Extension:LiquidThreads/Notes

Some notes about LiquidThreads.

Links:
 * Test site
 * Feedback
 * Software commits
 * All LQT bugs
 * All unresolved LQT bugs
 * Old test site

Note: LiquidThreads is being actively developed, so at times these notes may not be applicable. Please strike them as necessary.

Current issues

 * URL parameters seem long and awkward (e.g., &lqt_method=talkpage_new_thread)
 * Section anchors are named poorly (#lqt_thread_XXX); nobody knows or cares what lqt is; simpler language would be nice &mdash; update: 'nother example: &lqt_method=summarize&lqt_operand=330 operand? really?
 * Floating action box can be dizzying / aggravating when scrolling up and down
 * Header action buttons ([Edit↑] [History↑] [Delete↑]) seem awkwardly positioned
 * Thread index "Started by" column gives too much weight to original poster (perhaps remove the column altogether or at least make it optional)
 * No tooltip for the quote icon in the action box?
 * Icons are confusing (no idea what the pencil means and how it's different from the reply button, for example); both pencil and reply arrow mean write....
 * "Edited by other users" should be a link or something (it also gets covered up by the floating action box, which is a bit annoying)
 * There's a summary field for replies; not sure if that's necessary (perhaps pre-fill it?)
 * Need a graceful way to handle user signatures ( ~ )
 * Watch checkbox isn't clear whether you're watching the entire page or just the thread you're replying to
 * There appears to be non-optional em dash usage for signatures
 * Rounded corners won't be supported on older browsers (not sure they're good for a default; defaults should be as widely supported as possible, wikis can customize themselves)
 * Timestamp is really light currently (using #C0C0C0 currently)
 * Copying and pasting the timestamp of a reply is impossible with the floating action box
 * "Added to watchlist" message should probably be split for threads (you're not watching a page and its associated talk page...)
 * Perhaps add sortability to the "Last modified" column in the thread index
 * Search seems to be completely broken (tried searching for "love"; no results when there's clearly a "Love the small, dynamic post form" thread topic) &mdash; update: still seems to be completely broken; maybe the search index isn't being updated on lqt.labs.wm.o?
 * When summarizing a thread, there's a useless "Subject:" field (any changes are simply discarded) &mdash; update: still useless, though it seems to auto-fill now; should just be removed altogether
 * Summary is too similar to the original post; hard to differentiate between the two (even with the dark background) [I guess they shouldn't be in the same box???]
 * No ability to delete your own posts
 * No ability to delete others' posts
 * Deleting a post doesn't leave a marker in the thread (intentional? prone to abuse?)
 * No easy way to view log of deleted posts in a particular thread (I thought I saw a log somewhere.... can't seem to find it now)
 * Undeleting / restoring a post doesn't update "replies" count at the top of the page
 * No link from Special:Watchlist to Special:NewMessages (and vice versa)
 * Put "new messages" into the tooltips "new messaages (4)" (and add a special class for bolding when it is > 0) [there's already a bug filed about this somewhere]
 * LiquidThreads don't interact well with user renames (going to end up with nasty bot reliance; bad scene)
 * ? what happens if a vandal removes this? Degrade gracefully (all threads apparently disappear)? Will these go into a special category ("Category:Pages with non-visible threads"?)? Reliance on AbuseFilter to prevent mischief?
 * Preview for summaries puts thread at all the way bottom (very easy to miss; should probably at least include the first section? or have a pointer to the bottom? or use some show/hide magic?)
 * Previewing replies doesn't show the reply in context of the thread (confusing as hell)
 * Orange bar of death when watching things?
 * Summaries are signed; replies aren't (confusing for new users.... at a minimum should have a warning?)
 * Submitting a thread summary goes to the thread page; should maybe return to starting page?
 * All the "watch this page" checkboxes are confusing (don't know if you're watching just a summary, just a thread, the actual page, etc.)
 * Action box should never overlap with post content (http://pruebita.com/floating-overlap-is-evil.png)
 * Drop-down for threads per page (temporary)
 * Configurable number of displayed threads by count (per page [already filed], globally?, per namespace?)
 * Configurable number of displayed threads by timestamp (show all threads < 1 month on a talk page by default, or < 2 days) (per page? globally? per namespace?) [Might be a really good reason to cleanup ?action=info!]
 * "Start a new thread" box is confusing; seems like you could type in a new thread topic in the place where search is (similar to InputBox); perhaps make "start a new thread" a proper button and put it on a different line?
 * Add ability to protect a thread
 * Page protection should apply to the threads
 * There's no "redirected from" text for moved headers
 * (21024) Add ability to make a thread sticky
 * (21024) Add ability to sink ("archive") a thread
 * (21020) Page moves don't move the threads
 * (20536) Watch thread link needs more AJAX
 * (17114) Close disc-page for new threads
 * (19337) Some way to lock a thread to new posts
 * (19580) Make threads collapsible
 * (19975) Fix paging for LiquidThreads discussion pages
 * (20004) LiquidThreads search supports only Lucene
 * (20536) LiquidThreads thread-level commands need some lovin'
 * (20541) LiquidThreads notifications and watchlist notifications need to be unified
 * (20542) Experiment with embedding LiquidThreads discussion forums on other random pages (CodeReview etc)
 * (20545) Add AJAX-triggered inline search for LiquidThreads threads
 * (20579) Per-talkpage history function for LiquidThreads
 * (20589) LiquidThreads thread splitting and merging should be drag n drop
 * (20642) LiquidThreads tab customisation does not play nicely with Vector Skin
 * (20644) Messy 'new messages' pages
 * (20649) Inconsistent thread history display for thread view
 * (20663) Reconsider newtalk prompt for all watched liquid threads
 * (20684) Add feed for Special:NewMessages in LiquidThreads
 * (20890) LiquidThreads should store read/unread status for all messages for all users
 * (20909) LiquidThreads hasn't been tested on RTL
 * (20929) Show signature in preview
 * (20930) Lack of paper trail for thread splitting and merging
 * (20931) Hook edit for LiquidThreads post-edit updates
 * (20932) LiquidThreads editing toolbar does not work
 * (20933) LiquidThreads should have more display preferences
 * (20934) LiquidThreads has no support for RTL
 * (20935) LiquidThreads placeholders have no pointer to the new page
 * (20955) Restore quoting syntax
 * (20956) Menu does not work for thread permalinks
 * (20957) In-place editing of thread subjects
 * (20958) Threads in multiple places
 * (20961) Per-page configurable thread limit
 * (20965) LiquidThreads: API for creating and replying to threads
 * (20968) PLURAL support needed in JavaScripts
 * (21001) Blocked users cannot post to their own talk page.
 * (21021) LiquidThreads new messages should display the talk page each message is on

Resolved issues

 * You can add a summary of your summary? Yo dawg...
 * I think summarizing a thread now accuses me of editing someone else's post
 * Non-admins have a delete link
 * When you initially click reply, the edit toolbar doesn't appear (appears after previewing, though)
 * Perhaps remove "minor" checkbox altogether for replies?
 * No tooltips for the icons in the floating action box
 * &section=new doesn't add a new section, it modifies the header (this is confusing and kinda nasty)

Fixed, but not deployed

 * Thread index "Replies" column can be confusing (only counts direct replies to the original post) (57427, 57428)
 * (20535) Display LiquidThreads permalink address in a dialog (57427)
 * Cursor focus after hitting "start a new discussion" should be the subject field (57428)

Raw notes
Commented out (though feel free to peek if you're bored).