Chatterbox rewind feature?

[geektron]

This may or may not be a feasible idea. . .

Occasionally I'll pop in here and see that there's an interesting conversation happening in the Chatterbox, but since I've walked into the conversation mid-way, I've missed the foundation of it. Would it be possible to add in some kind of 'previous 10 messages' link in the 'Box, so that people could recap a conversation, then join in (w/out having to ask 'what are you guys talking about, 'cuz it sounds interesting.'

or, is the idea just smokin' crack?

[jlp]

This idea has come up, and been rejected, many, many times. Just one such discussion is located at A Chatterbox Archive. The fact is, people may say things in the Chatterbox that they'd rather not have archived for posterity. The chatterbox is an informal setting where people can say things without having to worry about them being logged and brought up again later. That doesn't mean I advocate offensive or obnoxious chatter, but the fact is that many people will modify their behavior, even if it's perfectly innocent behavior, if they know they're being watched and recorded. Logging the chatterbox will likely cause people to become more guarded in what they say, and thus will remove much of its charm. I know you're saying only the last 10 messages or so, but the same principle applies.

[tye]

but the same principle applies

I completely disagree. Doubling the cached messages but only showing the last half by default is a very minor change in how quickly messages disappear and almost nothing like archiving the chatterbox for an extended period of time.

I like the idea. But I doubt it will make it to the top of the to-do list of anyone qualified to make changes to the chatterbox. ):

        - tye (but my friends call me "Tye")

[geektron]

i also didn't think that caching for longer was related to archiving. i haven't had a chance to look at the Chatterbox's source. hell, i'll write a patch and submit it, if there's a way to get the source. . . and if my code doesn't match up with expectations, then strike it down, or send back a critique so i can improve it. . .

this node has gotten more votes than i thought it would, so i'm not the only one who thinks it's a valid thing to do.

[nuance]

I completely disagee, logging the last ten messages is not "logging the chatterbox for posterity" it's not even close.

My own personal preference would be access to the last hour. Messages hang around for ten minutes as it is, letting people catch up on a conversation is unlikely to affect the conversation in the chatterbox at all.

Nuance

[geektron]

if the idea's been shot down "many, many times" then i guess i'll let it drop.

i did search for nodes about this before i posted, and the one you listed didn't show up. . .

oh well, i guess i'll have to just say "hey, what are you guys talking about?" and see if i get a response.

[jptxs]

I'll second that ...since I'm fresh out of votes :)

-- I'm a solipsist, and so is everyone else. (think about it)

[curtisb]

I agree, if you could see what was being talked about then it would be easier to jump in. What about having some sort of auto refresh for the chatter box as well or something to that effect.