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fischersd

macrumors 603
Original poster
Oct 23, 2014
5,386
1,946
Port Moody, BC, Canada
Wondering if the board software couldn't be augmented to provide a current status ribbon at the top of each page of a thread? (could have the update capability the thread starter as well as anyone with X number of posts).

Just wondering if that wouldn't cut down on those that don't read before they post (by reducing the effort to get caught up to zero) :)

Me, I'd still like to see AI built into the board software to detect that behaviour...and maybe shock collars for repeat offenders? ;)
/s

Thoughts? (or was this tried before?)
 
I don't follow what you mean by "status"?
Example - in the iOS 11.x.x release speculation thread, when you have one of the members that has an internal Apple contact comment on the ETA for a release (beta or otherwise), you could pop that into the thread status (thereby eliminating pages and pages of people asking "When's the next xxx release?" :)

I'm not saying it would be appropriate for all threads.

Could also be useful for problem threads so people notice that the problem has been resolved. (possibly with a link to the solution).
 
The Xenforo forum software does not have a feature like that, but how about using the tags feature? I just added a tag to this thread up top you can see. The thing is only the thread starter can add tags. Would that sort of work for what you suggested.
 
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As someone who keeps up with third party developers on the XF platform, I've never heard of this before. Cool idea, though. Honestly surprised it's never been ported.
 
The Xenforo forum software does not have a feature like that, but how about using the tags feature? I just added a tag to this thread up top you can see. The thing is only the thread starter can add tags. Would that sort of work for what you suggested.
That would work provided people were observant enough and took the time to peruse the latest links. Many on here are just too lazy. Given that it is not that noticeable, I don't think it would make the impact the member is looking for.
 
@Weaselboy , @BasicGreatGuy - agreed - it doesn't stand out enough. I think you almost have to slap some of these people in the face with the information to get them to elicit the desired behaviour. :) (hence my shock collar comment).

Hmm. Does the board software have the capability of having a ribbon at the top of the browser window instead? (maybe have the content of the ribbon change for each thread that they're in) - or disappear when they're in threads that don't have that turned on?
 
I would not prefer a ribbon that pops up at the top of the browser window. It would be inconsistent as you browse the forums.

Tags are where it's at, as long as there's a way to search tags only.

EDIT: Tag search: https://forums.macrumors.com/tags/
 
I'm still confused, by the term ribbon, I'm not sure what the OP is actually asking. When I see the term ribbon, I envision what MS has in Office
2018-02-07_08-21-58.png
 
Heh....."ribbon" goes back to my handheld days I guess. It was the status line at the top of many mobile apps. Many websites do something similar in that they may have a rolling "ticker" at the top giving you latest updates. Stock sites could do that with current stock prices.

Doesn't need to roll or scroll - but having something stand out with the latest news would save a lot of questions.

Edit: Now that I think of it...we used to do that in mainframe apps as well - we could send out system updates to all of the users with an update that would scroll across the top line of text across their screens.
 
If the OP edited the first post to reflect the latest status it would help greatly in my opinion. On other forums it seems to be the norm and cuts down on the "I haven't the time to read 282 pages, what is the current status?" posts. And it would help having to search for "the latest status" that is actually on page 197 of the 282 page thread. I see it done here too, but mostly on articles or threads from staff.



Mike
 
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