Automerging of posts?

[microbe]

I removed the feature for now... It's a shame. I like this hack.

I might install it again when I find out how to disable the feature for certain forums.

Quite certain features only make sense for stuff like OT. For example, then 10-char limit.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

I(t)'ll be back!

 

[MSTK]

There is a downside to this thing, of course, especially involving posting statistics in Demogame, NES, etc. Placeholders are now practically impossible. And there are other things to take in account. For example, I wanted to post a giant map that stretched out the post all the way, so I posted it after the main post. It wounded up getting edited in, and stretching everything!

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Don't worry; when (hopefully not if) it's back, we'll ensure it's either forum-specific, or else there's still an option for you to reserve spots somehow.

 

[Stapel]

I see it's gone!

But I still don't get the idea behind it.
Really puzzles me.

Could XIII, ainwood or TF explain why they think this feature is any good? It does not reduce spam, does it?

I see quite some people, including experienced mods, do think it reduces spam.

Is spam any better, when it is merged into another (spammy or not) post?

The more I think about, the more I dislike it. I seriously think this feature does change my words, and thus my post do no longer reflect what I meant. I don't think that's good.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I figured it was intended to stop what I did in the "Polanyi" thread, if anyone remembers that one - posting a patch of short replies to various bits of a big post. I don't really see what's so bad about that (assuming the individual replies are worthwhile; needless to say, I think my were), but it clearly annoys the hell out of some people.

In OT, I don't care that much either way. I can think of occasions in C&C when it would have driven me insane.

 

[ainwood]

Could XIII, ainwood or TF explain why they think this feature is any good? It does not reduce spam, does it?

I see quite some people, including experienced mods, do think it reduces spam.

Is spam any better, when it is merged into another (spammy or not) post?

Lets face it - there are people who care more about post count than using the edit button. There are people who use multiple posts instead of consolidating replies into a single post purely for post count. I, an probably a few of the other mods as well, have at times merged them. One particular example I merged about 8 consecutive posts into one. However, most of the time I can't be bothered - I have better things to do.

The real benefit of this is in preventing those people who join a thread that has reached page 5, and start at the very start of the thread putting in quote comments about many of the points made. They end up with about 4 or 5 posts in a row, and some of these are one-liners. Why shouldn't they all be merged in to one?

The more I think about, the more I dislike it. I seriously think this feature does change my words, and thus my post do no longer reflect what I meant. I don't think that's good.

Why? How does having exactly the same words in two posts instead of one change anything?

The ONLY valid argument against it that I can see is the inability to put place-holder posts for story / succession games etc.

 

[MSTK]

Also the ability to post large post-stretching pictures into two seperate posts so that the content one doesn't read a huge paragraph as one line.

 

[bobgote]

Lets face it - there are people who care more about post count than using the edit button. There are people who use multiple posts instead of consolidating replies into a single post purely for post count. I, an probably a few of the other mods as well, have at times merged them. One particular example I merged about 8 consecutive posts into one. However, most of the time I can't be bothered - I have better things to do.

The real benefit of this is in preventing those people who join a thread that has reached page 5, and start at the very start of the thread putting in quote comments about many of the points made. They end up with about 4 or 5 posts in a row, and some of these are one-liners. Why shouldn't they all be merged in to one?

I don't believe i've seen this occurring. which forums does it happen in? i would have thought OT would be spammy enough, but i don't recall this happening very often at all.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Humor, Other Games, as well as in the Civ forums I believe.

 

[Stapel]

Lets face it - there are people who care more about post count than using the edit button. There are people who use multiple posts instead of consolidating replies into a single post purely for post count. I, an probably a few of the other mods as well, have at times merged them. One particular example I merged about 8 consecutive posts into one. However, most of the time I can't be bothered - I have better things to do.

Well, let them have it! I couldn't care less about people who want to raise there count. Why bother? I seriously don't get this arguemnt. Let it go!

The real benefit of this is in preventing those people who join a thread that has reached page 5, and start at the very start of the thread putting in quote comments about many of the points made. They end up with about 4 or 5 posts in a row, and some of these are one-liners. Why shouldn't they all be merged in to one?

Why should they? I for one dislike that a lot! If the poster wants them to be merged, he can do that himself. I would never do so, I think.
Let's face it: that is not a real benefit. I don't think you seriously believe it is a benefit when these posts are merged. What is the benefit of a big merged post with 5 replies above 5 posts with one reply each? Do you really think that improves the quality of this forum?
What is it that people dislike one liners? They can be very informative and clarifying!

Why? How does having exactly the same words in two posts instead of one change anything??

Because sometimes, words should not be connected to eachother. Sometimes different aspects are debated, and therefor different posts are better. I dislike it when two rather different aspects are merged. When it's done by someone else, I dislike it even more. When it's done automatically, it's like talking with you mouth taped.

The ONLY valid argument against it that I can see is the inability to put place-holder posts for story / succession games etc.

Thanks for disqualifying my argument's validity.

 

[Stapel]

Also the ability to post large post-stretching pictures into two seperate posts so that the content one doesn't read a huge paragraph as one line.

Well, I made two posts a week ago, as I wanted two pics to be shown (the quick uplink thingy only allows one pic to be displayed) .
Guess what: merged... no pic to be seen.

@Ainwood:
You see. This post does NOT AT ALL belong to the one above. I would dislike it to be merged, let go automerged.

 

[ainwood]

Well, let them have it! I couldn't care less about people who want to raise there count. Why bother? I seriously don't get this arguemnt. Let it go!

Do you mean why bother trying to reduce spam? Well, its a pretty simple argument - people read posts to exchange ideas and get information. If they need to trawl through 15 posts of rubbish for every one piece of decent stuff, they're going to simply go elsewhere.

Why should they? I for one dislike that a lot! If the poster wants them to be merged, he can do that himself. I would never do so, I think.

Equally, why shouldn't they? Because you don't like it? Merging makes things tidier, in my opinion.

Because sometimes, words should not be connected to eachother. Sometimes different aspects are debated, and therefor different posts are better. I dislike it when two rather different aspects are merged. When it's done by someone else, I dislike it even more. When it's done automatically, it's like talking with you mouth taped.

You're still not really addressing the question - how does a little dividing line between posts actually change the message? Your reason seems to simply be because you don't like it.

@Ainwood:
You see. This post does NOT AT ALL belong to the one above. I would dislike it to be merged, let go automerged.

But what problem does it cause for you if it was merged? Does it stop you getting your point across?

And I addressed both of your posts in a single post.

 

[AVN]

I agree with the mods that automerging makes threads better readable.
How can we get this great feature back.

Do I need to start a seperate petition thread ?

 

[Chieftess]

I removed the feature for now... It's a shame. I like this hack.

I might install it again when I find out how to disable the feature for certain forums.

I'm not sure what the code it, but it could read a simple database (filename: dbAutoMerge perhaps), with the forum ID, Name, and a boolean value for on/off. A simple if statement would probably be all that's needed. (check the forum ID and see if it's on. If it is, then continue merging).

 

[MarineCorps]

I agree with the mods that automerging makes threads better readable.
How can we get this great feature back.

Do I need to start a seperate petition thread ?

Wel TF said it will be turned on once he firgures out how to turn it on for specific forums.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Do you mean why bother trying to reduce spam? Well, its a pretty simple argument - people read posts to exchange ideas and get information. If they need to trawl through 15 posts of rubbish for every one piece of decent stuff, they're going to simply go elsewhere.

As a sometime-spammer, I fail to understand how 15 small posts is better/worse than one big post containing the same amount of rubbish.

About the only exception would be solitaire word association threads, and I don't do them here anyway.

 

[Dell19]

I find it easier to read posts that are all together rather than 15 separate posts as you also have to skip by 15 repetitions of their sig and the menu bar...

 

[Stapel]

Do you mean why bother trying to reduce spam? Well, its a pretty simple argument - people read posts to exchange ideas and get information. If they need to trawl through 15 posts of rubbish for every one piece of decent stuff, they're going to simply go elsewhere.

Shoving spam together does not reduce or prevent spam. It's nothing but make-up.

Equally, why shouldn't they? Because you don't like it? Merging makes things tidier, in my opinion.

Sometimes it makes things tidier, sometimes it damages the structure of a post. Letting the poster decide for himself, seems a fair option.

You're still not really addressing the question - how does a little dividing line between posts actually change the message? Your reason seems to simply be because you don't like it.

Of course it changes the message, though not is a very severe way. But it simply does present the message in a different way than intended. I have already admitted I'm over-sensitive for that, but still.
You think it does not change (serious) messages, but yet you think it does change spammy messages. Does it change messages or not? Your call!

But what problem does it cause for you if it was merged? Does it stop you getting your point across?

YES! It does. That is my problem with it. It gets my point accross differently than intended. I think that's quite something. I'm a bit surprised that is so easily debunked as 'not a real problem'.

And I addressed both of your posts in a single post.

To each his own posting style!

 

[Stapel]

I agree with the mods that automerging makes threads better readable.
How can we get this great feature back.

Do I need to start a seperate petition thread ?

This feature should be an option, I think. Either standard or per post.


Hi AVN, thank you for posting. You did, however, post in this thread 3 minutes ago. Do you want your posts to be merged?
-Yes, and btw, don't ask again! Always merge in these situations please!
-No, and btw, don't ask again! Never merge in these situations please!
-Yes
-No

Fair option (if possible at all......)?