Question

OpenStudy suggestions

Answer 1

OpenStudy is an incredible tool.
But I've got a couple ideas which I think could improve it:

1. IP bans (really needed)
You expressed a concern of IP bans affecting more people then just a user, but I believe that most modern IP lookups can detect if it's home-based. And you could make it temporary, like on OpenStudy home it would say "This IP has been blocked. It will be reactivated in 3 hours". This would avoid making so many accounts, + could be used in more severe cases.

2. Better suspensions
It appears, that in it's current state a ban of any sort doesn't even exist now, just suspensions for a period of time. While I like this approach, IP bans are really needed. But of course, for less severe cases suspensions would be fine. As for now, I believe that suspension data are saved in a cookie. Yes, the user could just delete the cookie and make a new account, but I think it would be slightly better if you could at least disable making new accounts with that cookie.

3. New UI, less JavaScript oriented UI
While I'm sure that redesigning the UI would be very time consuming, it's highly needed. I believe that a metro stylistic approach would be amazing. I love Microsoft's Metro approach, and how it doesn't focus on gradients and special effects and unnecessary things, but rather a simplistic approach to content.
The site is also too dynamic, loads too many scripts. The scripts can take time to load, and when one of them goes does the site goes down to some extent. I think it shouldn't be so dependent on them, and more should be processed with a server language, in this case I believe that you're using Scala.
It's also hard for bots, or search engines like mine to grab/index any data from this site as most of the data doesn't appear, until loaded by the browser. Now a bot just views the code rather then all the external JavaScript that waits to be loaded by the browser.

Just my two-cents. :)

Answer 2

GREAT IDEAS :) @dumbsearch2
@Preetha
@shadowfiend
take a look at his ideas :D

Answer 3

I support the ideas ,though I feel a bit attached to this UI :)

Answer 4

haha
the connivence factor...
sometimes it's worth giving that up for a bit.

some aren't attached to how often the scripts cause the site to go down!!

Funny, one you type in Google "openstudy", one of the first suggestions is "openstudy not working".

For me, that alone is a bad sign. ;p

Answer 5

Google doesnt show that for me :/

Answer 6

that's the example of Google filter bubling
they CHANGE YOUR RESULTS based on what you do

I'm serious
read their privacy policy, it tracks everything, like EVERYTHING you do on any of their products.

So basically they change the results to what you would be "interested in" ;p

I personally don't like it that they filter bubble. I'm against filtering, let alone tracking everything.

I'm releasing a search engine which doesn't do that :3
It will be part of the dumbsearch line

Answer 7

yep @dumbsearch2

Answer 8

@dumbsearch2 oh, so does that mean you are interested in cheating :P jk

Answer 9

no, how did cheating get into this ? ;} @mathslover

Answer 10

wow nice ideas. :)

Answer 11

thanks, @Poetrylover :)

Answer 12

welcome Sean

Answer 13

BTW I'm @sean_le_van :)
Just for the heads up

Answer 14

already knew tht sean, dumbsearch. ;P

Answer 15

These are all things admins would have to do.

Answer 16

@KateluvsBeautyanBeast

Answer 17

luv you sean. ;P

Answer 18

@blues
Watcha think ?

Answer 19

@dumbsearch2 lol, Aravind is using google.co.in

Answer 20

@parthkohli whatever he's using, it's true that the location affects things, but it's a fact that Google "filter bubble"'s you. :)

Answer 21

OS suggestions? Make me Bio chat mod :) I know my power would be limited from regular mods but something like being able to kick people from group or at least an suspension would work :) LoL or maybe a mute? Idk :D I think DS is on to something though :L

Answer 22

^^^

Answer 23

yep @carniel
You'd be a great mod ^_^

Answer 24

@carniel " I think DS is on to something though :L"
what... do you mean ?

Answer 25

I agree! Also, thanks for the message @dumbsearch2 I tried to reply, but it says you only accept messages from users you fanned :_

Answer 26

yep @tafkas77 :)
I like fans <3

Answer 27

ha ha, don't we all? :)

Answer 28

so
..........

Answer 29

earning them is the fun part. :)

Answer 30

really ? @tafkas77 :)

Answer 31

By that I mean you point out very good aspects of what OS need @dumbsearch2

Answer 32

Aw, thank you! :)
Though it appears that the admins just ignored them... :/ @Carniel

Answer 33

They probably saw it :3 I can't really say much cuz its a secret :o

Answer 34

saw it, yeah.. BUt if it will take affect... I really don't know. :/

Answer 35

@shadowfiend

Answer 36

TL;DR
what is the current ping limit set at?

Answer 37

Come on, it's not that long. I mean, thats real laziness :P @keganmoore