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Notification of a changed node

by PhilHibbs (Hermit)
on Jan 31, 2006 at 16:36 UTC ( [id://526787]=monkdiscuss: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??

If I have replied to a node, it would be nice to be notified if that node gets changed. The worst case may be that the OP has edited their node in a way that makes my reply look foolish or irrelevant, but the more common case is that they have merely improved their node with no mischievous intent.

This would manifest as an additional tick-box in my Message Settings: "/msg me when there's a change to a post that I've replied to"

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Notification of a changed node
by blazar (Canon) on Jan 31, 2006 at 17:43 UTC

    Indeed your concern is well founded. However the common practice is to put relevant markup when modifying/updating a node. Actually this rule is not always respected, but fortunately this happens rarely enough. Often just because people don't know about it and have not lurked enough. In these cases if someone realizes what's going on - and generally this is exactly what that happens, then he/she will warn the OP giving him relevant info about behavioural recommendations.

    Said, this, having desired newsreader-like whatch/ignore facilities myself, from the responses I got I think to have understood that anything like what you're asking for would require major site modifications not that easy to be implemented anytime soon - but I would be happy to be proved wrong! Whatever, if you take the above picture into account, I think you'll realize there's not a compelling necessity for a facility like the one you're asking for.

      Actually i think the OP's request is different from the ones you mention. Messaging people who have replied to a node when the node has changd is a much different situation than allowing people to register themselves as watchers of a node or thread.

      The problem is that if we allow arbitrary people to register themselves as watchers we get into tricky issues of data storage and efficiency. However these problems are non-issues for the case of a messages direct children.

      So if we evr get around to tracking node updates, we might implement this request.

      ---
      $world=~s/war/peace/g

        Just a random thought. If we keep the last edited time in a field, then NewestNodes or RAT could have a section for nodes whos edit time is > than there last check time. Or in a similar but different way, each user could have a list of nodes that are parents of one of their nodes but whos update date is > than their own nodes update date. Hopefully that made sense. :)


        ___________
        Eric Hodges
Re: Notification of a changed node
by Tanktalus (Canon) on Jan 31, 2006 at 22:41 UTC

    I know where you're coming from. You write a response, then the OP changes his/her node. You don't even realise it. But, the changes were drastic enough that they change your answer. And now your answer is out there, sticking out like a sore thumb among good answers (based on the new question). More important than the lack of XP gained for a significant contribution effort is the reputation that you perceive you're losing. Not the reputation as in ++'s and --'s on the node, but in the association of "PhilHibbs" with "good, on-topic nodes that respond well to the petitioner." It's the reputation your name (or alias for some of us ;-}) has among the monk community. And it's one that is below your personal standard. Because you weren't aware that the original node changed.

    Of course, simply signing up doesn't help when the node was updated during the typing of your response, although if you're being careful, you could reload the original node to ensure everything is in context.

    As well, it may be the odd time where the OP updates the question, but you're not sure how. So you miss it.

    The former problem is solved by PM telling you that the original node has been updated between the time you hit "Comment On" and the time you hit "Create" through a timestamp that is carried in a hidden variable. The latter ... well, the best we can do is education. But as that's what PM is all about, I don't see that as a big issue.

    Update: This may be a social problem with a social solution, but I still think that a technological aid can help with the social part of the solution. I'm updating this node rather than responding to ysth kind of as a point to that effect.

      I know where you're coming from. You write a response, then the OP changes his/her node. You don't even realise it. But, the changes were drastic enough that they change your answer. And now your answer is out there, sticking out like a sore thumb among good answers (based on the new question).
      This is a social problem, best met by a social solution, IMO.
        This is a social problem, best met by a social solution, IMO.

        /me throws a big dance party, mixes all of the monks into it, and sees what settles out... I always thought that Imo was a smart guy.

        - tye        

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