Flat View for Lurking?

[Anonymous User]

As a lurker (other than this), I'd prefer to be able to view this board in a flat view and I'm sure other lurkers would like to too, yet I don't know how to and the post that mentioned it awhile ago I believe only listed the "My Control Center" (or whatever it is called) as the modus operandi.

Am I missing something here or is there a way to view the threads flat here (and at scifilm) without logging into/creating a user name?

Thank you, and I understand if there are security concerns behind this inability; which is predicated on me not missing the feature.

[Andrew]

I am afraid that, to my knowledge, the only way to change the view defaults is to have an account.

On the other hand, are the view defaults not the best for everyone?  When you open a thread should it go to flat view, vice the threaded version that is currently the default?

[peter johnson]

     I set mine for flat view some time ago, and it seems to have stayed there -- I do prefer the flat view, as it's impossible to tell whether I'd be interested in the content of a thread by titles alone.
Some threads I didn't think I'd be interested in at all suddenly got VERY interesting due to the total inability of anyone writing on this board to stick to the subject.
     Ergo, a thread about Italian Zombie Movies (yawn) will suddenly divert onto rubber snakes and giant spiders with visible threads (yay!) --
     Furthermore . . . say, isn't that a badger over there?
peter johnson/denny crane

[dean]

peter johnson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>      Furthermore . . . say, isn't that a badger
> over there?
> peter johnson/denny crane


WHERE!!!!  [looks around for blunt instrument of badger death...]  


As to the original and less frightening question of flat view, yes you need an account [that happened when Andrew updated the phorum from what I remember] and yes you need to sign in and out [though I just stay signed in unless I'm changing computers, so that isn't too big a problem]

Basically just go to My Control Center and Forum Settings and they should just stay the same settings from then on after you change them.

Then you can continue lurking and taking notes which I'm sure is going to go to some government agency/spam company.   You're not the reason why I need to 'add3inches' via my email are you?  Because if you are there's trouble to be had!!!

[The Burgomaster]

I prefer flat view.

[Ash]

I never use the flat view.
I prefer the default threaded view.

With the flat view...it's nothing but endless scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.
All the posts start to run into one another.
I prefer to read one post at a time, individually in the threaded view.

[odinn7]

I like chocolate.

[Mr_Vindictive]

I'm with Ash.  I use the threaded view since everything is laid out so neatly.  It's much less clutter and just works better for me.

And I'm with Odinn too....chocolate is good.

[ulthar]

the total inability of anyone writing on this board to stick to the subject.

Perhaps I should post this in its own thread, but what is wrong with diverging topics?

Is that not how natural conversations flow?

There are a few VERY large bbs's that operate this way - Slashdot and Trailer Sailor Bulletin Board are two examples.

I realize it makes the indexing of written information harder, but frankly, I'd prefer few thread topics that are longer to a zillion 1-2 post main threads.  Ebs and flows of the topic from the 'main heading' is a normal thing, and I expect it, so if I see a thread with 75 replies, I don't pretend they are all about "Zombies I once saw in comedies" or some such.

The "new" flag helps.

Also, one thing that would help is if we would start changing the subject line of our posts to match the content of the post, rather than just Re:whatever.

Just my $0.02.

[odinn7]

"Also, one thing that would help is if we would start changing the subject line of our posts to match the content of the post, rather than just Re:whatever. "

Eh...whatever...

[Ash]

I don't think peter johnson was being an ass about it.
I took it to mean that he was joking.

Actually, I find it hilarious that we can stray so far off topic sometimes.
It's what makes this board interesting.

[dean]

Changing names of threads can get a little confusing using the above subject-logic.  Though what logic that is I really don't know [boy should I be in bed right now or what?]

Forum ettiqute and the like is actually kind of funny, since I can imagine some webmaster sitting at his computer checking to see whether posts adhere to the proper 'forum approved' conventions, telling us that sorry we are only allowed three thread hijacks per subject etc.

In fact I can picture Andrew hitching up a big sign which lists basic rules of the house:

"No Running Around Pool"
"Keep Out Of The Long Grass"
"Only 1 Toilet Paper Thread Per Month"
"Smileys Are Allowed But Please Be Reasonable"

etc etc...

[Menard]

I don't use the flat view myself; being on dial-up makes the load time slower; but I think it would be a great idea as it allows all these unknown guests the ability to stalk odinn7 that much more easily.

[odinn7]

Menard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>... it allows all these unknown
> guests the ability to stalk odinn7 that much more
> easily.
>

As long as they're babes...I'm all for being stalked.

[raj]

I'm a flatviewer.
And where are the chocolate badgers?  Have they replaced chocolate rabbits for Easter?