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Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

topic posted Wed, March 5, 2008 - 12:19 AM by  Unsubscribed
It doesn't happen too often, this bug or server problem where we have to empty our cache, sign off/on, delete cookies. But the couple times it HAS happened, the membership skyrockets for the Bugs tribe. And the folks who are not able to see any new messages won't see the instructions on how to make Tribe.net work.

So...I thought it might be a good idea to have that in the official Tribe.net tribes description area! In EVERY one of the descriptions of the official tribes.

And in all of those descriptions, there could be a link over to the F.A.Q. tribe, where COMPLETE instructions could be posted. For as many browsers as possible. The exact steps, in what order, etc. That will always give people a way to find those instructions with a handy link.

Since it would be an "old" thread, it would show up for any new future server thing for everyone. And having that link would keep the Bugs tribe from being deluged with very confused people, who can't see the message after they posted it (this last time).

I only use the Mac Firefox. The idea is that whatever instructions that are posted would be simple enough for me to go to any other computer browser, with no knowledge at all of that kind of browser, and to be able to follow the steps, in order, to be able to get back on Tribe.net. Don't leave out steps thinking that "everyone knows THAT" because everyone does NOT know that. LOL!

Remember, we just had the problem, and all those posts were from people who did not know "that". That = signing out, clearing cache, deleting cookies, closing browser (did you all close the window or quit the browser altogether?). Then reopening a window (or restarting the browser), coming back to Tribe.net and signing in again.

Did anyone shut down and start the computer? Did anyone just restart the computer?

It would be nice to have those things available, because when folks needed the help the most, they couldn't SEE anything posted.

Best of all, it doesn't cost money. It doesn't require rewriting massive amounts of code. It does require some writing, which someone could write out for Darren so he can just copy and paste to the description area of all the official Tribe.net tribes. And folks can contribute the "pathways" on finding where the cookies are, and how to clear the cache, on each browser that they use. That can be copied and pasted into the F.A.Q. tribe.

I have Mac Firefox covered. What other browsers do people use here, and could they write out the pathways to get to cookies and cache? Thanks!
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  • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

    Wed, March 5, 2008 - 5:59 PM
    I think in most of the cases that had problems over the weekend all that people need to know is when they start seeing their recent posts not go through and instead see a strange post with dollar signs ($post etc.) in their recent activity module of their profile instead of their post then all they need to know is that all Tribe is having issues. Stop trying to use tribe for the next few hours, or until the next day. The problem will go away and all posts one tried to make will be there once Tribe is running again. I've never had to clear my cache or cookies after problems such as everyone experienced this last weekend. Just give Tribe a rest and let it heal itself.
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    • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

      Thu, March 6, 2008 - 6:25 AM
      Personally, I'm thinking if tribe can send mass emails about paid subscriptions, there's certainly no reason that they can't do the same to notify people about major outages or bugs such as this last one. That would be a lot more useful.
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      • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

        Thu, March 6, 2008 - 8:27 AM
        That's like saying....

        "If Caltrans can let me know when they are going to shut down the bay bridge for a weekend with leaflets and mass mailings, then they can do the same when a big rig decides to blow up and shut down the bridge during rush hour."

        --S
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        • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

          Thu, March 6, 2008 - 12:43 PM
          I don't think it is saying that at all S...if there's a known bug that's causing people not to be able to see new posts - and there's a known workaround that will help while it's being fixed - why not let people know ? And if tribe's been down for days, like it was a few months ago - if the email database is still useable, why not a quick update ?

          Obviously you can't predict and notify people about everything....but when you can...well, it's much more appreciated that pimping stars. At least by me.
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          • Unsu...
             

            Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

            Thu, March 6, 2008 - 5:15 PM
            BFG, this doesn't work: "if there's a known bug that's causing people not to be able to see new posts - and there's a known workaround that will help while it's being fixed - why not let people know"

            We have many preferences. Folks were NOT able to see new PMs in some cases. So a mass mail to each and every screen name would not have helped at all.

            Secondly, in our preferences, we have the OPTION to have the PMs forwarded to our regular email accounts. OPTION. If folks cannot see new PMs and do not have that option activated, they will NEVER see the message.

            Third, remember when we were talking about Tribe.net being slow. And how we could all help? And that the mail can slow things down? Or perhaps you remember the recent onslaught of "Male, 28, Ohio" profiles numbering over 1,000 which was some kind of automated thing that was sending out automated PMs to people.

            Darren said that all that activity, generated by all those PMs being sent out caused slowness. Now, if that is the result of some PMs being sent out, what do you think the slowness would be if EVERY SINGLE MEMBER was mailed at once? And some of those people replied, or started posting? Yikes. YIKES!

            Including everyone is a nice idea. Letting everyone be aware. Back to the traffic analogy that Shatter brought up. You know how they have traffic reports on the radio? The traffic reports let everyone be aware of everything that is known to be a problem. That's good. But do each and every one of us really CARE about what is occurring outside our own current reality? By which I mean, if I am at home and don't need to go anywhere, the traffic reports mean nothing. If I am stuck on the Bay Bridge, I want to know about THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM, and again, I don't really care if there is a delay on 101 by the San Mateo bridge because Cal-Trans is holding a square dance by the center divide.

            So instead of alerting all people to all problems when they may not be affected, the posts/links to what to do when this happens (the dollar sign posts showing up in blogs, no new posts showing, etc) is more like the orange machine with the arrow telling traffic to MOVE OVER THIS WAY. It doesn't fix the main problem that occurred, but gives people a place to go.
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            • Craig
              Craig
              offline 25

              Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

              Thu, March 6, 2008 - 6:06 PM
              Except that the mass email that I got came directly to my registration email address, not via a Tribe PM.

              And even said as much:

              "We hope you excuse this mass mailing. Some of you getting this email specifically have told us that you don't want email from tribe.net and we generally don't send out emails to the entire userbase."
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              • Unsu...
                 

                Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                Thu, March 6, 2008 - 6:43 PM
                I didn't get a mass mail.
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                • Craig
                  Craig
                  offline 25

                  Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                  Thu, March 6, 2008 - 6:54 PM
                  I'll be happy to forward you mine. :)
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                  • This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.

                    Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                    Thu, March 6, 2008 - 7:15 PM
                    yes, it was a definite email to my email address, not a tribe PM, and most people I know got it. And I just got another one, a newsletter. (That at least has an opt-out). Again - an email, not a PM.

                    no, I don't want to know every little thing. Just suggesting if there's a major problem that it be communicated, that's all. Aren't we all about making suggestions here ?
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                    • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                      Thu, March 6, 2008 - 7:21 PM
                      Hey Craig - could you forward me that email? ; )
                      I didn't get it. I should check my preferences I guess, or maybe my spam filter ate it...
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                      • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                        Thu, March 6, 2008 - 7:25 PM
                        here you go....removed my email address


                        Important News from tribe.net
                        Your Friends at Tribe.net <activity@tribe.net>


                        Dear

                        We hope you excuse this mass mailing. Some of you getting this email specifically have told us that you don't want email from tribe.net and we generally don't send out emails to the entire userbase. We wanted to let you know about the big changes that have happened here at tribe.net, and if you haven't checked in with us in a while we encourage you to do so.

                        We’ve listened to our users for solutions to our site instability problems. The overwhelming consensus is that our users love tribe.net so much that they are willing to pay for a premium subscription for all the functions that we now give to you. We launched a premium subscription service on November 30, 2007 to allow folks to support tribe.net at a rate of five bucks for thirty days.


                        Tribe’s traditional, free service is going to continue just as it always has and always will. Those that want to upgrade can click on the PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION link, fill out the information, and sign up. The premium subscribers will automatically have a gold star instead of the orange bubble when they’re online. We also offer bi-annual and annual memberships for $25 and $50 respectively. Each of these services comes with a free 4 day trial period -- you can cancel anytime before the 4 days is up and not be charged.


                        We’re aware that some people may not be able to sign up for premium service for various reasons. For those folks we offer the free service (hopefully they’ll click on some of those ads), but we’re also offering an ADOPT A TRIBE ORPHAN link where some kind folks can help out one of their friends (or maybe a
                        lucky, random person) by upgrading them to premium subscription status.

                        What do you get for this? Currently, the only benefits are turning off the advertising and access to our new web-based TRIBECHAT function. TRIBECHAT is a Jabber based instant messenger that is accessible to all tribe members who have a Jabber client such as Adium (for Apple) or Trillian (for PC). This allows you to chat with anyone on your tribe friends list.


                        Ever since we launched this service, we've felt so grateful for this outpouring of support from the Tribe communities. You all have made tribe.net a wonderful place to connect, and we hope that you'll think of us more in the future. Big changes are on the horizon so keep in touch to know the latest.


                        Finally, if you've purchased a premium subscription, we salute you. We have over 1000 subscribers now and the number is steadily growing each day! We are dedicated to making tribe.net the best experience we can for you, and your subscription benefits the entire user community of tribe! If you know a premium member, thank them for supporting tribe!

                        Check in at www.tribe.net and reconnect!


                        Regards,

                        The tribe.net team
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                        • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                          Thu, March 6, 2008 - 9:53 PM
                          oh my... what a busy day.. a news letter and a mass mailing... I must have my preferences set right.... didnt get either one .. and honestly I didnt need to know whats happening in SF which is essentially what the newsletter was... or maybe Im on the she bugs us way too much dont include her in the mailing list... lol
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          • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

            Fri, March 7, 2008 - 12:52 PM
            BFG & Hazard- Yes, it is.

            Do you know what's involved with sending out over 200,000+ emails? There's nothing quick about it. It's a cpu intensive grind-a-thon for your mail server, and that's if everything goes smooth with no bounces and other returned mail to process. Tribe just finished mailing the last of the newsletters today.

            There's nothing "quick" about it with the exception of putting the alert banner across peoples homepages for panned down time, which they already do. Anything else wasn't planed and time is better spent getting the system back online than to waste time telling everyone the system is down.

            --S
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      • Darren
        Darren
        online 351

        Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

        Thu, March 6, 2008 - 10:45 PM
        IT takes about 9 hours to send out a regular newsletter to 90,000 folks, and to our entire 740,000 member database it takes a week or so. Not very efficient.
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        • Unsu...
           

          Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

          Fri, March 7, 2008 - 3:43 PM
          Great Zeus!

          I had no idea!

          It would be SWELL if you could occasionally post a "Did you know...?" fact like that. I don't know where. Maybe on the Frequently Asked Questions tribe? Even though that might not be frequently asked, it interesting to READ about. And I'm sure it helps open eyes for people.

          Thanks very much for that fact.
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          • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

            Fri, March 7, 2008 - 4:57 PM
            true-

            really paints a picture when people say things like "It would be great to get SMTP mail through tribe!" and realizing the size of teh server cluster needed to act as a mail server it would require.

            The perception is "I send mail from my computer all the time! It's no big deal!"

            When in reality you are sending the message to a server that's doing all the work for you.

            --S
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            • Unsu...
               

              Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

              Fri, March 7, 2008 - 5:53 PM
              But see, we don't know that. Or, *I* don't know that. I don't even know what SMTP is. Maybe Sado-Masochistic Toilet Paper? Which would obviously be that extra big grit sandpaper.

              Maybe folks would be a lot more understanding and patient if they have an idea of what it takes to do certain things.

              Like I'm always amazed how bananas come from Ecuador without being smashed. I mean, I have them in my apartment a short period of time and next thing I know the cat has dragged them off the counter, and left them for me to step on. Step on a ripe banana in bare feet sometime just to experience it, in the dark.

              Anyway, enough about bananas and sandpaper.

              It might be neat to have a "Here's what happens when you do this" series. Where does it go when I click "send" or "submit"? It goes to Tribe.net. and it appears instantly. That's all I see. That's all I know.

              I'm not sure I know what a server is. Other than the person who brings food at restaurants. It's like a big computer, right?

              Uh, I'll be over here in the corner, with the dunce cap on, saying "doy doy doy doy duhhhhhh"
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              • Re: Idea for the Tribe.net tribe descriptions!

                Fri, March 7, 2008 - 9:40 PM
                Server- a computer dedicated to a single function, such as Web, Files, Email, Video, etc.

                Technically one machine COULD run several of these functions under a light load situation, like in a home or very small office. In business environment you have dedicated machines, or clusters of machines, working on single task.

                --S
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