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Suggestion: Marking symbol when new content


A Walk in Faith

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OK, I am not sure if this has ever been suggested, or if it's even possible, but tonight I thought whenever I click "view new content" I have to click each tab: Forums - Members - Help Files - Blogs - Calendar - Gallery - Resources - Community Downloads to see if there is new content within each group.

So I thought, wouldn't it be great if you could have a red asterisk or some such symbol show up next to each tab with new content.

Here is a screen shot with the red asterisk's added for an example.

%7Boption%7D


Like I said, I don't know if this is possible but I though I would throw it out to ya.... :)

Jamie

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I think it would be even better if it showed the amount of new content rather than just showing an icon.



For example if there are 3 new blog entries it would say "Blogs (3)"




I agree, I only thought that an icon would be consistent in size. I think you're idea is great, my only concern would be suppose it's a really really active board with 100's of posts, 100's of blogs etc? Would all the characters push the menu off too much? I dunno, if it wouldn't then you're idea is a great one!

:)
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Even for straightforward view new content, it can be resource intensive. Some apps only check new content based on last visit timestamp - it's not bad then, no. But some apps have full "content that I have not read support" and in those cases the queries can get pretty big and intensive. To run that query for EVERY application on EVERY view new content page would be intensive.

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Even for straightforward view new content, it can be resource intensive. Some apps only check new content based on last visit timestamp - it's not bad then, no. But some apps have full "content that I have not read support" and in those cases the queries can get pretty big and intensive. To run that query for EVERY application on EVERY view new content page would be intensive.



What about ACP configurable, where the apps to run the query could be toggled on/off. So if an app is known to cause a load, it could be 'skipped', but if it's tidy about it then it is left on so that it can 'mark' the tabs? :D
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So every other tab might be marked? How would a user know if a tab that doesn't have an asterisk or number is just too intensive, or it really doesn't have new content? That doesn't sound like a very good solution to me.



I didn't say it was a perfect solution. :whistle:

Was only tossing out the idea to help with someones request. I personally don't use the "New Content" feature much myself, so it's not a big deal to me. But if I know of a concept that might be a possible solution for a good feature, then I like to offer it up.
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  • 1 month later...

Well as a newly migrated board from vB to IPB one of the biggest problem I''m finding from my readers is the new content system.

Problems are:

1) The users enter the site from the IP.Content portal - Click on New content and of course nothing shows up - they expect to see new Content of posts, not pages. Is there any way of forcing the New Content link to go to the Forums tab initially?

2) Even though it is an intensive task for me the system needs to have counts or indicators on each tab - make it nn ACP option!

Due to the above lacks I know users are not realizing how many new posts are being made which means they think the site is not taking off and are not posting back!

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Well as a newly migrated board from vB to IPB one of the biggest problem I''m finding from my readers is the new content system.



Problems are:



1) The users enter the site from the IP.Content portal - Click on New content and of course nothing shows up - they expect to see new Content of posts, not pages. Is there any way of forcing the New Content link to go to the Forums tab initially?



2) Even though it is an intensive task for me the system needs to have counts or indicators on each tab - make it nn ACP option!



Due to the above lacks I know users are not realizing how many new posts are being made which means they think the site is not taking off and are not posting back!




1) You can modify the skin to force the default app to be "forums" instead of the current app in use.

2) I've put reasons above why it doesn't happen at present. I'm not sure of any plans to look further into this for the future.
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  • 3 weeks later...

We're still having isues with VNC.

1) Folks are reporting issues when working with it. The way they work is to open VNC (now modded to default to forums), view the list of posts, then open each in a new tab in the browser. Posts are then either read or read and replied to. Issues seen when hitting VNC again are:

  • Posts which have been read are still in the list
  • Posts which have been replied to are in the list even though is shows the user who has read and replied as the last author
  • New posts how as new content which did not show initially

After a random number of minutes the first two issues seem to sometimes resovel themselves, but not always

The forum is set to reset the mark as read counters after each page refesh (I think the option is), but it makes no difference.

Please tell me these issues have all been fixed in 3.1. I've had a number of users asking if we can go back to using vB as a forum as the marks a read system in that software worked. You read a thread or read and reply to it and instantly it vanishes from the new posts view.

2) Folks are still missing new Blog entries, etc due to a lack of understanding of the tab system. Not helped that it looks like even though new content is retainee when the user logs off (default set for the forums to show all unread posts), that this does not apply to blog entries, downloads etc. So users are missinf content that is new by not chacking all tabs and logging off.

To me the system needs to be able to retain read markers for Blogs, downlaods, calendar, etc as well as posts (if that ever works properly). Or as an interim if a new calendar entry, blog, or blog comment is made then teh system nedes to post a message in a defined forum telling folks that a new entry has been made.

Of course ideally VNC should be completely rewritten either by IPB or as a Mod to take into account:

  • As Mark as read system that works across all products and is instant in operation and reliable
  • a VNC screen that shows all unread items for all products on one screen (with dividers) without using tabs.

I know these issues are not likely to be fixed soon, but they are real gripes with the ssytem and ones that do make me regret moving from vB to IPB. IMHO these issues should be addressed urgently and before 3.1 is released. I may be a single voice speaking out but to me the above are core parts of the product and need to work well and in a manner that is clear to all users, from newbie to experienced forum user. Saying that though a lot of my users are experienced (includign myself) and even I still get caught out.

These lacks really to spoit the joy of using the forum!

Thoughts anyone?
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There is a per-user option in the user control panel for view new content to look for all topic since your last visit, or all posts you have not yet read. It sounds from your post like your users simply need to visit their user control panel and change the option so that it works closer to how your old system worked. That option is on the first tab of the "My Settings" link.

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  • 1 month later...

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