UBB.Developers Forums General Discussion Suggestions and Feedback Showing the number of newposts on the main page

Hey everybody. It's been brought to my attention that we can speed up the main page display with an alteration. Basically, right now for every forum we need to do 2 queries to check for the number of new posts in that forum. However, we could pull those 2 queries out and the lightbulb would still work to show that there are new posts in that forum. So, basically, on a board with 20 forums this could save 40 queries on the main page.

Personally, I think this change should be made, as it's really only important to see that there are new posts in that forum, not necessarily how many. I'm going to go ahead with this unless someone comes up with a legitimate reason to keep it in

It's nice to see "how many" but not as nice as it would be to lower the number of queries. Having a "lighted" bulb to signify new posts is all that is needed.

Just my 2 cents.

So you are suggesting removing the number of new posts and threads?
That was a neat feature as to know what board has more action and where to go first... But I would understand it, saving 40 queries is a lot...

I guess we could put it in as a config option, with a little blurb that it creates 2 queries per forum. I'm open to doing this, it's just that it was so easy just to remove it alltogether

Allowing the option is probably better. That way Larger sites can cut down on the load and smaller sites can still have this unique feature.

Wouldn't this be the same as "tracking new posts" as far as an on/off option?

Ok, I'll add a new option into the new post tracking. So, you can specify to track everywhere, only on individual threads, or turn it off alltogether.

Ok, so in the next release, the default will be to not show the number on the main page. Then, users can edit their config to do full new post tracking, thread only, or totally turn it off.

Yes, make it an option.

I was just thinking how very useful it is, and that many users would complain at the change. It is useful to see the number of new posts, it gives you a better idea of what to expect in that board, and what board to prioritize in visiting. I myself am going to miss it if it goes from here.

How about a red light bulb when there are new posts that need to be approved? Then you could remove the (3 na) from the posts/threads column too.

That sounds good, because me and many of my users are really missing the threds/posts count which I've had to turn off until I get a server upgrade.

It would be good with a compromise though, even if the number isn't shown in the forum list, but is shown at the top of postlist. Two new queries added when inside a board isn't nearly as bad as 40...

Definitely an option. People (esp. me) like to see how far behind they are on posts sometimes. If you have to "pop in" to the forum to get a sense of how many messages are not read... yet don't have time to read... they will be marked as read next time you login.

I think if the post count were gone.. my users would lynch me. LOL

posted by Scream:

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Ok, so in the next release, the default will be to not show the number on the main page. Then, users can edit their config to do full new post tracking, thread only, or totally turn it off.

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Is this in 6.02 or is it 6.1 you are refeering to?
The members of my forum miss it alot

One suggestion, can it be default off for unregistered members and default on for registered?

Starting with version 6.0.1 there is an option in your config file to do....

- Full New Post Tracking - light bulbs AND number of new posts on Main Index page
- Partial New Post Tracking - light bulbs only on main index page
- No New Post Tracking

So if you want the "numbers" on, simply put the option in your config file to "full new post tracking".

New post tracking only works for users who are registered and logged in.

Oh there! i missed it several times...
Thanks!

*what is infront of my nose is the thing i miss often to look at*

[]Ok, so in the next release, the default will be to not show the number on the main page. Then, users can edit their config to do full new post tracking, thread only, or totally turn it off.

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How much server load does the 2nd option ((ie, threads only) add over turning it off totally?

That depends on your server speed, how big your database is and how busy the site it. Turn on the option to show queries and build time to the bottom of your page, and watch the numbers change on the ubbthreads.php page with the different settings. Then decide what is best for you