We are always asked the same few questions every time we solicit feedback, so let me provide some official answers here and now, and let this story be added to your browser bookmarks for everyone to see. These questions have been answered in the comments before, but I will provide the answers here, lest someone mistake the comments for unofficial.
Why don't you use valid HTML/valid XHTML/XML&XSLT?
I have had many long conversations about this with many of our users, and it's generally a stalemate each time. We have very skilled users who have a lot of very valid opinions on this. However, the fact remains that the goal of this site is to provide a website that renders properly everywhere, everytime. The typical argument goes something like this: "If you use valid code, it will gracefully degrade in older browser who will simply not get the style." Unfortunately, this is simply not true.
We figure if OSNews reports on hobbyist OSes we'd at least like to render the full site on their Netscape 2 compatible browser as well. That's why there's no critical javascript on the site - you can even get the full experience on Netpositive.
We've gone through painstaking testing to make sure we render anywhere we can, in some cases using individual browser identification. We monitor which browsers hit our site, and know that we often have hits from obscure browsers.
I get lambasted for this viewpoint often, and there are many who very publically tell me our reasons are "lame" or "weak," but they aren't. We don't want the site to be a lesser experience anywhere, and right now, it isn't. This is the purpose of OSNews, and we believe a large part of what sets us apart from other sites.
Strangely though, for the record, I do maintain a validating version of OSNews, and at some point, we may make it public. However, as of today, the site is intentionally broken (with respect to compliance), and we're well aware. If should look ok in your browser right now, no matter what browser you're using.
If you wrote valid code, you'd have fewer versions of the site to maintain.
We currently maintain only one version of the core site, although many sections/pages have a mobile version and a desktop browser version. That's it: two.
Why don't you use Slash/Nuke/Scoop?
We understand that OSNews has replicated many features of popular sites like Slashdot, but that doesn't mean that Slash is the way to go. It just means that they have implemented logical "stuff" that users wanted, as have we. We like the simplicity of our site, and will always listen to users who have suggestions on logical ways to further simplify the interface.
Why don't you use Perl/Python/Ruby on Rails?
This is my favorite question lately. We get a lot of suggestions to rewrite the site in a new language, but we like PHP and will continue to use it for the forseeable future. If you like another language, we encourage you to use it on your site and discuss it here.
It amazes me that so many people have taken the time to email me about rewriting OSNews using Ruby on Rails. While I have only played with this framework on the side, and must admit it seems very powerful, it's still very young and should probably be proven to scale on large, high-traffic sites before anyone would consider deploying it.
Why can't anonymous users post with a username?
Perhaps at some point in time we'll add this feature. Right now, if you want to use a moniker, you need to register. There are several other benefits to registration, including tons of site customization.
Why can't we moderate admin comments?
Why don't moderators use two accounts?
Put simply, there are definitely (definitely) people out there who will mod down admin comments *because* they are admins. We know because our posts were very frequently reported as abuse in the previous incarnation of OSNews. We've made an internal effort to not get involved in flamewars and high-tempered debates to avoid these problems, but we will not be enabling admin moderation.
Furthermore, it our site, and we said so.
Why not start anonymous comments at -1?
Again, we've discussed this, and we simply have too much anonymous participation to handicap those comments, many of which are valuable. However, we have discussed, and may soon implement, a system by which more trusted users start with a higher score.
Why have my comment votes increased/decreased?
We have complex algorithms that now determine your "trust." Trusted users are often given more votes, while untrusted users' votes are regularly reduced. We do this to help weed out the trolls who take joy in ruining a community. I think it's likely that at some point in the near future, new accounts will start out with 0 comments votes and have to "earn" them via high quality comments, moderation, accepted story submissions, and story rating.
Why can't I log in/reply on the mobile site?
Mobile improvements are coming. The mobile site will be getting additional features at some point to bring it more in line with the main site, although it's unlikely that it will support logins.
- "OSNews++, Part I: Theading"
- "OSNews++, Part II: Some Answers"
- "OSNews++, Part III: Feature Review"
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