Something I've been wondering about since we've been discussing moderation. We are in the fifth or sixth year of using our latest version of a messaging board. Are there any plans for the major revamping of Wittenberg to update its capabilities? Perhaps with public consultation?
In past discussions, iirc, there was an idea to implement a Reddit-style moderation approach, which I personally like, but regardless of whether folks broadly agree on that approach, it is just an example of things outside the capabilities of our current platform.
If cost is the limiting factor, I am sure I'm one of several willing to engage in a voluntary taxation scheme.
Serious question, what would be the benefit of Reddit-style moderation
Quote from: Sir Ian Plätschisch on July 01, 2025, 04:59:35 PMSerious question, what would be the benefit of Reddit-style moderation
On Reddit, when comments receive a certain level of downvotes they are hidden. I may be mistaken but moderators also have the ability to remove bad actors from the channel. Downvotes would be a community-based way for moderators to base their decisions when also citing the violations of community rules in our case Wittiquette or the soon-to-be developed new standards.
The automated hiding and data-driven way to identify serial offenders seemed like a benefit to me.
It's an interesting idea but I'm not sure how it would be implemented.
-Txec R
Quote from: King Txec on July 01, 2025, 09:12:22 PMIt's an interesting idea but I'm not sure how it would be implemented.
-Txec R
I don't think it could be implemented on this Wittenberg. And I'm not hung up on that approach either just spitballing. I'm more interested in our thinking around long-term planning on Wittenberg's next stage. I was surprised we are already half a decade into this version.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 01, 2025, 09:36:34 PMI don't think it could be implemented on this Wittenberg. And I'm not hung up on that approach either just spitballing. I'm more interested in our thinking around long-term planning on Wittenberg's next stage. I was surprised we are already half a decade into this version.
What do others think? We will at some point need to have a discussion on Wittenberg's future. And that seems like an opportunity for broad cooperation.
Moderators here already have the ability to take action against violations of Wittiquette, although some would argue that doesn't happen often enough.
Quote from: Sir Ian Plätschisch on July 02, 2025, 05:26:32 PMModerators here already have the ability to take action against violations of Wittiquette, although some would argue that doesn't happen often enough.
Sorry I did not mean for that to be the focus of my post. Perhaps Reddit-style moderation abilities was a bad example. My thoughts are more focused on how we are planning for the future development of Wittenberg. As I stated I am surprised just how quickly time has passed for our use of this version of Wittenberg. That led me to thinking how we are considering either expansion, if possible, of this version of Wittenberg capabilities or moving beyond it.
If this is a worthwhile discussion, perhaps we should start with a list of things we would want to be different than they are now
I for one cannot think of any but I don't know what's possible.
Wittenberg is an amazing tool that works really well, and I am very grateful to our hardworking tech folks who have made it possible. (Do I remember right that Etho set it up?)
I don't know what I would want it to do that it doesn't already do.
I second the sentiments of the Baron concerning the work of those who keep Wittenberg running but it is a limited message board. No matter the talents of those who help it run there is only so much that can be done within the sytem's constraints. So I would not call it amazing but rather antiquated to be honest and hope we will dare to dream on what we want this to become over the coming years.
Before I mention a couple of wish list features I admit my knowledge of Wittenberg is limited so please let me know if these features actually exist now:
One feature I would find useful is the ability to manage posts as drafts. To no one's surprise I am not a fast thinker and it would be nice to not have to use Google Docs for drafting substantive posts.
Another feature I would love to see is some kind of internal text or video chat ability independent of Discord or Whatsapp so people do not have to leave Wittenberg. The Discord insert is buggy and we might want to consider moving it to the top of the site if we plan to continue utilizing it.
I would also like to see some kind of automated archiving so that Government compliance with transparency statutes is less uncertain...maybe in cooperation with the Archivist and Scribery.
For the most part, I also think we need to build into Wittenberg greater use of non-written communication modes so that we SEE and HEAR each other and not just READ one another. I sincerely believe that our primarily written interaction is a limitation on our ability to connect with one another as Talossans. This is why I shared that poetry video of Sir Ian a couple days ago and I want to note that face or voice does not need to include mine for those who find that revolting but we should be having at least one live Cosa session, maybe a live meeting of the CRL every so often, a video terpelaziun and a video response from the Minister, continue with the Royal Coffees, etc. And Wittenberg should be built to be a place that can facilitate all of that whether it is native infrastructure or a non-buggy technical insert.
Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on July 02, 2025, 07:43:14 PMWittenberg is an amazing tool that works really well, and I am very grateful to our hardworking tech folks who have made it possible. (Do I remember right that Etho set it up?)
No, that was me. I set up this version of Witt and was Wittmeister from late 2019 to June 2020; Eðo took over when I left; I resumed Wittmeistering from September 2022 to July 2024 when Dan T took over; and there was a last, final swap that I don't think we announced publicly whereby I am again Wittmeister since mid-April 2025.
Well, you're doing a great job. Thank you.
Quote from: Sir Lüc on July 06, 2025, 05:30:03 AMNo, that was me. I set up this version of Witt and was Wittmeister from late 2019 to June 2020; Eðo took over when I left; I resumed Wittmeistering from September 2022 to July 2024 when Dan T took over; and there was a last, final swap that I don't think we announced publicly whereby I am again Wittmeister since mid-April 2025.
There was also another secret swap. I am now King of Talossa. ;-)
Quote from: GV on July 09, 2025, 06:56:14 PMThere was also another secret swap. I am now King of Talossa. ;-)
To the tower with you! There is one king here and it's not you!! :-)
-Txec R
Quote from: King Txec on July 09, 2025, 07:58:01 PMTo the tower with you! There is one king here and it's not you!! :-)
-Txec R
Rohan is mine!
Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on July 02, 2025, 07:43:14 PMWittenberg is an amazing tool that works really well, and I am very grateful to our hardworking tech folks who have made it possible. (Do I remember right that Etho set it up?)
I don't know what I would want it to do that it doesn't already do.
The old proboards still exists for the time being and there were efforts to archive the info going on at one point as a backup. Should there be the opportunity either here or in future Witt versions to merge that info it would be wonderful. Also the somewhat shorter term social media platform.
That said, after the switch a certain number of previous users decided not to learn a new interface and have have not landed here even after a number of years - perhaps some are using the discord or other systems but many just only are contactable by email.
As far as I know, AD and I were able to archive the whole of the ProBoards Witt.
ProBoards was still as perfectly functional as it had always been, but we were afraid of ProBoards starting to hold our data hostage in some way (paywall, etc.) or going out of business, taking the forum down forever.
Yes, I need to get my Witt archives put up somewhere.
GV, Royal Archivist
Quote from: GV on July 19, 2025, 10:04:05 AMYes, I need to get my Witt archives put up somewhere.
You can share with me. I'm digitally archiving Talossan stuff.
Quote from: Danihel Txechescu on July 19, 2025, 10:38:56 AMYou can share with me. I'm digitally archiving Talossan stuff.
@Danihel Txechescu @GV Do we have a site where Talossans can peruse our public archives? It would be cool, if we don't already, to have a National Archives site. I was thinking of this last night since the government records of the 58th Cosa will be publicly available in a few years.
Quote from: Danihel Txechescu on July 19, 2025, 10:38:56 AMYou can share with me. I'm digitally archiving Talossan stuff.
I ultimately just used httrack to mirror it, and then zipped the result.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 19, 2025, 10:47:19 AM@Danihel Txechescu @GV
Do we have a site where Talossans can peruse our public archives? It would be cool, if we don't already, to have a National Archives site. I was thinking of this last night since the government records of the 58th Cosa will be publicly available in a few years.
Do not call it the "National Archives". The term "National Archives" is strict and denotes solely the Talossan archives that continue to be withheld from the Kingdom by Robert Ben Madison, who may well have destroyed them by now out of spite (I don't think so, but can't rule that out).
GV, Royal Archivist
Quote from: GV on July 20, 2025, 05:36:18 AMDo not call it the "National Archives". The term "National Archives" is strict and denotes solely the Talossan archives that continue to be withheld from the Kingdom by Robert Ben Madison, who may well have destroyed them by now out of spite (I don't think so, but can't rule that out).
GV, Royal Archivist
You seem to have answered a question that wasn't asked, GV...so we do not have a national archives?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 20, 2025, 09:50:01 AMYou seem to have answered a question that wasn't asked, GV...so we do not have a national archives?
Correct, and so long as the archives held by Ben are not in our hands, we never will.
In the late 2000s sometime around the start of John's reign, the term "Royal Archives" came into vogue and was codified into law.
It's actually amazing how much we do have. Ben on my first haxh in 2002 xeroxed a bunch of stuff, and I bought JJ's archives from him at about that time.
Quote from: GV on July 22, 2025, 02:37:28 PMCorrect, and so long as the archives held by Ben are not in our hands, we never will.
In the late 2000s sometime around the start of John's reign, the term "Royal Archives" came into vogue and was codified into law.
It's actually amazing how much we do have. Ben on my first haxh in 2002 xeroxed a bunch of stuff, and I bought JJ's archives from him at about that time.
Thank you. Is there a link or site where the public can access the materials we do have?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 22, 2025, 03:15:09 PMThank you. Is there a link or site where the public can access the materials we do have?
I don't know, and I will not be able to answer this question definitively until at least next week after I move into my new apartment (assuming move day is this Sat.).
Keep. Reminding. Me.
GV is notorious for forgetting Talossan projects.
Quote from: GV on July 22, 2025, 07:02:39 PMI don't know, and I will not be able to answer this question definitively until at least next week after I move into my new apartment (assuming move day is this Sat.).
Keep. Reminding. Me.
GV is notorious for forgetting Talossan projects.
Completely understandable. Have a quick and relatively pain-free move, GV. I will check in later after you've settled in.