Does anyone else think that it would be a good idea if a readmore tag were to be automatically inserted after say 20 lines?

So if a message doesnot have 'readmore' inserted before the cut off this will be done automatically, preventing any particular message from hogging the screen with code, data print outs or other such matter.

I think 20 lines should be ample for a monk to 'sell' the message and incorporating such an idea would definitely improve this user's experience!

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Readmore tags are enforced
by PodMaster (Abbot) on May 27, 2003 at 09:25 UTC
    Readmore tags are enforced (your title is very misleading). I personally really really dislike the idea, for at least 3 reasons:
    • It can't really be done like that
    • Doing it correctly requires making sure you don't break a table in half and other such things (see Why I like functional programming) ... impractical due to our increasing popularity
    • It's been suggested before and it didn't happen -- did you know this?
    I think 20 lines should be ample for a monk to 'sell' the message and incorporating such an idea would definitely improve this user's experience!
    I find learning how to properly format your posts improves everyones experience.

    MJD says you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo!
    I run a Win32 PPM repository for perl 5.6x+5.8x. I take requests.
    ** The Third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.

[reply]
      Those are all good points PodMaster, but it seems to me that the gripe here is that NOT everyone (most? few? who could say?) properly formats their posts.

      i've been guilty of it myself..

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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by Tanalis (Curate) on May 27, 2003 at 08:53 UTC
    I think this is a great idea - though quite how it would be implemented is another matter :)

    One thought though: should the automatic readmore take into account CODE sections, and just wrap around those, so that the "body" of the message is still present and readable? This would mean clicking into the message for the code - which isn't a bad thing, and would have the added benefit of cleaning up the main section pages, possibly making them easier to read/use.

    -- Foxcub
    #include www.liquidfusion.org.uk

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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by DentArthurDent (Monk) on May 27, 2003 at 15:40 UTC
    I'm not sure about a hard limit, but perhaps a code tag should count as a readmore? If there's one thing that annoys me it's that the front page is made immense by code fragments which for the most part I don't really care about.

    Just my $0.02.

    Ben
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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by NetWallah (Canon) on May 28, 2003 at 04:48 UTC
    As a guilty party, I confess that I would have used Readmore tags if I had easy access documenting where and how I should use them.

    Before I get flamed, let me say that I am aware of the existance of the Writeup Formatting Tips, which are fairly convenient and well written, and thankfully brief.

    What I'm proposing is a suggested readmore point that is auto-inserted when a preview is presented. Give the author a choice to delete, move, or get help on the suggested point.

    Before this babble gets long enough to require a readmore point, I'll sign off....

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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by Coruscate (Sexton) on May 27, 2003 at 15:05 UTC

    Just... no. I like the way things are with the readmore's right now. The implementation is perfect, as it requires the author to insert them manually. Why is this good? Because I choose where my readmore's go. And I like it that way. Nah, it's all good for now.

    If the above content is missing any vital points or you feel that any of the information is misleading, incorrect or irrelevant, please feel free to downvote the post. At the same time, please reply to this node or /msg me to inform me as to what is wrong with the post, so that I may update the node to the best of my ability.

[reply]
      But Coruscate I can't imagine that you would choose to hog the stage with fifty lines of data. But either way it's just a thought, not a deal.
[reply]
      I think that if this algorithm/heuristics leaves a node untouched if it encounters ANYWHERE a readmore tag the automatism would be perfect IMHO.

      If there's anywhere a readmore tag, the author seemingly not only knows about it, but also uses it. So no automatism.

      If someone does not use Readmore tags and the automatism bites him by placing it somewhere where he doesn't want it to be - well a great learning effect to use it next time.

      Bye
       PetaMem

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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by Desdinova (Friar) on May 30, 2003 at 22:43 UTC
    Personally i dont like this idea.. I've noticed that the people who do use readmore tags tend to not only make the breakpoint based on appearce but also at a logical point in the post, and automated system could not do that.

    I also notice that when the minority forgets them or goes too long without them, that the node gets considered and edtied rather quickly, and the tags ge added in a good place.
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Re: Readmore tags enforcement
by naChoZ (Curate) on Jun 03, 2003 at 12:39 UTC
    A simple solution that might be easy to code is when the poster hits the preview button, the script does a count of how many non-code lines and sticks a suggestion at the top of the preview screen.

    "Longish post detected, a <READMORE> would be appreciated."

    ~~
    naChoZ

[reply]

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