problem".
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
10:27 PM
UGGGHHHH, I hate thin clients. We're praying here we don't get saddled with them.
 
Zypher
Zypher
all good
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
I've long maintained that building a blade into the underside of a desk (I have some very good ideas on engineering, just not sure what the actual uptake would be) and surface mounting some USB slots would be sufficient for most people
@LanceRoberts good thing you're not an average user then ;)
 
Rebecca Chernoff
Rebecca Chernoff
\o/ @Zypher (:
 
oKtosiTe
oKtosiTe
And, in a beta, is participation measured in reputation?
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
The hard drive light is useful for those who need to shut down their machine if there's a problem, and want to make sure that the drive isn't running, so they don't risk their hard drive.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
10:28 PM
@oKtosiTe Nope - number of posts (assuming you're talking about the beta badge).
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@drachenstern That'd probably be fine, but don't try to port the apps over the network. Lack of speed kills motivation.
 
oKtosiTe
oKtosiTe
@ChrisF No. I'm talking about re-earning the right to commit to a new proposal.
 
ChrisF
ChrisF
@oKtosiTe still nope. Not 100% sure, but it's the number of posts and possibly votes - but don't quote me on that
 
Shog9
Shog9
@LanceRoberts leaky abstractions... In theory, the "power" light should suffice for this.
 
oKtosiTe
oKtosiTe
@ChrisF I won't. Promise.
One more question: I can't seem to make a chat room for a current private beta. Normal?
 
Michael Mrozek
Michael Mrozek
10:36 PM
@oKtosiTe I don't know if it's intended, but it is normal, they don't show up in the host list either
I think there is some way to do it, but I'm not sure how; DBA had one fairly early
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@LanceRoberts I mean that a blade is a very power efficient and space efficient design for computers, while still giving some oomph. I would equally load a desktop app onto that as I would a regular desktop formfactor over the network. Or do you imply that I shouldn't use the blade as a blade?
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Shog9 Not sure what you mean, the power light won't let you know if your hard drive is spinning.
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@LanceRoberts you only need one light. flicker for data transfer, on for power.
in theory
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@drachenstern No, I think the blade idea is fine, it's just that the thin client idea is one I don't agree with.
@drachenstern Yeah, that would work, don't think I've ever had a machine that had one, and I've built many.
 
Dan Grossman
Dan Grossman
Giant Reese's peanut butter cup = well worth $0.99
 
Shog9
Shog9
10:42 PM
@LanceRoberts if the power light is off, your harddrive should not be spinning.
 
radp
radp
@Shog9 Maybe the HDD is just having fun, spinning around, because that's what they do!
Screaming in their little own weird way WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, all the time.
 
Shog9
Shog9
As I said, it's a leaky abstraction - you (in theory) don't need to know if your harddrive is being accessed, because you're supposed to let the OS take care of that. You tell the OS to shut down, it flushes data and turns off the machine.
In practice, the light is useful because the OS is hung and you need to do something you shouldn't (normally) do: power it off while the filesystem is in a potentially undefined state.
Watching that little HDD light lets you gamble with a bit more confidence
Of course, you don't know that you aren't going to screw something up by powering down even if the HDD light is off; chances are, you'll at least lose some data.
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Shog9 Yes, that's exactly why, but it is our reality, so we still need HD lights (until we're all SSD).
 
Shog9
Shog9
And it tells you nothing about firmware or network writes
 
radp
radp
HD lights are rather there to explain "WHY IS MY COMPUTER SLOW"
 
Shog9
Shog9
10:46 PM
(it tells you nothing about SDD writes either... Unless your SDD has a light, in which case you're back to the same abstraction)
 
radp
radp
"OH I SEE HARD DRIVE BE SPINZORING K"
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Shog9 right, it not about saving your data, it's about not crashing your HD by depriving it of power while it's working.
 
radp
radp
@Shog9 Real men REISUB. :)
 
Shog9
Shog9
@LanceRoberts again though, you're just playing the odds - there's no guarantee something won't try to access the drive while you're reaching for the power button
and if your harddrive doesn't park when it loses power, there's no guarantee it won't do something else stupid when it loses power
You'd be safer with a thin client and a SAN... ;-)
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Shog9 yes, it's was always a gamble, but at least it was a gamble with a small bit of knowledge instead of none. It was also informative that you knew the HD was working.
@Shog9 Thin = Slow
 
Shog9
Shog9
10:52 PM
@LanceRoberts Eh... Latency kills [poorly-written software]. GB ethernet and short distances should suffice for most of your data.
 
Lance Roberts
Lance Roberts
@Shog9 I suppose it would work with GB ethernet to the desktop, but I don't know when I'll get to see that.
 
radp
radp
11:16 PM
Oh, man, the Oatmeal surpassed hisself.
 
Josh
Josh
@radp THAT IS GREAT
> Lastly, unless it's absolutely critical that I create an account, allow for express checkout or facebook connect
> I need more website accounts like I need an asshole on my forehead
ROFLMAO
 
radp
radp
...or OpenID
 
Josh
Josh
Yeah I'm working on adding OpenID to our ecom system
but we already have guest checkout
> Use <label for="somecheckbox"> tags with these that way I don't have to be a goddamn marine scout sniper to sharpshoot the tiny little box. It's 2011 and 90% of the websites I use still haven't figured this out.
Great advice. I do that, it can be a pain in the ass using javascript but it is worth it
 
Rebecca Chernoff
Rebecca Chernoff
11:36 PM
 
radp
radp
@RebeccaChernoff StackApps needs your help
 
Josh
Josh
0
Q: Why is badblocks segfaulting?

JoshI am trying to check a mounted partition to see if the drive has errors: [root@virtuality ~]# /sbin/badblocks -v /dev/sdb1 Segmentation fault Uh oh. What does this mean? Why is badblocks segfaulting? Can I fix it? (System is CentOS release 4.6, drive is an SATA drive)

segmentation-fault badblocks
uh oh
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
is that your new disk on your new server?
it could be the disk is too large, how large is the disk?
 
Josh
Josh
@drachenstern Nope. This is a disk on another server
@drachenstern 1TB
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
It could be the disk is too large?
 
radp
radp
11:43 PM
@Josh comment++;
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
I'm looking for positives
 
Josh
Josh
wow, comments refresh via AJAX now?
@radp I added strace output
 
radp
radp
... ouch
although the segmentation fault isn't caused by open
so it may very well be a bug with the program.
 
Josh
Josh
trying to see how I can check the version
it may be out of date...
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@Josh only up to the one you just added, as far as I know
 
Dan Grossman
Dan Grossman
11:49 PM
^_^
now with fancy map clustering
 
Josh
Josh
@drachenstern That's what I thoight but I got you and @radp's comments w/o refresh or posting new comments!
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
no shit
COOL as hell.
 
Josh
Josh
maybe I'm crazy
 
Dan Grossman
Dan Grossman
whoa, google's removing h.264 support from chrome
 
drachenstern
drachenstern
@DanGrossman so we heard
 
Dan Grossman
Dan Grossman
11:51 PM
boooo
 
Pekka
Pekka
@radp ahahahaha hahahahahahaha
 
Josh
Josh
@Pekka isn't that awesome?
 
Pekka
Pekka
@Josh ahahahah hahahahahah hahahaha
 
Josh
Josh
LOL
 
Pekka
Pekka
"I need more website accounts like I need an asshole on my forehead."
 
Josh
Josh
11:56 PM
27 mins ago, by Josh
> I need more website accounts like I need an asshole on my forehead
 
Pekka
Pekka
:)
 
Josh
Josh
The Oatmeal is great
 
Pekka
Pekka
@Josh yeah, he really is
He really manages to catch the common sufferings that every Internet user goes through at some point
"Do I really need to scroll past North Korea and Obscuristan to find my country?"
 
Josh
Josh
HAHAHA
 
Pekka
Pekka
"Session expired" ahahahahahaha
 
00:00 - 03:0003:00 - 06:0006:00 - 16:0016:00 - 20:0020:00 - 22:0022:00 - 00:00

« first day (160 days earlier)      last day (4846 days later) »