Fwurg

[Brend]

As FWURG grows, so does the number of threads a player is involved in. It has come to my attention that some of the players (me included) have started to 'forget' threads they should reply to.

I've added a small star to each thread's page. To the right of the thread title, it looks like this: When you click it, it activates (and looks like ) to indicate you are now following this thread.

You can get a quick overview of your followed threads in the Followed tool. (The link can also be found on the tools page)

I'm thinking on whether this tool should be added to the menu at the top of the site or not. What do you think (or where do you think links to this should go)?

PS. If you like the tool, please drop a short message in this thread; that way, I know whether I spent my time on something useful.

[Chriz]

I like the idea, but I am wondering if you could split them up by sub category. They are now grouped as IC / OOC. I think splitting them up by Jedi / Union politics would make everything more clear, since we are already used to this structure.

[Brend]

I felt the split between IC and OOC to be more important; especially since the actual forum is named in the overview. I do think you have a point though, but I don't see how to visually lay it out in a way that makes sense.

I'll think on it.

[Elmer]

Nice, it even links the threads from linked accounts :D.

It took a while for me to find the star, but I like the tool already ^^

[Brend]

Short note: I just realized I forgot to mention something. Everyone can see which threads you are following, by using a simple query in the wiki (see the New wiki data type: _forum thread for an example).

I don't see this as a problem; in fact, you could use it to see if you want to point a thread out to someone who ought to react.

If people want private following lists, we can fix this, but I'd rather not.

[Stuiter]

I think it is a good idea. Because sometimes there is a post wave and you might miss something.

I talked with Brend some time ago about a personal news page, so you could keep track of our threads. But that was something for the far future.

[Elmer]

Do those 'follow' buttons work on IP adresses as well? Because I was able to follow a thread without login In. I don't think this is bad, but I just wanted to point out this is possible.

[Brend]

That's a good one.

No, they don't work based on IP. However, they do not see the difference between logged in users, such as 'Elmer', and logged-out users, such as '' (yes, that's not a name, it's an empty name).

So, when you're not logged in, and you hit the star, it will happily store that user '' is following the thread.

It's a bit of a bug, you might say. But it is harmless.

I'll see about removing the star if you're not logged in ^_^

[Brend]

Ok. The 'follow' star is no longer visible if you're not logged in.

[Mercury]

Excellent! Personally I use Followed threads to keep track of where I still have to post.

What would make it a LOT more convenient for me if there was a one-click way to go to the follow tool instead of by the tools menu. The same holds for the map. Maybe it would be a good idea to evaluate which buttons should be in the top menu and which should not.

[Brend]

I agree. The menu should be more streamlined somehow.

I'm not entirely sure how we should determine what should be in menu though. I think it might differ between players (especially new and more proficient players?)

Personally, I have no use for the 'Intro' or 'Guides' options. Maybe we should have some kind of 'guide/tool/intro' page for new players, that contains links to useful tools and guides. We should be able to make a wiki page for this.

It would free up space in the menu for 'Map' and 'Followed' options... Though 'Followed' might better be called 'Starred', in that case.

[Elmer]

I assume that it is nearly impossible to make a customizable bar for your own account?

[Mercury]

Also undesirable imho - we should make a good menu bar instead of forcing people to make their own, with all the complexities that brings

[Brend]

Also undesirable imho - we should make a good menu bar instead of forcing people to make their own, with all the complexities that brings

I disagree on both counts. I think it can be done within a few hours; both the technical and the user interaction side of things. However, we should have a useful default setup, minimizing the number of people that actually want to change their menu...

Though we now have a more clear view of what we think of a customizable bar (in favour: Brend, Elmer; against: Mercury), we still don't know what the layout should be.

PS. What do you people think of the 'startpage' idea with some of the more used tools up front?

[Elmer]

If it is relative easily possible, than I would love a customizable menu bar. (If it is impossible I still would love it.)

For me, a 'start page' is not the way to do it. Because then I want the useful tools together with the new threads, but then the 'useful tools' is just a new menu bar, which can be accessible from the forum as well. Because tool tiles is a waste of space on the start page, in my opinion.

My suggestion for the default lay-out of the menu bar is: News - Forum - Starred - Wiki - Rules - factions - Tools
I don't use the map that often, so for me it is less important.

[Brend]

I don't use the map that often, so for me it is less important.

That's the crux of the issue; I use the map. I use it a lot.

And that's why I think we should have some kind of flexibility somewhere. I'm not saying it should be the menu, but we should either find a way to have everything accesible immediately, or we should have some way of having a customizable start page. (Which we could do by just displaying the 'user:USERNAME:dashboard' page as default, maybe?)

[Elmer]

we can simply ask the other players to make a list, and pick the menus most often used. I know, this requieres a lot from the other players, as they suddenly have to think what menus they like, and have to post it, but it can't hurt them I think.

I propose the following: We open a new thread to get the attention from people, (hey, new thread, lets read what this is about), there we ask what menu options they like or want to see in the menu bar, and use that poll to make a selection.

One question, do you know if it is possible to link the account menu bars and menu page? So that we/I don't have to change all accounts?

[Brend]

One question, do you know if it is possible to link the account menu bars and menu page? So that we/I don't have to change all accounts?

Should I implement customizable menu's, they will be linked.

[Elmer]

After using the 'followed' option for a while now, I have come up with an additional feature of the 'followed pages' I would like as well. Would it be possible to show the stars of the followed thread in the forums as well? For example: When on the Union Politics forum, to display the stars next to the thread. This made that we don't have to go to the followed page to see what we follow, we can already see it while browsing the sub-forums.

[Brend]

I'll look into this when I revamp the followed functionality -- the other feature request I have received was: "Can I have multiple colours?"