The dreaded PFL -- Premature Forum Logout

[tjcruiser]

Gents,

Alright ... maybe it's just me, and the fact that I'm spending too much time thinking about toy trains and not enough time wining and dining my wife. Chemical changes must be taking place, and I've been prone to unexpected (and uninvited) bouts of PFL -- Premature Forum Logout ...

You know ... those embarrasing times where you Login to the Forum, go to a Thread, and then start compiling a post or reply. But while you're collecting your thoughts and all that, and finally finish what you're writing, you go to hit the Submit button only to find out that you've been unceremoniously logged OUT of the Forum. Done. Finito. Everyone else is sitting there "smoking a cigarette", and you're stuck there just ... well ... left out in the cold!

So (and seriously) ... is there a way to change my settings somehow such that my default "inactive logout time" (or whatever it's called) is longer that what it is now? After all ... longer is better!

TJ

[tankist]

never happens to me. but then again i have it set to "remember me" (the checkmark near the login credentials). clear your cookies and try again, set the checkbox before you login

[T-Man]

I take a long time and have lost posts. I save often and even copy the page before I try to save. I will try the remember block. Thanks.

[DigitalTrain]

I think the default for vBulletin forums is to boot out anyone from Rhode Island every 30 mins.

Never had this problem. (What I can suggest is right before you post, select everything you written and right-click on your mouse and choose copy). This way if this ever happened again, you can easily just right-click and choose paste to bring it all back
:-)

[Reckers]

I have found that occurs when I do the following:
1. Get on the site for a while
2. Do something else that takes some time, while not closing the forum site page
3. Come back and re-open the window OR open the site in a new window but forget to log on
4. Followed by typing, submitting, and cursing as I go back and id myself. And retype.

Fortunately, if you use the back-up (previous screen) arrow, you can recapture what you lost, copy it, and then post it after signing in, again.

[Reckers]

One more thing about the site that truly puzzles me. Everything posted above is in a nice, neat column, easy to read and so on. Once in a while, though, I'll hit a thread that doesn't have the same width. I might read two or three new posts with the normal width, then I hit one that runs off the 'page' to the right and have to scroll across to continue reading it, eventually doubling back to the next line. It's not a change I'm making, because the next post I read is back down in the column, again.

This perplexes me. Any thoughts on what causes it?

[tjcruiser]

Hey ... Hey ... take it EASY on RI ... I'll have you know that our little state cultivates some of the very best corrupt politicians out there!

Tankist ... good call on the "remember me" toggle ... I haven't been using that, but I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

For sure, I've been Ctrl-C copying my long posts-in-progress before I submit. I do that with lots of other computer stuff, too ... I've been bit in the butt too many times, and finally gat that little trick drilled into my head.

[tjcruiser]

One more thing about the site that truly puzzles me. Everything posted above is in a nice, neat column, easy to read and so on. Once in a while, though, I'll hit a thread that doesn't have the same width. I might read two or three new posts with the normal width, then I hit one that runs off the 'page' to the right and have to scroll across to continue reading it, eventually doubling back to the next line. It's not a change I'm making, because the next post I read is back down in the column, again.

This perplexes me. Any thoughts on what causes it?

Haven't seen that one ... I'll let you know if I do.:confused:

[Reckers]

Gents,

Alright ... maybe it's just me, and the fact that I'm spending too much time thinking about toy trains and not enough time wining and dining my wife. Chemical changes must be taking place, and I've been prone to unexpected (and uninvited) bouts of PFL -- Premature Forum Logout ...

You know ... those embarrasing times where you Login to the Forum, go to a Thread, and then start compiling a post or reply. But while you're collecting your thoughts and all that, and finally finish what you're writing, you go to hit the Submit button only to find out that you've been unceremoniously logged OUT of the Forum. Done. Finito. Everyone else is sitting there "smoking a cigarette", and you're stuck there just ... well ... left out in the cold!

So (and seriously) ... is there a way to change my settings somehow such that my default "inactive logout time" (or whatever it's called) is longer that what it is now? After all ... longer is better!

TJ

Ironic...when I play with trains, I think about wining and dining your wife!:D

[DigitalTrain]

Ironic...when I play with trains, I think about wining and dining your wife!:D

http://www.coolcarvideos.com/public/misc/this_thread_is_useless_without_pics.gif

(Post wife pics!)

[tjcruiser]

Now, now, boys ... take it easy ...

So, Reckers ... here's the deal. You're welcome to wine/dine my wife ... with just one provision: She likes the White Horse Tavern here in RI. She's all yours, buddy ... but ya' better dust off that Platinum American Express card befor you head out ... you'll need it!

[Reckers]

*LOL* How about one of my ex-wife?

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/reckandstep/Model%20Railroading/Beast_web_023_small.jpg

[tworail]

LOL, this is not an automotive forum.

Regarding the login/logout stuff... What everyone else said :)

Also, should you ever find yourself in that situation, just hit the back button to get to your post, it still should be there. That might be browser dependent though.

[Reckers]

Now, now, boys ... take it easy ...

So, Reckers ... here's the deal. You're welcome to wine/dine my wife ... with just one provision: She likes the White Horse Tavern here in RI. She's all yours, buddy ... but ya' better dust off that Platinum American Express card befor you head out ... you'll need it!

There's room for compromise, here. How about if I take her to White Castle, then horse around with some wine? :laugh:

[stationmaster]

Darn, I thought this thread was going to be about "premature flatulence letting". I was hoping for a cure.

Bob

[Reckers]

No need for a cure. They're only premature if accompanied by solid or liquid discharge. That's avoided by the employing the restricted orifice (provided by manufacturer) in an effective manner. This should be accompanied by a thoughtfully-distracted expression and then rapid departure from the locale. In milatary parlance, with A-O referring to area of operations, you "Un-Ass the AO" immediately after emission. Tankist, how does armor handle the confined-space aspect of this problem?

[tjcruiser]

Jeez Louise ...

I started this thread, but I'm wondering if I can declare it Officially Closed?!? (Else true gentlemen run the risk of degenerating further !!!)

Not that I'm not prone to bouts of PFL myself, mind you ...

TJ

[bradimous1]

a couple things from other forums I have been involved with in the past.

1. Reckers - the strange arrangement of columns may be do to some pics being larger than the normal width. with everyone running on different size screens, this may affect people with smaller screens more than others

2. most forums have a time frame in which it automatically logs you out... I have only been involved in one that allowed you to adjust this time frame or get rid of it all together. the only real full proof way to beat this is to do what t-man said and copy what you typed prior to posting it... that way if you do get logged out, you can go back to where you were and paste it.

I don't know if either of these are the cases on this site as I am new to it, but that is my experience on other forums. hope that this helps someone out.

[stationmaster]

I don't log out. And I've never been "unlogged". The only time I have to log back in is when I delete my brower history. Too many forums and too many passwords.

Bob

[Reckers]

Brad,

Thanks for the input. I wondered what might be causing it. And, tj? Here's an educational site for you. Being a Rhodie, I 'spect you probably need it more than you know. http://www.heptune.com/farts.html

[Reckers]

I don't log out. And I've never been "unlogged". The only time I have to log back in is when I delete my brower history. Too many forums and too many passwords.

Bob

I just realized one reason I keep getting the log-out. My company has a minimal-memory fetish for pc's. To keep the beast from bogging down, I'll periodically do a quick delete on the sites, history, etc. When I do, I end up logged out on the forum. D'uh!

signed,
Homer Simpson

[Reckers]

http://www.coolcarvideos.com/public/misc/this_thread_is_useless_without_pics.gif

(Post wife pics!)

I promised not to post them. *L* She's purty, though!

[tjcruiser]

I just realized one reason I keep getting the log-out. My company has a minimal-memory fetish for pc's. To keep the beast from bogging down, I'll periodically do a quick delete on the sites, history, etc. When I do, I end up logged out on the forum. D'uh!

signed,
Homer Simpson

Yeah, you're deleting your "cookies" in the process.

I've now checked the "remember me" toggle when logging in, and the problem seems to have gone away (duhh ... I'm the Homer, there.)

But I'll still Ctrl-C copy a long post-in-progress while I'm typing, just to cover my butt ...

(Not that that has anything to do directly with that link there, Reckers!)

[Reckers]

Linking is the most sincere form of flattery, tj. I'll take whatever I can get.

[big ed]

I encounter the same problem.:confused:

When responding to a thread if I take too long or go and get a link to insert when I hit submit it brings me to the log in screen.
I don't have to retype all I wrote but I lose all the new posts.

I then have to search for them and am unable to locate all of them.
Days later I see a post that I missed.

I will try the remember me check when I log in and see if that works.:thumbsup:

[stationmaster]

Yep, Reckers, I thought the only links you were familiar with were the links attaching your ankle to that ball you drag around. You know the one attached to your ankle......

Bob

[Reckers]

*grins* Bob, I am familiar with that kind of link. However, I'm probably the only guy on the site who's managed to slip the leash three times!

[stationmaster]

I wasn't foolish enough to try it three times. Twice was enough. I "co-habitate" now. Not much difference really, but this ball is MUCH lighter. lol

Bob

[tjcruiser]

I wasn't foolish enough to try it three times. Twice was enough. I "co-habitate" now. Not much difference really, but this ball is MUCH lighter. lol

Bob

Maybe that's a good use for our left over Pink Stuff insulation foam that we use on our layouts. Carve a bit into a ball shape, spray paint it black, then tie it to our ankles ... It should fool the gals for at least a little while!

[AMRoadFan]

Here's an idea that I use for email and other posting-type actions, after losing several important and well-thought-out compositions...

Open WordPad (or NotePad) and type / edit to your heart's content, and when you're happy with it, copy and paste into the posting/message box, and finish up with bells and whistles and formatting.
(I have added WordPad and other useful programs/apps to my Windows START menu*; two clicks and WordPad is open! A real time-saver!)
* such as Word, Excel, Paint, video apps, Google Earth, and other oft-used programs!
LOL----As I went to "Post Quick Reply" this message, I too got snookered with the words-of-death:
The following errors occurred with your submission
1. You do not have permission to perform this action. Please refresh the page and login before trying again.
Fortunately I saved it just before I clicked on the button, which is another method you can try. In fact, it will save your formatting and other add-ons. In fact, management should add this thought to the bar with the quick-post button, as a "public service announcement" for its treasured members.

[Reckers]

*modestly*....I just do it right the first time. All the time. Never an error. Honest.:D

[tjcruiser]

AMRoadFan,

Good tips there. I have lots of goodies on my START menu, including the old bust trusty Notepad. Now, if I could just remember to use it for the reasons you mention!

Thanks for the reminder!

TJ