Change the date display format on threads?

[ERD50]

Is there any way I can change the date display format on threads?

Currently, the forum uses a 'relative' date format for recent posts, such as: 'Yesterday, 10:34 PM'.

I would prefer an absolute time format in all cases, such as ' Thursday Oct 03, 2014 10:43 PM'.

The reason is, I tend to keep many tabs open to follow certain topics. But if I look at a tab I opened yesterday and have not refreshed, the relative date is out-of-whack, and might say 'Today, 10:34 AM' - if it is now 10:45 AM, it looks like a post made a few minutes ago, but it is actually from 'yesterday'. It's just kind of disorienting.

I see this only goes as far back as 'today' and 'yesterday', and then reverts to actual dates (only if you refresh). I'm assuming this is a setting somewhere, I didn't see a user choice for it. This is an example of software being a little too 'clever', IMO.

Maybe put it to a vote if it is an option to change it? A user setting would be ideal.

-ERD50

 

[Janet H]

There is no way to customize this setting on an individual basis.

 

[ERD50]

There is no way to customize this setting on an individual basis.

Does that infer that it can be changed on a global basis?

Would you consider that change (assuming it isn't a lot of work)? Maybe we could put up a poll - I'm guessing most people never noticed and/or don't care, but I find it mildly annoying, and would prefer absolute dates. Maybe a majority of those who do care prefer the 'yesterday/today' setting - I don't know.

-ERD50

 

[Janet H]

The date format isn't easily changeable but I have some suggestions.


1. if you are keeping tabs open to follow threads why not just refresh your tab?

2. There are other ways to track posts. You can set up subscriptions to threads and then view them in your your cp to see what has updated. (thread tools > subscribe). You can disable notifications if they bother you. Once you have subscribe to threads you can view them all in a list: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/subscription.php?do=viewsubscription&folderid=all. The ones that have been updated will be bolded.

3. If you are a forum junky; try using the scrolling post feed

 

[ERD50]

The date format isn't easily changeable ...

OK, thanks for looking into it. Minor thing, not worth any big effort.

but I have some suggestions.


1. if you are keeping tabs open to follow threads why not just refresh your tab?

What! An extra keypress? CNTRL-R is soooo hard to reach

Really, I keep so many tabs open, I like to just glance to see if they are current or not.

2. There are other ways to track posts. You can set up subscriptions to threads and then view them in your your cp to see what has updated. (thread tools > subscribe). You can disable notifications if they bother you. Once you have subscribe to threads you can view them all in a list: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/subscription.php?do=viewsubscription&folderid=all. The ones that have been updated will be bolded.

Yep, but all that takes an action to find the specific thread - I subscribe to everything I post to, plus a few, so any one in particular gets lost in the mix.

3. If you are a forum junky; ...

Moi? heh-heh

ERD50
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...

Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 13,329

try using the scrolling post feed

That's nice too, but the one I'm watching will quickly fasll off the list if there isn't any recent action.

-ERD50