Suggestion Make inactive users visible by formatting username appearance

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The discussion revolves around the suggestion to visually indicate inactive users on the forum by changing the appearance of their usernames to a thinner font. The proposal aims to enhance user awareness of inactivity, particularly for accounts that have not logged in for over 180 days or a year. Participants note that while some user activity information is visible upon hovering over usernames, it may not be consistent across all user types. There is also a mention of privacy settings that could affect the visibility of "last seen" dates. Overall, the idea seeks to improve user experience by addressing the issue of engaging with inactive members in discussions.
dextercioby
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Hi @Greg Bernhardt Could you make obvious the fact that users are inactive (last login >180 days or one year, as you wish) by making the font of their usernames significantly thinner (now appears bolded and blue on PC (Mozilla&Chrome + WIN)? I remember you had/have a similar setup for users "who wanted to be forgotten" by asking mods/admins to deactivate their account, so this would just be an extension. Is it feasible (sure, if you agree to the idea first)? Thanks!
 
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dextercioby said:
Could you make obvious the fact that users are inactive (last login >180 days or one year
For what reason? Their last activity date is easy to see with a mouse hover over their username/avatar...
 
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Not with all. Unless their account is deactivated, I believe.
Check the 1st post here: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-advisor-announcements.807854/
Hover over Zapper Z & Vanadium 50 > no info. Andy Resnick > info. I know that e.g. micromass asked Greg to deactivate his account, so that one can see his posts, but not his profile (this European "right to be forgotten" rule called GDPR). Or perhaps "last seen" visibile or not is actually a user option.
 
dextercioby said:
Check the 1st post here: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-advisor-announcements.807854/
Hover over Zapper Z & Vanadium 50 > no info.
When I hover over them, I see all of their post date info. Maybe regular users don't have visibility into Mentor and Emeritus info like that? If you hover over my avatar, do you see my date info?

If you can see my info, it may be an option in each user's Profile settings whether they want that info to be public or not. I can check into that later today if you can see my date info.
 
berkeman said:
If you hover over my avatar, do you see my date info?
I do; date joined & last seen.
 
@berkeman If "Last Seen ..." is derived from this user option below, then I can't ask Greg to bypass that. I know this option makes the green/white icon under the avatar.

Privacy options
  • Show your online status This will allow other people to see when you are online.
 
Distinguishing inactive users this way might be problematic, but maybe it could be useful for old topics instead?...
 
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  • #10
I don't think that necroposting is that big of a problem but it is indeed frustrating when you notice that the lengthy and thorough post you just composed would go to a dead topic with the OP long gone...
 
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One site I used to post on had a cartoon zombie beside the editor if there was a three month gap between any of the last ten posts, or something like that. It didn't stop you posting, but it served to warn you that you might be resurrecting something that might best be let lie.
 
  • #12
Ibix said:
had a cartoon zombie beside the editor if there was a three month gap between any of the last ten posts
Quite creative 🤣
 

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