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Staff has also informed us as to how to really get on Explore:
What's to explain? It's really quite simple!
We send a random staff member into the dungeons below the office a couple'a times a day. If they make it past the pits of albino spiders and rabid unemployed secretaries, they prostrate themselves before Cthulhu, and suckle at one of His many tentacles. If their brainmeats survive His Old Godness' touch, they are given a random number, which we use to seed the Explore page.
Posted 53 months ago.
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And let's not forget the patent!
appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=...
Posted 53 months ago.
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There's a warning against "low social activity" here.
www.flickr.com/help/forum/43512/#reply239398
"Trust me, 500 photos we show in the calendar view for the day are not any better than thousands and thousands of other photos we don't show in Explore.
"Other photos are not shown for multitude of reasons but the main one is low social activity of the authors.
"So we have to choose 500 images somehow, and although our choice is not entirely random it’s not really based on something that makes the photo exceptional…"
Posted 53 months ago.
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flickr.com/help/forum/45499/page3/#reply266266
SilentObserver says [6 months ago]:
Just FYI, there is no any bias in the algorithm against "award groups" per se.
But maybe if we buy him a pony he'll change his mind.
Posted 53 months ago.
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flickr.com/help/forum/45499/page7/#reply303560
SilentObvserver says [4 months ago, in a bloody long thread full of endless speculation with the occasional dabbling in experimentation, and some descent into argumentation]:
Existence of EXIF data is one of multiple factors we are considering in the interestingness algorithm.
Posted 53 months ago.
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www.flickr.com/help/forum/28288/#reply139086
SilentObserver says [16 months ago, so there's no saying this is at all the case anymore -- I mean, personally, I'm not sure even my favourite colour is the same anymore as 16 months ago]:
We've made some changes in interestingness algorithm last week to compensate inflation of activity metrics introduced by groups that force users to create comments and/or favorites before they allowed to post photos in the group.
Posted 53 months ago.
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flickr.com/help/forum/28648/#reply141085
SilentObserver says [oh so very long16 months ago, and contrary to the deeply held Flickrite belief that Explore is full of women's legs]:
I can open a little secret here:
It's not about views but about some groups that algorithm considers "less important" for public interest.
Groups with photos showing too much skin and too many specific body parts are just one example of these.
There is no statement about which body parts those would be. Auto body parts, perhaps -- there are very few of those.
Posted 53 months ago.
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The Magic Donkey does not use Black Magic:
flickr.com/help/forum/12695/#reply63801
Posted 53 months ago.
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Impressive, Lú_ . I guess that's why you get the shiny gold star next to your name. :-)
Posted 53 months ago.
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The Magic Donkey gave me a star, so now I don't have to have a job and can search for Truth instead.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Isn't there an (un)official blip somewhere about geo-tagging being the lastest "in" to Explore?
Posted 53 months ago.
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flickr.com/groups/606639@N25/discuss/72157603816907246/#c... :)
Posted 53 months ago.
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Tah-dah!
Posted 53 months ago.
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This morning, Heather says:
Where's that rainbow-spewing panda when we need him/her?
Talking to the Magic Donkey.
Kevin and I were thinking of an "Official" Exlore Topic to try and herd the cats into one discussion. It does seem to have reached a fevered pitch of late. It's far to late for something along the lines of "What's the first rule of Flickr...."
Posted 53 months ago.
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Heather also said:
www.flickr.com/help/forum/63858/#reply370674
which is perfect grounds for a conspiracy theory about a flag on everyone's database entry to say whether they are allowed into Explore or not :-)
Posted 53 months ago.
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And here are some other interesting details:
blogs.photopreneur.com/what-it-takes-to-get-your-photo-on...
Posted 53 months ago.
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An Explore thread is actually closed (OMG) and staff explains that changes are coming soon in the Help Forum regarding topics that are endlessly repeated.
Posted 53 months ago.
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There's a possibility the Secrets of Explore may sell to the highest bidder.
Originally posted 53 months ago.
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Neo Saguaro edited this topic 53 months ago.
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CNN Money is carrying this also. There's always a bigger Panda.
Originally posted 53 months ago.
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Neo Saguaro edited this topic 53 months ago.
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I'm willing to sell my status as a Guide to the highest bidder.
Posted 53 months ago.
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I'll sell out, it's all the rage.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Ooo, that must mean my jewels and cash are on the way!
Posted 53 months ago.
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Does that mean that the magic donkey will replace the schlubby balding pudgy man that plays PC on the Mac v. PC commercials?
Posted 53 months ago.
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I think it means that the Magic Donkey will replace Clippy in MS Word's help. REDMOND, Wash., April 11, 2001 — Whether you love him or you hate him, say farewell to Clippy automatically popping up on your screen.
Clippy is the little paperclip with the soulful eyes and the Groucho eyebrows. The electronic ham who politely offers hints for using Microsoft Office software.
But, after four years on-screen, Clippy will lose his starring role when Microsoft Office XP debuts on May 31. Clippy, the Office Assistant introduced in Office 97, has been demoted in Office XP. The wiry little assistant is turned off by default in Office XP, but diehard supporters can turn Clippy back on if they miss him.
"Office XP is so easy to use that Clippy is no longer necessary, or useful," explained Lisa Gurry, a Microsoft product manager. "With new features like smart tags and Task Panes, Office XP enables people to get more out of the product than ever before. These new simplicity and ease-of-use improvements really make Clippy obsolete," she said.
"He's quite down in the dumps," Gurry joked. "He has even started his own campaign to try to get his old job back, or find a new one."
Posted 53 months ago.
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(And while I'm not a microsoft hater in general, oh my goodness how I hate Word 2003. Worst word processing program ever!!!!!)
And now back to Secrets of Explore...
Posted 53 months ago.
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All the attorneys I know use WordPerfect...
Oop, right, back to Secrets of Explore.
Posted 53 months ago.
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It's publishing-industry standard too, so obviously we'll have an Explore Edge after the MS Takeover.
Posted 53 months ago.
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im getting the impression that this is sort of the Rosicrucians of Flickr here... a blend of enquiry, alchemy, spit and bubblegum...
just found this group, but have to run along... i'll check back for the wisdom of the donkey.
most of you know me... and how much i loathe explore, so this could be fun!
Posted 53 months ago.
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Hi Dave :)
Posted 53 months ago.
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hey Steph!
i just wanted to add that i like the group avatar, even in it's hiLARity inducing animated form :)
okay, gotta go. byeee
Posted 53 months ago.
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Hilarity? I designed it to induce nausea.
Oh well. Welcome to the cult.
Posted 53 months ago.
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zyrcster All lawyers do use Wordperfect, which is why I hate Word so much. But I'm a public defender and Wordperfect is expensive but Word (and crappy Dell PCs) are cheap.
Yeah, that will get me into Explore. The pity vote. (Must keep this discussion on topic).
Welcome, Rippie.
Posted 53 months ago.
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There's always Open Office!
Posted 53 months ago.
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I had to look up Rosicrucianism; sounds interesting and a pretty good comparison I'd say!
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I'm glad you looked it up. Saved me from having to take the time to.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Well I've found out what Dunstan Orchard was referring to here. I just went to post a new help topic and you're prompted with the question Did you try a search first? a search box. It's a shame searching the forum is a bit hit and miss but hopefully it'll make people think before posting duplicate threads.
Originally posted 53 months ago.
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elementalPaul edited this topic 53 months ago.
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That's been there a long time -- it must be something more insistent that they're working on.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Ah well, it must be a while since I needed any help then :-)
More insistent? How about:
Posting duplicate topics may result in your pictures being dropped from Explore thus shattering your already fragile ego. Are you sure you want to proceed?
Could work!
Posted 53 months ago.
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That's the first confirmation screen. The next one is a bit more menacing.
Are you really sure there's not already a topic on this subject? Think carefully. I'm looking at your Explore pics now. My finger is hovering over the delete button. Proceed?
Posted 53 months ago.
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If you hit proceed, you receive a third message:
Are you really really really sure there's not already a topic on
"Yesterday I had 5000 photos, and today I only have 200!!!!! You bastards deleted my precious photos!!!!!!"?
Because here are some similar topics:
[long list]
But if you really want to ask this question, I'll let you while I remove all your images from Explore. Proceed?
Posted 53 months ago.
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SHE SPEAKS:
Really, my friends and minions, look at it from the proper perspective:
All the questions have already been asked. There are no more questions.
Screen three will give you the list, and if you push the button to proceed not only will all your images be removed from Explore, you will find that, instead of a new topic being created, your inquiry is simply added to the most interesting topic in the list.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Shouldn't that be SHE SPEAKSES
?
Posted 53 months ago.
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Only when we speakses in unisons.
Posted 53 months ago.
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We wonders, Precious - aye, we wonders.....what's it gots in its pocketses?
Posted 53 months ago.
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"It isn't fair, my precious, is it, to ask us what its got in its nassty little pocketses". Tolkein
Posted 53 months ago.
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elementalPaul I believe Dunstan was referring to this.
Posted 53 months ago.
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@ RubyMae - probably :-)
Posted 53 months ago.
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unisons are what unicorns have for children, half the time.
i thought someone would get a kick out the Rosicrucian reference...
RubyMae i was unaware you were a legal type, but that explains a lot. not an insult, just puts your posting style in perspective and better focus for me.
ColleenM All the questions have already been asked. There are no more questions.
this touches closely on a short story by Spider Robinson that i like a great deal: Melancholy Elephants. Definitely a read you should engage... it covers the subject of creativity on a broad canvas and the concept of "everything old is new again" or rediscovery is quite central to his position that "it's all already been done: all the rhymes, the ideas, the songs, the plot lines, etc..." it's a quick read, at only 50 or so pages and he's a good writer.
Posted 53 months ago.
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Rippie: Contra Censura! Not just a legal type but a criminal defense attorney. I think the posting style more stems from the fact that I have a big mouth and like to talk (which also led me to become a lawyer). ;-)
Posted 53 months ago.
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Dunstan says (in an Explore thread that he closed - OMG!):
I love the panda.
Posted 53 months ago.
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of-course! the panda is hard to resist.
Posted 53 months ago.
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I thought that was a great way to close that thread. Good to see that Explore threads have been getting closed down a lot quicker recently. I feel a wee bit sorry for the OP in that thread but they only have themselves to blame for not doing a search first :-)
Posted 53 months ago.
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Flickr staff locks another Explore thread!
Heh.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I was so happy that Dunstan got there first! But I didn't get to say so.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I got all excited to have something to say when I saw that post in the forum. It really has became an illness.
Posted 52 months ago.
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That was a quick one - must be some kind of record. Lockdown-tastic!
Posted 52 months ago.
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I think Dunstan is getting a kick out of this. :-)
Posted 52 months ago.
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Indeed. "Just follow the rainbow-vomiiting panda.". Awesome advice.
Posted 52 months ago.
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All i have to say about explore: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
.And who you tease.....
The little clicks and groupies suck up to each other...!!!
I think the criteria has once again been sabotaged.
Once again explorer has been inflicted with a massave widespread outbreak of flickr munchausen disease.
Someone call the flickr dr..
Posted 52 months ago.
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I think you've been inflicted with double-postitis!
But yes, we'll call for a doc, stat.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Perhaps cupcakes have been added to the Explore algorithm.
See the Flick Feb 8 blog entry.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Fastest Explore closure EVER!
Also closed in FC!
Also, Dunstan on Explore, Monkeys, and Dogs.
Best communication from staff. Ever.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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zyrcster edited this topic 52 months ago.
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I saw that! I don't think I've ever seen staff close an Explore thread without any replies. On the other hand, it was one of the whiniest ones I've ever seen.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Dunstan is my hero.
Posted 52 months ago.
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From the "Interestingness Top 500 group, a quote from Stewart about an old algorithm change (March, 2006).
Posted 52 months ago.
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And in that same thread, the most quotable quote from staff yet, courtesy of the Silent Observer:
And, pbutler1, about your ideas of "RANK"ing. First release if interestingness implemented this approach. In result we found that top positions of all days were full of photos of several most popular photographers. And everybody agreed that it was boring.
So, once again, for us interestingness is not a popularity contest but tool to show interesting works of as many Flickr uses as possible. That’s why we constantly working on improvements of the algorithm.
It’s impossible to find the best photo on Flickr, but you can try to find most popular one.
I’m not sure that popularity equals quality.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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zyrcster edited this topic 52 months ago.
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Wow, it looks like the Magic Donkey is becoming quite a bit of a sensitive flower. It must need to eat some more cupcakes.
Posted 51 months ago.
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I also want to know why it seems that certain photographers who take slightly mundane shots always make the front page?
I have so much to learn. Must forget work for the day and scour these discussions.
Posted 51 months ago.
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fuzzirella This is not the place for questions like that. Here we affect an attitude of ennui about explore (or do I means weltschmerz?)
Posted 51 months ago.
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iansand, heehee, I like weltschmerz. It just rolls off the tongue. Or back of the throat. Or whatever.
Posted 51 months ago.
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(psst ... the algorithm can't see that the photos are mundane)
(though that doesn't explain the daily pandas)
Posted 51 months ago.
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(psst -- focus, people, this thread is for what Flickr staff has said about Explore!)
(you might be looking for the loopy conspiracy theory thread instead!)
Posted 51 months ago.
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It doesn't matter. It's broke again.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Ian's a very urbane man. I am determined to use 'weltschmerz' at least once today.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Well, tsk, Mr S.
Originally posted 51 months ago.
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Patrick Costello edited this topic 51 months ago.
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Please post the link here when you do!
Posted 51 months ago.
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MichaelSmith And after that you use "weltschmerz" must try to work "a scandalous hint of lime" into your everyday conversation.
Just because.
Posted 51 months ago.
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I'm going to use "a scandalous hint of lime" into a help forum request today.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Dying to see that.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Done!
Posted 51 months ago.
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Nicely done.
Posted 51 months ago.
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I managed to get both "weltschmerz" and "a scandalous hint of lime" into a discussion of a bottle of Viognier last night.
Not on Flickr, alas.
Originally posted 51 months ago.
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Michael Smith edited this topic 51 months ago.
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Does my use of weltschmerz count?
www.flickr.com/groups/606639@N25/discuss/7215760382036888...
Posted 51 months ago.
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The complete quote there is "Well, tsk, Mr. S"
Wanna give us the real link?
Posted 51 months ago.
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That's the one :-)
Posted 51 months ago.
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I think we all have to bow before zyrcster's use of "a scandalous hint of lime". The real world doesn't count.
Originally posted 51 months ago.
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Michael Smith edited this topic 51 months ago.
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I think we've created a monster there.
Time for a new phrase to drop into Help Forum threads...
Posted 51 months ago.
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To avoid topic drift, I'm moving the conversation to a new thread and closing this one temporarily.
zyrcster, wanna' post your suggestion there, please?
Posted 51 months ago.
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Open, with some new gleanings from Silent Observer
Here are some links to comments Silent Observer has posted in various threads
Explore Birthday: August, 2005.
About EXIF data.
Non-safe photos are ignored.
Whether there is a way to exclude a specific user from Explore
Whether there is a bias for or against a picture because it was in certain awards groups
Whether posting to more than 15 groups makes the Donkey cry.
What effect randomizing has.
Number of tags doesn't affect the algorithm.
The effect of geo-tagging.
Originally posted 51 months ago.
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ColleenM edited this topic 51 months ago.
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Yay!
Our first really big official nod from staff (Heather!):
www.flickr.com/help/forum/en-us/69627/422535/
Should anyone like to further plumb the depths of Explore, I think that the nimble hosts (or, the "The One Who Speakses") would be happy to host such a conversation:
www.flickr.com/groups/606639@N25/
Posted 51 months ago.
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That was better than any ol silly magic donkey any day.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Shoot. Must work on my nimbleness ...
Posted 51 months ago.
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I, myself, was caught totally flat-footed!
Posted 51 months ago.
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Oh, there you two are.
Leaving it all up to the guides and the novices again. I see how it is...
Posted 51 months ago.
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Heather's little advert for us is obviously a clue. Notice she referred to "The One Who Speakses", rather than "She Who Speakses". This must mean that there is a palace coup planned. We must be on our guard.
Posted 51 months ago.
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illinichick357, RubyMae and I are plotting as you quake in your moderator an administrator boots.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Plot all you want: I'm writing a bot based on the interestingness algorithm that will take over both the stablishment and your plot. Wahahahaha!!!
:-)
Posted 51 months ago.
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iansand I don't know, it seems the Searcher has discovered my true identity. I think our plot is foiled.
Posted 51 months ago.
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MichaelSmith BTW, I found zyrcster referring to The One Who Speakses right here in this forum. If we can't get the lingo straight, do we really expect others to do so?
Posted 51 months ago.
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I am so ashamed.
Posted 51 months ago.
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Secrets Of Explore /
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I think you've been inflicted with double-postitis!
Please post the link here when you do!
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