Why aren't all posts shown when replying

when I reply to a thread I only see the first post

[chadmg]

Whenever I reply to a thread I only see the first post. So often times I have to open a new window/tab to view the other posts so I can reply adequately. I think I use to be able to see the whole thread when replying. I can not find this option anywhere in the control panel. Am I missing something, or has this been removed. If it has been removed I request that it be put back, or at least made an option. I think it adds value to the replies. Thanks.

[photon]

I can't find the post but Brett addressed this in the past. The theory is that just seeing the first post will help threads to stay on topic, instead on splintering into other tangentially related subjects.

<edited to add>
Found it: [webmasterworld.com...]

[Reflection]

Hmmm, this seems to be something that helps in the google forum but hurts most other forums IMO.

[chadmg]

After reading that other thread, I undertand Brett's point of view. But I can't help but feel it's a but too much hand holding. Yes, it may help keep threads on track in reference to the original post. But I don't believe threads should just exist to answer the original post. They are living things and often expand to make that post more useful and informative. Now every time I reply to a message I am annoyed that I can not see the other posts without opening a new window. And annoying someone who is willing to reply is counterproductive to the forum. At least make it an option.

[sidyadav]

Another reason for that is to save Brett's bandwidth :)

Sid

[chadmg]

But is it bandwidth saved from users he's turning away? He's not saving any from me since I now have to have 2 windows open.

[sidyadav]

Just imagine all data getting parsed everytime a user tries to reply to a thread. Now times that by about 500 (WebmasterWorld's average post count - in a day).

Isn't that far more than having 2 windows open? ;)

Sid

[chadmg]

IMHO, there is a greater value in posts that come from someone who is fully able to collect his thoughts based on the full thread, then saving some bandwidth. It's easy to measure the drop in bandwidth. It isn't as easy to measure the drop in the quality of responses.

Take this scenario for example. I start a new thread with a question. Someone posts a response. The response doesn't fully answer my question, so I need to respond to the response. I click reply and I have no reference to any responses. All I have is my original post. It's annoying.

If Brett needs to save the bandwidth to keep this forum alive, then I can certainly understand. If it's just to keep threads on topic, I say it's a bad idea.

[whoisgregg]

He's not saving any from me since I now have to have 2 windows open.

Bandwidth is used each time you open a page/refresh the page. A second window being open does not increase the bandwidth as the first page (the thread) is already residing on your machine.

I find that I almost always open the reply in a second window. If the full thread was in the reply page, then I would be downloading the thread twice, costing me and Brett unnecessary bandwidth.

When I have a quick response, I open the reply in the same window and dash off my response. If the full thread was on the reply page it would make the reply page load slower and cost me and Brett unnecessary bandwidth.

[chadmg]

When I wrote that, I was in the habit of typing my response, realizing I needed to refer to the thread, then opening a new window and reloading the page. Hence the extra bandwidth. Now when I reply I am forced to right-click and open the reply page in a new window. Bandwidth is saved.

I agree that this change is good for bandwidth, but I think it's bad for usability. As a user, it does not work for me. It may work for you, that's why it should be an option. But Brett stated this change was to keep threads on topic. I don't think showing only the first post does this.

[DrDoc]

stay on topic

It works great, provided the first post got on topic ;) But, if it's one of those "I have no clue what is wrong here" posts, then it's a bit harder.

However, there must be a cut-off limit somewhere... If not at the first post, then when?

[chadmg]

Good question doc. Personally I would be happy with seing the posts that were on the page that I hit the reply button for. And if it isn't the first page, maybe throw in the first post of the thread. However, there are probably some that select to see 30 posts on a page and maybe that is too many for bandwidth concerns. So you ask a very good question. What was done before? If there was a reply button for each post it would be easier. Then you could show the post associated with the reply button and the first post. *shrug*

How about an option in preferences that would open the reply page in a new window on a single click?

[DrDoc]

reply button for each post it would be easier

See, that's the thing though... You don't reply to individual posts -- you reply to the topic. Having a reply button for each post would inevitably take us way off topic [webmasterworld.com]

[chadmg]

Right Doc, but sometimes to really answer a question or discuss a topic a thread might need to look more like a conversation. And it's easier to write an appropriate response with the right references to what you're responding to. Maybe Brett needs to add a sentence to the "Help on creating messages section" about staying on topic. But again, you're never going to get compliance. Sadly, people generally don't read these things. Off topic posts are a big problem, I know [webmasterworld.com], but I don't feel this is the correct solution. People will still take posts off-topic regardless.

I find that I am repeating my points over and over again. I'm just trying to help build a better forum. Disagree at will.