Thread Summaries and Title Tidy-ups to Improve Search

[TheHubbardBus]

This forum is full of the coolest and most creative problem solvers I've had the pleasure of talking to and I worry using AI to solve problems for us is just against the essence of the site.
And with spelling mistakes, will it change every instance of 'skoolie' to a different word?(It's actively underlined in red prompting me to change it as I type this)
What about the users who purposely misspell things because that emulates the way they talk?

All great points, and your 'newness' here has nothing to do with their weight nor validity. At least not in my eyes.

I've been a member of many great internet forums over the years, and involved in the inner workings of at least one as well. I shouldn't have to tell the site staff here they're a dying breed. With 2 exceptions (one being this site), I've watched every single one I used to love suicide itself. Sometimes it was by selling out to media conglomerates, other times by misreading their user base. But regardless of the reason, this type of 'social media'... where real people actually have meaningful and engaging dialogues with other real people... is going the way of the dinosaur. And the only people keeping this form of communication alive are the ones - like us - who still value how different it is from the 'internet at large'. The people who appreciate the internet forums of old don't want santized summaries or narcissistic social-media sounding boards. They don't want the 'new, shiny thing'. I mean... we turn old busses into rolling homes... that kinda says it all regarding what communal world-view we share.

@Janet H, I've been outspoken and perhaps somewhat harsh in this thread. Please understand that I DO appreciate what you and whatever team exists do on a daily basis to provide us with such a wonderful resource. I hope you understand that it is out of my desire for this site to continue to exist that I speak my mind. Obviously what you do with the site is your call and not mine, but I feel you're really misreading your audience here, and committing a tactical error. That's the last I'll say about that. We can agree to disagree if that's how it has to be.

 

[Crlefley]

as a lurker since 2019, and a more frequent poster as of today, I choose to bring my problems here, because the BS facebook pages are filled with AI, Scam, and opinions. Here I gain knowledge based on peoples EXPERIENCE.
AI has not built a bus. Therefore no need.
End rant.

 

[Janet H]

@Janet H, I've been outspoken and perhaps somewhat harsh in this thread. Please understand that I DO appreciate what you and whatever team exists do on a daily basis to provide us with such a wonderful resource. I hope you understand that it is out of my desire for this site to continue to exist that I speak my mind. Obviously what you do with the site is your call and not mine, but I feel you're really misreading your audience here, and committing a tactical error. That's the last I'll say about that. We can agree to disagree if that's how it has to be.

There are great discussions here - no argument, but how they are surfaced for readers matters. There has to be a way to balance real ideas and content with readability.

For example, the Skoolie newsletter, which is often the first view of the site many folks have, is made using recent topics. The headlines for those newsletters' "articles" are the thread titles themselves. Currently, these titles have to be hand-edited (usually by me) if they are to be more useful.

Many thread titles are already awesome, but new members, especially those who may not "get" forums, tend to skimp on details. AI is not replacing member content, and the forum isn't being populated with AI-generated fluff. Where there is a summary displaying it will be labeled as an ai summary and moderators will have the ability to change, redo or remove the summary. The grown-ups are still in charge and once again, member posts are not being edited, not even for typos.

There is a lot of distrust and resentment regarding AI, and frankly, I share it, BUT it's also a useful tool, and we're trying to have that tool work for us, to improve the board, not to dumb it down. Moderators should not have to edit thread titles for typos - their limited volunteer time is too damn valuable for this sort of scut work.

We've seen through time the same distrust and resentment about other useful tools:

Electric lights
Telephones
Typewriters
Horseless carriages
Airplanes
Microwave ovens

A reasonable person uses tools to their advantage - this is just another tool.

 

[Mr P]

We've seen through time the same distrust and resentment about other useful tools:

Electric lights
Telephones
Typewriters
Horseless carriages
Airplanes
Microwave ovens

A reasonable person uses tools to their advantage - this is just another tool.

????

I completely disagree. Unless it's a tool like.....hydrogen bombs, napalm, "gain of function" viruses.... AI "data centers" are currently (pun intended) using HUGE amounts of electricity. Google it. YouTube it. For what? Automatically doing things that we don't even have to have done?

I often listen to music on YouTube. YT suggests music. A couple of months ago a song was playing that was unfamiliar. I liked it....then realized it was AI generated! I was gagged.

 

[ewo1]

Electric lights
Telephones
Typewriters
Horseless carriages
Airplanes
Microwave ovens

A reasonable person uses tools to their advantage - this is just another tool.

None of these tools change, summarize or modify the words spoken or written by humans. sorry but poor example for the issue at hand.

Nice try though.

Newbies need to learn and not be spoon fed. Making everything "easier" as you are trying to explain is the WRONG thing to do.

May I make a friendly suggestion... change the wording on the "Search button" to "AI engine".

The search button works just fine but lazy people refuse to use it...so let's make their brain have to wake up and think for once!

 

[Thurmond1317]

This is worth addressing.

Currently, we have opted to avoid 2fa for 2 reasons:

1. It is a barrier to participation for many.
2. The additional needed step to log in is just too hard or too invasive.

So here you say we don't use 2 factor auth because it's too hard or too invasive. Building a bus is hard yet here we all are! Moderating a site is hard yet you still do it too! And I don't understand the logic of saying it's too invasive to have people verify they are human, but will willingly give our title speech to the artificial intelligence. Maybe we are just not understanding how you intend to implement this. Will the AI system only change titles if reported? Or is it given blanket access to the site to change what it wants?
I believe a lot of our concern comes from lack of information. You haven't really explained How this process will work. Maybe if you were able to explain more of the how, we could provide constructive criticism and find a solution together. Would it help if you had more moderators? I'm sure a lot of use who already are on this site daily wouldn't mind advising a change or making sure titles are complete.

I again understand your desire to reduce vague and misleading titles but think that humans should be the ones to decide what's worth changing or not. Maybe give the users with over 30 posts options to report or submit the title to AI for adjustment. But starting off with it changing our titles automatically then requesting it to be changed back is recipe for disaster.
Let me share some real life evidence of this happening. I work closely with Amazon warehouses and they have almost reduced their whole HR department to AI. This results in tons of premature firing of staff and many records being misinterpreted or misdirected. Sure you have the opportunity to be rehired if you report it was a mistake and have evidence, but they don't reimburse lost time. They don't apologize. They don't care that their tool is ruining quality of life because it helps them deal with less paperwork. Resumes for promotions are passed through AI and accepted or declined based on key words included or excluded in the resume before it ever sees a human. Sure if you complain enough and have evidence, it will eventually get to a human for review but you shouldn't have to appeal to a robot before a human.
Now those are of course very different than what's happening here but that is what happens when you try to use AI where it doesn't need to be used, or as a blanket solution for a small problem.
Maybe we can integrate an AI search button where if pressed, you can search for terms and it will provide summaries or adjusted titles for That User Alone.
I fear AI will dehumanize titles and take the life out of the site. Titles will change from

1. “Help” might become “Circuit Board Replacement” was your example.

That title makes it seem like the thread is now an instructional on how to change a circuit board not that a user is requesting help. Even if the title says "User was requesting help- solution was circuit board replacement" That doesn't sound like a very welcoming title that you want to click on and read more. What's the alternative, AI pretending to be the user? "I need help with circuit board problems." I sure hope not because that's just creepy. What if it worked for a minute and broke again, now the solution is something else. Will the AI know and update to the actual solution. Will people continue trying to read threads now that we have assumed answers in the titles?

Again, we understand that we are guests here, but this site was built for guests. For problem solving human guests. We were all newbies at some point and we learn from those mistakes and others guidance. Trying to fix problems for them is why kids can't read or do math anymore. We don't give them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn.

Edit: I love the Dr. Suess quote you have in your signature. But even that says, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." Let us use our human brains to come up with a solution or many of us will use our feet to leave this site. That quote was written by a human, and so were the titles. Tools should absolutely be used to our advantage. But trying to use a hammer where a tape measure should be used ain't gonna go well.

 

[ewo1]

So here you say we don't use 2 factor auth because it's too hard or too invasive. Building a bus is hard yet here we all are! Moderating a site is hard yet you still do it too! And I don't understand the logic of saying it's too invasive to have people verify they are human, but will willingly give our title speech to the artificial intelligence. Maybe we are just not understanding how you intend to implement this. Will the AI system only change titles if reported? Or is it given blanket access to the site to change what it wants?
I believe a lot of our concern comes from lack of information. You haven't really explained How this process will work. Maybe if you were able to explain more of the how, we could provide constructive criticism and find a solution together. Would it help if you had more moderators? I'm sure a lot of use who already are on this site daily wouldn't mind advising a change or making sure titles are complete.

I again understand your desire to reduce vague and misleading titles but think that humans should be the ones to decide what's worth changing or not. Maybe give the users with over 30 posts options to report or submit the title to AI for adjustment. But starting off with it changing our titles automatically then requesting it to be changed back is recipe for disaster.
Let me share some real life evidence of this happening. I work closely with Amazon warehouses and they have almost reduced their whole HR department to AI. This results in tons of premature firing of staff and many records being misinterpreted or misdirected. Sure you have the opportunity to be rehired if you report it was a mistake and have evidence, but they don't reimburse lost time. They don't apologize. They don't care that their tool is ruining quality of life because it helps them deal with less paperwork. Resumes for promotions are passed through AI and accepted or declined based on key words included or excluded in the resume before it ever sees a human. Sure if you complain enough and have evidence, it will eventually get to a human for review but you shouldn't have to appeal to a robot before a human.
Now those are of course very different than what's happening here but that is what happens when you try to use AI where it doesn't need to be used, or as a blanket solution for a small problem.
Maybe we can integrate an AI search button where if pressed, you can search for terms and it will provide summaries or adjusted titles for That User Alone.
I fear AI will dehumanize titles and take the life out of the site. Titles will change from

1. “Help” might become “Circuit Board Replacement” was your example.

That title makes it seem like the thread is now an instructional on how to change a circuit board not that a user is requesting help. Even if the title says "User was requesting help- solution was circuit board replacement" That doesn't sound like a very welcoming title that you want to click on and read more. What's the alternative, AI pretending to be the user? "I need help with circuit board problems." I sure hope not because that's just creepy. What if it worked for a minute and broke again, now the solution is something else. Will the AI know and update to the actual solution. Will people continue trying to read threads now that we have assumed answers in the titles?

Again, we understand that we are guests here, but this site was built for guests. For problem solving human guests. We were all newbies at some point and we learn from those mistakes and others guidance. Trying to fix problems for them is why kids can't read or do math anymore. We don't give them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn.

Edit: I love the Dr. Suess quote you have in your signature. But even that says, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." Let us use our human brains to come up with a solution or many of us will use our feet to leave this site. That quote was written by a human, and so were the titles. Tools should absolutely be used to our advantage. But trying to use a hammer where a tape measure should be used ain't gonna go well.

I really like the way you explained this and provided possible solutions and pushed for clarity on HOW it will be used.

@Janet H, again yes, we are guests. And it is the GUESTS' content and feedback that makes this a good place for help and information. And for the few years I have been visiting here humans here have not had a need or want for some artificial information controller /advisor/helper, or what ever you want to call it, help or advice.

Can you imagine feeling sick, calling your doctor and having a computer generated AI doctor diagnose your ailments or, for his office AI to make entries/modifications into your medical chart?

@Thurmond1317 clearly makes the point that the site was created for "guests". It would be super helpful and friendly if these "guests" were afforded the opportunity to chime in and contribute towards making this a better place. Without "guests" positive contributions, there would be no reason to come here.

I myself really enjoy helping those who are broke down, mechanical or electrical issues.
Others are specialist in their realms, electrical, solar. experienced welders , mechanics, sheet metal gurus, plumbers...you name it and they all have come thru here and participated... human to human!

To be quite honest, you, @Janet H, are the only admin/mod I have ever seen in the last 3 years I have been active here. Maybe it would be a good idea to add a mod or two to lighten your MOD duties here instead of using AI.

Bad case scenario, what were to happen it for some reason you decide you had enough, will AI take more of the MOD duties?

This forum has a done a real good job of self administrating in the area of member behavior. People here respect each other and share freely.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

The grown-ups are still in charge and once again, member posts are not being edited, not even for typos.

I've just looked through this thread 3 times, and I can't find any instance where you've said, prior to the quote above, that member posts were excluded from the proposed changes. Can you please clarify? Do you not consider a thread title to be part of a post? Or are you saying guest-user thread titles may be changed but registered member thread titles will not be?

 

[Janet H]

I've just looked through this thread 3 times, and I can't find any instance where you've said, prior to the quote above, that member posts were excluded from the proposed changes. Can you please clarify? Do you not consider a thread title to be part of a post? Or are you saying guest-user thread titles may be changed but registered member thread titles will not be?

"Guests" are those reading, but not logged in. Guests cannot post.

To post, one must register and log in.

When a new thread is posted, the OP is required to choose a title for the thread. The first post and subsequent responses are attached to the title.

The body of posts and responses is not going to be touched by ai - only the thread title may be tweaked.

Not all threads will be affected. Currently, this will impact threads started within the past 30 days that have more than 5 responses. Even then, most threads will not have edits to titles as they are often sufficient or descriptive.

 

[ewo1]

DELETED, CORRECTED MYSELF

 

[TheHubbardBus]

"Guests" are those reading, but not logged in. Guests cannot post.

To post, one must register and log in.

When a new thread is posted, the OP is required to choose a title for the thread. The first post and subsequent responses are attached to the title.

The body of posts and responses is not going to be touched by ai - only the thread title may be tweaked.

Not all threads will be affected. Currently, this will impact threads started within the past 30 days that have more than 5 responses. Even then, most threads will not have edits to titles as they are often sufficient or descriptive.

Yeah, I guess that was a stupid question on my part. I obviously wasn't thinking clearly when I posted it.

I think I'm done here for a while. Maybe I'll hit the site up again the next time I need help. Sounds like I'll be able to just read an AI-generated summary of whatever question I may have so I won't have to go through the uncomfortable process of interacting with others, or crediting them for their contributions.

 

[ewo1]

Want to make this site better for humans???

Stickies.. they are not existent. What is the process/criteria for a sticky.
this would address the "Hey, I want to by a bus but I don't know what I am looking for".

Mandatory, no voluntary, introductions for new members. I participate in another forum where new members MUST introduce themselves before they can post or ask for help.
this is helpful, as a friendly beginning of their journey on the forum, instills politeness and eliminates the simple new user signing up as simply saying HELP, give them help and then they disappear like a ghost.

People on the forum like to interact and shy away from cold posters.

Files, there are a ton of super useful files here but you got to dig really deep to find them.

I'm gonna jump out of my comfort zone and recommend the AI (artificial idiot) be implemented in a way that created a simple file directory that provides a link to the thread with the files listed on the "File directory".

Yes, I hate AI but... I'll look away on this one as this suggestion in no way creates a summary of what was said or modifies any part of one writing, even the title is part of one's writing. Let's call it an inhouse Dr, google search.

@TheHubbardBus, stick around... let's see where this goes.

One of the reasons I stayed here...learned so much too, is from people participation, like @Caddillackid for example.... while his past words are still here, the future help and knowledge is not!


@Janet H, One last suggestion If I may, how about reaching out to members and asking for helpful suggestions...just to see what comes back at ya... You see one thing on your side of the desk and we see another. Let's get to the middle and see what's come up...

@TheHubbardBus, I couldn't have said it any better!

This user has been replaced by A.I.
Please consult the auto-generated summary to learn more.

 

[BamaBus]

Currently, this will impact threads started within the past 30 days that have more than 5 responses. Even then, most threads will not have edits to titles as they are often sufficient or descriptive.

Initially I was "no big deal", but if titles are changed after responses are generated then wouldn't it make it harder for members to follow post they have posted to? I use the new post option when logging on to see updates on newer post but may look past a thread after a name change. Also what about build threads which sometimes don't seem reasonable to me but makes all the sense in the world to the OP(ex. nikitis)

This thread will be renamed?
"How to Instill Confusion and Distrust Among Members"

Please correct me If I misunderstand.

 

[nikitis]

There are great discussions here - no argument, but how they are surfaced for readers matters. There has to be a way to balance real ideas and content with readability.

The answer to this is to add a Wiki section and give a few of it's members who are willing and post here every day to update it with valid information. The forums remain for discussion and ideas, validating information for the wiki, but the Wiki contains information that has been discovered, tried, and validated. (i.e. Content).

We need a Wiki section before A.I. imo. And I volunteer to help create the categories etc.

 

[Mr P]

AI is like auto tune for struggling singers.

Where do I opt out of that "help"? Seriously.

 

[ewo1]

AI is like auto tune for struggling singers.

Where do I opt out of that "help"? Seriously.

AI = Artificially Incompetent! ...-> requires Human Intelligence in order to operate!

 

[Mr P]

I really want to opt out....

 

[DeMac]

Want to make this site better for humans???

Stickies.. they are not existent. What is the process/criteria for a sticky.
this would address the "Hey, I want to by a bus but I don't know what I am looking for".

Mandatory, no voluntary, introductions for new members. I participate in another forum where new members MUST introduce themselves before they can post or ask for help.
this is helpful, as a friendly beginning of their journey on the forum, instills politeness and eliminates the simple new user signing up as simply saying HELP, give them help and then they disappear like a ghost.

People on the forum like to interact and shy away from cold posters.

Files, there are a ton of super useful files here but you got to dig really deep to find them.

I'm gonna jump out of my comfort zone and recommend the AI (artificial idiot) be implemented in a way that created a simple file directory that provides a link to the thread with the files listed on the "File directory".

Yes, I hate AI but... I'll look away on this one as this suggestion in no way creates a summary of what was said or modifies any part of one writing, even the title is part of one's writing. Let's call it an inhouse Dr, google search.

@TheHubbardBus, stick around... let's see where this goes.

One of the reasons I stayed here...learned so much too, is from people participation, like @Caddillackid for example.... while his past words are still here, the future help and knowledge is not!


@Janet H, One last suggestion If I may, how about reaching out to members and asking for helpful suggestions...just to see what comes back at ya... You see one thing on your side of the desk and we see another. Let's get to the middle and see what's come up...

@TheHubbardBus, I couldn't have said it any better!

I absolutely agree with all of this. Every word.

We lost some of (what I thought were) the best unique features of Skoolie.Net.

Accessable knowledgebase
Before the software change in 2025, we had the ability to search (via a Google engine) old threads using keywords or user names and find very specific subjects and/or images. This no longer works well. Even when I search through Google dot com using query commands
Ex:
[SITE:Skoolie.net] and ["slideouts"]
All of the old links to our old knowledgebase are now gone.

It would be nice to use AI to help us retrieve and share information with new users who ask the same old questions. We used have that option & members did that a lot, now it's too difficult to find old pists and photos so we cant easily offer a link.

The old photo albulms and Member Registy were more user friendly too and the clickable data links allowed us to follow a build though inspiring imagery. The photos intrigued readers to know more and we could basically stank a user or a build to follow along. That entire system is gone.

AI or human intervention to bring back histortcal data would be great. This new software has built in amnesia, just like fb & insta. It's only dumbing us down, as an information resouce, imho.