Simple step to avoid losing your new post or thread

[AntonioFP45]

 Hi Crew,

 A friend of mine, long time modeler, became frustrated when he attempted to make a post  and it disappeared. A "Forbidden" notice popped up on his screen. He backspaced and saw that his post was gone. He told me point blank "Look, I know this computing stuff is easy for you, but I'm old and not that computer literate!"

I sent him the following information that he found helpful so I thought to share it here, in case it may be helpful to some fellow modelers. Most of you are likely familiar with the following.

I encountered the same issue when I created a detailed thread on metalizing. I think that somehow the forum software thought I was double posting and a warning popped up on the posting page. I hit the backspace key and all of the info I had submitted, including photos, disappeared!  I had to start over again...... while my temperature climbed slightly! 

 

Here is a very simple step I now follow if I’m creating a long or detailed informative post:

 

1. Open a new blank “Word” document.

2. Proceed to create the post or new detailed thread on the forum reply or post page, as usual.

3.  BEFORE submitting the post or thread; copy and paste it on to the blank Word document. (Hit “Control A” to highlight the entire text.  Then ht “Control C” to copy it.

4.  Tab over to the blank Word document.  Hit “Control V”.  Now your post is on the blank document.

5. Proceed to post your thread.  Then, if you happen to receive a warning and your new post dssappears, no problem as you've cloned your post.

BTW: If the issue is due to your web browser and you have to use another one, not a problem as you still have the info on the Word Document.Win-win!

6. Click on the “Reply” or “Post” tab icon on the forum topic and then copy and paste your “copied” post from the Word document.

You may have to perform some minor editing, as sometimes paragraph spacing disappears or your photo links disappear, but that’s much easier than typing 3 or 4 detailed paragraphs over again! 

Overall, IMHO, a nice headache prevention step.

 

I hope this is of some benefit. 

 

[tstage]

Or...just highlight and copy (Ctrl+C) before you click the "Submit Your Reply" button to capture your text in your computer's clipboard.

I've been doing this for years with any long-ish post or message in the event that the server gives me that dreaded time out or error message.  If the error messages persist then I just copy it to a Word doc (as you outline) and post it later when everything is copacetic again.

Tom

[gmpullman]

tstage

Or...just highlight and copy (Ctrl+C) before you click the "Submit Your Reply" button to capture your text in your computer's clipboard.

Ditto +1

AntonioFP45

 I hit the backspace key and all of the info I had submitted, including photos, disappeared! 

Sometimes when a post doesn't "complete" for some reason I do not tap the "<–Backspace" key but I will use the "previous page" arrow at the very top-left of the browser. This will sometimes take me back to my intact reply text box.

Something else I've gotten in the habbit of doing is making smaller initial posts, say a paragraph or two, click submit your reply, then later click edit to add further refinements, more text or photos. 

You gotta learn how to tame the wild beast 

Good Luck, Ed

[AntonioFP45]

Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible. 

My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"

[Trainman440]

Another quick tip, if using Windows 10, pressing (windows key)+v will bring up your clipboard, with recent history of what you've copied. 

Not all people are computer literate, and that's okay. This is just for those who are interested.

Cheers!

[RR_Mel]

I’ve always used Word to post from.  The Forum software over the years has complicated posting directly from Word.  To keep everything in the correct line spacing alignment I copy and paste from Word to Notebook then copy Notebook and past it to the Forum, no cleaning up the post after the paste from Notebook.

I keep my original post in Word until the post is excepted then close Word.  This morning I had Error 403 get me for the first time and it was continuous for several hours.  Keeping the post in Word really paid off this morning.   
 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[hon30critter]

AntonioFP45

Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible.  My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"

Hi AntonioFP45,

I think your original post was great! Lots of members need things put in simple terms so they can understand the instructions. The other suggestions are valid too. I don't think anyone set out to offend you.

Dave

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Dave,

No, I was not offended at all.  Hard to convey feelings behind the keyboard, but I was making a simple reply as everyone posting has positive intentions.  All's very good guys!

The modeler is a good guy but has had difficulty adapting to the Windows 10 style format, in spite of the fact that "Word" still looks basically the same as it did back in the Windows 7 era.

 

hon30critter

 

 

AntonioFP45

Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible.  My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"

 

 

Hi AntonioFP45,

I think your original post was great! Lots of members need things put in simple terms so they can understand the instructions. The other suggestions are valid too. I don't think anyone set out to offend you.

Dave

 

["JaBear"]

A Very Useful Post, Antonio., thank you. I’ve been using Word for years, mainly because the Bears paws manage to hit the wrong button far too frequently!!

Cheers, the clumsy Bear.

[riogrande5761]

Simple step to avoid losing your new post ...

I would have thought this "tip" would be a Captain Obvious solution.  The rub is, most of the time you don't need to take the precaution of copying your post to the clip board every time you post.  It only seems like "a good idea" when, once in a long while, you get burned.  Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post?  Maybe.  It's option if you are feeling unlucky.

 

[selector]

riogrande5761

 

 

...  Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post?  Maybe.  It's option if you are feeling unlucky.

 

Or, as has been suggested, when one crafts a long response with a lot of details that one would rather not lose in the ether when striking 'post reply'.

[tstage]

Even when I'm using Word I save my work on a regular basis rather than rely on Auto Save.  Why?  Because I've been burned enough times with a network.  So, in order to ensure I don't lose any data (or, at the very least - as little as possible), I take a proactive approach to any computer I'm using.

Tom

[kasskaboose]

tstage

Even when I'm using Word I save my work on a regular basis rather than rely on Auto Save.  Why?  Because I've been burned enough times with a network.  So, in order to ensure I don't lose any data (or, at the very least - as little as possible), I take a proactive approach to any computer I'm using.

Tom

To add about manually saving often, you can also save material on a removable flash device.  They are small and cheap too.  I too have been burned by forgetting to save.

Two words: version control.

Great tips about saving and not losing your posts.  Are electronic devices or browsers are more prone to that happening?  Just wondering.

[AntonioFP45]

Riogrande,

A "Captain Obvious" solution? Sure. But when you're helping someone that's had difficulty using programs (that we take for granted) like Word, Excel, and Publisher.....then posting some simple tips may be helpful.

I disagree about it it being an option if "you are feeling unluckly". I've lost posts several times and I sincerely doubt that luck was relevant. Several modelers have pointed out that this forum can exhibit glitches from time to time.  So this is more of the old "An ounce of prevention is worth more than 10 LBS of cure", approach.

Example: click on the link below and look at the first post of the thread. Now imagine losing all of that info and then typing it over again, LOL!

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/195132/2131266.aspx

 

riogrande5761

 Simple step to avoid losing your new post ...

 

 I would have thought this "tip" would be a Captain Obvious solution.  The rub is, most of the time you don't need to take the precaution of copying your post to the clip board every time you post.  It only seems like "a good idea" when, once in a long while, you get burned.  Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post?  Maybe.  It's option if you are feeling unlucky.