Spam the Database Provides false update notices

[ac7xc]

I watch several counties in my area and I am glad to support this site. However somebody is putting "tag this!" in dozens of listings which show up as new updates when I log in. Is it really necessary to do that?

[burner50]

Originally Posted by ac7xc

I watch several counties in my area and I am glad to support this site. However somebody is putting "tag this!" in dozens of listings which show up as new updates when I log in. Is it really necessary to do that?

You're a little off the mark on this...

SOMETHING is being updated, What you're seeing that says "Tag This!" is the Service Tag column, where users (such as yourself) can "Tag" a frequency with its usage. There are several different categories. Simply double click on the "Tag This!" and select the tag that is relevant for that frequency.

As far as the updates, you can click on History on the left, see a brief synopsis of what was changed, and who made the change.

I can assure you, The database is not being "Spammed" We take spam very seriously.

[ka3jjz]

In addition, I thought it had been discussed that these tags would eventually be able to be used as an additional selection criteria from the database main menu. For example, you would be able to query frequencies in your area that just said 'Law - Tac'. I don't think that functionality has happened yet, though

73 Mike

[DaveNF2G]

I think the point is that "Tag This" is redundant. If the tag is blank, then obviously that listing needs a tag to be added. Entering "Tag This" in the database triggers an unnecessary and meaningless update notification.

[bezking]

We don't type in the words "Tag This!" when we manage the database, it is the default text for the tag column.

[loumaag]

Originally Posted by ac7xc

I watch several counties in my area and I am glad to support this site. However somebody is putting "tag this!" in dozens of listings which show up as new updates when I log in. Is it really necessary to do that?

The "Tag This" does not cause an update notice. Please read on.

Originally Posted by burner50

You're a little off the mark on this...

SOMETHING is being updated, What you're seeing that says "Tag This!" is the Service Tag column, where users (such as yourself) can "Tag" a frequency with its usage. There are several different categories. Simply double click on the "Tag This!" and select the tag that is relevant for that frequency.

As far as the updates, you can click on History on the left, see a brief synopsis of what was changed, and who made the change.

I can assure you, The database is not being "Spammed" We take spam very seriously.

This is exactly correct. However to re-emphasize, the "Tag This" is not really in the column. It is a script that shows the column is empty and has never been tagged in the past. In other words, it needs data.

Originally Posted by DaveNF2G

I think the point is that "Tag This" is redundant. If the tag is blank, then obviously that listing needs a tag to be added. Entering "Tag This" in the database triggers an unnecessary and meaningless update notification.

See above. The "Tag This" is not text in the column at all, the space is empty, it does not cause an update notice to show.

When I saw this, I was tempted to close the poll down along with this thread, but on consideration I felt that a detailed explanation of why people should ask questions instead of just jumping to incorrect conclusions based on poor observation was better. Next time try asking instead of assuming.

[qlajlu]

I'm a little confused about all of this. It was my understanding from the get go that if you had a TG or conventional frequency to add to the Database, an ID of the using agency was also required. It only stands to reason that one would expect the entry to be identified. An "empty" identification (tag) satisfies nothing.

In our forum, when someone stumbles upon an "unknown," it is thrown out to the other members of the forum and a concentrated effort is made as a group to ID that TG or conventional frequency as to who the primary using agency is before it is ever submitted to the Database Admin.

Maybe I (we) misunderstood our responsibilities as users of this Web site.

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by qlajlu

I'm a little confused about all of this. It was my understanding from the get go that if you had a TG or conventional frequency to add to the Database, an ID of the using agency was also required. It only stands to reason that one would expect the entry to be identified. An "empty" identification (tag) satisfies nothing.

In our forum, when someone stumbles upon an "unknown," it is thrown out to the other members of the forum and a concentrated effort is made as a group to ID that TG or conventional frequency as to who the primary using agency is before it is ever submitted to the Database Admin.

Maybe I (we) misunderstood our responsibilities as users of this Web site.

They are referring to the "Service Tag" - such as "Law Talk, Law Tac, EMS Disp, etc"

That wasn't always a visible field in the DB. When it became a usable field, Lindsay requested that the RR Readership go into their perspective areas where they are familiar with the agencies and set the service tag.

When unset, it shows up as "Tag This" - And if a user would double-click on it, it would give them the option to tag it with a Service Tag such as "Law Dispatch"

If somebody lives in an areas where "Tag This" still exists, it is because nobody had bothered to go and set the service tag when they initially became available.

So, at least back then the community was expected to participate in service tagging. At this [now late] stage of the game, I'm unsure if a casual member is able to update the tags any longer. I'm thinking that if it shows as "Tag This", then a user can still go and double-click on it and modify it to what they believe the most appropriate service tag should be.

Mike

[qlajlu]

Originally Posted by mtindor

They are referring to the "Service Tag" - such as "Law Talk, Law Tac, EMS Disp, etc" ...That wasn't always a visible field in the DB. When it became a usable field, Lindsay requested that the RR Readership go into their perspective areas where they are familiar with the agencies and set the service tag. ...So, at least back then the community was expected to participate in service tagging. At this [now late] stage of the game, I'm unsure if a casual member is able to update the tags any longer.

Whew! I'm glad to have that cleared up.

Thanks for the explanation, Mike.

[loumaag]

To expand on what Mike explained. New entries into the database (TG or Conventional) cannot be entered by a DB Admin, unless that entry has a Service Tag. Hence, as explained by Mike, if you see a "Tag This" in the Service Tag column, it was there before and not updated yet.

[ibagli]

Originally Posted by mtindor

At this [now late] stage of the game, I'm unsure if a casual member is able to update the tags any longer. I'm thinking that if it shows as "Tag This", then a user can still go and double-click on it and modify it to what they believe the most appropriate service tag should be.

Not only is that possible, but a user can change the tag on any entry.

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by ibagli

Not only is that possible, but a user can change the tag on any entry.

Can this still be done by a user [modify an already-populated service tag]? I thought not too long ago somebody had posted on the forum that they were unable to do this, and I had no way of testing with a regular user account. I personally was unsure whether it was _still_ possible for a user to modify an already existing service tag.

Have you tested this recently?

Mike

[ibagli]

I tested it right before I posted that.

[loumaag]

Originally Posted by ibagli

Not only is that possible, but a user can change the tag on any entry.

Yeah...this is a problem. Thanks for pointing it out.