Any way to implement notification for responses to your posts?

[ER Eddie]

Hi. Is there any way to implement a feature where you would be notified when someone replies to your post? You know, just a little pop-up notification somewhere that says "so-and-so replied to your post."

[edit: To clarify, I'm referring to times when people Quote your post, not just use Quick Reply.]

That would facilitate discussion, because it would encourage a back-and-forth dialog. It is easy to miss other people's replies to your post -- at least I find that to be the case. I have to make sure to check back with threads where I have made a post, then find my original post and see if there was any follow up. I often don't feel like doing that, so I'm sure I miss some people's replies.

It's also a nice encouragement to engage, a sort of reinforcer. Most forums I visit have this feature. It's usually the first thing I notice when I check in -- did anyone reply to my posts? Is there anything I need to respond to?

Anyhow, if that feature could somehow be implemented, I think it would improve the forum and facilitate discussion. Thanks for considering.

 

[Aerides]

In User CP, under Edit Options, you can edit the Default Subscription Mode to receive emails when there are updates on threads you've posted in, but not filtered to "only" your posts being replied to (I think, i've not used it as I don't want more emails!)

Have you tried this?

 

[ER Eddie]

In User CP, under Edit Options, you can edit the Default Subscription Mode to receive emails when there are updates on threads you've posted in, but not filtered to "only" your posts being replied to (I think, i've not used it as I don't want more emails!)

Have you tried this?

Thanks for the reply, but that's not really what I'm talking about. That's a notification when anyone posts anything to the thread. Since people are constantly doing that, I'd be inundated with notifications. So, like you, I wouldn't want that option "on." I'd be flooded with emails.

I'm talking about a something much more specific -- a notification when someone replies to your post. I think that would make conversations a little easier, at least for those of us who don't check in repeatedly and read everything. It's easy to miss things.

Plus, it feels good when someone replies to your posts (well, at least if they're friendly). So it's nice to be notified when that happens. I think the heart of any forum is conversation between members, and a notification would help facilitate that.

 

[Aerides]

Yes I understand, but also I don't think replies are specific to posts. I mean, 99% of the time I use the "quick reply" function, and there's no way to really @ you, it's @ the thread. It's a bigger function change to both enable targeted replies to individuals first, then parse those for notifications.

For example, right now technically I'm replying to the thread, though obviously I mean to you.

But someone who knows the code might have a better idea. I just thought I'd pass along the feature that is already there in case you hadn't see that.

 

[sengsational]

I also think this would be a handy feature, but I'd probably end up posting more and reading less (which I think is not good for the world). What I do is Search > View all your posts, then open each in a separate tab (one per thread, of course). Then scroll to the top and click "view first unread". Then I read down to the end. Obviously this doesn't catch the quotes on old threads that I've posted in, because I only go open the last day or so when opening threads, but I think the expectations of the quoter is lower when quoting something old.

 

[cathy63]

Yes I understand, but also I don't think replies are specific to posts. I mean, 99% of the time I use the "quick reply" function, and there's no way to really @ you, it's @ the thread. It's a bigger function change to both enable targeted replies to individuals first, then parse those for notifications.

For example, right now technically I'm replying to the thread, though obviously I mean to you.

But someone who knows the code might have a better idea. I just thought I'd pass along the feature that is already there in case you hadn't see that.

If you use the Quick button on the post you're replying to, then the software automatically threads the reply. I think if you quote someone, that also works. I'm trying it with this one. (Edit: yes, it threaded as a reply to Aerides.) You have to change your Thread Display Mode to Threaded or Hybrid on the User CP Options page to see the thread tree.

If you just start typing in the reply box without quoting anyone or using the Quick button on their message, then that's the same as replying to the original post.

I don't think vBulletin has an option for sending emails only to the poster above you in the thread. It didn't used to, but I haven't worked with it in years. (Although, this forum is being run on a 5 year old beta version, so my knowledge is actually not that far out of date as it relates to this site.) Also, with a feature like email notification, as threads get longer, it gets difficult to decide who to notify. I'm replying to Aerides here, but she replied to ER Eddie, so should he be notified of this message even though it's nested two levels deep?

 

[ER Eddie]

Yes I understand, but also I don't think replies are specific to posts. I mean, 99% of the time I use the "quick reply" function, and there's no way to really @ you, it's @ the thread. It's a bigger function change to both enable targeted replies to individuals first, then parse those for notifications.

For example, right now technically I'm replying to the thread, though obviously I mean to you.

Oh, sorry, my use of terms may have confused things. I should clarify. I said "responds to your post" but I was referring to times when someone quotes your post, not just responds to your ideas using Quick Reply. If they don't quote you, there is no way for the forum software to tell that the response was directed towards you. However, if you quote someone's post, then some forum software can notify you of that.

So, I'm not talking about times when someone just replies using Quick Reply, without quoting you. I'm referring specifically to times when someone quotes your post.

On the other forums I visit and also Youtube, it comes in the form of a notification on the forum page, rather than via an email. I appreciate it, because it directs me immediately to what is most important to me. It's always the first place I look. However, it may be that this forum software just doesn't have that capability.

I just thought I'd pass along the feature that is already there in case you hadn't see that.

I gotcha. I appreciate it.

 

[Janet H]

However, it may be that this forum software just doesn't have that capability.

^ this.

As noted earlier we can send you a notification when there is a response on the thread but not specifically a response quoting your post - the software can't make this distinction.

 

[ER Eddie]

^ this.

As noted earlier we can send you a notification when there is a response on the thread but not specifically a response quoting your post - the software can't make this distinction.

That's what I figured. Well, may I suggest it be put on the wishlist for the next forum software upgrade? It's a nice feature. It facilitates back-and-forth conversations. Thanks.

 

[target2019]

In google search box at top of page, you can do this:
- search for "Originally Posted by target2019"
- click on Tools button
- select a date range
- select Sort by date

This can be automated, I'm sure. Maybe a bookmark is possible.
Come to think of it, there is probably a way to get google to notify you of a new result.

 

[ER Eddie]

In google search box at top of page, you can do this:
- search for "Originally Posted by target2019"
- click on Tools button
- select a date range
- select Sort by date

This can be automated, I'm sure. Maybe a bookmark is possible.
Come to think of it, there is probably a way to get google to notify you of a new result.

Thank you, but unless I'm missing something, that just brings up a list of my posts -- which is fine, but what I'm asking about is a notification when someone quotes/replies to my posts. I understand that I can call up my previous posts, and then I can read through all the remaining posts in that thread and look for any responses to my post. That's the "manual" way, so to speak.

But some sites have a little notification or alert whenever someone quotes/replies to your post. It will say "So-and-so quoted your post in X thread," and it provides a link to that person's reply. Click the link and it takes you right to the person's response in that thread.

It's very convenient, especially for those of us who don't necessarily have time to read all the posts in all the threads we've posted in. It's also reinforcing, because it's always nice to have someone respond to what you've said (well, most of the time...).

Anyhow, it's just a suggestion for a feature to consider in the future, if the software upgrade allows it. It works nicely, because both people in the conversation get immediate notifications, and so it promotes back-and-forth interchanges, and you don't miss it when people are talking to you.

 

[marko]

^ this.

As noted earlier we can send you a notification when there is a response on the thread but not specifically a response quoting your post - the software can't make this distinction.

I'm not sure what button or box I checked along the way, but I DO get notification when someone quotes my comment on this forum. "so-and-so has quoted your reply" (or something like that). I go in and sure enough, someone has quoted me.

Now, I only see this on my tablet, not my phone or laptop. It comes up in my general notifications that tell me that I have email, a new Tweet or a bank notification etc. I'm not sure how or why.

 

[Dtail]

I'm not sure what button or box I checked along the way, but I DO get notification when someone quotes my comment on this forum. "so-and-so has quoted your reply" (or something like that). I go in and sure enough, someone has quoted me.

Now, I only see this on my tablet, not my phone or laptop. It comes up in my general notifications that tell me that I have email, a new Tweet or a bank notification etc. I'm not sure how or why.

I get email notification too to a thread which I have responded to, but I receive the notification whether the response is to my post or just any post.

Are you sure the notification is just for YOUR posts?

 

[marko]

I get email notification too to a thread which I have responded to, but I receive the notification whether the response is to my post or just any post.

Are you sure the notification is just for YOUR posts?

Yes. As a matter of fact, here is notification of YOUR quoting ME to this post.

 

[cathy63]

That's a push notification from the Early-Retirement app. If you open the app and go to Settings, there's a section for push notifications where you can be notified when someone "Quoted My Post" or someone "Mentioned Me".

If I write @marko does this show up as a mention?

 

[target2019]

Thank you, but unless I'm missing something, that just brings up a list of my posts -- which is fine, but what I'm asking about is a notification when someone quotes/replies to my posts. I understand that I can call up my previous posts, and then I can read through all the remaining posts in that thread and look for any responses to my post. That's the "manual" way, so to speak.

But some sites have a little notification or alert whenever someone quotes/replies to your post. It will say "So-and-so quoted your post in X thread," and it provides a link to that person's reply. Click the link and it takes you right to the person's response in that thread.

It's very convenient, especially for those of us who don't necessarily have time to read all the posts in all the threads we've posted in. It's also reinforcing, because it's always nice to have someone respond to what you've said (well, most of the time...).

Anyhow, it's just a suggestion for a feature to consider in the future, if the software upgrade allows it. It works nicely, because both people in the conversation get immediate notifications, and so it promotes back-and-forth interchanges, and you don't miss it when people are talking to you.

I understand your OP and all the follow-up.
What I pointed you to was a way to find your quoted posts. It is not your posts, although you may find them on the page. It is specifically looking for your quoted posts that others have responded to. If you substitute your name for mine in the search, and use quotes around the search as I have, you will find what your looking for.

 

[ER Eddie]

I understand your OP and all the follow-up.
What I pointed you to was a way to find your quoted posts. It is not your posts, although you may find them on the page. It is specifically looking for your quoted posts that others have responded to. If you substitute your name for mine in the search, and use quotes around the search as I have, you will find what your looking for.

Oh, I see. Yes, the first time, I didn't include the quote marks. Apparently that makes a difference. It did bring up links to pages on which there were quotes of my posts, somewhere on the page.

Thanks, that's a half-decent workaround. It lacks the full advantage of the notification system, because in that case, everyone gets notified, so a back-and-forth is more likely (whereas here, it's only one person, if he/she goes to the trouble of searching like that). But it's better than nothing, so thanks, appreciate the suggestion.

 

[target2019]

I understand your OP and all the follow-up.
What I pointed you to was a way to find your quoted posts. It is not your posts, although you may find them on the page. It is specifically looking for your quoted posts that others have responded to. If you substitute your name for mine in the search, and use quotes around the search as I have, you will find what your looking for.

Oh, I see. Yes, the first time, I didn't include the quote marks. Apparently that makes a difference. It did bring up links to pages on which there were quotes of my posts, somewhere on the page.

Thanks, that's a half-decent workaround. It lacks the full advantage of the notification system, because in that case, everyone gets notified, so a back-and-forth is more likely (whereas here, it's only one person, if he/she goes to the trouble of searching like that). But it's better than nothing, so thanks, appreciate the suggestion.

You could use google.com/alerts, and create a notification. Might have to experiment to find the best settings.

 

[target2019]

Oh, I see. Yes, the first time, I didn't include the quote marks. Apparently that makes a difference. It did bring up links to pages on which there were quotes of my posts, somewhere on the page.

Thanks, that's a half-decent workaround. It lacks the full advantage of the notification system, because in that case, everyone gets notified, so a back-and-forth is more likely (whereas here, it's only one person, if he/she goes to the trouble of searching like that). But it's better than nothing, so thanks, appreciate the suggestion.

Another way to answer your question is to explain how I handle this.

When a topic interests me, I try to respond with something meaningful. Then the forum creates a subscription to the thread. I don't get email notifications, as that is very messy and time-consuming.

When I do open the forum, I look for the threads with the icon which shows I've subscribed. Then click on the new post icon to the left of thread title.

At any given time, I may have 0-12 subscribed threads. When the landscape gets too busy, I unsubscribe from the least interesting topics, and try for a handful of subscribed topics. I check those first when I coe to E-R.

I realize alerts as you describe them would be useful.

 

[marko]

That's a push notification from the Early-Retirement app. If you open the app and go to Settings, there's a section for push notifications where you can be notified when someone "Quoted My Post" or someone "Mentioned Me".

Isn't this what the OP is asking for?

 

[cathy63]

Isn't this what the OP is asking for?

Yes, I think so. He just has to install the app.

 

[ER Eddie]

You mean an app for your phone? That's okay, thanks anyhow. I don't use my cellphone much, and it doesn't have internet service.