Changing The Subject Name?

Harv · Aug 2, 2001

Gotta question that's been tickling around in the back of my mind for a while now --

Maybe it's just 'cuz I always use the Past 24 Hours mode, but I find it somewhat confusing when the subject line has been altered. Okay, it doesn't take that much to confuse me, I admit, but I was wondering what the intended purpose is for allowing that field to change. It seems like it's really the title of the thread and might be better left alone, for readibility sake.

If I'm the only one who has even thought about this, then let's pretend I never said anything. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

GlueGuy · Aug 2, 2001

Re: What me change the subject?

Harv,

I'll pretend you never said anything. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Seriously, I've thought about it, but since I always read in flat mode, I take the subject line change as a clue that this is one of those "wandering threads". I like it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

Harv · Aug 2, 2001

Re: What me change the subject?

<font color=blue>I always read in flat mode</font color=blue>

I use flat mode as much as possible myself. But how do you find the thread in the first place? By subject?

This is not a really big deal to me. Just curious about what other folks think.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 2, 2001

I like to change on the fly...

It allows some amplification and/or clarification of a particular subject... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

DocHeb · Aug 2, 2001

I find it easier to use "Forum Home" as my opening page rather than "past 24 hours" This keeps the threads in their original category with original subject lines. New posts are flagged. It may be harder on slow Internet connections since you end up downloading the entire page to get to the new post at the bottom.

DVerbarg · Aug 2, 2001

Re: What me change the subject?

Harv,

I too find it a little confusing when the subject line is changed. I tend to look for subject lines that I have already read and then skip around the others. Back when this board was smaller I would try to read all the posts...

DaveV

RobS · Aug 2, 2001

Re: Changing The Subject Name?/Why I do it

I've been guilty of changing the subject line on several occasions. Mostly due to significant topic drift (which I am also guilty of) in a situation where the new topic doesn't warrant it's own place in the forum. I typically read in the past XX hour mode and it's easy to see the drifted subject like that. On the other hand, it's frustrating to me to open a post and have the contents completely different. Recent example being the hinged boxblade thread. I opened one post and it was talking about magnets! What could that possibly have to do with boxblades? Oh yeah, that was my addition /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I think I picked this habit up from and RV forum that did not have a flat mode. It also had a lot of drift but since people typically renamed the subject upon drift it made it easy to determine if you wanted to go there.

See, there I go drifting again /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

TWINKLE_TOES · Aug 2, 2001

Harv,

Seems like subject line changes are used to emphasize individual posts more than to track the discussion. A lot of threads wander but somehow return to the basic subject. I haven't seen the need for a traffic cop to direct my reading.
Al

GlueGuy · Aug 2, 2001

Re: I always read in flat mode

I generally peruse the forums from the top level, and dip into the ones that "start" (yes, the initial subject) with something that I'm interested in. I have my default mode set to flat, and I go from there. Since I read them flat, I see the transitions, and use the subject changes as clues to the drift.

Also, because Muhamad tracks what I've read (and haven't), checking in every couple days works to keep me posted on what's happening.

The GlueGuy

DVerbarg · Aug 2, 2001

Re: Changing The Subject Name?/Why I do it

Rob,

Sometimes I want to follow a topic and know what the thread name was. I go back to check it later and miss different posts because the topic was changed. Yes, the topic name many times has nothing to do with what is being discussed. Guess this is only an issue for people like me who like to use flat mode and don't have time to read everything...

DaveV