Indication of new posts.

D1042 Western Princess · June 17, 2015, 06:27:55 AM

Just a question; to indicate a new post has been submitted you show a 'clear' lower quadrant semaphore signal.
To indicate no new post has been submitted you show a signal at danger.

My question is 'Why?' Should not the signal at danger indicate 'stop' (and read) while the signal at clear indicate no need to stop as there are no new posts?

It has always puzzled me since I joined why the indications are the opposite of what, to me, logic dictates.

Thanks for reading,
Greg.

Sprintex · June 17, 2015, 06:40:00 AM

Seems perfectly logical to me:-

Stop - no point going any further, nothing new to read.
Proceed - into this section as there's new information.

Paul

D1042 Western Princess · June 17, 2015, 06:53:11 AM

Thanks for answering Paul; maybe it's because I am a Swindon man and we in GWR territory always did things better than the rest, er, sorry, I mean 'differently to the rest', of course!

Tank · June 17, 2015, 07:26:48 AM

The way I saw it was 'red' for no need to enter that board and read it, and 'green' that you can enter to read something newly posted.

PostModN66 · June 17, 2015, 07:32:24 AM

Fascinating - I have never noticed these signals at all, never mind seeing significance in their aspect!

Guess I wouldn't make it as a train driver!

Cheers Jon

Tank · June 17, 2015, 07:35:31 AM

That amazes me!

However, I do notice that members do see things differently on the forum, and some things do go unnoticed or are 'ignored' by their eye. Perhaps I'm more aware as I put them there?!

D1042 Western Princess · June 17, 2015, 07:37:03 AM

Quote from: PostModN66 on June 17, 2015, 07:32:24 AM
Fascinating - I have never noticed these signals at all, never mind seeing significance in their aspect!

Guess I wouldn't make it as a train driver!
Cheers Jon

To be honest Jon, reading signals correctly is, how can I put this, somewhat important for a train driver, guard and platform staff too, so I imagine you are correct.

A railway career would probably be short term in your case!

Agrippa · June 17, 2015, 08:07:10 AM

I just thought the signals were there as decoration because this is a railway
type forum , similar to the locos parked at the top of the page.

Agrippa · June 17, 2015, 08:15:01 AM

PS in each section there are two columns on the left side with little
squares in them, the purpose of which l do not know.......

PostModN66 · June 17, 2015, 08:27:28 AM

I recently discovered a little box at the right hand side that takes you straight to the new post - previous to that I was having to scroll through each thread from post number 1 to get to the latest post!

Cheers Jon

Sprintex · June 17, 2015, 08:28:08 AM

Quote from: Agrippa on June 17, 2015, 08:15:01 AM
PS in each section there are two columns on the left side with little
squares in them, the purpose of which l do not know.......

First column:
1, 2 or 3 pages indicates popularity of the topic. If there's a little face as well it's a topic you have posted in. Other possible symbols here are an arrow for 'thread moved', a padlock for a locked thread, or a 'pin' to indicate an important topic that is pinned to the top of that section (a 'sticky' thread)

Second column:
This is just a symbol selected by the OP of the thread to give a general impression of the tone of the thread - 'pages' for an information topic, 'smiley face' for happy, 'grin' for joking, etc.

Paul

railsquid · June 17, 2015, 09:43:54 AM

I don't think I ever noticed the signals either. Not that I actually look at the main forum page much.

While we're on the subject, is there any way to get an overview of recently active topics (not posts)? The "show unread posts" links at the top of the page show unread topics (not posts), however once I've read one it disappears from the list and sometimes I want to look at it again but can't remember what it was called, which makes it hard to find.

There is the "Recent Posts" summary towards the bottom of the forum main page but this actually lists the most recent couple of dozen posts, and so posts made more than a couple of hours ago will drop off anyway.

Bob Tidbury · June 17, 2015, 10:42:46 AM

Where are these signals I can't see them at all .
I often wonder what some of the other things are for but don't touch them in case I loose something ,I'm a complete idiot on all things computer and IPad related.

Newportnobby · June 17, 2015, 11:05:56 AM

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on June 17, 2015, 10:42:46 AM
Where are these signals I can't see them at all .

Bob - if you start on the 'Forum' page you will see the semaphore signal in the left hand column, although it might be different for tablet users

Bealman · June 17, 2015, 11:08:02 AM

Click on forum near home and help & FAQ and you should see the signals.

George