Preview Post button

[Ryan Roos]

Apr 24, 2013 6:45:47 GMT -8 Barkley said:

Apr 22, 2013 6:27:50 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

What we wanted to do with the Preview wasn't able to be added. Instead it was decided that to help new convertees we would rename Visual to Preview. We launch one week from today and simply couldn't add the button and functionality.

I'm surprised at the functions you have settled for if I'm honest.

The features of the admin panel, and the the tools available to admins are among the best I've used, but unfortunately the posting side of things with regards to the editor functions are among the worst, and that's a shame, as with basic changes it could have been so much better.

Launch dates should be delayed until you get it right, rather than launching a flawed product in my opinion. I can't speak for others, but after a preview function request, I personally found the name change to be a little bit insulting and patronizing.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

Every single feature and option when posting in v4 is in v5. Some may just look different or have been improved.

• BBCode is now BBCode 2.0 and has hundreds, if not thousands, more styling options.
• Color is now set using the color picker.
• Size and Font have previews when you set them.
• Tables, URLs, Images, Emails, lists and more have dialogs to help you set them up.
• There are more smilies and the ability to go even higher.
• There is @tagging and a member search built into the editor.
• We support dozens of new video types.
• You can embed twitter and spotify.
• Polls have been improved, but will be improved again to be even more awesome with more options later.
• You can attach multiple attachments in a single post.
• The admin can decide how images display within posts fill or stretch or scroll.
• You can edit your post while you preview it if you want.
• Multi-quoting and the new quote formatting (setting authors, sources, timestamps, etc.).
• And that's just my short list, there is even more...

We do think we got it right. We believe we have one of the best composition editors of any forum service (and I dare say website) anywhere online. We're sorry that you don't agree.


As always, if you have ideas for basic changes that could make things even better. We are always listening to our members.

[Barkley]

The whole point is that your preview facility does nothing of the sort. A previewer should show what the post will look like when submitted. I think I'm going to withdraw from this particular debate, as it is clear that we both have different ideas about what a preview option should do.

[Ryan Roos]

Apr 24, 2013 8:17:48 GMT -8 Barkley said:

The whole point is that your preview facility does nothing of the sort. A previewer should show what the post will look like when submitted. I think I'm going to withdraw from this particular debate, as it is clear that we both have different ideas about what a preview option should do.

No we both agree. A Preview should Preview.

Your previous post was saying nothing about that and everything about the editor being the worst. So bad that we shouldn't be launching.

According to Patrick Clinger the preview is a preview. If you have further issue then I suggest you take it up with him. I already made every effort on my part to add a separate preview button for you, but that just isn't part of the bigger plan.

The Preview Tab that you see now does show a preview of how your post will look. Literally the only differences are where words wrap (because of width) and if there's a placeholder (like for a video). Word wrapping is already variable from browser to browser and person to person. You and I already see this post different from one another with or without a preview feature or not (it's been like that since v1). You could resize your own browser to experience this. Breaks, formatting and everything else are identical unless you've changed your CSS directly to make it different.

What you see in the Preview mode is what you get.

It's a WYSIWYG.

If you want a v4 experience because you don't like composing in Preview mode, then use BBCode and only switch to Preview to see what your post will look like.

[Barkley]

Your new avatar threw me Ryan.

I didn't realise it was your good self replying. I originally thought it was another member. I'm sure you can understand why somebody might shake their head when they see the name change as being the button they were expecting. Combine that with the BB code as default, the editor causing the page to hide, the pictures no longer embedding, and a few other things discussed and you can see why I might consider the launch with these factors as being a lesser editor.

I need to let this go though mate, as no point knocking on a door that can't open. There are other things to be positive about.

[Ryan Roos]

Apr 24, 2013 18:33:20 GMT -8 Barkley said:

Your new avatar threw me Ryan.

I didn't realise it was your good self replying. I originally thought it was another member. I'm sure you can understand why somebody might shake their head when they see the name change as being the button they were expecting. Combine that with the BB code as default, the editor causing the page to hide, the pictures no longer embedding, and a few other things discussed and you can see why I might consider the launch with these factors as being a lesser editor.

I need to let this go though mate, as no point knocking on a door that can't open. There are other things to be positive about.

Sorry about the avatar (and possibly my name). I was working on commercial things and needed a general name and avatar for screenshots.

I know you don't want to keep debating me, but it's my job to explain things to make sure others don't get confused. Let me just address some of the things you just said and we can be done with it. This is far more for the benifit of others, just keep that in mind.

BB code as default - BBCode has always been the default on forums. Always. It stands for Bulletin Board Code, the first messageboards ever (forums). And in v5 you can switch your preference in your profile to be the Preview Mode as default if you want. You control it. We gave you the option.

The editor causing the page to hide - I assume you mean when you preview the composition area disappears. I agree and disagree with you on this. First you can toggle back and forth instantly. It's not even like the old preview in v4 where you had to wait for the page to load. So while you lose the ability to see them both, you essentially are granted an instant preview. Second, you can now edit the preview directly. So if you have any change you need to make you can simply make it in the preview if you don't want to toggle back.

The pictures no longer embedding - I don't understand this one. First, we've always composed in BBCode mode before v4 and you could never see an image before you posted. Second images embed just fine. Here's one right below this. And if they don't act how you want them to act you can change that in your forum settings. We added choices for the admin on how they want images to display.

and a few other things - As always we are willing to listen. Remember that 90% of the new stuff in v5 was suggested by members for members. We listen a lot. But we also launch on Monday and not everything is going to make the initial cut. Especially redundant things. Would I like to see a preview button that works just like the v4 one did? Yes. But do we already have a way to preview things instantly? Yes, we do. I'm going to fight for this in the future even more, I already did so a bunch. It just isn't something that's going to happen now. I think you've come to accept that.

Thank you.