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Jim's Lab Notes — Site News, Baseball Talk, and a Bunch of Other Stuff Monday, October 31, 2011Please Excuse the MessIt’s update time. The season is over and a slower news cycle is upon us. It’s time for me to roll up my sleeves and work on the site. First up is the transition of our Content Management System (CMS) from Expression Engine‘s 1.x series to its 2.x series. I had hoped to accomplish this upgrade last March but, unfortunately, some of the third-party scripts the site uses had not yet been updated to the new version, my personal life was much too busy and, frankly, I did not have sufficient funds to pay for a server upgrade and all the script upgrades. Although money is still tight, things aren’t as busy and all the scripts I need are now available. It’s time to get cracking. The CMS software was almost completely rewritten in this update. As a result, many of their native and third party scripts, and quite a few of my own scripts, either need to be updated or replaced with something new. I’ve already rewritten my homebrewed scripts. Unfortunately a few third-party scripts have no direct upgrade path, so I will need to pay for a replacement or I will need to write a replacement myself. Luckily many of the replacements are actually superior, so in a lot of cases we’ll end up with better functionality as a result. Getting BBTF updated is a rather large, time-consuming undertaking. I’ve done some trial runs on my development server and I must say the upgrades are not trivial and the process is often problematic. I’ve learned that the upgrade is better done in steps rather than trying to do it all at once by stringing together a series of upgrade scripts. It is also far easier to troubleshoot problems when the process is done piecemeal. This does cause a few problems because, with my schedule, some portions of the updates will need to be done over a number of days. Although I will try to make the transition as inconspicuous to you as I can, my tests suggest some things may not be available (like bookmarking, categories) for a longer time than I’d prefer. As in most anything, planning makes perfect. In preparation for the conversion to 2.x, a few items (polling, for one example) will need to be disabled. To keep you apprised of problems, I am creating this thread specially for the upgrade process. Although most of the upgrades will be done in the wee hours, there may be times I will need to take the site offline for short periods during the day. I will try to post a notice at least 24 hours in advance of any planned outage. With the size of the site’s database I have found less problems crop up during the upgrade when I reduce the number of fields in a few of the tables. Since changing the structures of some of the underlying databases also will make the upgrade of the archives and search features easier, I have decided to make most of these changes prior to the conversion. Again, from my testing, this changeover will, for the most part, be transparent. Nevertheless, I warn you that a few of the older/lesser trafficked blogs may go offline for short periods. I also warn you that the site will most likely be offline for most of the day I run the vendor’s conversion script. I will try to schedule this downtime in late November well before the Winter Meetings. Once again, I will try to give you sufficient notice to lessen the shock (especially for our most hardcore Primates). Once the conversion to 2.x is completed I will incrementally update the site. Unlike past upgrades I will try to keep the site’s architecture about the same and will simply incorporate new features into the existing site design. My plan also includes upgrading the site’s servers after the holidays. As I mentioned above, I had hoped to upgrade the servers last March but unfortunately with a wedding on horizon, I didn’t have the time or money to get it done. In the interim I was able to tweak the server configurations to get the site’s performance up to a passable level. I fear, however, with some of the features I have planned, our current servers will not be up to the task. I will do my best to get our servers upgraded this January. Anyway, with less stuff going on in my personal life this winter, I hope to use my time wisely to make the site more useful for next season. I hope you will find my additions worthwhile. Thanks for your patience through the process. Jim UPDATE: 12/9/2012 - The updates are underway. Due to requests from the Hall of Merit regulars, some of the updates were postponed until after balloting Donate to BaseballThinkFactory.org using PayPal.com
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Thanks!
Thanks for doing what you do.
Here's some suggestions from Harold:
Letting third-party developers get in and add features seems like a great way to add the bells and whistles.
Oh, and congratulations!
The two things that come to mind re: improvements or feedback are:
1. BBTF tends to be inaccessible for about 30 minutes each night starting around 1:00 AM. If that can't be eliminated altogether, is there any way to schedule it for later, e.g., 4:00 AM, long after most people are offline for the night?
2. A longer Hot Topics sidebar and/or a sidebar that watches topics in which one has commented would be great. Hot Topics tends to be dominated by that day's threads, while some older threads remain active but fall out of sight due to less-frequent comments. I know the Bookmarks feature offers the capability to "watch" a thread, but bookmarking every topic in which one posts seems redundant.
Again, thanks for your time and effort here. Good luck with the upgrades.
A longer or customized Hot Topics bar would be great, but since half the "baseball" threads are either pinata posts ("Roger Maris should be in the Hall of Fame"; "Sabermetrics? What's That?"; "Cliff Lee Has No Heart"; "Murray Chass sez....", etc.) or the same topics over and over ("The Wild Card Is An Outrage"; "They're Screwing Ron Santo!"; "Jeff Francoeur Spotting!"), I'm not so sure that the overall quality of the site would improve. The best baseball articles are the ones linked to Hardball Times and similar blogs, and they usually wind up dying after a handful of comments, whereas the Jeff Francoeur fan club apparently can't get enough of him.
thank you for all your time and effort. if guys wanna do any complaining they best be coughing up some $$$ to help you implement all the stuff they want done.
1. Loads of thinks to Jim.
2. How about a few more people hitting that "Donate" button on the upper right hand corner? That would help Jim a lot, and it's only fair.
I don't think a STF or BKTF is necessarily going to start here. One of the things that is great about this place is that we have created a community here. I am genuinely interested in what people have to say and I find I often learn something in off topic discussions. The soccer thread for example generates about 700-800 comments a month so we're talking 25 a day, not a lot and it's more a function of "hey, within this group of people I share a baseball fandom with there is a subset that enjoys soccer" and that creates a nice diversion. I don't really want to go to an "all soccer all the time" site because my interest is not that high.
I don't see why there is a backlash against stuff people are not interested in. At any given time three of the last ten baseball-related posts are not going to be interesting to me. I don't think the soccer/football/basketball/hockey threads really take up that much space. This time of year obviously they get a bit more attention but the fact is there is not that much baseball related to discuss right now.
Firefox's plugin container is an abomination. It's still leaps and bounds better than MSIE, but I'm starting to lean more towards Chrome because I'm tired of manually killing the damn thing.
Oh - and just in case any web ad folks happen to be reading this - you should know that I and many others continue to lobby for making usage of Flash a capital offense... I'm neither an Apple zombie nor an Apple basher, but Steve Jobs' pathological distaste for supporting Flash, I consider his greatest legacy.
I'll emphasize that I don't have a problem with the off topic threads. I just don't want them cluttering up the Hot Topics. Having an Ignore similar to Bookmark would work fine for me since many baseball threads that are properly tagged will turn into off topic posts. So unless the tags can be changed if the conversations veer off, it wouldn't help. And I don't think that kind of maintenance is practical anyway.
There are products that can back up live databases but they're pricey. I'm a late nighter too but I can live with the way it works now.
Jim uses MySQL, right? Xtrabackup is free and can do live backups of MySQL no problem. mysqlhotcopy comes with MySQL and it works for some cases, too.
On my To-Do list is customization of the Hot Topics menu. Logged in members will be able to select from a few different default snapshots (no off-topic, personalized, etc.). I will also try out some Ajax powered/iframe solutions. (A customized Hot Topics would remain on the page and would automatically refresh itself every few minutes.)
I will also be improving the bookmark system. Bookmarked threads would automatically be added to the personalized Hot Topics. Members will be able to update their Hot Topics preference using Ajax right within Hot Topics, which means you'll be able to switch between different snapshots at any time.
A rating system will also be added. Members will be able to rate the linked article and comment thread in a number of ways. You'll then be able to display the top rated articles/comment threads. It's important to me to make the rating system as easy to use (and unobtrusive) as possible so that the people who are interested in rating content (or seeing rated content) can do it easily, while anyone who is not interested can either ignore it or, if it's your preference, hide it altogether.
In any event, I am open to making site improvements.
I've been doing some of the backend work that needs to get done before the EE upgrade. So far, I don't believe what I've been doing has even been noticed. Hopefully that will remain the case.
Thanks for your input and patience.
Just to be clear, I am using Chrome and still get the stupid cursor flickering from that ad and it also affects all other open tabs in all Chrome windows. Thankfully as of today, that ad doesn't seem to be around.
iframes are awful, you should really never use them.
Yup - spiffier plug-in, no more.
Don't bother and start learning HTML5.
BTW - just read the other day that even with Jobs dead, it appears Flash is giving up.
The more integrated HTML5 framework is the future -- I just hope browsers keep pace so you can easily disable intrusive or resource intensive scripting that people will inevitably be popping directly into pages. Otherwise -- in a year or 3 -- we're going to back in the old GeoCities world, but with more multimedia rather than just ugly aesthetics and CSS problems for a temporary bit.
Lord, yes.
Jim, any updates you'd like to provide?
If it is easier to create Hall of Merit threads at the end of this process I'll be thrilled.
This is another test. Did it work?
Needs new calendar.
This is another test. Did it work?
Needs new calendar.
Also, what's the function of the "code", "@", and "Close Tags" tabs?
a b c
1 23 456
7 8 9
"@" allows you to put in a link to an e-mail address. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Rarely called for here.
"Close Tags" I don't know.
Actually, it's happening in multiple threads now.
But if you put "weddingtop" on ignore, all you'll see is "[ Ignored Comment ]" instead of those dime store jewelry links under his name, which would probably crash the computer of anyone dumb enough to try to open one of them.
All that happens when you click what is a now blue EDIT link at the end of your post is that it takes you to the top of the page, with no edit available.
doesn'tworks still just no easy option.edit:edit works in non-newsblog threads like this one.
I didn't mind that so much, really.
edit:edit works in non-newsblog threads like this one.
And, hilariously, it's an infinite edit. I can edit my comment of over an hour ago.
Jim, was this for me? Clearing cookies didn't help. It's possible that I have to log in when I switch devices. So I'm on my iPad and can get in without re-logging in. But if I go to my PC and log in there then the next time I use my iPad I have to log into the site again.
If you'd like I can experiment more.
Currently you can edit comments until the thread is closed. EE now supports comment editing natively. They seem to have a bug in the timely code. Hunting down and fixing the bug is on my to-do list. I'd describe the time issue as slightly annoying and not hilarious, however. :)
What is the "del" key? Are you talking about one of the styling buttons about the comment box? If it was, tell me what the function was and I will add it back.
EDIT: I have found the bug in EE's code regarding the time limit for comment editing expiration. Comment editing now expires after 15 minutes.
I have the option to
Edit | Close
on every single comment. Not just my own.
I know I could always do this before, but I couldn't do it easily (and more to the point, accidentally)
Well, Andy's comments *do* tend to need serious editing and re-working :-) So you could use your omnipotent edit capability for that. But it would be a full-time job...
Just to throw this out there, but using our bookmarklet you could add a link near the comment box that would let people replace player names with links to their bbref pages.
This link was generated when I typed in Alex Rodriguez and then clicked the bookmarklet I've saved to my browser, but you could just add a link to the bookmarklet.
Alex Rodriguez
Here are the details on the bookmarklets.
http://bbref.com/linker/
That would actually be great. (Even better if the link opened up a separate browser window.)
I'm forever having to take separate time to access a player's b-r page during a discussion.
I'm forever having to take separate time to access a player's b-r page during a discussion.
Agree with this.
Aside from restoring the bookmarks, which has already been addressed, it'd be nice to have the "strike" function restored above the comment box. It's a low priority, but sometimes it adds a bit of flair to those "FIFY" comments.
And this.
italicbold then edit it to del.)agree with Ray and NJ on Sean's suggestion.
It would be easier if I could just select to only show year and OPS+, and then be able to just cut and paste that data into a BBTF window.
Clicking on the edit link opens the edit box, but the save button doesn't do anything when pressed.
and of course if you click pre, then copy and paste it inside of code, it should come out right. Just don't make the table too big or else you'll piss everyone off. (should work without using pre just haven't tried it that way)
Year Tm G PA R H HR RBI BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+
1968 STL 2 4 0 1 0 0 .333 .500 .333 .833 156
1969 STL 5 16 0 3 0 3 .214 .250 .357 .607 69
1970 STL 82 324 29 69 3 24 .243 .333 .317 .650 74
1971 STL 133 563 64 155 7 77 .304 .347 .424 .771 114
1972 STL 152 629 70 180 16 96 .303 .336 .465 .801 127
1973 STL 161 690 62 192 13 91 .310 .370 .438 .808 124
1974 STL 152 662 66 163 20 103 .272 .327 .447 .774 116
1975 STL 157 649 80 193 18 100 .332 .396 .491 .887 142
1976 STL 150 625 60 159 5 75 .291 .371 .394 .765 117
1977 STL 150 601 82 164 21 95 .318 .408 .500 .908 144
1978 STL 152 604 71 148 22 80 .287 .377 .512 .889 148
1979 STL 123 521 68 127 26 87 .283 .369 .507 .875 135
1980 STL 145 562 84 150 21 98 .303 .375 .505 .880 140
1981 MIL 100 413 45 82 14 61 .216 .262 .376 .638 87
1982 MIL 137 581 73 145 23 97 .269 .309 .451 .759 112
1983 MIL 153 650 76 185 13 108 .308 .351 .448 .799 126
1984 MIL 132 532 44 110 4 52 .221 .269 .300 .569 61
1985 MIL 143 592 60 144 12 76 .273 .342 .402 .743 103
1986 ATL 76 144 14 32 4 25 .252 .313 .386 .698 88
1987 ATL 73 200 20 49 4 30 .277 .350 .390 .740 93
1988 ATL 78 123 6 21 2 11 .196 .293 .308 .601 71
21 Seasons 21 Seasons 2456 9685 1074 2472 248 1389 .285 .348 .437 .785 117
Sean, I have added your suggestion to my to-do list. I should get to it some time in the next day.
CoB, there is a 15 minute time limit. I've just moved to EE's built in code for the edits. I put in a feature request to add an error message when the timeframe is exceeded. Can you verify that the text gets updated if you try to edit your comment right away?
Any chance that could be changed? Not a big deal, but it's somewhat distracting.
When I click PRE and then copy and paste inside of code, the spacing comes out wrong in the preview and when posted. By wrong I mean multiple consecutive spaces are treated as one. Here, the player column label and the player names should be aligned right-justified, with varying numbers of leading spaces:
Rk Player HR Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS Pos
1 Barry Bonds 73 2001 36 SFG NL 153 664 476 129 156 32 2 137 177 35 93 9 0 2 5 13 3 .328 .515 .863 1.379 *7/D
2 Mark McGwire 70 1998 34 STL NL 155 681 509 130 152 21 0 147 162 28 155 6 0 4 8 1 0 .299 .470 .752 1.222 *3
3 Sammy Sosa 66 1998 29 CHC NL 159 722 643 134 198 20 0 158 73 14 171 1 0 5 20 18 9 .308 .377 .647 1.024 *9/8
4 Mark McGwire 65 1999 35 STL NL 153 661 521 118 145 21 1 147 133 21 141 2 0 5 12 0 0 .278 .424 .697 1.120 *3
5 Sammy Sosa 64 2001 32 CHC NL 160 711 577 146 189 34 5 160 116 37 153 6 0 12 6 0 2 .328 .437 .737 1.174 *9
6 Sammy Sosa 63 1999 30 CHC NL 162 712 625 114 180 24 2 141 78 8 171 3 0 6 17 7 8 .288 .367 .635 1.002 *98
7 Roger Maris 61 1961 26 NYY AL 161 698 590 132 159 16 4 141 94 0 67 7 0 7 16 0 0 .269 .372 .620 .993 *98
8 Babe Ruth 60 1927 32 NYY AL 151 691 540 158 192 29 8 164 137 0 89 0 14 0 0 7 6 .356 .486 .772 1.258 *97
When I copy and paste inside of pre, the spacing comes out right in the preview and wrong when posted.
Rk Player HR Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS Pos
1 Barry Bonds 73 2001 36 SFG NL 153 664 476 129 156 32 2 137 177 35 93 9 0 2 5 13 3 .328 .515 .863 1.379 *7/D
2 Mark McGwire 70 1998 34 STL NL 155 681 509 130 152 21 0 147 162 28 155 6 0 4 8 1 0 .299 .470 .752 1.222 *3
3 Sammy Sosa 66 1998 29 CHC NL 159 722 643 134 198 20 0 158 73 14 171 1 0 5 20 18 9 .308 .377 .647 1.024 *9/8
4 Mark McGwire 65 1999 35 STL NL 153 661 521 118 145 21 1 147 133 21 141 2 0 5 12 0 0 .278 .424 .697 1.120 *3
5 Sammy Sosa 64 2001 32 CHC NL 160 711 577 146 189 34 5 160 116 37 153 6 0 12 6 0 2 .328 .437 .737 1.174 *9
6 Sammy Sosa 63 1999 30 CHC NL 162 712 625 114 180 24 2 141 78 8 171 3 0 6 17 7 8 .288 .367 .635 1.002 *98
7 Roger Maris 61 1961 26 NYY AL 161 698 590 132 159 16 4 141 94 0 67 7 0 7 16 0 0 .269 .372 .620 .993 *98
8 Babe Ruth 60 1927 32 NYY AL 151 691 540 158 192 29 8 164 137 0 89 0 14 0 0 7 6 .356 .486 .772 1.258 *97
EDIT: now it comes out right when posted inside of pre on my computer, at least. I hadn't seen that before when posting on BBTF.
What I don't get is why your copy and paste inside of code is not blue like my copy and paste inside of code?
My example above is where I selected pre on bb-ref, then highlighted the rows and columns I wanted, copied, then came here clicked code, then pasted in between the code.
The rest of the text in the comment is outside of code which is why it's not blue, not sure why your code is coming up with normal text color.
You can; this just makes it easier.
I have very few people on ignore; I reserve it only for those who really do piss me off to the point where I cannot take reading them anymore. It's usually less about stupidity and more about pure dickishness.
Seconded. The Hot Topics list is life-and-death for many discussions and this should allow a few more baseball-related ones to hang around a bit longer.
Yeah, now that I look at your e-mail from the 3rd you did mention "a week" towards the end of the message. In any case thanks for the information, which is all I was really asking for.
Maybe it's fixed? In any event, not that I was thinking about it till I read your post, but this is the first morning in several days (or so it seems like to me) that I haven't had to log in.
I have the same devices as David. Maybe most posters don't.
I have three PCs and a WebOS phone and I have to login each time on every one of them.
What if you don't switch between them? Like, close all of your browsers on all machines and then only access BTF from one machine for a while.
EDIT: hot topics now says 103, and lists my post as last...and I see 100 posts instead of 99.
EDIT #2: fixed numbers for accuracy.
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