Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 148

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 17, 1998, at 16:53:50

Hi,

Thanks, all of you, for giving this a try. I don't know
about you, but I'm finding such a long list of posts not
very easy to manage. Maybe if a post hasn't been
responded to (any more) after a certain period of time
it should be moved to a separate archive-type page? But
then it might just get totally ignored. But the person
who posted it might have stopped checking for responses,
too. Any thoughts about this?

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Matt on July 19, 1998, at 23:16:17

In reply to One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 17, 1998, at 16:53:50

Dr. Bob,

Can configure the page such that the newer posts go on top? That might solve the problem, at least for now.

Best

Matt

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 20, 1998, at 9:29:41

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Matt on July 19, 1998, at 23:16:17

> Can configure the page such that the newer posts
> go on top? That might solve the problem, at
> least for now.

That was how the software was originally set up,
and I changed it on purpose because to be
consistent, the *responses* would be newer-first,
too, and that seemed strange.

It's easy enough to scroll down to the bottom to
get to the most recently started threads, but it's
trickier to catch new responses to old threads...

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Matt on July 20, 1998, at 14:43:31

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 20, 1998, at 9:29:41

> > Can configure the page such that the newer posts
> > go on top? That might solve the problem, at
> > least for now.

> That was how the software was originally set up,
> and I changed it on purpose because to be
> consistent, the *responses* would be newer-first,
> too, and that seemed strange.

> It's easy enough to scroll down to the bottom to
> get to the most recently started threads, but it's
> trickier to catch new responses to old threads...

> Bob

So there's no way of having responses appear under the original post and have the new posts appear on top of the page? (I take it the answer is "no," since if there were you'd probably have already done it. :) .)

Matt

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 21, 1998, at 9:31:42

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Matt on July 20, 1998, at 14:43:31

> So there's no way of having responses appear
> under the original post and have the new posts
> appear on top of the page?

What order would the responses be in?

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Matt on July 21, 1998, at 15:39:12

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 21, 1998, at 9:31:42

> > So there's no way of having responses appear
> > under the original post and have the new posts
> > appear on top of the page?

> What order would the responses be in?

> Bob


Well, the newest articles go at the top, and the first response to an article goes directly underneath the relevant article, the second response to that article under the first response, etc..

Again, though I'm sure that this sort of thing can be done, I have no idea how it would be done.

Best

Matt

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 22, 1998, at 11:28:47

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Matt on July 21, 1998, at 15:39:12

> > What order would the responses be in?

> Well, the newest articles go at the top, and the
> first response to an article goes directly
> underneath the relevant article, the second
> response to that article under the first
> response, etc.

So the threads would be newest first, but the
responses would be oldest first? That would seem a
little weird to me, but maybe no one else would
even care.

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Matt on July 22, 1998, at 21:54:58

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 22, 1998, at 11:28:47

> > > What order would the responses be in?

> > Well, the newest articles go at the top, and the
> > first response to an article goes directly
> > underneath the relevant article, the second
> > response to that article under the first
> > response, etc.

> So the threads would be newest first, but the
> responses would be oldest first? That would seem a
> little weird to me, but maybe no one else would
> even care.

> Bob

I figured that that way the responses could build on one another, and one could follow the buildup by starting with the first response and then going to the second, etc.

e.g. If this post were first post in the line of responses to your original logistical question, readers might be a bit puzzled as to exactly what was going on. But if they're in the order they were posted, you can follow them right along. You of course could do this if you had the newest response first, as well, but most readers would naturally read the first response under the original post first, unless they knew better.

This being said, I'm a philosopher, which ought to discount any attempt on my part to do anything practical. :)
Matt

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 27, 1998, at 10:14:36

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Matt on July 22, 1998, at 21:54:58

> > So the threads would be newest first, but the
> > responses would be oldest first?

> I figured that that way the responses could build
> on one another...

Right, that's the way it is now.

So I thought to be consistent the *threads* should
be oldest first, too. Since they might conceivably
build on one another, also...

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Matt on July 28, 1998, at 23:58:28

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 27, 1998, at 10:14:36

> > > So the threads would be newest first, but the
> > > responses would be oldest first?

> > I figured that that way the responses could build
> > on one another...

> Right, that's the way it is now.

> So I thought to be consistent the *threads* should
> be oldest first, too. Since they might conceivably
> build on one another, also...

> Bob

Yes--I thought about that, but I figured that most of the "building" would take place in the form of replies, rather than new postings. True, there may be some advantage to having the ability to build on previous posts with new posts. But, this advantage,perhaps, is outweighed by having to scroll all the way down to get to the new posts.

Matt

p.s. Just visited your campus. Though I grew up in the 'burbs, it was only my second time there. It's been a while, and I was once again amazed at its beauty.

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by jean on July 31, 1998, at 3:30:17

In reply to One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 17, 1998, at 16:53:50

> Hi,

> Thanks, all of you, for giving this a try. I don't know
> about you, but I'm finding such a long list of posts not
> very easy to manage. Maybe if a post hasn't been
> responded to (any more) after a certain period of time
> it should be moved to a separate archive-type page? But
> then it might just get totally ignored. But the person
> who posted it might have stopped checking for responses,
> too. Any thoughts about this?

> Bob

====

I like having the answers with the original question rather than having to go through dozens of replies to other questions attempting to piece together various answers.

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on August 3, 1998, at 8:59:27

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by jean on July 31, 1998, at 3:30:17

> I like having the answers with the original
> question rather than having to go through dozens
> of replies to other questions attempting to
> piece together various answers.

If I moved posts, I'd move entire threads (ie,
original questions along with responses) all at
once. I agree that it would be a pain to have them
split up.

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Depressed in San Jose on August 31, 1998, at 16:40:16

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 21, 1998, at 9:31:42

>> What order would the responses be in?

> Bob

Hi Bob...most website have the most recent response posted
on top (as Matt suggested). Then if someone really wants
to check out the whole thread, they can "view previous" or
scroll down to the first post and go from there.

The idea of archiving a post that has sat unanswered for
more than two to three weeks is a good one. If you set up
an "archives" portion...than anyone who just wants to check
in on past posts can still access it, but it makes the current
board faster in response.

Let me know if any of this helps.

D.I.S.J.

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on September 10, 1998, at 9:33:24

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Depressed in San Jose on August 31, 1998, at 16:40:16

> Hi Bob...most website have the most recent response posted
> on top (as Matt suggested)...
>
> The idea of archiving a post that has sat unanswered for
> more than two to three weeks is a good one...

Back from vacation. It was nice to have a break!

Thanks for the input.

Actually, I'm thinking now that maybe it's good
*not* to have an archive. Because maybe most people
wouldn't bother checking it out, so some of the
topics that have already been addresses would be
repeated...

Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by lk on September 29, 1998, at 16:33:33

In reply to One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 17, 1998, at 16:53:50

Dr. Bob,
Great service. Keep it up. The list of posts, however, is too long. It would also help if the newest posts were listed at the top. Take care.
> Hi,

> Thanks, all of you, for giving this a try. I don't know
> about you, but I'm finding such a long list of posts not
> very easy to manage. Maybe if a post hasn't been
> responded to (any more) after a certain period of time
> it should be moved to a separate archive-type page? But
> then it might just get totally ignored. But the person
> who posted it might have stopped checking for responses,
> too. Any thoughts about this?

> Bob

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by Dr. Bob on October 1, 1998, at 10:58:18

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by lk on September 29, 1998, at 16:33:33

> The list of posts, however, is too long. It
> would also help if the newest posts were listed
> at the top.

I think I mentioned before why I like starting with
older posts.

I know it's way too long now. I'm going to divide
it up. But I'm swamped with paperwork right now.

FYI, on my to do list:

 

Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?

Posted by kore on October 31, 1998, at 14:38:33

In reply to Re: One long list of posts too unmanageable?, posted by Dr. Bob on October 1, 1998, at 10:58:18


> > The list of posts, however, is too long. It
> > would also help if the newest posts were listed
> > at the top.

> I think I mentioned before why I like starting with
> older posts.

> I know it's way too long now. I'm going to divide
> it up. But I'm swamped with paperwork right now.

> FYI, on my to do list:

> 1. Split threads up by month of most recent post.
> 2. Optional email notification when someone adds
> to a thread you've posted to.
> 3. Automatic flagging of posts new since your
> last visit.
> 4. Listing complete threads with each post, instead
> of just "previous follow-ups".

> Any comments? I think it'll be great, but it'll
> take some time. Patience!

> Bob

i'm fairly new to the web, but i've noticed a great system at "sci.med.pschobiology" which seems more manageable. you can easily go forward (or back) to next subject or message, & set preferences to be shown only new messages , or all.


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