Add Text Formatting Buttons When Making a Post

• 

  Cheap Charlie on 10/06/2018 - 00:30

  +3

  Why does ozbargain still have not added these buttons to the site despite it now being 2018 and how long has ozbargain been around?

  Millennial?

• 

  Quantumcat on 10/06/2018 - 00:47

  +5

  copy and paste

  Or you can just use your keyboard like a normal person. Have you tried it? It's actually easier and faster. I like it better than forums I frequent where I have to click on stuff. It's faster than clicking even on mobile phone keyboards (actually, especially on mobile phones - how much screen real estate would a formatting palette take up if the buttons all needed to be big enough to tap? Not to mention how annoying and time consuming it is to select text on a mobile).

  • pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 05:49 Comment score below threshold.
    • 

      pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 09:39

      Only one deluded here, is you.

      If you think that typing a few ** or ~~ while your hands are already on the keyboard and done inline with text input is harder/slower than some other clunky keyboard/mouse combo, then it’s time to re-evaluate your computer skills.

      And don’t need a poll. By the look of all the negs your comments have received in this thread, it’s pretty clear what people prefer.

      Should OzB have text formatting buttons for the elderly and computer illiterate? Sure, why not. Should it be the default/only way to format text? No.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 09:54

        -1

        okay whatever dude…

        You should get rid of your mouse then
        since you are such a fan of the keyboard only.

        And don't click any GUI buttons on your OS, since those buttons are so dumb,
        type on a keyboard and use keyboard shortcuts for everything.

        Negs?
        Just cos I got negs, which probably came from the same naysayers here does not indicate what people think.
        It only indicates what the 5 or 6 of you naysayers think..

        Trying to extrapolate some negs as an indication of what the majority of ozbargain user thinks is just stupid.

        If you are so certain that formatting tags is the prefer way by the majority of ozbargain users here
        then lets have an actual poll and see the results.

        Prove me wrong, since you are so confident.

        Email microsoft and all the office/text editors in the world and tell them they are wrong?
        Let's see what they say

        You seem to think you know more than Microsoft and all the those text editor software developers in the world.

        Should OzB have text formatting buttons for the elderly and computer illiterate? Sure, why not

        What a dumb comment!

        So all be people who like using text formatting buttons are either elderly or computer illiterate?

        Okay dude, get out of your basement,
        You need to see the real world..

        Sure, why not. Should it be the default/only way to format text? No

        Did I say it should be the only way?
        NO!

  • 

    pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 09:32

    -1

    Or you can just use your keyboard like a normal person. Have you tried it? It's actually easier and faster

    Okay that is one of the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
    So all the people in the world who use text formatting buttons are not normal people?

    Why don't you go out in the real world and see how many people would prefer your text formatting tags vs click a text format button?
    Get out of your basement for a change. I know you are not used to sunlight…

    Have you tried it? It's actually easier and faster

    Yes I have.
    And no it is not faster, easier or more efficient…

    I like it better than forums I frequent where I have to click on stuff.

    Just cos you like it better, does not indicate the majority of users would like it better.

    Let's have a poll and see which method most users on ozbargain would prefer.

    It's faster than clicking even on mobile phone keyboards (actually, especially on mobile phones - how much screen real estate would a formatting palette take up if the buttons all needed to be big enough to tap?

    Did I say the site had to remove your precious text formatting tags?
    If you want to continue using the tag, then use it.

    But add the extra text formatting buttons for those who would prefer that method.

    And not to mention the buttons would allow faster changing of the formatted text that has already been written for when you want to change the formatting of some words or phrases..the buttons will be so much more faster and easier to do this.

    You still cannot counter argue with this point, because you know I am right!

    It's faster than clicking even on mobile phone keyboards (actually, especially on mobile phones - how much screen real estate would a formatting palette take up if the buttons all needed to be big enough to tap?

    No, the buttons don't need to be extremely big.
    Have you heard of zoom.

    And who said you have to use the buttons if you don't want to.
    Just continue using your formatting tags like I said above.

    But have the buttons for those who want to use them.

    Not to mention how annoying and time consuming it is to select text on a mobile).

    What is so annoying or time consuming about selecting a text on a mobile?

    Have you ever used a mobile phone shortcuts before?
    You just need to double tap the word and it selects that word.

    Oh wow, that is really time consuming.

    I thought you are an expert on shortcuts?
    Guess not!

    • 

      pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 09:41

      Omg, rant much?

      Even with this great wall of text, you’re still wrong.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 10:02

        -1

        yeah proove that I am wrong…
        where's your counter argument?

        Counter the argument about being able to easier change formatted text that has already been written..
        and changing of the formatting of text in many different locations that has already been written.

        The text format buttons would actually be faster and more efficient vs your formatted tags.

        You can't because you know I am right

        And just for record, this is not a right or wrong answer like maths..
        with only one correct answer.

        This is about preferences of usage
        which does not have a right or wrong..

        It is just that you prefer using the text formatting tags cos you see some benefits.
        and I prefer text formatting buttons cos I see some benefits.

      • 

        pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 10:38

        +1

        @pinkybrain:

        You have been proved wrong on multiple occasions in this thread. Your reluctance to accept this does not make the counter view wrong, it just makes you reluctant to accept that you are wrong.

        You keep screaming for a poll. If it’s so vital to your side of the discussion, why don’t you post up a poll and see how it goes? You can use both your mouse and keyboard to set up a poll.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 12:03

        -1

        @pegaxs:

        Prove it…

        counter all my arguments.

        That's cause you can't counter for shit

        If I am wrong then so is Microsoft and every modern day office/text editors and including PHP Forum (the most popular forum software used)
        Go email them and tell them they are wrong…

        Do it. I dare you. I double dare you.
        Let's see their response.

        They will laugh at you in front of your face.

        They will tell you to code your own text editor that purely use text formatting tags.
        And now let's see which one is more better.

      • 

        pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 13:08

        @pinkybrain:

        Lol. I don’t indulge emotionally charged and irrational people. This is a forum, not a word processing application. You’re comparing apples and oranges.

        When you have calmed down and become reasonable and lay off the waffling diatribes, people might discuss it with you.

        Your whole side of the debate is based around attacking anyone who doesn’t agree with you and citing irrelevant comparisons. But it makes for great Sunday reading.

        And as I said elsewhere in the post, while ever you are being aggressive, demeaning and irrational, I won’t indulge you.

        And, again, for that reason, I’m out.

• 

  CMH on 10/06/2018 - 01:59

  I know typing "iz h4rd", but seriously copy and pasting **?

  • 

    pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 05:41

    -5

    Doesn't matter what method..
    Typing or copying and pasting..

    The point is, the method is inefficient compared to simply clicking a button.

    If it had those buttons like microsoft word or other forums..

    If you need to do a Bold then follow by italic word and underline word..

    I just need to click BOLD, type the word, Click ITALIC, type the next word..

    It is about the speed and efficiently and ease of use of the formatting of text, is the point..

    • 

      Quantumcat on 10/06/2018 - 06:50

      +1

      It is about the speed and efficiently and ease of use of the formatting of text, is the point

      Which is easier when using a keyboard. You already have to type the letters anyway so why not type some extra characters while you're there?

      Compare these two scenarios.

      1. You type: h a v e y o u * a c t u a l l y * t r i e d i t
      2. You type: h a v e y o u a c t u a l l y then you take your hand off the keyboard, place it on the mouse, drag to select the word "actually", find the italic button visually on the formatting palette, click it, then click back in the text box so the cursor is on the right place, then type t r i e d i t

      Do you really think the second is faster?

      If you think so, then you are seriously deluded

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 07:17

        -2

        You don't need to do what you said…

        Have you actually used microsoft word or text formatting buttons in your life?

        You can click the button first, type some word, unclick the button..

        If you do alot of formatting you can click the next button..and start typing

        Also your example only involves one word..

        If there was many words and phrases at different parts of the paragraph..
        Let's see how much more faster and efficient it is compared to my text formatting button?

        Not to mention did you forget one of the most important benefit..

        If you want to change formatting on some parts of the text..
        You can quickly drag your mouse to those parts of the text, highlight the text, click all the buttons you need to either change the formatting of those words or remove the formatting of those words or phrases..

        And I only had to use my mouse to do this.
        You had to use both the mouse and keyboard.

        Don't forget also with formatting buttons, it means the text in the edit text box would also be formatted, so you can quickly identify which words or phrases are formatted, since it would be part of the text editing feature
        and you can quickly change the formatting of those words or phrases.

        Your method requires..
        Scanning the text for those formatted tags in the edit text box e.g. double asterix for the bold text

        Dragging the mouse to the beginning tag of the double asterix.
        Move your hand to the delete key, press the key two times to delete the two asterix etc. (making sure you don't press delete more than two times else you will delete more letters than necessary)
        then drag the mouse again to the ending tag of the double asterix..and again press delete key two times

        In that amount of time, I would have done a number of formatting of text changes to many parts of the paragraph already..

        If you think your method is very efficient, easier and faster than text formatting buttons,
        then I suggest you email Microsoft and all the text editor software and tell them to revert to using formatting tags instead of text formatting buttons.

        They will laugh at you to your face.

        If you think this old formatting text tags is better than formatting text buttons
        then let's have a poll and see which one, the majority of OzBargain users would prefer.

        If you are right then…
        Everything we know about GUI and software design should be thrown out the door and revert to formatting tags method.

      • 

        Quantumcat on 10/06/2018 - 08:18

        @pinkybrain: Whatever order you do it in, you have to take your hand off the keyboard, put it on the mouse, look for the button, and click it. If you use the keyboard you can type it all in one go. Your proposed method is actually even worse because you have to click something twice instead of just once. Every time you have to take your hand away from the keyboard is lost time.

        There's not much point arguing with you though, you obviously don't know your way around a computer. You probably pigeon-peck type and don't know any keyboard shortcuts.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 09:04

        -1

        @Quantumcat:

        Okay your counter argument is so weak, it is just laughable..

        Look for the button?
        This is a joke right?
        You are seriously not going with this counter point?

        Anyone who has ever use a microsoft word or office software, heck even wordpad would know what the buttons look like if they follow the standard icon. They would even need to think about it.

        And depending on where the buttons layouts are placed, it could be above text edit box or below it just above the post comment button.

        What's is there to look for.
        It would be instantaneously recognizable.

        Just because you don't mind typing those formatted tags and find it is easier/faster, does indicate everyone else does..

        I would argue and know for a FACT, that the majority of users would prefer to simply click a BOLD, ITALIC OR UNDERLINE button
        than find the correct formatted tags on the keyboard for those tags, and press and hold shift key, look for and type the asterix key twice or whatever those other formatted keys are, type some text and then press and hold shift key and type double asterix key

        Did you even counter argue my other point about quickly being able to change or remove the formatted text in the paragraphs at different locations VS your old inefficient method.

        You didn't and you can't because you know I am right.

        I do know my keyboard shortcuts,

        But does Ozbargain support Ctrl B, Ctrl I or Ctrl U?
        No!

        If it did then we can at least do bold, italic and underline more faster

        Your assumption is just plain stupid..
        Just cos I ask for a more better, efficient and easier method to text format
        does not mean I don't know anything about PCs.

        Again,

        If you think this old formatting text tags is better than formatting text buttons
        then let's have a poll and see which one, the majority of OzBargain users would prefer.

        If you are right then…
        Everything we know about GUI and software design should be thrown out the door and revert to formatting tags method.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 09:14

        -1

        @Quantumcat:

        If everything you said about text formatting tag is better than text formatting buttons,
        then you should email Microsoft, LibreOffice and every modern office/text editing software
        and tell them that they are wrong to add Text Formatting buttons to their GUI..

        Tell them that you know more than them and that your formatting tags is so much more
        better, faster, efficient and easier to use.

        Let's see what their response will be.

  • 

    Kenb0 on 10/06/2018 - 08:53

    +1

    I know right? Hahahah, oh well, gave me the giggles for this long weekend :)

• 

  adhin on 10/06/2018 - 06:16

  +3

  Is this why you haven't posted a deal yet?
  too hard

  • 

    pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 06:17

    No.

  • 

    Eeples on 10/06/2018 - 09:23

    -1

    Nice ad hominem attack there bro.

• 

  altomic on 10/06/2018 - 09:17

  complains about difficulty of formatting in posting - has only posted one thing -to complain about about formatting.

  complains how there isn't auto formatting buttons and it's too to burdensome - writes a mini thesis on justifying position

• 

  pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 09:17

  Nice post. Thanks for the lulz. Almost thought you were serious. Feel free to leave and go over to WP. They don’t have any text formatting over there…

  What’s easier? While I already have my hands on the keyboard, typing ** or stop typing, get the mouse, highlight the word I want to bold, go to menu, open menu, select formatting, click on bold, deselect where I want the cursor to go and then go back to typing…

  And hey! While the site developers are at it, let’s get them to add a mouse driven keyboard. Because typing is hard.

  • 

    pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 10:19

    Almost thought you were serious
    I am serious.
    What's so funny?

    Feel free to leave and go over to WP. They don’t have any text formatting over there…

    Why should I?
    What's your point?

    For your one example, let's look at how many total forums that do have text formatting buttons..

    WP and ozbargain are like the only sites that I have seen that still use this old text formatting tags
    because they don't use the more updated PHP forum.

    WP does not have plus and neg votes, so what's your point?
    They are totally different sites.

    Also who said no one didn't request for that feature on WP?

    Just cos you want to be a total nerd and continue using the old archaic method of text formatted tags
    does not mean the majority of ozbargain users here does.

    Have a poll, if you are so confident!

    What’s easier? While I already have my hands on the keyboard, typing ** or stop typing, get the mouse, highlight the word I want to bold, go to menu, open menu, select formatting, click on bold, deselect where I want the cursor to go and then go back to typing…

    Just cos you find it easier, then good for you.
    Continue using that method.

    No one said you must remove your precious formatting tags.

    But add the buttons for those who prefer the buttons.

    Not to mention the buttons allow faster changing of already written text to different formatting.

    Why don't you counter that argument?

    You can't because you know I am right!

    Here it is again, counter argue with this point..

    If you want to change formatting on some parts of the text..
    You can quickly drag your mouse to those parts of the text, highlight the text, click all the buttons you need to either change the formatting of those words or remove the formatting of those words or phrases..

    And I only had to use my mouse to do this.
    You had to use both the mouse and keyboard.

    Don't forget also with formatting buttons, it means the text in the edit text box would also be formatted, so you can quickly identify which words or phrases are formatted, since it would be part of the text editing feature
    and you can quickly change the formatting of those words or phrases.

    Your method requires..
    Scanning the text for those formatted tags in the edit text box e.g. double asterix for the bold text

    Dragging the mouse to the beginning tag of the double asterix.
    Move your hand to the delete key, press the key two times to delete the two asterix etc. (making sure you don't press delete more than two times else you will delete more letters than necessary)
    then drag the mouse again to the ending tag of the double asterix..and again press delete key two times

    In that amount of time, I would have done a number of formatting of text changes to many parts of the paragraph already..

    If you think your method is very efficient, easier and faster than text formatting buttons,
    then I suggest you email Microsoft and all the text editor software and tell them to revert to using formatting tags instead of text formatting buttons.

    They will laugh at you to your face.

    • 

      pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 10:42

      Hahaha… dear lord. Ok, buddy. So much passion, so little logic.

      This is just irrational rambling. So, for that reason. I’m out.

      • 

        pinkybrain on 10/06/2018 - 11:08

        Ok, buddy. So much passion, so little logic.

        You are out, cos you can't counter argue for shit!

        What logic have you shown?

        This is just irrational rambling.
        So you statements are rational?

        The only statement you made was about people who use a formatting buttons as either old or pc illerate.

        That is one of the most dumbest and stereotypical statement I ever read.

        I can see you have edited and remove that statement.

        Good for you.
        You wouldn't want other people to read how dumb that statement was.

        So, for that reason. I’m out.

        If you can't handle the heat, then get out of the kitchen.

        Goodbye. Hope you go outside and see the real world.
        Get some sun dude. You have been in the basement too long.

        You will see that not everyone wants to be a total nerd like you.

        You will see there are plenty of computer literate - young, old and middle age people who like to use the text formatting buttons
        and that you are actually the minority that prefer the formatting tags.

      • 

        pegaxs on 10/06/2018 - 13:10

        @pinkybrain:

        I can see you have edited and remove that statement.

        Oh, you mean this that I edited out? I haven’t edited anything out… Now you are just making things up. :D

        As for debating anything with irrational people, I said it before, and I’ll say it again…

        This is just irrational rambling. So, for that reason. I’m out.

• 

  Moderatorneil on 10/06/2018 - 13:48

  This thread has boldly gone where no one wants to go. We will consider the request. Comments closed.