# Better terms for watching (and tracking?)

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038
**Category:** UX
**Created:** [4월 15, 2017, 5:17오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038 "2017-04-15T17:17:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 2

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### Author: ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/codinghorror/32/110067_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://meta.discourse.org/u/codinghorror)
#### Post date: [4월 17, 2017, 10:17오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/25 "2017-04-17T22:17:58Z")

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> [@jomaxro](#):
>
> The description of tracked on the preferences page, and the notification selector on a topic do not match the helper text in the topic footer.

Can you be more specific? quote the relevant text?

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### Author: ![downey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/downey/32/166878_2.png) [@downey](https://meta.discourse.org/u/downey)
#### Post date: [4월 17, 2017, 10:20오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/26 "2017-04-17T22:20:01Z")

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> <https://twitter.com/iconfinder/status/472014218267742208>

But that said, there’s an important nuance between “learnability” & usability. **Generally, for things that expert users are using regularly, those users will take extra time to figure out how it works.**

The watching vs. tracking debate is a more “expert” option for Discourse users, IMHO. Therefore, I wouldn’t prioritize making it as learnable (intuitive terms) over making it easy to use the various options (which I think it is now, TBH).

Smart thinking for reference on this issue:

[http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/when-is-learnability-more-important-than-usability/](http://www.uxbooth.com/articles/when-is-learnability-more-important-than-usability/)

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### Author: ![jomaxro](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/jomaxro/32/126216_2.png) [@jomaxro](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jomaxro)
#### Post date: [4월 17, 2017, 10:20오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/27 "2017-04-17T22:20:29Z")

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The use of the word “notifications” in the footer text is my main concern here. However, the fact that the Preferences text does not match the category notification level selector text is also odd.

Footer text:

```
You will receive notifications because you are tracking this topic.

```

Preferences text:

```
You will automatically track all topics in these categories. A count of new posts will appear next to the topic.

```

Notification level selector (category):

```
You will automatically track all topics in these categories. You will be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you, and a count of new replies will be shown.

```

Notification level selector (topic):

```
A count of new replies will be shown for this topic. You will be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you.

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/codinghorror/32/110067_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://meta.discourse.org/u/codinghorror)
#### Post date: [4월 17, 2017, 10:21오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/28 "2017-04-17T22:21:41Z")

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So your complaint is about the footer text?

I’m so very very tired of arguing over one or two words. I feel like there are literally hundreds of other things I could be spending time on that would actually drive this project forward and **that is not one of them**.

Extremely frustrated right now. 😠

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![tophee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/tophee/32/73406_2.png) [@tophee](https://meta.discourse.org/u/tophee)
#### Post date: [4월 17, 2017, 11:03오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/29 "2017-04-17T23:03:42Z")

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> [@Mittineague](#):
>
> My current feeling is that maybe a matrix table or flow charts would be the best way to present the information.

I think the reason why such a table doesn’t exist is that there are so many dimensions to take care of that a flow chart would probably be the only way to depict all possible scenarios. But I leave that to someone else. I have made an attempt at a table below. It focuses on what happens when two different events occur (a new topic is created and a new reply is created) based on the settings that apply to that event (i.e. category notification settings, which, in the case of replies, can be overwritten by topic settings). The table ignores other events (@-mentions, replies to own posts, likes, or personal messages, …)

I am not sure if the table is correct as it is, so I am **making this post a wiki** for anyone to correct or amend. Please explain your changes briefly underneath the table.

| | | email | user menu  
notification | new replies  
count | "new"  
indicator |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **new topic** | **watching** | yes | yes | n/a | yes |
| | **tracking** | no | no | n/a | yes |
| | **watching first post** | yes | yes | n/a | yes |
| | **normal** | no | no | n/a | yes, if newness   
definition applies |
| | **muted** | no | no | n/a | no (?) |
| **new reply** | **watching** | yes | yes | yes | n/a |
| | **tracking** | no | no | yes | n/a |
| | **normal** | no | no | no | n/a |
| | **muted** | no | no | no | n/a |

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Remah](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/remah/32/70590_2.png) [@Remah](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Remah)
#### Post date: [4월 18, 2017, 5:17오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/30 "2017-04-18T05:17:06Z")

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🤔  
🤔 …  
🤔 … …

Now I’m worried: 😟

Should I be “watching” for the second coming of Jesus Christ or should I be “tracking”.

> **[Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 25:13 - New King James Version](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A13&version=NKJV)**
>
> “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Thank goodness for the certainty and assurance of good theology. 😆

😂 Just so you know that this is not a serious reply in this topic.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/codinghorror/32/110067_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://meta.discourse.org/u/codinghorror)
#### Post date: [4월 18, 2017, 5:26오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/31 "2017-04-18T05:26:47Z")

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When you look down and see one set of footprints, that is where Jesus was carrying you. Good luck tracking those footprints!

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Remah](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/remah/32/70590_2.png) [@Remah](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Remah)
#### Post date: [4월 18, 2017, 5:42오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/32 "2017-04-18T05:42:17Z")

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Oooh, I’ve seen that poster. A great follow-up! 😮

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![sam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/sam/32/102149_2.png) [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)
#### Post date: [4월 18, 2017, 3:35오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/33 "2017-04-18T15:35:26Z")

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> [@downey](#):
>
> A user interface is like a joke. If you have to explain it, it’s not that good.

I beg to differ.

The only way I **know** my dad jokes achieved perfection is when there is complete silence in the team chat channel, folllowed by a slow explanation from me, followed by by a loud team groan.

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### Author: ![pipkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pipkin/32/134643_2.png) [@pipkin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pipkin)
#### Post date: [2월 26, 2023, 2:48오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/34 "2023-02-26T02:48:02Z")

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> [@codinghorror](#):
>
> 지금 정말 화가 난다. 😠

몇 년이 지났지만, 이 주제를 계속 지켜보… 아니, 추적하던 걸 그냥 멈추셨으면 좋았을 텐데라고 제안하고 싶다. 😉

진지한 이야기를 하자면: 나와 제 학생들도 이 표현이 혼란스럽다고 느낀 덕분에 이 자리에 왔다.

중요한 건 메일 알림을 받을지 말지 여부다. 왜냐하면 정말 짜증나기 때문이다.

그리고 두 번째로 메뉴 알림을 받을지 말지 여부인데, 이쪽은 덜 짜증난다.

제 소견입니다.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![sam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/sam/32/102149_2.png) [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2023, 6:28오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/35 "2023-02-27T06:28:41Z")

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> [@pipkin](#):
>
> 중요한 것은 메일 알림의 yes/no 여부입니다. 정말 귀찮을 수 있거든요.
> 
> 그리고 두 번째로 메뉴 알림의 yes/no 여부인데, 이쪽은 덜 귀찮습니다.

이것은 단순히 Discourse 기본 설계에 없는, 알림에 대해 완전히 다른 방식으로 추론하는 것입니다. 우리는 때때로 "추적(tracking)"을 위해 이메일을 보내고, **때때로**"주시(watching)"를 위해 이메일을 보냅니다. 이메일 전송에 대한 추론은 사용자 설정에서 다루고 있습니다.

이메일 전송을 분리하면 거대한 골칫거리가 될 것입니다. 학생분들이 정말로 특정 주제에 대해서는 **절대** 이메일을 받지 않으면서(단, UI로는 알림을 받되) 다른 주제에 대해서는 정기적으로 이메일을 받는 패턴을 원합니까?

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![pipkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pipkin/32/134643_2.png) [@pipkin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pipkin)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2023, 11:02오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/36 "2023-02-27T11:02:13Z")

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> [@sam](#):
>
> 그것은 알림에 대해 추론하는 완전히 다른 방식이며, 단순히 기본 Discourse 디자인에 포함된 것이 아닙니다. 우리는 때때로 "트래킹"을 위해 이메일을 보내고, **때때로**"워칭"을 위해 이메일을 보냅니다. 이메일 발송에 대한 추론은 사용자 설정에서 다루고 있습니다.

이 모델이 제공하는 유연성을 높이 평가합니다. “워칭”, "트래킹"과 같은 의도 기반 추상화를 사용하면 구현에서 유연성을 가질 수 있습니다.

단, 일반 사용자에게는 UX/명명법이 혼란스럽다는 점만 말씀드리고 싶습니다.

다음에 세팅할 Discourse 포럼에서는 5단계 트래킹 수준의 유연성을 훨씬 다른 방식으로 활용하는 실험을 해볼 예정입니다. 관심 있으시면 그 부분에 대해 조금 더 자세히 설명해 드리겠습니다.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![pipkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pipkin/32/134643_2.png) [@pipkin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pipkin)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2023, 11:13오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/37 "2023-02-27T11:13:03Z")

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> [@sam](#):
>
> 이메일 발송을 분리하면 꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 복잡한 문제가 될 겁니다. 학생들은 특정 주제에 대해서는 **절대** 이메일을 받지 않으면서(단, UI로 알림은 받음) 다른 주제에 대해서는 정기적으로 이메일을 받는 패턴을 원하나요?

흠. 질문이 생각할 거리를 줍니다.

이메일 알림을 _적게_ 받는 것이 _많이_ 받는 것보다 낫습니다. 그렇지 않으면 제 이메일을 곧바로 스팸으로 분류해서 더 이상 메시지를 받지 못할 테니까요.

우리의 경우: 다음 상황에서는 주로 이메일을 받는 것이 좋다고 생각합니다.

- 교사가 보낸 그룹 메시지
- 학생에게 보낸 직접적인 개인 메시지(PM)
- 특정 주제에서 직접 답글을 받았을 때

그리고 나서 학생이 원하는 주제/카테고리에 대한 이메일을 받을 수 있도록 선택할 수 있게 해야 합니다.

하지만 솔직히 말하면, 이 설정이 이미 가능한 것 같습니다. 다만 학생들에게 알림 기능을 더 직관적으로 제공할 수 있는 방법이 더 있을 수 있다는 뜻입니다.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Jagster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/jagster/32/192154_2.png) [@Jagster](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Jagster)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2023, 11:17오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038/38 "2023-02-27T11:17:32Z")

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> [@pipkin](#):
>
> 관심 있으시면 그 부분에 대해 조금 더 자세히 설명해 드릴 수 있습니다

샘이 그런지 모르겠지만, 저는 관심 있어요 😉

[이전 페이지](https://meta.discourse.org/t/better-terms-for-watching-and-tracking/61038.md?page=1)
