Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Forum usage question - Direct access/navigation to first unread message?

1229 views
15 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Forum usage question - Direct access/navigation to first unread message?
Posted by Onewolf on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 8:20 AM

I was wondering if there's a way to navigate directly to the first unread post in a message thread?  Maybe a button that I'm overlooking?  When message threads get fairly long it's tedious to scroll through pages to find the last message I already read.  I figure there's got to be a better way. :)

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:33 AM

Agree.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:51 AM

There is not. 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:32 AM

I guess you have to make a note as to where you stop reading, so you can begin again.

I don't know of any feature like that on other forums, unless, of course I missed it.

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:42 AM

If you're reading a long thread, it helps to press the "Order "Descending" button.  Then the thread will start with the latest post.  It's not exactly what you want, but it's faster than skimming pages to find the last thing you read.

Again, this sort of thing appears in other forums.  Perhaps it will come with the new MR forum software, too.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:55 AM

mbinsewi

I guess you have to make a note as to where you stop reading, so you can begin again.

I don't know of any feature like that on other forums, unless, of course I missed it.

Mike.

 

Every other message forum that I read regularly has the 'go to first unread post' of a message thread functionality.  It's not rocket surgery. :)

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:05 PM

I'll have to check that out the next time I'm in the other forum I frequent.

I never paid attention to it. Smile, Wink & Grin

Mike.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:12 PM

For instance, on MRH it's a link that shows the number of unread posts that takes you directly to the first unread post:

 

 

On the Modelers Forum it's little icon on the end of each message thread in the list that takes you directly to the first unread post:

 

 

The The Hull Truth Boating forum it's little box left of the message thread title that takes you to the first unread post:

 

 

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:24 PM

Onewolf
....When message threads get fairly long it's tedious to scroll through pages to find the last message I already read. I figure there's got to be a better way.

While it won't take you to the last unread post in a thread, clicking on the latest reply to a topic will will take you to the most recent post, which should eliminate having to scrolling through all the way from the beginning.
In the example below, you'd click on the "replied to this thread" portion.

 
I simply copied the data above and pasted it here, and was surprised to see that it's actually a working link....well, it was before I posted it.

Wayne
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:34 PM

Onewolf
For instance, on MRH it's a link that shows the number of unread posts that takes you directly to the first unread post:

Ahhh!  OK, got it.  I always went by the last reply.

Thanks for that lesson, Onewolf.

Mike.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:38 PM

doctorwayne

 

 
Onewolf
....When message threads get fairly long it's tedious to scroll through pages to find the last message I already read. I figure there's got to be a better way.

 

While it won't take you to the last unread post in a thread, clicking on the latest reply to a topic will will take you to the most recent post, which should eliminate having to scrolling through all the way from the beginning.
In the example below, you'd click on the "replied to this thread" portion.

 
I simply copied the data above and pasted it here, and was surprised to see that it's actually a working link....well, it was before I posted it.

Wayne
 

 

Where is the "latest reply" link you mention?  The only "latest reply" link I see is at the top level of the forum and it's a link to the latest reply for just ONE message thread within a sub-forum.

 

Edit: Ok, now I see that the "NN minutes ago" is actually a link. I had never noticed that before.  It should be relatively simple for the forum admins to change that link to "first unread" post. Surprise

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:40 PM

My MAC always takes me to the last page, last reply, my PC does not. Years ago on this forum before the many upgrades, the software always took my MAC to the first unread post. But that was a long time ago.

Have I really been here 14 years?Huh? I need a hobby.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:54 PM

Onewolf

 

 
doctorwayne

 

 
Onewolf
....When message threads get fairly long it's tedious to scroll through pages to find the last message I already read. I figure there's got to be a better way.

 

While it won't take you to the last unread post in a thread, clicking on the latest reply to a topic will will take you to the most recent post, which should eliminate having to scrolling through all the way from the beginning.
In the example below, you'd click on the "replied to this thread" portion.

 
I simply copied the data above and pasted it here, and was surprised to see that it's actually a working link....well, it was before I posted it.

Wayne
 

 

 

 

Where is the "latest reply" link you mention?  The only "latest reply" link I see is at the top level of the forum and it's a link to the latest reply for just ONE message thread within a sub-forum.

 

Edit: Ok, now I see that the "NN minutes ago" is actually a link. I had never noticed that before.  It should be relatively simple for the forum admins to change that link to "first unread" post. Surprise

 

If you click on "your discussions" in your profile box to the right, you get a list of the threads you have already posted in. From there, you will see a link for each thread taking you to the last reply.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:59 PM

Getting to the last reply is relatively easy however not overly useful.  Getting to the last UNREAD reply is much more useful. 

Consider this a product enhancement request.  Stick out tongue

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:01 PM

BATMAN
My MAC always takes me to the last page, last reply, my PC does not.

 

That's weird.  My PC takes me to the last page, last reply.  I wonder what the setting is that does this?

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:26 PM

 Threads with new posts are in a different color in the forum menu, so it's easy to tell which threads have new posts. New threads have the same color. Past that, I just go by date and time - yes, I can remember when I was last on. So I just scroll down, skimmign the date and time of the posts and I quickly find where I left off. Even easier if it's a thread I posted in, just go to my last post and start reading.

                                           --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!