Discourse 3.1 is here!

[rishabh]

Today, we are pleased to announce Discourse 3.1! Filled with features for members and admins alike, this version includes chat threads, a more customizable sidebar, improved search and numerous other improvements. This release is accompanied by the launch of our Discourse AI plugin, embracing the power of emerging large language models (LLMs) to make your community easier to use and moderate.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://blog.discourse.org/2023/08/discourse-3-1-is-here

[twofoursixeight]

Here is what I think of 3.1:

@rishabh

Discourse AI can automatically suggest related topics:

Once configured, the Embeddings module will add a “Related Topics” section to the bottom of all topic pages, where topics to the current page will be linked, helping users find related discussions to what they are currently reading on – see it in action on Meta here!

A helping hand to complete your masterpiece

Tired of proofreading? The Composer AI Helper module adds a magic button to the composer toolbar, that lets you choose from a list of AI-powered tasks that will enhance your post. It can suggest a suitable title, proofread your writing, translate to English and even help you format your posts.

AI is so helpful because it allows me to correct any grammar mistakes I make!

@rishabh

Keep the conversation going with chat threads

Chat threads are like having mini-chat parties within the main chat party! If you’ve ever found it difficult to maintain 4 simultaneous conversations in a buzzing chat channel and just wished there was a way to choose where to participate, you’ll love chat threads.

Threads clean up chat. It will be nice to see in actual chat rooms.

The custom sidebar links being a default feature makes it easier to navigate, especially when juggling five different forums, I can simply just click a button to jump back and forth.

@rishabh

To make hashtags in Discourse consistent and useful, we unified styles across categories, tags, chat channels and the autocomplete system. After positive feedback from you, we enabled it across all Discourse sites by default.

The new hashtag system is much better than the old system
It looks cleaner, and it isn’t that much of a mess.

Discourse 3.1 is most certainly a nice update

[Kimmo]

I remember when you were rolling this out on BoingBoing, and even the earliest version crapped all over anything else. Such a lovely platform you’ve created. May the completely enshittified Facebook crash and burn one of these days, and may people remember how much more functional a proper discussion platform can be.