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MNHQ

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:
DollyTwat · 14/07/2010 21:17

Yes please!

love a new gadget me

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?

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

LeninGrad · 14/07/2010 21:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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!

aristocat · 14/07/2010 23:18

oooh brilliant - yes please new ideas welcome here

WarrenPeace · 14/07/2010 23:20

NO WAY TO SPELL CHEKKER

MNHQ
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:
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 ?

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

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.

everythingiseverything · 14/07/2010 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QueeferSutherland · 14/07/2010 23:29

As long as it's not too cluttered.
I like the "clean lines" of mumsnet.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 14/07/2010 23:31

I would love it becuase,

a. I cant spell for shite
b. I am so clumsy with typing that im forever trying to bold or italic something only for it to go tits up.

Please impliment soon Tech, then do me another favour and make Mumsnet into a Blackberry ap and i will be sorted.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 14/07/2010 23:32

I agree no tickers, sigs, tags, avatars, moving smileys or that sort of shite please i like Mumsnet becuase it doesnt have all that stuff.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 14/07/2010 23:35

I am forever typing [gurn] actually can we have a gurning smiley that would be ace. :D [gurn]

MumAlwaysKnows · 14/07/2010 23:37

Just make sure the spell checker wont crash the whole posting if it throws a flid. I have had word, lotus, etc all crash cos the spelling and grammar could cope with my unqiue view on the subjects. making it pick up common dyslexic type errors would be good. although then i might be compelled to use it and cba with correct spellnig. here if dont fooking matter if i cant speel and although the pendants would love a basic grammar one that sorts the difference btwn loose and lose etc.

MumAlwaysKnows · 14/07/2010 23:42

OH god, please no tickers and keep it clean and simple please... I agrer with:
TitsalinaBumSquash Wed 14-Jul-10 23:32:51 post
^
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spiderlight · 14/07/2010 23:46

Yes please, but keep it simple!

tom57 · 14/07/2010 23:50

yes please,and whilst we are on the subject of changes could you consider highlighting the OP posts in bold?

Also on the 'my mumsnet' could you record the number of 'hits',I think that would be really interesting,do controversial posters get more hits?does anyone ever read mine?

TheDailyWail · 14/07/2010 23:51

Good idea.

Valpollicella · 15/07/2010 00:06

No to colour text - that would be too identifiable to work spies when you're on MN surreptitiosly (I can't spell that word. I'll have the spell check as an optional extra...)

Can we have a version for work where all the smilies are replaced with the text version? Then I'm pretty sure I could MN without someone spying a smilie and knowing I'm not reading something work relted on the net?

No editing or quoting...cannot stand quoting on other forums! Drives me mad. Everyone quoting each other...the thread ends up a bazzillion pages long because of it.

senua · 15/07/2010 00:08

Please, please, please!!
Yes to spellchecking: the spelling mistakes drive me to distraction. Can you do a grammarchecker, too?

HouseofCrazy · 15/07/2010 00:14

Could we have a post counter please - one that was kept with name changes? So you could name change for sensitive topics if you wanted and could not be 'searched' but your post count would be 300 million so people would know that you probably werent a troll. Also, trolls joining just for trolling purposes could be identified by the fact that they only had 1 post iyswim? ATM all you have to do is go "Im not a troll I know all about mouldies, bobble plate, cod etc" and peopel go oh ok then you're fine. I like the idea of high lighting OP's posts as well/.

Thanks!

Valpollicella · 15/07/2010 00:23

But then a post counter could be detrimental to newcomers who do have a situation which could be shouted 'troll' at, HoC

If I'd only been here for a few months lurking and with a handful of genuine posts and then decided to post about something very odd/different/strange/upsetting/personally identifying/whatever (under a name change) going on and my counter read '11 posts since joining' or something, wouldn't that then open up the thread to cries of ? If we're operating on the 'number of posts means you're prob not a troll' theory