Request for comments: new feature

[John Robinson]

I've been tinkering with a new way to do self-search. It will display the comments as if they were in a thread, but only displays those comments addressed to you or posted by you.

Have a look at it here:

Last 100 posts involving you -- in reverse chronological order, like latest posts

New posts to you (since last time you checked) -- in forward chronological order, like a normal thread

I think this should be listed in forward chrono order, but that might make browsing your self-search awkward.

[Mama_Bear]

That works great! The "to:" works and the "from:" works. I'm just going to forget the self search until John does something about the "all" problem. (((thank you hugs))) :-)

[steveegg]

Thanks for using FReeper Technical support <VBG>. Couldn't remember if the underscore acted like a space (forgot to mention that somebody like "John Robinson" would have to enclose the name in quotes), but glad it works.

[Billie]

I couldn't get my "to:" to work, but the "from:" did - wonder why? I tried it separately, and I tried it in conjunction with the "-or". The "to: Billie" wouldn't work for me. :^(

[ClancyJ]

Love these options - saves trying to read back and see what comment they were replying to and what in the world they are talking about.

Have noticed that if anyone puts "All" in the "To:" section, apparently everyone gets the ping and printed note. Seems like this would bog down the system and put messages to a lot that wouldn't care.

Maybe "All" should only print out on the thread for those reading the thread and only those with names be sent to individuals. Of course, I am sure you and your team can handle in the best way - I'm just bringing it up.

Thanks for the changes that speed up loading. My system barely moves some days.

[Grampa Dave]

Looks good John!

I'm a little late getting back to you. Been Grampaing since yesterday afternoon. Its a miracle both Grand kids are down for a nap at the same time. So Grampa can go on Free Republic and see what's happening here and in the world!

You new system looks better every 24 hours!

[SpencerRoane]

This is neat.

[Mama_Bear]

I couldn't get my "to:" to work, but the "from:" did - wonder why? I tried it separately, and I tried it in conjunction with the "-or". The "to: Billie" wouldn't work for me. :^(

That is odd. You are right, I typed in to: Billie (both with and without quotation marks) and got nothing, but if I type in to: ST.LOUIE1, all of his recent replies come up. Doesn't make sense to me. :-(

[CJinVA]

If someone posts a reply to "ALL", it shows up in my self search? Should it be doing that?

[steveegg]

Looks like John's tinkering with things again. Guess you'll have to go to the beta self-searches (same look as the forum; includes at least a preview of the words and allows for a reply directly from the page). Even though the "all bug" is still there, at least it says all and not to you personally.

Last 100 posts "involving" you
The posts to you since you last checked from either "involved" link

[185JHP]

Very fine feature. Kudos and thanks.

[SuzanneC]

So Cool!!

[Scutter]

This is great, John!

[Osinski]

The self search feature that I don't like is when someone puts all, it seems like a personal response to you.

Thanks for all your work. Loads on this old girl (my computer) lots quicker.

[Darlin']

John, I do appreciate your efforts to streamline/upgrade the site and to conserve bandwidth. Your task can't be an easy one and I don't envy you at all. Trying to post this week has been a real trial during the high demand periods.

However, I'm afraid I'm in the crowd that wishes we weren't doing most of these changes. It doesn't help that I'm very techno-limited but I expect a majority of FReepers are in the same boat. I'm grateful we at least have the option to choose Old Style or New Style. Also, I like the time zone selection and the ability to see the entire thread rather than a limited number of post. Thank you for that. You might say I'm a Classic FreeRepublic devotee. I do not like at all the Self-Search changes that are being considered. As suggested, I suppose I could continue to do a search for my own name as I have had to do today, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time. My fingers are crossed that you aren't planning any changes to FReepmail, I don't even want to think about that possibility. The auto-ping to all posters on a thread when "All" is included in the To: field is maddening. Please, please take it away. In it's place would you please restore the little email option we used to have ? Please ? :)

Darlin' (I loved that little email/tagline option)

[bvw]

The new self-search is great.

I would like to eliminate or opt-out-of the "all" responses -- just want addressed mail.

[b4its2late]

I like both........

[supercat]

Thank you for letting us have the option to have a long thread (1-250) versus pages of 50.

I'd like to have longer threads, but setting it on the user-preferences screen to 1-100 or 1-250 seems to have no effect. What do I need to do to avoid having to page around threads all the time?

[aruanan]

Okay, one really BAD thing is that if someone posts something to "all" it shows up in self search as something directed specifically to me. I went through each of the 50 responses looking for something To: aruanan and then finally realized it was because of an "all" post.

[afraidfortherepublic]

This is looking really interesting. Every time I log on, you have a new surprise.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Okay, one really BAD thing is that if someone posts something to "all" it shows up in self search as something directed specifically to me.

That's only bad the first time you encounter it. I searched around too, until I figured it out. I really like that feature because it can focus everyone's attention on a particular message so we don't miss anything important.

I also like the way this new engine zeros me right to the reply addressed to me -- instead of wasting time scrolling through trying to find the one addressed to me (I always forget the number if the thread is especially interesting.)