27 February 2009

Archives on Riotact (aka your wish list)

| astrojax
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Can anything be done to have the ‘archives’ start with the latest story not already linked by being up in the main part of the board or titled under ‘recent posts’? It is frustrating (aww, poor me) to have to scroll to the bottom of the first page that comes up in the archives, then having to click again to get to the stories i couldn’t have already accessed.

I know this is a whinge, but where else can i whinge and have people resepct honour and love me as much as here?

[ED (Kramer) – As JB is away doing Corinbank this weekend, luckily you’ve scored me (and Jazz) as the weekend editor. To answer your question – yes, but not at the moment. We’re currently looking at a some upgrades to the site, not that there will be too much change from your POV, but I expect to improve things like this in the process.

So while you have the attention of the server & site admin, anthing else on anyone’s wish list?]

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I would also support giving premium members some kind of either self-selected avatar icons (like most forums), or supporter icons like the fine folk of B3ta.

My wish-list: change the page structure so discussions can persist more easily.

At the moment, the way riotact is presented favours those who have multiple (or continuous) opportunities to read and post during the working day. For those of us who mostly read and write after hours, its very hard to enter the discussion usefully.

Another artefact of the structure is that it is encourages rapid-fire reaction, rather than thoughtful discussion. Presumably, most people who write are supposed to be doing something else during the day (full-time parents etc excluded). And so many commenters have not even read previous entries.

BTW I have set up my own filter to ignore the ‘wtf’ and ‘+1’ one-liners, as well as those writers whose contribution is entirely trolling and baiting. It would be useful if this was an option in reading the site.

So, I would like
* less white space, more compact design
* smaller font size for headings
* better use of the top screen of the front page
* regularise the ad spaces, so less space is wasted on borders etc
* multicolumn format,
* compulsory leader paragraphs,
* many stories remain on the front screen at once,
* last few days’ stories easily visible,
* clean up the listing of recent comments so the first few real words are quoted ( not “[ ~quote comment=”187383″ ]”)
* use short user ids on screen.
* close very old threads which only serve trollers and baiters

Oh and do all this without too much script load on the reader’s browser – eg the BBC site is good, SMH bad.

Also it would be good to implement a control mechanism to ensure people’s brains are engaged before the ‘post’ button works, but I’m not sure if this can be implemented in software.

Woody Mann-Caruso8:28 am 06 Mar 09

You see no ignore function.

>get no ignore function

You get no ignore function. It will go well with your no right to be not offended.

>drink no tea

The flavour is almost, but not entirely, unlike tea. You feel warm and smug in your belief that you must be right because everybody around here seems to agree with you.

>e

There is an entry to the Total Perspective Vortex here. Certain that you are the centre of the universe, you feel quite safe.

“You have a hardware ignore feature already. Close your eyes and scroll.”

It’s not like that Dexi.

Theoretically, you can ignore them. But if you’re reading through a thread on something and you read the same poster making the same stupid remarks about ‘they should all be locked up and shot hangin’s too good for em they terk er jerbs’; by the time this has happened, the stupidity has already found its way into your brain.

“The-RiotACT is an online forum for News and Views in the Canberra (ACT) Region. It’s an open and interactive ACT online soapbox, a Riot. It is “right of reply”.”

How would an ignore feature fit with the blurb about what RA is.

Forum for news and views………..apart from the views I don’t want to see.
Open and interactive……………Closed to trolls.
The right of reply…………….the right to reply and have your reply posted and seen.

You have a hardware ignore feature already. Close your eyes and scroll.

I think any thing you do that contradicts an open forum will be bad. What you see is what you get. No hidden shenanigans.

Deckard said :

I thought that this [ignore function] would be good, but then everyone will just ignore each other and you’ll end up looking at blank pages :)”

Another blog I attend has the ignore function. It works quite well, and there is a certain satisfaction in seeing the ‘post ignored’ blank spaces.

You can sort of feel the trolls and idiots stomping their feet in frustration.

Jim Jones said :

The ultimate awesome would be having an ‘ignore’ function.

I thought that this would be good, but then everyone will just ignore each other and you’ll end up looking at blank pages 🙂

I am surprised that no-one has commented on this thread yet?

i’m ignoring that

Fourthed?

Jim Jones said :

“The ultimate awesome would be having an ‘ignore’ function.”

Thirded (sic)

Pommy bastard4:59 pm 04 Mar 09

Seconded.

The ultimate awesome would be having an ‘ignore’ function.

peterh said :

editing posts would be a viable solution if there was a time limit set on the post. if make a comment and mis-spell it in some of the other forums, I have 10 min max to fix it. set it to a shorter time so that people can’t go back and edit their post in the thread, just fix spelling.

perhaps the edited posts could go into moderation to ensure the content/context of original post has not been altered and maybe should only be available to premium subscribers

I would like RiotACT to go completely offline; instead I want the content and commentary downloaded directly to my brain and instantaneous feedback of my reactions streamed to fellow Rioters.

Perhaps this should start as a premium service?

Pommy bastard4:41 pm 02 Mar 09

That works adequately on other forums I infest.

editing posts would be a viable solution if there was a time limit set on the post. if make a comment and mis-spell it in some of the other forums, I have 10 min max to fix it. set it to a shorter time so that people can’t go back and edit their post in the thread, just fix spelling.

I would like to see RiotACT capitalise

what, RIOTACT? ; )

I would like to see RiotACT capitalise on its popularity and begin to run a few ‘exclusives’, you know this cracker of a thing called journalism.

There is alot of pining about the lack of competition for the Canberra Times, i think RiotACT is well placed to poke a few bodies out there asking the questions out the front of the LA that Canberrans would like answered and that other outlets seem a bit afraid to ask.

Pommy bastard2:25 pm 01 Mar 09

I do use firefox Kramer, though not at work ; )

I’ve got a fix in the works for the 100+ comment bug in IE. In the interim, I recommend Firefox 😉

Woody Mann-Caruso1:19 pm 01 Mar 09

It’s fine as it is. Threads blow, phpBB blows. This is clean, fast, uncluttered, and has all the functionality most users will ever need.

Pommy bastard12:20 pm 01 Mar 09

A different forum format may also rid us of the glitch which occurs, I bleieve only in IE, when posts exceed a certain number.

Pommy bastard12:16 pm 01 Mar 09

utah said :

Maybe the off topic section could have an “ask Granny” thread.

Seconded (for what it’s worth).

Thirded.

Maybe the off topic section could have an “ask Granny” thread.

Seconded (for what it’s worth).

Vic Bitterman10:19 pm 28 Feb 09

phpbb has PM functionality included, out of the box.

Most of us are too old to be on Canberra Goss. So we are here. PM function would be highly useful and surely not too hard to introduce?

“I think implementing some form of off topic thread/area, where regular users can have off-topic bitch-fests, happy cuddles and organise face-face events may be useful for more regular posters.”

That would be Canberra Goss. Well one day soon.

http://www.canberragoss.com/

Isn’t there a pill for happy cuddles.

someoneincanb7:55 pm 28 Feb 09

I think the site is great as is. More features as mentioned above would be great, but I’m happy with the way things are.

From reading the comments above, I think implementing some form of off topic thread/area, where regular users can have off-topic bitch-fests, happy cuddles and organise face-face events may be useful for more regular posters. I agree with Cameron that the conversations are what makes the site but I would just read the off-topic areas as well. People who use the site more for news would have relevant conversation.

Private messages sound nice but I can see Granny getting inundated with requests for private advice on all matters from baking to heroin-funeral diplomacy. Maybe the off topic section could have an “ask Granny” thread.

Some days I find it hard to keep up with the front page, but I know how to find the next most recent stories and it is not a hassle to do so. Far better than a long wait for something new.

The conversations about the news and views are what makes the site.

old canberran5:45 pm 28 Feb 09

Isn’t it supposed to be a news & views site? That’s what it says at the top of this page anyway. Conversations are for chat rooms. Some people are hard to please. Insert “smiling smilie”.

———————————————————————————
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Dexi

Pommy bastard4:06 pm 28 Feb 09

dexi said :

Leave it as is.
The site works.
No need for smiles, messaging and things that go beep. There is plenty of that elsewhere. This is a great local news site not a hook-up site.
Keep it simple.
Keep it private.

The one thing I would want is a list of posts that I have written. I think this may come with a subscription. Fair enough.

I disagree, the site is awkward and cumbersome. Good conversations are lost or disjointed, finding previous conversations to add new information into is very difficult. The layout is not user friendly at all.

old canberran3:55 pm 28 Feb 09

dexi said :

Leave it as is.
The site works.
No need for smilies, messaging and things that go beep. There is plenty of that elsewhere. This is a great local news site not a hook-up site.
Keep it simple.
Keep it private.

The one thing I would want is a list of posts that I have written. I think this may come with a subscription. Fair enough.

Agreed. This site is quite refreshing after PHPbb forums. It’s simple, easy to get around and it’s fast, meaning topics don’t hang around long enough to get stale and clutter things up.

The Brad said :

How about a link so I/we can see where we made our last post, or posts – similar to IMDB forums.
Sometimes I’ve forgotten what I posted last, but a nice linky would fix my problem.

That would be a slinky little linky.

Leave it as is.
The site works.
No need for smiles, messaging and things that go beep. There is plenty of that elsewhere. This is a great local news site not a hook-up site.
Keep it simple.
Keep it private.

The one thing I would want is a list of posts that I have written. I think this may come with a subscription. Fair enough.

There’s a “featured article” on the front page; I’d like to see the author’s name included. As for threaded comments, I’m pretty sure there’s a bunch of WordPress plugins that’ll do that for you for nothing. Also, I think personal messaging ought to be a subscriber-only feature; maybe it’ll encourage people to send in their $50.

Finally, I don’t get why JB tries to keep comments in posts on-topic. People come here for the content; having your community write the content for you (even if it’s just an off-topic conversation) saves you doing it, encourages people to come back regularly and still gives you your ad views. From an outsider’s point of view, that’s looking pretty win-win.

toriness said :

imhotep said :

willo said :

“..a link in other user’s profiles to see their previous posts…”

I hope that idea doesn’t get up. I’ve made too many posts I regret!

.

but if i click on people’s names i can already see what previous posts they’ve created?

only threads that have been started by that user……not individual posts made in general

I also agree with personal messaging. Granny and I were threatened with moderation just for trying to sort out how we could meet up at the Trivia Night – and this was on a “What’s on” thread.

imhotep said :

willo said :

“..a link in other user’s profiles to see their previous posts…”

I hope that idea doesn’t get up. I’ve made too many posts I regret!

.

but if i click on people’s names i can already see what previous posts they’ve created?

and with the personal messaging thing i also concur… as with pommy b’s smiley suggestion …gordon bennett, i’m agreeing with pommy b!! ; )

and tangible awards for three post nutbags!

Here are some more news aggregation sites that could be useful for ideas…

http://www.kwoff.com/
http://www.fark.com/

Pommy bastard8:37 am 28 Feb 09

I’m in agreement with most here, that comments and conversations end too soon due to them slipping off the page. How the hell am I supposed to build up support for my “hate and bigotry” club when I cannot keep track of whom I’ve insulted or offended from day to day?

; )

The facility for smilies may also enable some posters here to realise when humour is being used too.

These people do a good forum software; http://www.simplemachines.org/about/copyright.php

Cameron’s right. PHPBB and a lot of other forum type software is automatically filtered by big brother (AKA govt departmental IT systems). If you’re not in government its no a problem for you but if you are, we’ll we’d miss the pleasure of your company while at work.

The ability to subscribe to threads would be good – so that they all appear on a user’s “subscribed threads” page as a collection, or in their profile page.

The option of getting emailed when a subscribed thread is posted to would be great.

3 post nutbag: and i’m on at this outlandish time of the day because it’s mid-morning in Park City and I’m about to go shopping.

willo said :

private messaging would be useful too

Totally agree with that. I think a lot of people would like to hook up, chat, make contact etc out of the public eye. We could probably get a few more events and meet-ups going if people could caucus offline, organise, and then invite everyone to the event.

And we could institute a convention that if people sent abusive PMs, they would be published as a matter of course.

There’s a tendendcy for topics to slip beneath the waves, especially if JB is feeling loquacious and putting up lots of new topics. The recent comments thing is good, but how about the column to the left of the recent comments being topics that are recent but don’t feature in “recent comments”? That way more topics would still be see-able for longer.

I’ve often thought it would be good to have less-of the current front page topics visible, that is, having the first para or whatever as a taster, but taking up less space so more topics could remain on the front page.

proofpositive2:05 am 28 Feb 09

The ability to unsubscribe and leave the site.

Nude pictures of Bea Arthur.

private messaging would be useful too

As I understand it phpBB would mean a lot of workplace users wouldn’t be able to access the site during the day.

your own silly posts that should read….some forums give a short time after the initial post to edit spelling/ wording whatever and i find it a good tool

imhotep said :

willo said :

“..a link in other user’s profiles to see their previous posts…”

I hope that idea doesn’t get up. I’ve made too many posts I regret!

.

yes…..the ability to edit or delete silly posts would also be handy…..and is on many forums also…..

Vic Bitterman11:48 pm 27 Feb 09

phpBB does all of this out of the box, plus more, Brad, willo and Granny

willo said :

“..a link in other user’s profiles to see their previous posts…”

I hope that idea doesn’t get up. I’ve made too many posts I regret!

.

Yep, both of those please.

The Brad said :

How about a link so I/we can see where we made our last post, or posts – similar to IMDB forums.
Sometimes I’ve forgotten what I posted last, but a nice linky would fix my problem.

similarly….a link in other user’s profiles to see their previous posts would be handy and is a feature on many forums

How about a link so I/we can see where we made our last post, or posts – similar to IMDB forums.
Sometimes I’ve forgotten what I posted last, but a nice linky would fix my problem.

Vic Bitterman11:05 pm 27 Feb 09

Everything will be solved by dumping the “welcomes to the 90’s” centric wordpress and installing a modern forum dbms and interface which pretty much every web site on the face of the plant has – phpBB.

I’m even happy to donate some $ towards it too, as I reckon the brilliant riotact is being constrained by this wordpress rubbish.

Do it you can, Kramer!

Oh s**t! I’ve opened the flood gates!!!

For any of you long time Rioters you might remember the original RiotACT was on the PhpNuke platform – very similar to slashdot, and had nested/threaded comments. But we gave away the old look in favour of a slick WordPress base (although it’s dated a little now).

Yes, I agree the multiple conversations thing would be great, if we could get it working right on our platform.

slashdot.org is another option demonstrating a threaded comments view.

It gets a bit hard to track multiple conversations occurring during comments. To fix this, I’d love to have the option for a threaded view for comments… see reddit.com or digg.com for two possible options

+1

I have a bit of trouble finding out what’s happened while I’ve been offline also, and finding stories I was posting on the previous day.

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