Alerts

[Matthew_84]

So typically when I am watching a thread, if a new post is made in the thread, but I don't go to thread to read it, I don't get alerted about newer posts (unless I am quoted or tagged).

Starting this afternoon, I have been getting a lot of alerts, and a lot of them are for threads I am watching, but haven't visited in months. There have been many posts since I last viewed the threads, but for whatever reason, I'm suddenly getting alerted.

The "Last Albums You've Listened To In Their Entirety" thread has given me about 3 alerts today, for 3 new posts, and I have not clicked on the thread today at all... I haven't actually read it in a few months. There are a couple other threads that are doing this too, but this is the most frequent.

FWIW, I've noticed this on both an iPhone and an iPad.

 

[nutdog]

Did something change recently? I have it set to get alerts when someone posts in a watched thread. Up until a couple of days ago if I got an alert and didn't look at the thread it wouldn't keep alerting for subsequent posts. Now I get alerts for every post whether I look at the thread or not.

Example: Got three alerts for mini rig of doom thread even though I never looked at thread.

 

[paul]

Did something change recently? I have it set to get alerts when someone posts in a watched thread. Up until a couple of days ago if I got an alert and didn't look at the thread it wouldn't keep alerting for subsequent posts. Now I get alerts for every post whether I look at the thread or not.

Example: Got three alerts for mini rig of doom thread even though I never looked at thread.

View attachment 933863

Yes, we're trying an add-on that makes the default alert system more intuitive. Instead of having to click through to the thread in order to "reset" the alert and get more alerts, all you have to do now is read the alert (ie, pull down your alert menu). If you're offline and a watched thread gets 10 replies, you'll only get 1 alert. Once that alert is read, you'll get more alerts on the next reply. So it's kind of like facebook.

Under the old system, users are endlessly confused as to why they're not getting alerts for watched threads, unaware that they actually have to load the thread in order to get more alerts.

 

[paul]

So typically when I am watching a thread, if a new post is made in the thread, but I don't go to thread to read it, I don't get alerted about newer posts (unless I am quoted or tagged).

Starting this afternoon, I have been getting a lot of alerts, and a lot of them are for threads I am watching, but haven't visited in months. There have been many posts since I last viewed the threads, but for whatever reason, I'm suddenly getting alerted.

The "Last Albums You've Listened To In Their Entirety" thread has given me about 3 alerts today, for 3 new posts, and I have not clicked on the thread today at all... I haven't actually read it in a few months. There are a couple other threads that are doing this too, but this is the most frequent.

FWIW, I've noticed this on both an iPhone and an iPad.

Yes, we're trying an add-on that makes the default alert system more intuitive. Instead of having to click through to the thread in order to "reset" the alert and get more alerts, all you have to do now is read the alert (ie, pull down your alert menu). If you're offline and a watched thread gets 10 replies, you'll only get 1 alert. Once that alert is read, you'll get more alerts on the next reply. So it's kind of like facebook.

Under the old system, users are endlessly confused as to why they're not getting alerts for watched threads, unaware that they actually have to load the thread in order to get more alerts.

 

[Matthew_84]

Yes, we're trying an add-on that makes the default alert system more intuitive. Instead of having to click through to the thread in order to "reset" the alert and get more alerts, all you have to do now is read the alert (ie, pull down your alert menu). If you're offline and a watched thread gets 10 replies, you'll only get 1 alert. Once that alert is read, you'll get more alerts on the next reply. So it's kind of like facebook.

Under the old system, users are endlessly confused as to why they're not getting alerts for watched threads, unaware that they actually have to load the thread in order to get more alerts.

Thanks Paul. That actually makes a lot of sense!

I just thought it was a bug, but no worries - please carry on with the great work!

 

[nutdog]

Yes, we're trying an add-on that makes the default alert system more intuitive. Instead of having to click through to the thread in order to "reset" the alert and get more alerts, all you have to do now is read the alert (ie, pull down your alert menu). If you're offline and a watched thread gets 10 replies, you'll only get 1 alert. Once that alert is read, you'll get more alerts on the next reply. So it's kind of like facebook.

Under the old system, users are endlessly confused as to why they're not getting alerts for watched threads, unaware that they actually have to load the thread in order to get more alerts.

FWIW I liked it better the old way. I usually check the alerts and if I want to look at it I will, but if I don't I might check later. In you're example, if I look at the alerts I get 10 instead of one. I'd rather have 1. Now I'm unwatching long time watched threads to stop all the alerts.

Also, FWIW, facebook alerts just make stuff up if you're not using it much to try and get your attention.

 

[paul]

Due to a bug with certain megathreads (mass of alerts too much for server to process), we have defaulted back to the default

There is however a new option in your Alert Preferences to turn on "Persistent Alerts" - if you like having alerts reset after you see them.

 

[nutdog]

Cool. I had to unwatch some megas. I can only imagine how many alerts were being processed. Thank you.

 

[paul]

The issue has been fixed, and persistent alerts are now default again for all. @nutdog another option if you get too many alerts for watched threads is to disable alerts for watched threads all together - and then just visit your watched threads list for updates.

 

[Matthew_84]

The issue has been fixed, and persistent alerts are now default again for all. @nutdog another option if you get too many alerts for watched threads is to disable alerts for watched threads all together - and then just visit your watched threads list for updates.

Hey Paul, is there a way to disable Persistent Alerts so that it's back to how it was?

 

[Will_White]

Is there a way to make it so that the alerts work like they used to but instead of it graying out when you look at it have it keep the alert until you actually go to the thread? That seems like the best compromise to me, I'm not on any mega threads and it still seems like a lot of alerts,

 

[Matthew_84]

Is there a way to make it so that the alerts work like they used to but instead of it graying out when you look at it have it keep the alert until you actually go to the thread? That seems like the best compromise to me, I'm not on any mega threads and it still seems like a lot of alerts,

That's a great idea.

 

[Will_White]

Is there a way to turn off the persistent alerts now?

 

[paul]

Is there a way to turn off the persistent alerts now?

No there isn't. I'm still investigating the effect of persistent alerts on user participation, but will probably go back to the old behavior as default, with the setting to enable persistent alerts. Making the alerts stay "unread" longer seems like a good idea, will look into how to go about tweaking that.

 

[nutdog]

If it's an option to option then why not option for the option?