Official don’t change the subject on reply thread

[Frank Perkins]

Until BPL can fix the software, I plead with my fellow BPL'ers not to change the subject when replying to a thread. It makes it so much difficult to track conversations.

Reply here to agree.

[Siegmund Beimfohr]

Amen!
It is VERY difficult to follow threads without the original subject. I suggest something temporary as I did above:

"Original Subject" / "Followup Post Modifier"

[Joshua Mitchell]

Eh, that only works when the original title makers use a descriptive AND short title… precise and concise…

Really the only issue is catching updates in the new posts since last visit or last 50 posts view.

If it's really that big of an issue to you, make liberal use of the 'watch this thread' button.

[peter kvamme]

I dont know why having a difference subject would make any difference except browsing the "Last 50 posts" view. You could still search for the original subject or watch the thread…
If there is some reason that it is easier to track threads where the follow up posts have the same subject, let me know. I cant think of any reason.

[Michael Skwarczek]

The sub-forum index still clearly retains the original posting's Subject. It's only apparent that the subject description has changed if you're limited to the main forum index, which is only the most recent post, and the last 50.

I'll grant that it's not entirely necessary to have follow up posts with subject lines at all. But they're there and editable and I wouldn't consider this "broken" or try to impose a standard upon people's posting options.

-Michael

[EndoftheTrail]

How do you keep track of tangents if you don't update the subject field? :)

[Frank Perkins]

Well, a typical message board would enforce that thread topics, stay on topic, by not being able to change the subject and having moderators keeping people on track.

Threads here start with "Best Quilt to buy" and end up with "Sources for Titanium".

Since I only browse the forums by "Last 50 Posts", I'm obviously for threads that stay on topic and maintain the subject.

Having said that, I still <3 my BPL friends for their great advice and guidance.

[Michael Skwarczek]

"Having said that, I still <3 (BOOBS??) my BPL friends for their great advice and guidance."

HAHA! I get it.

[Frank Perkins]

That's a heart!

[Laughing at the irony of I'm the only one keeping the subject the same, like trying to plug a leaking dam]

[Steve O]

Yes hopefully they change it so that the original thread's title is displayed when using "last 50 posts"

[Brett .]

The way the recent posts are listed, the subject MUST change to inform the reader of the specific subject of the post. Otherwise, you would be looking at a list of posts all saying "MB bags", without any way to know which posts were interesting.

Alternatively, BPL could list the posts in nested and indented threads as done on other sites.

[Michael Skwarczek]

Indented threading would be a boon. I would recommend that as well. But I like being able to review a thread without opening each comment. That's a nice function of the current engine. If I'd have focused my skill set on web rather than desktop/server/network support, I'd volunteer the work to help overhaul the site engine.

-Michael

[Joshua Mitchell]

"Otherwise, you would be looking at a list of posts all saying "MB bags","

Exactly!

[Greg Mihalik]

So, Admin, what is the status on forum threads?

Lack of threading seriously impairs functionality, and it is painfully obvious that many are incapable of leaving the Subject alone, either out of innocence, or arrogance.

Proposed solution and timeframe please?

[Miguel Arboleda]

If you don't change the subject… at least remove the "Re:", you end up getting subject names like this on popular threads:

Re: Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re Re: Re MB Bags

But then again, if you don't stop to think abut the subject, then you end up getting something like this:

yeah!

I always copy the subject of the particular post I am replying to, leaving just one "Re:" and cutting away the rest. If I want to change the subject to something new I always make sure to include information from the original post subject.

[Mike Hinsley]

;-)

Could you not just go Old-skool and copy the subject line into the to-be-posted Subject textbox with no more than one Re: ?

If people have to be taught how to use the forum to make the Tech work then the tech may be a little broken…

[Roger Caffin]

> So, Admin, what is the status on forum threads?
Heaven forbid that we should try to tell all you guys what to do! We would offend at least HALF.

Cheers

[Greg Mihalik]

So, Admin, what is the status on forum threads?

Lack of threading seriously impairs functionality, and it is painfully obvious that many are incapable of leaving the Subject alone, either out of innocence, or arrogance.

Proposed solution and timeframe please?

[Ryan Hutchins]

I concur!

[Andrew Richardson]

I agree. :)

[Greg Mihalik]

I posted a query to BPL's Customer Service regarding Threading and got a reply on April 27th –

Hi Greg –

Thanks for your input. We do recognize the value of threads on forums. But we also have a number of opportunities that compete for our web development resources, including a BPL wiki and improvements to search. We take input from our members seriously – but right now I think establishment of the wiki and search improvements will be completed before threaded forums. As for as timeline goes, the wiki is targeted for release after we complete Issue 10 of the print magazine – probably within a few weeks. Other projects will get moving during the summer, possibly including threaded forums.

Thanks again for your input.

Regards,
Don Wilson
—

Don – Thanks for the update. I really appreciate getting a response. I look forward to the upcoming improvements.

[Author]

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