Apparently they're called thread dots ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DaveC426913
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AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion surrounding the meaning of thread dot icons used on a forum, which indicate the status of threads based on user interaction and new posts. Users express difficulty in distinguishing these icons and suggest that clearer visual indicators, like ghost or zombie icons, could help prevent inadvertent necroposting, especially among new users. The conversation highlights the frustration with users unintentionally reviving old threads and the potential for improved communication through better iconography. Participants also note that necroposting often occurs when users search for topics and respond to outdated threads without realizing their age. Overall, there is a consensus that enhancing icon clarity could improve user experience on the forum.
DaveC426913
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apparently they're called "thread dots"?

Am I the only one who can't distinguish - let alone divine the meaning of - the teeny icons next to the threads?

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_hot.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_new.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif
 
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They mean (roughly)
https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_hot.gif
This is a 'hot' thread (over a certain number of posts or views) with no new posts, which you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot.gif
Normal thread with no new posts which you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_new.gif
Normal thread with new posts that you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif
Hot thread with new posts that you have not posted in.

Others are:
https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread.gif
Normal thread, no new posts, you have not posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot.gif
Hot thread, no new posts, you have not posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_new.gif
Normal thread, new posts, you have not posted in.
 
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Go to the following page and scroll to the bottom Dave.

https://www.physicsforums.com/subscription.php

There are also combinations of those basic ones which I'm sure you can guess the meaning of.
 
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Kurdt said:
Go to the following page and scroll to the bottom Dave.

https://www.physicsforums.com/subscription.php

There are also combinations of those basic ones which I'm sure you can guess the meaning of.

I didn't know there was a key somewhere: good find!
 
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I know all :devil:
 


Kurdt said:
I know all :devil:

Is Riemann hypothesis true?
 


It is true, and Kurdt is still working hard on the proof. As of now all of his estimates for completion dates tend to infiinite time.
 


cristo said:
They mean (roughly)
https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_hot.gif
This is a 'hot' thread (over a certain number of posts or views) with no new posts, which you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot.gif
Normal thread with no new posts which you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot_new.gif
Normal thread with new posts that you have posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif
Hot thread with new posts that you have not posted in.

Others are:
https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread.gif
Normal thread, no new posts, you have not posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot.gif
Hot thread, no new posts, you have not posted in.

https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_new.gif
Normal thread, new posts, you have not posted in.

OK, good. Then it makes sense that I can neither distinguish nor divine the meaning of them. There's no consistency!

(I tried to draw up a chart, but gave up because it's impossible.)
 
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I think we need some images for revived ghost threads, for example:
thread_dot_ghost_new.gif
A ghost thread with new posts.
[PLAIN]http://sites.google.com/site/physicsgirlphd/Home/threaddots/thread_dot_ghost.gifA[/URL] ghost thread with no new posts.
Etc.
Maybe that way more threads would stay dead... or at least not revive for long.
 
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  • #10


Most people that necropost tend to be new users that would probably not know what the symbols meant anyway.
 
  • #11


Yea but we could have ghost locks or maybe necropost locks.
 
  • #12


Kurdt said:
Most people that necropost tend to be new users that would probably not know what the symbols meant anyway.

Yes, but we would then know not to respond to the necropost. Or at least to be guarded in our response.
 
  • #13


Redbelly98 said:
Yes, but we would then know not to respond to the necropost. Or at least to be guarded in our response.
The more I think about it, the more that actually makes sense.

Inadvertant necroposting is frustrating and embarrassing. It's one of the very few places where the presence of an icon would actually serve a purpose by letting us know that this post is different.
 
  • #14


DaveC426913 said:
The more I think about it, the more that actually makes sense.

Inadvertant necroposting is frustrating and embarrassing. It's one of the very few places where the presence of an icon would actually serve a purpose by letting us know that this post is different.

How does one manage to necropost inadvertently?
 
  • #15


GeorginaS said:
How does one manage to necropost inadvertently?
Occasionally someone - often a newbie - will post to a very old thread, causing that thread to be bumped to the top. It might be simply a new thread, or it might be a thread I'm subscribed to. Either way, I don't tend to stop to check the age of the thread before responding. It is only afterward that I realize that all but the very last post is years old.
 
  • #16


I see. :smile: It also just occurred to me too that thread resurrection might inadvertently happen when people search for certain topics and then post on a thread from the search result, not realising the thread is old and long gone.

And, yes, absolutely, little ghost icons would be terribly helpful. :smile:
 
  • #17


I think that's how it usually happens, that someone stumbles in through a search result, perhaps is new to forums, and doesn't realize the date of the thread before responding. Other times, I've seen them brought up by spammers...perhaps using a keyword search to insert their spam link into something that looks relevant to keep it from getting immediately deleted. The spam still gets deleted, but then whoever else replied without noticing is left looking like the necroposter.
 
  • #18


GeorginaS said:
I see. :smile: It also just occurred to me too that thread resurrection might inadvertently happen when people search for certain topics and then post on a thread from the search result, not realising the thread is old and long gone.

And, yes, absolutely, little ghost icons would be terribly helpful. :smile:

I agree, Georgina...only instead of a ghost, it should be a zombie .
 
  • #19


We need a zombie emoticon. Yes, I think so.
 

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