Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Simon King /

May 07, 2002 09:40PM

I'm considering implementing a change to the forum that would provide "Float to Top" capabilities. The idea behind this is that whatever the most recently replied to message is, that message is listed as the first one in the forum.

More active threads naturally stay near the top, and less active ones "float" down. The upside to this is that if someone has insight on a post that is very old, it can be noticed and brought back into view on the first page.

This would make the "latest posts" area less necessary, since you would easily see which posts are on top -- though I wouldn't take away the "latest posts" area since it serves a slightly different purpose.

What do you think of this? Is it a good idea? Do you see any down sides?

simon

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Brandon Eliason /

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brandon

May 07, 2002 10:39PM

It doesn't seem like it would be very useful to me, but as long as you keep the latest post option, I have no problem with it. Who knows, I could grow to like it.

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Matt Wilson /

May 07, 2002 11:10PM

I think that it would be very useful. It would allow people to follow up on old posts.

Matt

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Brian P. /

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brianp

May 08, 2002 02:33AM

I thought that's what the system was anyway. Goes to show how much attention I pay to detail.

Anyway yeah that works well on another message board I know of.

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Ron Brown /

May 08, 2002 09:40AM

Simon,

Sounds good to me, I never have figured out the logic behind the current order. : )

Ron

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

casey /

May 08, 2002 10:06AM

yeah.. hook it up, baby. i think thats a good idea.

-c

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Brent Smith /

May 08, 2002 01:14PM

Sounds like a great idea! Brent

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

chuck russo /

May 08, 2002 03:16PM

that would be tight

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Wayne /

May 08, 2002 03:34PM

Simon,

I have been hoping you'd make this change for a long time-- it would be great.

I knew you were busy with the site redesign for awhile, so I didn't want to throw another idea at you.

The post about my moped stereo has "faded away" so to speak, but as soon as I post photos of it mounted on the moped, the thread would "float" back into a relevant position.

Yep, that "Float to top" feature would be pretty cool.

Oh, and BTW, the stereo IS mounted and running with air horn. All I need to do is get the digital camera and snap a few photos for anyone who wants to see how it's actually attached to the moped....where I put the new horn button, etc.

Yours,

Wayne

hey wayne!

Casey B /

Go to branch

casey

May 08, 2002 11:46PM

yeah! i wanna see, i wanna see!

i saw the preliminary photos and it looked like a rad set up...

casey

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

duck /

May 09, 2002 12:18AM

I like the floating post personaly.

Also i would like maybe a function to veiw the whole thread at once instead of indivduly.

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Simon King /

Sysop

simon OP

May 09, 2002 02:22AM

You can already do that actually, just click on the "flat view" link and it will switch to show you the entire thread at once. The only downside is you lose the ability to post a reply to a particular post, it defaults to replying to the last post made.

just so everyone knows, i plan on implementing the "floating" feature soon since you seem to want it. hopefully everything will go smoothly.

simon

Re: Possible Float to Top Forum Feature

Chris Rice /

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chrisr

May 09, 2002 08:16AM

It's a good idea simon.

Re: hey wayne!

Wayne /

May 09, 2002 09:24AM

Casey,

it is SO damn loud. OMG. three "3-way" speakers mounted.... two in the rear, one up front. On city streets with the echo off the buildings, it sounds

And of course, I'm cranking out Armand Van Helden, Bad Boy bill and Fat Boy Slim

(All the best house/trip hop stuff)

a lot of Kid Koala and Cut Chemist as well. Themes too-- Peter Gunn, Lone Ranger, Pink Panther, James bond,

Thunderstorms today, but by the weekend I'll have photos up. I might be able to take some pictures inside, if the light is good enough--

Re: hey wayne!

Casey B /

Go to branch

casey

May 09, 2002 10:17AM

haha, yeah dood.. that rocks.. cant wait to se the pics!

it has been crazy thunderstorming all week here, too... starting to get a little sick of it.

casey

floater

mbartell /

May 09, 2002 03:13PM

so I guess that you have implimented the float feature?

Re: floater

Simon King /

Sysop

simon OP

May 09, 2002 03:22PM

I"m working on it right now actually. It seems to be a bit slower in pulling up the list of posts with this method -- do you notice it being particularly slow compared to before?

simon

Re: floater

mbartell /

May 09, 2002 04:58PM

not just slow, I'm getting a 404 a lot. it may not work too well, I've got a t-3 connection, and it was realllly fast pulling up posts.

Re: floater

Simon King /

Sysop

simon OP

May 09, 2002 05:23PM

Those are just the result of me making changes with a live site. My bad.

simon

Re: floater

Simon King /

Sysop

simon OP

May 09, 2002 06:08PM

I've now modified it so that the first page that comes up will be quite fast, but digging through the archive listings will be a bit slower.

I figure this is okay since most of the forum use is taking place on the first page - especially with the float to top feature enabled.

Viewing an actual post and searching aren't effected by this slow down.

Let me know if there are any problems or oddities; i'll try to fix them right away.

simon

Re: floater

John Custodio /

May 09, 2002 09:36PM

Whatever you decide is o.k. with me.Whatever it takes to keep this site going.I check it out just about every evening, and I always learn something new.Mopeds are such great little machines.To you Simon & everyone that participates on this great web site keep up the good work,& thanks for keeping this baby boomer young. John

MOPED ARMY

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