Forum Server Issue

[mmm4444bot]

For some reason my more complete post couldn't be previewed, so I am giving up and posting an abridged version

Yes, this is a known issue that seems to come in waves. The server's security software is either misconfigured or flawed. For more than a decade, Ted has been unable or unwilling to address the issue.

There are a number of specific character strings that the security software interprets as an attack. The server responds in a number of ways. Sometimes, it produces the animated, orange busy signal that runs for awhile, eventually returning you to the point before you clicked 'Preview'. Sometimes, it crashes. Sometimes, it logs you out and blocks the IP address you'd used for 30 minutes. The issue is very frustrating, especially when a post is lost or you're interacting with a student in real time then kicked out for half an hour.

I experienced the issue twice in May (once I was booted for half an hour, and the other time I was returned to the post). Neither instance involved posts containing anything other than English sentences. Experimentation by deleting paragraphs one by one narrowed the issue down to the problematic paragraph, which I then had to experiment with using rewordings. (Major PITA.)

TIPS: With very long posts, I always toggle the BB code display and copy the entire post into a text file for safekeeping before using Preview. Whenever you're unable to log back in, use a different IP address for immediate access.

 

[blamocur]

This is very informative -- thank you. A question: how do you toggle BB code ? By clicking "Remove formatting" ?

 

[mmm4444bot]

By clicking "Remove formatting" ?

No, that will permanently remove all BB code from highlighted text (i.e., removes color, boldface, indents, font and size changes, superscripts, spoilers, etc).

The toggle for displaying/not displaying BB code is [ ] and appears immediately to the left of the Drafts icon (which looks like a floppy disk).

Clicking the toggle switches between views, as shown below.

 

[blamocur]

No, that will permanently remove all BB code from highlighted text (i.e., removes color, boldface, indents, font and size changes, superscripts, spoilers, etc).

The toggle for displaying/not displaying BB code is [ ] and appears immediately to the left of the Drafts icon (which looks like a floppy disk).

Clicking the toggle switches between views, as shown below.

View attachment 38147

View attachment 38148

Never noticed that thing before -- thanks again!

 

[mmm4444bot]

You're welcome. For everyone, I'll mention that the issue may occur when submitting a post, too. Also, the toggle for displaying BB code does not reset on its own (even if you log in again later). Once changed, your view will remain that way until you toggle it back.