AeroWesty

Two quickies:

1) Does the "Rate Thread" function do anything at all? I sorted the AA forum by thread rating, and either up or down, the posts returned in the list were all last posted in 1999.

2) Often photos are posted that consume all of the screen real estate and more. Since the forum software doesn't seem to auto-size photos (is this planned?), what's the best way to deal with this? I've tried adjusting the zoom, but even then, sometimes I can't get the text at a legible size by the time the photo fits the screen. (The last time I saw someone ask a poster to resize/repost his photos in the Trip Report forum, he took umbrage to it and merely suggested that we resize our zoom.) I'm running FT on a MacBook 13" with 1280x800 resolution.

Thanks.

MSPeconomist

If I respond to a post (for example in the same thread in which it appeared) but forget to quote it, is there an easy way to later edit my post so that the quote appears?

Canarsie

To my knowledge, no.

I go back to the original content, click on the Quote button and copy the entire quote to edit and paste what I originally posted as my response.

serpens

The last post in this forum is over two years old. Here is some new life for it.

When I am viewing a forum, a thread with many pages has links to go directly to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or the last page. It would be more useful to be able to go directly to any of pages 1, 2, antepenultimate, penultimate, or last. How many people want to go to page 4 of a thread with many pages, anyway?

What practical difference does it make? If I click on the "Last Page" link, then click on "View First Unread" link, it takes me to the first post on the last page even if I have not seen the last post (or earlier) on the next-to-last page. Apparently my only choice, from the forum view, is to open the first (or other early) page, and then click on View First Unread. This has the disadvantage of always forcing the loading a new thread page, which is a nuisance with my abysmal internet connection. But even with a good transfer rate, I would rather avoid having to change thread pages.

A better solution to the problem would be to have View First Unread actually display the first unread post. Even then, I think that having a direct link to the next-to-last page is more worthwhile than having a direct link to page 4.

With the advent of the disruptive ads, I have stopped displaying threads before fora. The ads sometimes fouls things up, and it is easier to recover from a fouled up forum view than a fouled up thread view, because the software assumes the fouled up thread has been fully read.

Thanks for any help, and thanks for keeping FlyerTalk working.

FindAWay

I'm confused.

It sounds like a solution to your complaint exists - simply click the "Go to first new post" icon next to a thread in the forum view. It is the little down arrow box and it takes you to the first unread post in the thread.

serpens

I was the one who was confused, or rather, ignorant. I hadn't noticed that arrow. Even after your description, it took me some hunting to find it. (That is no criticism of your description.)

Thank you! That does address my complaint. Now I just need to learn to use that arrow, which shouldn't take me more than a few days. Old dog, new trick.

I still think my proposed numbering scheme has merit, but it no longer has the urgency.

monitor

If you think that you're an "old dog," think of how long it might take me to get accustomed to using the "new trick."

I never noticed that arrow and have been doing it the wrong way for more than fifteen years.

JDiver

Wikipost FAQs

Q. What is a Wikipost?

A Wikipost contains content that appears at the top of a thread, usually used to summarize important information in multi-page threads: "This is a community-maintained wikipost containing the most important information from this thread. You may start orb edit a Wikipost once you have been on FT for 90 days and have made 90 posts." (Written at the top of every Wikipost.)


Q. Why are Wikiposts here? What is their purpose?

Threads that have high interest can grow very quickly, making it tiresome to sort through sometimes hundreds of posts to find information. A Wikipost is designed to contain a summary of relevant information, and may contain links to especially relevant posts, related threads and off-site resources. Any member with "90/90" can update obsolete information or update Wikipost information, and of course there's plenty of space to discuss or ask about more specific details.


Q. What display modes are offered for Wikiposts?

There are three modes of wiki post display: (c/o IBobi)

Q. Why are so many threads with Wikiposts concentrated on the front pages of some fora?

The most popular / used threads are often those with complicated content - frequent flyer or guest program changes, securing awards, etc. These are the threads most likely to have Wikiposts summarizing key points.


Q. How / why did Wikiposts come about on FT?

Wikiposts came about after requests from members to Internet Brands and a lot of forethought, followed by Beta testing. They are considered a valuable asset to FlyerTalk, and a viable and "closer" alternative to maintaining an off site, separate wiki.


Q. What do "wiki" and "Wikipost" mean?

The word "wiki" (wee-kee) is Hawaiian Polynisian for "fast" or "quick". Here, a Wikipost offers a quick look at the topic covered by a thread.


Q. Can I see a listing of Wikiposts?

Yes. Up in the dark blue navigation bar, a little below the FlyerTalk logo, it says "Flyertalk [sic, should be a capital T] Wiki." Click that and then "Show all Wiki [sic, should be plural]" from the sub-menu.

(Thanks to jackal)


Q. What do I do if I just don't want to read the Wikiposts?

Just continue browsing normally. Only minimized Wikiposts (a few lines) will be revealed until you click on / touch the blue "Click here to display Full Wiki" line. The full Wikipost will only be displayed if you click the link to read it. Ignore the Wikipost if you don't want to read the information therein.


Q. What do I do if I feel there are too darn many Wikiposts?

You can go to the "Wikipost" blue menu bar at the top of a thread page and click on the "-" sign at the right end of the bar, which will minimize all wikis; you never have to see a Wikipost again. That information never has to intrude on your reading of FlyerTalk. And, of course you can turn wiki posts "on" by clicking the "+" in the same menu bar when you wish.)

Alternatively, you can go to your FT Profile, look at Your Control Panel, Edit Options. Toward the bottom of the page you'll see

Q. What are the alternatives to wikiposts in a large forum?

Q. I can't open and edit a particular Wikipost! Why?

A few wiki posts may be locked by moderators to prevent making changes; these preferably should be clearly marked with an explanation.


Q. I can't even see Wikiposts! Why?

If you can not see the wiki posts:

Assuming you are signed in, have been on FT 90 or more days and have made 90 or more posts:

In your FT Profile, look at Your Control Panel, Edit Options. Toward the bottom of the page you'll see

Be sure that option is turned off.


Q. How do I open and start a wikipost myself?

To create a wiki, go to the Thread Tools menu on the right of the thread menu bar, click / touch Create a Wikipost


Q. I've got "90/90"; how do I edit a wikipost?

To edit a wiki, expand by clicking / touching the "Click here to display full wiki" message, then see the Edit button in the lower right of the wiki.


Q. What formatting can I use to make a wikipost more "eye-tractive" and readable?

Wikis accepts a lot of common BBCode formatting, some of which is shown below - but not all.

Bold and colors work! strikeouts work, as does highlighting.

Sizes work as well, from larger than this to this.

However, names of threads like http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/techn...-problems.html are not being normalized. (URL links to FlyerTalk in posts will render such: "Wikipost" / wiki post questions, issues, discussion.

In wiki posts, they will render as full URL: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/techn...olidated.html; look at the above URL to see how you can adjust that.

See Calchas' post #122 to read about the wiki history rendering.


Q. Can I embed or add illustrations or photos in Wikiposts?

Links to photographs and graphic images can be embedded in wikiposts; framed video links can not be, nor can images be attached as in posts.

sdsearch

I see no mention of mobile FT above. Does that mean that wikiposts are now visible on the mobile version of FT?

Also, do you really need 90 days just to see wikiposts? I thought that was just to edit wikiposts, but it's mentioned in the section on "why don't I see any wikiposts" (where I expected to find the "mobile FT" answer).