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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:
KickArseQueen · 14/07/2010 23:24

I don't mind, actually I don't cae but please can you make it so I can go to a specific point in a thread when I click on a posters name, I hate that I can't do that any more.

WarrenPeace · 14/07/2010 23:24

on moldies they had a FAB thing that took you to start of page at ..was it the end of the line

anyway
was good

Alouiseg · 14/07/2010 23:24

Couldn't you finish the mums net app first..........it would save a lot of fannying around on iPhones and ipads. Please ?

Tech · 14/07/2010 23:21

Hi Sagacity, didn't we use to have one of those (a link to return to the top of the page?) I wonder what happened to it, or maybe I am imagining things. I don't see any reason not to put one back.

As for formatting, the old way should still work, though you might have to choose one or the other, i.e you'll be able to switch between a visual editor and a box that supports ^ and * formatting. We'd make it remember your choice obv.

OP posts:
WarrenPeace · 14/07/2010 23:20

NO WAY TO SPELL CHEKKER

aristocat · 14/07/2010 23:18

oooh brilliant - yes please new ideas welcome here

SagacityNell · 14/07/2010 23:09

Will we still be able to do it the old way? with the ^ and the * etc

We don't need a spell checker. It's available as an add on to internet browsers if anyone is that arsed about it.

Also - teeny suggestion. Can we a return to top button at the bottom please? (or scroll to bottom for the purists) Tis a royal PITA when you get to the bottom of a l o n g thread, have nothing to add and then have to scroll up again! Makes my eyes hurt!

LeninGrad · 14/07/2010 21:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

5inthebed · 14/07/2010 21:48

Oh please, NO to quoting function. I hate that on forums.

And no to coloured lettering. Thats just one step away from tickers

blinder · 14/07/2010 21:48

Yes do it. The current system is archaic. But can you leave both options for diehard typists / iPhone users like me?

DollyTwat · 14/07/2010 21:17

Yes please!

love a new gadget me

IMoveTheStars · 14/07/2010 21:06

why didn't my bolding work. I blame toads.

Sancti - I can't hear that name without thinking Rebecchi (sp?) on the end. It's the only flaw with my username

SanctiMoanyArse · 14/07/2010 21:03

OK I am so glad you said that Jareth

DH wanted ds1 to be called Jared and I said no, people would think he was Toadie

DS's friend IS called Jared and nobody ever says that

But you proved me right. YAY!

expatinscotland · 14/07/2010 21:02

No to spellchecker.

NO to editing or a quoting function.

NO to coloured typing.

IMoveTheStars · 14/07/2010 20:57

I am not a toad. It's Jareth

southeastastra · 14/07/2010 20:50

mn will then be full of people bolding italicing strikingout and underlining willy nilly and make the posts look really untidy

CMOTdibbler · 14/07/2010 20:48

That would be great. Def no avatars, coloured text, extra emoticons though

SanctiMoanyArse · 14/07/2010 20:46

Oh I do that Jared

But not as embarassing as when I do [ wank ] or [ bush ]

hocuspontas · 14/07/2010 20:41

But how would we recognise Cod?

IMoveTheStars · 14/07/2010 20:36

Yes yes yes yes yes!!!

this will stop me typing things like [ wink ] and [ grin ] on FB/MSN and then have people wondering why I'm weird/outing myself as an MNer.

so thank you

KristinaM · 14/07/2010 20:35

yes please

SanctiMoanyArse · 14/07/2010 20:34

I don't use iPhone apps (I don't have an iPhone, would be weird if I did PMSL) but don't have a spellchecker on my MN / PC. I WANT one and if I don't get one then nobody is allowed to bitch about my typing ever again d'ya hear?

netbook · 14/07/2010 20:13

Thanks for the reply, just being impatient.

Tech · 14/07/2010 20:04

Hi netbook, we working on the mobile version currently. As a result we are making changes behind the scenes which present an opportunity to enhance things on the main site as well. So we may as well do both - one isn't delaying the other.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 14/07/2010 20:01

Yes, yes, yes to a spellchecker!

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