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

5 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

Tech · 14/07/2010 17:55

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.

Tech · 14/07/2010 19:07

Hi, just to clarify, there's no suggestion we'll allow editing after posting. I think different text colours are off the menu as well. We are really only looking at the things you can do now, but making them a bit easier.

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.

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.

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.

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