Why aren't we allowed to use HTML in posts?

  • Context: HTML/CSS 
  • Thread starter Thread starter JamesU
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the restrictions on using HTML in forum posts, exploring the reasons behind these limitations and the potential features participants would like to see if HTML were permitted. The scope includes technical considerations, user preferences for formatting, and moderation concerns.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that allowing HTML could enhance post formatting, such as using bulleted and numbered lists, and character entities.
  • Others argue that unrestricted HTML could disrupt the forum's layout, citing potential issues like misplaced tags affecting table structures.
  • Concerns are raised about security risks associated with allowing HTML, including the possibility of malicious scripts or unwanted redirects.
  • A participant mentions that HTML usage is often restricted on platforms like phpBB, limiting users to basic formatting options.
  • Some participants express a desire for features like buttons and dropdown lists, while others believe the current formatting system is simpler and more user-friendly.
  • There is a mention of images being allowed in certain contexts, but a lack of clarity on why they are not permitted in posts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the merits of allowing HTML in posts. While some advocate for its benefits in formatting, others emphasize the technical and security challenges it presents. No consensus is reached on whether HTML should be allowed.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with HTML and the current formatting system, indicating that preferences may depend on individual experiences with different message boards.

JamesU
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why aren't we allowed to use HTML in posts? mayba a [dohtml] tag or something. it would help me format the posts the way I want without having to use this primative [whatever] code
 
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Think about how the posts are structured. It's mostly a collection of cells of tables. Think about what would happen if you put a random </table> tag in the middle of your post. It would completely screw up the entire layout.

Aside from that, there are also many malicious things you could do if you could just add code to the page. One of the more annoying ones would be a meta-refresh tag that could redirect a page on-load to some advertisment site, making the intended page impossible to view. You could even make tons of pop-ups and annoying javascript if there were no filtering.

The fact is, for the sake of keeping the board sane and neat looking, it's imperative that users aren't able to affect the way the pages are coded outside of text and simple graphics. Believe me - I've been admin. for several message boards and usually I don't even allow images, nevermind HTML.
 
You may not realize, when HTML is allowed, it is fairly restricted. No tables are allowed on phpBB boards, nor tons of other things. Bassically you can only change colors and font sizes from what I remember. May be different in VB though...
 
oh. I had a board with html, it seemed to work out fine. I don't see why you wouldn't allow images though...
 
yomamma said:
oh. I had a board with html, it seemed to work out fine. I don't see why you wouldn't allow images though...
It was for moderating purposes mostly. I also realize that any decent message board would make efforts to keep it from being messed with via HTML in posts if allowed.

Out of curiousity, what sort of features do you want from HTML?
 
bulleted lists, numbered lists, a code that isn't confusing to me, using character entities, and some other stuff
 
yomamma said:
bulleted lists, numbered lists, a code that isn't confusing to me, using character entities, and some other stuff
  1. you
  2. can
  3. do
  4. numbered
  5. lists
  6. here

  • and
  • bulleted
  • lists

  • and
  • even
  • lettered
  • lists

:biggrin:

I think the tags/code we use here is far easier than HTML! Just say what you want to do in brackets and then use a slash before that in brackets to end doing that.

Images are only allowed in GD here, but you can upload attachments elsewhere if you need to include an illustration.
 
I think HTML is far easier. I still don't have my character entities. I would like to be able to put a button in a post. and possibly use spoiler tags. (for brain teasers)
 
Changing the text to white is fine for spoilers, I think. What would you do with a button?
 
  • #10
lots of things. dropdown lists too. how did you do those lists moonbear?
 
  • #11
yomamma said:
lots of things. dropdown lists too. how did you do those lists moonbear?
Quote her post to see.
 

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