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232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | Interchangeable parts don't.
============================
No, *seriously* - I don't just mean there are poor tolerances in your manufacturing. I mean that having all those blasted wizards running around tapping into arcane essences of space, time, thought, logic, and reality ... it means that an inch in Chicago isn't always more than seven-eighths in New York. It means a cartridge loaded in your basement might not be reliable in the woods behind your house.
The most practical technology for your scenario is *crude* tech with very *high* tolerances, so that you can't be disappointed. Load up a blunderbuss with thimbles, forks, and hope (and a mass of black powder casually poured from a horn) ... and it has no more uncertainties than it would in our world. | Magic has to be superior to technology.
---------------------------------------
The development of weaponry didn't happen in a vacuum, it was in response to battlefield conditions. People stuck with firearms and continued to improve them because they were effective against the defenses they encountered. So if you don't want certain types of weapons to advance, make them ineffective. The obvious solution is to have magic render bullets as harmless with trivial protective wardings, or something along those lines. Something where the magical protection is far easier than the mundane weapon it defeats.
This creates a new problem: why are people using ineffective weapons at all? At what point did magical protections become common in warfare? That's the point where you'd see mundane weapon development stall out. So think about when this happens, and why. What changed to make magical protection commonplace? And how do armies defeat it? Probably with magical weapons of some kind.
So your task is to think about how this society uses magic to wage war, and to devise reasons for why building more advanced machines never seemed like a feasible or worthwhile idea to get the edge over the enemy. I think for this to be the case **magical solutions have to be cheaper, easier to use, and more readily available than the means to mass produce machines**, as well as more effective.
This should be your guiding principle when thinking about how magic is used if you want it to essentially replace the development of modern technology. It should be accessible to people at all levels of society and be fundamentally superior to the technology it replaces. If technology is easier for a majority of people to access and can defeat magic, nobody would use magic, especially in war. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | Interchangeable parts don't.
============================
No, *seriously* - I don't just mean there are poor tolerances in your manufacturing. I mean that having all those blasted wizards running around tapping into arcane essences of space, time, thought, logic, and reality ... it means that an inch in Chicago isn't always more than seven-eighths in New York. It means a cartridge loaded in your basement might not be reliable in the woods behind your house.
The most practical technology for your scenario is *crude* tech with very *high* tolerances, so that you can't be disappointed. Load up a blunderbuss with thimbles, forks, and hope (and a mass of black powder casually poured from a horn) ... and it has no more uncertainties than it would in our world. | Religion or culture
===================
We can see both Religion and culture reject many advancements in the fields of science. Look at astronomy or biology with Religion for example. Though there were advancements, many advancements were rejected by the church in medieval Europe. The advancements were discredited and the people who made the discoveries put to death or incarcerated. It wasn’t that there wasn't progress, but much was made difficult.
Culture as well. Look at the Amish for example. But in a greater scale you can look at the whole of the USA. Advancements in trains or social norms in gun control are rejected because of their culture. They view that they have certain rights for their guns. They view their cars as essential as the indoctrination of the people did it's work, making any alternative unthinkable now that the whole infrastructure is setup to support only cars.
Human complacency with the current world is all you need. They obviously know the world is flat, they are the center of their world and nothing is going to change that. Anyone thinking differently or having proof can easily be rejected, preferably by hurning them. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | * **Magic sinks the scientific method.**
At some point, [natural philosophers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_philosophy#Natural_philosophy_in_the_early_modern_period) would have stopped *guessing* about [phlogiston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlogiston_theory) or [humors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism) and started doing real science, using the [scientific method](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method). They think about things they see, they develop a coherent theory, they think of *experiments to falsify the theory* and *observations that would be predicted by the theory,* they observe and experiment, and they think and talk some more.
Except that the world is just slightly magic. Observers influence the outcome of the experiment on a macro scale, not just on the quantum scale. The boiling point of water suddenly depends on how many people are watching, and if they want it to boil or not. At least a little. Black powder is more effective if it is mixed by people who *believe* in it.
That sabotages the progress of science.
* **Dragons really like to nest on steam engines and blast furnaces.**
They also enjoy village smithies and charcoal kilns, but not so much that a determined blacksmith cannot discourage them. But a steam engine, that's where monsters from the entire region will congregate. Better stay with water power and mostly wooden construction unless you have an army to protect your steam engine. Which means it doesn't pay to industrialize. | Religion or culture
===================
We can see both Religion and culture reject many advancements in the fields of science. Look at astronomy or biology with Religion for example. Though there were advancements, many advancements were rejected by the church in medieval Europe. The advancements were discredited and the people who made the discoveries put to death or incarcerated. It wasn’t that there wasn't progress, but much was made difficult.
Culture as well. Look at the Amish for example. But in a greater scale you can look at the whole of the USA. Advancements in trains or social norms in gun control are rejected because of their culture. They view that they have certain rights for their guns. They view their cars as essential as the indoctrination of the people did it's work, making any alternative unthinkable now that the whole infrastructure is setup to support only cars.
Human complacency with the current world is all you need. They obviously know the world is flat, they are the center of their world and nothing is going to change that. Anyone thinking differently or having proof can easily be rejected, preferably by hurning them. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | * **Magic sinks the scientific method.**
At some point, [natural philosophers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_philosophy#Natural_philosophy_in_the_early_modern_period) would have stopped *guessing* about [phlogiston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlogiston_theory) or [humors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism) and started doing real science, using the [scientific method](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method). They think about things they see, they develop a coherent theory, they think of *experiments to falsify the theory* and *observations that would be predicted by the theory,* they observe and experiment, and they think and talk some more.
Except that the world is just slightly magic. Observers influence the outcome of the experiment on a macro scale, not just on the quantum scale. The boiling point of water suddenly depends on how many people are watching, and if they want it to boil or not. At least a little. Black powder is more effective if it is mixed by people who *believe* in it.
That sabotages the progress of science.
* **Dragons really like to nest on steam engines and blast furnaces.**
They also enjoy village smithies and charcoal kilns, but not so much that a determined blacksmith cannot discourage them. But a steam engine, that's where monsters from the entire region will congregate. Better stay with water power and mostly wooden construction unless you have an army to protect your steam engine. Which means it doesn't pay to industrialize. | **No oil, no progress.**
The modern world is only possible because we have vast reserves of oil and coal underground - courtesy of pines and shrimp which fossilized in prior epochs. Without coal, even if electricity was discovered there would have been no resource energy rich enough to run large scale power plants. Without oil, we could never have progressed further then smoggy powerplants and into the era of personal, horseless, vehicles and trade.
Simply state that there are no oil reserves on your world and limited coal mines and your civilization is then stuck in the renaissance.
On the side of weaponry all I can add is that it wasn't the military that came up with early improvements to guns. It was enthusiast duck hunters in between the wars. The militaries were content with powder loaded muskets and trying to built continually larger cannons for a long time. The idea of getting off more then a single precision shot from a gun was engineered by sports hunters as a way to hit more ducks. So... Remove ducks from your world? |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | Interchangeable parts don't.
============================
No, *seriously* - I don't just mean there are poor tolerances in your manufacturing. I mean that having all those blasted wizards running around tapping into arcane essences of space, time, thought, logic, and reality ... it means that an inch in Chicago isn't always more than seven-eighths in New York. It means a cartridge loaded in your basement might not be reliable in the woods behind your house.
The most practical technology for your scenario is *crude* tech with very *high* tolerances, so that you can't be disappointed. Load up a blunderbuss with thimbles, forks, and hope (and a mass of black powder casually poured from a horn) ... and it has no more uncertainties than it would in our world. | Empire
------
The combination of this technology and of magic let someone unite the region. He suppressed war with a heavy hand and discouraged other innovation as causing unemployment.
Central control gave innovation no place to hide, and the emperor did not fear a rival empire would take it if he didn't. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | **No oil, no progress.**
The modern world is only possible because we have vast reserves of oil and coal underground - courtesy of pines and shrimp which fossilized in prior epochs. Without coal, even if electricity was discovered there would have been no resource energy rich enough to run large scale power plants. Without oil, we could never have progressed further then smoggy powerplants and into the era of personal, horseless, vehicles and trade.
Simply state that there are no oil reserves on your world and limited coal mines and your civilization is then stuck in the renaissance.
On the side of weaponry all I can add is that it wasn't the military that came up with early improvements to guns. It was enthusiast duck hunters in between the wars. The militaries were content with powder loaded muskets and trying to built continually larger cannons for a long time. The idea of getting off more then a single precision shot from a gun was engineered by sports hunters as a way to hit more ducks. So... Remove ducks from your world? | Empire
------
The combination of this technology and of magic let someone unite the region. He suppressed war with a heavy hand and discouraged other innovation as causing unemployment.
Central control gave innovation no place to hide, and the emperor did not fear a rival empire would take it if he didn't. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | **No oil, no progress.**
The modern world is only possible because we have vast reserves of oil and coal underground - courtesy of pines and shrimp which fossilized in prior epochs. Without coal, even if electricity was discovered there would have been no resource energy rich enough to run large scale power plants. Without oil, we could never have progressed further then smoggy powerplants and into the era of personal, horseless, vehicles and trade.
Simply state that there are no oil reserves on your world and limited coal mines and your civilization is then stuck in the renaissance.
On the side of weaponry all I can add is that it wasn't the military that came up with early improvements to guns. It was enthusiast duck hunters in between the wars. The militaries were content with powder loaded muskets and trying to built continually larger cannons for a long time. The idea of getting off more then a single precision shot from a gun was engineered by sports hunters as a way to hit more ducks. So... Remove ducks from your world? | Magic has to be superior to technology.
---------------------------------------
The development of weaponry didn't happen in a vacuum, it was in response to battlefield conditions. People stuck with firearms and continued to improve them because they were effective against the defenses they encountered. So if you don't want certain types of weapons to advance, make them ineffective. The obvious solution is to have magic render bullets as harmless with trivial protective wardings, or something along those lines. Something where the magical protection is far easier than the mundane weapon it defeats.
This creates a new problem: why are people using ineffective weapons at all? At what point did magical protections become common in warfare? That's the point where you'd see mundane weapon development stall out. So think about when this happens, and why. What changed to make magical protection commonplace? And how do armies defeat it? Probably with magical weapons of some kind.
So your task is to think about how this society uses magic to wage war, and to devise reasons for why building more advanced machines never seemed like a feasible or worthwhile idea to get the edge over the enemy. I think for this to be the case **magical solutions have to be cheaper, easier to use, and more readily available than the means to mass produce machines**, as well as more effective.
This should be your guiding principle when thinking about how magic is used if you want it to essentially replace the development of modern technology. It should be accessible to people at all levels of society and be fundamentally superior to the technology it replaces. If technology is easier for a majority of people to access and can defeat magic, nobody would use magic, especially in war. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | Religion or culture
===================
We can see both Religion and culture reject many advancements in the fields of science. Look at astronomy or biology with Religion for example. Though there were advancements, many advancements were rejected by the church in medieval Europe. The advancements were discredited and the people who made the discoveries put to death or incarcerated. It wasn’t that there wasn't progress, but much was made difficult.
Culture as well. Look at the Amish for example. But in a greater scale you can look at the whole of the USA. Advancements in trains or social norms in gun control are rejected because of their culture. They view that they have certain rights for their guns. They view their cars as essential as the indoctrination of the people did it's work, making any alternative unthinkable now that the whole infrastructure is setup to support only cars.
Human complacency with the current world is all you need. They obviously know the world is flat, they are the center of their world and nothing is going to change that. Anyone thinking differently or having proof can easily be rejected, preferably by hurning them. | Empire
------
The combination of this technology and of magic let someone unite the region. He suppressed war with a heavy hand and discouraged other innovation as causing unemployment.
Central control gave innovation no place to hide, and the emperor did not fear a rival empire would take it if he didn't. |
232,314 | I am early in this design but am imagining a fictional world in the age of exploration including classic fantasy tropes of monsters and magic, with renaissance era technology, that is cannons, muskets, clockwork and wacky renaissance war machines perhaps entwined with magic albeit to limited effect or making use of fantastical beasts. I would like the world to stay in this state of technology for as long as possible.
So I indeed ask, What would stop advancements in technology beyond this state? Specifically weaponry? | 2022/07/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/232314",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/96010/"
] | Religion or culture
===================
We can see both Religion and culture reject many advancements in the fields of science. Look at astronomy or biology with Religion for example. Though there were advancements, many advancements were rejected by the church in medieval Europe. The advancements were discredited and the people who made the discoveries put to death or incarcerated. It wasn’t that there wasn't progress, but much was made difficult.
Culture as well. Look at the Amish for example. But in a greater scale you can look at the whole of the USA. Advancements in trains or social norms in gun control are rejected because of their culture. They view that they have certain rights for their guns. They view their cars as essential as the indoctrination of the people did it's work, making any alternative unthinkable now that the whole infrastructure is setup to support only cars.
Human complacency with the current world is all you need. They obviously know the world is flat, they are the center of their world and nothing is going to change that. Anyone thinking differently or having proof can easily be rejected, preferably by hurning them. | Magic has to be superior to technology.
---------------------------------------
The development of weaponry didn't happen in a vacuum, it was in response to battlefield conditions. People stuck with firearms and continued to improve them because they were effective against the defenses they encountered. So if you don't want certain types of weapons to advance, make them ineffective. The obvious solution is to have magic render bullets as harmless with trivial protective wardings, or something along those lines. Something where the magical protection is far easier than the mundane weapon it defeats.
This creates a new problem: why are people using ineffective weapons at all? At what point did magical protections become common in warfare? That's the point where you'd see mundane weapon development stall out. So think about when this happens, and why. What changed to make magical protection commonplace? And how do armies defeat it? Probably with magical weapons of some kind.
So your task is to think about how this society uses magic to wage war, and to devise reasons for why building more advanced machines never seemed like a feasible or worthwhile idea to get the edge over the enemy. I think for this to be the case **magical solutions have to be cheaper, easier to use, and more readily available than the means to mass produce machines**, as well as more effective.
This should be your guiding principle when thinking about how magic is used if you want it to essentially replace the development of modern technology. It should be accessible to people at all levels of society and be fundamentally superior to the technology it replaces. If technology is easier for a majority of people to access and can defeat magic, nobody would use magic, especially in war. |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | 
Source: <https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/2837/1288>
Seriously though, it would be hard to show a screen shot without heavily editing it to conceal who flagged posts and whose posts were flagged. That's supposed to remain private. The dashboard itself is essentially just a list of links to flagged posts with a short synopsis of each, who flagged it, who originally posted it, and a few buttons to select what action we want to take. |  |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | Here's how flags appear in the mod dashboard:
We also see (unhandled) flags when we visit the post:
Everything else is either too boring (recent migrations, recent bounties, recent locks), or has too much private information to share (suspicious voting patterns, recent mod messages / suspensions). I took a screenshot of one of the more interesting parts of the mod dashboard and started blurring stuff and... the only thing that was left to show was a couple of labels. |  |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] |  | 
^^
[feature-request](/questions/tagged/feature-request "show questions tagged 'feature-request'") |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | Here's how flags appear in the mod dashboard:
We also see (unhandled) flags when we visit the post:
Everything else is either too boring (recent migrations, recent bounties, recent locks), or has too much private information to share (suspicious voting patterns, recent mod messages / suspensions). I took a screenshot of one of the more interesting parts of the mod dashboard and started blurring stuff and... the only thing that was left to show was a couple of labels. | 
Source: <https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/2837/1288>
Seriously though, it would be hard to show a screen shot without heavily editing it to conceal who flagged posts and whose posts were flagged. That's supposed to remain private. The dashboard itself is essentially just a list of links to flagged posts with a short synopsis of each, who flagged it, who originally posted it, and a few buttons to select what action we want to take. |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | 
Source: <https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/2837/1288>
Seriously though, it would be hard to show a screen shot without heavily editing it to conceal who flagged posts and whose posts were flagged. That's supposed to remain private. The dashboard itself is essentially just a list of links to flagged posts with a short synopsis of each, who flagged it, who originally posted it, and a few buttons to select what action we want to take. | 
^^
[feature-request](/questions/tagged/feature-request "show questions tagged 'feature-request'") |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | 
Source: <https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/2837/1288>
Seriously though, it would be hard to show a screen shot without heavily editing it to conceal who flagged posts and whose posts were flagged. That's supposed to remain private. The dashboard itself is essentially just a list of links to flagged posts with a short synopsis of each, who flagged it, who originally posted it, and a few buttons to select what action we want to take. |  |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | Here's how flags appear in the mod dashboard:
We also see (unhandled) flags when we visit the post:
Everything else is either too boring (recent migrations, recent bounties, recent locks), or has too much private information to share (suspicious voting patterns, recent mod messages / suspensions). I took a screenshot of one of the more interesting parts of the mod dashboard and started blurring stuff and... the only thing that was left to show was a couple of labels. | 
^^
[feature-request](/questions/tagged/feature-request "show questions tagged 'feature-request'") |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] | Here's how flags appear in the mod dashboard:
We also see (unhandled) flags when we visit the post:
Everything else is either too boring (recent migrations, recent bounties, recent locks), or has too much private information to share (suspicious voting patterns, recent mod messages / suspensions). I took a screenshot of one of the more interesting parts of the mod dashboard and started blurring stuff and... the only thing that was left to show was a couple of labels. |  |
177,216 | I, along with (probably) hundreds of thousands of other Stack Exchange users, ***really really*** want to know what the Stack Exchange Moderator Dashboard looks like.
Moderators are democratically elected, right? The President of the United States is democratically elected, right? We get to see pictures of the Oval Office, right? **So why can't we see screenshots of the Mod Dashboard?**
The only reason Americans can't see the plans for the President's car is that then we would find a vulnerability in it. Then some crazy person would assisinate him.
On SE, however, it's different. Screenshots of the dashboard will not cause us to find vulnerabilities in it and assisinate the moderators.
There is the problem of private info being displayed in it, but the blur tool in Photoshop has to be used sometimes, right?
---
**So, as a citizen of the Stack Exchange Network, I, along with my fellow Exchangiens, ask that we be shown a censored screenshot of the Moderator Dashboard.**
---
We did elect you mods, after all :) | 2013/04/19 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177216",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/215468/"
] |  | 
^^
[feature-request](/questions/tagged/feature-request "show questions tagged 'feature-request'") |
119,120 | I'm working on a web application and we have an administrative feature that allows admins to import an excel spreadsheet containing information about sub-users they would like to add. We parse the spreadsheet and do basic input validation on most fields. We also ensure that the file has the correct extension before starting doing any deeper examination of the file.
I'm just curious if there are any other risks I'm overlooking when dealing with imported user data. Specifically importing Excel Spreadsheets. | 2016/03/31 | [
"https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/119120",
"https://security.stackexchange.com",
"https://security.stackexchange.com/users/86178/"
] | While Austin is correct, it is also a risk that the file itself contains an exploit. Office applications are utterly **massive** and have a truly humungous attack surface area. If you have time on your hands, open up an instrumented fuzzer like American Fuzzy Lop (AFL) and run it on your Excel processor. You will find a stunning amount of very scary-looking crashes.
You have to assess your risk here. If you are defending against someone who only has the skills to write a malicious macro, you probably don't have much to worry about. If you are defending against someone who knows a thing or two about software exploitation and you are their target, you opening their spreadsheets will be a dream come true. | I think the biggest risk I can think of is if that spreadsheet contains a malicious macro.
Macros in Office have been exploitable for a long time, and recently Locky and a few other cryptolockers have taken to infecting users by macros in Word. I see no reason why the macro wouldn't work in other Office programs.
<https://medium.com/@networksecurity/locky-ransomware-virus-spreading-via-word-documents-51fcb75618d2#.eekz0ygoz> |
119,120 | I'm working on a web application and we have an administrative feature that allows admins to import an excel spreadsheet containing information about sub-users they would like to add. We parse the spreadsheet and do basic input validation on most fields. We also ensure that the file has the correct extension before starting doing any deeper examination of the file.
I'm just curious if there are any other risks I'm overlooking when dealing with imported user data. Specifically importing Excel Spreadsheets. | 2016/03/31 | [
"https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/119120",
"https://security.stackexchange.com",
"https://security.stackexchange.com/users/86178/"
] | I think the biggest risk I can think of is if that spreadsheet contains a malicious macro.
Macros in Office have been exploitable for a long time, and recently Locky and a few other cryptolockers have taken to infecting users by macros in Word. I see no reason why the macro wouldn't work in other Office programs.
<https://medium.com/@networksecurity/locky-ransomware-virus-spreading-via-word-documents-51fcb75618d2#.eekz0ygoz> | A for instance of what to watch out for is illustrated by a patch released for Magento, SUPEE-5994 which addressed the following issue from exported, user entered content:
>
> Attacker can provide input that executes a formula when exported and opened in a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel. The formula can modify data, export personal data to another site, or cause remote code execution. The spreadsheet usually displays a warning message, which the user must dismiss for the attack to succeed.
>
>
>
So, the usual warnings apply, arbitrary content accepted from the web without proper mitigation can bear interesting surprises when opened in a spreadsheet program for which the malicious content is tailored. |
119,120 | I'm working on a web application and we have an administrative feature that allows admins to import an excel spreadsheet containing information about sub-users they would like to add. We parse the spreadsheet and do basic input validation on most fields. We also ensure that the file has the correct extension before starting doing any deeper examination of the file.
I'm just curious if there are any other risks I'm overlooking when dealing with imported user data. Specifically importing Excel Spreadsheets. | 2016/03/31 | [
"https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/119120",
"https://security.stackexchange.com",
"https://security.stackexchange.com/users/86178/"
] | While Austin is correct, it is also a risk that the file itself contains an exploit. Office applications are utterly **massive** and have a truly humungous attack surface area. If you have time on your hands, open up an instrumented fuzzer like American Fuzzy Lop (AFL) and run it on your Excel processor. You will find a stunning amount of very scary-looking crashes.
You have to assess your risk here. If you are defending against someone who only has the skills to write a malicious macro, you probably don't have much to worry about. If you are defending against someone who knows a thing or two about software exploitation and you are their target, you opening their spreadsheets will be a dream come true. | A for instance of what to watch out for is illustrated by a patch released for Magento, SUPEE-5994 which addressed the following issue from exported, user entered content:
>
> Attacker can provide input that executes a formula when exported and opened in a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel. The formula can modify data, export personal data to another site, or cause remote code execution. The spreadsheet usually displays a warning message, which the user must dismiss for the attack to succeed.
>
>
>
So, the usual warnings apply, arbitrary content accepted from the web without proper mitigation can bear interesting surprises when opened in a spreadsheet program for which the malicious content is tailored. |
1,477,320 | I would like to create 2 VMs in VirtualBox that have "normal" network interface as my host's. I have set up them with Bridged Adapter but unfortunately they get both the same IP. So I cannot login to any of them. How come they get the same IP? | 2019/08/30 | [
"https://superuser.com/questions/1477320",
"https://superuser.com",
"https://superuser.com/users/1082971/"
] | The problem described seems to be related to a [DHCP binding the IP to the MAC Address](https://forum.netgate.com/topic/94221/dhcp-how-to-distribute-ip-s-by-mac-address-instead-of-sequentially).
Please, check if both the VMs have the same MAC. If so, generate a new random MAC by clicking the blue icon beside the MAC Address box under the advanced options.
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/XrSG5.png)
Once the VMs have different MAC Addresses new IPs should be assined by DHCP. | Do you have a DHCP server outside of your host machine? For example a Router. Bridged Networking assumes that.
Can you switch to NAT temporarily and see if that gives you different IP addresses for each virtual machine. |
43,189,137 | I wanted to know the utility of carrying out a conversion in project connection in the connection managers in ssis
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/NanDj.png) | 2017/04/03 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/43189137",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/7809122/"
] | Project-level connection managers allow you to define the data source connection once and use it in all packages that are part of the project.
You can create a new project connection by right-clicking on the Connection Managers node shown above,
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/08oNm.png)
Project-level connection managers allow you to set up a connection manager on the project level. This means that you can define a connection for the whole project and use it in all packages that are part of the project. | When you convert a package connection to a project connection it can be used by any number of packages in the project without having to manage changes to them individually. This has a couple of advantages:
1. You can see how many different connection your project has from looking at the project and not having to open and look at every package.
2. You can change a connection string in your project connection manager and know it will make all the packages work towards the new source or destination.
3. You can make the project connection manager's connection string a project parameter, allowing the entire project to be reconfigured without redeployment by just changing the parameter sent in when executing any package using the connection.
4. To build further on 3, you can set up one or more environment configuration to the deployed solution allowing you to select the parameter to be sent to the project during execution and have the same package work different environments without redeployment while also keeping track of which configuration does what.
For example in one of my installation if some source system decides to move to a new server, I just open my production configuration and paste in the new connection string for the value that is connected to the affected project parameter representing the connection string of the project connection. I can still keep the testing configuration since it has a different source which hasn't moved. |
15,755,570 | I'm currently dealing with OpenGL ES (2, iOS 6)… and I have a question
i. Let be a mesh that has to be drawn. Moreover,
ii. I can ask for a rotation/translation so that the point of view changes.
So,
how can I know (in real time) the position of any vertex that is displayed?
Thank you in advance.
jgapc | 2013/04/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/15755570",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/2234192/"
] | It's not entirely clear what it is you are after, but if you want to know *where* your object is after doing a bunch of rotations and translations, then one very easy option, if you perform these changes in your program code instead of in the shader, is to simply take the entire last row or column of your transformation matrix (depends if you are using row or column major matrices) which will be the final translation of your object's *center* as a coordinate vector.
This last row or column is the same thing as multiplying your final transformation matrix by your object's local coordinate center vector, which is (0,0,0,1).
If you want to know where an object's vertex is, rather than the object's center, then multiply that vertex in local coordinate space by the final transformation matrix, and you will get the new coordinate where that vertex is positioned. | There are two things I'd like to point out:
1. Back-face culling *discards triangles*, not vertices.
2. Triangles are also *clipped* so that they're within the viewing frustum.
I'm curious as to **why** you care about what is not displayed? |
860 | In the news you often read about differing philosophies of judicial interpretation, especially when important cases are decided (like several recent US Supreme Court decisions). I recently browsed through a book by Antonin Scalia in which he outlines a number of specific principles he endorses and does not endorse, with citations to earlier case law. Apparently there is some debate about the merits of such principles and how (or whether) judicial interpretation of legislation comports with legislators' understanding of what they are doing.
It is clear that many of these "canons" can be overridden on a per-law basis by including language in the law that explicitly goes against some judicial principle that would otherwise apply. However, my question is, are the principles themselves subject to legislative control in a broader sense? Can legislatures pass "meta-laws" which define how other laws are to be intepreted? For instance, could the US Congress pass a law saying "Wherever ambiguity arises in statutory interpretation, the statute in question shall be understood as to favor the least powerful party in a dispute"? Or "No special deference shall be given to interpretation of statute by administrative agencies" (i.e., to curtail Chevron deference)? Or more generally, can a legislature pass a law saying "The law shall be understood as X", where X is some principle of intepretation that is not specific to the law in which it is contained, but is meant to constrain interpretations of all other laws (or some subset of other laws)? Would such laws be valid?
I'm interested mostly in the situation in the US, but would be interested to know how the issue could play out in different countires, or in particular US states. | 2015/06/30 | [
"https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/860",
"https://law.stackexchange.com",
"https://law.stackexchange.com/users/125/"
] | Yes, legislative bodies can pass legislation that constrains the interpretation of the rest of their legislation.
In the U.S., see [1 U.S.C §1-8](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/1/chapter-1).
In Canada, see [The Interpretation Act](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-21/FullText.html).
In British Columbia, see [The Interpretation Act](http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96238_01).
As an example of a back-and-forth between the courts and congress regarding a setting a standard of review, consider the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Summarizing from *Holt v. Hobbs* 574 U. S. \_\_\_\_ (2015):
* In *Employment Div., Dept. of Human Resources of Ore. v. Smith*, 494 U. S. 872 (1990), the Supreme Court held that "neutral, generally applicable laws that incidentally burden the exercise of religion usually do not violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment".
* Congress desired a stricter test that prohibited the burdening of religion *regardless* of whether the laws are neutral or generally applicable.
* Congress passed RFRA in 1993, which required that "[g]overnment shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the government demonstrates that application of the burden
to the person — (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental
interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means
of furthering that compelling governmental interest".
RFRA was passed with the goal of setting the standard of review for all other legislation that burdens a person's exercise of religion. Without RFRA, the standard of review would have been that used in *Smith*, based solely on First Amendment protections. *With* RFRA, the standard of review became stronger, basically strict scrutiny.
An example of Congress setting the factors to be used in a balancing test is the addition of fair use via the Copyright Act of 1976. Prior to 1976, courts had been applying a fair use exception based on common law rather than statute. The act encoded in statute the four factors that Congress wanted to be considered and listed several purposes for which fair use was explicitly applicable. In this case, Congress basically codified the fair use doctrine as it was being used at the time by the courts. It could be considered an expression of approval for the existing interpretation of the time and a desire to prevent drift in that analysis. | See also the Rules of Decision Act (28 U.S.C. § 1652) which requires the application of State law in Federal courts, serving a meta-function:
> The laws of the several states, except where the Constitution or treaties of the United States or Acts of Congress otherwise require or provide, shall be regarded as rules of decision in civil actions in the courts of the United States, in cases where they apply.
In California, the following statutes fix general rules of construction for statutory interpretation:
* California Civil Code §§ 5, 13, 21
* California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 4, 16, 1858, 1859
* California Penal Code §§ 4, 7, 7.5
More specific sub-areas of law may have their own statutory rules of intepretation. And way down in the weeds, there are the definitions of terms specific to their usage in specifics groups of statutes, which are not always in harmony.
However, statutory rules of interpretation are themselves open to judicial interpretation and extension or specification. For example:
*Calla Tayud vs. State of California* (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1057, 1065.
>
> The fundamental purpose of statutory construction is to ascertain the intent of the lawmakers as to effectuate the purpose of the law [Citations.] In order to determine this intent, we began by examining the language of the statute [Citation.] 'But [i]t a settled principle statute interpretation and language of this statute should not be given a literal meaning if doing so would result in absurd consequences which the Legislature did not intend' [Citations.] Thus, '[t]he intent prevails over the letter and the letter will have possible be so read as to conform to the spirit of the act' [Citations.] Finally, we do not construe statutes in isolation, but rather read every statute 'with reference to the entire scheme of law of which it is part so that the whole may be harmonized and retain effectiveness. |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | Create hurdles not barriers
---------------------------
Aside from highly intrusive methods, any type of verification is subvertable. You can ensure that you get real people creating accounts. You can give them hoops to jump through to make sure they have some level of commitment. But you don't want to make them feel like they're applying for a passport.
Here's a few basic solutions:
* Email verification: Don't let them access anything until the address is verified.
* SMS PIN: Require a mobile number to which you send a randomized PIN they'll use to log in the first time.
* Open ID log in: Require the use of another account to create this one (e.g. Facebook). No assurances, but it's another hoop.
Disclaimer
----------
Any kind of ID verification is intrusive. Be sure you analyze your audience well before deploying a solution. You have to find the right balance of answering security concerns for your app and using a method that feels like a worthwhile exchange to your users. | You could verify their credit card number, just let them know that it's for verification only and nothing will be billed.
[What is the best way to validate a credit card in PHP?](https://stackoverflow.com/a/174750/1038249) |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | There are a variety of ways to verify a person on a site, and almost none of them are foolproof.
For example, the Zoosk method can be circumvented because a user could simply submit someone else's photos for approval.
So the real question is, *what level of verification is suitable the specific needs of your site*? Here are some design questions to as yourself:
1. **Am I willing to pay the cost of higher verification?** More verification means more burden for users (submitting evidence, photographs, additional information, captchas, etc). Studies have proven this will turn off users and cause abandonment / no signups. So the more you verify, the more users you may annoy / abandon the site.
2. **Do I need to prevent spam accounts, or verify the identify of a person?**. There is a big difference. To prevent spam accounts, it's often enough just to verify that a user is *human*. You don't need to verify their *identity*. For example, a [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) is an automatic attempt to verify that a user is human. It doesn't verify the identity of the user. The Zoosk approach also verifies that the user is human, rather than that person's specific identity.
With that in mind, here are various approaches to verifying human vs identity. The choice for your site will depend on how you decide to weigh the tradeoffs in #1 vs #2 above.
**Ways to verify that a user is human**
* Use [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) or [recpatcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/intro/index.html)
* Ask for a mobile phone number and send an SMS code to the phone.
* Ask for a credit card number.
* Ask the user to pay a small fee for an account (i.e. provide economic dissuasion for fake accounts)
**Ways to verify user's identity**
* Piggyback off a social site's verification system (e.g. require user to log in through Facebook and/or LinkedIn)
* Ask user for their social security number (this can be automated)
* Ask for a copy of their driver's license, passport or a recent utilities bill that shows their name (this will be labor intensive)
* Ask for a notarized copy of their passport or birth certificate, or a public notary identity form.
Obviously all these approaches involved different levels of automation and also vastly different levels of inconvenience to the user. Only you can decide what the ideal tradeoff between inconvenience and accuracy is for your site.
I would not try to "reinvent the wheel" here. Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and dating sites have spent a lot of time thinking about verification and spam, so study them carefully to understand why they made the choices they did. Unless your site has unusually high need for verification, I suspect that an existing approach will be suitable for you....but only you can answer that question. | You could verify their credit card number, just let them know that it's for verification only and nothing will be billed.
[What is the best way to validate a credit card in PHP?](https://stackoverflow.com/a/174750/1038249) |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | You could verify their credit card number, just let them know that it's for verification only and nothing will be billed.
[What is the best way to validate a credit card in PHP?](https://stackoverflow.com/a/174750/1038249) | you can use an external service like [Yoti](https://www.yoti.com) that handles verification for you, it handles
1. Identity Verification
2. Age Verification
3. E-signing
4. Authentication
check out this blog post for more info on how it works <https://www.zdnet.com/article/yoti-aims-to-provide-everyone-with-a-biometric-digital-identity-that-works-via-a-smartphone-app/> |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | There are a variety of ways to verify a person on a site, and almost none of them are foolproof.
For example, the Zoosk method can be circumvented because a user could simply submit someone else's photos for approval.
So the real question is, *what level of verification is suitable the specific needs of your site*? Here are some design questions to as yourself:
1. **Am I willing to pay the cost of higher verification?** More verification means more burden for users (submitting evidence, photographs, additional information, captchas, etc). Studies have proven this will turn off users and cause abandonment / no signups. So the more you verify, the more users you may annoy / abandon the site.
2. **Do I need to prevent spam accounts, or verify the identify of a person?**. There is a big difference. To prevent spam accounts, it's often enough just to verify that a user is *human*. You don't need to verify their *identity*. For example, a [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) is an automatic attempt to verify that a user is human. It doesn't verify the identity of the user. The Zoosk approach also verifies that the user is human, rather than that person's specific identity.
With that in mind, here are various approaches to verifying human vs identity. The choice for your site will depend on how you decide to weigh the tradeoffs in #1 vs #2 above.
**Ways to verify that a user is human**
* Use [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) or [recpatcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/intro/index.html)
* Ask for a mobile phone number and send an SMS code to the phone.
* Ask for a credit card number.
* Ask the user to pay a small fee for an account (i.e. provide economic dissuasion for fake accounts)
**Ways to verify user's identity**
* Piggyback off a social site's verification system (e.g. require user to log in through Facebook and/or LinkedIn)
* Ask user for their social security number (this can be automated)
* Ask for a copy of their driver's license, passport or a recent utilities bill that shows their name (this will be labor intensive)
* Ask for a notarized copy of their passport or birth certificate, or a public notary identity form.
Obviously all these approaches involved different levels of automation and also vastly different levels of inconvenience to the user. Only you can decide what the ideal tradeoff between inconvenience and accuracy is for your site.
I would not try to "reinvent the wheel" here. Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and dating sites have spent a lot of time thinking about verification and spam, so study them carefully to understand why they made the choices they did. Unless your site has unusually high need for verification, I suspect that an existing approach will be suitable for you....but only you can answer that question. | Create hurdles not barriers
---------------------------
Aside from highly intrusive methods, any type of verification is subvertable. You can ensure that you get real people creating accounts. You can give them hoops to jump through to make sure they have some level of commitment. But you don't want to make them feel like they're applying for a passport.
Here's a few basic solutions:
* Email verification: Don't let them access anything until the address is verified.
* SMS PIN: Require a mobile number to which you send a randomized PIN they'll use to log in the first time.
* Open ID log in: Require the use of another account to create this one (e.g. Facebook). No assurances, but it's another hoop.
Disclaimer
----------
Any kind of ID verification is intrusive. Be sure you analyze your audience well before deploying a solution. You have to find the right balance of answering security concerns for your app and using a method that feels like a worthwhile exchange to your users. |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | Create hurdles not barriers
---------------------------
Aside from highly intrusive methods, any type of verification is subvertable. You can ensure that you get real people creating accounts. You can give them hoops to jump through to make sure they have some level of commitment. But you don't want to make them feel like they're applying for a passport.
Here's a few basic solutions:
* Email verification: Don't let them access anything until the address is verified.
* SMS PIN: Require a mobile number to which you send a randomized PIN they'll use to log in the first time.
* Open ID log in: Require the use of another account to create this one (e.g. Facebook). No assurances, but it's another hoop.
Disclaimer
----------
Any kind of ID verification is intrusive. Be sure you analyze your audience well before deploying a solution. You have to find the right balance of answering security concerns for your app and using a method that feels like a worthwhile exchange to your users. | you can use an external service like [Yoti](https://www.yoti.com) that handles verification for you, it handles
1. Identity Verification
2. Age Verification
3. E-signing
4. Authentication
check out this blog post for more info on how it works <https://www.zdnet.com/article/yoti-aims-to-provide-everyone-with-a-biometric-digital-identity-that-works-via-a-smartphone-app/> |
73,159 | Whats the best way to get people to verify their identity for the purpose of preventing fake accounts on a social site.
For example, Zoosk does the following:
>
> Members who choose to verify their photo will be prompted by the system to record and submit a video “selfie” that will capture the individual’s face from a variety of angles. If the moderators approve the member’s photo, he or she will be notified and a Photo Verified badge will be added to their profile.
>
>
>
However I'm interested to know if there's a clever way to do this without human intervention (aside from using Amazon Turk service or the like, I mean fully automated) | 2015/02/05 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/73159",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/62264/"
] | There are a variety of ways to verify a person on a site, and almost none of them are foolproof.
For example, the Zoosk method can be circumvented because a user could simply submit someone else's photos for approval.
So the real question is, *what level of verification is suitable the specific needs of your site*? Here are some design questions to as yourself:
1. **Am I willing to pay the cost of higher verification?** More verification means more burden for users (submitting evidence, photographs, additional information, captchas, etc). Studies have proven this will turn off users and cause abandonment / no signups. So the more you verify, the more users you may annoy / abandon the site.
2. **Do I need to prevent spam accounts, or verify the identify of a person?**. There is a big difference. To prevent spam accounts, it's often enough just to verify that a user is *human*. You don't need to verify their *identity*. For example, a [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) is an automatic attempt to verify that a user is human. It doesn't verify the identity of the user. The Zoosk approach also verifies that the user is human, rather than that person's specific identity.
With that in mind, here are various approaches to verifying human vs identity. The choice for your site will depend on how you decide to weigh the tradeoffs in #1 vs #2 above.
**Ways to verify that a user is human**
* Use [captcha](http://www.captcha.net/) or [recpatcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/intro/index.html)
* Ask for a mobile phone number and send an SMS code to the phone.
* Ask for a credit card number.
* Ask the user to pay a small fee for an account (i.e. provide economic dissuasion for fake accounts)
**Ways to verify user's identity**
* Piggyback off a social site's verification system (e.g. require user to log in through Facebook and/or LinkedIn)
* Ask user for their social security number (this can be automated)
* Ask for a copy of their driver's license, passport or a recent utilities bill that shows their name (this will be labor intensive)
* Ask for a notarized copy of their passport or birth certificate, or a public notary identity form.
Obviously all these approaches involved different levels of automation and also vastly different levels of inconvenience to the user. Only you can decide what the ideal tradeoff between inconvenience and accuracy is for your site.
I would not try to "reinvent the wheel" here. Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and dating sites have spent a lot of time thinking about verification and spam, so study them carefully to understand why they made the choices they did. Unless your site has unusually high need for verification, I suspect that an existing approach will be suitable for you....but only you can answer that question. | you can use an external service like [Yoti](https://www.yoti.com) that handles verification for you, it handles
1. Identity Verification
2. Age Verification
3. E-signing
4. Authentication
check out this blog post for more info on how it works <https://www.zdnet.com/article/yoti-aims-to-provide-everyone-with-a-biometric-digital-identity-that-works-via-a-smartphone-app/> |
18,523,040 | I want to clarify difference between sequel vs SQL? Any one here know the difference between them? | 2013/08/30 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/18523040",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/2402095/"
] | in the early 1970s. Initially called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language) and based on their original language called SQUARE (Specifying Queries As Relational Expressions).SEQUEL was later renamed to SQL by dropping the vowels, because SEQUEL was a trade mark registered by the Hawker Siddeley aircraft company. | They are the same.
From [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL):
>
> **SQL** (/ˈɛs kjuː ˈɛl/ "S-Q-L"[4]; Structured Query Language[5][6][7][8])
> is a special-purpose programming language designed for managing data
> held in a relational database management system (RDBMS).
>
>
>
Some people pronounce it "S-Q-L", while others pronounce it "sequel".
For more on the pronunciation of this term:
**<https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/7231/how-is-sql-pronounced>**
<http://patorjk.com/blog/2012/01/26/pronouncing-sql-s-q-l-or-sequel/> |
18,523,040 | I want to clarify difference between sequel vs SQL? Any one here know the difference between them? | 2013/08/30 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/18523040",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/2402095/"
] | They are the same.
From [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL):
>
> **SQL** (/ˈɛs kjuː ˈɛl/ "S-Q-L"[4]; Structured Query Language[5][6][7][8])
> is a special-purpose programming language designed for managing data
> held in a relational database management system (RDBMS).
>
>
>
Some people pronounce it "S-Q-L", while others pronounce it "sequel".
For more on the pronunciation of this term:
**<https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/7231/how-is-sql-pronounced>**
<http://patorjk.com/blog/2012/01/26/pronouncing-sql-s-q-l-or-sequel/> | I spent some time researching this old issue because it has come up *again* at my company. As John Woo said, it's a matter of *pronunciation*, not spelling. SQL is pronounced "sequel" by many, and there is some history there, beyond just trying to make an acronym out of an initialism. (NASA is an acronym; IBM is an initialism).
But in writing, the best and most consistent way to refer to SQL Server or SQL databases, etc. is "SQL" --which takes the article "an" based on the initial letter "S". IBM and Microsoft style guides both agree on "an SQL " in writing, even if it might be pronounced "sequel" in some contexts.
Our company was confused on this point for some years because a Google search shows much greater use of "...a SQL " in *English* hits. Also we have long relied on the Microsoft Manual of Style, and their "rule" was easily misinterpreted. They've updated it for the 4th edition--see pp 387-388. SO: In conversation, do what you want, as long as you understand that "sequel" works in English chat, but not necessarily for people whose native language is not English. **In writing, it's S-Q-L, and the article is "an".** |
18,523,040 | I want to clarify difference between sequel vs SQL? Any one here know the difference between them? | 2013/08/30 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/18523040",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/2402095/"
] | in the early 1970s. Initially called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language) and based on their original language called SQUARE (Specifying Queries As Relational Expressions).SEQUEL was later renamed to SQL by dropping the vowels, because SEQUEL was a trade mark registered by the Hawker Siddeley aircraft company. | I spent some time researching this old issue because it has come up *again* at my company. As John Woo said, it's a matter of *pronunciation*, not spelling. SQL is pronounced "sequel" by many, and there is some history there, beyond just trying to make an acronym out of an initialism. (NASA is an acronym; IBM is an initialism).
But in writing, the best and most consistent way to refer to SQL Server or SQL databases, etc. is "SQL" --which takes the article "an" based on the initial letter "S". IBM and Microsoft style guides both agree on "an SQL " in writing, even if it might be pronounced "sequel" in some contexts.
Our company was confused on this point for some years because a Google search shows much greater use of "...a SQL " in *English* hits. Also we have long relied on the Microsoft Manual of Style, and their "rule" was easily misinterpreted. They've updated it for the 4th edition--see pp 387-388. SO: In conversation, do what you want, as long as you understand that "sequel" works in English chat, but not necessarily for people whose native language is not English. **In writing, it's S-Q-L, and the article is "an".** |
3,760,015 | Suppose I have built a lot of dlls from a certain revision of the svn repository. (It might by any revisioning system)
I am able to create a resource file containing an entry that denotes the revision number.
Can I link that resource file into the dll's I have already built? Some sort of `editbin` or the like? | 2010/09/21 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/3760015",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/6610/"
] | You can write a small program to do this, using the UpdateResource function in Windows NT:
<http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms648049(v=VS.85).aspx> | The resource compiler uses the C pre-processor. You can simply use a #define in a header file you #include in your .rc file. Or use the /D command line option for rc.exe. You can use the macro symbol in your resource definition. |
67,208 | Let **L** be a set of line-segments (lines) in a two-dimensional (2D) [Euclidean space](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclidean_space) that are randomly (say, using uniform random function) distributed, that is, some may overlap other(s). Overlapping could be on a point or a line segment (in this case it is partial or full overlapping). ***We aim to represent any frequency of overlapping lines in a reasonable way***.
For those may think of [rendering](https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/1493/rendering-overlapping-lines); it is not of our interest in this post.
To start, for example, our naive solution was to discretise all the lines into a grid, that is, aiming to generate a 2D raster map i.e., a matrix. In this way, we are able to count the number of visiting per cell for all lines in the set. The resulting map/matrix (as of our quick experiments) is promising.
**{1} What is the closest topic (if exists) to the aim of our question?**
*The answers may help us for improving our search keywords.*
**{2} Any thoughts on better ideas or suggestions for improvement?** | 2013/07/28 | [
"https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/67208",
"https://gis.stackexchange.com",
"https://gis.stackexchange.com/users/4537/"
] | We found a working solution as follows:
1. Define **P** as set of endpoints of all lines
2. Split all lines at the endpoints, **P**, producing **L**, set of newly generated lines
3. Counts all line occurrences in **L**
The above has been implemented easily in **Python** and works just fine. | It may seem counter-intuitive at first but it sounds like you are describing, at least in part, line-on-line overlay for which ArcGIS has overlay events available within Linear Referencing. |
1,485,146 | My answer for a recent [question about GOTOs and tail recursion](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1483405/is-erlangs-recursive-functions-not-just-a-goto/1483582) was phrased in terms of a call stack. I'm worried that it wasn't sufficiently general, so I ask you: how is the notion of a tail call (or equivalent) useful in architectures without a call stack?
In continuation passing, all called functions replace the calling function, and are thus tail calls, so "tail call" doesn't seem to be a useful distinction. In messaging and event based architectures, there doesn't seem to be an equivalent, though please correct me if I'm wrong. The latter two architectures are interesting cases as they are associated with OOP, rather than FP. What about other architectures? Were the old Lisp machines based on call-stacks?
Edit: According to "[What the heck is: Continuation Passing Style (CPS)](http://www.sidhe.org/~dan/blog/archives/000185.html)" (and Alex below), the equivalent of a tail call under continuation passing is not "called function replaces calling function" but "calling function passes the continuation it was given, rather than creating a new continuation". This type of tail call is useful, unlike what I asserted.
Also, I'm not interested in systems that use call stacks at a lower level, for the higher level doesn't require a call stack. This restriction doesn't apply to Alex's answer because he's writing about the fact that other invocation architectures ([is this the right term?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1485156/categorizing-architectures-based-on-calling-features)) often have a call stack equivalent, not that they have a call stack somewhere under the hood. In the case of continuation passing, the structure is like an [arborescence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arborescence_(graph_theory)), but with edges in the opposite direction. Call stack equivalents are highly relevant to my interests. | 2009/09/28 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/1485146",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/90527/"
] | On the off chance that this question interests someone other than me, I have an [expanded answer](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1483405/is-erlangs-recursive-functions-not-just-a-goto/1496088#1496088) for the other question that also answers this one. Here's the nutshell, non-rigorous version.
When a computational system performs sub-computations (i.e. a computation starts and must pause while another computation is performed because the first depends on the result of the second), a dependency relation between execution points naturally arises. In call-stack based architectures, the relation is topologically a [path graph](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PathGraph.html). In CPS, it's a tree, where every path between the root and a node is a continuation. In message passing and threading, it's a collection of path graphs. Synchronous event handling is basically message passing. Starting a sub-calculation involves extending the dependency relation, except in a tail call which replaces a leaf rather than appending to it.
Translating tail calling to asynchronous event handling is more complex, so instead consider a more general version. If A is subscribed to an event on channel 1, B is subscribed to the same event on channel 2 and B's handler merely fires the event on channel 1 (it translates the event across channels), then A can be subscribed to the event on channel 2 instead of subscribing B. This is more general because the equivalent of a tail call requires that
* A's subscription on channel 1 be canceled when A is subscribed on channel 2
* the handlers are self-unsubscribing (when invoked, they cancel the subscription)
Now for two systems that don't perform sub-computations: lambda calculus (or term rewriting systems in general) and RPN. For lambda calculus, tail calls roughly correspond to a sequence of reductions where the term length is O(1) (see iterative processes in [SICP section 1.2](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book-Z-H-11.html#%_sec_1.2)). Take RPN to use a data stack and an operations stack (as opposed to a stream of operations; the operations are those yet to be processed), and an environment that maps symbols to a sequence of operations. Tail calls could correspond to processes with O(1) stack growth. | "Architectures without a call stack" typically "simulate" one at some level -- for example, back in the time of IBM 360, we used the [S-Type Linkage Convention](http://everything2.com/title/System%252F370+S-type+linkage+convention) using register-save areas and arguments-lists indicated, by convention, by certain general-purpose registers.
So "tail call" can still matter: does the calling function need to preserve the information necessary to resume execution after the calling point (once the called function is finished), or does it know there IS going to be no execution after the calling point, and so simply reuse *its caller's* "info to resume execution" instead?
So for example a tail call optimization might mean not appending the continuation needed to resume execution on whatever linked list is being used for the purpose... which I like to see as a "call stack simulation" (at some level, though it IS obviously a more flexible arrangement -- don't want to have continuation-passing fans jumping all over my answer;-). |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | Lets look at this another way. What is the voltage at the terminals of this circuit:
[simulate this circuit](/plugins/schematics?image=http%3a%2f%2fi.stack.imgur.com%2fZC860.png) – Schematic created using [CircuitLab](https://www.circuitlab.com/)
Will the voltage drop? Simple answer: no. Long answer: Well there is no load on it, so no current flowing, so by Ohm's law, no voltage drop across the resistor.
The same is true for your capacitor, there is no current flow, so no voltage drop across it's reactance.
Now what a capacitor will do in an AC circuit if you have a load on it, is to limit the current flowing, which it can do without dissipating large amounts of power like a normal resistor would - it stores and releases charge. That doesn't mean to say it won't heat up, there are losses in it which limit how much power it can safely transfer. It will also change the power factor a long way from unity which can be bad for whatever is supplying your mains voltage (increased losses in transformers and transmission lines, etc.).
Using a capacitor in this way means you would be building a potential divider circuit with whatever you connect, so it won't be a very good regulator. With little load the voltage will go up (no load = open circuit = full mains voltage), and if you put a large load the voltage will drop as more and more voltage is dropped over the capacitor (so high enough rated X series capacitor!). | First of all: BE CARFEUL WHAT YOU DO HERE! 220 VAC (I assume 50 Hz) are no fun to get in touch with.
You dont have a closed circuit here, cause your cap isnt connected to ground, so the 220 Volts are dropping all over the open clamps (infinite resistance --> maximum voltage drop). Please dont connect it this way because you're gonna blow it up and it might get nasty.
Edit: The calculation of the reactance is rather irrelevant, since as Dave Tweed mentions, the only power dissipated are for parasitic losses.
Maybe we can help you more, if you show the rest of your schematic. |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | A capacitor "drops voltage" only if it is used as a voltage divider in conjuction with another impedance. You would have gotten the same result if you had used a resistor in this configuration. In this case, the second impedance is the input impedance of your voltmeter, which is probably 10MΩ or more. | First of all: BE CARFEUL WHAT YOU DO HERE! 220 VAC (I assume 50 Hz) are no fun to get in touch with.
You dont have a closed circuit here, cause your cap isnt connected to ground, so the 220 Volts are dropping all over the open clamps (infinite resistance --> maximum voltage drop). Please dont connect it this way because you're gonna blow it up and it might get nasty.
Edit: The calculation of the reactance is rather irrelevant, since as Dave Tweed mentions, the only power dissipated are for parasitic losses.
Maybe we can help you more, if you show the rest of your schematic. |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | First of all: BE CARFEUL WHAT YOU DO HERE! 220 VAC (I assume 50 Hz) are no fun to get in touch with.
You dont have a closed circuit here, cause your cap isnt connected to ground, so the 220 Volts are dropping all over the open clamps (infinite resistance --> maximum voltage drop). Please dont connect it this way because you're gonna blow it up and it might get nasty.
Edit: The calculation of the reactance is rather irrelevant, since as Dave Tweed mentions, the only power dissipated are for parasitic losses.
Maybe we can help you more, if you show the rest of your schematic. | In order to drop voltage, first the capacitor has to charge up. And in order to charge up it needs a current, which clearly that circuit doesn't have.
Just connecting the open ends would be a bad idea; put a resistor in series. |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | Lets look at this another way. What is the voltage at the terminals of this circuit:
[simulate this circuit](/plugins/schematics?image=http%3a%2f%2fi.stack.imgur.com%2fZC860.png) – Schematic created using [CircuitLab](https://www.circuitlab.com/)
Will the voltage drop? Simple answer: no. Long answer: Well there is no load on it, so no current flowing, so by Ohm's law, no voltage drop across the resistor.
The same is true for your capacitor, there is no current flow, so no voltage drop across it's reactance.
Now what a capacitor will do in an AC circuit if you have a load on it, is to limit the current flowing, which it can do without dissipating large amounts of power like a normal resistor would - it stores and releases charge. That doesn't mean to say it won't heat up, there are losses in it which limit how much power it can safely transfer. It will also change the power factor a long way from unity which can be bad for whatever is supplying your mains voltage (increased losses in transformers and transmission lines, etc.).
Using a capacitor in this way means you would be building a potential divider circuit with whatever you connect, so it won't be a very good regulator. With little load the voltage will go up (no load = open circuit = full mains voltage), and if you put a large load the voltage will drop as more and more voltage is dropped over the capacitor (so high enough rated X series capacitor!). | A capacitor "drops voltage" only if it is used as a voltage divider in conjuction with another impedance. You would have gotten the same result if you had used a resistor in this configuration. In this case, the second impedance is the input impedance of your voltmeter, which is probably 10MΩ or more. |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | Lets look at this another way. What is the voltage at the terminals of this circuit:
[simulate this circuit](/plugins/schematics?image=http%3a%2f%2fi.stack.imgur.com%2fZC860.png) – Schematic created using [CircuitLab](https://www.circuitlab.com/)
Will the voltage drop? Simple answer: no. Long answer: Well there is no load on it, so no current flowing, so by Ohm's law, no voltage drop across the resistor.
The same is true for your capacitor, there is no current flow, so no voltage drop across it's reactance.
Now what a capacitor will do in an AC circuit if you have a load on it, is to limit the current flowing, which it can do without dissipating large amounts of power like a normal resistor would - it stores and releases charge. That doesn't mean to say it won't heat up, there are losses in it which limit how much power it can safely transfer. It will also change the power factor a long way from unity which can be bad for whatever is supplying your mains voltage (increased losses in transformers and transmission lines, etc.).
Using a capacitor in this way means you would be building a potential divider circuit with whatever you connect, so it won't be a very good regulator. With little load the voltage will go up (no load = open circuit = full mains voltage), and if you put a large load the voltage will drop as more and more voltage is dropped over the capacitor (so high enough rated X series capacitor!). | In order to drop voltage, first the capacitor has to charge up. And in order to charge up it needs a current, which clearly that circuit doesn't have.
Just connecting the open ends would be a bad idea; put a resistor in series. |
186,733 | I have a state diagram that is consisted of 3 states and in reset it comes to state s0 then if an event happen on start signal goes to state 2 and statye there for 15 clock sycle and then after that goes to state 3 and then back to state s0.
My question is that when VHDL coding how could I do the 15 clock delay of state 2.
I know that a counter needs to be there but it is not clear for me how to do the VHDL coding.
Could any one please give me some help.
Thank you | 2015/08/21 | [
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186733",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com",
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/83736/"
] | A capacitor "drops voltage" only if it is used as a voltage divider in conjuction with another impedance. You would have gotten the same result if you had used a resistor in this configuration. In this case, the second impedance is the input impedance of your voltmeter, which is probably 10MΩ or more. | In order to drop voltage, first the capacitor has to charge up. And in order to charge up it needs a current, which clearly that circuit doesn't have.
Just connecting the open ends would be a bad idea; put a resistor in series. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | Your other option is to ditch compression fittings and **learn how to sweat** (solder) copper pipe. Or if you do have a plumber come out, have them replace every accessible compression fitting with sweat fittings that will never leak ever again.
Compression fittings are prone to leakage, even when they aren't eating away your pipes with galvanic action, as you can see they are, with the black patina on that old stub.
I'm pretty sure **Stack Exchange can help you** with every aspect of learning how to solder, and if you're willing to do the work, the cost of the tools and materials will probably be less than a service call, and then you'd have the tools and the talent for work in the future. Having one easy elbow to sweat is a great place to start.
If you know anyone who knows how to sweat pipe, they should be able to show you how, *and* you'd be done, in under an hour: for the cost of a torch, solder, flux, fittings, a piece of sandpaper and a six pack of beer. | You cannot repair this externally with tape, but soldering is not necessary either. Simpler than learning how to properly solder (sweat) fittings together, look into "Shark-Bite" style fittings. These are more costly than soldered fittings but are very simple to install and require no tools. They simply press onto the (clean) ends of a pipe. Depending on the condition of the pipe hiding under the fittings in your photo, you may need to clean it up with sandpaper, or if that is a flared fitting, even cut it off squarely first with a tubing cutter (NOT a hacksaw). I'll let you google for a how-to on shark-bites rather than rambling on here myself.
Side note: You will encounter two types of threaded plumbing fittings. Old school iron pipe has tapered threads which become increasingly tighter as the pieces are threaded together. This is where teflon tape is used, to fill any irregularities between the male and female threads of the pieces being joined. Back in the day, before teflon tape became available, "pipe dope" sealant was used. Other fitting types use straight, non-tapered threads to simply pull together two pieces tightly together so that they seal, possibly with a gasket, or a flared end against a mating conical surface, or by compressing a compression ring of soft material (typically copper). Do not use tape on these, it serves no purpose and just gets in the way. The nut shown indicates that the fitting in your photo is a compression fitting (uses straight threads), but without taking it apart we can't see whether it uses a compression ring or a flare. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | Wrapping externally with teflon tape wouldn't help. Teflon™ doesn't stick to **anything**; the only reason it works when used properly (wrapped on threads before assembly) is that it's squeezed tightly between the external and internal threads (using Teflon reduces friction so the joint can still be fully tightened).
The leak is at a [compression fitting](http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infplumb/infcomp.html). The real way to fix this would be to disassemble, clean the nut and seat, trim the last 1" from the end of the copper pipe, install a new ring, and then reassemble the joint. If you can't disassemble it, then you might get away with cleaning off the corrosion with a wire brush and applying some sort of caulk or glue (perhaps an epoxy), but especially as the joint is hot it will be tough to find something that will last. | You cannot repair this externally with tape, but soldering is not necessary either. Simpler than learning how to properly solder (sweat) fittings together, look into "Shark-Bite" style fittings. These are more costly than soldered fittings but are very simple to install and require no tools. They simply press onto the (clean) ends of a pipe. Depending on the condition of the pipe hiding under the fittings in your photo, you may need to clean it up with sandpaper, or if that is a flared fitting, even cut it off squarely first with a tubing cutter (NOT a hacksaw). I'll let you google for a how-to on shark-bites rather than rambling on here myself.
Side note: You will encounter two types of threaded plumbing fittings. Old school iron pipe has tapered threads which become increasingly tighter as the pieces are threaded together. This is where teflon tape is used, to fill any irregularities between the male and female threads of the pieces being joined. Back in the day, before teflon tape became available, "pipe dope" sealant was used. Other fitting types use straight, non-tapered threads to simply pull together two pieces tightly together so that they seal, possibly with a gasket, or a flared end against a mating conical surface, or by compressing a compression ring of soft material (typically copper). Do not use tape on these, it serves no purpose and just gets in the way. The nut shown indicates that the fitting in your photo is a compression fitting (uses straight threads), but without taking it apart we can't see whether it uses a compression ring or a flare. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | No. "Teflon tape" is used on the threads of joints, not to seal leaks outside of joints. It's not adhesive like tape, so it wouldn't stick to the outside of the pipe at all.
If you don't know what you're doing, I'd bring in someone who does. Based on the amount of corrosion, it looks like it's been leaking for some time. It could be as simple as tightening the nut, or it might require disassembly and reassembly (possibly with new parts). | You cannot repair this externally with tape, but soldering is not necessary either. Simpler than learning how to properly solder (sweat) fittings together, look into "Shark-Bite" style fittings. These are more costly than soldered fittings but are very simple to install and require no tools. They simply press onto the (clean) ends of a pipe. Depending on the condition of the pipe hiding under the fittings in your photo, you may need to clean it up with sandpaper, or if that is a flared fitting, even cut it off squarely first with a tubing cutter (NOT a hacksaw). I'll let you google for a how-to on shark-bites rather than rambling on here myself.
Side note: You will encounter two types of threaded plumbing fittings. Old school iron pipe has tapered threads which become increasingly tighter as the pieces are threaded together. This is where teflon tape is used, to fill any irregularities between the male and female threads of the pieces being joined. Back in the day, before teflon tape became available, "pipe dope" sealant was used. Other fitting types use straight, non-tapered threads to simply pull together two pieces tightly together so that they seal, possibly with a gasket, or a flared end against a mating conical surface, or by compressing a compression ring of soft material (typically copper). Do not use tape on these, it serves no purpose and just gets in the way. The nut shown indicates that the fitting in your photo is a compression fitting (uses straight threads), but without taking it apart we can't see whether it uses a compression ring or a flare. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | The fitting must be disassembled, cleaned and then apply teflon pipe dope to the threads and tighten snug. Once snug turn 3/4 turn and stop. Over tightening compression fittings will damage the collar under the nut and the pipe. If this does not work the pipe and collar may be damaged and need to be replaced. | You cannot repair this externally with tape, but soldering is not necessary either. Simpler than learning how to properly solder (sweat) fittings together, look into "Shark-Bite" style fittings. These are more costly than soldered fittings but are very simple to install and require no tools. They simply press onto the (clean) ends of a pipe. Depending on the condition of the pipe hiding under the fittings in your photo, you may need to clean it up with sandpaper, or if that is a flared fitting, even cut it off squarely first with a tubing cutter (NOT a hacksaw). I'll let you google for a how-to on shark-bites rather than rambling on here myself.
Side note: You will encounter two types of threaded plumbing fittings. Old school iron pipe has tapered threads which become increasingly tighter as the pieces are threaded together. This is where teflon tape is used, to fill any irregularities between the male and female threads of the pieces being joined. Back in the day, before teflon tape became available, "pipe dope" sealant was used. Other fitting types use straight, non-tapered threads to simply pull together two pieces tightly together so that they seal, possibly with a gasket, or a flared end against a mating conical surface, or by compressing a compression ring of soft material (typically copper). Do not use tape on these, it serves no purpose and just gets in the way. The nut shown indicates that the fitting in your photo is a compression fitting (uses straight threads), but without taking it apart we can't see whether it uses a compression ring or a flare. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | Your other option is to ditch compression fittings and **learn how to sweat** (solder) copper pipe. Or if you do have a plumber come out, have them replace every accessible compression fitting with sweat fittings that will never leak ever again.
Compression fittings are prone to leakage, even when they aren't eating away your pipes with galvanic action, as you can see they are, with the black patina on that old stub.
I'm pretty sure **Stack Exchange can help you** with every aspect of learning how to solder, and if you're willing to do the work, the cost of the tools and materials will probably be less than a service call, and then you'd have the tools and the talent for work in the future. Having one easy elbow to sweat is a great place to start.
If you know anyone who knows how to sweat pipe, they should be able to show you how, *and* you'd be done, in under an hour: for the cost of a torch, solder, flux, fittings, a piece of sandpaper and a six pack of beer. | You should first turn the water off at the main. ( where the meter is located, usually in the front by the curb) Have a bucket close by to catch what water is left in the pipe. You should be able to turn the bolt just above the corrosion to the left and loosen the connection. Pliers may be needed if it hasn't been loosened in a while. After loosening, it should disconnect enough where you can maneuver the pipe out from under the bolt. Take a look at the pipes condition. If it's threads are still visible and the pipe is still in good shape with the corrosive material mainly where the dripping is on the outside, then u can apply a layer of plumbers tape around the threading and reconnect. The tape otherwise will have no affect on the leak without taking these steps. If the leak continues or the pipe is deteriorating, then disconnecting both ends of the pipe and taking a trip to Home Depot will probably be necessary. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | No. "Teflon tape" is used on the threads of joints, not to seal leaks outside of joints. It's not adhesive like tape, so it wouldn't stick to the outside of the pipe at all.
If you don't know what you're doing, I'd bring in someone who does. Based on the amount of corrosion, it looks like it's been leaking for some time. It could be as simple as tightening the nut, or it might require disassembly and reassembly (possibly with new parts). | You should first turn the water off at the main. ( where the meter is located, usually in the front by the curb) Have a bucket close by to catch what water is left in the pipe. You should be able to turn the bolt just above the corrosion to the left and loosen the connection. Pliers may be needed if it hasn't been loosened in a while. After loosening, it should disconnect enough where you can maneuver the pipe out from under the bolt. Take a look at the pipes condition. If it's threads are still visible and the pipe is still in good shape with the corrosive material mainly where the dripping is on the outside, then u can apply a layer of plumbers tape around the threading and reconnect. The tape otherwise will have no affect on the leak without taking these steps. If the leak continues or the pipe is deteriorating, then disconnecting both ends of the pipe and taking a trip to Home Depot will probably be necessary. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | The fitting must be disassembled, cleaned and then apply teflon pipe dope to the threads and tighten snug. Once snug turn 3/4 turn and stop. Over tightening compression fittings will damage the collar under the nut and the pipe. If this does not work the pipe and collar may be damaged and need to be replaced. | You should first turn the water off at the main. ( where the meter is located, usually in the front by the curb) Have a bucket close by to catch what water is left in the pipe. You should be able to turn the bolt just above the corrosion to the left and loosen the connection. Pliers may be needed if it hasn't been loosened in a while. After loosening, it should disconnect enough where you can maneuver the pipe out from under the bolt. Take a look at the pipes condition. If it's threads are still visible and the pipe is still in good shape with the corrosive material mainly where the dripping is on the outside, then u can apply a layer of plumbers tape around the threading and reconnect. The tape otherwise will have no affect on the leak without taking these steps. If the leak continues or the pipe is deteriorating, then disconnecting both ends of the pipe and taking a trip to Home Depot will probably be necessary. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | Your other option is to ditch compression fittings and **learn how to sweat** (solder) copper pipe. Or if you do have a plumber come out, have them replace every accessible compression fitting with sweat fittings that will never leak ever again.
Compression fittings are prone to leakage, even when they aren't eating away your pipes with galvanic action, as you can see they are, with the black patina on that old stub.
I'm pretty sure **Stack Exchange can help you** with every aspect of learning how to solder, and if you're willing to do the work, the cost of the tools and materials will probably be less than a service call, and then you'd have the tools and the talent for work in the future. Having one easy elbow to sweat is a great place to start.
If you know anyone who knows how to sweat pipe, they should be able to show you how, *and* you'd be done, in under an hour: for the cost of a torch, solder, flux, fittings, a piece of sandpaper and a six pack of beer. | The fitting must be disassembled, cleaned and then apply teflon pipe dope to the threads and tighten snug. Once snug turn 3/4 turn and stop. Over tightening compression fittings will damage the collar under the nut and the pipe. If this does not work the pipe and collar may be damaged and need to be replaced. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | No. "Teflon tape" is used on the threads of joints, not to seal leaks outside of joints. It's not adhesive like tape, so it wouldn't stick to the outside of the pipe at all.
If you don't know what you're doing, I'd bring in someone who does. Based on the amount of corrosion, it looks like it's been leaking for some time. It could be as simple as tightening the nut, or it might require disassembly and reassembly (possibly with new parts). | Wrapping externally with teflon tape wouldn't help. Teflon™ doesn't stick to **anything**; the only reason it works when used properly (wrapped on threads before assembly) is that it's squeezed tightly between the external and internal threads (using Teflon reduces friction so the joint can still be fully tightened).
The leak is at a [compression fitting](http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infplumb/infcomp.html). The real way to fix this would be to disassemble, clean the nut and seat, trim the last 1" from the end of the copper pipe, install a new ring, and then reassemble the joint. If you can't disassemble it, then you might get away with cleaning off the corrosion with a wire brush and applying some sort of caulk or glue (perhaps an epoxy), but especially as the joint is hot it will be tough to find something that will last. |
88,809 | [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1gO9Z.jpg)
Hi there,
This is some piping to my Saxon hot water system. Just above where the white/green corrosion is is where the leak is.
My question is, can I use plumbers tape on the outside of this to seal the leak?
I do not want to pull it apart as I don't know what I am doing. I am basically after a quick fix and thought plumbers tape (teflon tape) would suffice. If not are there any other options? (other than the obvious in getting a plumber out (again!). | 2016/04/17 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/88809",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/52772/"
] | Wrapping externally with teflon tape wouldn't help. Teflon™ doesn't stick to **anything**; the only reason it works when used properly (wrapped on threads before assembly) is that it's squeezed tightly between the external and internal threads (using Teflon reduces friction so the joint can still be fully tightened).
The leak is at a [compression fitting](http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infplumb/infcomp.html). The real way to fix this would be to disassemble, clean the nut and seat, trim the last 1" from the end of the copper pipe, install a new ring, and then reassemble the joint. If you can't disassemble it, then you might get away with cleaning off the corrosion with a wire brush and applying some sort of caulk or glue (perhaps an epoxy), but especially as the joint is hot it will be tough to find something that will last. | You should first turn the water off at the main. ( where the meter is located, usually in the front by the curb) Have a bucket close by to catch what water is left in the pipe. You should be able to turn the bolt just above the corrosion to the left and loosen the connection. Pliers may be needed if it hasn't been loosened in a while. After loosening, it should disconnect enough where you can maneuver the pipe out from under the bolt. Take a look at the pipes condition. If it's threads are still visible and the pipe is still in good shape with the corrosive material mainly where the dripping is on the outside, then u can apply a layer of plumbers tape around the threading and reconnect. The tape otherwise will have no affect on the leak without taking these steps. If the leak continues or the pipe is deteriorating, then disconnecting both ends of the pipe and taking a trip to Home Depot will probably be necessary. |
54,207,839 | I have JSON formatted data that has an ISO 8601 timestamp format in it example "2017-06-29T00:00:00-0400" and I am trying to use AWS Glue to transform for Athena/Quicksights use; however every combination of conversion I have tried still sees the destination field as a string (after crawling the destination json file). I also receive a HIVE\_BAD\_DATA error parsing field when trying to query against the table in Athena | 2019/01/15 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/54207839",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10919359/"
] | You can try to set timestamp.formats=yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss+|-hhmm in serde parameter section of the table definition. You can do this in AWS Glue. | Try
>
> df = df.withColumn("isodate", to\_timestamp("isodate",
> "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ssZ"))
>
>
> |
54,207,839 | I have JSON formatted data that has an ISO 8601 timestamp format in it example "2017-06-29T00:00:00-0400" and I am trying to use AWS Glue to transform for Athena/Quicksights use; however every combination of conversion I have tried still sees the destination field as a string (after crawling the destination json file). I also receive a HIVE\_BAD\_DATA error parsing field when trying to query against the table in Athena | 2019/01/15 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/54207839",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10919359/"
] | Thanks for the input, I was able to work around my issue by creating a calculated field in Quicksight baseed on the string using parseDate(replace(substring({date\_in\_ISO},1,19),'T'," "),'yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') | Try
>
> df = df.withColumn("isodate", to\_timestamp("isodate",
> "yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ssZ"))
>
>
> |
54,207,839 | I have JSON formatted data that has an ISO 8601 timestamp format in it example "2017-06-29T00:00:00-0400" and I am trying to use AWS Glue to transform for Athena/Quicksights use; however every combination of conversion I have tried still sees the destination field as a string (after crawling the destination json file). I also receive a HIVE\_BAD\_DATA error parsing field when trying to query against the table in Athena | 2019/01/15 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/54207839",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10919359/"
] | Thanks for the input, I was able to work around my issue by creating a calculated field in Quicksight baseed on the string using parseDate(replace(substring({date\_in\_ISO},1,19),'T'," "),'yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') | You can try to set timestamp.formats=yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss+|-hhmm in serde parameter section of the table definition. You can do this in AWS Glue. |
7,949,758 | I would like to understand how to set up the following domains, websites and IP addresses for the following scenario:
User types www.mysite.com and this resolves to www.mysite.com which I can do without any problems to host A
On the site on host A, a user then clicks a link to retailers.mysite.com and this resolves to retailers.mysite.com on host B and all pages under this URL should point to this too.
How would I go about setting this up? Is it even doable?
The reason I want to do this is that I want to host a blog with one host (host A in the example above) and the core website with another host (host B in the example above) but I want it to look like one website (mysite.com) | 2011/10/31 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/7949758",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/67757/"
] | Yes this is easily accomplished via the dns settings for your domain.
You need to know the IPAddress or domain name for the different hosts.
You can then setup a CNAME record for the subdomain and point it to the coresponding target host
i.e.
\*.mysite.com -> A Record -> host A
retailers.mysite.com -> CNAME -> host B | This is absolutely feasible. Subdomains (such as retailers.mysite.com) can resolve to a different IP address than the main site. In fact, I've used this feature before to make a subdomain of my website redirect to my PC's current IP address.
Whether this feature is available may, however, may depend on who the domain name's registrar is and what configuration options they provide. Some registrars may charge extra if you have more than a particular number of sub-domains, others allow unlimited numbers.
Another (alebeit inferior and slower) way to accomplish the same goal would be to use Mod Rewrite to rewrite urls so they go to the other server. |
76,672 | Is there an alternative tool similar to [MS Reader](http://www.microsoft.com/reader) that allows one to both **publish** and **view** ebooks in Linux, Mac and Win? | 2009/11/29 | [
"https://superuser.com/questions/76672",
"https://superuser.com",
"https://superuser.com/users/1443/"
] | Perhaps [Calibre](http://calibre-ebook.com/) will do the trick for your needs. It's a rather comprehensive eBook manager/reader/converter. | Just save your files as PDF. That's the most cross-platform you'll get (all OS + all phones, handhelds and web) |
76,672 | Is there an alternative tool similar to [MS Reader](http://www.microsoft.com/reader) that allows one to both **publish** and **view** ebooks in Linux, Mac and Win? | 2009/11/29 | [
"https://superuser.com/questions/76672",
"https://superuser.com",
"https://superuser.com/users/1443/"
] | That entirely depends on the format you prefer, if you want to open Microsoft's proprietary LIT format and various platform, then Calibre (as per Mavrik's suggestion) is your best bet.
If you're willing to settle for **.txt, .doc, .html, .fb2** or **.rtf** formats then i suggest Cool Reader. [Version 3](http://coolreader.org/crengine.htm) is a cross-platform (Linux, Mac and Windows) open source E-Book viewer.
**[Cool Reader 2](http://www.coolreader.org/e-index.htm)** is my personal favorite, but version 2 only works for the Windows platform, unlike version 3 it supports skinning, text-to-speech and MP3 export.
*Cool Reader 2 is closed source, but free and portable.*
*Don't mind the Russian screen shots, despite its origin, the software is all in English. :)* | Just save your files as PDF. That's the most cross-platform you'll get (all OS + all phones, handhelds and web) |
39,730,161 | I volunteer at nonprofit, and we currently run our website through Squarespace. We have hundreds of web pages set up to sponsor our children. Every few months when we want to update their personal information, we have to go into each web page and retype all the information. We keep all our information in a google excel sheet.
My question is: Am I able to link cells from the Google Sheet to specific values on each child's webpage? That way, when the excel sheet is updated (favorite activity, favorite color, grade, age...etc.), it can all be updated through the Google Sheet instead of having to first update the Google Sheet, and then updating each individual webpage. I've been researching this for days now, and I feel like it may be possibly with JQuery, but I feel very limited with Squarespace's capabilities. Thanks! | 2016/09/27 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/39730161",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/6889208/"
] | The short answer is yes.
You can use a google sheet as a database for any application, update and manipulate data.
I have been doing that for a long time now. Google has recently released its **Google Sheet API V4 (the current)** the last version.
I followed this tutorial: <https://developers.google.com/sheets/guides/concepts>
. On the left panel, you can choose the programming language you wish to develop under Quickstart.
It supports:
PHP.
Android.
Java.
Node.js.
Python.
Ruby.
Perl.
Go
iOS
.NET
The trick is that you need to set an ID for each record which refer to the line number. Your column should also be fixed. This is because queries in Google Sheet API refer to the column number and row number. (Known as index). | You can check the following repository that i once used to do this same thing.
<https://github.com/souparno/google-sheet-database>
Some of the api calls might be old and needs to be updated.
* this is a quick answer, i will update more when i get some time |
96,567 | I am from Eastern Europe with a strong research record. This year, I applied for similar professor positions in the US and UK. From 5 applications in the US universities, I was invited for interviews for 3 positions. I got one offer and one is still pending.
However, all 4 applications I submitted to the UK universities were unsuccessful. The last position was relisted after my rejection, which means they had not received strong applications.
I prefer to move to the UK since I still do not need a work permit. I am now confused if the standards and criteria for recruiting a faculty member is this much different in the US and UK. The 9 positions I applied for were all similar, full professor in the same field in mid-level universities. | 2017/09/26 | [
"https://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/96567",
"https://academia.stackexchange.com",
"https://academia.stackexchange.com/users/80404/"
] | 1) All organizations--including private companies--have indirect costs which need to be added to grant budgets. Like universities, private companies negotiate indirect cost rates with the government which apply to any contracts or grants awarded. The rates can be comparable to university rates, and at some types of institutions (nonprofits) they can be significantly higher! ([This *Nature* blog post](http://www.nature.com/news/indirect-costs-keeping-the-lights-on-1.16376) dedicated to indirect costs has a nifty graphic of the range of rates across institution types.)
2) If you are working in a private company, you might think you would be relieved of the burden of grantwriting altogether. However, then you need to convince the people above you in the company that the research/development project you want to pursue is the one that is in the best interest of the company. This might be more difficult than you are anticipating. | A "bad deal" for who?
>
> I find it disheartening to find how much of a cut of total grant
> awards are taken by a university.
>
>
>
Note that for many grant mechanisms, and indeed probably the largest single grant agency (the NIH), overhead is not "a cut of the total grant award" but is added on to the total cost of the grant. If the overhead rate was lower, the amount you'd get for your lab would not be larger.
>
> Sure, there are overhead costs, but 40 - 60%? Come on. This seems like
> a terrible deal. Especially in some fields, such as software research,
> where faculty do all the work, rely very little on physical
> infrastructure, power, depreciation costs of facilities and equipment,
> administrative costs, etc, it makes such little sense to me.
>
>
>
Our institution has an overhead rate in the middle-high end of that range, and having looked at it, that rate doesn't actually cover the cost of administering research. I'm also skeptical of your claim that you use little in the way of overhead - I'm in a very similar field, and I derive a great deal of value from the overhead rates I pay. Additionally, overhead goes to things like startup packages, which are consumed in large chunks at a single time, but largely invisible to you.
Further, overhead rates tend to be institution wide, which means that it has to cover the *average* cost of research - for every cheap software researcher, there's also someone who has to maintain a cattle herd for their research, and a single overhead rate needs to cover both of those.
>
> Why on earth would a modern researcher obtain grants and give up half
> to an aging academic institution rather than working within the realm
> of industry-led research?
>
>
>
Why would you think this is true? Industry has an overhead rate as well - they're just allowed to roll it into the total costs of their research contracts, rather than being forced to keep it as a separate entry. Or are you under the impression that industrial research doesn't have to pay for electricity and internet and offices and administrative support? |
7,819 | Given: Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum.
* Reverse spinning with dense atmosphere (92 times > Earth & CO2 dominant sulphur based).
* Surface same degree of aging all over.
* Hypothetical large impact is not a sufficient answer.
Assuming any object large enough to alter a planets rotation or even orbit would likely destroy most of its shape, yet Venus has retained a spherical property with a seemingly flat, even terrain indicating no volcanoes,and few if any visible meteor impacts. It would be fragmented and dispersed for billions of years. Even the question of what meteor, comet, asteroid composition could survive traveling that close to the sun's temperature, radiation, electromagnetic energy, solar flares, or gravity to equal a mass reactionary change as to alter it's spin. | 2011/03/31 | [
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/7819",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/users/2860/"
] | IMO there is no solid explanation, as anna said. [Only clues (WP)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus#Orbit_and_rotation).
In this simulation (2002) [Long term evolution of the spin of Venus- II, Numerical simulations](http://www.imcce.fr/Equipes/ASD/preprints/prep.2002/venus2.2002.pdf) we find a mix of: 'chaotic zone', instability, large impact, close encounter, tidal effects, planetary perturbations,...
**There is room for speculation:**
I think that the heavy atmosphere is not a significant factor of slowing the rotation.
I discarded any violent event because it can easily change more than one parameter; in this case we have only one (the direction).
The planet's minute axial tilt (less than three degrees, compared with 23 degrees for Earth) make me think to keep only the **tidal perturbation**, although the present configuration Sun-Venus-Earth is not able to justify it.
As the Venusian surface rotates as low as 6.5 km/h (on Earth is about 1,670 km/h) we can think that Venus may have changed the direction of rotation not long time ago.
The solar system angular momentum problem is not solved (the planets strangely have almost all of it) and I think that the solution of this does one is not related to the present question.
The **equation 35** of this paper ([a new model, undiscussed](http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/astro-ph/pdf/0208/0208365v1.pdf)) allows the slow evolution of the configuration Sun-Venus-Earth. | Well, I Binged and found some [references.](http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q50.html)
Seems that a collision is most probable, if it happened at a time when the whole system was malleable. But there is no solid explanation. |
7,819 | Given: Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum.
* Reverse spinning with dense atmosphere (92 times > Earth & CO2 dominant sulphur based).
* Surface same degree of aging all over.
* Hypothetical large impact is not a sufficient answer.
Assuming any object large enough to alter a planets rotation or even orbit would likely destroy most of its shape, yet Venus has retained a spherical property with a seemingly flat, even terrain indicating no volcanoes,and few if any visible meteor impacts. It would be fragmented and dispersed for billions of years. Even the question of what meteor, comet, asteroid composition could survive traveling that close to the sun's temperature, radiation, electromagnetic energy, solar flares, or gravity to equal a mass reactionary change as to alter it's spin. | 2011/03/31 | [
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/7819",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/users/2860/"
] | IMO there is no solid explanation, as anna said. [Only clues (WP)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus#Orbit_and_rotation).
In this simulation (2002) [Long term evolution of the spin of Venus- II, Numerical simulations](http://www.imcce.fr/Equipes/ASD/preprints/prep.2002/venus2.2002.pdf) we find a mix of: 'chaotic zone', instability, large impact, close encounter, tidal effects, planetary perturbations,...
**There is room for speculation:**
I think that the heavy atmosphere is not a significant factor of slowing the rotation.
I discarded any violent event because it can easily change more than one parameter; in this case we have only one (the direction).
The planet's minute axial tilt (less than three degrees, compared with 23 degrees for Earth) make me think to keep only the **tidal perturbation**, although the present configuration Sun-Venus-Earth is not able to justify it.
As the Venusian surface rotates as low as 6.5 km/h (on Earth is about 1,670 km/h) we can think that Venus may have changed the direction of rotation not long time ago.
The solar system angular momentum problem is not solved (the planets strangely have almost all of it) and I think that the solution of this does one is not related to the present question.
The **equation 35** of this paper ([a new model, undiscussed](http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/astro-ph/pdf/0208/0208365v1.pdf)) allows the slow evolution of the configuration Sun-Venus-Earth. | There seems a lot of conjecture in any event. Venus could have been a meteor, with an innate spin, that swung by the Sun and have been captured into our Solar systems anticlockwise orbital arrangement. Retaining her original spin momentum, clockwise relative to the others. |
7,819 | Given: Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum.
* Reverse spinning with dense atmosphere (92 times > Earth & CO2 dominant sulphur based).
* Surface same degree of aging all over.
* Hypothetical large impact is not a sufficient answer.
Assuming any object large enough to alter a planets rotation or even orbit would likely destroy most of its shape, yet Venus has retained a spherical property with a seemingly flat, even terrain indicating no volcanoes,and few if any visible meteor impacts. It would be fragmented and dispersed for billions of years. Even the question of what meteor, comet, asteroid composition could survive traveling that close to the sun's temperature, radiation, electromagnetic energy, solar flares, or gravity to equal a mass reactionary change as to alter it's spin. | 2011/03/31 | [
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/7819",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com",
"https://physics.stackexchange.com/users/2860/"
] | IMO there is no solid explanation, as anna said. [Only clues (WP)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus#Orbit_and_rotation).
In this simulation (2002) [Long term evolution of the spin of Venus- II, Numerical simulations](http://www.imcce.fr/Equipes/ASD/preprints/prep.2002/venus2.2002.pdf) we find a mix of: 'chaotic zone', instability, large impact, close encounter, tidal effects, planetary perturbations,...
**There is room for speculation:**
I think that the heavy atmosphere is not a significant factor of slowing the rotation.
I discarded any violent event because it can easily change more than one parameter; in this case we have only one (the direction).
The planet's minute axial tilt (less than three degrees, compared with 23 degrees for Earth) make me think to keep only the **tidal perturbation**, although the present configuration Sun-Venus-Earth is not able to justify it.
As the Venusian surface rotates as low as 6.5 km/h (on Earth is about 1,670 km/h) we can think that Venus may have changed the direction of rotation not long time ago.
The solar system angular momentum problem is not solved (the planets strangely have almost all of it) and I think that the solution of this does one is not related to the present question.
The **equation 35** of this paper ([a new model, undiscussed](http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/astro-ph/pdf/0208/0208365v1.pdf)) allows the slow evolution of the configuration Sun-Venus-Earth. | This is a very late response, but there is no accepted answer as of yet, and none of the answer quite hit the mark.
Regarding the magical collision hypothesis, that smacks of being rather non-scientific. Scientists as well as Missourians are wont to say, "Show me!" Other than the fact that Venus's rotation is anomalous, what, exactly, is the evidence for a collision with enough *oomph* to create this anomalous rotation? Even more problematically, this collision hypothesis hand waves away the problem of Venus's thick atmosphere.
Part of the problem here is thinking that the current rotation rates and rotation axes of the terrestrial planets are somehow related to the initial angular momentum of protoplanetary disk from which the planets formed. That may well be the case for the two gas giants in the solar system, but it's not the case for the terrestrial planets. The primordial angular momenta of the terrestrial planets is not a conserved quantity thanks to external torques from the Sun, Jupiter, moons, and other planets. Mercury is in a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance. Mars has suffered chaotic variations in its rotational state due to perturbations from Jupiter. Whatever angular momenta those two planets had initially is long lost. The Earth's Moon has apparently stabilized the Earth's rotation axis, but has sapped its primordial rotation rate. So what about Venus?
Helder Velez's answer to me comes closest to the mark but misses some key points. Helder explicitly discounted Venus's thick atmosphere as playing a role. That Venus has a very thick atmosphere may well be a key part of the answer. Helder referenced the second of two papers published in *Icarus* on Venus's rotation by Correia and Laskar but did not the reference the first (or the similar *Nature* article by Correia and Laskar published couple of years prior to those *Icarus* articles), and Helder did not pay attention to the key point in the Correia and Laskar: Venus rotation is a natural consequence of Venus's thick atmosphere. No collision is needed.
A parsimonious explanation of Venus's rotational state would not need a magical gigantic impact that even more magically did not blow away Venus's primordial atmosphere. This parsimonious explanation is exactly what Correia and Laskar argue happened in their *Nature* paper and their two *Icarus* papers. Venus rotates the way it does because this is one of the four final states in which a collision-free terrestrial planet with a very thick atmosphere would rotate. Two of those final states have Venus rotating prograde, the other two, retrograde. The prograde rotational states are statistically unlikely compared to the retrograde rotational states. Venus's thick atmosphere plays a key role in determining Venus's final, stable rotational state.
References:
Correia, A. C., & Laskar, J. (2001). The four final rotation states of Venus. *Nature*, 411(6839), 767-770.
Correia, A., Laskar, J., & de Surgy, O. N. (2003). Long-term evolution of the spin of Venus: I. theory. *Icarus*, 163(1), 1-23.
Correia, A., & Laskar, J. (2003). Long-term evolution of the spin of Venus: II. numerical simulations. *Icarus*, 163(1), 24-45. |
259,010 | So rewiring a bathroom because all the bathroom receptacles are connected and if any two of the bathrooms are using a blow dryer, circuit trips.
Master bath currently has lights and outlets both wired to that circuit shared with other bathrooms, so planning to swap out the master bath lights and outlets to a dedicated 20amp circuit. Oddly enough, wiring was done with 12-gauge wires so this should be fine.
I'm going to be dropping in 20 amp GFCI receptacle for the outlets. My question is, is it ok for the fan and the lights to be controlled by 15 amp switches when the outlet is 20 amps? Lights are on a dimmer as well. I think it's ok since load won't be high anyway, but wanted to confirm. | 2022/10/21 | [
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/259010",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com",
"https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/144049/"
] | **TL;DR**
I've seen something along the lines of this before:
>
> It's ok by NEC 404.14. Sized for load being switched.
>
>
>
---
Pragmatically, it's probably fine since you shouldn't be drawing more than 15 amps through that switch.
If that fan ever malfunctions and draws more than 15 amps for an extended period of time then you have an active fire hazard.
How does a fan draw more than 15 amps, you ask? Well if the motor starts seizing up due to bad bearings then the amp draw will rise. Hopefully the motor dies before a fire starts I guess.
Also, can you guarantee me that someone in the future won't tap into that circuit and exceed the switch's rating? I think that an inspector would likely fail you.
---
Here is a discussion about putting receptacles on a switch which is inherently more dangerous since the load demand can easily vary.
[20 amp Circuit, 15 amp switch that controls receptacles ok?](https://diy.stackexchange.com/q/128532/42053) | Look at 404.14 for your code reference here.
To summarize, if you're controlling a receptacle then 404.14(F) requires you to use a 20A switch on a 20A circuit even if it's a 15A receptacle. For devices that are wired directly to the switch you can probably work under 404.14(A) and use a switch rated for the size of the load.
Check with the code to determine the specific limits if you're doing something unusual. For a few lights light or a fan below 15A, using the smaller switch is fine. |
98,335 | We are evaluating the [Cisco SA 500 router](http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/solutions/small_business/products/security/SA_500/index.html?Referring_site=PrintTv&Country_Site=us&Campaign=sa500&Position=Vanity&Creative=go/sa500&Where=go/sa500) for our new office router. Would anyone recommend another similarly-featured router from another manufacturer?
Requirements:
- Office of 14 people
- We are likely to switch to 14 VOIP phones (Linksys SPA-942) soon
- We want to use VPN on the router, if possible, with Windows and Mac users | 2009/12/30 | [
"https://serverfault.com/questions/98335",
"https://serverfault.com",
"https://serverfault.com/users/1973/"
] | I'd second the Juniper recommendation, however the SSG line is slowly being EOL'd.
Instead look at the SRX line, SRX100 or SRX240 being the most obvious models. | Juniper has some similar products. I would use the [SSG 20](http://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/security/ssg-series/ssg20/) as a starting point: <http://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/security/ssg-series/ssg20/> |
289,542 | I'm working with a software that uses VDB ([VistaDB](http://www.vistadb.net/)) to archive log files, while everyone else uses windows and can use the Vistadb software, I'm unable to do so using my Ubuntu OS, does anyone knows how can those file be viewed under Linux ? | 2013/05/02 | [
"https://askubuntu.com/questions/289542",
"https://askubuntu.com",
"https://askubuntu.com/users/78792/"
] | The following I found while looking at this ...
* VistaDB is an Embedded SQL Database Engine for .Net and mono.
* It uses Blowfish encryption to encrypt the database content.
* Anyone with a license that has the database can open it and use their own program to connect but I only saw Windows software that can do this.
The only mentioning of Linux in regards to vistaDB is [this reply](http://community.gibraltarsoftware.com/Forums/yaf_postsm20976_MonoTouch-and-Mono-for-Android.aspx#post20976), though the full reply is more about android:
>
> VistaDB may work under Mono, but we do not have the resources to test and validate it for Mono, so such use is considered "experimental". In theory, it can work in Mono--such as under Linux on a PC.
>
>
> When we took over VistaDB we had to focus our efforts on the core product for standard machines and operating systems (ie. various versions of Windows).
>
>
>
When we have alternatives like MySQL, SQLite and Firebird not a lot of Linux users will be tempted to buy a license and install Windows to use it. So you are probably on your own here (not saying it is not possible in Linux with mono but you would need to do a lot of experimenting yourself). | If the database was built for VistaDB 4.x (\*.vdb4), you're out of luck. However, 3.x (\*.vdb3) works fine under WINE. Can't confirm with 2.x (\*.vdb) since I can't find that version. |
15,601 | I have a selection of paths in illustrator (cs6).
I want to select all the paths and free transform them to something like a 3rd of the size. The problem is when I shrink them down, the stroke on the paths stays the same. So originally some had 1pt and 2pt stroke, bit when I free transform all the paths to a 3rd of the original size, the strokes are all still 1pt and 2pt big.
I don't want to have to go through each path and change the stroke, as it would take a long time. is there a tool/option in illustrator that can help with this? | 2013/02/02 | [
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/15601",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/users/9693/"
] | Using the Scale tool, tick the check box which says "Scale strokes and effects" before scaling. That reduces your strokes proportionally. | Another way to get there is under the General Preferences settings:
 |
15,601 | I have a selection of paths in illustrator (cs6).
I want to select all the paths and free transform them to something like a 3rd of the size. The problem is when I shrink them down, the stroke on the paths stays the same. So originally some had 1pt and 2pt stroke, bit when I free transform all the paths to a 3rd of the original size, the strokes are all still 1pt and 2pt big.
I don't want to have to go through each path and change the stroke, as it would take a long time. is there a tool/option in illustrator that can help with this? | 2013/02/02 | [
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/15601",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/users/9693/"
] | Using the Scale tool, tick the check box which says "Scale strokes and effects" before scaling. That reduces your strokes proportionally. | In CS6, there are also 2 places via the Transform Panel to toggle the Scale Strokes & Effects option:
You may have to choose Show Options from the Transform Panel menu to see the check box.
Users requested it get moved to the UI directly because they were weary of having open preferences all the time to change the setting. So, Adobe added a checkbox to the Transform Panel in CS6. The menu item in the Transform Menu has always been there. |
15,601 | I have a selection of paths in illustrator (cs6).
I want to select all the paths and free transform them to something like a 3rd of the size. The problem is when I shrink them down, the stroke on the paths stays the same. So originally some had 1pt and 2pt stroke, bit when I free transform all the paths to a 3rd of the original size, the strokes are all still 1pt and 2pt big.
I don't want to have to go through each path and change the stroke, as it would take a long time. is there a tool/option in illustrator that can help with this? | 2013/02/02 | [
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/15601",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/users/9693/"
] | Using the Scale tool, tick the check box which says "Scale strokes and effects" before scaling. That reduces your strokes proportionally. | I find using the keyboard "CMD-K" or "Ctrl-K" and selecting/deselecting the scale stroke and effects option is the easiest and fastest route to keep control of an scaled object's appearance.
You can also turn the object/s into a symbol and then you can scale to your heart's content and when you need to edit the paths again they won't have a bizarre pixel size, like 3.544px instead of 1px. Symbols are terrific for keeping absolute control of accurate work. |
15,601 | I have a selection of paths in illustrator (cs6).
I want to select all the paths and free transform them to something like a 3rd of the size. The problem is when I shrink them down, the stroke on the paths stays the same. So originally some had 1pt and 2pt stroke, bit when I free transform all the paths to a 3rd of the original size, the strokes are all still 1pt and 2pt big.
I don't want to have to go through each path and change the stroke, as it would take a long time. is there a tool/option in illustrator that can help with this? | 2013/02/02 | [
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/15601",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/users/9693/"
] | In CS6, there are also 2 places via the Transform Panel to toggle the Scale Strokes & Effects option:
You may have to choose Show Options from the Transform Panel menu to see the check box.
Users requested it get moved to the UI directly because they were weary of having open preferences all the time to change the setting. So, Adobe added a checkbox to the Transform Panel in CS6. The menu item in the Transform Menu has always been there. | Another way to get there is under the General Preferences settings:
 |
15,601 | I have a selection of paths in illustrator (cs6).
I want to select all the paths and free transform them to something like a 3rd of the size. The problem is when I shrink them down, the stroke on the paths stays the same. So originally some had 1pt and 2pt stroke, bit when I free transform all the paths to a 3rd of the original size, the strokes are all still 1pt and 2pt big.
I don't want to have to go through each path and change the stroke, as it would take a long time. is there a tool/option in illustrator that can help with this? | 2013/02/02 | [
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/15601",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com",
"https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/users/9693/"
] | In CS6, there are also 2 places via the Transform Panel to toggle the Scale Strokes & Effects option:
You may have to choose Show Options from the Transform Panel menu to see the check box.
Users requested it get moved to the UI directly because they were weary of having open preferences all the time to change the setting. So, Adobe added a checkbox to the Transform Panel in CS6. The menu item in the Transform Menu has always been there. | I find using the keyboard "CMD-K" or "Ctrl-K" and selecting/deselecting the scale stroke and effects option is the easiest and fastest route to keep control of an scaled object's appearance.
You can also turn the object/s into a symbol and then you can scale to your heart's content and when you need to edit the paths again they won't have a bizarre pixel size, like 3.544px instead of 1px. Symbols are terrific for keeping absolute control of accurate work. |
199,381 | I am writing a technical document and I need to refer to the current point of time. Should I say 'at the time of writing', 'at the time of this writing', or 'at the time of writing this'? Are all acceptable? | 2014/10/02 | [
"https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/199381",
"https://english.stackexchange.com",
"https://english.stackexchange.com/users/93214/"
] | While all will be understood, the convention in this situation is to use "at the time of writing".
Alternatively you could say "as of October 2014".
>
> "At the time of writing we had just declared war with IS."
>
>
> "As of October 2014 the tax rate is 20%."
>
>
> | I would suggest that it line up with the acronym for this phrase: [Acronym of abbreviation for "At the time of writing this document"?](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/422116/acronym-of-abbreviation-for-at-the-time-of-writing-this-document)
>
> **ATTOW**
>
>
>
Which is exactly how [the answer](https://english.stackexchange.com/a/199392/232142) is written. |
118,855 | I'm trying to get into funk with my electric guitar and am currently practicing keeping the 16ths rhythm and learn keeping a loose wrist. I usually play with a thick pick ("fender heavy"), but should I use a softer pick for strumming quick 16ths in a funky style?
(Of course I should use whatever feels the best, but I'm a beginner to funk and would like to know the most appropriate/pedagogical approach.) | 2021/12/01 | [
"https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/118855",
"https://music.stackexchange.com",
"https://music.stackexchange.com/users/47563/"
] | The usual disclaimers apply here: the tone is in your fingers and not your gear, do what sounds and feels good to you, and there is this one guitarist who plays with a coin and had a disco hit back in the day. On the other hand, thin pick is easy to strum with and produces a lot of overtones to feed into wah or whatever you have.
For what it's worth, [Nile Rodgers plays super soft pick](https://twitter.com/nilerodgers/status/949097572160942081) and it seems to work for him. Picks don't cost much, so might be worth trying. | It's probably more to do with how you use it, rather than what it is. Yes, flexible (rather than loose) wrist, litlle tip showing, and more important, how you hold it.
If it's too tightly, it won't 'feather' (just like windscreen wiper blades need to), so the recovery from one direction to the opposite will be impeded. So, as loose as you can, without dropping it. Maybee best to have just one pick, rather than a different one for each style! |
76,940 | As we know there is a common false assumption that
>
> UX means just the interface
>
>
>
But according to that [article](http://atiqurrehman.com/what-is-user-experience/) UX means totally different. Let's suppose if UX means interaction then how we will differentiate that interaction for a Product and a Project, If UX means user's feelings then how we will differentiate these feelings for a Product and a Project comparatively.
As well as the goal of a better **UX is to make users effective**. Then how the efficiency of a user will be considered in the case of product and project ?
And also what will be the basic parameters and **what about the UX cycle for both** product and project !
*(The product or project may be smart app, desk app or web app)* | 2015/04/27 | [
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/76940",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com",
"https://ux.stackexchange.com/users/52674/"
] | Userexperiencerocks website illustrate it perfectly like this, no software in sight.
 | Whether it is a product or a project, the UX should be identical. That is to say that, both product and project require the best possible UX, which comes from research and lots of testing.
Just because a project is a 'one' time release, doesn't make it any less important to have a great UX. The main difference I can see in the UX process is that a product will likely have different personas from a project so some decision might be different. But this is totally dependant on the application you're working on. |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | >
> Ask the user for [...] An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
This has been suggested a few times... You linked to one of them. I'm in favor of this, although I think editing titles to provide good, visible examples of what they *should* look like is more effective. The biggest problem with titles is often not that they're titular, but that they're vague or completely meaningless.
>
> Ask the user for [...] Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples.
>
>
>
These may or may not be relevant. [Lots of folks have tried to sum up what makes a good question](http://msmvps.com/blogs/jon_skeet/archive/2010/08/29/writing-the-perfect-question.aspx), but really what constitutes a good question depends a lot on what is being asked: if your code is behaving unexpectedly, then a good question will tend to include a small code snippet to reproduce the problem, a description of what you're trying to do, and a description of what you expect to happen... You *could* describe this as context, details, and examples, although that's probably not how the author would think of them. But many users ask questions about things they want to accomplish, but don't know where to begin. Answers point to an API, an algorithm, or a tool. Context is crucial here, but in terms of what the asker is trying to accomplish, not necessarily the code that he's written.
>
> An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
>
>
>
This seems reasonable. Not too big, but slightly larger than the body font.
>
> This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
>
>
>
The *entire site* should be an example for this. The first thing you see upon visiting the site is a page full of titles.
And actually, this is what makes me and others somewhat negative toward these suggestions: they treat users as though they've been captured, blindfolded, driven to a secret location and dumped in front of a desk where this "ask a question" screen was open, and then told of a question they must obtain the answer to *or die.* **But users *have* examples** - the entire site is filled with examples of questions that have been asked and answered. If you're asking a question poorly, it's either because you don't care, or you've been exposed to more lousy questions than good ones.
But that doesn't mean we can't improve. I think your labeling ideas are decent. Overly verbose, but decent. Here's my suggestion: start a little smaller. Focus on coming up with clear, **short**, descriptive labels for the major UI elements. Leave the rest for another day. | The irony hasn't escaped me that in the comments, you've *repeatedly* asked "What instructions?" and requested for people to post a screenshot of the existing guidelines that we claim are already displayed when people first try to ask a question.
Those guidelines are actually there, and people do actually have to click a checkmark indicating their agreement to those guidelines. You obviously didn't read them or pay any attention to them when asking *your* first question, and neither do the users who post the low-quality questions that have frazzled you so.
As observed in the comments by multiple users, including myself, your proposed solution isn't actually going to be effective for precisely the same reason: **the types of users you're hoping to target won't read/notice/care in the first place**.
Oh, and as for those guidelines you clicked through without paying much attention to yourself:
 |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | >
> Ask the user for [...] An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
This has been suggested a few times... You linked to one of them. I'm in favor of this, although I think editing titles to provide good, visible examples of what they *should* look like is more effective. The biggest problem with titles is often not that they're titular, but that they're vague or completely meaningless.
>
> Ask the user for [...] Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples.
>
>
>
These may or may not be relevant. [Lots of folks have tried to sum up what makes a good question](http://msmvps.com/blogs/jon_skeet/archive/2010/08/29/writing-the-perfect-question.aspx), but really what constitutes a good question depends a lot on what is being asked: if your code is behaving unexpectedly, then a good question will tend to include a small code snippet to reproduce the problem, a description of what you're trying to do, and a description of what you expect to happen... You *could* describe this as context, details, and examples, although that's probably not how the author would think of them. But many users ask questions about things they want to accomplish, but don't know where to begin. Answers point to an API, an algorithm, or a tool. Context is crucial here, but in terms of what the asker is trying to accomplish, not necessarily the code that he's written.
>
> An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
>
>
>
This seems reasonable. Not too big, but slightly larger than the body font.
>
> This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
>
>
>
The *entire site* should be an example for this. The first thing you see upon visiting the site is a page full of titles.
And actually, this is what makes me and others somewhat negative toward these suggestions: they treat users as though they've been captured, blindfolded, driven to a secret location and dumped in front of a desk where this "ask a question" screen was open, and then told of a question they must obtain the answer to *or die.* **But users *have* examples** - the entire site is filled with examples of questions that have been asked and answered. If you're asking a question poorly, it's either because you don't care, or you've been exposed to more lousy questions than good ones.
But that doesn't mean we can't improve. I think your labeling ideas are decent. Overly verbose, but decent. Here's my suggestion: start a little smaller. Focus on coming up with clear, **short**, descriptive labels for the major UI elements. Leave the rest for another day. | Increasing the font size of the title to reflect its importance seems like a good idea. The sentences as field labels seem awkward though. Perhaps "Title" could just be changed to "Summary" to better reflect the purpose of the field without making it too verbose?
"Provide details like context, intent, and examples" also makes an awkward field label. They're good instructions, but I don't think that's the place for them.
Instead, what about another block in the sidebar below "How to Ask" that provides these bullet points. It would also be good to mention describing what result was *expected* and what actually occurred. This block could flash (like answers do when you first post them) when the question body textarea loses focus or the mouse is hovered over the "Post" button.
These bullet points could be linked to parts of the faq, rather than linking from the field labels. The standard behaviour when clicking on field labels is to focus the entry field, if it does anything at all. It might also make sense to rename the existing "How to Ask" box to "What to ask", and label this new box "How to ask".
The "asking help" link already points to the "How to Ask" page. Maybe it could be renamed to something like "asking good questions"? Or at least something that indicates that it's about writing good questions rather than technical help about the process of posting questions.
>
> Ask the user for the right content: An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
I don't think there's any inherent benefit in titles phrased as complete sentences or as questions. [This was thoroughly debated recently](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/99185/would-the-stack-exchange-network-be-better-if-titles-contained-complete-grammati/99197#99197), but the gist of it is that we want detailed titles, but complete sentences don't get us any closer to that goal. It's kind of an [XY problem](http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341). |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I believe that bad users will be bad users, a lot of the comments here are merely anecdotal and highly prejudiced. It's one thing to say, "Yeah, I've seen this happen a lot online and users hardly read instructions", but to [dismiss](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259741) a suggestion [solely](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259742) because of [prior experiences](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259781) is wrong. I'll admit that certain requests are downright ludicrous and should be summarily dismissed; but this one isn't, and is relatively simple to implement.
In response to [Cody Gray's post](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions/101942#101942) about signing the agreement/guidelines and similar sentiments in the comments, I simply ask everyone to consider the following:
>
> * **What percentage of folks do you think *actually* read the
> software license agreements before installing something?**
>
>
> Practically zero. We all simply click the "agree" button and move
> on. We don't care for what's in there, *even though* the company that
> shipped it, would like that you read it and be familiar with their
> terms & conditions.
> * **What percentage of folks do you think pay attention to the little
> text area next to a password field that says *"Passwords must be at
> least 8 chars long and must contain blah blah"?***
>
>
> I'd say a much higher percentage than above. Granted, there will be
> morons who don't read that and will be prompted to re-enter their
> choice, but after a couple of bad tries they start paying closer
> attention.
>
>
>
The current guidelines/agreement linked in Cody's post is the equivalent of a software license agreement, and it *merely* stands in the way of a *desperate* user (these are the ones with the most violations) and they simply couldn't care less as to what it says. Tom's suggestion here is to make the guidelines more direct, concise and closer to the actual field where it is applicable. The information can be grasped in a single glance and *might* actually improve the quality.
Also, the agreement is shown only once, when you first ask a question. So if a user dismisses it once, they're never going to see it again and they're bound to remain confused as to why the community hates their questions. If Tom's suggestion is implemented, it should come with a caveat that it will be shown to users until they get a minimum of X rep on each of Y posts and at least Z rep in total (could be questions or answers, so as to not annoy those who answer more than ask and to not aid single run-away fluke questions).
**It wouldn't hurt to at least *try* this out on SO and see if it improves the quality of the posts**†. Of course, we would have to come up with a suitable metric to determine if there's been an improvement, but we can address that later, if this is gets that far.
†I heard bold text is in vogue these days | My issue with the suggestions here is that they **add more words to the page**.
If the user is so dense that can't understand what "title:" means, I'm not convinced that changing it to "summarize your problem as a question:" is going to help ... anyone.
Also, there is already help present in the fields:
So piling even more text on the page is simply not the right way to reach *users who don't read anything*. |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I believe that bad users will be bad users, a lot of the comments here are merely anecdotal and highly prejudiced. It's one thing to say, "Yeah, I've seen this happen a lot online and users hardly read instructions", but to [dismiss](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259741) a suggestion [solely](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259742) because of [prior experiences](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259781) is wrong. I'll admit that certain requests are downright ludicrous and should be summarily dismissed; but this one isn't, and is relatively simple to implement.
In response to [Cody Gray's post](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions/101942#101942) about signing the agreement/guidelines and similar sentiments in the comments, I simply ask everyone to consider the following:
>
> * **What percentage of folks do you think *actually* read the
> software license agreements before installing something?**
>
>
> Practically zero. We all simply click the "agree" button and move
> on. We don't care for what's in there, *even though* the company that
> shipped it, would like that you read it and be familiar with their
> terms & conditions.
> * **What percentage of folks do you think pay attention to the little
> text area next to a password field that says *"Passwords must be at
> least 8 chars long and must contain blah blah"?***
>
>
> I'd say a much higher percentage than above. Granted, there will be
> morons who don't read that and will be prompted to re-enter their
> choice, but after a couple of bad tries they start paying closer
> attention.
>
>
>
The current guidelines/agreement linked in Cody's post is the equivalent of a software license agreement, and it *merely* stands in the way of a *desperate* user (these are the ones with the most violations) and they simply couldn't care less as to what it says. Tom's suggestion here is to make the guidelines more direct, concise and closer to the actual field where it is applicable. The information can be grasped in a single glance and *might* actually improve the quality.
Also, the agreement is shown only once, when you first ask a question. So if a user dismisses it once, they're never going to see it again and they're bound to remain confused as to why the community hates their questions. If Tom's suggestion is implemented, it should come with a caveat that it will be shown to users until they get a minimum of X rep on each of Y posts and at least Z rep in total (could be questions or answers, so as to not annoy those who answer more than ask and to not aid single run-away fluke questions).
**It wouldn't hurt to at least *try* this out on SO and see if it improves the quality of the posts**†. Of course, we would have to come up with a suitable metric to determine if there's been an improvement, but we can address that later, if this is gets that far.
†I heard bold text is in vogue these days | >
> Ask the user for [...] An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
This has been suggested a few times... You linked to one of them. I'm in favor of this, although I think editing titles to provide good, visible examples of what they *should* look like is more effective. The biggest problem with titles is often not that they're titular, but that they're vague or completely meaningless.
>
> Ask the user for [...] Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples.
>
>
>
These may or may not be relevant. [Lots of folks have tried to sum up what makes a good question](http://msmvps.com/blogs/jon_skeet/archive/2010/08/29/writing-the-perfect-question.aspx), but really what constitutes a good question depends a lot on what is being asked: if your code is behaving unexpectedly, then a good question will tend to include a small code snippet to reproduce the problem, a description of what you're trying to do, and a description of what you expect to happen... You *could* describe this as context, details, and examples, although that's probably not how the author would think of them. But many users ask questions about things they want to accomplish, but don't know where to begin. Answers point to an API, an algorithm, or a tool. Context is crucial here, but in terms of what the asker is trying to accomplish, not necessarily the code that he's written.
>
> An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
>
>
>
This seems reasonable. Not too big, but slightly larger than the body font.
>
> This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
>
>
>
The *entire site* should be an example for this. The first thing you see upon visiting the site is a page full of titles.
And actually, this is what makes me and others somewhat negative toward these suggestions: they treat users as though they've been captured, blindfolded, driven to a secret location and dumped in front of a desk where this "ask a question" screen was open, and then told of a question they must obtain the answer to *or die.* **But users *have* examples** - the entire site is filled with examples of questions that have been asked and answered. If you're asking a question poorly, it's either because you don't care, or you've been exposed to more lousy questions than good ones.
But that doesn't mean we can't improve. I think your labeling ideas are decent. Overly verbose, but decent. Here's my suggestion: start a little smaller. Focus on coming up with clear, **short**, descriptive labels for the major UI elements. Leave the rest for another day. |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | My issue with the suggestions here is that they **add more words to the page**.
If the user is so dense that can't understand what "title:" means, I'm not convinced that changing it to "summarize your problem as a question:" is going to help ... anyone.
Also, there is already help present in the fields:
So piling even more text on the page is simply not the right way to reach *users who don't read anything*. | Increasing the font size of the title to reflect its importance seems like a good idea. The sentences as field labels seem awkward though. Perhaps "Title" could just be changed to "Summary" to better reflect the purpose of the field without making it too verbose?
"Provide details like context, intent, and examples" also makes an awkward field label. They're good instructions, but I don't think that's the place for them.
Instead, what about another block in the sidebar below "How to Ask" that provides these bullet points. It would also be good to mention describing what result was *expected* and what actually occurred. This block could flash (like answers do when you first post them) when the question body textarea loses focus or the mouse is hovered over the "Post" button.
These bullet points could be linked to parts of the faq, rather than linking from the field labels. The standard behaviour when clicking on field labels is to focus the entry field, if it does anything at all. It might also make sense to rename the existing "How to Ask" box to "What to ask", and label this new box "How to ask".
The "asking help" link already points to the "How to Ask" page. Maybe it could be renamed to something like "asking good questions"? Or at least something that indicates that it's about writing good questions rather than technical help about the process of posting questions.
>
> Ask the user for the right content: An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
I don't think there's any inherent benefit in titles phrased as complete sentences or as questions. [This was thoroughly debated recently](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/99185/would-the-stack-exchange-network-be-better-if-titles-contained-complete-grammati/99197#99197), but the gist of it is that we want detailed titles, but complete sentences don't get us any closer to that goal. It's kind of an [XY problem](http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341). |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I agree with Tim and others that a lot of users are plain apathetic, I think it can't hurt to improve the wording on things anyway.
Stack Exchange is not always new-user friendly and in my experience communities aren't very forgiving to questions that aren't phrased "just so". That can be intimidating. Especially as we move away from the technical programmer crowd and attract more users from other fields, it really can't hurt to be a little more clear on what likely is the first form a new user comes across.
I'm not fully in agreement with the wording changes proposed here. For one, I think it's fine to keep "title" instead of going for some variation of "concise description". But I support adding some guidance around tags, the preview pane, and possibly the question body itself.
Tl;dr: there's no harm in making wording better. It's a small change and it won't stop *every* bad question, but that's okay. Sure, this is the Internet and so on, but aren't we trying to make the Internet better? | I don't disagree that clarification will have a benefit. But the benefit will be incredibly small because of what Cody, Michael, and Tim say in the comments. Bad posts and ignoring instructions are the rule on the internet, not the exception. You can't change the fundamental nature of people with nice text.
I can't speak for them, but I would assume the devs have bigger fish to fry. Attracting great questions and users is sure to be more effective than attempting to turn unacceptable questions into barely acceptable questions. |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | My issue with the suggestions here is that they **add more words to the page**.
If the user is so dense that can't understand what "title:" means, I'm not convinced that changing it to "summarize your problem as a question:" is going to help ... anyone.
Also, there is already help present in the fields:
So piling even more text on the page is simply not the right way to reach *users who don't read anything*. | While I agree with Tim and others that a lot of users are plain apathetic, I think it can't hurt to improve the wording on things anyway.
Stack Exchange is not always new-user friendly and in my experience communities aren't very forgiving to questions that aren't phrased "just so". That can be intimidating. Especially as we move away from the technical programmer crowd and attract more users from other fields, it really can't hurt to be a little more clear on what likely is the first form a new user comes across.
I'm not fully in agreement with the wording changes proposed here. For one, I think it's fine to keep "title" instead of going for some variation of "concise description". But I support adding some guidance around tags, the preview pane, and possibly the question body itself.
Tl;dr: there's no harm in making wording better. It's a small change and it won't stop *every* bad question, but that's okay. Sure, this is the Internet and so on, but aren't we trying to make the Internet better? |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I believe that bad users will be bad users, a lot of the comments here are merely anecdotal and highly prejudiced. It's one thing to say, "Yeah, I've seen this happen a lot online and users hardly read instructions", but to [dismiss](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259741) a suggestion [solely](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259742) because of [prior experiences](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259781) is wrong. I'll admit that certain requests are downright ludicrous and should be summarily dismissed; but this one isn't, and is relatively simple to implement.
In response to [Cody Gray's post](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions/101942#101942) about signing the agreement/guidelines and similar sentiments in the comments, I simply ask everyone to consider the following:
>
> * **What percentage of folks do you think *actually* read the
> software license agreements before installing something?**
>
>
> Practically zero. We all simply click the "agree" button and move
> on. We don't care for what's in there, *even though* the company that
> shipped it, would like that you read it and be familiar with their
> terms & conditions.
> * **What percentage of folks do you think pay attention to the little
> text area next to a password field that says *"Passwords must be at
> least 8 chars long and must contain blah blah"?***
>
>
> I'd say a much higher percentage than above. Granted, there will be
> morons who don't read that and will be prompted to re-enter their
> choice, but after a couple of bad tries they start paying closer
> attention.
>
>
>
The current guidelines/agreement linked in Cody's post is the equivalent of a software license agreement, and it *merely* stands in the way of a *desperate* user (these are the ones with the most violations) and they simply couldn't care less as to what it says. Tom's suggestion here is to make the guidelines more direct, concise and closer to the actual field where it is applicable. The information can be grasped in a single glance and *might* actually improve the quality.
Also, the agreement is shown only once, when you first ask a question. So if a user dismisses it once, they're never going to see it again and they're bound to remain confused as to why the community hates their questions. If Tom's suggestion is implemented, it should come with a caveat that it will be shown to users until they get a minimum of X rep on each of Y posts and at least Z rep in total (could be questions or answers, so as to not annoy those who answer more than ask and to not aid single run-away fluke questions).
**It wouldn't hurt to at least *try* this out on SO and see if it improves the quality of the posts**†. Of course, we would have to come up with a suitable metric to determine if there's been an improvement, but we can address that later, if this is gets that far.
†I heard bold text is in vogue these days | Increasing the font size of the title to reflect its importance seems like a good idea. The sentences as field labels seem awkward though. Perhaps "Title" could just be changed to "Summary" to better reflect the purpose of the field without making it too verbose?
"Provide details like context, intent, and examples" also makes an awkward field label. They're good instructions, but I don't think that's the place for them.
Instead, what about another block in the sidebar below "How to Ask" that provides these bullet points. It would also be good to mention describing what result was *expected* and what actually occurred. This block could flash (like answers do when you first post them) when the question body textarea loses focus or the mouse is hovered over the "Post" button.
These bullet points could be linked to parts of the faq, rather than linking from the field labels. The standard behaviour when clicking on field labels is to focus the entry field, if it does anything at all. It might also make sense to rename the existing "How to Ask" box to "What to ask", and label this new box "How to ask".
The "asking help" link already points to the "How to Ask" page. Maybe it could be renamed to something like "asking good questions"? Or at least something that indicates that it's about writing good questions rather than technical help about the process of posting questions.
>
> Ask the user for the right content: An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
I don't think there's any inherent benefit in titles phrased as complete sentences or as questions. [This was thoroughly debated recently](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/99185/would-the-stack-exchange-network-be-better-if-titles-contained-complete-grammati/99197#99197), but the gist of it is that we want detailed titles, but complete sentences don't get us any closer to that goal. It's kind of an [XY problem](http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341). |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I agree with Tim and others that a lot of users are plain apathetic, I think it can't hurt to improve the wording on things anyway.
Stack Exchange is not always new-user friendly and in my experience communities aren't very forgiving to questions that aren't phrased "just so". That can be intimidating. Especially as we move away from the technical programmer crowd and attract more users from other fields, it really can't hurt to be a little more clear on what likely is the first form a new user comes across.
I'm not fully in agreement with the wording changes proposed here. For one, I think it's fine to keep "title" instead of going for some variation of "concise description". But I support adding some guidance around tags, the preview pane, and possibly the question body itself.
Tl;dr: there's no harm in making wording better. It's a small change and it won't stop *every* bad question, but that's okay. Sure, this is the Internet and so on, but aren't we trying to make the Internet better? | Increasing the font size of the title to reflect its importance seems like a good idea. The sentences as field labels seem awkward though. Perhaps "Title" could just be changed to "Summary" to better reflect the purpose of the field without making it too verbose?
"Provide details like context, intent, and examples" also makes an awkward field label. They're good instructions, but I don't think that's the place for them.
Instead, what about another block in the sidebar below "How to Ask" that provides these bullet points. It would also be good to mention describing what result was *expected* and what actually occurred. This block could flash (like answers do when you first post them) when the question body textarea loses focus or the mouse is hovered over the "Post" button.
These bullet points could be linked to parts of the faq, rather than linking from the field labels. The standard behaviour when clicking on field labels is to focus the entry field, if it does anything at all. It might also make sense to rename the existing "How to Ask" box to "What to ask", and label this new box "How to ask".
The "asking help" link already points to the "How to Ask" page. Maybe it could be renamed to something like "asking good questions"? Or at least something that indicates that it's about writing good questions rather than technical help about the process of posting questions.
>
> Ask the user for the right content: An actual question instead of topics or a title.
>
>
>
I don't think there's any inherent benefit in titles phrased as complete sentences or as questions. [This was thoroughly debated recently](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/99185/would-the-stack-exchange-network-be-better-if-titles-contained-complete-grammati/99197#99197), but the gist of it is that we want detailed titles, but complete sentences don't get us any closer to that goal. It's kind of an [XY problem](http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341). |
101,935 | **I would love to see more useful questions** and don't think the [new About page](https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2013/01/about-page-2-0-the-quickstartening/) will help; so, I have worked out a more effective "Ask Question" page that solves lots of problems more effective:
* Ask the user for the right content:
+ An actual question instead of topics or a title. In a Q&A system we are answering a question that is based on an actual practical problem, we are not discussing around a topic.
+ Actual context and details of a problem, as well as examples. This makes the user remind that we need to know the context and the fine details of a problem; too often, we need to ask these kind of simple questions in the comments where the user has not provided context nor details, he could have just done that in the first place.
* An increased size of the question title, to remind the user that it pops out in reality.
+ This would show an example question in (light) grey, so that the user gets the idea.
+ The question itself is the most important on Ask Question, the whole Q&A is based on it.
* Part of the heading texts could link back to the How to Ask page.
* The How to Ask link is partially forgotten days/weeks after it has been read, we can remind them.
* I would suggest to link "Describe the contexts and details" to the "Do your homework" part of the How to Ask page as well as to link "your problem" to the FAQ, which explains that it should be about an actual, practical problem and which helps guide the user further. There is no incentive that the user should check out the FAQ, so providing a link doesn't hurt.
*Have you ever tried to fill in a survey where each box is accompanied with **at most** a single word? That’s not constructive.*
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CAaX0.png)
Not seen above is that the question box would show an example of an actual title in grey. | 2011/08/11 | [
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://meta.stackexchange.com/users/145350/"
] | While I believe that bad users will be bad users, a lot of the comments here are merely anecdotal and highly prejudiced. It's one thing to say, "Yeah, I've seen this happen a lot online and users hardly read instructions", but to [dismiss](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259741) a suggestion [solely](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259742) because of [prior experiences](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions#comment-259781) is wrong. I'll admit that certain requests are downright ludicrous and should be summarily dismissed; but this one isn't, and is relatively simple to implement.
In response to [Cody Gray's post](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101935/could-the-ask-question-dialog-be-changed-to-encourage-better-questions/101942#101942) about signing the agreement/guidelines and similar sentiments in the comments, I simply ask everyone to consider the following:
>
> * **What percentage of folks do you think *actually* read the
> software license agreements before installing something?**
>
>
> Practically zero. We all simply click the "agree" button and move
> on. We don't care for what's in there, *even though* the company that
> shipped it, would like that you read it and be familiar with their
> terms & conditions.
> * **What percentage of folks do you think pay attention to the little
> text area next to a password field that says *"Passwords must be at
> least 8 chars long and must contain blah blah"?***
>
>
> I'd say a much higher percentage than above. Granted, there will be
> morons who don't read that and will be prompted to re-enter their
> choice, but after a couple of bad tries they start paying closer
> attention.
>
>
>
The current guidelines/agreement linked in Cody's post is the equivalent of a software license agreement, and it *merely* stands in the way of a *desperate* user (these are the ones with the most violations) and they simply couldn't care less as to what it says. Tom's suggestion here is to make the guidelines more direct, concise and closer to the actual field where it is applicable. The information can be grasped in a single glance and *might* actually improve the quality.
Also, the agreement is shown only once, when you first ask a question. So if a user dismisses it once, they're never going to see it again and they're bound to remain confused as to why the community hates their questions. If Tom's suggestion is implemented, it should come with a caveat that it will be shown to users until they get a minimum of X rep on each of Y posts and at least Z rep in total (could be questions or answers, so as to not annoy those who answer more than ask and to not aid single run-away fluke questions).
**It wouldn't hurt to at least *try* this out on SO and see if it improves the quality of the posts**†. Of course, we would have to come up with a suitable metric to determine if there's been an improvement, but we can address that later, if this is gets that far.
†I heard bold text is in vogue these days | I don't disagree that clarification will have a benefit. But the benefit will be incredibly small because of what Cody, Michael, and Tim say in the comments. Bad posts and ignoring instructions are the rule on the internet, not the exception. You can't change the fundamental nature of people with nice text.
I can't speak for them, but I would assume the devs have bigger fish to fry. Attracting great questions and users is sure to be more effective than attempting to turn unacceptable questions into barely acceptable questions. |
84,687 | I have a mid-range gravel bike, and I am interested in upgrading the wheels. I was thinking of getting deep-ish carbon wheels (~40mm or so) so that I would also have an upgrade path if I want to build a road/aero bike later on. I would be upgrading from somewhat heavy aluminum wheels.
With my gravel bike, I am currently doing a mix of road riding and off-road, mostly in forests and in fields.
Would this be a dumb idea? I.e. are carbon wheels robust enough for off-road applications? | 2022/07/02 | [
"https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/84687",
"https://bicycles.stackexchange.com",
"https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/65738/"
] | Carbon wheels are strong enough for gravel and mountain bike riding now, after advances in construction techniques and materials. It’s true that carbon wheels used to be regarded as too delicate. For sure, I just listened to a podcast (Marginal Gains) where they recapped the history of carbon wheels at Paris Roubaix. There was one year in the late 2000s when Zipp lost a lot of carbon wheels to breakages. This was very much influenced by the narrow tires and high pressures (relative to today) that people were running. Then, one year, Fabian Cancellara won on Zipp 303s, and subsequently everyone adopted them.
If you want a wheelset to potentially pull double duty on road and off road, then you might want to look for something with 23-25mm internal width. Gravel wheels are, I believe, settling on a 25mm width. Some but not all road wheels are going this route. For example, Campagnolo’s Bora WTOs have a 19mm width, and Shimano’s Dura Ace 9270s have a 21mm width. These are better for 25-28mm road tires. Zipp and Enve use 25mm in their latest road wheels, and those are probably best for 28-32mm road tires, as well as being able to accept gravel tires.
I believe that the aerodynamic gains of carbon wheels are muted by gravel tires. For one, the big tire changes the overall shape of the leading and trailing edge of the wheel away from a teardrop shape. Also, tread adds turbulence, which equals drag. This doesn’t mean the gains are zero, it just means that it’s less clearly worth it to buy a carbon wheelset for a gravel bike. There are carbon wheels designed for gravel racing, but they’re much wider, e.g. 3T’s design. | Carbon gravel are everywhere now,you can upgrade a carbon wheel,
[3T Dicut 4540](https://us.3t.bike/en/products/wheels/discus-45-40-732.html)
[Elitewheels G45 1300g](https://www.elite-wheels.com/product/drive-g45-carbon-spoke-gravel-wheelset-disc-brake/)
[Hunt limitless 42](https://us.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-42-limitless-gravel-disc-wheelset?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw_ISWBhBkEiwAdqxb9tEG1nKyJCg6czUKzlB5hwPuQhoy_WKXLc0rW-l_xQYUVRi-4jstNRoChEwQAvD_BwE) |
60,302,527 | I am currently hosting several cloud storage buckets with archived data for some of my clients.
For one client I would like to transfer the ownership and subsequent billing of multiple storage buckets to that client, but continue to administer them myself.
The buckets in question are already in their own (the clients name) project, but the are all hosted within my company domain.
How would I go about that transfer? Does my client need to create their own company domain and I then somehow transfer the project to them? Or do they get user access within my company domain and get a separate billing instance within my company domain?
It all a bit confusing to me. | 2020/02/19 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/60302527",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/12926332/"
] | Buckets are owned by the Project ID. Objects within the bucket are owned by the IAM Member ID that created the objects.
Billing for buckets is controlled by the Project ID. If the customer already owns the project (which can be changed), all you need to do is change the billing account for the project.
You can continue to have access by granting your IAM Member ID access to the bucket and its objects.
Access to a bucket and its contents via a domain name is not a Cloud Storage issue. This is controlled via the HTTP(S) Load Balancer. You can domain transfer the domain to the customer via normal registrar transfer procedures. Ownership of the domain will not affect the load balancer. The project that owns the load balancer will, so you may need to recreate it to transfer billing responsibility. | To disattach this project from your organization, you need to check that the project is in compliance with this [document](https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/project-migration) after that is necessary to file a case with support.
when the project is disattached from an organization, the billing account for this project is deleted and your customer need to a billing account in order to attach it to the project that has the buckets.
A billing account is created when a GCP project is created and upgraded(non free trial project)
And Complementing the answer from @JohnHanley is necessary to change the billing account in the customer project, this change must be performed by a user with this permissions.
Project Owner or Project Billing Manager on the project, AND Billing Account Administrator or Billing Account User for the target Cloud Billing Account.
you can find more information on this [link](https://cloud.google.com/billing/docs/how-to/modify-project)
Keep in mind that is not possible to transfer a bucket from one project to another or from a domain to another domain, you must copy the contents of the existing bucket to a new bucket that belongs to your customer's project.
This action need to be executed by an user that has access to read and write objects over the 2 buckets (source & target) |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | You probably have to look more closely at what it is your shop does wrong and what they do right. What can you actually change there? *What can you change about your own practices that will improve your skills or that of your team?* It can be difficult to realize change in an entrenched shop. Try proposing code reviews (on your code first), which could lead to discussion.
For tangible items, I'd look at [Scott Meyers](http://www.aristeia.com/)' Effective C++, etc. Develop your skillset and you will either help improve others around you or move on to a shop that will. Also, look at the Gang of Four's [Design Patterns](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0201633612) book. | Leading by example is always a good thing, though convincing others that your example is better than however they're currently doing it is not so easy. Constructive criticism through code review is probably your best bet for gently suggesting alternative approaches to how your colleagues work. The key point is to convince others that what you're proposing really is better in a tangible way that they can appreciate. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | Code reviews are the best way I found to improve code quality overall. Reviewing code from different individuals helping each other increases general awareness of different techniques and help propagate best practices. Hire a person more experienced than you are is also a good tool but it is a bit more tedious to implement. | Architect and design the project well so that none of the developers will be able to take a different route to violate the quality. If you set a great design, people will just follow the route and they will automatically learn |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | You probably have to look more closely at what it is your shop does wrong and what they do right. What can you actually change there? *What can you change about your own practices that will improve your skills or that of your team?* It can be difficult to realize change in an entrenched shop. Try proposing code reviews (on your code first), which could lead to discussion.
For tangible items, I'd look at [Scott Meyers](http://www.aristeia.com/)' Effective C++, etc. Develop your skillset and you will either help improve others around you or move on to a shop that will. Also, look at the Gang of Four's [Design Patterns](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0201633612) book. | Code reviews are the best way I found to improve code quality overall. Reviewing code from different individuals helping each other increases general awareness of different techniques and help propagate best practices. Hire a person more experienced than you are is also a good tool but it is a bit more tedious to implement. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | * Reading good programming books
* Learning from other's code - Open source projects are the best place to start
* Read good blogs and forums regularly - Sutter mill, Coding Horror, Martin fowler etc
* Code reviews
* Unit tests
* Using good libraries like Boost, STL. Also understanding their implementation | Other things to try is to add [unit](http://code.google.com/p/googletest/) [tests](http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_36_0/libs/test/index.html) and [documentation](http://www.doxygen.org/). |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | * Reading good programming books
* Learning from other's code - Open source projects are the best place to start
* Read good blogs and forums regularly - Sutter mill, Coding Horror, Martin fowler etc
* Code reviews
* Unit tests
* Using good libraries like Boost, STL. Also understanding their implementation | It's great that you recognize that there's room for improvement and have the desire to try to enact some change. I suggest reading James Shore's [19-week diary](http://jamesshore.com/Change-Diary/) where he documents the steps that he went through to enact agile development at his company. It's a hard fight, but his experience shows that you can make a difference. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | * Reading good programming books
* Learning from other's code - Open source projects are the best place to start
* Read good blogs and forums regularly - Sutter mill, Coding Horror, Martin fowler etc
* Code reviews
* Unit tests
* Using good libraries like Boost, STL. Also understanding their implementation | Architect and design the project well so that none of the developers will be able to take a different route to violate the quality. If you set a great design, people will just follow the route and they will automatically learn |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | You probably have to look more closely at what it is your shop does wrong and what they do right. What can you actually change there? *What can you change about your own practices that will improve your skills or that of your team?* It can be difficult to realize change in an entrenched shop. Try proposing code reviews (on your code first), which could lead to discussion.
For tangible items, I'd look at [Scott Meyers](http://www.aristeia.com/)' Effective C++, etc. Develop your skillset and you will either help improve others around you or move on to a shop that will. Also, look at the Gang of Four's [Design Patterns](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0201633612) book. | I find writing unit tests helps code quality a lot - it means you have to think about how your code will interact with the tests and other parts of the code.
Peer code-review: Checking quality of code will also make the programmers think about how they write the code. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | Code reviews are the best way I found to improve code quality overall. Reviewing code from different individuals helping each other increases general awareness of different techniques and help propagate best practices. Hire a person more experienced than you are is also a good tool but it is a bit more tedious to implement. | Although this probably isn't as direct of an answer, I recommend you pick up the book [Code Complete](http://www.cc2e.com/). I find it to be the best resource for learning how to be a better programmer. If you read through the whole book and understand what it talks about, you'll really learn how to better yourself, and your code. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | Code reviews are the best way I found to improve code quality overall. Reviewing code from different individuals helping each other increases general awareness of different techniques and help propagate best practices. Hire a person more experienced than you are is also a good tool but it is a bit more tedious to implement. | Just asking the question is a good start.
Specifically you can:
* Admit that your code sucks
* Start asking others, preferably others with more experience, to review your code
* Implement a continuous build server - you have to be the one who uses this first
* Have courage because this can be difficult
* Be humble
* Read Code Complete
* Use a software development methodology that encourages team work. Some of the agile methodologies are really good at this
* Read development blogs
* Get involved in a user group
Change is hard and you have to be the one who changes first.
If you are working in an environment where others are happy the way it is you are going to have rough going. Be persistent about wanting to improve code quality. |
160,379 | So, in reading this site, it seems that the shop in which I work does a lot of things wrong and some things right. How can I improve the code that I work with from my colleagues? The only thing I can think of is to lead by example - start using Boost, etc. Any other thoughts? | 2008/10/02 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/160379",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/10774/"
] | * Reading good programming books
* Learning from other's code - Open source projects are the best place to start
* Read good blogs and forums regularly - Sutter mill, Coding Horror, Martin fowler etc
* Code reviews
* Unit tests
* Using good libraries like Boost, STL. Also understanding their implementation | Just asking the question is a good start.
Specifically you can:
* Admit that your code sucks
* Start asking others, preferably others with more experience, to review your code
* Implement a continuous build server - you have to be the one who uses this first
* Have courage because this can be difficult
* Be humble
* Read Code Complete
* Use a software development methodology that encourages team work. Some of the agile methodologies are really good at this
* Read development blogs
* Get involved in a user group
Change is hard and you have to be the one who changes first.
If you are working in an environment where others are happy the way it is you are going to have rough going. Be persistent about wanting to improve code quality. |
297,904 | I know there is no such thing as a dumb question but this is: Can you serve contextual based ads via adsense or others on a site that is entirely behind https? | 2008/11/18 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/297904",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/-1/"
] | **Update:**
>
> We’ve updated the AdSense ad code so that it now supports secure ad serving through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) on Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) web pages. This means that publishers with secure sites, i.e., sites that are served over the HTTPS protocol, can now use AdSense ad code to serve SSL-compliant ads. Examples of secure websites include many financial services sites, e-commerce sites, and social networking sites.
>
>
>
[Google is aware of the issue but does not offer a properly configured HTTPS version of their code at this time](https://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=10528). It'll work by swapping out http for https, but as mentioned above you'll get various errors in browsers. | You can but visitors will receive a message that your site contains secure and none secure data in internet explorer. Most other browsers have a way to communicate this state aswell. |
297,904 | I know there is no such thing as a dumb question but this is: Can you serve contextual based ads via adsense or others on a site that is entirely behind https? | 2008/11/18 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/297904",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/-1/"
] | [AdSense now supports HTTPS](http://googledevelopers.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/https-compatible-ad-code-for-adsense.html). Just remove the "http:" portion of the ad code. | You can but visitors will receive a message that your site contains secure and none secure data in internet explorer. Most other browsers have a way to communicate this state aswell. |
297,904 | I know there is no such thing as a dumb question but this is: Can you serve contextual based ads via adsense or others on a site that is entirely behind https? | 2008/11/18 | [
"https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/297904",
"https://Stackoverflow.com",
"https://Stackoverflow.com/users/-1/"
] | **Update:**
>
> We’ve updated the AdSense ad code so that it now supports secure ad serving through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) on Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) web pages. This means that publishers with secure sites, i.e., sites that are served over the HTTPS protocol, can now use AdSense ad code to serve SSL-compliant ads. Examples of secure websites include many financial services sites, e-commerce sites, and social networking sites.
>
>
>
[Google is aware of the issue but does not offer a properly configured HTTPS version of their code at this time](https://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=10528). It'll work by swapping out http for https, but as mentioned above you'll get various errors in browsers. | Yes, as long as the website is not protected by SSL certificates (in that the client accessing the website needs to have a certificate) Google is perfectly capable of indexing your site for keywords to cater the right ads for your website.
I am not sure if Google makes the adsense code available over SSL as well, if not your visitors will be warned by the browser that the page may contain insecure elements. I do know that their analytics code (For Google analytics) does contain an SSL possibility.
In case you have any more questions, Google's adsense support team/faq will be able to better provide answers to your questions, since you can let them know what site you are talking about! |
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