True Threads?

[akiy]

Is there any support for "threads" in vBulletin? I do realize that this system (like UBB) uses the term "threads" as basically a topic marker, but I was wondering if vBulletin will handle true threaded discussions support like does, for example, the Unix "trn" reader, Phorum, and mutt?

[John]

True threaded dicussion is a very personal preference. I personally, along with many members on this board I think, do not like threaded discussion - it just seems to complicate things a lot.

I may include an option in the future for threaded discussion.

John

[cheeky]

Threading is a personal choice, as is any way in which we want to view a board. It is however, preferable from a developers point of view, to develop the complicated threaded version first and convert downwards to the flat version - much easier ;)

At the end of the day, like it or not, both versions must be provided to satisfy the different tastes in demand.

With the flat version and a list of a dozen+ replies, it becomes very confusing who is replying to whom. The structure of flat board by it's very nature is broken. There are no visible links or structures on than an ordering by posting date, which bears no correlation to reply data.

However, some prefer the ease of having a complete thread visible on screen and being stuck in their old ways. The problem is that I don't think I've seen a flat version of a board that has been formatted correctly "yet!"

[Martin]

Originally posted by cheeky
...However, some prefer the ease of having a complete thread visible on screen and being stuck in their old ways...

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but "threaded" is the "old" way...

Personally, I prefer a flat moded board, but there are those who are resistant to changes and find poor excuses to want a threaded view;) I think offering a choice as W3T does is probably the best way to approach this.

[cheeky]

the point about structure was well avoided
and the fact that it is easier to downgrade the board code from threaded to flat ;)

but the only true solution as you point out, is choice, a variation of visual modes within a system that can be fully customized.

[Menno]

Making a board with both (like wwwthreads, I believe) is probably the best solution.
Everybody would be happy :)

[John]

Cheeky - of course I avoided it, it meant more work for me ;)

It is something that we will look at in the future, as an option in the control panel, but as you said, it is easier to downgrade than upgrade, so it does require some serious thought about implementing it.

John

[cheeky]

I've just taken a look at wwwthreads for the first time and it's nice that they have different display methods, although their interface, design, color schemes are butt ugly! ;)

The actual technique for converting down from threaded to flat is very easy by simply removing the recursive nature of the thread.(it should take 2 minutes to convert!)

However, creating recursive threads from flat, is most likely a new engine, if not already configured for the upgrade - good luck!
I hated doing it.

The problem I find is not such much the engine, but the browser conversions - Netscape knocked me out of commission for 3 whole days with stupid <table> differences, and God knows if the latest actions against Microsoft are going to cause a stir in the browser market.