F.A.Q.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS BLOG?
Since you ask, the word "blog" is the shortened version of the word "weblog" - which is a log of someone's life on the world wide web. The PM blog is written by me, the presenter of PM. I'm Eddie Mair. Hello. When I'm not Eddie Mair I might be Carolyn Quinn. But enough about my weekends.
WHAT ARE ALL THESE STRANGE LINKS...THE GLASS BOX...THE BEACH..THE FURROWED BROW?
They're places which serve specific purposes. The Glass Box is where you can comment on the content of PM. What you thought of the interviews, the reports, the running order or anything else. The Furrowed Brow is where serious discussion takes place about whatever you like. And the Beach? Well, that's a very special place. Why not click on the Signpost to the Beach to find out more...?
HOW DO I ADD A COMMENT OF MY OWN?
Simple: Under each entry is the word "comment". Click on it, and you'll see a page with all the existing comments. At the bottom, there's a space where you can add your own entry. Just choose a name and then add your email address - we need that for verification - and then type your comment. When you're done click "submit your comment" and that's it!
HOW DO I REPLY TO AN EXISTING COMMENT?
Follow the steps above. When you type your comment, start with the number of the comment you're replying to - for example, "Joe (14)". That lets everyone know what you're talking about!.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY COMMENT ONCE I'VE SUBMITTED IT?
A group of Oompa Loompas deal with it in a factory run by the great Willy Wonka.
Actually that's not true. Each comment is automatically checked for spam/viruses or anything which might mark it out as junk. Then our moderators - they're separate from the PM team but do not work in a factory - check that the comment conforms to guidelines about taste, decency, libel etc. You can read more about the guidelines here. If the comment is cleared, it is approved and will appear on the Blog.
HOW DO I COMPLAIN ABOUT A COMMENT?
If you simply disagree with someone, why not add a comment of your own saying why? If you think it's something that should not appear on the Blog, click on the link "complain about this comment" which you'll see under every comment. The moderators will examine your complaint and decide what to do.
WHY DO I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE WHEN I TRY TO COMMENT?
Annoying, isn't it? Sometimes, if you try to comment in quick succession, the system thinks you're trying to spam us. So if you do get an error, best not re-submit immediately. Give it a few minutes. A couple of other tips: if you get an error message - ALWAYS use the "Back" button on your web browser to go back, rather than the link in the page. This way, all the text you typed will still be there, saving you the trouble of typing it all in again. Alternatively, copy and paste what you've written into Notepad or Word. Then you'll have a record of what you've written, which can avoid the frustration caused if you receive an error message.
WHY HAS MY COMMENT DISAPPEARED?
If someone chooses to complain about your comment, it gets flagged to the moderators, who look at the original comment and then use their judgement to assess if it needs to be removed. Although the moderators are trained to follow 成人快手 guidelines, no two people will always view a comment in the same way, so a comment approved by one person may well be removed later because someone else feels the complaint against it is justified.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH I CAN WRITE?
No, but long essays can put off some readers. Look how short this answer is!
CAN I PUT AN EMAIL ADDRESS IN A COMMENT?
Yes. But please use the format of joeDOTbloggsATbbcDOTcoDOTuk. Cumbersome, I know. But it helps avoid you being targetted by spammers. Don't ask me how it works. I'm not technical.
WHAT IS A PERMALINK?
You've got a lot of questions haven't you? You'll see the word "permalink" next to where you click "comment". Clicking "permalink" will show the full address of that blog post, so you can reference a particular post in your own, or another, blog. Getting the full address also means you can easily find the post in future.
WHAT'S ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT FROGGERS AND FROGGING? DO YOU HATE THE FRENCH?
There's no call for that. Even from its earliest days, people who commented on the blog pointed out that it was a combination of a blog of Eddie's entries, and a forum of comments. Blog + forum = frog. Bloggers are also known as froggers, while blogging becomes frogging. You're sorry you asked, aren't you?
AND THE FROGGERS' REFUGE?
The Froggers' refuge was originally set up by a very eager frogger Jonnie to provide somewhere else to go when the real PM blog wasn't working properly. It's still a place were froggers meet up and talk to each other. It also stores a lot of photos and songs, and is generally well worth .
ANY TIPS ON HOW I SHOULD BEHAVE HERE?
Be nice. The PM Blog should be a happy place, and is best when people are discussing not arguing. You might not agree with the comments of a fellow blogger, but please be constructive in your criticism.
Do not feed "the trolls". If an inflammatory comment appears from a newcomer, then please think carefully before responding. "Trolls", as they are known, intentionally post derogatory/inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community in order to bait regular users into responding
WHAT'S THE HISTORY OF THE PM BLOG?
The PM Blog began, quietly, accidentally even, on August 17th 2006, and since then it has grown to become one of the biggest and most successful 成人快手 blogs. We don't know why.
IS IT TRUE PADDY O'CONNELL'S BEEN FIRED?
Yes.
Listen to PM
Eddie - Thank you. As well as making me laugh you have answered a couple of things that I didn't know and I've been here for ages!
Complain about this commentSo, Eddie, it was Paddy who set off the Fire Alarm yesterday?
Complain about this commentLissa was right.....she really did create loveliness!
Complain about this commentGreat frog!
Complain about this commentxx
ed
Just because Eddie says it doesn't make it true. I think he was just testing to see who read to the end.
Complain about this commentI'm very glad I finally visited the PM blog. Every time it was announced I thought "yes, yes, another impersonal 成人快手 talkback forum designed to satisfy some government-mandated interactivity public-services box-ticking exercise, my words will probably never be read by anyone (at least anyone whose views I respect) and it takes too long to log in, validate my identity, and nothing I ever post actually shows up anyway."
So hurrah for PM blog, which, it seems, is actually usable!
I usually like to rant at great length to my friends (i.e. in real life) about how frustrated I am by editorial decisions on eg. The Today Programme, but thankfully PM gets it just right for me, and so you won't be subjected to that here...
Complain about this commentSurely no-one could fire the lovely Paddy O'Connell? If staff cuts have to be made there is a certain lady who is keen on a small fruit who I would axe first - but it's all a matter of taste!
Complain about this commentHas there been a Troll outing session that I have missed??
Complain about this commentI'm finding it hard to believe that since I've never been "moderated", then all my comments must have conformed " ... to guidelines about taste, decency, libel etc.".
I'm obviously not well, so I think I'll go and lie down.
Complain about this commentAnnasee (5),
Just because Eddie says it doesn't make it true. I think he was just testing to see who read to the end.
Er, he's a news journalist. Do we take the same view during PM? ;-)
Complain about this commentVery nicely put, Eric, and I hope it encourages more listeners and lurkers to take part in the blog/frog.
I was actually sent an excellent frog picture yesterday (don't ask why) which, if I can work out how to do it, I may post either here or at the refuge. I'm not sure it will encourage anyone, and it's probably best not to view it when eating.
Complain about this commentMat (6) And of course, there is the daily Glass Box if you do wish to rant about editorial issues (and the Furrowed Brow for other rants too!)
Complain about this commentGillianian (3) - oh yes indeed she did. Lissa created a great loveliness! So has Eddie (and NBP Marc?) in setting out his stall here. Only just yesterday Kippenbod (where are you?) was saying that she'd kind of lost the way of navigating around. So many thanqs for the faqs.
btw (sorry I've been doing this all morning so I can't stop), what do you mean by this:-
"The moderators will examine your complaint and decide what to do.and if necessary by the PM Blog team."
Is that:-
run it by the PM Blog team?
bin it and if necessary by the PM Blog Team a drink?
oh make up the rest for yourself.....
Complain about this commentVal P (13) that was an editing screw-up. And we've now edited it! Thank you.
Complain about this comment[censored]
Complain about this commentCan we have a breakdown of how frequently these questions were asked?
Complain about this commentAh, so THAT'S how it works..........now I get it.
Complain about this commentThanks Eddie :)
Mat (6). Blimey, another photographer. Must be something about this Frog that attracts photos and their takers. Anyway, I think you'll like it (the Frog, that is.)
Frog model aircraft:- From Right Off the Ground.
Complain about this comment......are we going to be tested soon....is there and exam coming up...do we all need to start revising?
.....the public has a right to know......init
Complain about this commentRe. Paddy. What calibre was the gun?
Complain about this commentMat (6) welcome to the frog! Looks like you'll find the rest of us here are like minded folks to you. Catch you on the beach for a beer/vino/drink of your choice later..
FFred
Complain about this commentThe Blog has taken me back to September Eddie - What should I do?
The Blog has turned blue?
What is Firefox?
Complain about this commentNow now, jonnie, you'll only confuse Eddie with talk like that!
Complain about this commentI would just like to say to any new people, don't be afeared of posting if it seems like everyone knows each other and you don't know what they are on about; post anyway.
It's surprisingly unlike other forums which have regular people, in that they *won't* snap your head off and give you a hard time for being a "newb" or not fulfilling some arbitrary level of participation.
I actually think that Eddie's made a sort of breakthrough, web-wise, with the "frog" format. It allows infrequent posters to join in and have an equal status.
It's like a friendly pub where you don't have to prop the bar up every night in order to have the barlady remember your name and drink of choice!
Complain about this comment"The PM Blog began, quietly, accidentally even, on August 17th 2006, and since then it has grown to become one of the biggest and most successful 成人快手 blogs. We don't know why."
...I think we might have an inkling of a hint of the barest idea of why...
(1) instant comment
(2) nigh on instant feedback
(3) bucketfuls of common sense views
(4) the odd thimbleful of inanity & humour (I've just been informed that it should be about '50% wit'?!)
(5) intellegent logoludicy - as opposed to lucidity...
(6) the huge amount of funding and investment continuously poured into the SONY GOLD AWARD winner, by the highest levels of the 成人快手.
nikki
Complain about this comment"The PM Blog began, quietly, accidentally even, on August 17th 2006, and since then it has grown to become one of the biggest and most successful 成人快手 blogs. We don't know why."
...I think we might have an inkling of a hint of the barest idea of why...
(1) instant comment
(2) nigh on instant feedback
(3) bucketfuls of common sense views
(4) the odd thimbleful of inanity & humour (I've just been informed that it should be about '50% wit'?!)
(5) intellegent logoludicy - as opposed to lucidity...
(6) the huge amount of funding and investment continuously poured into the SONY GOLD AWARD winner, by the highest levels of the 成人快手.
nikki
Complain about this commentInstant comment nikki :-)
Now why did you post the same comment 23 minutes later?
Complain about this commentJonnie @ 22
That's really *not* funny - I thought for a minute the blog *had* gone back to September and I went (out loud, at home) "noooooooooooo!!!!!"
I will have my revenge ;-)
Complain about this commenthmm, jonnie (27)
actually, that does seem to reinforce my point 6 - I got 502'ed (or some such number) and told that the page was not available, "please try again" so i did !!
n-n
Complain about this commentWhy have you got time for this kind of blog review Eric? Shouldn't you be working?!
Ach, ignore me -- I'm only jealous. Like the song said "I'm a-livin' in a box, I'm a-livin' in a cardboard box..."
Complain about this commentPinkle - you're absolutely right. Some of us can't stay away, but we always welcome new people and all points of view, whether it's a one-off comment, or someone who wants to take part a wee bit more.
I was thoroughly confused myself when I first got here, but the frogger community is hard to beat, which is why we all come back for more!
BTW - pop down to the beach for more off-topic (not, off-colour, of course) chat.
Complain about this commentEddie Mair (14) - why, thank you kindly sir. Service with a smile?
Not only that, but you managed to post your reply at the same time as my question :o)
How do I put this on speakerphone, Appy?
Complain about this commentGood point. When you're 502d your post may well have gort through.
Also your post may take an unreasonable time to appear.
When this gets too ridiculous it is likely that there is a 'bloggage', at which we help move it along by going 'PUSH!' Apparently.
Thanks, Eddie, informative and entertaining (it's what you do), possible even educational.
Complain about this commentJust place it carefully on the table Val...
Complain about this commentFrances O - I think yours should be added onto the Error Message section. The unwise should be told.....
Complain about this commentFAQ? Number 61943
Dear Aunty Ed..
...every morning I wake up stiff and it takes some time for the stiffness to disappear.
Every evening before retiring to the bedroom Mrs DIY asks 'how is the stiffnes dear?', to which I ALWAYS reply "all gone my dear, fine now".
For some reason I can never fathom out she always then sighs quite loudly..am I missing something here?
Complain about this commentFAQ? Number 61944
Dear Aunty Ed..
Our normally happy and jovial village postman has taken to singing and whistling totally off key.
Is he now a malicious post?
Complain about this commentFAQ? Number 61945
Dear Aunty Ed..
This morning whilst tending the Lupins I spotted a 'Lesser Spotted Bill Oddicious' foraging for, what I can only assume was, nesting material at the base of our wonderful Wisteria. With each carefully filled beak he could be seen dashing across the lawn to where the 'Great Crested Kateasaurus' was teasing worms, and offering it to her.
Surely it is far to early in the year for this ritual behaviour?
Complain about this commentFAQ? Number 61946
Dear Aunty Ed..
Once again I find myself drawn, like a moth round a 5Mw light bulb, in having to consult you on a matter most confidential and delicate matter.
Recently whilst working away from home I was accosted by a young (well young by my standards) lady folk singer from the East Midlands who was trying to tempt me with the words "I'll put the kettle on", she (shameless hussy) later admitted that she "looked good in Chrome".
Finishing school never prepared me for such an eventuality, just what is the etiquette for greeting young ladys clad only in a Chrome plate kettle?
Complain about this commentFAQ? Number 61947
Dear Aunty Ed..
Even as I sit here minding my own business, beavering away, running the whole department by myself 'cos the other 75% of staff are either off sick or on holiday.
I think to myself, Nobby Stiles, r they a pain in the bum?
Complain about this commentDIWyman (39) Scottish Froggers willl know what I mean when I say ''The Singing Kettle'' will have a different connotation from now on!
Complain about this commentGiggles, Gillian
Complain about this commentGillian (39)
v true..but a suggestion dear heart...less lll in will....i thought i was the only 1 with a dispeptic kbd.?
Complain about this commentEddie, you LIED!!!!!
Paddy's back tomorrow.
I'm shocked, I am. So much for 成人快手 truth-telling. Rant, rave, cont p94
Complain about this commentA reply has come to me, instead of DIWyman, for Number 61946 (39).
I pass it on in good faith:
"Think *very* carefully before you turn her on...
Aunty Ed"
and from my own experience, always check the water level before you fill her up!
Nook
Complain about this commentWhen is a Troll a bringer of uncomfortable, but relevant views? Surely this is objective? Certain regulars express views that are darn right offensive. And when this is pointed out, this messenger is deemed a Troll. Or, have I missed all the Trolls? Can someone link me up to an example?
Complain about this commentThank you.
FAQ? Number 61948
Dear Aunty Ed..
..it seems to be raining.....again. My bro Mosses is muttering about an ark. Is it Ok for us to use pallets or do we really have to use gopher wood?
Complain about this commentFAQ Number 61949
Dear Aunty Ed...
......why is it that Brenda always looks so glum?
surely with all her pennies and fings she should be 'appy as a Goat in a field of four leafed clover?
Is it sumfing the House of Windsor inhairitated from them uver Europeens?
....init....vot?
Complain about this commentFAQ Number 61950
Dear Aunty Ed...
I have hunted through my copy of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management to find a way of removing dried blood off of the ceiling but have drawn a blank.
We had that nice Rev Green round for supper, but he is a bit of a bugger with the old lead pipe.
Have you any suggestions?
Complain about this commentFAQ Number 61951
Dear Aunty Ed...
When one is having Brenda over for tea, does one have to use Dolphin friendly harvested Tuna in the sandwiches?
Or is it ok for one to use the ones what Phil shot?
RSVP
DIY
Complain about this commentDear BlogMaster or whatever the title is for the very nice person who moderates the daily rants from PM listeners.
Have I been blackballed? My last 2 (even though I say so myself) witty &/or relevant comments have not appeared and I rceieved a message saying it had been intercepted ofr reasons of something or other. I didn't follow it very carefully. The comments were perfectly innocent, one about SEN and the other today about going to the cinema.
Anyway, keep up the good work Lord Mair and may your cinema going visits be less painful in the future
Complain about this commentFAQ Number 61952
Dear Aunty Ed...
Today I was stung by a Wasp.....not the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) but its EU partner the German Wasp (Vespula germanica)....with the forthcoming devolution of Scotland from Britain...can I expect to be stung by the Scottish Wasp (Vespula minesapintof TennantsSuper) in the the future?
DIY
Complain about this commentMs Hartley-Brewer's arrogant and aggressive comments on this evening's programme left me supporting the "other chap" despite the fact that I missed the opening of the debate and had no idea what it was all about! What an amazing diatribe! Who the hell does she think she is?
Complain about this comment
Complain about this commentHaving read through all that, I've completely forgotten what my question was now! But I have discovered new definitions for words and new words..
re road safety and children. The answer may lie in looking at the German experience. Children are taught to cross roads (with the green man at traffic lights adults abide by the green man to set an example) ) at an early age by parents and schools; driver are aware of children and keep speed down: and most children walk or ride a bike to school from an early age, not driven by parents. The answer is a combined approach of education, early exerience for children, respecting speed limits, and good planning of lights and crossings.
Complain about this commentOf course the medievalist religionists shouldn't be excempt from prosecution for their homophobia. Let's not forget that blasphemy is still a crime in the UK (ie a there exists a law that prevents the sane and intelligent from condeming christianity). Why should the regligionists have it all their own way (including tax breaks for their loopy propoganda)?
Complain about this commentOn today's PM: 'People wishing to immigrate or marry British nationals may be required to take a English language test.' Oh, good! At least we won't have any more Americans moving in.
Complain about this comment