Feature Idea: Universal Inline Whispers

[codinghorror (Jeff Atwood)]

Yes agreed, the only time this sort of makes sense is for staff to have inline moderation-discussion type posts. It is very situational.

[riking (Kane York)]

Not going to happen, as it implies per topic permissions which we have no plans for on any roadmap. We have whispers for staff only.

This isn’t even per-topic permissions, this is sub-topic permissions. Yuck. Get a room.

[mcwumbly (Dave McClure)]

Maybe a theme component or plugin could allow you to see two topics side by side.

That would be a more generic solution where the other “topic” be a PM our group PM. But it could also be any other topic. If it were easy to open up that other half from any link within a topic, then…

[Nichalas_Petranek]

My main reason why I find PMs sometimes inadequate, is that they always require a subject line. Sometimes it’s just too much. Using Whispers as implemented for staff members would be a step closer to simplicity, and inline whisper even better.

I think I’m on the same page as this. There have been numerous times that I wanted to mention something to someone(s) as a quick side conversation that, in my mind, only applies to that person(s) but that conversation could be seen as off topic if posted publicly; and I don’t really want to go through the work of creating a pm that has a title and I then have to quote the needed text for context. Being able to simply whisper to that/those user/users within the topic that’s already been established and with the needed context already there would simplify the process.

[codinghorror (Jeff Atwood)]

I don’t think this is even possible in existing web chat systems that I know of. So you are proposing an odd feature that basically nobody has right now.

[Nichalas_Petranek]

Maybe a theme component or plugin could allow you to see two topics side by side.

That would be a more generic solution where the other “topic” be a PM our group PM

I believe that the Quick Messages Plugin already accomplishes that.

[Nichalas_Petranek]

So you are proposing an odd feature that basically nobody has right now.

Ahh! A chance to be an innovator in the dynamics of online conversation! I love it!

[BlackKnob]

I don’t think this is even possible in existing web chat systems that I know of. So you are proposing an odd feature that basically nobody has right now.

exactly, a new feature that nobody has right now
Whether it’s odd or awesome is a matter of personal opinion. Staff whispers is definitely not the only legitimate use. Frankly, you can’t really know until people start using a new method.

I think I’m on the same page as this. There have been numerous times that I wanted to mention something to someone(s) as a quick side conversation that, in my mind, only applies to that person(s) but that conversation could be seen as off topic if posted publicly; and I don’t really want to go through the work of creating a pm that has a title and I then have to quote the needed text for context. Being able to simply whisper to that/those user/users within the topic that’s already been established and with the needed context already there would simplify the process.

Precisely, what I tried and failed to describe. Thanks.

[codinghorror (Jeff Atwood)]

It will be years, maybe even decades before we get to this. Adjust your expectations accordingly

[anon73622809]

The difference is, that with inline whispers referencing would be much easier, because it would include context.

I think I’m on the same page as this. There have been numerous times that I wanted to mention something to someone(s) as a quick side conversation that, in my mind, only applies to that person(s) but that conversation could be seen as off topic if posted publicly; and I don’t really want to go through the work of creating a pm that has a title and I then have to quote the needed text for context.

I am wondering, do you find this inadequate:

• go to post you want to respond to, click on profile pic and Message button

• a PM draft is created with a link to the post

(I have used this a few times for a similar purpose I.e. wanting to make a small private response to a public post)

[codinghorror (Jeff Atwood)]

Yes, exactly, thank you for illustrating. I am not understanding what’s so onerous about the current flow for PM’ing someone while reading a topic. It’s very easy, and the composer does not interrupt your reading, either!

We could “speed that up” by prefilling the PM title as well, but I really dislike it when my PM box is filled with generic titles that nobody could be bothered to edit… imagine a world where the title of the message contained a coherent summary of what you were about to click on … ahh what a wonderful world that could be

[Nichalas_Petranek]

I’ve seen that post change 5 times in a matter of 2 minutes and I’m oddly satisfied…

It’s very easy, and the composer does not interrupt your reading, either!

on that note, maybe we could have the page not redirect to the pm once the send button is clicked, so that way we could continue reading in the topic. i dont need to see that my pm has been sent or have the need to immediately be in the pm conversation. this would be much like users having a choice on if they want the page to auto scroll to their post when they post in the topic.

[BlackKnob]

I am wondering, do you find this inadequate:

• go to post you want to respond to, click on profile pic and Message button

but I don’t want to respond to the author of a post. I want to whisper to someone else, who may not be aware of the topic. Maybe be this should be a part of the share button?

[codinghorror (Jeff Atwood)]

Then invite them to the topic using the invite button.

[BlackKnob]

This would almost work if it had a message field.
It would still miss a reference to a specific post in the topic.

[Mittineague]

I don’t want to respond to the author of a post.

Simply add the member(s) you want to message and remove the post author from the “to” input. Easy-peasy.

[BlackKnob]

This won’t always work. Some user profile cards don’t display the message button.
See @anon73622809.

[Mittineague]

Fair point. It follows that if a member doesn’t have message permission they should not have whisper permission either if it were ever to become a feature.

[BlackKnob]

Simply add the member(s) you want to message and remove the post author from the “to” input. Easy-peasy.

My point was, that I wasn’t trying to contact the author of the post, but if the author’s profile doesn’t allow PMs, the method you described above won’t work.

[Mittineague]

Are you certain? AFAIK, it is not a member’s trust level that may prevent getting messages, but a member’s trust level that may prevent sending messages.

If you can point to an example or post a redacted screenshot I am interested in looking into this.