New post icons

[thegrandpoohbah]

You know those red icons that indicate a new post? Maybe it's just me but they don't seem to work properly. Every other forum I am on, they only indicate new posts since the last time I visited the site. On here, they indicate any new post that I haven't read yet (and some that I have). It makes it hard to figure out which forums actually have new posts since my last visit. Is there a setting I can change to fix this or is my computer just wierd?

[Melody]

I thought they all indicated posts that haven't been read in all forums? That's an intriguing point. It may have something to do with the fact that we don't keep tracking cookies on your computer after you leave the site. If you've opted to stay logged in, there's a cookie for that, but if you log out, all cookies are cleared.

Just a thought. Its more Jay's forte' than mine so I'll let him discuss it with you. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[CACAdmin]

Hey, glad you brought it up. The system marks a forum 'read' when you have read the last (unread) thread in that forum. However, for it to know you have left the forum you must use the links or menu (regular or jump menu) when you go back to the main page (or elsewhere). Do not click your browser's 'Back' button, as the system doesn't recognize that you've moved somewhere else and doesn't mark that forum 'read'. (until possibly the next time you log on).

Hope this helps! Give it a try & let me know.

[Melody]

Interesting! Learn something new everyday. :)

[thegrandpoohbah]

Well, I finally cleared all the red icons off my screen. I had to go into each and every thread that I had not yet viewed. It seems a little weird though. On every other site I am on, it only highlights new posts since the last visit. And I have always used the back button instead of clicking on a link to go back. I bought a mouse with browser buttons on it specifically to make web surfing a little faster. Is this a setting that can be changed?

[CACAdmin]

No need to go into every thread. Once you have read everything of interest in all forums, click 'Mark Forums Read' found either on the Quick Links menu or near the bottom of the home page next to 'Contact a Team Moderator'.

And so, if you choose to handle your post read marking that way, by all means you can continue to use your browser 'Back' button... just remember to 'Mark Forums Read' before logging off.

The current way of system marking means that if someone logs on and has to log off before reading all new posts (that they wish to read) those will still show as unread when they log on next time. (That way people don't miss things.)

[thegrandpoohbah]

I see. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Melody]

Is this just the default vB way of doing things and it can be changed, or does all vB software do it this way? I'm just wondering why the experience is so obviously different here for Mr. GP.

I can see how the back button would interfere. Unless we use software that puts a zillion tracking cookies on your system and leaves them there, the only way the system has of tracking your movements is through clicks / session cookies. The forum clears all cookies when you log out, so that's the only thing I can think of that would change the experience as compared to other boards. People hate tracking cookies, so maybe there was so many complaints they changed it with the new version?

[thegrandpoohbah]

I don't ever log out, would that be the problem?

[CACAdmin]

I beleive it's possible when you are using your browser 'Back' button and you are probably simply loading cached pages (rather than retrieving a fresh copy of the page). Therefore the 'new post icon' is still shows. The system logs you out automatically after 45 minutes and clears your cookies (but not your cache).

I will test to see if the Home Page is reloaded if you do not log off and simply log back in from the same screen and advise shortly.

As you are likely not alone is working through this, I have posted (in the Announcements section) a poll and a request for feedback from all members regarding our options in marking new Threads/Posts: Forum 'Read' Icons (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317)In it, I have also referenced this thread as additional information.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Hi Jay,

I don't have access to post in that thread and it does not let me vote either. I'm guessing you have the Announcements section locked.

[CACAdmin]

Oops! :Blush:Sorry about that... my sincere apologies, I will move it here (better place for it anyway).

[CACAdmin]

I will test to see if the Home Page is reloaded if you do not log off and simply log back in from the same screen and advise shortly.


If you do not log off, you can still view a number of 'cached pages' before logging back in (you are viewing what has been cached in memory from your previous visit... not the actual current view of the page). If you clicked on an area to which you had not previously been or tried to post you would then be prompted to log in. When you do log in, your cache is then cleared and you would be viewing a current up-to-date version of the forum.

This would be the same no matter which system we use for marking forums as read. So, it's best to log off or log in immediately upon your next visit instead of waiting to be prompted.

[Melody]

Hey, good thinking! I've noticed that I have to refresh the home page when I use the back button. :yes:

[Soggybottom]

Thanks for bringing this up...and explaining it.
I had been wondering what the heck was going on myself...