Mouse over link display a snippet of the post?

Could work quite well here

[TheDave]

When you hover your mouse over a link to a thread, a snippet from the first post appears as a tooltip. I like it.

[Tor]

Excellent idea! What about it Brett?

[encyclo]

1. Does that mean that you've got to download a snippet from every thread on the page each time you look at an index page?

2. Will it work cross-browser when I visit this site from different machines running, say, Firefox, Opera 5 and Dillo? (I've used those 3 browsers myself to visit this site only this week.)

This forum is all the better because of its simple no-nonsense UI. I'd much prefer it left that way. A definite "no" vote.

[Leosghost]

and why not "blink" text for the "newer" and "recent posts" "flash intro on first page"...Urggsh! agree with encyclo ...

I want garish tasteless site stuff ..I'll code it myselfand put it on my own sites ..just like always;)

[Reflection]

Tool tip text is hardly garish.

[MatthewHSE]

Sounds like a cool idea. I probably wouldn't use it myself, but I can see it being useful.

[whoisgregg]

It would bloat the code for every page by 100-200% minimum (Each snippet has to be in a css hidden div, right?). I'd rather have fast loading pages.

That would also have the side effect of discouraging members from thinking about their thread title and subheading. (Why write a succinct yet descriptive title when everyone gets a hovered view of the first paragraph anyways?)

That would mean for me to know if I can be helpful to a thread I have to:
1. Read the now useless title (You'd start seeing titles like: "Help! More details in snippet...")
2. Hover my mouse over the table row.
3. Wait for delayed pop-up.
4. Read popped up snippet.
5. Realize I can help, click to view.

Neat idea, works for some forums -- but I'd rather not see it here. :)

[MatthewHSE]

Good points whois. I hadn't thought of those potential problems.

[Brett_Tabke]

>1. Does that mean that you've got to download a
> snippet from every thread on the page each time you
> look at an index page?

yep - massive increase bandwidth usage.

KISS method of programming practiced here ;)

[TheDave]

I think you'll find there's no change to the topic titles, not that I've seen on the forum where it's used.

Potential bandwidth savings in that people won't be opening a thread only to find out that it's not what they thought.

[krieves]

I was thinking that a little dancing hula girl (animated gif) next to each unread message would work well. And when you moused over her a cartoon quote balloon would open and display the first few lines of the post. :)

[encyclo]

I was thinking that a little dancing hula girl (animated gif) next to each unread message would work well. And when you moused over her a cartoon quote balloon would open and display the first few lines of the post. :)

Why stop there?! When I mouseover a thread link, I want the dancing hula girl to sing the contents of the first post to a backing tune of the theme from Hawaii Five-O (along with the appropriate paddling movements, naturally)!

Surely this must be possible at a very reasonable cost in terms of bandwidth/server load? ;)

[sem4u]

I don't really like it. What is wrong with clicking onto the message to read it?

[Leosghost]

Why stop there?! When I mouseover a thread link, I want the dancing hula girl to sing the contents of the first post to a backing tune of the theme from Hawaii Five-O (along with the appropriate paddling movements, naturally)!

In an embedded flash movie ..naturally ...veiwable only in IE 6 at fixed res 1024 x 768 ..

Sorry Brett ..wouldn't be able to see your own website.