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

111 replies

Tech · 14/07/2010 17:23

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

OP posts:
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RustyBear · 17/07/2010 08:42

Plural of faux pas is apparently... faux pas!
But the pas is pronounced pahs instead of pah.

SoupDragon · 17/07/2010 08:27

I like the toolbar idea but I can see it all going horribly wrong.

Not fussed about a spell checker as my browser has one anyway.

PrettyCandles · 17/07/2010 08:25

I do not want autocorrection of any sort. It already drives me nuts when my iPhone decides I want to say something that I did not at all want to say. So, please, no autocorrect and no autocapitalisation.

Keep Mumsnet idiosyncratic!

onadietcokebreak · 17/07/2010 08:24

I need a spell checker!

chaostrulyreigns · 16/07/2010 23:11

But there are some pleasant pednats on here FN.

FellatioNelson · 16/07/2010 22:59

No, no Rusty that won't do at all. The people who know they are useless spellers will (quite rightly) take advantage of Spellcheck, and just we confident/optimistic types will forge ahead without it, and occasionally (due to drunkenness or some distraction or other) make faux pas (how do you do the plural of faux pas? ) which we will get slaughtered for.

RustyBear · 16/07/2010 18:57

But if there's a spellchecker and they don't use it,we can mock them with a clear conscience...

And chaos-I don't need automatic capitalisation at the start of my post, as my iPad does it for me.

(I do seem to be in need of a [smug] emoticon, though...)

BecauseImWorthIt · 16/07/2010 17:20

Spellchecking!

But who would all we pedants mock then?!

NetworkGuy · 16/07/2010 17:13

Ah, but their complaint is two years old and what he has posted on this thread is just a 'possible' change which isn't essential.

Also, he might fear for his safety if a bunch of fit Aussie MN users arrive next week to 'sort him out'

chaostrulyreigns · 16/07/2010 15:55

Anybody want to join me in spurning Tech?

He's been on the aussie thread buttering them up but ignoring us Poms!

HumphHumphandDoubleHumph.

NetworkGuy · 16/07/2010 12:35

I already seem to get speelchucked but I suppose that's within Google Chrome browser, and Firefox, the two browsers I use most of the time (spell checker underlines legitimate English (UK) spellings, too, as they are probably set to US spellings based on origin of the browsers).

leavingonajetplane · 16/07/2010 11:36

Oh God yes.

Every other forum I use has exactly that set-up and its way easier to use.

chaostrulyreigns · 16/07/2010 11:33

FN I actually think its obligatory.

FellatioNelson · 16/07/2010 11:27

Trust me to do a typo in the word 'pedants' on a post about the spelling police.

See what I mean? If I had an edit button I would not have needed to make this post at all. Think of all the clogging up of MN it does.

chaostrulyreigns · 16/07/2010 11:27

Sorry.

Question mark had gone for a wander.

gorionine · 16/07/2010 11:27

But how would an edit button work? would it post with a delay? It might be a problem with threads that are very fast. And if you have the possibility of editing aftr posting, would it not be exactly the same as what we do know (come back and appologise/give more details...)?

chaostrulyreigns · 16/07/2010 11:25

Mine is a simple request Tech (why no first name - it's all a bit impersonal for me) - please may we have automatic capitalisation at start of sentence and for "I".

It would save me ooh 37 seconds a year.

FellatioNelson · 16/07/2010 11:21

Spellcheck would be disastrous - what would all the pednats with PMT do for entertainment?!

I would REALLY REALLY love an edit function. Not only would it stop the need for people constantly apologising for their own typos and sp. mistakes the minute they've hit send, but it would enable us to change something we've said in haste or worded badly, before it all kicks off!

gorionine · 16/07/2010 10:49

Ies to ze spel chec!

SagacityNell · 16/07/2010 10:47

Tch - catsbum face is (to me) that disapproving lemon sucking face that old ladies do.

like this I must point out that i don't know if that is a bum or a face so beware when you click! i had to google cats bum to find it

Sweeedes · 16/07/2010 08:57

Tech -

catinthehat2 · 15/07/2010 22:21

Yes to the former question, no to the latter.

I cannot even begin to imagine what was in your mind if you had to ask the latter question.

Tech · 15/07/2010 20:35

Sweeedes, fear not. Spell-checkers can't generally tell whether you should have used it's or its.

By the by, what is the significance of catsbum? Is it lips pursed in disapproval? Or something else? I'm not saying we'll do it, I'm just curious. Ta.

OP posts:
Acanthus · 15/07/2010 10:50

Sounds great. Let's have the spell checker, the pedants amongst us will have loads of fun with it!

SagacityNell · 15/07/2010 10:45

spell checkers are available as browser add ons people