New forum bug

[CallumWK]

I surf the forum through the new content page, so when I see an interesting topic I click on the topic title.

Since today, when clicking the topic title of a thread I haven't entered before, the page automatically opens to the last post made.

[CharlieH]

That's nor a bug it's a default setting, where would you prefer it went ?

[CallumWK]

9 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

That's nor a bug it's a default setting, where would you prefer it went ?

 

When clicking the topic title, I suppose it takes you to the OP.

[CharlieH]

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

When clicking the topic title, I suppose it takes you to the OP.

It can take you to the OP, to the last post or the last unread post. If its a new topic its probably 1 page anyway, if its multiple pages there are navigation arrows to take you back to the start.Currently it takes you to where you can post.

 

[CallumWK]

4 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Currently it takes you to where you can post.

 

Correct, currently it takes you where you can post, which is right below the last post, which I consider is quite an inconvenience if the thread has already several pages.

In the past, clicking the topic title would take you to the OP, while clicking on the time the last post was made would take you to the last post, or if you had entered the thread previously, it would take you to the first unread post.

[Old Curmudgeon]

17 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Correct, currently it takes you where you can post, which is right below the last post, which I consider is quite an inconvenience if the thread has already several pages.

 

I agree with @CallumWK about this problem, but for a different reason.

 

Because default goes to below last post -- ready for a new post -- most readers will glance at the last post, and then post some reply.

This is very bad user interface, because if the last post was off topic -- and most are -- then the new post will also be off topic ... and away we go into a maze of off topic posts.

 

I didn't realize this until @CallumWK brought it up.

But it explains why most threads quickly deteriorate into a total hash of off-topic comments.

 

However, if forum goal is to maximize quantity of posts -- regardless of relevance to the topic -- then the current default certainly does that.

 

Edited Monday at 03:06 PM by Old Curmudgeon

[BigStar]

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Correct, currently it takes you where you can post, which is right below the last post, which I consider is quite an inconvenience if the thread has already several pages.

 

I like it, as most threads aren't new, I've read previous posts, and I just want to go to the latest one, maybe scroll up a few above it. Good default.

[degrub]

Clicking on the time - would be nice to go to the first unread or start of last post rather than the response box.

Clicking on the thread title - go to the OP would be convenient .

 

what about exposing the options in the user options section of their profile ?

 

[CallumWK]

3 minutes ago, degrub said:

Clicking on the time - would be nice to go to the first unread or start of last post rather than the response box.

Clicking on the thread title - go to the OP would be convenient .

 

That was actually how it was until recently

[CharlieH]

And as this topic demonstrates, some do some don't, you can never please everyone all the time. 🙂

[CallumWK]

I see 1 poster who claims it suits him fine, but I have doubts about that, as he says most threads are not new.

Does he mean he will never open a new thread to comment on?

Anyway, it has always been the way I describe, until very recently, so why "fix" something that isn't broken?

[still kicking]

2 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

When clicking the topic title, I suppose it takes you to the OP.

Agree, when I click on the OP it brings me to the last post and I have to navigate till I find the Op post.

[degrub]

24 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

And as this topic demonstrates, some do some don't, you can never please everyone all the time. 🙂

True. So why not put those options in the user profile ?

would that slow down the forum ?

 

[CharlieH]

7 hours ago, degrub said:

True. So why not put those options in the user profile ?

would that slow down the forum ?

 

The forum software doesn't have that option for the individual user.

[CallumWK]

11 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Currently it takes you to where you can post.

 

Isn't that a bit contradictory with the purpose of a forum discussion, where it is supposed that you read previous posts before you form yourself an opinion, and start posting?

[CharlieH]

55 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Isn't that a bit contradictory with the purpose of a forum discussion, where it is supposed that you read previous posts before you form yourself an opinion, and start posting?

Not really, once again, it depends on personal preference, if topics are ,multple pages, then people rarely start at the beginning and work through, in most cases of multiple pages, they read the title, then the last page, and join in. Of course its different if the topic is only 2 or 3 pages, but in any event there are easy navigation arrows where you land to go back to start or even a specific page. 

[CharlieH]

10 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I see 1 poster who claims it suits him fine, but I have doubts about that, as he says most threads are not new.

Does he mean he will never open a new thread to comment on?

Anyway, it has always been the way I describe, until very recently, so why "fix" something that isn't broken?

No it hasnt "always been" at all, when a new theme is adopted, there are literally 100's of setting that need to be done, some are "default" and can be adjusted as required, this theme is new and the setting you describe is default, we can change it if enough people request it, so far it seems you are the only one, possibly 2 in this thread of thousands of users.So, we are not tying to "fix" anything.