Protocols for posting

[Rob Kyles]

Is there any standard instructions for posting? When posts get lots of replies it becomes hard to view them all because most of us keep replying to the previous reply, not the original one. So it gets a bit messy... Thanks :)

[deising]

Hi, Rob.

I am pretty sure most folks just reply to the last post in the thread/topic. That can make it tough to follow if the reply is specific to a particular post and it is not clear what post it refers to.

I am all for better organization and utility by adhering to protocols, but it is not likely to happen and it gets frustrating trying to enforce rigid rules. I am glad that many of our members and visitors find the forum useful and don't want to chastise anyone for inadvertent missteps.

Cheers,

[mholzmann]

Under display modes which is to the far right of the message box chose "hybrid mode." This way you can see which person the response is to.
If I am correct this will display under Diesing thread.

If I was to comment on Robs comment it would slide under his.

[mholzmann]

So this is a response to Rob's message directly. The point is when in hybrid mode I can see which response was to which message. Hope this may help

[Rob Kyles]

I understand, Duane. It's a shame the proper method is not glaringly obvious - threads are much easier to follow when the replies are sorted.... I hear what you are saying about teaching people though, I've been actively looking how to do it properly and still put things in the wrong place :o

As a part - time computer programmer, I would probably re-design the interface. I would have more descriptive buttons perhaps... say "Post Reply to Original Post"

It will be interesting to see if this comes up in the right place ;)

[Rob Kyles]

Thanks mholzmann, I do have it set to Hybrid... maybe it would be better for me to revert to linear as it would be less confusing when we are not using the 'branched' facility properly.

[Rob Kyles]

This might reply to my original post...

Yes, it does. I had to scroll up to the original post, and clicked 'quick reply'.

It seems to me to be asking too much of the average punter... there should be a button always visible for 'Reply to Original Post' or similar.

Ah well, it seems to work for most of the time :)