Posted by spoc on April 18, 2004, at 22:20:36
In reply to Re: tracing the evolution of a thread, posted by Dr. Bob on April 17, 2004, at 15:42:03
> > I believe many people don't *think* to click on the link that appears after "In reply to."
... If you see my point and agree, but still don't want to use up a few lines for a clarification blurb at the top of your initial post in a newly planted redirect, you could instead just add the instructions to the FAQs or Options. >
------
> That's a good idea, how about:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#trace
----
> > THEN, in your first deposited post, add a hyperlink to "Instructions on finding the beginning of this thread, and how to reply *here* to others who posted to its former location." OR, if possible, maybe you could just make the “In reply to” link *itself* in the FIRST post at the redirect read: “CLICK HERE FOR CONTINUATION OF: ‘(e.g.) Why are weekends so hard?’ ” Maybe it would also help if at the original location you add to your redirect announcement, as in "Redirected: Post to new location only." >
---
> Maybe I'll just hope people read the FAQ? "Continuation" could be confusing. I think it's clear at the original location where to post to. And sometimes I'm not redirecting all follow-ups, just those on certain topics. >======================
Thanks! But hmmm, for some reason the wording in there isn't striking me as very clear...? Maybe it's just because my entire angle has only been that of the confusion of those at the landing site of a redirected thread, and how to literally spell things out. (Please note that again, I'm not asking how to do or trace anything myself, I get it).Because although I threw in a "bonus" suggestion, I do agree that it's been made clear enough already on the departure end. I think almost everything about navigating a thread at its original or only location is indeed likely to be figured out with any effort.
But I don't think the other half is anywhere near as intuitive. People are obviously responsible for becoming familiar with the FAQs themselves, but realistically, redirects are always going to be widely misunderstood on the receiving end. I think putting an unavoidable clue in people's faces may be the only way around that. (Me and my missions, huh?! However the posters who don't do Babble/Google searches may not even know or notice that they're missing anything; but in this case what's missing gets noticed! Or just dropped.)
Again, I think the risk of any confusion resulting from what you state above is far exceeded by the number of instances in which it would clarify and help. And I had only meant to suggest putting an instruction, or link wording such as "For Continuation of," in the very first post of the half of the thread that you transplant, not in all of them. So the individual posts on a thread that are *not* being redirected wouldn't even be involved.
But, thanks for what you did do! And I'll lay down my sword now. I tell ya, the next most likely thing to get ignored by posters besides the transplanted half of a redirect is me trying to get involved! :- |
poster:spoc
thread:334591
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040307/msgs/337569.html