Frequently Asked Questions
From Mefi Wiki
This wiki is more than just a FAQ: it's more like a hyperlinked encyclopedia. The question and answer format is still useful though, so this page exists to collect questions people have, and answers people have given.
[edit] Is there an official MetaFilter FAQ?
Yes, at http://faq.metafilter.com
[edit] Do I need to register?
'Fraid so, chief. It'll cost you a fiver.
[edit] Do AskMetaFilter and MetaTalk have RSS Feeds?
Yep. The rss feed links are located at the footer of the page.
[edit] How do I make my post look all fancy in HTML?
Generally, a rule of thumb at metafilter is to let the content speak for itself. Many html entities and tags have been disabled for posts and comments, resultantly. Certain formatting tags, such as italics, bold and links, can be used to improve a post, however. That said, the following commands may be used in a post:
o italics -- italic text or o bold -- bold text or o links -- <a href="http://host/path">[link text]</a> o strikethrough --struck-out texto small text -- small text
Other HTML tags may work as well, but stay within the bounds of good taste. Any use of flashing text is usually followed by a suspension of posting privileges.
[edit] What about posting images?
The posting of images is currently banned as of [October 22, 2006], ostensibly as a result of a security issue outlined in [this MetaTalk thread]. Previously, posting images was largely frowned upon with certain exceptions. On the other hand, when a thread was obviously about to be deleted (such as when it's a double post) users had been known to start posting silly images in the thread, since it's only going to be deleted anyway.
[edit] Is MetaFilter Suitable For Children?
As with much of the internet, the answer to this question is "that depends." Much of MetaFilter is indeed suitable for children, and no section or subsection of the site is designed to specifically provide material that would not be suitable. That said, there isn't very much done on the site to prevent linking to material that a parent may not wish for their child to see. Posts to any section of the site may link to vulgar language, nudity, graphic imagery or other content that parents would rather their children not encounter. Often, borderline or adult themed material will have the letters "NSFW" (link to page on NSFW, here) posted after the link, but the use of the NSFW disclaimer is not mandated and users should not depend on it always being there. Further, the language any individual user may employ to express him or herself in discussion at MetaFilter is not moderated, with the exception of hate speech. (other exceptions? dunno.) Children reading the site may encounter graphic descriptions, images or vulgar language within thread discussion.
[edit] Why do I sometimes see Deleted Threads?
Threads get deleted when they break the guidelines of the site. Anyone hoping to make a post to the front page should always double check to make sure that they've adhered to those guidelines before posting. Additionally, posts that don't necessarily break the guidelines on their own can be deleted if the resulting thread is overcome with petty name calling and ad hominem attacks. This is often called a "train wreck." There are other reasons for a post to be deleted, as well. Please check the "What makes a bad post?" page for more information on what can lead to post deletion.
[edit] What if I see a post that is a DoublePost, or breaks the rules?
MetaFilter uses a flagging system for every post or comment that is made on the site. At the bottom of every post or comment is a small line of text that establishes who made the post, and when. At the end of the line is abracket exclamation point, [!], which - when clicked on- allows users to "flag" that post or comment as one of several kinds of violations and also as a fantastic post or comment. Choosing the type of violation that best describes your problem with the post in question and then submitting the flag alerts mathowie and jessamyn to the post, at which time they may examine the post and determine whether or not it merits deletion. Flags work best when a number of people all flag the same post. If you're not certain enough people will flag a post to catch the administrators' attention, you may also create a post about it in MetaTalk to alert the community and administrators to the post.
[edit] What is MetaTalk for?
MetaTalk was designed as a place for MetaFilter users to go to discuss the daily operation of the site, ask for policy clarification, request new features for the site, report bugs, report other users for abuse of the site's privileges and guidelines and to update the community when some new development has occurred that is related to the site. Users may only post new topics to metatalk once a week, but may post comments in existing threads as often as they wish. Questions and commentary that fall under the above-mentioned categories should not be posted to metafilter proper, since that section of the site is reserved for "best of the web" style outside content.
[edit] What does FPP mean?
FPP stands for Front Page Posts, and simply refers to posts made to the metafilter.com home page by users.
[edit] What's NewsFilter?
NewsFilter is what the community has come to call single-link posts to articles from news web sites such as cnn.com, newyorktimes.com, and msnbc.com. There is no hard and fast rule for distinguishing a good news related post from a bad one, but generally single link news posts are frowned upon. There have been exceptions to this idea, such as the numerous Hurricane Katrina and 9-11 posts, but there isn't a specific rule written in stone which will result in a deleted post if broken. Please see the "What makes a good post?" page and the "What makes a bad post?" page for tips on how to avoid getting your posts deleted.
[edit] What is a Godwin?
Please see the informative wikipedia article [here] for more info on Godwin's theory.
[edit] What's with the single periods in comments?
The single periods in threads, particularly obituary threads, are intended to denote a moment of silence. Users will post these periods to recognize a departed celebrity, fellow mefite, etc...
[edit] What are all these injokes on MetaFilter?
Good question, InJoke has a list of common MetaFilter injokes and their explanations. Where possible, links will be provided to the metafilter or metatalk thread that originated the joke.
[edit] What's a TextAd?
Textads are a source of revenue for MetaFilter. They're the ads that appear in the corner of the page when you view the site without logging in. They're called TextAds? because they consist entirely of text.
[edit] What does it mean when an AskMetaFilter comment is in a gray tinted box? Is it to signify a well constituted comment?
The asker of a question can mark comments as a "best answer" if they feel the comment answers the question or helps solve the problem. Askers can mark as many best answers as they like, or can mark none at all. Denoting best answers is strictly up to the asker, and as such, can sometimes seem capricious or just plain wrong. Such is life.
[edit] I would like to send a private message to another MeFi member, or at least let this member know that I'd like to, about a topic that's tangential to the thread. Is there a way I can do this? (Their profile has no email address, so I can't do it the old fashioned way)
[edit] Ok, maybe not frequently asked, but..."Why does user X have a star next to their name?" alternately, "User x used to have a star next to their name, now no longer does. When/why did that happen?"
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