h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can you explain that first bit to me GD?

What currently happens is the system checks against a list of who has the scout thing in their identity and then updates accordingly. HOWEVER the list is never up-to-date and people who are not active are still shown.

Therefore, it's not trivial to want a new list. I want an accurate list of who is actively subbing and who is actively scouting. Perhaps it is trivial...I don't know. I'm inclined to feel defensive about it now so I'll sit and be quiet.

The Scout thing in their identity... this would be a setting in the h2g2 user database?

I assume so Jimster said something about it on the scouts yahoo group I think...

Yes, that's the attribute.

Kat, the point that I was trying to make was that it *should* be a trivial matter for this to work within the database, but that for some reason it isn't set up as I would have expected it to be. A simple count function should suffice, and then replace one list with the updated one, and not going around comparing it to what already exists in the database to identify the changes. But hey, I didn't write the site

What I still don't understand however is why you want to create your own list of active and non-active Scouts. What do you plan on doing with it?

I'm not entirely sure yet... But the list is only going to have ACTIVE scouts on...eventually when it's as complete as can be I'm going to show it to Jimster and prove that delegation is probably a better idea than trying to use a system which doesn't quite work. I'd really appreciate everyone being nice and helping me. I do want this to work...

I thought it was just a question of it being A Good Thing to have an up-to-date list of Scouts?

Umm yes...I'd just like to show that I can keep an up-to-date list. Seeing as the system one is never up-to-date. As people have said having up-to-date lists is very good and I'm perfectly happy to do it. I don't understand why people are being funny about it though... Anyone explain? Why don't people want to just be nice and give me their numbers? Why are they bothering to email in the first place if they're just saying 'nah nah nah I'm not cooperating'

OK. How are you going to deal with those Scouts who's Yahoo settings are set to no e-mail, and only access the site via the website to check when their date is due?

What about those who have said that they wish to remain Scouts, but for whatever reason can't access h2g2 / Yahoo / e-mail for the time being?

Whilst I admire your enthusiasm for wanting to create your own list, I think that you're wasting your time. All we need is the list generating bug in the database to be fixed.

By checking the recommendations list and coming up lists for the subs. If I'm wasting my time then fine that's my problem. I have ample amounts of time to be wasted.

GD, it was me, not Kat who started this thread, and I started it to find out why there is no Scouts drop-down list on the Scouts page while there still is a list on the pages of all the other Volunteers. I know about the problems the menus having with site upgrades, and I know that there a manifold problems with trying to compile a list of Scouts so that the dropdown list can be put back. If you want to question anyone about this, question me, not Kat.

OK Gosho. As it's all Scouts posting to this thread, we've all seen the message that Jimster is going to update the list from the database. Lets see if that works.

BTW, the list *I* have in mind is a list of everyone who has a Scout badge on their PS. If they're not active permanently they shouldn't have one any more. If they're not active temporarily, they should.

Yes Gosho, that seems reasonable enough to me. The Eds, when they have time, do approach Scouts who seem to have wandered away and ask them if they want to continue being on the list etc.

"What currently happens is the system checks against a list of who has the scout thing in their identity and then updates accordingly."

Unless things have changed hugely since I left the BBC, the system does need a helping hand in the form of an Editor to update. There's a few buttons to click to update the volunteer lists.

*gets up from bein half dead n operated on n all*

uhmmm
yes well i am alive ... sorta ...
it took a while to get to a point where i was able to go scout again
had a rather severe accedent a few months back ,
had 2 operations in the meanwhile and a 3rd one to come in may
so until then i am able to go pick a few things,
and so i shall ..
i know its not my turn yet .. but i got a few catching up picks to do .. i missed a few ( hospitals do not have internet yet )

well am alive as said and scouting about .
hope to be more alive really really soon

We still have no list

But we all know where to find you, Gosho

Wait a minute... I thought you were Gosho now And if you're Gosho, and if you're kissing yourself, that means you have two...

You are Zaphod Beeblebrox and I calim my £5