Please take the 2010 Democratic Underground Member Survey.

[Skinner]

The purpose of the survey is to collect some data to help us figure out who our members are, and how you feel about Democratic Underground. We want as many people as possible to take it, so we can get a really good sample. We hope that the results help give us some idea of where we go from here. This survey is open to all active DU members who registered before August 20, 2010 (the date when we first announced the survey).

Please be aware that this survey was not drawn up professionally; it is merely a series of questions that the DU Administrators would like answers to.

Your responses to this survey are anonymous. Neither your username nor any other personally identifiable information will be saved along with your answers, so the administrators will not be able to figure out how you or any other individual responded to the questions. The usernames of members who have taken the survey are saved separately, to ensure that each member takes the survey only one time.

The survey will be available for two weeks, until 11:59 PM Pacific Time, Thursday October 14, 2010. After that time, no more responses will be accepted.

As much as possible, we want the survey to be "fresh" for each member, and we do not want chatter or spin on the site to influence the way people respond. Therefore, while you are permitted to discuss the survey in this thread, the moderators have been instructed to delete any posts about the survey if they are posted anywhere else. This restriction will be lifted once the survey has been completed in two weeks time.

Thank you for taking the time to take our survey.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=survey">Click here to take the survey.

David Allen (Skinner)
Dave Allsopp (EarlG)
Brian Leitner (Elad)
DU Administrators

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Done and kick

[MineralMan]

2. Done. Seems like a good survey.

Kicked.

[BootinUp]

3. I will, after Bones and Fringe, ;)

[txlibdem]

205. The only two FOX programs I watch

I love 'em. Guilty pleasure, perhaps.

PS, get a TIVO. You are now a hostage to the whims of their scheduling. Watch what you want - when you want.

PPS, I have a SageTV HTPC setup and love it. My wife is sticking with her Tivo - will defend it to the death. :-)

[BootinUp]

316. Hiya

I have a GBPVR setup similar capabilities to Sage. I did record them, but I couldn't wait to watch them for some reason. ;)

[MineralMan]

4. I sincerely hope that there aren't attempts, even in this thread,

to influence others on how to answer the questions. Every DUer should answer as he or she truly feels, without undue influence from anyone.

Thanks for caring.

[leftstreet]

56. What an odd statement

Rather insulting in fact. The overwhelming majority of members here are responsible posters, capable of critical thinking.

:shrug:

It's generally only politicians who attempt influence...

[jannyk]

69. Odd thing to say!? Most of us are grown ups and know our own minds.

:crazy: :wtf: :crazy:

[pipi_k]

71. Done (oops!)

meant to reply to the OP.

[Missy Vixen]

114. Why are you attempting to influence the responses of others by

thinly veiled Net nannying?

Thanks,
MV

[Jax]

158. not thinly veiled at all Missie

very perceptive.

And spot on.

[Touchdown]

178. OOOOOOOH! You just think you're slick, don't you?

You are not DU's Daddy. Stop bossing us around.

Thanks for caring.

[Touchdown]

184. ...

[SidDithers]

220. Hotlink fail...nt

Sid

[Touchdown]

267. Not on my computer. Sid's computer fail.

It's Nanny McPhee.

[SidDithers]

355. It didn't fail on your computer, 'cause you've already got it in your cache...

:rofl:

If I go to allmoviephoto.com, then I'll download the file into my cache too, and then I'll be able to see it. But anyone who hasn't gone to allmoviephoto.com is only going to see a broken image placeholder.

Get yourself a photobucket account.

Sid

[Touchdown]

357. CBJC

Sow how did it also appear on my iPad when it wasn't sync'd?

:rofl: indeed.

[Enthusiast]

193. I've never felt

anyone, even those I disagree with on DU, trying to exert *undue* influence. Of course we will all argue that everyone should adopt our views. This is only human nature.

[pipi_k]

233. I have...

I've tried to exert undue influence on myself many times, even going so far as to threaten to break my own legs.

But it's hard to take myself seriously sometimes.




:+

[snooper2]

219. Oh my God...are you series????

:rofl:

It's an Internet forum...really. Are some peoples lifes so wrapped around this site? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[MineralMan]

240. Interesting. I was talking to everyone, including myself.

This survey deserves thoughtful consideration by all DUers. I can't see where I called for anyone to vote in any particular way. I wasn't talking to any particular group of DUers or supporting any particular viewpoint. I'm a surprised at the animosity. Oh, well...my post stands on its actual content.

[HughMoran]

246. You're not really surprised by the animosity

I know I'm not.

We wouldn't need a survey if not for the animosity here.

[mkultra]

276. the animosity is really the root of the problem though

[BootinUp]

317. People are paranoid these days

its a function of the decline of western civilization I think.

[unapatriciated]

328. It's a pretty simple survey..

so I don't understand the need to warn us against undue influence.

[mkultra]

275. arent you influencing people

[asdjrocky]

281. Oh for crying out loud.

Could you possibly think more of yourself?

[HughMoran]

288. I just fell off of my chair

:beer:

[asdjrocky]

290. Are you all right?

Did you break anything?

[HughMoran]

292. I think I'm OK

My sense of Up and Down was temporarily messed up. :freak:

[yurbud]

296. you just attempted to influence people not to influence, which is influence

[Tatiana]

5. Done! n/t

[blogslut]

6. Done

:hi:

[liberal N proud]

7. K&R

[DevonRex]

8. Done. nt

[gkhouston]

9. Done. Thanks for setting this up. n/t

[Poll_Blind]

10. Done. But I won't give away my chicken salad recipe. Did everyone get that question or just me?

Anyway, thanks.

PB

[totodeinhere]

14. I love chicken salad made with white meat only, olive oil mayo, with a few walnuts and

red grapes mixed in together with chopped celery and a small amount of chopped green onions.

[hlthe2b]

20. Yummm... I want some!

;)

[lunatica]

39. You made my mouth water!

slurp... drool... sorry!

[JDPriestly]

155. That chicken salad sounds really good.

[boppers]

161. DU: always on topic.

:rofl:

[joshdawg]

198. love the photo and caption

thanks.
Obama 2012!

[JDPriestly]

285. Like a picnic with friends (and a few ants too).

[displacedvermoter]

404. Can someone please explain to me what he has "got"

that I don't need to worry about any more?

[pinboy3niner]

189. I had to give up my crab spice recipe before they'd let me exit the survey!

And I thought the sex questions were waaaay too personal. :)

[Lochloosa]

196. Bring on the Benadryl!

[pinboy3niner]

197. I count my blessings that I don't have food allergies

Especially when it comes to MD blue crab and other seafood! :)

[Lochloosa]

199. I didn't till two years ago. Came home from the "Blue Crab Crab Shack" one night

and broke out. I miss my crab.

[pinboy3niner]

201. You have my sympathies

If your reaction is to crab only (not other seafood) you might look into whether "Krab" (the imitation stuff made from fish) would be a suitable alternative. I now live in CA, far from my favorite crab house in Northern VA, and Krab works for me as a pretty fair--and inexpensive--substitute. Especially with a good crab spice. :)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

340. Thread jack for food discussions -- yay!!

Done.

I'm allergic to tomatoes, bell peppers and shellfish. I also don't like spicy stuff. I had a former mother-in-law who made stuff that was greasy and spicy, to the extent that I literally couldn't eat her "cooking". One bite and I ran to the sink for water, and she got this bewildered look on her face like she thought I was crazy. I eat plain old American food mostly. They put some weird spices in a whole lot of things at restaurants. Some of them have really set me off.

No pizza. Tomatoes are too acid and all those things make me feel crummy the next day (as in stay-in-bed all day crummy).

Mom tried to get me to eat tomatoes and raw onions and bell peppers for years -- didn't work.
Dad was allergic to tomatoes too.

DH and I cook separate things sometimes. He can eat spicy stuff and I can't.

[blondeatlast]

218. Oh, you gott the one about the fabric content, too, huh? nt

[blondeatlast]

217. They asked me where I got my great Narciso knockoff dress. Hmmm... nt

[Javaman]

261. They will have to pry my chicken out of my cold dead hand...oh wait.

that didn't come out right.

:rofl:

[pinboy3niner]

282. ...

:spray:

:rofl:

[Oceansaway]

11. K&R...n/t

[FirstLight]

12. yay!

I feel so special that you guys want to know what I think! :D thanks and keep up the good work!

[golddigger]

13. Done. Excellent and well thought out survey.

[Odin2005]

15. Done!

:hi:

[RockaFowler]

16. Done!!

[XemaSab]

17. Done

:(

[hlthe2b]

18. Done and strongly recommend. Thanks Admins for doing this!

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

19. Good survey.

Like most Americans, I love being asked for--and giving--my opinion:)

[Blaukraut]

21. Done, and thank you for asking our opinions n/t

[JTG of the PRB]

22. Done and done! n/t

Okay, there IS text, because I can't type/proofread apparently. :dunce:

[NRaleighLiberal]

23. done! n/t

[pgodbold]

24. Done! I think I got them all right! I should get a good score!

[Libby2]

29. Awe what a sweeeeeet pic.

Oh yeah, took the survey too.

[pgodbold]

76. TY ... she is my heart.

[MineralMan]

25. Admins: Can you somehow put a notice about this at the top

of the Latest Posts page and the most popular forum list pages, like GD, GD:P, LBN, etc? I think it's important that everyone know about this survey and have an opportunity to take it.

[SidDithers]

216. I noticed a PM from the admins when I logged in today...

hopefully, it was a blast PM that went out to everyone, letting them know the Survey is live.

Sid

[MineralMan]

228. Ahh...good. I was one of the first to take the survey, so I guess

my name was off the PM list. That sounds like a great way to let people know. I also notice that there's a pinned thread on all the major forums. I hope everyone active on DU takes the survey.

[Gothmog]

26. Done

Good survey

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. Done!

Thank you!

K&R

[Uzybone]

28. DnR

Done and Recommended

[Uzybone]

359. kick

[Tansy_Gold]

30. I'm curious about the anonymity factor

I clicked on the link and it took me to a form that already had some information filled out -- the year of my joining and how many posts I have. That tells me -- and believe me, I am NOT computer geek -- that somehow or other my survey is linked to my DU account. That makes me wonder just how "anonymous" this really is.

And yes, I'm paranoid.

Second, however, is that because this information is filled out automatically based on this current account, it doesn't take into consideration that I was posting on DU prior to that date under another name. I changed my screen name after being verbally assaulted and threatened by a DU member, and while that old account probably didn't affect my post count very much, it certainly did put me as a member of DU a calendar year earlier than my current account.

I didn't go any further with the survey after I saw that some of the information was already filled in.



Tansy Gold

[Rhythm]

34. He addressed this--it only gives them generic info

like the year you joined and your approximate post count. That info is automatically filled in when you click on the survey from a logged-in account. It doesn't save anything else about your account, though--or at least, that's what Skinner said earlier.

:hi:

[Skinner]

41. Only very broad, non-specific info is being saved.

Only what you see is being saved.

We only save the year you joined (but not the exact date), and a broad post-count range (but not the exact count). This will allow us to crunch the numbers a little, without being able to trace any responses back to a specific individual.

[boppers]

179. Oh, wow, Skinner checked in.

Is there an appropriate back-channel for geek-level discussion on DU privacy issues?

[boppers]

173. I AM a computer geek, and can tell you this:

There is no such thing as anonymity over the internet. Ever. Full stop.

What there is, however, is the ability to create scenarios that make it *really, really, annoying* to track someone down. They do explicitly note that they are tracking who takes the survey, and that, combined with log files, leaves enough of a trail with IP/post matching, to track you.

It really comes down to a matter of trust, and whether or not you trust the geeks of DU.

All that being said, your post does point out that certain groups on DU may be under-represented, specifically those who are *very* concerned about their anonymity.

[mkultra]

277. "There is no such thing as anonymity" there, fixed

[lumberjack_jeff]

314. Just 'cuz you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

But then again, they don't need subterfuge to get you.

[Rhythm]

31. Me and Lyric, both done.

:patriot:

[slay]

32. Done

I'm pretty happy with things in general - nobody is going to be completely happy - but I think in general DU is run in a relatively fair way. I'm definitely in the liberal/progressive wing and remain unconvinced that people like Blanche Lincoln help our party.

[dogday]

33. Done K&R

[Upton]

35. I took it!

[lunatica]

36. Done

[pmorlan1]

37. I gave my 2 cents

Thanks.

[DLine]

38. Im new, but did it anyway.

[pgodbold]

58. Welcome to DU!

[gkhouston]

97. Welcome to DU!

You'll be an old-timer before you know it. The place grows on you. :toast:

[gateley]

159. Yeah, like a rash that won't go away. You just can't leave it alone!

:7

[Lisa D]

40. Done. I anxiously await the results!

Thanks for all you do. :hi:

[ShamelessHussy]

42. i dont like the censorship here - i would prefer a filter like the one slashdot.org uses N/T

:hi:

[sabrina 1]

400. I agree with that. Too many deletions which makes threads

unreadable at times. I filled out the survey but didn't think of that when I did.

Another thing I meant to ask was 'why is there such a short period of time during which you can edit your OP'? I would love to see that extended. I don't care about comments, but on OPs it's so easy to miss a typo, or a mistake and if you go away, and come back an hour later and notice something is wrong, it's too late to fix it.

Meant to include that in the survey also, but forgot.

[jannyk]

43. Thanks, Can we 'pin' it in GD please?

It's falling down the page already.

[mstinamotorcity]

44. You asked

Its done. K&R

[DinahMoeHum]

45. Done.

.

[blaze]

46. Done! K&R

[Parker CA]

47. Finito! Thanks for being interested in our input.

[taterguy]

48. There's no form to complete an address to send the pony

I thought that's what we all got for completing the survey.

:shrug:

[flying rabbit]

105. I got a pony address form.

Maybe you did something wrong.

:shrug:

[SoCalDem]

121. whoa... I checked the hot tub box

didn't know I could'a had a pony :)

[blondeatlast]

222. I got a vacation for two in Jamaica--all I have to do is attend a one-hour breakfast! nt

[one_voice]

49. Done..

kick.

Time for Fringe. YAY!!

[SemiCharmedQuark]

50. Is there anything to prevent socks and zombies from taking the survey?

[stuntcat]

51. kickety

I've submitted :blush: be gentle, tehe.

[Lyric]

52. Could you please pin this thread to the top of every major forum?

Some people rarely leave forums like GLBT/Health/Religion-Theology/etc., and their bookmarks often link directly there, so they could miss it on the front page.

Thank you!

[MH1]

53. Excellent survey, but for some questions you need 'Hell NO' and 'Hell YES' options

:)

I look forward to the results.

[Lyric]

72. I was thinking exactly the same thing, lol

[Rhiannon12866]

54. Done! K&R.

:kick:

[NorthCarolina]

55. Done. nt

[leftstreet]

57. K&R

[Exilednight]

59. Done. I just wish there was more than a 200 character limit, but otherwise a good survey. n/t

[Occulus]

68. People would write novels were that the case.

That said, I had to crop my final comment to "To help control the troll population, posts in the DU Lounge should be spayed and neutered from one's overall post count."

:D

[Exilednight]

73. Yeah, I understand why. Someone has to read all these - right skinner? n/t

[Javaman]

262. yes, "read"...

:rofl:

[krispos42]

115. Hmmm... not a bad idea, actually n/t

[Carni]

249. That's a good idea!

Very good idea, I believe that really would cut down on trolls popping up with high post counts.

[Maine-i-acs]

60. Thanks Admins. Painless survey, good questions! [NT]

[calikid]

61. done and kicked n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

62. Done & Kick. (n/t)

[ThomWV]

63. Done and back to the top

[nolabear]

64. We should be this eager to vote this election! Done and kicked.

[Scurrilous]

65. Done.

:thumbsup:

[Mimosa]

66. I did it earlier, before reading thread

The questions are interesting. And it's short. :)

[jannyk]

67. Done k&r

[Hatchling]

70. Done

I just wish we had more that 200 characters for the specific responses/

[KoKo]

74. Survey is too "Black & White" in choices. There were too few "shades of gray" and opportunities

to clarify you choice between "Yes or No" or other.

I hope you will do another poll when you get back your data to refine it more. I think many of us didn't fit some of the "Yes or No." Whichever we picked didn't sit well with us...but the third choice of "Don't Know" was somehow humiliating to pick...like we were idiots or something.

Whatever... Hope you get something out of this to work with.

[jannyk]

77. My thoughts exactly - picking DK made me feel like a moron, there

should have been a space for explanation of each DK/Other 'cause I wasn't picking DK and they should have asked what my 'Other' is.

[boston bean]

80. it did seem a tad skewed and leading when in fact u might be unhappy with the way things are handled

by the mods and admins when you are criticizing the dems.

[boston bean]

83. for instance, i didn't want to answer yes or no on whether

or not there should only be constructive criticism of the president. And IDK did not fit.

Constructive criticism is in the eye of the beholder. If I answered yes, I felt I may be limiting speech and if I answered no, well there wouldn't be any criticism allowed.

[KoKo]

91. Agree had that same problem with that question and a few others that

"depend on circumstances." Nuance........

[Go2Peace]

176. I agree.

[20score]

111. That was the problem I had. And there was no room to put my thoughts at the end.

Two of my answers may seem to be contradictory, but they really aren’t. People should be allowed to criticize and even vent against the president and Democrats in general. To have everyone fall in line and pretend problems don’t exist hurts the site and the party. But some comments are just pathetic insults that bring nothing to the table and are easy to spot. It’s just hard sometimes to know where the line is, but I fall on the side that allows the greatest amount of freedom. (That said, I despise those who insult the poster for no reason.)

[Lilith Velkor]

192. Insulting a poster is against the rules

Alert on them.

[unapatriciated]

329. That is what I used the last comment box for.

To explain what you stated "Constructive criticism is in the eye of the beholder". I felt the same way as you regarding criticism and checked 'other'.

[laughingliberal]

81. +1 nt

[LongTomH]

104. I agree entirely!

There should be a spectrum of answers, from mostly agree to mostly disagree. "Don't know" should be changed to "no opinion."

[LiberalAndProud]

144. I had that same problem.

WTF does overall mean, anyway? There were at least three questions where I wanted some nuance for my response.

PLUS I ran out of room so I forgot to mention that I long for the return of the Hate Mailbag. Oh well, I still love DU.

[Jamastiene]

174. I agree.

My survey answers probably would not make sense because I had to go with the Don't Know/Other option to stay honest in my opinions. I could not choose the strictly up or down answer. Sometimes, my view is in between the Agree/Disagree answer.

[Hissyspit]

183. I was thinking that, too.

[JonLP24]

186. i agree

[LWolf]

208. Yes. I had too many "don't know/other" responses that were

really all "other."

[G_j]

251. yep

same here

[snooper2]

221. This is really SERIES!!! you need to do a deeper analysis

I would spend AT LEAST four more hours thinking about the survey :rofl:

[SaveOurDemocracy]

242. I totally agree, some questions felt like push-polling. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

278. Yup. Many of my answers --

were much more nuanced than "yes" or "no" or "Don't know/other", and there was no opportunity to express that.

Too bad. :(

[wickerwoman]

318. Yes. Not granular enough, should have been piloted.

I couldn't answer 2/3rds of the questions. Combined with the lack of comment boxes with "other" for each question meant that I don't have any real confidence that my position was represented at all by taking this survey.

There is a huge range between "satisfied with DU" and "unsatisfied with DU" for example. Most professional surveys use at least a five point Likert scale. ("Mostly" "Somewhat" "Neither...nor..." "Not somewhat" "Not mostly", etc.)

Ditto "approve" and "disapprove" of Obama and heavy-handedness of moderation.

I really appreciate the effort you guys are going to to try to get feedback from users but as someone who regularly designs surveys, I predict you are going to have massive problems with the results here. A lot of this survey seems to be pushing an agenda. I don't think that's your intention but I think that will be the perception since the choices are so constraining and so little open-response feedback is solicited.

[Gormy Cuss]

331. +1

It's also muddling the data to combine "Don't know" and "Other" in the same response. If the majority of respondents choose that category for a given question there is no way to interpret the result.

[Brickbat]

325. Agreed...I wish there were 200-character comments on every one. The survey, in fact, gave me a

clearer idea on what the owners/administrators expect this place to be.

[tpsbmam]

350. Agree 100% and also agree that some of the questions were like push polling.

I had to answer IDK/other on a few of them because neither yes nor no fit. The survey needs to be greatly refined.

[hippywife]

362. Exactly why I'm not doing it.

To little wiggle room for my comfort. Too black and white. I cannot answer most of it in all honesty.

:hi:

[Luciferous]

75. Done

[laughingliberal]

78. Done. K & R. nt

[rrneck]

79. Done. Good survey. nt

[Terra Alta]

82. Done! K&R. nt.

[RedCloud]

84. response # 98.6!

kick

[democrank]

85. Kick

[TheBigotBasher]

86. My suggestion

have a closed - members only - discussion thread to allow free discussion. All posts are at the moment open to search engines and can be used against individuals and the Democratic Party.

[madmax]

87. k&r

[Tansy_Gold]

88. "Don't know" shouldn't be combined with "other"

Okay, I'm being nitpicky. Sorry. That's the way I am.

Hypothetical question here, not one from the survey:

I feel that the current primary/caucus system for choosing a presidential candidate is:

__ A fair and efficient system for choosing the best nominee

__ An unfair and inefficient process for choosing the best nominee

__ Don't know/Other.


If one's answer falls somewhere in between the two options, say something like "I think the current system is fair and effective for those states that primary/caucus early in the season but leaves out those who vote later," that's not the same as "Hell if I know."

:shrug:



TG

[KoKo]

94. Damn...I missed that question and would have loved to reply to it...

Thought I read them all. Oh well...and I spent a lot of time and went back over it. I would have chosen "UNFAIR AND INEFFICIENT PROCESS!" and with an exclamation point!

ARGH.....

[Tansy_Gold]

109. HY-PO-THETICAL question

NOT on the survey.

I didn't wanta give anything away.



TG

[Jamastiene]

175. Exactly.

That was the same problem I had one a few questions. If some of the questions had been set up as a scale of 1 to 3 with some in between, and other questions had given the other option separately from "Don't know," the answers would have given a more accurate selection of data.

[Tansy_Gold]

213. There's another possible answer, too, which is

Don't care (aka "not important" or "not applicable"). I didn't even check to see if it was possible to NOT answer a question.

The point being that there were SOME questions that had more than the obvious A or B or Nothing choices, such as those questions related to how big the DU tent should be. (I'm still trying not to give away any of the specific questions.) If those questions were apparently important enough to justify four or five or more choices -- in addition to "Don't know/Other" -- then I think there could have been a clearer distinction on some of the others. There were at least a few that seemed far too simplistic when in fact those are the very issues that seem to be causing at least a significant amount of the dissension lately.

Okay, I'll shut up now and go back to my day job.


TG, NTY

[Iggo]

210. Yeah. What if you think it's fair, but inefficient?

Or unfair, but efficient?

Or if it's Other, and you DO know?

:patriot:

I know I'm just being a dick here, but I really do dislike compound answers in multiple choice surveys. That said, I haven't taken the survey yet, so I'll shut up now...lol.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

89. Done.

[gateley]

165. OT --

What is that breathtaking photo in your sig line? I'd love to see a larger version of it -- thanks!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

360. Hi Gately. I provided a link...

It is the sun and moon converging at the North Pole

:hi:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Orbilia/AdHocPhotos#5052138423594656322

[hendo]

413. That is an awesome photo! NT

[rpannier]

90. Done nt

[w8liftinglady]

92. done....glad to take it!

[Solly Mack]

93. I don't know to win, Alex.

K&R

[GeorgeGist]

95. Thanks for keeping it straightforward ...

except you should have made Don't Know/Other separate choices.

[Number23]

96. Done! Kung fu kick!

[Stinky The Clown]

98. David, a few questions about the questions . . . . .

Where you ask about differences between the parties, it feels almost push poll-ish. At the stated policy level, there is a HUGE difference, but when it comes to how they do business, how they both employ bagmen, etc., not so much. Which answer should I give? You know no one here thinks the parties are the same at both levels.

The one about member banishment. You ask about quantity, but that's really feels very much inconsequential. The real question might be who gets banned and why.

Is there any way we can submit explanations for "other" votes?

Thanks!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

284. That was my complaint as well.

No real fit for many of us who want the Democrats/O to be truly different than the GOPers but are finding them too similar too often.

[Sparkly]

99. Appreciate the survey - wish "other's" could have been explained a bit...

Too much to say in one single comment at the end.

"Other: Explain________" would have been my preference. But in any case, I appreciate the time and thought that went into this.

:hi:

[ProdigalJunkMail]

100. bounce... n/t

[Haole Girl]

101. I liked the survey...

it would have been nice to allow more than 200 characters to explain (or add links) though.

[oxymoron]

102. Done (nt)

[LoZoccolo]

103. I kind-of want to explain my answers to the questions about "participating less than you'd like".

I spend too much time here, but not enough time spent constructively. I voted "other" on these questions because I don't spend as much time as I'd like here doing the things that I think the site would be good for, which is mainly getting Democrats elected and getting more people on the solid Democratic side (through issue advocacy and responding to current issues, etcetera). I think that these things get pushed out of the way when the site is inundated with infighting and other artifacts of message-board dynamics.

[boston bean]

107. I want more democrats elected too, that is why I push for good progressive policy. nt

[Name removed]

122. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liberaltrucker]

106. Done!

K&R

[The_Commonist]

108. Good stuff...

Thanks!

[Danger Mouse]

110. Done!

[Canuckistanian]

112. Done

Glad to offer my opinions.

[frogmarch]

113. Done. Kick.

[flvegan]

116. I wasn't expecting the "Which DU Admin do you suspect is The Stig?"

I really had to think about that one.

[gkhouston]

269. I'm waiting for video of all the Admins in the reasonably priced car. n/t

[flvegan]

273. I'd seriously pay to see that.

The three of them talking to Clarkson would be priceless as well.

[krispos42]

117. K&R n/t

[Grassy Knoll]

118. Done, Thanks. n/t

[Lisa0825]

119. Done, and thank you for all you do! :-)

[Dappleganger]

120. Done. nt

[clarence swinney]

123. Please distribute this to D candidate in your state

POINTS TO ASK REPUBLICANS
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE PARTY SINCE 1980
That in 8 years created 31,000 Net New Jobs Per month. Lowest since Hoover.
That gave us the Housing Debacle
That created the Financial Tsunami
Fought extension of unemployment insurance in your Big Recession
Fought increase in Minimum Wage. which today. covers just two thirds of Poverty level for a family of four
Push to extend Bush Tax Cut for Top 2% who, from 2001 to 2009, got 66% of Total Income Growth while 90% got 10%, Who from 1980 to 2009 had 281% Increase In Income and middle class had 25% increase. Who own close to 50% of Total Financial Wealth while 120,000,000 hard workers own 7%
That pushed a bill in 1999 that allowed big banks to, today, own 80% of all bank deposits
That pushed a bill in 2000 that opened the doors that created the World's Largest Gambling Casino called Derivatives Casino of America.
That sucked rich investment out of stock market assets to build businesses and jobs
but resulted in lowest job creation since Hoover.
That increased Spending by 100% in 8 years
That, in 8 years, increased Debt by 100% or as much as we had after 225 years.
That told 935 Lies to lead the people into invasions of two of most unarmed and most destitute nations on earth
That created a Hell on Earth for us by angering 1500 Million Muslims plus most of other civilized people.
That, since 1980, with three presidents took a Carter 600B Budget to 3600B: a Carter 1000B debt to a 10,000B debt and, took Carter 218,000 creation of new new jobs to 99,000 net new jobs per month or just enough to cover new entries into the work force.
That three of your presidents, since 1980, got us involved in 8 international conflicts that killed millions of innocent humans while enriching rich stockholders of defense industries
That, in 2008, took over AIG by buying 80% of its stock
That, on Sept 13. 2008, put Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship
That bailed out Chrysler in 2008
That committed, in 2008, the taxpayers to 8500 Billion in Bailouts for Banks and other failing institutions
That turned over our national finances to wall street personnel past our future employees
THAT IS PARTY I CALL TRIPLE A PARTY
anti-Christ anti-America anti-world
clarence swinney-political historian lifeaholic of america-olduglymeanhonest

[Enthusiast]

194. That's good, but,

I agree with the Chrysler bailout.

[johnnie]

124. Done..

I ran out of room on the one answer so I'll finish it here.

"....with a jar of honey, a drill and handcuffs while wearing a rubber chicken outfit"

Ok thanks.

[GoldenOldie]

125. Done

[GoldenOldie]

126. Done

[ismnotwasm]

127. Did it

Easy.

[From The Ashes]

128. Done.

Although my participation goes back to 2003. :hi:

[life_long_dem]

129. Done.

[Renew Deal]

130. Done and I think the Friday BINGO idea is great.

:D

[donheld]

131. Done

[True_Blue]

132. Done. K&R

[Zavulon]

133. Done (NT).

[orbitalman]

134. Et Cetera. n/t

[No Passaran]

135. Major issue I have is the "unrec" feature

I feel it's being used by freeper trolls to game the website. It's way too easy to register here, login and unrec what you think might make us enthusiastic about Obama or other Democrats. I suggest the "unrec" feature be available to those who have registered prior to 2006 and those who registered after but have minimum 2000 posts on this site

[Rosco T.]

136. Ditto, couple simple fixes..

#1 - show both the unrec/rec counts and total.. may be a secret ballot but you still should know the totals.

#2 - if you DON'T POST IN A THREAD, you can't unrec it... and the post has to be more than "blah, blah, post so I can unrec".. those should be REMOVED by the mods and the 'vote' (be it a REC or an UNREC) removed form the totals.

[No Passaran]

138. Or not make them anonymous. Have a new TOS stating this if you click on REC or UNREC..

If you have strong convictions about something, explain why. It might even encourage some discussion.

[Rosco T.]

149. That's why you have to post to do it...

.. no anonymous drive-by UNRECs. State your opposition. Now I'm NOT saying it will show you un-recced... you can state an opinion without it.

[Enthusiast]

195. I like your suggestion,

especially #2.

[proteus_lives]

151. No way.

I have over 12000 posts but only joined in 2009. Why should my voice count for less?

[boppers]

180. Because being chatty is not the same as having a history?

In addition, post quantity is not the same as post quality.

"We" ran into this issue over at wikipedia, dealing with people with huge amounts of contributions (post wise), but depending on the individual, and their posts, a low-frequency poster may have contributed more than a high-frequency poster, likewise with the amount of time a person had been posting.

It's really a number of factors, I suspect that only a limited amount are being used for the survey, for simplicities sake.

edit: missing word

[No Passaran]

235. Read what I wrote. You would be able to

[Lil Missy]

153. That is a FAIL on so many levels

[snooper2]

223. unrec post

nt

[Name removed]

236. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

264. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

289. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stevenleser]

322. These days, you rec people if they agree with your position on Obama and unrec if they don't

if a person has made you mad on another thread, unrec

if they are a member of your clique, rec.

That is mostly how it is used. Some folks of course use it the right way, but they are drowned out by the hordes of others who do not.

[marions ghost]

405. I agree

unreccing is being abused.

Rec/no rec works fine.

[apocalypsehow]

343. Having "issues" with the "unrec" feature = "it pisses me off that my OP's piss people off." n/t.

[TexasObserver]

345. This.

There are many useless threads in which some say "why would anyone unrec this thread?!"

[kentuck]

137. Personally....

I don't think we should permit Blue Dogs on DU...just my opinion.

[LiberalAndProud]

147. Then you have to define blue dog. Would that be me because I vote for one?

Actually, I enjoy the exchange. Although it is not likely minds and hearts will be moved, sometimes it does happen. And the more diverse the opinions, the more interesting the conversation in many cases, if we can refrain from the ad hominem "You're just a butthead" responses.

Many times while reading DU, I have an "Are you out of your everlasting mind?" reaction. But I think DU loses flavor and character as we become more homogenous. If we are Democrats, then we should be able to have a respectful and interesting dialogue. And what cannot be said is that we aren't aware of the reasoning behind the thinking.

And that is my opinion.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

287. Voting for one --

because they are the lesser of two really fucked up evils does not make you one. If you honestly believe on their RW idealogy, then that is another story.

[LiberalAndProud]

313. That's a relief.

I disagree with him at least 98% of the time, so that's cool.

[Jamastiene]

349. Bingo!

This is the best and shortest, to the point, explanation I have seen yet.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

286. I wish.

:( I don't think anyone who disagrees with the modern Democrat policy of "The People before the Powerful" should be anywhere near here. Blue Dogs all about about the opposite and are anti-progressive (and I ain't talking about the Will Marshall faux Progressive) to the bone.

[msanthrope]

139. Done!! n/t

[Fearless]

140. Survey was fine, but...

I feel that many of the questions should be open response and not Yes/No/Don't Know. These are big issues that don't have clear cut answers.

[supernova]

141. Done

[denbot]

142. My sock-puppet wants to take the survey, but I think he's nuts!!!

Should I ban him from taking the survey?

[Timbuk3]

143. One question gave me a problem.

Should we be able to advocate for third party candidates?

I say, "only if the D has absolutely no chance".

Crist over Meek, for example.

Oh, also anyone who can beat a bagger. That's the one exception I make. I'd vote for Nixon if it meant the bagger would lose.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

145. Task completed

[Duer 157099]

146. Done! Can't wait to see the results!

We do get to see them don't we?

[glinda]

148. Thank U

[proteus_lives]

150. Done!

[dmr]

152. Done

:kick:

[sce56]

154. Done I just hope the results will be shared!

[AspenRose]

156. Finished.

Can't wait to see the results of the survey.

[tomm2thumbs]

157. The correct answers are A, A, D, C, A, E, E, A, A, D (for those taking the test)

I'm KIDDING!!!!! of course

Thanks for the survey. Well written.

[laconicsax]

170. pssst...the last one is a trick question. The real answer is C. n/t

[Turborama]

207. I noticed that, too. It was amazing when the correct combination unlocked the Easter egg, as well.

:kick:

[tomm2thumbs]

334. I know, and the $250 free cash giveaway was really worth the trouble

<grin>

[Turborama]

335. You only got $250? I think you must've been 1 of the last wins as that prize was quickly diminishing

:shrug:

:yoiks:

[Kablooie]

160. Hmmm. I couldn't decide if there were significant differences between Bush and Obama.

Oh yes, I know.

Obama is taller.

[mackerel]

163. Yeah I took my first DU survey!

Do you think there will be pie charts when the survey is done?

http://www.27bslash6.com/p2p2.html

[AdmiralAckbar]

162. IT'S A TRAP!

[EFerrari]

164. Serially! IT'S A TRAP FOR SKINNER AND EARLG

to wear their eyes out reading. :)

[OnyxCollie]

185. Eh, never mind.

[lightningandsnow]

256. Well played, sir.

:rofl:

[lumberjack_jeff]

315. rofl!

What with all the time spent leading the rebellion, he doesn't have much time to post. :rofl:

[gateley]

166. Done. And I named names.

:evilgrin:

[Skip Intro]

167. Done. Thanks. I didn't mention this on the survey, but would like to see the Ask the Admin feature

brought back.

Thanks for the survey though.

[SidDithers]

227. ATA is making a glorious return...

Skinner talked about it in his thread here : http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=9221691

Also coming back are the Top 10 Conservative Idiots (yay!)

Sadly, no discussion of the return of The Meeting Room :)

Sid

[Skip Intro]

338. Wow. I missed that. Awesome. That will go a long way toward making this the community it was

and still is.

:)

[sheldon]

168. I want to see the results!

Or at least a general idea of how it was answered.

[comtec]

169. etc nt

[intaglio]

171. Done, and here's a boot

[a2liberal]

172. Any chance of allowing newbie's to see the survey text?

I realize allowing answers from recently joined members would be too prone to manipulation, but I'm curious about what the questions are. Or do I just have to wait until results are released? Actually, will aggregated results even be released or is it just for input to the admins?

[Name removed]

177. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SidDithers]

229. wat...

Edit: poor Elad always gets left of of everyone's venom. It's just not fair :rofl:

Sid

[LAGC]

181. Please make the results of the survey public!

Those are some really good questions, I'd be very interested in knowing how the demographics on some of those questions play out.

[mkultra]

279. YES!! The survey was perfecty balanced and i would like to see the results

[Caliman73]

182. Done. Thanks for doing this.

nt.

[TexasObserver]

187. Recommended and done.

[Yuugal]

188. Done

I wish the comment thing at the end had been longer than 200 chars. The solution to DU's problems lately can be found in the survey though. I really hope you guys give us the "make this person unable to respond to you" button. Give everyone about 20 slots on that list and the infighting will die out really fast as the majority of this site all puts the same 20 people on their list. It would also be a great way for the admins to see who a large % of readers are "shunning". The ignore button is flawed in this because it only punishes the person doing the ignoring by making it impossible to see or unrec your harasser.

[mikelgb]

248. I think that would ruin it. Don't you believe in redemption?

I am amazed everyday here to see poster that I might have wanted to block or ban at one point post something really insightful that I would not wanted to have missed.

And other poster I just know are always going to piss me off on a certain issue, but on almost every other issue I agree with them. Most of us are adults we can deal with things without censorship.

[Little Star]

190. Done. k&r

[Cherchez la Femme]

191. Skewed survey, language from the get-go

For instance: "Have attacks against President Obama or Democrats caused you to participate less on Democratic Underground than you would like?"

Attacks against President Obama?! In other place 'insults against President Obama'?!
Seriously? Are we adults or in Middle School?
Where, on DU, has Obama been personally attacked, as regards his race, family, or other such teabagger fare? Nowhere that I've seen, if so, show me the links. What I have seen are criticisms (which do not necessarily have to be 'constructive' - even if we don't like them we may not have the definitive answers) OF HIS JOB PERFORMANCE.

If you subscribe to the 'attacks and insults' ridiculousness then just admit this is a cult of personality site and rename this EstablishmentObama.com -- although, if you want to stay current in politics, when Obama's term(s) are over you'll have to update to the next object of your affection du jour.

Or, if you want to be a long-term Democratic Party site, replete with imperfect (as much as we'd love them to be perfect) Democratic politicians, warts and all --which would definitely have to include criticisms of said imperfections-- keep the site name but overtly act, like adults not 8th graders, on the recognition that criticizing Obama's POLICIES are NOT PERSONAL ATTACKS AND INSULTS AGAINST THE MAN!

[Wednesdays]

203. I take it your answer was a "no" then?

:shrug:

[Cherchez la Femme]

204. Only my confessor will know for sure

Oh and the admins of course :hi:

[LWolf]

209. +1

[TZ]

238. lol and since you haven't seen it, it therefore doesn't exist?

LOLZ at the arrogance. And to answer your question-- I have seen EPITHETS that tea baggers use to refer to Obama used here (and were deleted) but don't let me stop you from assuming you know all and see all O Powerful One. Honestly if you don't realize that there are some people on the left as hateful bigoted, RACIST and nasty as people on the right you aren't paying attention. I've found more than a few anti-semites here personally myself. Racists and sexists and homophobes do exist on the left.

[Cherchez la Femme]

270. Because I never saw it it never occurred?

Well, since I didn't see them most of the realities of the world, nay universe never occurred then!

I'm sure they have popped up here, but I can say with 100% certainty that the people posting them were either regular old trolls, agents provocateur, or "Democrats" who do NOT belong in this party even if they think they do.
Edit: and I have good reason --hope--to believe they were all tombstoned.

My comment was directed towards legitimate comments, I certainly can't nor won't attribute such blatant Teabaggery towards bona fide Democrats. Are you saying I should?
Nor do I think it's arrogant that I disregard trolls. Sorry you disagree.

Democrats by definition --that is the old school Democrats who were the champions of Civil Rights; you know, those that believe any human being, period, no exceptions, deserve equal rights-- should not be racist or bigoted. In the Party I grew up in they are polar opposites, they are unequal.

Nasty? Sure, anyone can be nasty; even a saint at one time or another was probably nasty. No excuse, just that they're human.

Homophobes? Oh yeah, they're in this Party, unfortunately -- we've seen them here on this site, and supposedly NOT trolls. They cross all stereotypical boundaries (race, religion, philosophies, etc.) just as there are homosexuals who are interspersed throughout every single group, no matter how you define them, of homo sapiens.
Even in Iran. (Yes, I'm calling Ahmadinejad a liar.)

But don't let me disturb your LOLZ, heaven forbid! So glad I could amuse

[hendo]

414. +100 Internets!

[SarahB]

239. Agreed. nt

[mkultra]

280. anonimity fail.

[racaulk]

298. Spelling fail.

[mkultra]

300. misidentification of typing vs spelling fail.

[racaulk]

302. Double negative. "misidentification fail" = "identification win"

[mkultra]

303. grammatcial enforcement of cloquial slang fail.

[racaulk]

305. "grammatcial" "cloquial" More spelling fail.

:silly:

[mkultra]

307. yeah...i lose.

[JTFrog]

354. You got grammar policed!

:rofl:
:rofl:

[stevenleser]

319. The survey did not ask anything about personal attacks

The President has been attacked here on DU incessantly. Yes, he has also been insulted incessantly.

There are plenty of websites of all ideologies, progressive, centrist and right wing, to which one can go to view and participate in all kinds of attacks on the President. Part of what many of us want is a sanctuary where we do not have to deal with that. Obviously that is not what YOU want. The survey will tell the admins whether more of us want it or dont want it and they can do whatever they believe is best with that statistical data.

I'll bet you can name at least two progressive websites that allow exactly in what you are interested if not more. Am I wrong?

[Cherchez la Femme]

337. Personal attacks? Or criticisms of job performance?

(In case you perceived a stutter.) He IS our employee, no? We recommended him for the position, believing he could fill it adequately? And who likes giving a glowing recommendation for a prospective employee that has misrepresented his resume, one entitled in large, luminous font Hope and Change?

And, of course you know the sentence between the quotation marks is verbatim.


What websites are these you mention? Kindly name them.
Even on your advisement, why would I want to go there? Are you insinuating Democratic Underground is sub-par?
--barring that, the only reason I can logically surmise is so that Groupthink here may reign gloriously unchallenged, and that this website turn into a virtual paradise of Hail fellow well met! good fellowship with nary --ever-- a discouraging word. Ah well, everyone's Nirvana is their own,
even if it happens to be an echo chamber.

Here on DU, which is a purportedly Democratic and Progressive site (correct me, as I'm sure you will, if I'm wrong) apparently unfortunately it's not only lil ole me
--a Progressive (the latest fad in Newspeak, but I prefer the old timey Lefty) and from age 18 up until the present day always a registered, card-carrying Democrat--
who doesn't exactly approve of the decision-making of a Democratic President who in action happens to have a decidedly non-progressive platform and cabinet.

What to do? What to do? Why stop at merely one reprobate? :dilemma:

Here's an idea! Why don't you also inform all these other posters who indulge in these vicious, psychopathic postcrimes (just the newfangled next step up from thoughtcrime) and who are obviously utterly objectionable (and beautiful-mind-spoiling?) here to go to these other websites and just leave yours alone?

Oh, except it's not really yours now, is it? Seems like, at least for now, different viewpoints and opinions are *gasp!* tolerated!
My, my. What a quandary... Still, the nerve! The shame! The utmost gall! :puke:

And the survey! Why, I never considered, as you imply, the intent to improve DU is to gather information to purge (even more) vile Untouchables -- your brand, that is.
Brilliant! :applause:



Oh wait! Mayhaps I misinterpreted your missive? Are these your especial, favorite sites and you are so graciously, with kindness aforethought, inviting me to take part? If so I apologize heartily; and hereby declare to all and sundry your benevolent aspect, your magnanimous mien, your congenial consideration and camaraderie towards a fellow DU'er!
Your hospitable cordiality, indeed near-sainthood, knows no bounds -- however lofty they may be!

Could this be the start of BFF? :pals: :hug: :loveya: :yourock:



Edit: Sorry, got SO carried away with my ending hagiography I forgot your final question.
I can't see how you possibly could be wrong, but the other websites I visit and know of are Wonkette, Jesus' General, Pam's House Blend, Feministe, Gay.com and Fafblog; and I very rarely comment on any of them. There are many other good, progressive ones out there but I unfortunately don't have the time to visit them very often at all.
So... were you right or wrong?

[apocalypsehow]

342. So much special-pleading; so much melodrama. This post needs an award of some sort. n/t.

[stevenleser]

379. Yep, but that is typical of the "We only want to hold his feet to the fire" crew n/t

[Cherchez la Femme]

397. Just as the President said for us to do

Terrible for us to take him at his word!

...they're only words, ya know? :eyes:

[Cherchez la Femme]

396. Some say melodrama,

some say despair.

Ya know, Tomato, Tomahto. No big whoop.

[donal dubh]

200. done.

I like this site as is. But I will review this thread and consider others' suggestions.

[SarahB]

202. The survey cuts to the heart of my problem with DU these days.

There was a question that stated "Should criticism of Obama and Democrats be constructive?" I answered "yes" to that.

But where was the question "Should criticism of members who disagree with the President be constructive?"

Once again, I think you're blind to your own biases.

[boston bean]

206. +1

[AngryOldDem]

259. I had the exact same problem.

How the hell do you answer something like that? As well as the subjective definitions of "constructive criticism" and "insults."

Did my best to be honest when I took the survey, though. Otherwise, why bother?

[mkultra]

283. Done. Glad to see you guys thinking about this issue

The questions where right on the money.

[stevenleser]

320. I don't think that is necessary. If you allow criticism, you have to treat those who do it

constructively. If you don't allow it, those people who criticize the President will be banned. Either way the issue is resolved.

[Brickbat]

326. This survey told me quite a bit about the administrators that I didn't know, and will take into

consideration.

[inna]

399. +1

i've absolutely no interest in completing this "survey", at this point

:shrug:

[tavalon]

211. Is it too late to add a line for explanation

when we say Don't Know/Other? I rarely have a don't know, but plenty of others.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

212. Done

[madmom]

214. Done

[MineralMan]

215. Kick...

[blondeatlast]

224. Done. nt

[boston bean]

225. Skinner, this is pinned to the top in GDP, can we pin to the top in GD? nt

[laughingliberal]

245. It would seem to make sense to have it pinned in GD, also. nt

[cate94]

226. k & r

I wish they could have allowed for explanation w/ the "don't know" answers. However, I understand that there would be too much to try and compile.

[SidDithers]

230. Done...nt

Sid

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

231. Done n/t

[Broken_Hero]

232. Done, nt

[laughingliberal]

234. Kick nt

[distantearlywarning]

237. Done. Would have liked more space for commentary.

[BumRushDaShow]

241. Done and K&R

:kick:

[charlie and algernon]

243. Done!

[NorthCarolina]

244. Will the results of the survey be posted for all of us to see? eom

[mikelgb]

247. Some of those questions were difficult as I am a "Yes and No" type...

Enjoyed taking it.

[madmax]

250. Painless ;-)

[ut oh]

252. So it 'forced' the 'joined in' field....

My current ID creation time is input for that first field (makes sense). Does it matter/do you guys care if one joined sooner, but had ended up creating a new ID some time after they joined?

[Stinky The Clown]

253. Why is this pinned in GDP but not GD?

Two quite different audiences.

[Lyric]

260. It's also pinned in The Lounge and LBN.

GD is the only major forum where it ISN'T pinned. Makes me wonder if Skinner missed clicking a radio button or something.

[bobthedrummer]

254. Done fwiw n/t

[lightningandsnow]

255. I liked this, but a lot of it didn't really apply to members outside the US.

I live in Canada, and I don't vote democrat because I can't. I do, however, vote NDP (or Liberal if the candidate was good enough). :hi:

[Violet_Crumble]

332. Yeah, most of it doesn't apply to me either...

I don't vote Democrat and the incessant bickering I see here about Obama sucking or Obama being awesome doesn't keep me away from DU. Despite that, I might take the survey if I can find a way to squeeze what I want to say into 250 characters...

[Auggie]

257. Done

[NV Whino]

258. Sorry didn't take the survey

I believe that it is a poorly constructed survey. With the exception of a few questions, the black or white approach is inadequate, and "I don't know/other" provides no useful information. I understand that it's difficult to construct these things on a message board and keep them simple enough for people to respond and for the admins to analyze, but there are other ways to construct them to offer more nuance – a 5 point system from very satisfied to very dissatisfied, for instance.

[WillyT]

263. Done !!! - K & R !!!

:kick:

[leeroysphitz]

265. Done.

[Jankyn]

266. Done & kick. N/T

[Ozymanithrax]

268. Taken, and awaiting results as if it were a prostrate exam. n/t

[yurbud]

297. you have an odd way of inputting information if it felt like a prostate exam

try typing with your fingers.

[klook]

299. Which is worse? A prostrate exam

or a supine exam?

[DevonRex]

312. Definition of prostrate:

1. :stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission; also : lying flat. 2. : completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise ...

:evilgrin:

[bdamomma]

271. Done

glad to do it. kick

[bikebloke]

272. Done.

But as soon as I clicked Submit, a black helicopter appeared overhead.

:P

[bigwillq]

274. Done!

:bounce:

Thanks for letting me express my opinions in the survey! Hope you got my little message at the end. :)

[AtomicKitten]

291. Done and done!!!

:hi:

[Bobbie Jo]

293. Done...and thank you.

[Phentex]

294. HONK!

Somewhere I read "Honk if you completed the DU survey!"

[Pooka Fey]

295. Done!

[klook]

301. Good survey

Thanks, and keep up the good work, Admins!

[yurbud]

304. gist of my comments: don't sweep real differences between DLC & progressives under carpet

by locking them as ''divisive.''

Democracy is being thwarted here and has been thwarted through ''labor'' parties in other countries by corporatists posing as progressives but following the same marching orders as conservatives on privatization, trade, budget, war, and corporate rights trumping human rights.

Politics aint a football game where you root for a team because you like the color of their jerseys.

It's about who gets richer and who gets poorer, who lives and who dies (not that it's a zero sum game either).

The one way politics IS like a football game: if you have players running the wrong way or even passing the ball to the other team, they should be kicked off the team--or at least not allowed to call the plays.

[kentuck]

361. Remind me again..

What was the question regarding progressives??

[Octafish]

306. Tabulated by Diebold.

Not.

Thank you for asking, DU Administrators!

[northofdenali]

308. K&R - and a great idea. n/t

[CrownPrinceBandar]

309. Done.

[JuniperLea]

310. Done

Thanks in advance for listening.

[AllyCat]

311. Done. Kickety kick...

[anthroguy101]

321. Do we eventually get to see the results? nt.

[RTBerry]

323. Worth decloaking.

I honestly hope something good comes from this survey. I miss the lighthearted atmosphere from way back, when I came over from the now long-defunct DFA forums. I miss the usual suspects. I miss the laughs. This was a much friendlier place back then.

[DainBramaged]

324. What assurances do we have our responses are for the Administrators' eyes only?

:think:

[TheUnspeakable]

327. Done K&R

[Wednesdays]

330. Woo! "Reverse ignore" is one of the best ideas I've seen...ever!

:bounce:

[Violet_Crumble]

333. Does the 200 character limit in the text field include spaces and special characters?

I'm trying to strip down two paragraphs so it'll fit. I'm sure even Twitter is more generous than that...

[Hekate]

348. I opened a text page so I could copy/paste until I got it down to size. Used ampersands, kept paring

Think I said everything I needed to, ultimately.

Hekate

[ThomCat]

336. Some questions should have had an Other Answer

and a box to type an answer.

For example, Should few or more people be tombstoned? Other: Better choices should be made regarding who is tombstoned. Personal egos shouldn't be involved in deciding who is tombstoned. The rules shouldn't be enforced differently for different people. (and they have been, so blatantly that it has been obvious, and commented upon repeatedly.)

[BlueIris]

339. Done.

Interesting survey, all. Thanks.

[russspeakeasy]

341. done,,,well thought out survey....

[Luminous Animal]

344. What I didn't say and I should have said...

I think it is unconscionable that you destroy a members journal when that member as been tombstoned, Doing that, essentially, wipes erases their ideas, Not much different than any conquering nation destroying knowledge.

[TexasObserver]

346. It is an excellent survey. Very good design.

I only have one complaint about DU, and I expressed it in my survey response.

The survey is well constructed. I say that after having read the comments of others in the thread who lodged various complaints, the gist of which is "I would have done it differently." The purpose of the survey is to help the admins measure the level of unhappiness over specific areas of known conflict and decide how they will handle such things prospectively.

The comments have to be limited to be useful. Someone has to read those and categorize them for internal purposes at DU. That's going to be a chore. The 200 characters limit on the comments forces members to be efficient in their comments, and to complain about what most bothers them.

Again, great survey and I appreciate the effort to which the admins go to run things here. Few of us would be so reasonable.

[Gormy Cuss]

358. Many of the comments by others upthread are valid complaints on the design.

Ask anyone who's a member of AAPOR.

[TexasObserver]

364. Bullshit.

Ask anyone who has any common sense.

[Gormy Cuss]

368. Never mind. n/t

[wickerwoman]

371. Sorry TO

But anyone who has taken a freshman level course on questionnaire design could drive trucks through this survey. There's half a dozen classic design problems in the first few questions alone.

And it's not a question of "I would have done it differently." It's a question of "I have no faith in the validity of this survey because of some easily remediable design flaws".

It doesn't take any more time to run a survey based on a Likert scale through statistics software than it does a survey with only two responses. And the richness and validity of the conclusions you can draw are much stronger.

And piloting the survey on 40 or 50 people first and letting them write in responses, then adding the most common write in responses as options is standard best-practice.

It's not just bitching for the sake of bitching. We all want a useful, accurate result here. Why call "bullshit" on people with professional design experience who are offering their expertise?

[TexasObserver]

365. dupe

[Hekate]

347. Done. Thanks for asking.

[astral]

351. Very interesting!

I took the survey, found it to be a little on the vanilla-side of things, as yes, there are specific issues here that I hoped would be addressed. I do look forward to seeing the results and to see if DU decides to make any changes because of the survey.

[Angry Dragon]

352. Boxers or briefs

[pintobean]

353. kick

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

356. Former Clinton delegate, back for the first time in two years, yay, for the survey.

:kick:

[Kaleva]

363. Done

[Iggo]

366. That was about a tenth the length I thought it would be.

B-)

[howaboutme]

367. Done

I appreciate having the opportunity to provide input. The only thing I would add is to provide ability to add comments related to each question.

[andym]

369. One suggestion for DU: drop anonymity

There is way too much conflict between DU members. It gets especially bad during the primaries, and it has again gotten bad since health care reform. Part of this is due to the strong opinions of DU members, but some is due to the anonymous nature of DU. I suggest that everyone be required to reveal their real name. Eliminating anonymity should reduce enmity and cut down on provocateurs.

[TexasObserver]

372. So we can all have cyber stalkers? No thanks.

[andym]

376. People who are afraid to participate would not,

just as those afraid of cyberstalkers do not use facebook.

[stevenleser]

380. I think I can say with some authority that you are exaggerating the risk and frequency of this

In my case, I have my photo online, write very partisan articles and have appeared on TV on Fox and still dont have much of a problem in that regard. Sure, I get occasional hate mail and once or twice death threats, but that's probably because of my exposure.

[TexasObserver]

383. You can say it, but it's not true.

My life and yours are not the same. Thanks for sharing, however.

[stevenleser]

384. I can say it because it IS true, actually. The odds that someone picks you to stalk are pretty slim

but your arrogance and self importance are, to a degree, charming.

[TexasObserver]

387. Stop kidding yourself.

You're self aggrandizing.

[stevenleser]

389. I'm not the one assuming that using their real name will attract the attention of a stalker

Nice try though.

[TexasObserver]

391. As I said, your life and mine are not the same.

Just because I would get stalkers and you wouldn't is no reason for you to get mad.

[Forkboy]

385. Everytime I see someone talk like this I want to post their home address.

[stevenleser]

388. Why, did someone in this thread suggest it or do you just like Red Herrings?

You and the other poster have to face facts. There are plenty of people who use their real names on the net out there. Most people who do have found that it just isnt that big of a deal. It's like any other crime statistic. Sure, there is a possibility that if you poke your head out of your apartment or house, you will be shot.

That doesnt mean that everyone who goes outside will be shot.

[Forkboy]

393. Everyone isa tough guy until it happens to them.

While the chance is small that anything will happen, your smugness to those that choose to play it safe is a laugh. Show us how brave you are...post your real address and phone number.

[TexasObserver]

392. Some are desperate for recognition.

If you get my drift.

[Forkboy]

394. They sure are.

[Stinky The Clown]

373. VERY bad idea

There are people on other websites who monitor this site virtually constantly. One even has a few tracking programs to measure our posting volume and how "angry" we are by counting certain words. They discuss even the most innocuous threads we post.

Were real names posted, the next news story you read could be about some misfortune befalling one of our own.

[andym]

378. Do you really think that these people would go after DUers

in real life. If so, would Du'ers be more attractive targets than Democratic politicians or candidates? Or other known organizers of progressive causes (union leaders, civil rights organizers, etc)?
Should be be afraid to put pro progressive cause stickers on our vehicles? Or political signs on our property? Or state our political beliefs on facebook?

[Stinky The Clown]

382. Yes, people in the kookier nether regions of the intertubes will do whatever they can get away with

Rest assured this post has been noted by at least a few.

[pipi_k]

374. Bad idea, but even if it weren't...

How does a website/discussion forum ensure that people give up their true identities?

Make them email copies of birth certificates/drivers licenses/ID cards? Maybe a sworn statement and a DNA sample too?


PS... My real name is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone

[andym]

375. no absolute guarantee that people would be honest, see facebook

but OTOH the honor system would be a good start, see facebook--
people who were dishonest could be called out by others....

[pipi_k]

395. Well I don't think it would be sporting

to call someone out on not being honest about his or her identity.

There are some very good reasons why people may not want to divulge their true names.

Why would anyone want to force someone to do that, all because some members are so freaked out about "trolls" and the rec/unrec functions?

Person A's personal safety vs Person B's feelings of rejection over the unrec button?

No. Sorry...

Personal safety trumps hurt feelings every time.

[laundry_queen]

386. Disagree with that .

The last thing we need is someone desperate for a job get turned down for it because a right-leaning employer googled their name to see what they've posted online. Or someone getting fired for it because a freeper boss happens across their employee's name. Part of what is wonderful about DU *is* the anonymity. Not everyone can let their activism out of the bag, unfortunately. I keep most things on Facebook extremely boring for this reason. I say hi to friends, post happy birthdays, everything else is pm'ed. In this day and age where everybody researches people before hiring or dating them, I say this would be a bad idea.

[stevenleser]

390. Those are pretty good arguments.

Particularly since those things have occurred, especially in red states.

What I do not buy is the cyberstalking argument, as I indicated above thread. But what you have written here is a good enough reason not to mandate real names.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

370. When can I be a grammar and spelling Nazi?

Just asking.

Have seen too many people using "loose" when they meant "lose".

"All right" is TWO words.

"Reign" (to rule) and "rein" (strings used to control a horse, as in 'rein in') are different.

"A lot" is TWO words.

There, they're and their. It's (it is) and its (possessed by it).

Argghh. This is how you spell "hypocrite" and "hypocrisy".

"Irregardless" is NOT a word, it is a double negative.

"Flammable" and "inflammable" mean the same thing -- easy to set on fire.

"Principle" and "Principal" are two different words.

I'm still waiting to see a gruntled employee. I happen to be couth and usually kempt, though. :D

[bertman]

377. This survey seems like a "done deal" but I'd like to add a few comments.

First, I started taking it and answering each question honestly. Then I ran into several questions that did not lend themselves to answering with any of the three choices. They are substantive questions like: do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is doing his job?

Yes, No, Don't know/other. Sorry, but I am not able to provide an honest answer by selecting one of those three choices.

I certainly cannot answer Yes or No because I fall somewhere in the middle. I DO know so I cannot honestly answer "don't know", but "other" is not accurate in describing my answer and seems to leave me boxed in.

You give us room to provide answers to some questions and I appreciate that; however, when you narrow the choices for questions like the one I cited above it gives me the feeling that the survey is designed to elicit a narrow response much like many of the other political surveys I have declined to answer over the years.

If you want honest answers, please give us an opportunity to give them.

[red red red]

381. Done - Thanks! n/t

[JohnWxy]

398. I only have two things that bother me: The fact that negative votes can be made - I don't see how

this serves any purpose except to attract the REpublicans and other dirt-bags who like to slink onto the site and just disrupt intelligent, frank discussion of issues.

Why in the world negative votes are allowed I CANNOT FIGURE OUT. Most people DUers have no interest in voting negatively even if they disagree with someone. If you disagree with someone's point then post comment on the thread and state your case.

The other one is that we no longer can BLOCK idiots from commenting on our threads. There are a couple individuals who seem to have no other life except posting on the internet. They will post comments which consist of irrelevant points which I feel I need to respond to to clarify something I have said, which they have distorted. THis takes a lot of time. For irrelevant and really nonsensical chattering this is consuming time for no good purpose. We should be able to block anyone from commenting on our threads who keeps posting nonsensical, time wasting drivel.

They can still post their own opinions and disagreements in their own thread. Blocking them doesn't stop them from stating their case (one would hope they had one) and they can always reference your thread if they like).

for these two things I really wish we could go back to how it used to be.

[USArmyParatrooper]

401. Hey Skinner....

Here's a suggestion. Either start enforcing this rule or remove it from your rule book.

Democratic Candidates and the Democratic Party

Constructive criticism of Democrats or the Democratic Party is permitted. When doing so, please keep in mind that most of our members come to this website in order to get a break from the constant attacks in the media against our candidates and our values. Highly inflammatory or divisive attacks that echo the tone or substance of our political opponents are not welcome here.

You are not permitted to use this message board to work for the defeat of the Democratic Party nominee for any political office. If you wish to work for the defeat of any Democratic candidate in any General Election, then you are welcome to use someone else's bandwidth on some other website.

Democratic Underground may not be used for political, partisan, or advocacy activity by supporters of any political party or candidate other than the Democratic Party or Democratic candidates. Supporters of certain other political parties may use Democratic Underground for limited partisan activities in political races where there is no Democratic Party candidate.

Do not post broad-brush smears against Democrats or the Democratic Party.

Anti Obama and anti-Democratic activism runs rampant on your website.

[Little Star]

403. I see constructive criticism of Democrats

and of the Democratic Party which is permitted in Skinner's rule book.

I do not see the anti-Democratic activism which you say runs rampant here. Could you link to some of this anti-Democratic activism?
I'm not being a smart ass. I just have never seen actual anti-Democratic activism allowed to stand by the mods.

I think some people just want to do away with any constructive criticism of Democrats.


Skinner's rule you quoted sounds well reasoned to me. :shrug:

[thotzRthingz]

402. as a registered INDEPENDENT, I have voted for both Repubs and DEMS over the past 40 years...

President Obama himself has asked for, and said he would consider, input from anyone including his opposition. Why is CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM (i.e., a statement of the problem, along with suggested solution/s) of Obama/DEMS not tolerated here? Because I have been SMACKED-DOWN (mostly by other DU posters, by a couple of times by MODS) I choose to participate here LESS and LESS.

In general: I like hearing opposing views (so long as they are civil in their presentation), and I think there are many smart individuals who post here... but when my input (always CIVIL and CONSTRUCTIVE) is not welcome, I see no reason to spend a lot of time here (there are too many other places online where I can participate).

I've been a $$$ contributing member for a couple of years, although I've changed my username along the way. WHY do I contribute $$$ here? Because I think this place is worth supporting (although I personally am using it less & less).

...just my 2cents

P.S.

The REC and UNREC feature needs to be rethought! If members choose to NOT "REC" there's no need for an UNREC (because by NOT recommending, the topic may be short-lived). Also, allowing "UNRECs" gives TROLLS/OPPOSITION (to progressive ideas) the opportunity to KILL posts, simply using DRIVE-BY antics i.e., often: no sooner does a post get made... until within seconds it has dozens of "UNRECS" -- that needs to be STOPPED. My proposed solution? DO AWAY WITH "UNREC" and leave "REC" in place.

[KansasVoter]

409. Keep both or get rid of both. Makes no sense to have just one.

[DeepBlueC]

406. took it yesterday and already I disagree with myself

I agree with many of you who would have appreciated more opportunity for nuance.

[divvy]

407. Done

[Violet_Crumble]

408. When is the ATA forum going to be created? n/t

[deacon]

410. Done. n/t

[Inchworm]

411. Shit fuck damn piss - these threads always gets tooooo long

done-

kick-

blah-

When it gets two miles long it messes up my reading!

:yoiks:

[laundry_queen]

415. Agreed!!!

There needs to be a way to collapse just the pinned threads!

[harun]

412. When will you decide what if any actions/changes will be made to

the site based on the survey?