Lazy Programming and Mixed up Priorities Oct 07, 2005 10:08:26 PM
Doesnt it seem like if your going to take the time to program an entire site, you would probablly take the time to include some simple key features? I guess the majority of my rant spawns from pretty good torrent sites utilizing not so good searches. I mean seriously, it's not that hard to implement a search string that can take MORE THAN ONE WORD! If done right, it's only one more line of code! There is nothing more frustrating in the world than serching for ''Family Guy'' and getting back every single torrent description containing either the word ''family'' or the word ''guy'' somewhere in it, and then having to search, by hand, through the sometimes endless number of results pages. So whats the point of even putting a search on the site if its going to suck so bad!? And I'm not even talking about one site in peticular, oh no, there are several! You know who you are!
Allright, so while I'm on this topic of torrent sites, I also have a problem with membership kicking policies. Most sites utilize some type of ratio monitering script that decides weather to keep a users account or not. Like, once someone's share ratio falls below 1.0, they are flagged and watched, and after not too long, kicked with out mercy. In other words, you have to give as much as you take or get the hell out. So heres the thing, its a great thought, I mean it really does enforce the whole ''the internet is about sharing'' philosophy, but its flawed, big time.
The problem is this, if the user is only into rare things most people don't want, and then downloads them, hes pretty much up shit creek. By downloading the item, he just increased his download count; he leaves the torrent open for seeding, but no one uploads it off him because no one cares about that content; his upload count will remain the same; and BAM!! his share ratio falls like a stone. So hes sharing but no ones taking, yet he gets punished anyways by loosing his account. Im sorry, but thats messed up.
I agree there has to be some type of user monitering, but this is not it. If anything, this type of share enforcment is only contributing to the loss of individualtiy and free thinking by limiting the availability of a wide spread of content. It's completely against what the internet stands for and promotes the consumption of closed-minded corporate drivel with a complete and utter disregard to diversity. What this form of enforcement is really saying is, ''Download what everyone else wants, or get out''.
So I guess the only way around this is to appear to have conceeded to ''bigbrother''. Using a music site as an example: In order to get the good classic original stuff with out fear of deportation, you first have to get some of the pop-culture soulless engineered trash that all the idiots line up for, and seed that for as long as its popular, should be a whole 10 days. This will at least keep your share ratio at a decent level.
It's completely ass backwards, and shouldnt have to be done, but let's face it, this world is run by morons. So the best way to get your own way, is to make them think their getting their way.
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