I've checked all through the Feedback forum, so I apologize if this has been brought up and I just haven't seen it... but here we go:
I really dig the "Dot" (found threads on that) notifying me of a thread I've posted in. I appreciate the "(x) new" posts notification on each thread. It tells me how much I have to read through now that the thread is updated. These are very good things.
However.
(and there is always a however)
Would it be too server-intensive to provide a section at the top of our Messageboards page that said:
"The following threads you posted in have been updated since your last visit:
(Thread 1)
(Thread 1+n)
(Thread 2+n)"
And so on?
The reason I ask is because it can quite clearly become cumbersome and time consuming to go browsing back through each and every forum subsection one has posted in to find updated threads if one is a prolific contributor.
Compiling a list at the top of the page, or heck, even under our "Account" page in the Messageboards subsection, might go a long way to streamline things and make for happier users.
Just a thought!
Thanks!
Well any threads you want to follow you can subscribe via the RSS feed and it'll update whenever the thread does.
Where is this option documented? Sounds like a reasonable alternative, assuming the question I asked has an answer of "no." :)
If you look at the thread title there's the little orange symbol on the right side, that's the link to add it to your RSS/Feed Reader. I personally use Google Reader, but there are a number of them out there and most browsers can also natively handle them as live bookmarks.
I apologize, I was unclear in my question.
I caught that there's an RSS link at the top of each thread, and figured that it would allow people with an RSS reader to use that method to subscribe to a thread that they could then keep tabs on via their reader.
My question was "where on the site is it documented as an option available to users" - when it should have included "What about those of us who don't use an RSS reader?" I personally do not, as I do not use enough sites that offer RSS feeds to warrant adding yet another "stop" on my daily routine. I am also asking after this option because I am sure that I am not the only one who does not use an RSS reader in their daily rounds.
To be honest and fair, thus far the Paizo boards are the only messageboards I frequent that do not notify the user in some board-native manner that they have new posts on their subscribed threads. Be it through a user control panel, or a notification at the top of their landing page, every other site I have used since FIDONet went the way of the Passenger Pigeon has used some method of notification. The only times this is not the case has been when the board in question has not had the back-end capacity to handle it.
I figure there must be a good reason as to why they don't. I'm just curious as to what it is. If it's "We don't do this because you can RSS all your threads," then that's fine. If however, it's more of an "Well, we never really thought of it," or "Our machines can't handle the strain," then those are fine, too.
If you look at the thread title there's the little orange symbol on the right side, that's the link to add it to your RSS/Feed Reader. I personally use Google Reader, but there are a number of them out there and most browsers can also natively handle them as live bookmarks.I apologize, I was unclear in my question.
I caught that there's an RSS link at the top of each thread, and figured that it would allow people with an RSS reader to use that method to subscribe to a thread that they could then keep tabs on via their reader.
My question was "where on the site is it documented as an option available to users" - when it should have included "What about those of us who don't use an RSS reader?" I personally do not, as I do not use enough sites that offer RSS feeds to warrant adding yet another "stop" on my daily routine. I am also asking after this option because I am sure that I am not the only one who does not use an RSS reader in their daily rounds.
To be honest and fair, thus far the Paizo boards are the only messageboards I frequent that do not notify the user in some board-native manner that they have new posts on their subscribed threads. Be it through a user control panel, or a notification at the top of their landing page, every other site I have used since FIDONet went the way of the Passenger Pigeon has used some method of notification. The only times this is not the case has been when the board in question has not had the back-end capacity to handle it.
I figure there must be a good reason as to why they don't. I'm just curious as to what it is. If it's "We don't do this because you can RSS all your threads," then that's fine. If however, it's more of an "Well, we never really thought of it," or "Our machines can't handle the strain," then those are fine, too.
I don't mean to sound critical, but if you use IE or Firefox or a derivative thereof, you have a built in RSS feed reader, and "adding another 'stop'" as you say is hogwash. If you're spending too much time scanning pages of messageboards to find something you haven't read, then the RSS option actually saves you time. I have 11 threads watched right now, imagine how much time it saves me when all I have to do is read the threads that get bolded (50% of them in any given hour, tops).
I don't mean to sound critical, but if you use IE or Firefox or a derivative thereof, you have a built in RSS feed reader, and "adding another 'stop'" as you...
By all means, be critical. I appreciate it, actually.
To be fair, it's not so much "hogwash" as it is "not something that concerns" you, as you have a method that works for you. It works for you, and you use it to great effect. I am inquiring as to a method that people who do not use an RSS reader (they do exist, I swear! More than just me!) would use to make their lives easier.
You're absolutely correct in that the browsers do support it. I will not venture into the realm of "what about those folks who have IT departments who disable RSS feeds in their company approved browsers?" because while it is valid, it's not the case here.
My question is simply what it is- I'm wondering why the Paizo boards don't have a notification system that is not contingent on an external source for subscribed/replied threads. They're literally the only boards I frequent to do so. Being insatiably curious, I decided to ask a question. So far, while alternative suggestions have been offered (and for that I am grateful), no real answer has been forthcoming.
I am still curious as to what that might be! :)
We don't have it because we haven't built it yet. It's on the to-do list, though.
Aha! Thank you, sir! Curiosity sated!
In the meantime, have you tried the "focus" button?We don't have it because we haven't built it yet. It's on the to-do list, though.Aha! Thank you, sir! Curiosity sated!
I am unfamiliar with that of which you speak. Where might I find this, or is it perhaps known by another name?
Chief Technical Officer
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I am unfamiliar with that of which you speak. Where might I find this, or is it perhaps known by another name?In the meantime, have you tried the "focus" button?We don't have it because we haven't built it yet. It's on the to-do list, though.Aha! Thank you, sir! Curiosity sated!
On the upper right of each subforum, you'll find a "Focus" link. (Currently, it's only on the lowest level forums, but we hope to improve on that eventually.) It will filter the forum to... well, it uses a secret mix of herbs and spices to help you find things that are likely to be of interest to you.
On the upper right of each subforum, you'll find a "Focus" link. (Currently, it's only on the lowest level forums, but we hope to improve on that eventually.) It will filter the forum to... well, it uses a secret mix of herbs and spices to help you find things that are likely to be of interest to you.I am unfamiliar with that of which you speak. Where might I find this, or is it perhaps known by another name?In the meantime, have you tried the "focus" button?We don't have it because we haven't built it yet. It's on the to-do list, though.Aha! Thank you, sir! Curiosity sated!
Cool, I'll give that a shot. Thank you kindly!