Potential change alert: should we make bolding, underlining, links and smileys easier? And what of spellcheck?

[Tech]

Hello all, Following on from the recent discussions on bolding, underlining, links etc, we are thinking of changing the "add a message" box on talk to have a small toolbar above it, a bit like in a word processor. This would have buttons for bold, underline and strikeout that you could use instead of typing ^, * and its mates. The smileys would also be on buttons, and we'd include a link button. If you wanted to add a link you could just click the button and paste in the URL from the other page. You'd see the effects on the text as you were entering it, kind of like a live preview.

Depending how we implement it, it may also support a spelling checker. We'd add a custom dictionary so it recognized mumsnet-isms and didn't complain about them.

So, if we did that, would you like it, love it, hate it? We'd keep the ability to use the manual codes in the text - partly because if you are on a mobile device you might not have the buttons and might have no other option.

So whaddaya reckon? Welcome enhancement or latest regrettable step in an inexorable process of disintegration?

Ta, Tech

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

I dunno, I hate change me......

But it might be really useful....

I am also very indecisive.

[Slubberdegullion]

Sounds good to me.

[EasilyConfusedIndith]

Sounds ok to me, not too drastic and since you say you'd keep the ability to type them too then it doesn't affect those who spend far too much time on here and type all our smilies without thinking about it!

I still don't understand how on earth people find links difficult though. What the hell is difficult about www.somewhere.com ?

[SacharissaCripslock]

Sounds great.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I too am indecisive, but I think I like it My browser spell checks my posts anyway so it might clash with a site one?

Can we please have animated smileys, twinkly text, and avatars too please?

[Gigantaur]

ooh i would love it if i have a spell checker.

im dyslexic and get a tad when i spell really simple words wrong.
especially as there are so many pedants on here

[retiredgoth2]

I think the tool bar idea sounds splendid.

....I am allergic to spellcheckers, though.

The iPhone infuriates me in this regard. For example, I don't want the name of a well known online retailer of clothing for the middle classes changed to that of the US Vice President every f time....

(that would cause havoc on here. But probably in reverse, causing headaches to those who wished to discuss the fortunes of Joe Biden)

[5inthebed]

Sounds like a great idea.

[retiredgoth2]

...or indeed, on my iPhone, it would say every ducking time.

Grrr.

Duckers.

[CuppaTeaJanice]

That would be great!

Would love some cool new smileys too!

Ooh, and coloured text would be fab!!

[inthesticks]

Sounds great as long as you don't get carried away and introduce those ticker thingys.

[JJ]

Good lord, a visual editor? What next? A mobile friendly version? Oh wait, yes, that is next isn't it?

It's a slippery slope though.

[TrillianAstra]

As long as the current ways still work you can set up an easy way to link for wimps and we experts can keen typing away.

[Fimbo]

I still do links the old fashioned way

[ViveLaFrak]

Hmmmm.

I don't like change. MN is simple. Don't make buttons complicated.

Or maybe have an option so you don't get them in classic view?

[Tech]

Just a quick tip for the iphoners, if you want to stop it suggesting words. Try typing number 5 then move your cursor behind it, so that as you type "Boden" it looks like b5 then bo5, bod5, bode5 etc.

The 5 flummoxes the auto-correct thing - it can't figure out what word you could be typing - and it stops suggesting words. Keep typing your whole message suggestion free, and when you've done just delete the 5 at the end. It doesn't have to be 5. Uncommon letter combos like zc will work as well.

By the by, if we did spellcheck it wouldn't be autocorrect, more like wavy lines under words to warn you of a spelling anomaly.

[chocolatefroggie]

sounds great!

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

Brilliant idea - much easier!

[SpawnChorus]

Will it involve any "downtime"? Because if you're planning on stealing any of my MN minutes to implement this then NO.

[Tortoise]

Sounds great.
Have spell checker on browser so not desperate for that.

[catinthehat2]

Good idea, when will it start?

[2shoes]

sounds good to me

[SanctiMoanyArse]

I think i'd find it very helpful

Though no no no to coloured typing

[YunoYurbubson]

Yes please!

[Quality]

Sounds like a good idea, am normally on mobile so definately stay with both ways too.