Feature Requests and Suggestions Thread

This could easily be done, so even though I don't think it would be used much maybe I'll do it anyway. I don't think many people will look up a user's ID (user ID's exist already but they're hidden, so I'd have to make them available) and type [userid=2741] instead of just typing the name. It would be kind of neat if there were a button you could click after typing your message that would change all occurrences of member names into this dbcode, but there are too many members with names that are real words, like Faith.--Percy

---

--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

It is so common for people to copy/paste URLs for messages that have the correct bookmark, but incorrect message number. This is fine if the desired message happens to be on the same page... but sucks when it doesn't. And for people like me who load very few messages per page, it's very common that this mistake is a real problem.Would it be possible to simply parse out the bookmark in addition to the message number, and if they don't agree, prioritize the bookmark (if it exists) over the message number? That would make my life a lot happier.As it is, I'm pretty happy. So, take it for what it's worth.Ben

dBoard 3.0 will move the message database into MySQL, and at that time each message will receive a unique ID. URL's will refer to this ID, and this will make it possible for the correct message to always be displayed in the window, no matter how many messages/page you've chosen.

---

--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

The Canadian Content site that my daughter frequents has a handy feature for putting in the [ ] codes. They are listed (they could go to the right or left of the edit window. When you click on on the code is inserted at the cursor and the code selector toggles. When you click it again it puts the / end form in. I don't see any drawbacks and it might encourage better use of the available codes.

Great idea, but you guys are either going to have to find me some kind of energy drink that lets me code faster or get me some help!

---

--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

I had an abortive start to helping 2 years ago. The major problem is having to fumble through a large amount of unfamiliar code to figure out what part needs the work. (Not knowing the language is a reasonably minor issue). You don't have to time to train - does anyone know enough to point out the modules that need the work for a thing like this?It should be a very small part of the code that is actually involved with the editing.

Now that we have our own server we can do proper code development. The right way to do this is to install cvs on the server for code control, then give anyone doing code development an account and subdomain where they can work. Once they debug a feature in their own subdomain they can check in the code. Other moderators can help with the testing.I've never set up cvs before. Anyone have experience with this?

---

--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

At the All Topic database I maintain (available via All Topic database available), I have a "Key Words" field. This is mostly my attempt to compensate for vague or misleading topic titles.Would having such a field attached to the start of topics be a good and useful thing? Perhaps at Search a "Search by Key Word" option could be set up.Adminnemooseus

I'll add this to the list.I noticed my Message 187 that asks if anyone is familiar with cvs. I'm now using cvs on my development machine, and if and when the time comes that I have co-developers then I'll install cvs on our server so that development can take place there. Right now I'm just using cvs for change control and to maintain multiple development streams.

---

--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

I am an advocate of replying to multiple messages via a single message, such as in situations where the new message is relevant to the several previous messages.The problem, of course, is that doing a "General Reply" does not create the links between the reply and the replied to, and also does not enable the e-mail notification system.I was wondering if some new dBoard coding options might be a way to set up a "replying to multiple messages" system. In the body of the message there could be a code like [replyto equals 5], [replyto equals 14] etc., or a [replyto equals 1,14,15,18] (had to use " equals " in place of "=" because the "=5" etc. would not display). The system could be set up to recognise such and then create the "reply to" and "reply from" links etc.An alternative would be a "General reply to multiple messages" button with a place to enter a series of numbers.Maybe such is already in the works for version 3.0, but I thought I'd put the concept out here.Adminnemooseus

I think an ethics forum should be considered. I'm currently reading a moral philosphy book, and it's introducing several controversial points per chapter. I want to post several of them, but they'll probably end up in the "Coffee House" forum.Topics include: infanticide, cultural relativism, homosexuality, abortionThough these topics might not seem to have much to do with each other, the application of ethics is the underlying theme, so I thought it'd be a nice way to organize some of the threads.

Cool idea. We already have code for Message 190 to link to a previous message.Two thoughts:(1) have an automatic addition at the end of each message for "links to this message" with thread title and message number (which could get real interesting with cross-thread references). May want to limit this to only EvC links ...(2) have a {qs=-190} that sets the link and that shows as I certainly like to respond to several messages at once, usually to the same person, but I can see when one is on the receiving end of a barrage of responses that replying once on a point would cut down the hassle level.

---

Join the effort to unravel {AIDSHIV} with Team EvC! (click)

---

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand

​

RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.

Can my posting privileges be restored to the Bible Study Forum for 24 hours ?Ray Martinez

I'm sure someone mentioned this but is there any chance of a facility for private messages? (this could be limited to a 5 message limit or the like for space considerations).On forums where I have moderated those have been very useful - they can act as a sort of invisible social glue. It allows people to say "don't you think you are being a little harsh there...." without a thread being dragged down into "no he wasn't being harsh and here are the 50,000 previous threads that prove my point". It allows people to say "hey I realise that my words could come across a little harsh and I'm sorry about that" - something that people struggle with in an open forum for a number of reasons.

How about having the preview be editable (fix spelling, embellish comments etc) so you don't have to keep scrolling up and down and finding where your error is in the (small) reply window.This would also make it easier to fix things like {qs][/qs]

---

Join the effort to unravel {AIDSHIV} with Team EvC! (click)

---

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand

​

RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.