Live Update of Thread When Posting (and general modernization)

[Bijo]

It is a suggestion that suddenly came up. I find the Org good as it is, but I think it can be better, as anything in the world can be better.

Some way to update the thread live which you can see as you post (as you write a message). Let us say that it can lead to... certain situations if this feature, in whatever way it is to be, is not installed.

Furthermore, I was personally cogitating a modernization of the forum (which included the Live Thread Update). For instance, more Flash, Shockwave, etcetera, elements. A more graphical and modern interactive approach.

For instance, as you type, perhaps there is a graphical representation that scrolls a window in which the relevant thread (to which one posts) is. Perhaps a sound is made that emphasizes the fact that a new message has been posted in this thread and it is shown.

More interactive, graphical and modern would also mean that for instance if one would be on the main overall view of the forum the threads and subforums in which changes are made are graphically emphasized (what is currently in view). Perhaps that which is out of view could be notified as well by an up/down arrow (for example).

Extra messages would be displayed on the bottom side of the screen that shows someone has posted a message in a certain thread and subforum.

Etcetera, etcetera.

[Bijo]

A double post for I cannot edit at the moment.


To exemplify more, regard instant message software. For instance when one's online AOL Instant Messenger provides one with a notification when e-mail is received, or when someone on your friends list arrives.

In the case of Hotmail instant messaging one can see notifications of all kind as well such as a piece of the message you are receiving at the moment and from whom it originates.

Or regard Gmail: it also has some of these features. The point I attempt to make is that more interactivity, "liveness", graphical (and perhaps sound) notifications, and overall modernization would not only be better-looking but also more efficient in one's online activity.

It would for instance have prevented me from posting a certain message whereafter I have lost my Edit button without even being aware of what had been posted before me.

My reasons are sufficiently in order and logical. What say you?

[Andres]

It would for instance have prevented me from posting a certain message whereafter I have lost my Edit button without even being aware of what had been posted before me.

If you lost your edit button, I take it you got a warning.

Warnings are issued for the violation of forum rules. The forum rules can be found in the Entrance Hall, in the Guild FAQ (it's stickied). Some subfora have extra, most of the time more stringent, rules e.g. the rules concerning language in the guides sections. They are stickied as well. In other words: you cannot miss the rules. Besides, by signing up, you agreed to them.

Every time you post at the Org, you are supposed to have read all these rules and to obey them. What gets posted by a moderator while you are writing your post is in fact irrelevant concerning the received warning, since you are already supposed to follow the Org's rules when posting.

Just my

[drone]

When using the post editor, the posts in the thread are shown below (at least, they are in the RTW skin). If you write up a post, and then use the "Preview Post" button, you will not only see your post in all it's tagged glory, but the thread's posts will update accordingly below the editor. I usually preview before submitting, to proof-read my post as well as check for new submissions.

I wouldn't mind some form of RSS feed mechanism, but I don't know how much effort or bandwidth that would take.

[SwordsMaster]

Oh, dear God no flash please. And no sound. If you're too lazy to check a forum for new messages, it is really not the forum skins you should be considering changing.

[Bijo]

When using the post editor, the posts in the thread are shown below (at least, they are in the RTW skin). If you write up a post, and then use the "Preview Post" button, you will not only see your post in all it's tagged glory, but the thread's posts will update accordingly below the editor. I usually preview before submitting, to proof-read my post as well as check for new submissions.

If that is true, that is at least... workable. But it would be tedious to press the button to preview, especially if one writes a long post (-- as I type now it would simply be tedious or bothersome to hit 'preview post' and I do not perform this action even if I know it is possible someone else has now already posted before this current is submitted). This limited option is not more efficient and useful than the suggestion of some sort of "live forum" -- a forum that is "alive", breathing, interactive, more graphical, etcetera.

(The purpose of 'preview' is to preview your post (and it actually does not at all clearly resembles your finalized post when submission is performed).)

A version of the forum in which the "live interactivity mode" is actived would be splendid, and a version that is as it is now. The option could reside in the User CP where options are controlled.

I wouldn't mind some form of RSS feed mechanism, but I don't know how much effort or bandwidth that would take.

RSS?

[drone]

RSS?

Really Simple Syndication

For me, really long posts are exactly what the Preview Post button is for. I usually make more grammar, syntax or spelling errors in long posts, the preview lets me read it all in post format to see how it comes across. It also gives me a second chance to rethink the post altogether (is it necessary, is it spam, is it pushing the boundaries of the forum rules, etc.). Also, since writing long posts takes longer, the preview allows you to see posts that come in while the "novel" was being written.

Having a live forum mode would require a shift from browser-side "requested data" to server-side "pushed data". I'm pretty sure this is not a trivial task, from either a programming or bandwidth standpoint.