please can you do an a-z topic list

Just noticed nannynick posted a screenshot, and I noticed it was different to what I had seen when using Advanced Search.

I see that if using the new layout, compared with "Classic" then the list is alphabetic if looks under "By Time" and then choose "by topic" then an alphabetic list is displayed.

Previously I had been using Classic mode (which I will probably return to) and the layout is quite different. Low on the page are two lists, the left being the full complement of topics, the right list empty initially, but is the 'Selected topics'.

Now, my query relates to the left hand list. If it is easy to produce the list alphabetically (as is shown when not using "Classic") then it should equally be possible in Classic mode.

Hope this is clearer, if there had been any confusion before.

Upgraded to Firefox 3.5.3 and still no change.

Hmmm, checked with Opera (v9) and that gave same result as before. I've put Opera v10 on another machine so will give that a go when I find time.

Also tried Netscape v7.2 but that fails when it tries to open your website.

I tried it several times, looking at different pages prior to attempting to open www.mumsnet.com (at which point my firewall reports connections to highbury.dsc.net, port 80) and then, without warning, browser simply closes, no actual error message at all !

I have Netscape 9 on the laptop, but will see if I get the any page displayed with Netscape 7.1.

(Rather, I am regularly using FF, but sometimes use Opera on another PC.)

Erm... I have knoppix, linspire and a few other versions of linux on other machines, but...

... in this particular case, for looking at your site, I am using Firefox v2 on a Dell running Windows XP.

Surely the sort order isn't being determined by what browser someone is using, and not being done by the browser itself, either (oh well, back to web design '101' if it is!)

Yes, that's superb, NN - now if only that could be the list in the 'Available Topics'

(The URLs are handy of course, for my bookmarks / browser "speed dial" menu.)

Update: the Alphabetical Topics list now has all topics I can find, excluding MumsnetLocal (as I only see my local area topics, not those in other parts of the country/world)

Do you mean a list with the Topic titles and the URL's?

Something like: This (Google Docs Spreadsheet)
(Note: this spreadsheet at the time of posting is not complete but I hope has enough topics to demonstrate the concept.)

Can only suggest you look at the screen dump and check whether you see it alphabetically or similar to what I see, please.

It would work on a topic by topic basis.

What I was hoping to do was have a selection of topics which I could then look at for messages since I last checked, or in last X hours, rather than try that, topic by topic.

Just puzzled that some seem to see the list (of Available Topics that one wants to move to Chosen Topics) alphabetically, but not me (nor HecatesTwopenceworth)

You can imagine it's a bit of a slog to go up and down that semi-random list looking for Longhaul, Shorthaul, _Chat, Freelancers, Site Stuff, etc etc

ooh, hang on. That's only if I click "choose topics" and it brings up a little window with a list. If I scroll down then the list appears there and starts * and then adoptions, etc

Yes, my list starts ***

then "forces sweethearts"

which I assume is out of order because of the " in front.

I don't like it.

I sue either firefox or ie (they are browsers, right?) depending on my mood.

Does your list look the same, HecatesTwopenceworth ?

What browser are you using (just in case it really does make some difference!)

I'm using v2.0.0.20 on this PC (yes, I know it's not the latest, but some add-ons are restricted to particular versions).

The list actually starts with ===========

See webstore.drivehq.com/images/MNtopics.jpg

Well, I'll certainly fire up the iMac and try with Safari, and on Windows/linux I can try with Netscape 7, Opera 10, Opera 9, Firefox 2 and FF 3 and perhaps FF 3.5 too plus IE 6, possibly 7 and 8.

I made the list I got from the HTML source code that came from the MN website, so changing browser isn't likely to be a solution.

(mac/safari)

for "choose topics" in search i have everything alphabetical

oh yes, it's very confusing - I practically LIVE here and I mostly stay on active convos cos it's easier

It looks like they are simply listed alphabetically within the 'main headings'
Becoming a Parent
Being a Parent
Body and Soul
...

Look under "Available topics" and no, Chat isn't at the bottom!

Adoptions
Antenatal tests / choices
Birth announcements
....
Step-parenting
Student parents
Teenagers
Bereavement
Adult non-fiction
Freelancers/Self Employed
Nanny shares
Redundancy
Feedback forum
For free
House swaps
Toys Reunited
Bullying
Extra-curricular activities
Further education
Gifted and talented
School holidays
Special educational needs
Baby Monitors
Baby seats / Chairs
Baby Sleeping Bags
Bikes and ride-ons
Books
...
Childminders, nannies, au pairs etc
Media / non-member requests
Education
Breast and bottle feeding
Clothes and Shoes - children's
_Chat

It would be an idea to also make the list within the 'advanced search' alphabetic too, please.

It's utter chaos when you look down that list for the half dozen topics you are likely to want to search in!