The ATS Issues Thread

reply to post by pause4thought



The servers for the Media Portal (and all of ATS/TAN) are Linux based and therefor can't support ppt. Sorry about that but we've found Linux is so superior it's worth the trade offs.

Springer...

reply to post by Springer


A quick recommendation to pauseforthought and others: OpenOffice can convert PowerPoint to PDF for you. PDF is a more open standard and is much better supported than PPT (PowerPoint).

OpenOffice is available for free, for a wide variety of operating systems and languages, here:

download.openoffice.org...

reply to post by Springer


I appreciate the authoritative response & full explanation.

From what you've said I assume Linux doesn't support any presentation-type programme, i.e. one whose format ppt files could be converted into? Quite a pity if so, as I expect a lot of people would be able to put together that type of media presentation, whereas videos would take quite a lot of learning (+ quite a lot more time in the making).


[edit to add:]

Wow. Thanks Ian! While I was still typing you anticipated & answered my question. Nice going.

Would pdfs actually function like Powerpoint, though, displaying moving titles & playing music?

(Incidentally I love OpenOffice.)




[edit on 17/2/09 by pause4thought]

reply to post by pause4thought


Ah. No, it probably wouldn't convert embedded sounds, etc. For that, you'll want to convert from PowerPoint to Flash Video (FLV).

I haven't used any of the tools for that, so I don't have a specific recommendation. There seem to be several available, though, some free some shareware. Try a google search for "ppt flv converter".

reply to post by Ian McLean


That's tremendously helpful advice.

I saw something about Flash files in the media upload centre. I'll go back & read it more carefully. I seem to remember it said something about a converter in the system (although I expect it is just for one particular file type.)

I'll definitely have a go at converting the format, either way.


PS Springer: Any chance of a FAQ section for the video/media section? I know it would be a lot of work, but it's a little daunting even for someone who knows a little about technology. Think of all the old folks...

(Sorry if that isn't PC.)

Ok, here we go.

Recently I have been redirected from ATS to a questionable site without my consent.

I usually leave my browser open overnight, so the first time it happened, I assumed it was a popup from elsewhere....

But I was just looking at the 'Brewing Trouble for George W. Bush' thread and went across to another tab in my browser for a minute, when I came back to the tab, the page displayed was:

--link to porn removed--

This is a porn site and not what I expected to be redirected to from ATS!!

I hope you guys can find out which ad is hijacking my browser and fix it! I am using Firefox and will be adding the site to adblock, but thought it was best to let you know what happened to me, as there are some youngsters on this site.

[edit on 18-2-2009 by SkepticOverlord]

I experienced this also yesterday, and have been trying to track it down.

I don't think it's an ad, as I was in "public service rotation" from our ad networks at the time (meaning, I load so many hundreds of pages on ATS throughout the day, our ad networks run out of ads for me, and I only see "public service" Ad Council ads for most of the day).

I believe it's coming from a server that someone used to host their avatar (unlikely that the member is doing it on purpose). However, I've not been able to track that down.

I'm considering adopting an "ATS Domains Only" rule for all images in avatars and signatures in the near future. Some free image hosting sites have been known to piggyback timed redirect payloads into their HTTP headers from time to time, and this may have been one of those times.

Hi, I just wanted to report that there have been a few users on here that have been accusing me of having an agenda. I'm having an issue with this as it really disrupts my threads when people do this.

reply to post by Frankidealist35


Hit the alert button on their posts or use the complaint feature.

That's the best way to deal with that.

I have another little issue with the new MATS banner at the top of the page.

It takes up so much space that it has removed the most flagged threads links at the top of the page along with the ats mix tags that were residing below.

This is not much of a problem on ATS proper as one can go to the home page and find that information. It is however a problem in BTS because the home page hasn't been updated in months. (it also seems to have an issue with images) So there's no way to track down, that I am aware of, the most flagged/active threads in BTS.

Some of us are very active in BTS and it would be nice to have that feature back. Either by making the MATS banner smaller in BTS or by fixing the BTS home page.

Greetings ATS kings'

Any chance of upping the ignores from 10 to say 100?

It's simple, just add a 0

wZn

I don't know if this is the kind of thread for this kind of ATS issue, or not.

Feel free to do whatever's fitting with the post.

I have often wanted to check about replies to my posts.

I persistently get the info back to click the "MyATS" button . . . which I do and use for such as there's no other way.

BUT FOR SUCH A SOPHISTICATED SITE--THAT'S REALLLLY CLUNKY.

At

www.FREEREPUBLIC.COM...

the "Comments" page lists all the posts to the user and all the posts from the user with most recent first.

THAT'S SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HANDY AND QUICK. It's a real time saver.

Much of the time, on ATS, I just don't bother to check my replies because I have too many other priorities to take that kind of time to read through all the pages of those threads to check for a response. Given all the computing power, that's silly, imho.

While I'm at it, how about some points for posts that get 5 or more stars--5 points a star or whatever exchange rate. ???

Thx.

What I thought was a pretty good thread on why ATS shuts down any threads that discuss drugs was itself shut down, so I have to post on this loong thread here. Hope someone sees this.

The terms and conditions state that any discussion of illegal activities is prohibited, drugs, hacking, sex with minors, etc. Fine, but seems very broad.
If I say that I have used drugs, or know someone who has, or just talk about people I know who use non-legal drugs, would my post be deleted? According to a strict reading of the rules it should be, since I am discussing an illegal activity.

The moderator who shut down the thread alluded that discussion of how to procure drugs is not allowed, and this does make some sense.

I think this rule should be changed to state that any threads that PROMOTE, ADVOCATE, or FACILITATE in any way illegal activities should be banned, and then strictly enforce this. You are not strictly enforcing the current rule, and I honestly can't see how the 1st amendment does not protect people from being able to talk about illegal activity, as long as they are not promoting it, giving instruction on how to, etc.

Please reply mods.

Thanks

Hello, what do you think of that dinging advert. at the top of the page?

it's driving me crazy,

I look around the room every time and say, "what's that noise?"

"Mom," my kids say," it's you computer,"

arrrrrgh

Originally posted by morefiber
If I say that I have used drugs, or know someone who has, or just talk about people I know who use non-legal drugs, would my post be deleted?

Yes.

and I honestly can't see how the 1st amendment does not protect people from being able to talk about illegal activity, as long as they are not promoting it, giving instruction on how to, etc

While we are strong advocates for free expression, the First Amendment does not apply in a private environment such as ATS.

would it be possible to post info on drugs as related to there ancient use in shamanism,?

I have wanted to start a topic on this subject, but have been hesitant.

reply to post by morefiber


Couple of things. First of all, you're absolutely correct we don't catch everything. Things move too quickly for us to catch every possible T&C violation. Without the help of the membership utilizing the ALERT function, we're bound to miss even more. I'd encourage to ALERT on any post that is a T&C violation.

As to the First Amendment, frankly it doesn't apply. We're a privately owned website and can employ any guidelines we want. Only the government can encroach upon your First Amendment rights. If it isn't The Government doing the censoring, it's not a First Amendment violation.

If there's a rule emposed that you can't discuss Canasta on the forums, that's perfectly acceptable and not any kind of First Amendment violation. Because we aren't The Government.

Here's a good link to peruse.

[Edit to add]

Oops, or see what Skeptic Overlord said.




[edit on 2/20/2009 by yeahright]

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I understand that this is a private site, and I am bound by the terms and conditions, and you can do what you want. I understand where the 1st amendment applies and doesn't.
I mention it because there are some things you can't say on a site like this.

I am saying that you are not applying this rule consistently. I have seen plenty of posts that talk about drug use.
I also see plenty of posts that discuss various illegal activities, without promoting them that do not get shut down. According to your rules as written, any discussion of illegal activity is not allowed. I don't see how you can avoid using this rule unevenly since most of the threads are about questionable activities carried out by the govt, or other groups. Maybe this is what you though.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


It seems that the answer is no, unless said drugs are legal and non-mind altering.

reply to post by yeahright


Thanks for the info on the Alert button