Personally, I always thought the idea of "send to a friend" was to get people to actually click on a link and visit your forums - to be used to allow one person to say "Hey, I really like this discussion, come her eand get involved in it." Not, "Hey, I like this discussion... read it in your mail box, we'll talk about tomorrow on the phone." The idea is to INCREASE traffic on your site. But then again, that's just how I personally see it.<br /><br />Sending the entire thread is too much IMO. As far as sending the entire page being viewed, that too can become excessive if someone sets their default value to list 40 or so messages per page. Now, a single message, that is certainly acceptable. Although, I think the feature needs to be approached from the standpoint of it being a tool to increase use of your forums. Not send content on your site out to the world.<br /><br />That is why I like the idea of sending partial information. It forces the reader to visit your site in order to finish the rest of the thread. I think the problem with a lot of these "wishes" and the varying points of view is that a number of us are running our sites in a completely different manner with differing ideas of what helps to build communities. []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />So again, my vote is for either a partial message or the single message. Not the entire thread. I can see the feedback already, "Why are you sending this to me!! Stop spamming me!" If it is a single post, it does not appear as excessive to the ones receiving the messages. If they get a five page long email from 20-40 posts, then they get irate.<br /><br />Now, MTO's point about the print option is a very good one. I like that idea of being able to print a single message. I also like the idea of being able toprint an entire thread. So I'm torn on that concept. A mini printer icon on each message and one at the top/bottom... those nicluded with each post print only the message, the ones at the top/bottom print the entire page.<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr><p>I like that idea of being able to print a single message. I also like the idea of being able toprint an entire thread. So I'm torn on that concept. A mini printer icon on each message and one at the top/bottom... those nicluded with each post print only the message, the ones at the top/bottom print the entire page.<p><hr></blockquote><br /><br />That's what I was trying to say..........<br /><br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre>

Sorry Brewskie, I missed it in the confusion... Let me rephrase my statement. I fully agree with what Brewskie was saying! []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums

Seems logical to me too...<br /><br />As for the next post that says that the idea is to get them to came to the board: if what you sent them (even if it is the entire thread) is interesting they will come anyway, to add to the discussion or because they know now that your site hosts interesting discussions... i don't believe in the idea of "I'll show you something but you have to click for more" (I don't believe that it works as expected, that is).<br /><br />My only concern about mailing the entire therad is the intimidating potential size of the mail. Another reason for doing it on a post by post basis is the fact that what gets your attention is ussually one post, even in the context of a discussion (but maybe that's just me...I always wished I could send posts rather than threads as a user). I also would be somewhat lazy if I got a huge email...even my friend does not know if that is actually interesting for me so I would like him/her to show me something interesting and let me decide if it is worth reading more...<br /><br />

You're right patagon, that's why after thinking about it more and more, I like the idea of sending an entire message. But I think sending the entire thread could get out of hand. It is a tough call. But to be honest, I'd settle for any of the above over no option at all.<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums

Ok, here is another screenshot. This will give the user the option to print out an entire thread (The icon at the top of the thread), and also the option to mail an individual post, print an individual post, and notify a moderator of a post (not done with the script for this one). Also would like to have a unique icon for notifying a moderator of the post instead of what is used now.<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

That looks fantastic Scream! []/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/] I think as a website owner I would like the option of disabling the e-mail function. I haven't made up my mind on whether it's a good thing or not. I love the other two, Print and Notify Moderator. Regarding Notify Moderator, does the admin get a copy also, for those boards not assigned a moderator (I have no moderators at this point)?<br /><br />http://www.yourvacationdreams.com

If there are no moderators assigned to a forum then the notice would go to the admin.<br /><br />I'll make config options to turn the email stuff off. Also, most of the stuff won't be available to users that aren't logged in so things won't be overly abused, so if a new user is browsing they won't get the links for favorites, reminders, email, notify. They will probably only get the link for printing the individual posts and threads.<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

Scream--<br /><br />Uhh, could it be a little confusing that these new icons are in the post and the reply and edit ones are in the title bar for that post. In other words, do you click the one above the message you want to e-mail, or below it? []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />:-Doug.<br />[]Doug@FootprintsintheWind.com[/]<br />www.FootprintsintheWind.com<br /><br />PS: Would it improve traffic if visitors not logged in could e-mail the post to a friend?

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr><p>If there are no moderators assigned to a forum then the notice would go to the admin. <p><hr></blockquote><br />I'd like to have an admin option to select whether all email should cc to admin no matter moderators was assigned or not. That will be a great feature for admin to tracking unanswered questions.<br /><br />Also, a great job. Scream. Just can't wait to test the new functions.[]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />

I would preffer the icons aligned to the right, and instead of the text being in the link, having it in the image alt tags so that on mouseover the text displays.<br /><br />These are icons that should be used lot less than any others, and they dont need to be right in the middle taking space and calling your attention. Right now they are much easier to see than the "Reply" and "Edit" ones themselves... Therefore, I suggest moving them to the right and with the text in the alt tags.<br /><br />Mateo Byler<br />CruceDeCaminos.com

I love it! There are a lot of options there, but honestly, they are great options. Looking good! []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums

I tried a few different places for the icons, and most everywhere ended up looking cluttered. I figured since the icons are in the same background color as the body of the post it would be ok, but it may take some more tweaking. Tried adding it next to the reply/edit buttons but it just didn't look good at all.<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

Forgot your P.S. If you allow anonymous users to send an email there is no way to show who the email is being sent from reliably. When a logged in user uses this function it sends the email from their actual email address so there is some accountability behind it.<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

I tried moving them over to the right, but it looked very cluttered. I have the Main thread options, Print, Favorite, Reminder, etc on the top and the bottom for ease of use, and when the icons for the individual post options are over to the right they are right next to the thread options on the last post. We can try different placements as things move along as I'd like to do whatever looks best.<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

Scream, how about this... add the icons to the right of the topic (similar to the UBB and many other products). Then ensure the ALT options are used so that mouse-overs indicate the purpose of the icons. Like the same attached to this post. Removing the text really eases on the clutter. Another option is to put the icons in a similar pattern, but just below the user image in the left hand cell.<br /><br />Hmm.. where did the attachment go?<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Jhariden on 03/30/01 12:03 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

Tries again...<br /><br />Jhariden (aka Strategist)<br />Stratics Forums

Like Eileen suggested (or did) a flag on the database record for VIP posts and an easy check box for admin/moderators to set it. This would mean there would not be a need to copy "keepers" to another board. You could ad a item to search to display all these VIP messages for browsing.<br /><br />How about a check box for admins to delete messages quickly in showflat mode. I can check 5,10,20 then hit a doit button at the bottom of the page and they all get zapped at once.<br /><br /><br />My only other grip is being able to see deleted messges, but I think that will be more complecated and I have my hack to tide me over.<br /><br />Thanks!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />

[]http://www.wwwthreads.com/files/10-33266-notifymod.gif[/] Here is an icon for the Notify Moderator.<br /><br />Mateo Byler<br />CruceDeCaminos.com

Why not a setup like this Scream?<br /><br />icons at the bottom of posts<br /><br />BTW....<br /><br />Their "quote" link is a really good idea! It would save a bit of hassle instead of having to type [ quote] when you want to quote someone.<br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre><p>