Survey posted 2004-03-05 08:48 by Morgan.

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One of my criteria for downloading a file is the documentation. If I see that it is a 600 byte text file I won't bother. If ticalc goes the deletion route, there are many programs I would remove based only on poor documentation.

Also I find many good program by author pages. Ranking files based on thier author might provide a first pass ranking method for most of the files on this site.

However I think that option 3 would be the most effective.

I usually try to get programs with screenshots. Then check the readme (if available). Those are the best ways for me to filter programs. However, I normally make my own math programs for my own use, so that I know exactly what is happening and I can imput data more efficiently. Plus, If something is wrong, it's all my fault. I've made some pretty good ones, but I don't know if they are worth uploading.

I've found that some of the best programs have the worst read-me files. *.txt files are very small for the content in them. memory does not represent how good or bad somthing is.

Some simple, but useful, programs don't *need* more than 600 bytes of documentation.

Not all programs NEED documentation - some are too simple and basic.

Just because documentation isnt 100% neccesary doesnt mean that a program shouldnt have it. I think that documentation should be made a requirement for getting a program uploaded, even if it is relatively simple. Its not hard to write documentation. Just put the title, version number, version history, author and email, description, and explanation of controls and/or features as neccesary. If it is a simple program, then it will have a simple documentation.

I see a lot of ASM programs that have all that in the program. Like I said, it's not ALWAYS neccisary.

I think we should catagorize. Because, there are a few files, mine included, that have very few downloads, but are very useful to a select group. I mean # of downloads does not make a file good or bad, it just shows how popular it is. I agree that something needs to be done. You should catagorize the folders so people can bypass what they don't want. You could even make a folder called "stupid programs" or something to put all the stuff that's no good. But I am definitely not for deleting anything. If you do it by popularity, you just end up deleting good, useful programs that have small number of downloads.

They could help a lot just by sorting the files (for example put popular files at the top and unpopular files at the bottom)

I mean it's all about incentive. Me, being an economics major in college, if I had a subcategory labeled "economics" I would have tons of incentive about making economics programs. And I mean it goes all around. If you have a specialty, whether it's trig, calculus, or even accounting, and you have your own subfolder, it will encourage you to make high-quality programs because you know that only people interested in that area will go there and they will remember you because you helped them out. Who cares if the program is not super smooth or popular, if you have your own specialty, and a subcategory you can relate to, you will be proud of your little area of interest and make programs accordingly with pride. Clearly the only choice that will make people like me want to create and post more files is to make subcategories, NOT voting!!!!

Very true. The specialty programs would also get more downloads, since they would be easier to find.

I think they should do a combo of the choices before "other".

I second that.

We need a new survey with more options.

I think a combo choices 1, 2, and 3 would be excellent. Filter stupid stuff, then recategorize the folders, with high-rated ones near the top.

I agree with anything as long as it does not involve deleting things.

Some files HAVE to be deleted. Again, look at all the quadratic solvers.

NO FILES DELETED OR REJECTED!
NO FILES DELETED OR REJECTED!
NO FILES DELETED OR REJECTED!

Look at all the equation solvers for the 86, which has a built-in equation solver!!! Do you really think that crap should stay and increase the junk factor of the archives????

Well, I have an 83+SE so I don't know about that but maybe some people don't like the format of it built in and the program is more user-friendly or somthing...I have that problem with my 83...

Sad. That is just sad.

It's easier to use the 86's built in one than to open the PRGM menu and FIND a Quadratic Solver. Not to mention most Quadratic Solvers have TERRIBLE interfaces.

Well, that's stupid people with 86 calcs and they probably didn't read the instruction manual, I still say that no files should be deleted.

OK, I agree with you...so when are you going to send TICALC.org the cash to pay for the memory to store all this crap? Get a clue man....

Why would someone upload somthing if they are afraid it might be deleted or rejected? wouldn't it hurt _your_ feelings if the program you spent so much time and effort on was erased in under a second because it was "not needed" or "not wanted"?

hmm...no come back? You sure were quick to reply to my other comment though.

I agree with that as long as -- NO FILES SHOULD BE DELETED OR REJECTED.

AMEN!

Let's start a potition.

Let's start a potition - NO FILES DELETED OR REJECTED!

"Petition"?

Actually, he meant "potation":a usually alcoholic drink or brew.
If everybody gets drunk, maybe some quality programs would come out!

Maybe. Sorry for spelling errors. I guess I was more tired-er than I thought yesterday.

Great minds think alike. That or just vote twice.

Because of the login required, it is impossible to vote more than once.