If anyone knows the origins of this image, please give me a shout. I've been wanting for years to give its creator proper credit. FYI, this is as close to a general announcement that will appear. November. So far, so good. ;oD

Been somewhat active on Newsvine lately. There are several discussions being tracked upon which I have not commented. One topic in particular, strikes some very deep chords within me: racism. I just don't get the general mindset of bigots. Never have, despite polarizing personal experiences which would probably sway some folks to hate everyone. For those so inclined, please see my beginning video commentary @ Dr. Seuss' classic, The Sneetches...

Multiply-wise... I'm more than a little bent to find that some people are pushing for Multiply to join the Open ID clusterfuck. Pardon my language. I am vehemently opposed to this proposition- can ya tell?

Comments from the unwashed masses... On "Everyone" posts to MP, unless an individual is registered here I don't give a rip what they want to say. This is precisely why my general blog is on Multiply. This is also precisely why my personal blog is a WordPress stand-alone added to my domain.

If I wanted to subject myself to the unwashed masses out in the Big Room I would attend Burning Man. If I wanted to subject myself to every John/Jane Sixpack with internet access I would be a proponent for Open ID/Open Social.

If Multiply opts to incorporate Open ID into their services, I pray they'll have the presence of mind to enable registered members with the ability to block posts from those accessing MP reply functions via Open ID channels vs. directly through a registered Multiply account. Case in point: Blogger, which allows replies 1) anonymously (no!), 2) optional info fields (still "anonymous"- no!), or 3) through a registered Blogger or Open ID (ex. Google) account.

I think I'm safe in stating that there are plenty of us here on MP who got fed up long ago with being sold-out wholesale elsewhere for the convenience or profit of others. Give us a break, already.

Just checked the MUDS discussion again. If Multiply goes the OpenID route, I will have little use for this service. Who wants to start swapping .rss info for mutual tracking of those within our MP networks? Think I'm joking? Guess again, friends. Shutting the hell up now. Thanks for reading.

Yahell 360
WORST BLOG EVER

---

Multiply.com
BEST BLOG HOST

Don't mind me, folks. Someone had brought up the issue of Daylight Savings Time on MUDS. Just checking to see what's what here on our beloved Multiply.

I'm in -6 GMT during the "Standard" time of year. When the U.S. went into DST I had to manually change my account setting to -7 GMT for items posted here in my little slice of weird. Dantcer said that she thought that maybe the time zone issue was also related to where one posts on Multiply (groups vs. personal/network and all the shades in between).

Well, while posting to the Time Zones thread in MUDS I noticed that the time stamp displayed an hour earlier than my current local time, which was 09:01 for me on the DST adjusted setting of -7 GMT. Curiousity being a large part of my nature, I reset my time zone to -6 GMT, then checked the thread once more to see if my current local time had re-set in MUDS. It did.

So, this post is also being made at -6 GMT just to see how the time stamp registers now. My current local time for DST is 15:00. Daylight Savings Time not withstanding, it would be nice to know how Multiply's servers gauge time. How is the use of time stamps governed throughout Multiply? Given that Multiply's physical HQ is located within -5 GMT then this morning's original time stamp of 08:01 really doesn't make sense. Taking Daylight Savings Time into consideration, even if Multiply's servers hadn't been set an hour forward then the original timestamp for my post should have been 09:01 if MUDS' setting prevails.

Ready? Set? Bring on the weird!

Yes, you guessed it. There is a StumbleUpon group here @ Multiply.

No, this is not another network's "refugee" layover. Perish the thought! ;oD

If you're already familiar with Project Playlist and its player, please pardon a brief review of the basics. However, if you want to know how to reclaim some usable real estate on your Multiply "Welcome" module, then this tutorial is for you!

Your player can be placed in it's logical module: Music. Check it out...

Select the code for MySpace.

Next,  choose which playlist you want to feature on your player. [multiple lists sample]

Then, select your player's options. The sample player on this group's main page was configured with the basic black skin, a set song order (vs. random shuffle), and manual start (vs. auto play).

Now it's time to copy the code...

Ready for the magic?

On your Multiply main page, access the "Customize" function. Next, click "Edit" on the Music module. Paste your player code in the title box. Finally, hit "Done" at the top of your page. Voila!

Occasionally there come times when I want to speak my mind but am vexed by the delicate nature of current situations. Too many considerations are at stake. Where should this be posted? For whom is my input beneficial- and in what context? Will posting directly to a specific forum become part of a solution or merely more fuel dumped upon a fire? I am grossly negligent if I fail to honestly examine both my motives and methodology.

These points are easy to identify with for those who value critical thought and the practical application thereof. This applies for both regular group members and those in an administrator/moderator capacity. At least that's a worthwhile collective aspiration. In the example below my reply has been slightly edited.

---

"With power comes fascism." - daspider

Ideally, with power should come situationally appropriate discretion and diplomacy. Deletions not performed by the initial poster fall squarely into the realm of administrator privilege. I am not an admin of [this group]. I would have zero right to complain if a ["group X"] admin (or relatively, an admin from any other group to which I'm subscribed) deleted my comments. Same applies to all Multiply members.

Ultimately this is Multiply's party. We are all but guests. For whatever reason(s) some parties need qualified bouncers to ensure that the host's preferences are maintained. Most approach this responsibility in the light of a trusted servant performing a necessary task. Ideally, such instances are not personal.

---

What seems to be missing from so many online exchanges is that people tend to forget that, more often than not, there is at least one live human being on the other end of the communication. When grievances need to be expressed it can be all too easy for this simple truth to be overlooked. Effective problem solving requires  reasonable degrees of latitude to be granted amongst all parties involved. The responsibilities of ethical group administration demand this and more. Admins are essentially a site host's front line in helping to maintain a civil, productive environment for all users. Even if the site host proper was lacking in any "Powers That Be" capacity, the talents of its volunteer administrators can significantly effect proactive solutions.

Volunteer. Group administrators are generally not paid for the responsibilities they assume and the services they willingly share. Administrators are rarely contractually bound to act in any manner beyond those set forth in their site host's TOS- and the site host's legal protections do not cover volunteer administrators.

"So, why would anyone in their right mind be a
volunteer group administrator?" you ask.

I do it out of love for, and belief in the
communities I'm honored to serve.

Please bear with me. I'm finding this entry challenging to compose. I've been brooding lately over the Multiply networking equivalent of the Six degrees of separation. For years my modus operandi was largely based upon the "all-or-nothing" principle mostly because it's taken this long for a viable (note: not perfect) social construct to be incorporated into an online networking community. This is no longer the case.

Over the years I've been gifted to encounter many wonderful individuals both in the Big Room and here in Cyberia. I am grateful to know, on varying levels of familiarity, each and every one. However, this is where matters get awkward.

For those who can't or don't read the Multiply Staff Blog, separate Online Buddy settings are now available. There's been a great deal of discussion surrounding matters of "Friendiligence" on MUDS for quite some time. One reasonable concern is that of "contact demotions." Of course, when approached from a personal perspective, realistic assessment of any relationship can be measured within certain sets of variables. Now we're left with the conundrum of subjectivity vs. objectivity.

Individuals and the connections which may be formed with other individuals are not "objects." Rather, I prefer to view them as "subjects." But who wants to undergo such scrutiny? The fact is that everyone does, and some of us on a regular basis. I certainly know that I'm under simultaneous microscopes at any given time. So be it. That's my reality whether or not I like it.

Multiply member danbirchall summed up the concept of "Friendiligence" quite accurately...

"My thought is that in a theoretical ideal Multiply where people actually link to each other in ways that reflect reality (ha! ha!) my "network" consists of people I know and trust in real life, people they know and trust in real life, and people they know and trust in real life. It's a "web of trust" model to some extent."

So, how do we successfully address our online relationships to effect mutually agreeable connections? Where Multiply is concerned, changing horses in mid-stream shouldn't have to be a drama-laden affair. Please consider this entry as 1) an open invitation to publicly discuss Friendiligence in general, and 2) a means for my current contacts to privately (read: via PM- check "private"!) explore what setting works for us. As always, PMs received by me fall strictly under "Vegas Rules."

To flesh out upcoming changes a little better:

• existing posts: no access settings will be changed
• future posts: the majority (99.9%) will continue to be publicly accessible- that's just me ;oD
• contact settings: no one is being "demoted"- any changes are but pre-emptive adjustments
• updates: expect at least one followup to this entry
• anticipated timeframe: approximately two weeks +/-
• anticipated outcome: any of my current contacts that I haven't heard from within a reasonable period of time will be switched to Online Buddy
• recourse: of course, on a case-by-case basis

The SU resource for all things Multiply. Note: This SU group was acquired following long-term abandonment by its creator. It is undergoing transition. Questions, comments and suggestions from registered members of both StumbleUpon and Multiply are welcome.

Highly recommended reading for Multiply members. This well written piece focuses on promotion and overall internet etiquette. It outlines several examples of the differences between what is or isn't considered spam per the Multiply TOS.

Source: Multiply User Support

Dang- Discussion sure has been lively over at Yahoo 360 Refugees. It seems that someone (who will remain nameless) posted an unverified statement that Yahell is not going to execute its financial flop, 360º. I'll beat this dead horse one last time to put forth the following:

Verify your source.

Rumors, disinformation, and idle speculations are simply those and nothing more. Wait- They are something more. These types of postings are overabundant.

While it's impossible to exterminate such behaviors which breed with parasitic zeal, it is quite simple (and greatly appreciated) to include at least one reference/link to a credible source. Do this consistently and you'll save yourself from becoming just more spamtastic internet flamebait, honest! And if a verified source isn't readily available, please learn to use post tags accordingly. Some good tag examples for unverified information are "rumors", "rumor mill", "gossip", "scuttlebutt", "murmurings", "chatter" and "buzz". Of course, tags can be suited to an individual's liking.

Have fun. Play. Explore. Learn.

Thanks to vivalabama for saving me the trouble of hunting for that Y! 360º blog entry.

It's been a busy week, both online and in the Big Room. I don't blog much of the latter here on Multiply. That's what the Dopeless Enigmaniac © link is for on the main page. For anyone who's so inclined, clicking on the banner will open the latest entry in a new browser window. I'm not really one for cross-posting entries. It's a rarity when I do.

I've been editing some of my Multiply content. Multiply's TOS is quite reasonable, still... There have been shades of the Yahell Troll Wars flitting about here in our cool new community. This is currently being discussed in the Multiply Users & Developers Group. (MUDS) Anyway, let it be henceforth known to all parties that anything tagged "nsfw" means that it's Not Suitable For Work. Each NSFW video now carries an appropriate disclaimer which also addresses those who may be easily offended. However, I would like to add that anonymous cowards who report even content that may be only personally objectionable, but still acceptible within TOS/community guidelines, is a completely fascist misanthrope of a buttmonkey.

Brothers and Sisters of Multiply, can I get an "amen"?!? ;oD

Kudos to missingbits for creating this awesome guide.

I found it necessary to remove someone from my contacts a few days ago. I *do* like this person quite a bit. This individual, henceforth referred to as "X",  is one really neat soul. Unfortunately, some of X's contacts insisted on inflicting themselves upon me. X is not blocked. X doesn't deserve to be blocked. Again, I like X. Still...

One of X's contacts, who shall remain nameless, couldn't take the hint when 3 separate invites were declined. That individual is now blocked. I didn't want to do it; I had to do it if for no other reason than to spare both of us further repetition of pointless activity.

Another, who at least was courteous enough to respect the no-images condition for my guestbook, thought it would be kosher to PM me his crap instead. Matters of personal taste aside, many fail to realize that malicious code can be easily embedded within image files- especially the animated ones. Please don't ask me for specifics. I don't have time today. If there's enough interested parties, maybe in the future I can whip up a FAQ. And yes, this individual was also blocked, but mostly as a CYA.

I won't go into the other foolishness that's got more than ample potential to turn Multiply into the same tired troll fest that ruined everyone's fun on Yahell. One of the best things that Multiply has in its favor is that its focus is on quality versus quantity. That standard alone is why I've chosen to build my primary social networking home here on Multiply. This host's flexibility and all these awesome features don't hurt, either! ;oD

One last thing... Before anyone wastes their time mentioning it: I am well aware that it's possible to disable HTML in our guestbooks. I don't want to have to resort to that measure. One never knows what kind of fascinating links they might find in a guestbook, right? Enough outta me for now. L♥ve youze guys! *~*~*poof*~*~*

Multiply is proving to be pretty interesting. As some of my friends know, I've got some pretty eclectic interests and hobbies, both online and in the Big Room. And I've got anything but a pedestrian background. I don't mention these to inflate my weird little ego. It's just part of the whole Gestalt gig that's me, be it good, bad, or indifferent at any space in this timeline.

Anyway, I did mention those factoids as a lead-in to... I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine. ;oD But winter is fast approaching the Ozarks and this chick is already getting a little stir-crazy. For example... Last night was a minor blip. I *do* manage to stay out of trouble when I have more altruistic pursuits, really. Why are you looking at me like that?!? **LMAO**

Here. Join or I'll cry.

No, really. I will.

Maybe.

Kinda...

If I stub my toe.

Project Playlist

Enough outta me for now. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Namaste'

Happy Monday, my friends! Gee... It's the start of another great week here on Multiply and I'm getting pretty stoked about some personal projects. A couple are from-scratch Multiply groups, and a couple more involve (hopefully) getting some pre-existing groups cleaned up and returned to decent functioning. But the latter involves a temporary nuisance: the ability to assume Admin of abandonded/neglected groups.

It's rare that anyone creates a group with the intent of having it be less than its potential. I'm not even going to pretend that I have any idea what overall Multiply activity was like before we Yahell refugees landed upon these shores. But judging from the volumes of groups left unattended... **sigh**  Those of us who are willing to do the work shouldn't have to search blindly for the correct info on how to make it happen. Thank you, Higher Powers, for giving me the tenacity of a terrier and the stubbornness of a mule!

Shhhh... Hear that? Yup, it's peaceful at the ol' homestead this morning. This is a primo opportunity for me to get back to working on those group graphics- yay!!! Ciao for now...

Commedian Groucho Marx was famous for his glib comments. One of my all-time favorite Groucho-isms is: "I'd never join a group that would have me as a member." Looks like I've broken Groucho's law again. For the past couple of weeks I hemmed and hawed about how involved I might become here on Multiply. These ponderings were seasoned with intermittent outbursts of anger with the Yahell machine.

I did plenty of poking around here on Multiply during that time. This social network does have a fair amount of potential. Its present features and functionality are decent, but there's some things that do need improvement, big time. As much as I'm tempted to outline those items in great detail, doing so here in my humble little Multiply blog is about as practical as a pub crawl for sobriety.

"Okay, Chris. What's the punch line?"

I'm so glad you asked! Social network hopping bugs the crap out of me even though some of those hosts are fairly necessary evils. Others are just pure bullshit, IMO. All have capitalist agendas, of course, but some are less obnoxious than others. The latter is one of the main reasons why I'm really drawn to Multiply. But the most important reason I like Multiply is because the focus of this social network is quality vs. quantity.

Don't get me wrong- I'm down when it comes to mischief and mayhem. If you can swing it, bring it, baby. But our world is undergoing rapid changes, and I can be one outspoken bitch. I don't expect anyone to join me on my various soapboxes, nor am I out to recruit anyone for anything. There's a time for play (read: social) and a time for work (read: networking). Call it weird math, but for me the equation is:

play + work = Multiply

On that note... Hi, honey- I'm home!

... whether or not I should just start archiving nearly three years worth of assorted blogs on my forum? A few years ago Spymac screwed over what was once a thriving blogging and forums community. And conventional blogging communities, like Live Journal, continue to be under siege, content-wise, from both within and without. No thank you. Then there are a few "blurb-o-blogs" scattered at places like MySpace, Tribe.net and Y! 360.

Many Y! 360 refugees have opted to transfer their entire 360 blogs here to Multiply. Kudos,  to our wonderful new hosts here at Multiply for graciously making this feature available. But when assaulted with daily parades of everyone's old entries, in my mind it begs the question:

Is completely transferring anyone's entire blog really worth it?

Only two 360 blogs immediately come to my mind.

Forgive me if I seem cold and callous. Personally, I never took Y! 360 very seriously as a blogging service. And honestly, I *know* that many of my entries there were abject crap. Hey- at least I've got the cojones to admit it. Could you be that objective in regards to your own entries?

Thanks for hearing me out. During the time (and household interruptions) it's taken to compose this entry I've made a decision. I'm not transferring my 360 blatherings here to Multiply. I don't want to become yet another re-hash of what belongs in the past. To me, it's like leaving last night's dirty dinner dishes on the same table where a magnificent feast is about to be enjoyed. Now, who in the hell would want to subject themselves or their friends to that?!? ;oD

♥ Love youze guys. ♥ Ciao for now.

Please consider this entry as a public announcement that I have petitioned StumbleUpon in order to become the new owner of the SU Multiply group. I don't want any of my fellow Multiplying Stumblers saying that there wasn't enough adequate notification.

The group had been abandoned by its previous owner several months ago. I'm more than happy to step up to the plate. Any comments, questions, or objections specifically regarding this pending ownership change should be made directly through StumbleUpon, thanks!

[group | thread]