[Vote] Post editing

[CmdrWilkens]

Similiar to GMT I noticed, thanks to a constituent, that the OOBs in the STGOD forum are no longer editable. Not sure if the permission system still allows for Forum-specific rules but Fanfic and STGOD may be worth looking at. Can't beleive I totally forgot about those two earlier.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Yeah, the inability to edit in fanfics is pretty punishing to my writing style, where I'll frequently update rough drafts later or modify the title heading, and there's really plenty of good reasons for responsible posters if at all possible to still have unlimited editing, though of course we can live for a few weeks if that's what it takes with getting it sorted out.

[Imperial Overlord]

Yeah, the inability to edit in fanfics is pretty punishing to my writing style, where I'll frequently update rough drafts later or modify the title heading, and there's really plenty of good reasons for responsible posters if at all possible to still have unlimited editing, though of course we can live for a few weeks if that's what it takes with getting it sorted out.

The same for me.

[CmdrWilkens]

Got another constituent PM, it looks like this permissions change may be affecting the ability for some users to post in existing private forums they are members of.

[fgalkin]

It appears that posts to private groups like the HAB and Justice League must now be manually approved by the staff. Fortunately, they can be approved enmasse, rather that individually.

EDIT: In fact, it appears the problem is for every private forum. Looks like we mods have some extra work until this gets fixed.

To the members affected by this, please be patient and someone will get around to approving yout post eventually.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[AdmiralKanos]

OK, I think I solved the "private usergroup" problem. Somebody (other than a moderator) please go post in a private usergroup and let me know whether the problem has been resolved.

As for the editing time, I've been looking into it and it appears that the edit time limit is a global setting which affects all users, and I can't turn it off for Senators. I'll keep looking into it, but I'm not at all sure it can be done at this point without rewriting part of the software.

Question: is it possible for you to delete your old posts? If so, that's one workaround for altering old posts: make a new one with the altered content, and then delete the old one.

[RedImperator]

Can you just exempt certain forums from the time limit? I think Senators can get by without editing rights in months-old posts in OT, but I can see how it would be a huge pain in the dick if a fanfic author can't edit or update old chapters, and I can also see how it would be a huge pain in the dick if the Fanfic mod got stuck with all the "Please fix X, Y, and Z in this post" requests.

[Beowulf]

OK, I think I solved the "private usergroup" problem. Somebody (other than a moderator) please go post in a private usergroup and let me know whether the problem has been resolved.

Seems to be resolved for private usergroups.

[Darth Wong]

Yup, you need to alter the software to allow unlimited edit times for certain users or forums. Two possibilities for this:

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... &t=1223795
This is a mod, but it's an alpha.

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... &t=1219315
This is an idea for hard-coding an exemption for certain forums (could probably be altered to produce an exemption for certain groups as well). Of course, hard-coding is bad programming practice, but it's not insecure; it's just ugly and makes programming purists cry bitter tears.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

Question: is it possible for you to delete your old posts? If so, that's one workaround for altering old posts: make a new one with the altered content, and then delete the old one.

Nada. The permissions dialogue says it's possible, but the delete button is absent.

ADDENDUM: Does the ability to delete posts have the same time limit that editing does?

[Coyote]

I just had to 'approve' a bunch of posts in the MESS...

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Yup, you need to alter the software to allow unlimited edit times for certain users or forums. Two possibilities for this:

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... &t=1223795
This is a mod, but it's an alpha.

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... &t=1219315
This is an idea for hard-coding an exemption for certain forums (could probably be altered to produce an exemption for certain groups as well). Of course, hard-coding is bad programming practice, but it's not insecure; it's just ugly and makes programming purists cry bitter tears.

Which one would be easier for you? If hard-coding is still secure, then just do that, I'd recommend, and if Durandal wants to go find a bosom to sob on over it, well, he can do that. I think the rest of the computer people on the board will have to settle for pillows.

[CmdrWilkens]

I just had to 'approve' a bunch of posts in the MESS...

Those might be leftovers from this morning because I just posted clean without Mod approval.

[Darth Wong]

OK, I just tried editing the code. In theory, people should have unlimited edit time in OT and Fanfics, and Senators should have unlimited edit time everywhere.

Please let me know if it works.

[Darth Wong]

Oops, I think I did something wrong with the forum ID. Trying again.

[Imperial Overlord]

I couldn't edit my fanfic posts.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

No joy on all three counts.

[CmdrWilkens]

Likewise, no ability to edit in OT or in any other forum (near as I can tell, I haven't checked all of the ones I have posts in). If we do get this working I would suggest, however, adding STGOD to the unlimited edit list.

[Beowulf]

I second the STGOD forum being added to the unlimited edit list.

[CmdrWilkens]

PM from a constituent:

I have a list of the forums that could use unlimited editing, if Mike can get it to work:

Fanfics and Completed and Cleaned up Fanfics, of course
Off-Topic
AMP
G&C, including the subforum for STGODs
ARSE
The Senate
Testing

and I guess whatever private forums previously allowed editing (all of them?)

I just thought I'd type up a list so you guys could refer to it.

I can't really speak to unlimited editing for all of these but I can absolutely get behind AMP, G&C, and Testing. The others I just don't post or have enough of a reference (aside from the Senate where I actually disagree) to form a solid opinion but I felt I should definately pass along some thoughts from the board at large.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

PM from a constituent:

I have a list of the forums that could use unlimited editing, if Mike can get it to work:

Fanfics and Completed and Cleaned up Fanfics, of course
Off-Topic
AMP
G&C, including the subforum for STGODs
ARSE
The Senate
Testing

and I guess whatever private forums previously allowed editing (all of them?)

I just thought I'd type up a list so you guys could refer to it.

I can't really speak to unlimited editing for all of these but I can absolutely get behind AMP, G&C, and Testing. The others I just don't post or have enough of a reference (aside from the Senate where I actually disagree) to form a solid opinion but I felt I should definately pass along some thoughts from the board at large.

I can get behind Fanfics, AMP, and the STGOD sub-forum for unlimited edits. The rest of G&C, ARSE, and OT? No way.

[Coyote]

I appear to now be on the "10-minute edit window". I tried to edit a spelling error on a post made earlier today and it said "post can no longer be edited".

Any other Senators finding themselves in the same boat?

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Fanfics and Completed and Cleaned up Fanfics, of course
Off-Topic
AMP
STGOD subform.
The Senate
Testing

-- Those I'd support having unlimited editing, if we can only do it by forum.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

My notion on what forums should have edit capability has generated a PM that, to me, makes an awful lot of sense after some thinking.

ARSE had unlimited editing before, and it might help if someone feels a need to edit out personal information they unintentionally left in, or later regret putting out.

[Dalton]

That is an excellent suggestion. I commend the board member who pointed that out.