Tech Talk and some changes on the blog
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We’re working on some changes to the blog to make the site run faster and to hopefully get rid of some of the errors that seem to be popping up, and since making a few of these changes, we’ve had a few e-mails about them. I asked Jen, the owner of my hosting company to make a few remarks about why we’re doing the things that we’re doing so that we can make the site even better. If this kind of thing bores you, feel free to skip to the end where there is a lovely picture.
This is a guest post for NoFactZone readers from NoFactZone’s web host. As some of you may be aware, NoFactZone is hosted at DrakNet Web Hosting, which also happens to be owned by the Wish Kid’s Mom, which would be me. DB has gotten a few e-mails dealing with concerns about the new reCaptcha system put into place, and I wanted to stop in and make a few things known to some of the NoFactZone readers in an attempt to head off the complaints regarding these issues.
First of all, I’d like to make it clear that no one gets paid – and that includes us, the web hosting company, even when we rebuild the site for two hours from the ground up. All of the money that is made from any purchases that are made on this web site go to buying stuff for DB and the staff to give away to you. Our company does not charge anything to DB for serving the 40+ Gigs of information (and climbing) each month, and no one affiliated with the site gets paid in any shape, form, or fashion. DB and staff do this … well, because they’re obsessed, I think. I do it because you all were nice to my
kid, and the Colbert Report staff and Stephen himself did something extremely kind that they didn’t have to do, and it’s a way to give something back to them, and to you.A site like this is extremely resource intensive, and because of its high profile, it attracts a significant amount of spammers and hackers. This site faces a hack attempt once every 30 seconds, and it faces a spam attack over 1000 times a day. Defending against those attacks is a resource intensive and time intensive endeavor, and the site is now taking up so many resources that some levels of convenience need to be sacrificed if it will be able to cope with its growth.
I’d like to assure those of you that are privately requesting that ReCaptcha be removed because of the extra step you have to go through to comment that this step was taken to protect the integrity of the site, and its ability to continue to grow and to function while it grows. I’d also like to ask that you remember that this site is supported by people from the ground up by volunteers who are donating their time and in some cases, significant amounts of money, to bring this site to you every day. In addition to protecting the site, ReCAPTCHA use actively aids in Carnegie Mellon University’s project to digitize books – each time you validate your comment, you have contributed to free knowledge for people all around the world.
While I understand that this step is a bit of a bother and a pain in the rear, it is necessary to protect the integrity and resource availability of the site and its software. Popular sites that make absolutely no money to pay for themselves can eventually find themselves popularized right out of existence – everyone involved with the NoFactZone, including its host, are committed to ensuring that doesn’t happen and we hope that you’re committed enough to its protection to help digitize a book when you post your comment – for that extra five seconds it takes you, you’re having a direct and tangible effect on the support of this site, and the freeing of knowledge.
Thanks for the update and explanations, Jen! Here’s the pic we promised. Enjoy!
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24 Comments
April 18th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for the explanation, Jen, and (because I don’t know that I’ve said it, which is unforgiveable) thank you so much for everything you do for the site. I know the posts I contribute to the site pale in comparison to the efforts and resources you contribute; believe me when I tell you that they are appreciated.
And — no kidding — I almost broke this into multiple comments just so I could contribute that much more to ReCAPTCHA.
P.S. For any of you readers who are looking for another cool — and addictive — way to give a little something to society, I urge you to check out http://www.freerice.org. It’s a fun way to feed hungry people and your mind at the same time.
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Thanks. :)
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
“each time you validate your comment, you have contributed to free knowledge for people all around the world.”
Whoa. How does *that* work? Sounds neato, I shall have to read up on it when I’m slightly less tired.
I had no idea the site had that much hacking/spamming going on. Madness. I second the thanks for all you do for the site.
And for the lovely picture. *saves*
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I have no problem with the ReCAPTCHA feature and I’m glad to hear that it contributes to a worthy cause as well!
After reading this post, I am even more grateful to Jen and the staff who selflessly invest their time and energy into a truly amazing site. No complaints here. Only limitless praise! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
http://recaptcha.net/learnmore.html
reCAPTCHA improves the process of digitizing books by sending words that cannot be read by computers to the Web in the form of CAPTCHAs for humans to decipher. More specifically, each word that cannot be read correctly by OCR is placed on an image and used as a CAPTCHA. This is possible because most OCR programs alert you when a word cannot be read correctly.
But if a computer can’t read such a CAPTCHA, how does the system know the correct answer to the puzzle? Here’s how: Each new word that cannot be read correctly by OCR is given to a user in conjunction with another word for which the answer is already known. The user is then asked to read both words. If they solve the one for which the answer is known, the system assumes their answer is correct for the new one. The system then gives the new image to a number of other people to determine, with higher confidence, whether the original answer was correct.
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April 19th, 2008 at 12:03 am
@Jen, DB, and all the NFZ staff,
My appreciation of you remains constant. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves.
@MsI:
I’m so glad you mentioned freerice.org. The International Herald Tribune currently has a series of articles focusing on the current worldwide food crisis. I’m ashamed to admit that I had been relatively ignorant on how serious the situation has become in the past year.
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April 19th, 2008 at 12:14 am
whoa… how’d you get that pic?? if i were allowed a camera in there i would’ve gone nuts.
mad props to the NFZ people here. This is THE site for colbert news, not colbertnation.com, for me. keep up the good work, and hope the tech changes go smoothly.
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April 19th, 2008 at 12:33 am
All of you have a place in the hearts of the Colbert Nation. I can only express my sincere appreciation for all of your dedicated hard work, which is not much in return for the many wonderful things we have enjoyed at NoFactZone. God bless you all. Namaste.
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:14 am
@mrtigger001:
God Bless the Associated Press photographers, that’s all I’m saying. :)
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I figured you guys were trying to outwit the spammers but it’s also good to know that the reCAPTCHA is helping people read around the world. Way cool! And to all who make NFZ happen, everlasting thanks.
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:25 am
We appreciate all the time and effort that is put into this site. I love having an amazing place where I can get my Colbert fix every day.
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Jen, DB, and everyone at NFZ — thanks for the amazing work you do. We all appreciate it very much.
And now that I know how ReCAPTCHA works, I’ll make a point of commenting more often.
As for the picture of Stephen, it’s wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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April 19th, 2008 at 2:24 am
I have no problems with the comment system being moderated when it keeps spam and the hackers off of the no fact zone tubes. And did I just free some knowledge by commenting? Sweet. :)
I apologize if I gave any hints of being ungrateful or discontented.
And to Jen: “Apology” (aka everything done FOR this site) accepted! :)
Sorry, couldn’t resist. ;p
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April 19th, 2008 at 2:41 am
I know it’s been said over and over again, but it bears repeating: Thanks so much, all of you- DB, NFZ staff, and Jen- for all that you do! You guys seriously work your tails off, all for nothing. I wish there was some way we could repay you.
As far as the reCaptcha goes, I didn’t know it did good things as well! I have been amused by the really random and funny word combinations I’ve gotten. (In case some of you haven’t picked up on it yet: I’m kind of a dork.)
And kudos to Ms I for mentioning freerice.org. I love to spend my free time on there a) because I have a fondness for words… I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a word fetish… more like I consider myself a “wordinista” and b) It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know I’m helping someone out.
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April 19th, 2008 at 5:04 am
wow I had no idea that recaptcha actually had a greater good! I feel bad for cursing it so frequently with its illegible words. Thanks to Jen and all the staff for all the hard work! :)
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April 19th, 2008 at 8:07 am
*posts comment for the sake of posting a comment*
also, of course, THANK YOU ALL!
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April 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Wow, free rice isn’t letting me get past my vocab level of 40, and I’ve given 4280 grains of rice already! This is so addicting as well as brain chomping!
On topic, recaptcha reminds me of downloading from file sites, except this time I’m commenting. No biggie on my part. Thanks again to the No Fact Zone team!
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April 19th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I’ve known about reCAPTCHA for a long time, and NFZ is the first website I see that uses it. Thank you for that, for your time, for the energy you put in NFZ. Hurray =D
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April 19th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Thanks for the explanation. Sorry for my complaints. I really do appreciate all you do. May I add the Hunger Site, which is linked to the Breast Cancer site, child health, literacy, rain forest and animal rescue. One click on each makes a contribution, and you don’t even have to sweat the vocabulary words if you’re feeling lazy. : )
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
To all: Thank you for all you do to make this site possible every day. There’s no other site out there quite like No Fact Zone and Colbert University, and although we may not say it often enough, we wholeheartedly appreciate all your hard work and dedication to bring us all things Colbert.
I will say, the CAPTCHA feature is becoming more and more popular, and it’s nice to know that it’s use is also doing some good in that big world out there.
PS–Thank you also for the Eye Candy. : )
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April 19th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Thanks to all (and yummy photo).
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Like everyone else, I would like to thank Jen as well as DB and the rest of the NFZ staff for all that you do. This site is such an amazing and necessary resource for the Colbert fandom. I am so thankful that you are here!
Jen, thank you for the explanation of reCAPTCHA. I’ll have to step up my commenting on this an other Web sites that use it.
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April 21st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I have no problem with reCAPTCHA and thanks for explaining it. And, as always, huge thank-yous to Jen, DB and the rest of the staff! You guys are the best!
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April 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hey, I have two words for you people…
And I will type them happily and randomly to continue enjoying this remarkable site. Many thanks to everyone at NFZ who brings the Stephen joy to us obsessives every single day! :-D
That photo is freakin’ GORGEOUS, btw! Gosh, how I luv his hands… :-)
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