About the envelope signs in the left

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The discussion centers around the meanings of various envelope symbols in a forum interface, which indicate thread activity and user participation. Participants clarify that a plain envelope signifies a thread has been started, while additional symbols indicate the number of posts or views. A specific symbol, resembling a letter sticking out, indicates new posts since the last visit. Users express frustration over the lack of a clear guide for these symbols, noting that previous explanations have been removed from the homepage. Ultimately, a key to the symbols can be found on the subscribed threads page, although its visibility may vary for different users.
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I've not paid much attention to them till now. Most are self-explanatory. But today that I took a closer look, I didn't understand the difference between a couple. There must be a list somewhere, saying what each symbol means. Anybody can guide me? :confused:

And I'm not a bit ashamed to have not to understood such a thing.
 
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There used to be an explanation at the bottom of the home page.

The plain envelopes just show a thread was started, the little lines shooting out of the top seem to indicate a certain number of posts/activity, the little bombs show you've posted in the thread, fire shows the thread has (I think) at leat 500 views. Supposedly the bombs are little people.
 
No explanation in home page.

There's a new thread in classical physics with no reply yet, called collision of pool balls. I can't figure out what's the little projection on the top of the enveleope?

Thanks a lot anyway.
 
Shooting star said:
I can't figure out what's the little projection on the top of the enveleope?
You mean the thing that looks like a letter sticking out of the envelope? I think that means that something new was posted since you last checked it.
 
You mean where the envelope was open?
 
You are both correct it seems. Open and somthing sticking out. Open would mean nobody has replied?

I could have verified Doc Al's explanation by not directly coming into this thread, but just by coming into this forum, and looking at the sign!
 
I think there was a little key at the bottom of every forum in the Nexus skin but since its been dropped there doesn't seem to be any way to check. I do have a vague memory of seeing it once in the prime skin but I can't for the life of me recall where.
 
Found it. If you look at your subscribed threads there's a key at the bottom of that page that tells you what the different envelopes mean.
 
Shooting star said:
Open and somthing sticking out. Open would mean nobody has replied?
No. It just means that something new was posted since the last time you looked at the thread.

I just verified this when I looked at this thread. Before I opened it, the envelope showed open (since you had added your post). After I read your new post, I checked the listing: the envelope was closed (since nothing new was added since I last looked at the thread).
 
  • #10
Kurdt said:
Found it. If you look at your subscribed threads there's a key at the bottom of that page that tells you what the different envelopes mean.
Good eye! I knew I'd seen it somewhere recently.
 
  • #11
We can always rely on Kurdt, he should be mentor of forum oddities.
 
  • #12
Evo said:
We can always rely on Kurdt, he should be mentor of forum oddities.

:smile: I just remember loads of rubbish. Thats why I often win the local pub quiz much to the dismay of the people 20 years my senior.
 
  • #13
I have got the most info about PF from Kurdt. A new post must be created for him.
 
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  • #14
Doc Al said:
No. It just means that something new was posted since the last time you looked at the thread.

I just verified this when I looked at this thread. Before I opened it, the envelope showed open (since you had added your post). After I read your new post, I checked the listing: the envelope was closed (since nothing new was added since I last looked at the thread).

Then why both open sign and new letter sticking out? Any one would have done.

(Now going to check the info given by "Oddities Guru". If he becomes a mentor, I'm sure he'll just keep on making new signs with his inventiveness.)
 
  • #15
Kurdt said:
Found it. If you look at your subscribed threads there's a key at the bottom of that page that tells you what the different envelopes mean.

I'm looking at the bottom of this page and not finding it...! Are there words or just a symbol? :confused: again...
 
  • #16
Is that the subscribed threads page accessed from the quick links button at the top of the page?

Here it is anyway.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/1640/envelopesgi1.jpg
 
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  • #17
Wow Kurdt! Thank YOU. But why can't I see it? It is not in the quick links at the top. Is it because you're a contributor, and can see things I can't? The other two can do whatever they like anyway.
 
  • #18
Shooting star said:
Wow Kurdt! Thank YOU. But why can't I see it? It is not in the quick links at the top. Is it because you're a contributor, and can see things I can't? The other two can do whatever they like anyway.

Well there's something I don't know. Greg or Chroot will have to answer that or someone else who isn't a contributor confirm it. But I see no reason why only contributors and mentors can see it. Perhaps you are just looking in the wrong place.

www.physicsforums.com/subscription.php[/URL]

Thats the link to the page where I can see it.
 
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  • #19
Kurdt said:
www.physicsforums.com/subscription.php[/URL]

Thats the link to the page where I can see it.[/QUOTE]

OK. I misunderstood you, but I've got it now. Again, not ashamed at all! :cry:
 
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  • #20
Its in quite an obscure place where I'm sure the majority of members have never seen so I wouldn't worry :smile:
 
  • #21
Kurdt said:
Its in quite an obscure place where I'm sure the majority of members have never seen so I wouldn't worry :smile:

:cry::cry::mad::shy::biggrin:
 

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