mod bios

[james438]

Just curious, but is there a thread where I can find out more about the mods? Some of you have some really impressive (well to me at least) knowledge about some really obscure (heh, to me at least) coding facts.

Etiquette question: when a mod answers a question or helps to solve a problem that has stumped someone, what is the best way to say thanks? I could click on the thanks button or post a thanks or something else. Yeah, one of those unwritten etiquette rules that are not easy to answer, however if you don't know that is a good answer too, I'll just wing it ;)

[lainlives]

Just click the thanx would be enough because it gave me a warm fuzzy fealing so it must them too.

[djr33]

Thanks are an informal way of keeping track of the helpful users. When someone helps you, sure, click "thanks", or when you find a useful post, click thanks.
It's an inexact method, but it ends up averaging out well enough.
I find it amusing when new users often post "if you help, I will give you a thanks", etc.

As for the etiquette for responding to help, it's hard to say, but I know that it annoys me when I post something and the user asking the question ever replies.
Sometimes, by clicking "thanks", we can assume that your question was answered, but that's subtle, and seems insignificant for lots of help.
Generally, just let us know if the script worked, etc. And if it didn't, there's a good chance we'll help you rework it.
We don't do this to get anything in return, but it's good to know that the script worked, botht that it was helpful, and that there aren't any problems with our code.


Hmm... bio?

I'm Daniel. Let's see...
Well, my first real use of programming was on my TI calculator. Program it to solve an equation once, then just use that for every similar problem. Saved a lot of time, and, if done correctly, the teacher was amused. (Not like it's cheating, since I knew how to do it well enough to write a program that could handle any input for the equation.)

My "main hobby" is film making, and that takes a lot of my time, especially now. For the project I'm currently working on, we have set a deadline for the release on September 23rd. Lots of work to do (mostly special FX), but it's going well. If you want to take a look, see http://truthandliesmovie.com
(The site is rough, still.)

I started web design years ago. I vaguely remember using Netscape Composer (the design component of Netscape Navigator), and later getting a page on geocities. I got real into that project. Thought it was very cool.
I guess I was about 12 at the time.

Then I started my own forum, for filmmakers, first on a free forum hosting site, then borrowed some space, and finally ended up with a domain. A couple years ago, I added a site to the forum, with a theater (for users' films), a contests section, and the "stockpile", which has royalty free media, tutorials, and other resources to help with film making.
These are based in MySQL and PHP, so I learned a lot while making them. I also customized the code for my forum just a bit, and this was also good for learning. It's built of about 100 pages 700 lines each, so there's a lot of confusing code to figure out.
(See http://thebrb.com)

Somewhere in the middle of that project, I stumbled upon DD, looking to find out the basics of what I later learned was PHP. I was in a web design class at school, and realized that PHP could get around the content filtering, so that was amusing.

Anyway, I started to read/post a lot here, over time, and now, about a year and a half later, I'm a very active member, helping when I can. If you read everything (though it's hard to keep up at times), you'll find that you start learning very quickly. I'm not really an expert, but just very creative and logical, so I'm very good at applying what I know, and I'm learning all the time.

I'm busy with the movie project I mentioned above, but before that (and I'll start again sometime after), I was working on a project with a few other members here (tech_support, benslayton, trinithis, and a few others) creating a beta version of a web-based in-browser image manipulation 'program'. It's a fun and complex challenge.

As for being a mod, not much to say there. ddadmin thought it would be helpful to have a few extra hands, to clean up spam, make sure users are playing nice, etc., so he made a handful of the users he trusts/knew well moderators.
Note that being a mod is just being a mod, and has no particular relationship to our programming/web design, though the moderators are among the best coders here.
There are a good number of members here who will help answer questions, too.

And.... I'm attending the University of California, Davis (same system as UCLA, but near Sacramento). I have a particular interest in foreign languages. I am conversational in Spanish, and I took two classes last year about world languages, so I have some familiarity with language in general. I'll be taking Italian, Greek and Latin this Fall.

[james438]

Thank you very much for the very thorough answers and the enjoyable read :) I must say that I am becoming rather addicted to this site and trying out new things. Before your post I was wondering whether I should post a thanks or just click on the thanks as posting a thanks might be considered just clutter, but I didn't want to be rude either.

I know this thread is mostly to find out more about the mods, so I'll keep it short, but my interests in web design involve CSS and PHP primarily with a recent interest in PHP's PCRE functions. I am a student of Chiropractic, but programming is one of my other great loves.

I hope that other mods post some bios like yours as well,

Joe (age 31)

[thetestingsite]

Well, here goes:

My name is Dustin and I am an Electrician, Server Administrator, and Technical Support for an ISP and Electrical Contractor in the town I live in (about an hour outside of Las Vegas, Nevada).

I started programming on a TI (Texas Instruments) graphing calculator in Junior High School making games like the infamous "snake" (like on the old Nokia cell phones), a poker game, and also a blackjack one as well. After that, I started messing around with HTML, Javascript, PHP, MySQL, and just recently started to play with CSS.

My main focuses right now are working to provide for my family (wife and 5 year old little demon; I mean girl :p ). Other than that, not really much else. As for being a mod, I can't really say much other than what djr said above.


Dustin (age 20)

[tech_support]

Etiquette question: when a mod answers a question or helps to solve a problem that has stumped someone, what is the best way to say thanks?

Donate $$ (Kidding :p)
Just popping in and saying thanks or clicking the "Thank user who made this post" button would be nice.
Err... I hate writing bio's. Anyway...

I'm Peter and I'm a student, designer; tech' support for my school; in-house technician; and I do a lot of small jobs here and there.

I started programming when I was roughly 8ish with *shock* FrontPage. I moved to Dreamweaver roughly a year ago, thanks to Twey who taught me about "standards"

I also like going to the beach, watching TV, breaking stuff, and other "boy" things (You know what I'm talking about ;))

I generally like to look at the positive side of things; and always keep calm.

Err... my hobby is, obviously computers... Although, I do like to do sport once in a while.

Anyway, enough about talking about myself. I'm getting sick... :p

[jscheuer1]

We are all one. The best thanks is 'pay it forward (http://www.payitforwardmovement.org/)'.

Everything I know I learned from others. What I make is a gift.

The mundane stuff:

Self taught, blessed with a high IQ and a talent to learn by osmosis, my preferred method. I learn faster though in an atmosphere of intellectual challenge. There is no substitute for trying.

My involvement with computers started in the late 80's. After going through the usual acclimation process in my own way, I got involved with hosting a BBS. I found I had a talent for presentational languages. I like sharing and helping people, DD forums is a good avenue for that.

I am a reluctant web master. I prefer to leave the designing and repetitive page writing to others. I excel at making things work, problem solving, creating a way to do things.

I also engage or have engaged successfully in non-directly-computer related activities like - investment, investment consulting, and caring. In the past I have founded businesses (some of which have survived despite my best efforts at abandoning them) and have worked blue collar in the machining, and landscaping sectors.

[djr33]

ha, didn't realize that had caught on as a movement.

But it's a good point.

Stop by, read, learn, and help others. That's how the community works. Become an active member and hang out, and that's certainly plenty of thanks.

[james438]

4 bios are pretty good :) More is always welcome. Please feel free to delete any of my posts in this thread (even this one) so as to keep this mostly about the mods. If nothing else, this thread is good reading. I think it may be a while before I am knowledgeable enough to help finding solutions to some of the other threads though ;)

[tech_support]

Now, to wait for Twey's one.
//waits...

[djr33]

I have a feeling he may stay mysterious. But that's a bio in itself.

[jscheuer1]

I could do a (incomplete) bio for Twey. He is a wonderful individual, but it wouldn't be fair to do so. If he wants one put forth, he will do it. To know Twey you must interact with him and observe him interacting with others.

[Twey]

I have a feeling he may stay mysterious.Aye -- the Web allows one to be judged on mind and character alone, free of the many factors of prejudice that often influence people's opinions offline. I generally prefer not to break that where possible, especially somewhere where public records will be kept.
He is a wonderful individualWell, if by that you mean that lots of people have wondered about me, particularly my sanity, I can agree :p

[jscheuer1]

He is a wonderful individualWell, if by that you mean that lots of people have wondered about me, particularly my sanity, I can agree :p

LOL, no, but far be it from me . . .

I meant what was I hope the obvious. Without going too deeply into this bio that I could write for you, that you are a helpful and well meaning individual with considerable talents and knowledge that you are willing to share with others.

What? Do you really need or want a biographer? LOL

[Twey]

you are a helpful and well meaning individual with considerable talents and knowledge that you are willing to share with others.Manning this forum is hardly a selfless act -- I'm kept in practice coding, as well as given ideas for new projects from time to time.

[jscheuer1]

Manning this forum is hardly a selfless act -- I'm kept in practice coding, as well as given ideas for new projects from time to time.

Serve in the area where you want to grow.

[Sliight]

Thanks are an informal way of keeping track of the helpful users. When someone helps you, sure, click "thanks", or when you find a useful post, click thanks.


It's just for tracking how useful people are???? Gah I thought we were paid $20 for every time someone thanks us. I've been checking the mail everyday for my check to arrive... I guess this makes sense why I've not yet received it. Speaking of that...I've also been waiting for a check from Microsoft for thousands of dollars for forwarding an e-mail to everyone I know... I wish that one would show up soon...

[Twey]

Hahahaha!

Hey Sliight, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you... :D

[djr33]

I've heard Microsoft's mailroom staff are too busy playing with the code for Vista. You should get the check soon.

[lainlives]

Hey djr33 can i get a bigger version of your avatar

[jscheuer1]

Hey djr33 can i get a bigger version of your avatar

What is that thing anyway?

[djr33]

I wish it fit better in the space allotted. If you know what it is, then you'll love it.
I'm attaching a larger one now.


I didn't make the original image. I just made it smaller. (Contrast is turned up, too, so you can read it better when it's smaller.)

Original here:
http://images.google.com/images?q=ctrl+alt+delete+keyboard

[thetestingsite]

Those are really the only keys you need with Windows. Where can I order mine? :p

[jscheuer1]

LOL - what more can I say? I couldn't read the small print on the buttons in the avatar, hilarious!

Although, I should add that I had my XP notebook running for a week just recently with no problems, even going in and out 'sleep' mode many, many times. MS is getting better at the 'stability thing', or maybe I'm just learning how to use my 'toaster'.

[Twey]

Yes, I thought it was that, but I was a little leery of suggesting it because I can't make out the text on the buttons at avatar size.

Also, I can't find that precise one anywhere -- all the ones on Google seem to have "delete" lined up with the other buttons.

[djr33]

Yeah, I made it smaller by moving the buttons around, so it would fit in the square space of the avatar. If I used the original, it was wide and short, and you couldn't see that there even was text.


EDIT: Updated it to make it a bit smaller. I think this is about the smallest it'll go.