[New Features] Various new additions to the forum

[mark]

I've just finished with a big batch of changes, these are the features that you might find useful:

Ignore Forums
You may now specify a list of forums which you do not want to see. Threads from these forums will not appear in any searches or lists of new posts. You'll basically never see them at all. Perfect for people who aren't interested in certain areas - just switch them off! Go to "My Settings" then pick "Edit Options" on the left, scroll down to "Miscellaneous Options" and then check the instructions under the section "Forums to Exclude From View". You can jump directly to that page here.

Ignore Threads
Is there a particular thread that is annoying you? You see it come up time after time in the new posts lists or in searches. Simply use the ignore thread function and you'll never see it again! At the top of the thread drop down the menu "Thread Tools" and choose the option to ignore. To reverse this action go into "My Settings" and select the "Ignored Threads" option.

Reputation Point Chooser
When altering someone's reputation (the little scales icon on each post) you now have the choice to change the amount of reputation you can give (within the limits of your reputation power). Previously it was all or nothing. Perfect for giving or removing just a little bit.

Thank You and Groan Functions
Thank Yous aren't a new feature, but now you can use groans as well. You'll only be able to give thank yous and groans once your post counter reaches 10. Only posts less than 14 days old are eligible.

Last Seen Online
This information now appears above the joined date on every post. Handy for figuring out if that person is around anymore.

Image Resizer
Do people who quote large images in replies annoy you? They certainly irritate me. From now on the original image will appear in full size, but if people insist on include copies of it in their replies (via quoting) then images will be shrunk.

Wikipedia Tag
Want to put a wikipedia entry in your post? Easy - instead of copying and pasting the entire URL just type the word for the entry, e.g. Switzerland, highlight it and click the little "W" icon in the editor. You'll end up with this: Switzerland

Social Bookmarking Integration
Social booking sites drive a lot of traffic to a thread. Want to report a post to digg? If you think it's useful to others open the LinkBack menu at the top of a thread, you'll see options for social bookmarking sites. The more people that bookmark a thread, the higher the ranking (and inbound traffic) will be. You can inform yourself more here: digg, del.icio.us, technorati, furl

Ban Information on Profile
Ever wondered why a user is banned? Now if you check their profile you'll see how long they are banned for, who banned them and the ban reason. Previously this information was private, but now it will be public.

[Eire]

Please excuse my stupidity... but I have a question regarding the etiquette with the new groan function!!!

Is it a groan much like you would give when someone tells a joke that is not particularly funny...

Or is it a little more a telling off if someone makes a point that goes against the general consensus...

i.e. Can groans be used as a good humoured way of disagreeing with someone, or are you actually telling someone off if you groan them.

Once again sorry about my stupidity, and hopefully this post doesn't earn me a groan!!!

[mark]

No, it's a good question, and it least it shows that there are actually a small handful of people out there that actually read the announcements area!

Given that the groan function won't be interpreted the same way by all people I would regard it slightly more seriously. So if it was the kind of groan that'd you'd make after a bad joke, probably best to leave it. However, if the person has posted a joke that's so bad it has actually irritated you, then maybe it would be appropriate.

If you think the user has asked a seriously stupid question, is obviously being lazy, writing in an incoherent manner, or generally going against the norms of the area of the forum they are in - feel free to give them a groan.

What I'm saying is that you all know a plonker when you see them - that's what the groan is for.

If you get a groan and you feel you didn't deserve it - don't worry - if it was unfairly given then it will be obvious to everyone who reads that post that person who gave it to you is a plonker, so don't sweat it.

Some extra guidance on the thank you function. Give them when the post represents a good contribution to the forum. Don't give them to every single person who happens to answer your questions. This was the reason why I enabled the feature for people with more than 10 posts - I hoped at that point that they'd realise it shouldn't be used on ever post!

Remember also that the thank you system is not intended to be a replacement to the reputation system - feel free to continue to use the little scale icon which appears on each post.

On a less serious note can we have a "nuke" member button?

[mark]

	Quote:	Cata1yst
	On a less serious note can we have a "nuke" member button?

Unfortunately we have to reserve that one for staff. But if someone's reputation slips low enough and they annoy us enough we sometimes press it.

[Principia Discordia]

Is there currently, or will there soon be, any way to ignore a specific user? Sorry if its obvious, but a search for "ignore user" led me here.

	Quote:	mark
	Unfortunately we have to reserve that one for staff. But if someone's reputation slips low enough and they annoy us enough we sometimes press it.

I was tempted to use the "groan" option on this one, but then again I feel the "nuke" option would have been used as a pre-emptive counter strike.

[mark]

	Quote:	Principia Discordia
	Is there currently, or will there soon be, any way to ignore a specific user? Sorry if its obvious, but a search for "ignore user" led me here.

There always has been. If I remember correctly there's a link in the middle of the page when looking at someone's profile.

Notice to other posters - I'm happy that you are here to ask questions, but if your question isn't related to the set of enhancements I've just made, please start a new thread (or find an existing one) in the forum support section. I've been busy splitting unrelated requests off this thread....

Edit: Click on the FAQ and enter "ignore" for more information.

[Principia Discordia]

So, the groan feature has me wondering. You mentioned it should be somewhat serious, for offensive or thoughtless posts, and I agree. But now you have this thread:

http://www.englishforum.ch/other-gen...ld-county.html

And because a guy makes a relatively dopey post and gets called out on it, he hands out groans to anyone who disagrees with him. So, as a result of that thread, Lob Rockster, who has a huge amount of "Thanks" to his name, gets his "Groans" doubled from 4 to 8, and other helpful posters get groans from simply disagreeing with the guy. (Myself not included, while I try to be helpful, I can also be inflammatory easily enough and don't care too much about the groans I got.)

If it's going to be used seriously, I think it's great, but its inevitable that it'll end up more of a cheerleading or retaliatory function than anything else.

Edit - Imagine that, my groans went from 3 to 5 in the span of writing this post, I wonder where those came from.

[DaveA]

Thank you teacher. Stop taking it all so seriously.

dave

	Quote:	Principia Discordia
	And because a guy makes a relatively dopey post and gets called out on it, he hands out groans to anyone who disagrees with him. So, as a result of that thread, Lob Rockster, who has a huge amount of "Thanks" to his name, gets his "Groans" doubled from 4 to 8, and other helpful posters get groans from simply disagreeing with the guy. (Myself not included, while I try to be helpful, I can also be inflammatory easily enough and don't care too much about the groans I got.) If it's going to be used seriously, I think it's great, but its inevitable that it'll end up more of a cheerleading or retaliatory function than anything else.

[Principia Discordia]

	Quote:	DaveA
	Thank you teacher. Stop taking it all so seriously. dave

It was more of a question, as I said, I don't really care, it just seems a useless feature if it's not going to be used correctly. But don't let that stop you from utilizing your beloved defense mechanism.

[DaveA]

I don't see any question marks in what you have written. It just seems almost like sour grapes to me. The whole thread is a bit obtuse to be honest, but it provides hours of fun for a number of posters including inciting indignant posters to complain...

I like the way the groan system works , and is working. Check out the widespread condemnation of a remark made by someone thoughtless about jenniferd's problems for evidence of this.

dave

	Quote:	Principia Discordia
	It was more of a question, as I said, I don't really care, it just seems a useless feature if it's not going to be used correctly. But don't let that stop you from utilizing your beloved defense mechanism.

[Principia Discordia]

	Quote:	DaveA
	I don't see any question marks in what you have written. It just seems almost like sour grapes to me. The whole thread is a bit obtuse to be honest, but it provides hours of fun for a number of posters including inciting indignant posters to complain... I like the way the groan system works , and is working. Check out the widespread condemnation of a remark made by someone thoughtless about jenniferd's problems for evidence of this.

I agree with you that its a good thing, but I don't think it's working when someone who's pissed off hands out 30-40 groans in the span of 10 minutes because people don't agree with him. If it's to be more of a serious thing, as I got the impression its supposed to be, then stuff like makes it sort of pointless, I think.

The question essentially was, despite the lack of a question mark, if the groan feature is to be taken seriously, then what do you do about situations like this?

[Javo]

Well i groaned at a few people (only once) blaim your groans on someone else. but i did it because i thought their answers were fascist - i think in a forum healthy debate should be fostered and applauded.

as for the 3rd world title. i dont think switzerland is even near a third world, it was just an catchy question title. sorry if it offended you and your 1st world button.

Actually everything in that thread i stated was factual. or it was question, to see what others thought. you shouldn't take it so seriously.

[gooner]

As for your chosen title, it's 3rd World country... not county. You might upset the British if they notice, or they'd agree with you. :-S

	Quote:	Javo
	Well i groaned at a few people (only once) blaim your groans on someone else. but i did it because i thought their answers were fascist - i think in a forum healthy debate should be fostered and applauded. as for the 3rd world title. i dont think switzerland is even near a third world, it was just an catchy question title. sorry if it offended you and your 1st world button. Actually everything in that thread i stated was factual. or it was question, to see what others thought. you shouldn't take it so seriously.

[Principia Discordia]

	Quote:	Javo
	Well i groaned at a few people (only once) blaim your groans on someone else.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're not a math student.

[Polorise]

	Quote:	Principia Discordia
	I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're not a math student.

Javonomics strikes again .....

[Javo]

well Principia and polorise

how could i not groan at your new remarks. they are personally attacking me. i think you should grow up. ill mail you a button with 1st world on it. you can wear it around to make yourselves feel better.

thanks grooner. your right i did miss spell it. my english teacher would fail me for sure... P&P at least im a big boy and can opt to admit my mistakes. Some people dont know how to discuss topics "javometrics" wow you should become a comedian because i forgot to laugh at that joke.

[Polorise]

	Quote:	Javo
	well Principia and polorise how could i not groan at your new remarks. they are personally attacking me. i think you should grow up. ill mail you a botton with 1st world on it. you can wear it around to make yourselves feel better. thanks grooner. your right i did miss spell it. my english teacher would fail me for sure... P&P at least im a big boy and can opt to admit my mistakes. Some people dont know how to discuss topics "javometrics" wow you should become a comedian because i forgot to laugh at that joke.

ooohhh ... sourpuss

[Polorise]

	Quote:	Javo
	ill mail you a botton with 1st world on it.

Button or Bottom ? ... hopefully the latter, will gain me more attention than the groans you keep posting ... sticks & stones young Javoid ....