# More consistency in reply-indicator

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/more-consistency-in-reply-indicator/31901
**Category:** UX
**Created:** [2015年八月8日 12:36 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/more-consistency-in-reply-indicator/31901 "2015-08-08T12:36:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![erlend\_sh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/erlend_sh/32/119475_2.png) [@erlend\_sh](https://meta.discourse.org/u/erlend_sh)
#### Post date: [2015年八月8日 12:36 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/more-consistency-in-reply-indicator/31901/1 "2015-08-08T12:36:26Z")

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Continuing the discussion from [Moving post-specific reply indicator into the editor](https://meta.discourse.org/t/moving-post-specific-reply-indicator-into-the-editor/31899/8):

> [@Moving post-specific reply indicator into the editor](https://meta.discourse.org/t/moving-post-specific-reply-indicator-into-the-editor/31899/8):
>
> (…) I think the major loss would be that every single reply would suddenly have this weird metadata shoved into the body, when the reality is that **95% of replies are to a single person** – or to nobody at all, because they are replying to the topic in general.
> 
> You’re proposing a change that would make it _worse_ for the 95% to make the 5% case better. That doesn’t wash.

Okay, you made some good points there, so I’m gonna flip-flop completely and suggest a milder UX change instead, focusing on this:

> [@Moving post-specific reply indicator into the editor](https://meta.discourse.org/t/moving-post-specific-reply-indicator-into-the-editor/31899/7):
>
> I’m gonna be pretty convinced that my reply to that user is somehow the “parent, overarching reply” here, due to its unique UX.

I think when you reply to someone’s post, the Editor Header should just tack on that person’s name, instead of changing the header entirely:

 ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/7/3/73b7ccc7814237cc274a37ac22a7b8af347af0b9.jpg) 

If you quote other people in that same post, those people are tacked on up there.

Furthermore, there’s actually an inconsistency in the UX with regards to replies:

- If I start an empty Reply to OP immediately followed by quoting someone’s post, the Editor header doesn’t change.
- However, if instead of quoting someone _after_ I’ve opened the editor I do it _before_, (i.e. the quote action opens the editor), the header will now tell me that I’m replying directly to that person.

I think this method of “tacking on” the user(s) you’re specifically addressing would more effectively teach new users how Discourse handles replies.

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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: [2015年八月8日 20:37 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/more-consistency-in-reply-indicator/31901/2 "2015-08-08T20:37:02Z")

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Would not fit on mobile, unfortunately. Also buries the lede IMO.

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### Author: ![Tom\_Newsom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/tom_newsom/32/115981_2.png) [@Tom\_Newsom](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Tom_Newsom)
#### Post date: [2015年八月10日 09:47 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/more-consistency-in-reply-indicator/31901/3 "2015-08-10T09:47:37Z")

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I like the motivation behind these ideas. How about applying a style to the post you’re replying to? A subtle highlight would let you know that you’re doing something to that post, rather than the thread at large.

 ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/3/c/3ccb725fd465b645d6e3482638e3404441d15615.png)
