Upgrades Coming Soon to the Daily Paul
Dear Friends,
Back in January, I asked for some suggestions on revamping the Daily Paul. It looks like the time has come to make these suggestions a reality.
First, some background: The Daily Paul runs on an open source platform called Drupal. Before I started this site last year, I did some pretty exhaustive research on the best content management systems (CMS), and Drupal came out at the top of the list. For one thing - amazingly - it is free. Back when I was a web developer in Seattle in 2001, building a site like this would have cost $100,000 and taken an army of programmers! In just a few short years, with technology advances and people working collaboratively together over the web, you can see the results in the Daily Paul.
I'm not a programmer, but I know just enough to be dangerous. Which is to say I got the site up & running, and have for the most part managed it by myself. The site runs on Drupal 5. I know there have been many calls for outside moderators, which believe me, I am all for. The only problem is that with Drupal 5, it was impossible to give people moderator privileges without giving the keys away to the entire site, which is something that I simply judged to be too risky to do at the time. I have handed the keys over to a trusted few, but the site is simply too big for the few of us to handle.
This is why I put the "flag" feature up. That was an off-the-shelf module that I installed which gave the community control over the content. If seven people "flagged" a comment or forum topic, it disappeared off the site. This worked reasonably well, in my opinion, though I know there were complaints about the "tyranny of the minority." However, it was through that feature that the site got hacked the other day. The feature was only supposed to be available to registered users but someone figured out a way to hack it from the outside and take a bunch of content down. So far, I have unfortunately been unable to restore the content.
Which brings me around to the upgrade of the site. In order to bring this site to the next level, keep it sustainable and allow it to reach its full potential in our ongoing revolution, it needs to be more than just me running the site. Ironman77 suggested features found on other popular sites like Dailykos, and Kuro5hin. Both of those sites run on a different platform called Scoop -- which I originally looked at, but it is much more difficult to implement than Drupal. However, a new version of Drupal has recently been released which has many of the features that have been requested. It would allow for a number of moderators, a "karma" system, people to vote content onto & off of the front page, etc.
I hope to be upgrading to Drupal 6 in the next week or so. I've been testing it out at my other site Depression2 now for the past several weeks and it seems stable and up to the task. The next step is to find a group of moderators. If you're interested in helping to moderate the site, or have any other questions or comments, please leave them below and I will get in touch with you.
Thank you all for your continued support. I'm looking forward to the next phase in the development of the DP and the revolution!
Michael Nystrom
Editor
www.dailypaul.com
I'd like to see polls
and you might want to check this technology out. It's a little less than $30 and they say it blocks multiple votes:
http://www.dreamlevels.com/dreampoll.php
Thank you for the ability for all of us to converse throughout the campaign, as it continues, and for all you've done!
Wrap your head around this.
The philosophy of libertarianism celebrates the individual and decries collectivism and regulation, but a democratic forum, which is different, (I would argue DP is already democratic.. everyone has a voice and majority prevails) has and will produce something we all agree needs vast improvement.
It may be that DP, and any forum that's on a mission, should run more like a company, with a CEO, a purpose statement and a tireless pursuit of elevating the ideas and actions that drive toward the goals, irrespective of what's popular. Instead of a Town Hall meeting where everyone says whatever, more like the conference room in Apollo 13, where a team of engineers has to figure out how to get the crippled ship home. A democracy in that conference room would have killed 3 astronauts.
-JP
The first 5 million supporters of Dr. Paul are 'early adopters.' The next 10 million will require a modified approach.
So what happens
if a troll is picked, and blocks valued posts, we know we have had swarms of them here. I want to add Michael, I think we really appreciate this site, thankyou. I know there are a lot of other Ron Paul websites out there but there is something special about this one, and I think of a lot of people here as friends, even though never meeting them. Maybe because we are bonded so closely for the same cause. Also, there has been volumes of information shared, I know I learn something everyday. The only thing that I don't enjoy, and I see it stepped up as of lately (must mean we are a force to reckon with) is the constant attempt to derail our commitment to see Ron Paul through. People that say he is out, will never have a chance unless going third party, pushing other candidates. I would hate to see a person with their own outside agenda other than getting Ron Paul through the nomination blocking real supporters, and I don't know what the process would be picking someone. Thanks again for your website.
Why do we need moderators if
Why do we need moderators if Drupal 6 has a democratic post rating system? Frankly, I'll probably avoid posting if the new DP is going to have a cabal of moderators deciding what is and isn't appropriate discussion. Sites with moderators inevitably degrade into turf wars, where the stated purpose of the site is overshadowed by the hierarchical drama. You can already see people salivating for power (I realize you asked for volunteers).
This does not bode well for free and open discussion.
(OK, back to lurking. See you after the upgrade!)
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Liberty for Dummies
I agree with you
there have been too many people here trying to pull people into other campaigns, third parties,etc., they would love to be able to determine what gets posted.
There is hope
Since this is a freedom-oriented forum, there is hope that the moderators will exercise less control than on the other sites you mention. Some review is very helpful. (I've just given away the fact that I'm not an anarchist.)
This isn't government, and we do have a right to associate (or not), with whomever we choose. This is a privately owned site, and belongs to one person who has all the rights.
I'm sure that a reasonable standard can be set and agreed to among the moderators and users. To quote Dr. Phil: "we teach people how to treat us."
IMissLiberty
IMissLiberty
Personally
I like the way that ATS is run (www.abovetopsecret.com) Flags and stars are good things. If you don't get them, then your stuff gets buried. If the posts are "hot" then the moderators monitor them closely to make sure that everyone is friendly and not making personal attacks to keep the discussion on track and not get off topic. If a lot of offensive language is used...the moderators come in and slap a big icon on that post that says "Deleted for Language" or if the post is a million miles long "Deleted for Length" They don't allow one line posts over there...but I don't necessarily agree with that.
It's a very cool system and it keeps things running smoothly but at the same time, encourages discussion rather than attacks, which I have seen here all too often and for some reason people just can't seem to not take the bait and ignore those that instigate intentionally. I guess there's just something about having the last word.
Just my thoughts though.
www.urbannaturals.net
Can help if needed
Willing to moderate, pretty well versed on whats reasonable. Been here quite a while.
I would be glad to help.
If you need more moderators just let me know.
gigione
I'll help
Basically...
I'm on & off the site all day as I'm tethered to my PC at work. I have system/network/domain admin experience, and used to be able to program pretty well. As an added bonus, I'm familiar enough with Linux to be truly dangerous...
Good luck. Chose moderators
Good luck. Chose moderators wisely, as they may make or brake the system.
/Mike
Front Fell Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcU4t6zRAKg
I've been here forever
Am on the site daily, consider myself a reasonable individual and would definitely be willing to help with moderation.
My liberty-minded home base of thought:
www.ponderthis.net
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Freedom - Peace - Prosperity
I have been here for 32
I have been here for 32 weeks and check the site many times a day. I would be happy to help moderate the site.
www.paulforronpaul.com
bump
I am on here alot myself. What is involved in moderating? I would give it a shot
Sounds like great improvements!
Thanks for all your hard work Michael, we do really appreciate this wonderful gathering place and the wealth of information gathered here. Like anything online it is always going to be a magnet for the unsavory but that is part of a free society. Love the Karma idea!! I have seen that implemented before and think it will really make a difference.
Be sure to let us know if you need more funds.
_________________________________________________________________
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
_________________________________________________________________
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
“It is said that power
“It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.”
David Brin
“The measure of a man is what he does with power.”
Plato
;)
I like that, thank you.
Its a powerful point.
What you believe to be true, is true to you... "until you change your mind"
This sounds great,
This sounds great, particularly the "karma" thing and the addition of moderators.
This is your site so I refrained from the suggestions pages but, knowing that we will have moderators, how are these going to be selected. I assume that you will, rightly, select the people in the beginning. Is there any idea to have elections in the future?
Thank you for everything you've done. I know there has been criticism of the site but its still the best place for people in the freedom community to talk about issues.
I just checked out the depression 2 page. That thing is pretty good. Is there any way to link the two sites, beyond the simple banner "ad" so that it gets more traffic. That site should be where most of our economics discussion takes place. The Daily Paul could go back to being for elections of freedom movement candidates.
"Freedom suppressed and again regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered." -- Cicero
The next step is to find a group of moderators.
If you're interested in helping to moderate the site, or have any other questions or comments, please leave them below and I will get in touch with you.
Thank you all for your continued support. I'm looking forward to the next phase in the development of the DP and the revolution!
Michael Nystrom
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
"Happy Balance"
Boring but healthy. Everybody here is over the top!
But they are ALIVE!
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
the new moderators...
do you qualify?
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
I'm on here several times a
I'm on here several times a day (and generally always logged in). I also anticipate that I will continue to visit dailypaul frequently in the future. So, if you need more moderators I'd be available...
aVoiceof Teason
I VOTE NO FOR aVoiceof Teason !
ANYONE SECOND THAT?
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"RON PAUL SUPPORTER SINCE 1997"
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
You've got the wrong guy
Our resident troll, widely suspected as the recent hacker, was Onevoiceofreason, who probably choise his name because he knew it would be confused with the name of a legitimate site user, AVoiceOfReason. Track him & check out his past posts. And apologize.
Recommended reading: The Most Dangerous Superstition, http://www.larkenrose.com/store/34-books/2019-the-most-dange...
MY BAD
your right dabooda, sorry AVoiceOfReason!
i think the same thing has happened with ironman. one ironman is a true patriot and the other a troll.
there seems to be 2 choices for the troll targets.
1. change your name or 2. dedicate yourself to replying to all post by the trolls that are hijacking your good names.
if someone copy's my name i will track them down everyday and reply to all their post!
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"RON PAUL SUPPORTER SINCE 1997"
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
yes
yes
I want to make it clear
I would not vote for avoiceofreason
avoiceofTreason
Third thumbs down
MrTom
More moderators needed!
Hard working patriots need only apply.
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
"Liberty and Freedom for our Grandkids"
I am on
all the time. I work from home so I am able to be here all day if you are interested in having moderators. I would be more than happy to be even handed and help out with that.
This place has become a second home. I practically live here and it's where I come for news every day.
Just let me know what I need to do.
www.urbannaturals.net