New Comment Threads are Live (For Some People)

News Type: Event — Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:48 PM EDT

The average age needed to style comments just went way down.

Photo by Jenn . (License: Creative Commons Attribution)

Beginning today, we are rolling out a completely rewritten comment system. Some users may notice the changes immediately, and others may notice the new stuff several days later. In other words, this is a rolling release, and since it may contain some bugs, we'd rather only a subsection of the Newsvine population be exposed to it at this time.

So, what's new??? A lot of stuff. Some visible and some under the covers:

A WYSIWYG comment editor

At long last, you can now style your comments on Newsvine without typing out longhand XHTML tags. Using the new row of buttons on top of the comment box, you can do things like bold and italicize your text as well as adding links. If you aren't into clicking buttons, you can also use familiar shortcuts like Command-B (or Control-B on Windows) to accomplish the same. We give our thanks to the good folks developing the open-source TinyMCE editor for this bit of welcome awesomeness. Since WYSIWYG text editors on the web don't always produce perfect results, you can always switch to XHTML mode and enter tags in the old fashion way if you like. Swapping back and forth between modes is easy.

Resizable comment box with full screen mode

One of the nice things about the new comment editor is that you can stretch it to be as tall or short as you'd like and your preferred size will be remembered. So if you're a bit longwinded, you can have a big comment box on every page, and if you're more succinct, you can choose a smaller size. Sometimes, however, you're SO passionately engrossed in the penning of a genius comment that you really can't be bothered by any other text on the screen while you're spewing your wisdom. In cases like these, you can now hit the "Full Screen" button and your whole browser will become a canvas for your prose.

Real pagination

As the comment counts have grown at Newsvine, we have been working on a pagination solution which seeks to be an unobtrusive as possible while still allowing for reasonable page load times. We hate pagination over here and we hate sending people to different URLs to read an entire conversation. It's kind of like how you can't just watch an entire season of Dexter by picking up a DVD at your local video store. You have to go to the store multiple times, rent multiple discs, and watch the season piecemeal. It's good for the store and the movie studio as they make more money off of you, but it's bad for you. Pagination is no different, really. Sure we get a few more page views, but the tradeoff is that conversations can become fractured.

Paginating on Newsvine is particularly difficult because we have threaded comments, the super-useful "new" buttons, and the conversation tracker. While those elements make proper pagination extremely difficult, they are also what make Newsvine discussion threads -- from a technical standpoint -- more useful than most other sites' discussion threads.

With this release, we're rolling out "phase 2" of proper pagination on Newsvine (phase 1 was the temporary solution that's been in place for the last couple of months). There will be one more phase to the release, but this one fixes a lot of stuff and makes things generally much better.

Firstly, the conversation tracker now works across multiple pages. Secondly, the "new" buttons and stars now work properly across pages. In other words, if the next "new" comment on a thread happens to be on page 4 and you're on page 1, click on the "new" button will teleport you to page 4. Thirdly, we've turned the final "new" button red so you know you're at the last new comment. Click that final "new" button and you'll be taken to the top of the page. And finally, we now have numbered navigation at the bottoms of our comment threads so you can jump from page 1 to page 30 or directly to the last page with a single click. We're actually encouraged by the amount of bug reports we've gotten every single day for the last month or so about this. We love that people are interested in seeing not just the first comments but also the most recent ones (and theirs, of course).

A new spellchecker

Although our old spellchecker was apparently so good that OldFogey used it to spellcheck his Word documents, it was less than clean under the hood. Aside from using dated code, a new version of it had to be loaded for each domain. In other words, if you read articles from two Newsviners, you loaded the spellcheck twice. We've now switched to TinyMCE's built-in spellchecker so you only have to load the (much smaller) code once. The spellchecker's quite sharp looking as well. We like it even better than the last one.

A complete rewrite of the entire comment rendering process

The code which displays comments on Newsvine is fairly intricate and hasn't been rewritten in a long time. Over the last several months, there have been a lot of enhancements we've wanted to make to comment threads (such as the ones listed above) that we've held off on until the whole thing could be rewritten. It is now rewritten! With all of this heavy lifting out of the way, we look forward to adding things like avatars, country flags, and other elements to Newsvine comment threads that will further set them apart from the rest of the industry's. You may also find that story pages load a lot faster with the new comment service running.

Look for more improvements soon!

152 Votes
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Public Discussion (362)

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

8.1

2.6

1.9

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3 4

{"commentId":3532333,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

UGG more than most.. i think the comment box buggs hurts someone like me that already ahs a huge problemw ith making readible posts.

{"commentId":3532333,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

1 vote

#76 - Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":3559421,"authorDomain":"doylewheeler"}

Doyle Wheeler

Thanks guys for producing and giving us a mean of getting our absolute genus out to the rest of the planet. Hopefully your working on an interstellar version so we can blog with people through the universe.

{"commentId":3559421,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"doylewheeler"}

#77 - Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":3560885,"authorDomain":"corperateties"}

corperateties

lol.....the whole universe. that is funny.

DON'T PANIC! KNOW WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS AT ALL TIMES!

{"commentId":3560885,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"corperateties"}

1 vote

#77.1 - Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":3562096,"authorDomain":"godsgirl1000"}

J. Kelly

This seems to be interesting.

I will have to take a closer look so I can apply high - tech acrutraments to my submitted pieces.

Thanks so very much.

{"commentId":3562096,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"godsgirl1000"}

#78 - Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:26 AM EDT

{"commentId":3594445,"authorDomain":"jibade7"}

JoMan

Oh, that's what happened when things changed a while ago. I must say I like it. Except when I go back to edit after I've already posted... when I have those few minutes to readjust things, if I was in too big of hurry to set my word in stone... then I have all those: nbsp;,/p's all over the place and it takes out all the spacing. I've learned the nbsp;/p's don't show up once I re-post it, but I do have to go back through and put the spacing back in before I resubmit.

Maybe it's my dinosaur computer's fault on this end - but it's just something I've had to deal with. It shows on my home page in my comment sections. Again, at least it does to me. You can see what I'm talking about there. Other wise I love the ease of writing, editing and spell check. Everything is a lot faster - Very nice. =)

{"commentId":3594445,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"jibade7"}

#79 - Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":3773366,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

anyone else still havign a horrible time with the new comment system?
half the tiem i cant reply.. i have to use opera or IE and then sometimes i get bugs in them as well like they are complaining i have no comment when i have text int he comment field. Comments disapear when you hit edit. Sometimes the ajax features are there and sometimes you have to go back to normal mode casue there is no formatting features working even with ad block disabled and a reboot.
mayeb it's just me. but it gets very annoying

{"commentId":3773366,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

1 vote

#80 - Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":3834659,"authorDomain":"veauxie"}

veauxtek

To everyone above: you are the most adorable/amazing bunch of geeks! I love you all. You make the B-C web developers I work with every day look like Luddites. And Newsvine is probably the most sophisticated and user friendly site I've ever seen. Thanks for the fabulous user experience.

{"commentId":3834659,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"veauxie"}

2 votes

#80.1 - Sun Nov 2, 2008 12:21 PM EST

{"commentId":4575890,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}

Jesusa Bernardo

anyone else still havign a horrible time with the new comment system?

Happens to me as well, JoulesBeef. What I usually do is switch to XHTML mode and then back to normal. If it doesn't work, then XHTML again. Yes, it can be pretty annoying.

{"commentId":4575890,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}

2 votes

#80.2 - Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:41 PM EST

{"commentId":3958888,"authorDomain":"neiljohnson285"}

Neil Johnson-713839Deleted

{"commentId":4079745,"authorDomain":"ynotmike"}

ynotmike

Newsvine sucks with the new editing, I can do it myself.

{"commentId":4079745,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"ynotmike"}

#82 - Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:46 PM EST

{"commentId":4190975,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

That's awesome! Isn't it great that you can use the XHTML mode instead of the Normal Mode? Lucky you!

{"commentId":4190975,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

1 vote

#82.1 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:51 PM EST

{"commentId":4134422,"authorDomain":"markesanchez-marke"}

goldminor

This is such a well done site. I love the ability to cross reference threads and follow ideas through so many diverse streams. Suppose I should take the time now to learn a bit more on inputing reference points and some of the other weird and unknown stuff that a lot of you people do. I am relatively new to computers, so I am learning as I go.

{"commentId":4134422,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"markesanchez-marke"}

3 votes

#83 - Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:57 PM EST

{"commentId":4191006,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

There's plenty of help available in the Newsvine Help group, goldminor. And always feel free to ask--folks are usually pretty helpful around here.

Looks to me like you've got a great start. Welcome to the Vine!

{"commentId":4191006,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

2 votes

#83.1 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:53 PM EST

{"commentId":4182650,"authorDomain":"marklee"}

Mark Lee-741784Deleted

{"commentId":4182661,"authorDomain":"marklee"}

Mark Lee-741784Deleted

{"commentId":4182701,"authorDomain":"buddysej"}

S. Elaine Jones

Lord'a'mercy... Where is my Ritalin script? Don't ya'll know I'm ADD? We don't do change well; we try but.......... ***sigh***

ok ok, you did say "rolling out"! whew........ sounds good, sounds interesting...

but, no no, I've got it.

no no, for real, I got it this time! Promise!

I really have it ! Thanks. Looking forward to it.

{Hey ya'll, I'd have been just as happy to type in my favorite color, "red" every now and then, and add a happy face}

but, no no, I got it. For REAL. this time. I have it now.

{"commentId":4182701,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"buddysej"}

3 votes

#86 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:44 AM EST

{"commentId":4207262,"authorDomain":"davidthom12"}

David ThomsonDeleted

{"commentId":4207269,"authorDomain":"davidthom12"}

David ThomsonDeleted

{"commentId":4299853,"authorDomain":"jonesgilbert"}

Jones Gilbert

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{"commentId":4299853,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"jonesgilbert"}

#89 - Fri Dec 5, 2008 5:28 AM EST

{"commentId":4299934,"authorDomain":"jonesgilbert"}

Jones Gilbert

Why Men Are tangled to Purchase Calais?

He had a protracted mustache on a braid’s face.

From a prospect to check up on the effectiveness of any ED pill.

Author: Jones Gilbert

{"commentId":4299934,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"jonesgilbert"}

#90 - Fri Dec 5, 2008 5:52 AM EST

{"commentId":4576196,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

I can't tell if this is spam or just awesome. I better report it to be safe.

{"commentId":4576196,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

3 votes

#90.1 - Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:18 PM EST

{"commentId":4576231,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

It reads like some kind of lorem ipsum text, or maybe I just haven't had enough to drink yet.

{"commentId":4576231,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

3 votes

#90.2 - Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:22 PM EST

{"commentId":4577598,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

I particularly like this:

He had a protracted mustache on a braid’s face.

....and this:

that capital middle female was bones up

......But being a recreational diver I was very taken with this line:

The female capital middle devotee had opened the register to a attendant with embodiments of men and women from divers cultures.

{"commentId":4577598,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#90.3 - Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:17 PM EST

{"commentId":4579363,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

This is my favorite:

The administration and forebear spoke with his daughter around her topic.

It just sounds, so, naughty.

How this never got deleted over the last few weeks is beyond me. Maybe the conversation tracker wasn't working. Bwahahahahahahahaha.

{"commentId":4579363,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

4 votes

#90.4 - Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:50 PM EST

{"commentId":4593843,"authorDomain":"chasing"}

Chasing

I can't tell if this is spam or just awesome. I better report it to be safe.

I vote awesome.

{"commentId":4593843,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"chasing"}

4 votes

#90.5 - Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:46 AM EST

{"commentId":4600737,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

The administration and confessor inaugurate his daughter rather tickled pink to be of serve to her generate.

This might be hilariouser than the first one.

Screw it. The entire thing is utter, beautiful, nonsense.

{"commentId":4600737,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

2 votes

#90.6 - Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:59 PM EST

{"commentId":4602267,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

When the administrations foremost saw the feedbacks up pouring into the enterprise's outstanding position, they felt lively,

I'll bet they did!

(thou i have to admit i'm not sure why)

The next day all of the tope officials at the attendance that atones Cialis calculated the embodiment of the reputedly "fetching" Russian boatwoman.

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Anybody know where can I get the photo-calendar? (i'm gettin very excited)

{"commentId":4602267,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#90.7 - Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:20 PM EST

{"commentId":4783737,"authorDomain":"ltaylor1"}

Lali T

fabulous. I just found the "write" button for spell-checker...of course, I meant "right" for those OCD'rs out there. love ya! :)

{"commentId":4783737,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"ltaylor1"}

1 vote

#91 - Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:15 PM EST

{"commentId":5081115,"authorDomain":"michael4152006"}

michael silvaDeleted

{"commentId":5118233,"authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

Mary from FLA

I am fairly new at this, 5 or 6 months, I guess I have not seen the problems, so good I guess.

{"commentId":5118233,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

#93 - Sun Feb 1, 2009 4:50 PM EST

{"commentId":5500764,"authorDomain":"manny-lorenzo2000"}

manny-lorenzo2000

{"commentId":5500764,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"manny-lorenzo2000"}

#94 - Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:50 PM EST

{"commentId":8844152,"authorDomain":"shakil-ahmad"}

shakil ahmadDeleted

{"commentId":8844504,"authorDomain":"shakil-ahmad"}

shakil ahmadDeleted

{"commentId":8844567,"authorDomain":"shakil-ahmad"}

shakil ahmadDeleted

{"commentId":8911893,"authorDomain":"Catmoves"}

Catmoves

It 'swonderful.

Nesvine was pretty, um, well, awful when it started. You know, the heart was willing but the body was weak, kind of awful.

It's gettin' there, fellas. Thank you.

{"commentId":8911893,"threadId":"370041","contentId":"1918925","authorDomain":"Catmoves"}

#98 - Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":9002514,"authorDomain":"ztseals"}

ztsealsDeleted

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3 4

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"370041","isPrivate":false}

NEWSVINE BLOG

Backyard

New Comment Threads are Live (For Some People)

A WYSIWYG comment editor

Resizable comment box with full screen mode

Real pagination

A new spellchecker

A complete rewrite of the entire comment rendering process

Published to:

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