Text 2161, 76 rader
Skriven 2004-11-26 12:16:00 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
   Kommentar till text 2130 av Robert Couture (1:229/2000)
Ärende: Science 1/2
===================
Hello Robert,

 >>> outdated.  The online echolist is a fantastic idea.
 >>> However, it is useless if it is outdated.  Much can change
 >>> in a month.
 >
 >  MvdV> Indeed, as it is, it is of very limited use. Another reason
 >  MvdV> why people do not expect it to be like this and therefore not
 >  MvdV> explicitly putting a date of publication on the page itself
 >  MvdV> makes it misleading.
 >
 > I think misleading is the wrong word.  By using it, you are
 > suggesting a purposeful act of negligence

Something is misleading when people are mislead by it. I was mislead.

I am willing to give Thom the benefit of the doubt. It could be an oversight.
It is misleading nevertheless.

 > (which may have a foundation in reality) However, without proof,
 > the best choice is inaccurate or perhaps even unreliable.

It is all of that. And because the inaccuracy is hidden, it is misleading.

 > Who wants to use a system that is unreliable or inaccurate?

People who are unaware that it is inaccurate?

 > What is the point of presenting a system to the public
 > that is unreliable or inaccurate?

There is no point.

 >>> Do you manually update the list or do you have a script or
 >>> program that does it?  If it is a script or program, why
 >>> not have it run daily - or every couple of days or even at
 >>> minimum once a week?

 >  MvdV> Why not run it every time a mod update is processed?

 > System configuration or the desire to limit system
 > resources during peak hours would be a good reasons to
 > limit when it is run.

That may have been a good reason ten years ago when we were stuck with DOS and
40 MHz XT's. But now?

 >>> Seems that if you want to provide a service, you would
 >>> provide an accurate service.  Otherwise the service is
 >>> useless.

 >  MvdV> Worse than useless: misleading.

 > Inaccurate or unreliable.  Misleading only if it is known
 > to be done on purpose.

See above.

 >>> Or, if you can't automate the online echolist updates, you
 >>> should at least provide a warning that the information is
 >>> likely not accurate due to it being processed only once a month.

 >  MvdV> Right.

 >  MvdV> But of course if he were to do that, it would be a tacit
 >  MvdV> admission that I have a point when I say it is misleading.
 >  MvdV> So I guess it is not going to happen...

 > True, enough.

So far no change...

Cheers, Michiel

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