This is my answer, but this is not my "best answer." January 15, 2008 1:45 PM Subscribe
[My-Little-Pony]: Is it possible to create a function that mimics the "best answer" feature, but is intended for use by the OP to highlight the OP's additional details/responses within the post?
Inspired by this post on the use of the "best answer feature" to highlight additional information given by the OP, I think that implementing a function akin to the "best answer feature" would be helpful. This would allow the OP to highlight details that are pertinent to the post and that might, in fact, change the nature or direction of the original question given new information.
For instance: I recently posted an askme wherein I inquire about the nature and costliness of car repair. I have already received a slew of wonderful, helpful responses from other mefites. However, I am still in negotiation with the dealer about various estimates, and have recently come across some information that might have some relevance to future suggestions by mefites coming into the thread (i.e. the garage wants to charge for wheel bearing replacement in my car when, in fact, the wheel bearings have been replaced before under a recall on my automobile, etc).
The shifted, visual emphasis on the OP's responses could be done a number of ways, including using a button (in the same manner of "best answer" button, but perhaps denoted as "emphasized response") that either changes the color of the text, or highlights the area around the text (in a different gradient or color than the "best answer" highlighted boxes).
Is this something that could be done? Pretty please, with sugar on top?
Inspired by this post on the use of the "best answer feature" to highlight additional information given by the OP, I think that implementing a function akin to the "best answer feature" would be helpful. This would allow the OP to highlight details that are pertinent to the post and that might, in fact, change the nature or direction of the original question given new information.
For instance: I recently posted an askme wherein I inquire about the nature and costliness of car repair. I have already received a slew of wonderful, helpful responses from other mefites. However, I am still in negotiation with the dealer about various estimates, and have recently come across some information that might have some relevance to future suggestions by mefites coming into the thread (i.e. the garage wants to charge for wheel bearing replacement in my car when, in fact, the wheel bearings have been replaced before under a recall on my automobile, etc).
The shifted, visual emphasis on the OP's responses could be done a number of ways, including using a button (in the same manner of "best answer" button, but perhaps denoted as "emphasized response") that either changes the color of the text, or highlights the area around the text (in a different gradient or color than the "best answer" highlighted boxes).
Is this something that could be done? Pretty please, with sugar on top?
I think I've seen similar questions pop up before, and usually someone says that there's a GreaseMonkey script that makes OP responses pop out visually.
posted by CKmtl at 1:52 PM on January 15, 2008
posted by CKmtl at 1:52 PM on January 15, 2008
The issue I have with the various GreaseMonkey scripts is that (a) not everyone uses them, which in turn (b) prevents their full functionality from being realized. I think that implementing this "OP Response" feature would be helpful to all mefites, OPs and answering mefites alike: on one hand, it allows the OP to clarify or append additional, pertinent information to their question, and on the other hand would prevent those responses that overlook the OP's additional information (which, in some cases, makes those responses useless).
posted by numinous at 2:04 PM on January 15, 2008
posted by numinous at 2:04 PM on January 15, 2008
Pony Request: Could Greasemonkey be integrated into the site for those of us still browsing via text-based browsers?
posted by blue_beetle at 2:05 PM on January 15, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 2:05 PM on January 15, 2008
I sure wanted to have this feature in this thread boy, I tell you. A dozen op responses, and mad refreshing and scrolling, trying to find answers to the questions people were asking. Is there some way to just underline the "posted by" when the op responds in their own thread?
Blah blah blahbluh blah.
Cogito muso bobbito over loops.
Yatta datta ding dong.
posted by OriginalPoster at 2:39 PM on January 27 [+] [!]
Minimal distraction, but effective, perhaps.
posted by cashman at 2:18 PM on January 15, 2008
Could Greasemonkey be integrated into the site for those of us still browsing via text-based browsers?
...And for those of us still browsing via Camino because Firefox runs dog-slow on Macs?
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 2:21 PM on January 15, 2008
...And for those of us still browsing via Camino because Firefox runs dog-slow on Macs?
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 2:21 PM on January 15, 2008
The issue I have with the various GreaseMonkey scripts is that (a) not everyone uses them, which in turn (b) prevents their full functionality from being realized. I think that implementing this "OP Response" feature would be helpful to all mefites, OPs and answering mefites alike: on one hand, it allows the OP to clarify or append additional, pertinent information to their question, and on the other hand would prevent those responses that overlook the OP's additional information (which, in some cases, makes those responses useless).
But you want this thing because it's helpful for you. It's okay if not everyone uses the Greasemonkey script, because not everyone wants this thing. Not everyone uses Metafilter the same way. (Obviously. I mean, some people are jerks and stuff.)
More importantly, you can't make people pay attention. No matter how frustrating it is to see some responder prattle on in their useless answer that completely ignores a vital detail disclosed in the title, in the body, in flashing bolded letters, or in a follow-up, you can't make them read carefully. You can only go so far trying before part of your soul dies.
/having a bad day.
posted by desuetude at 2:57 PM on January 15, 2008
But you want this thing because it's helpful for you. It's okay if not everyone uses the Greasemonkey script, because not everyone wants this thing. Not everyone uses Metafilter the same way. (Obviously. I mean, some people are jerks and stuff.)
More importantly, you can't make people pay attention. No matter how frustrating it is to see some responder prattle on in their useless answer that completely ignores a vital detail disclosed in the title, in the body, in flashing bolded letters, or in a follow-up, you can't make them read carefully. You can only go so far trying before part of your soul dies.
/having a bad day.
posted by desuetude at 2:57 PM on January 15, 2008
you can't make them read carefully.
You can however make it easier for those who wish to read carefully, to do so.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:07 PM on January 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
You can however make it easier for those who wish to read carefully, to do so.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 4:07 PM on January 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
desuetude: I'm sorry you're having a bad day. If I could send you a basket of delicious baked goodies (assuming it would make you feel better), I would. And through doing so, I would hope to change your position on my feature request because, really, it would be such a great feature!
Yes, I admit to requesting this pony because it would be helpful to me; but I also request it because I think it would be helpful to other posters/mefites. If I, as the original poster, add my response that includes some significant new information, I am already aware that I've posted said information; however, those seeking to answer the question might overlook the new info, rendering the efforts they put forth in answering the question ineffectual. For those who do want to help and offer their advice (as I do when I attempt to answer their questions), seeing this new information as visually differentiated (especially if you've already read the entire thread, and are just looking for the new information for the sake of quoting it), would be fantastic.
I would hope that this function would make the answering process more successful more often. Oh dear MeFi elves, grant me this wish!
posted by numinous at 5:16 PM on January 15, 2008
Yes, I admit to requesting this pony because it would be helpful to me; but I also request it because I think it would be helpful to other posters/mefites. If I, as the original poster, add my response that includes some significant new information, I am already aware that I've posted said information; however, those seeking to answer the question might overlook the new info, rendering the efforts they put forth in answering the question ineffectual. For those who do want to help and offer their advice (as I do when I attempt to answer their questions), seeing this new information as visually differentiated (especially if you've already read the entire thread, and are just looking for the new information for the sake of quoting it), would be fantastic.
I would hope that this function would make the answering process more successful more often. Oh dear MeFi elves, grant me this wish!
posted by numinous at 5:16 PM on January 15, 2008
I would just like to see the asker's in thread messages called out somehow -- no button for it, keep it simple.
Font change, background color, anything really. Just some simple visual clue that it was the original poster posting again.
posted by tkolar at 5:54 PM on January 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Font change, background color, anything really. Just some simple visual clue that it was the original poster posting again.
posted by tkolar at 5:54 PM on January 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
The Greasemonkey script MeFi Navigator (by matthewr) does this and about a hundred other things.
posted by Plutor at 5:03 AM on January 16, 2008
posted by Plutor at 5:03 AM on January 16, 2008
Jess, Matt, Cortex, PB: what say you about this? I think that this feature would be really, really helpful. For instance, I just posted this update to my original post, and had no way of differentiating it from the rest of the responses. I tried using a "font color=" tag to distinguish it from the rest of the text, but this was filtered out (har) during Live Preview.
In regard to my specific situation: I don't want to mark my response as "best answer" for emphasis as (1) it is not an answer, but rather an update to my situation, and (2) the little "best answer" checkmark that appears once an answer is highlighted may mislead other MeFites as to the status of my issue, possibly preventing them from offering their help as they believe the issue has been resolved. I think my situation applies to a lot of OPs.
Issue with the GreaseMonkey Script: Hello, I am a luddite. I don't understand these "scripts" to which you refer. How do I even go about installing them? Do I have to download a program of sorts to run it? Do I have to input the script into a certain file? If so, which file? How do I even FIND that file? Are you sure I won't mess things up (because, let me tell you, I am GUARANTEED to mess things up). So, you see how running these admittedly awesome, techy scripts may prove to be problematic to techno-illiterates like me. Implementing my requested pony would make things easier for MeFites like me. One click of a button an vióla! No messing around with scripts with which I hardly know what to do.
For other instances: This new feature would allow people to benefit from this function site-wide. It is more visually accessible than even the current example of what the GreaseMonkey Script does. This way, responses from the OP will "pop," rendering them more noticeable to other readers, and thus improving the flow of information and the relevance of responses. It is a win/win!
Pleeeeeeeease. I am trying to make as sound a case as possible. Hope me!
posted by numinous at 3:56 PM on January 16, 2008
In regard to my specific situation: I don't want to mark my response as "best answer" for emphasis as (1) it is not an answer, but rather an update to my situation, and (2) the little "best answer" checkmark that appears once an answer is highlighted may mislead other MeFites as to the status of my issue, possibly preventing them from offering their help as they believe the issue has been resolved. I think my situation applies to a lot of OPs.
Issue with the GreaseMonkey Script: Hello, I am a luddite. I don't understand these "scripts" to which you refer. How do I even go about installing them? Do I have to download a program of sorts to run it? Do I have to input the script into a certain file? If so, which file? How do I even FIND that file? Are you sure I won't mess things up (because, let me tell you, I am GUARANTEED to mess things up). So, you see how running these admittedly awesome, techy scripts may prove to be problematic to techno-illiterates like me. Implementing my requested pony would make things easier for MeFites like me. One click of a button an vióla! No messing around with scripts with which I hardly know what to do.
For other instances: This new feature would allow people to benefit from this function site-wide. It is more visually accessible than even the current example of what the GreaseMonkey Script does. This way, responses from the OP will "pop," rendering them more noticeable to other readers, and thus improving the flow of information and the relevance of responses. It is a win/win!
Pleeeeeeeease. I am trying to make as sound a case as possible. Hope me!
posted by numinous at 3:56 PM on January 16, 2008
How to install a GreaseMonkey script, summary for someone with at least a passing knowledge of their computer and the Interwebs:
1) Install Firefox 2
2) Within Firefox, Install Greasemonkey (there's a green "Install now" button on that page)
3) Restart Firefox
4) Find the Greasemonkey script you'd like to install, like MeFi Navigator. (There are a lot for MeFi, not to mention every other website.)
5) Click the grey "Install this script" button in the upper right.
6) After 4 seconds (for safety!), click the "Install" button on the dialog that comes up.
Numinous, I don't know your skill level, so I'm not sure if that's detailed enough. Despite your cogent arguments, I don't think this pony is very likely to be accepted. None of the admins have chimed in, but MeFi in general is very resistant to design changes, especially one so helpful and arguably innocuous as highlighting followups.
posted by Plutor at 5:13 AM on January 17, 2008
1) Install Firefox 2
2) Within Firefox, Install Greasemonkey (there's a green "Install now" button on that page)
3) Restart Firefox
4) Find the Greasemonkey script you'd like to install, like MeFi Navigator. (There are a lot for MeFi, not to mention every other website.)
5) Click the grey "Install this script" button in the upper right.
6) After 4 seconds (for safety!), click the "Install" button on the dialog that comes up.
Numinous, I don't know your skill level, so I'm not sure if that's detailed enough. Despite your cogent arguments, I don't think this pony is very likely to be accepted. None of the admins have chimed in, but MeFi in general is very resistant to design changes, especially one so helpful and arguably innocuous as highlighting followups.
posted by Plutor at 5:13 AM on January 17, 2008
I'm hoping they're working on it, and just want to be able to say "whammo, there it is". If it was a flat out no, I would have thought they would have said that already. If you all do implement this, please say "whammo" when you announce it.
posted by cashman at 8:19 AM on January 17, 2008
posted by cashman at 8:19 AM on January 17, 2008
cashman wrote...
I'm hoping they're working on it,
Me too, but given the paucity of posters to this thread I'd have to say that this isn't a pressing matter on many mefite minds.
Still, it would be nice to get an official "we'll think about it".
posted by tkolar at 8:23 AM on January 17, 2008
I'm hoping they're working on it,
Me too, but given the paucity of posters to this thread I'd have to say that this isn't a pressing matter on many mefite minds.
Still, it would be nice to get an official "we'll think about it".
posted by tkolar at 8:23 AM on January 17, 2008
cashman and tkolar: I am hoping for the same thing!
All mefites who think that this is a gem of an idea should favorite the hell out of this post and flag it as a "fantastic post." Hopefully that will get the mods' attention while simultaneous showing support of this proposal.
posted by numinous at 1:36 PM on January 17, 2008
All mefites who think that this is a gem of an idea should favorite the hell out of this post and flag it as a "fantastic post." Hopefully that will get the mods' attention while simultaneous showing support of this proposal.
posted by numinous at 1:36 PM on January 17, 2008
MY MODS, MY MODS, WHY HAST YE FORSAKEN ME. (MeTa 15:34)
/martyr
posted by numinous at 4:56 PM on January 18, 2008
/martyr
posted by numinous at 4:56 PM on January 18, 2008
Yay, this pony is being discussed again! Click over to this MeTa post for the follow-up.
posted by numinous at 2:06 PM on January 29, 2008
posted by numinous at 2:06 PM on January 29, 2008
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posted by gsteff at 1:51 PM on January 15, 2008 [2 favorites]