You know, I really like the new layout of the forums, but it didn't address the one beef I've had with the UI ever since I've been here. (All of a week or two. :)

The way that messages are marked read is really annoying. They're not marked read after you *read* them, they're all marked read after you leave. I would really like the option to have the option of marking messages read manually. There are a lot of great posts here, and I can't always read / answer them in one sitting. And then, if I make a mistake (like closing my browser by accident... :) I have no idea what threads have new posts.

I dunno if this can be done with PHP or whatever, but it would sure be cool if it could.

I agree that it is problematic. Often I'll find posts that I have not read that are not listed as being "new since the last login", but are. If something were to be improved, that would be my first priority. Given that I read 95% of the posts.

Mike

It's times like these that I wonder why I put myself through this, honestly.

You can mark posts read manually - although it's a matter of marking all posts in a forum or in the entire forums. You should see the option to mark all posts read on the right hand side of your screen, right above the list of topics when looking at a forum.

Messages are marked read after you read them. I'm not certain what you're talking about - if I read one thread in Indie Game Design, and two other threads have new messages, and I leave the forum and come back, those two threads still have new messages listed.

Sometimes, I'll hit back when using the forums and think, "Why isn't that topic listed at read?" Then I remember I hit back, and the page is in my browser's cache. If I hit reload, everything's alright.

Lastly - I didn't code these forums. I don't plan to. I appreciate the input, but I'm using these as written. The posts read function is a great, great deal better than in the last version, and that's something to be happy about.

Clinton R Nixon wrote:
You can mark posts read manually - although it's a matter of marking all posts in a forum or in the entire forums. You should see the option to mark all posts read on the right hand side of your screen, right above the list of topics when looking at a forum.

Paganini wrote:
Actually, I don't have anything like that. I just went and checked. I have:

View posts since last visit
View your posts
View unanswered posts

And that's all.

But the real problem isn't posts not getting marked read, it's with the *automatic* marking of posts when I leave. If I leave some posts unread, they're marked as read the next time I visit. In fact, the forum doesn't seem to track "read" or "unread" status of posts; it tracks by timestamp. Messages posted since my last recorded login are a different color. (Hence, "view posts since last visit.) If there was a post made before my last login that I didn't read, then I'm out of luck.

Clinton is being polite. I think you're picking at the fine points. No software is perfect. So, when the forum software loses your posts or deletes what you've typed (and the earliest incarnation of this forum did that all the time), then it's time to say something. Otherwise, why not just enjoy the many good things about these forums?

Clinton R Nixon wrote:
Cough. Hm. I said, "in a forum." That is, in Indie Game Design, or in Site Discussion, or in wherever. When you're looking at the main screen for the forums - in the plural - it's at the bottom of the list of forums on the left.

I'm sorry if you think I'm being belligerant. You're asking me to make the forums read your mind. Trust me, you and everyone else would complain if I made you manually mark each post you've read. (I've never seen a forum that works that way, and with good reason.) Of course, someone's going to have a problem no matter how the forums work.

I read each and every post on here every day. I don't have a single problem doing so. I'm of average intelligence, with a completely normal computer. Given all that, I have a hard time understanding the problem.

I'll - well, work on it. Like I said, I'm not particularly planning on re-coding these forums. I've got the knowledge to, but I'd rather do something creative instead. (In addition - all edits I make have to be really carefully documented - everytime I upgrade the forum, all my changes are wiped out.)

To everyone: if you have a suggestion for the forums, I'd prefer it if you private messaged me. If you have what appears to be a problem, feel free to put it here or private message me, but I won't be able to help you if you don't provide, at a minimum, the browser you're using, and the operating system it runs on.

Clinton R Nixon wrote:
To everyone: if you have a suggestion for the forums, I'd prefer it if you private messaged me. If you have what appears to be a problem, feel free to put it here or private message me, but I won't be able to help you if you don't provide, at a minimum, the browser you're using, and the operating system it runs on.

Logan wrote:
Clinton is being polite. I think you're picking at the fine points. No software is perfect. So, when the forum software loses your posts or deletes what you've typed (and the earliest incarnation of this forum did that all the time), then it's time to say something. Otherwise, why not just enjoy the many good things about these forums?

My reasoning is very simple:

This site is provided as a free service. Compared to other sites I've seen with similar arrangements, this one is well-run and Clinton is generous about adding features and trying to keep people happy.

It's one thing to make a simple request. It's another to say that a minor dysfunction is a "major problem." This request is not a "major problem." Losing posts is a "major problem." This request is a, "Clinton, the site is doing thus and such. Is there anything you can do about it?" Clinton already answered. As for his politeness or lack of same, well, we were typing at the same time. Anyway, he didn't tell anyone to get stuffed, so I reckon he was polite. Don't you?

Oh, one other thing... This place *is* a private playground. Specifically, it's Clinton's private playground. He shares it with all of us, which is nice of him. Until we all start paying for subscriptions, we are here as his guests. I think many of us forget that from time to time.

Hey,

I think everyone has said his piece on this thread, and I'd like to call it before anyone feels the need to repeat said piece.

A protocol for forum-concerns might be a good idea, in writing. That is, if X is not working, who to contact and how, that sort of thing. If we do that, it will happen later, not immediately.

Best,
Ron

Eye of the beholder: What's "minor" to one individual could well be "major" to someone else.

Further, this doesn't really answer as to the reasoning for your statements along the lines of folks without "major" problems just keeping quiet and enjoying everything else.
Though perhaps you meant to respond to that part with the "provided as free," in which case please see further below.

I don't think the request was so off-the-wall, however, to be considered in bad taste or intent.

Anyway, he didn't tell anyone to get stuffed, so I reckon he was polite. Don't you?

Oh, one other thing... This place *is* a private playground. Specifically, it's Clinton's private playground. He shares it with all of us, which is nice of him. Until we all start paying for subscriptions, we are here as his guests. I think many of us forget that from time to time.

Ron Edwards wrote:
I think everyone has said his piece on this thread, and I'd like to call it before anyone feels the need to repeat said piece.

Raven,

Let us agree to disagree - and move on.