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Notices, Help With Problems and Your Forum Ideas... => Forum Ideas and Problems. => Topic started by: Malc on June 25, 2023, 04:27:51 PM

Title: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc on June 25, 2023, 04:27:51 PM
I am often getting messages to say I have been tagged in a thread, only to find it is Malc-c. I also get messages from other users that should go to him. Obviously the system must be only looking at the first few letters and not matching them all.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: chrism on June 25, 2023, 04:32:50 PM
Quote from: Malc on June 25, 2023, 04:27:51 PM
I am often getting messages to say I have been tagged in a thread, only to find it is Malc-c. I also get messages from other users that should go to him. Obviously the system must be only looking at the first few letters and not matching them all.

Or the user isn't selecting the right Malc from the dropdown list.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Newportnobby on June 25, 2023, 04:47:33 PM
Once you have put in '@' and the first 3 letters a drop down menu shows all the names beginning with those 3 letters.
It's up to the user to select the correct recipient and I guess some just don't
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Yet_Another on June 25, 2023, 10:29:49 PM
If Malc is getting messages to say that he's been tagged, when the tag is actually for Malc-c then that is a software issue, not a lazy user issue.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 25, 2023, 11:20:38 PM
I'm afraid I disagree there. It's user error. They need to make sure they select the correct name.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 25, 2023, 11:26:27 PM
Well just to confirm I'm not receiving any PMs for Malc, and on checking the dropdown list after just three characters are typed there are two other users between me and Malc, so it's not as if we are next to each other in the dropdown list and would be more likely the user selecting the wrong person as Malc is second in that list, or he's naturally top of the list when four characters are entered, with me in 5th place.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: emjaybee on June 25, 2023, 11:28:13 PM
Quote from: Yet_Another on June 25, 2023, 10:29:49 PM
If Malc is getting messages to say that he's been tagged, when the tag is actually for Malc-c then that is a software issue, not a lazy user issue.

Sorry, have to disagree. You get a drop down menu with compatible options, you then select from the list. The more characters you type in, the narrower the list becomes. It's an easy mistake to make. Been there, done that.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: njee20 on June 25, 2023, 11:41:39 PM
Quote from: Bealman on June 25, 2023, 11:20:38 PM
I'm afraid I disagree there. It's user error. They need to make sure they select the correct name.

That depends surely. You're assuming that people are accidentally tagging Malc, not Malc-c. If, however, he gets notified, but the *actual* tag is for Malc-C (and that's not a cheeky edit) then that is absolutely a software issue.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 25, 2023, 11:47:56 PM
I've made tagging mistakes myself, especially on my phone. It's really just a matter of checking that it is correct before selecting it.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Trainfish on June 26, 2023, 12:57:19 AM
If I type "@Malc" without the "" and then press enter (rather than selecting someone else from the list which shows up) the notification will go to Malc and nobody else. I can't see it being a software issue only a user issue.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Yet_Another on June 26, 2023, 01:41:25 AM
Ok, so going back to the top and re-analysing what Malc had observed, it appears that the pm system is sending messages to (@)malc that should be going to (@)malc-c. So there are pms from other users that should be going to malc-c that are actually going to malc, and there are automatic tag notifications where malc-c has been tagged, but the notification pm has gone to malc.

It points to some part of the pm system which is ignoring anything after a hyphen in a user name.

@Malc (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=497) : is what I've written an accurate description of what you've observed?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc on June 26, 2023, 08:32:45 AM
@Yet_Another (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4156) . That is spot on. I did mention this to "the man who has read the manual" some time ago, but he couldn't come up with anything but finger trouble. What we need is another hyphenated user and see if it happens there.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 08:38:31 AM
OK... sounds like one for Tank. Of course the easy way out would be for malc-c to change the username slightly.... ?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 26, 2023, 10:27:37 AM
Quote from: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 08:38:31 AM
OK... sounds like one for Tank. Of course the easy way out would be for malc-c to change the username slightly.... ?

But if is a software issue that would only be sticking a plaster over the problem.  I'm not inclined to go through the hassle of creating a new account and then try and have the admin team sync the two accounts before deleting the old, nor should Malc do the same.

My concern is that if people are tagging me in posts or sending me PMs and they are getting routed to Malc then I could be missing something  - I did receive a PM form one member who is undergoing test for medical reasons - I have a poor memory and couldn't recall if I had wished him luck in a post, or if he was confusing me with Malc - I wished him well to avoid any confusion.

Maybe the software needs to be case sensitive - my username is all lower case, where as Malc starts with a capital letter.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 10:40:21 AM
I'm not trying to be insensitive or callous here, but if either you or Malc change your callsigns, it'll be fixed.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 26, 2023, 10:50:52 AM
@Bealman (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=255)  - If the Admin team can rename my account then that's fine.  But as it stands it appears the only way of changing the user name is to create a new account, which I am not willing to do as access to my PMs etc would be lost and not ported to the new account.   I also use the same username for other forums (without issue) so people with similar interests soon pick up that its the same person.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 11:03:38 AM
Ok... working on it!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Newportnobby on June 26, 2023, 11:46:25 AM
It's an issue for the Admin @Tank (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2) @Only Me (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1328)
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc on June 26, 2023, 12:08:04 PM
Quote from: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 10:40:21 AM
I'm not trying to be insensitive or callous here, but if either you or Malc change your callsigns, it'll be fixed.
Until someone else comes along with a hyphenated name?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: njee20 on June 26, 2023, 12:20:03 PM
Quote from: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 10:40:21 AM
I'm not trying to be insensitive or callous here, but if either you or Malc change your callsigns, it'll be fixed.

You've moved on from saying it's definitely not an issue and blaming users, to now saying a piece of sellotape fixes everything here? It's still an issue, which should be fixed, as misdirecting PM's is actually pretty bad from a security perspective.

Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Yet_Another on June 26, 2023, 12:40:34 PM
Quote from: njee20 on June 26, 2023, 12:20:03 PM
Quote from: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 10:40:21 AM
I'm not trying to be insensitive or callous here, but if either you or Malc change your callsigns, it'll be fixed.

You've moved on from saying it's definitely not an issue and blaming users, to now saying a piece of sellotape fixes everything here? It's still an issue, which should be fixed, as misdirecting PM's is actually pretty bad from a security perspective.
Agree. Just changing a user name is a work-around, not a fix. The vulnerability remains.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Bealman on June 26, 2023, 01:09:47 PM
OK.  :whiteflag:
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Tank on June 26, 2023, 02:43:16 PM
Hello,

From what I have gathered, it's users selecting the wrong username when selecting the member to write to.  The forum wouldn't choose to omit a character, and select a username that almost matches.  I'm certain that it's user error.

So, as some have rightly said, we can eliminate this by changing one of the usernames, or educating 9000 members on being more vigilant.   ;) ;D 

Changing a username wouldn't involve losing your account, PM's or photos.

If it's just a handful of people that have messaged by mistake, I would reply and explain what seems to have happened.  I can't imagine that there are a great deal of messages, or users that have done it, so an explanation will make them be more careful.  Easily done by the look of it.  This would be my first action if it were me.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 03:21:04 PM
@Tank (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2)  that's not the impression I got from reading the thread. 

Didn't Malc did say he'd looked at the posts where the name was tagged and they showed Malc-c yet he received the notification, thus implying the tagging notification mechanism wasn't reading the full user name correctly from the post content? 

@Malc (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=497) do we have screenshot evidence of this?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 03:22:46 PM
Simple to test?   If I tag @malc-c (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5722)    here let's see who gets the notification?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: njee20 on June 26, 2023, 03:25:02 PM
I wonder if it's people realising it after posting, and correcting in retrospect, which would give the illusion of the other Malc being tagged. Which I presume works.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 26, 2023, 03:41:34 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 03:22:46 PM
Simple to test?   If I tag @malc-c (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5722)    here let's see who gets the notification?

Hello,

You were tagged in Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly by ntpntpntp
Post:

Simple to test?   If I tag @malc-c    here let's see who gets the notification?



I also received the e-mail notification
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc on June 26, 2023, 03:58:28 PM

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/133/497-260623155808.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=133329)

Got them both
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 04:04:27 PM
So there we go, confirmed it's a software problem rather than user error  (tags being corrected later notwithstanding)
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Tank on June 26, 2023, 04:09:00 PM
Well, I'm very surprised, but happy to be proven wrong.  :D

I'm organising a full upgrade of the forum for the end of the summer, and this feature will be removed for some time.  Once reinstalled I'll work you you both to see if it still happens, or if the developer needs to be involved.

Thanks all.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Newportnobby on June 26, 2023, 04:13:34 PM
Quote from: Tank on June 26, 2023, 04:09:00 PM
Once reinstalled I'll work you you both to see if it still happens


Will your typing be upgraded at the same time? :P :-X
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Tank on June 26, 2023, 04:17:25 PM
I'll do that when I look at the pay rises. 
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc on June 26, 2023, 05:51:49 PM
Just a note, most of the wrongly identified emails I get are coming from Notifications, not a user. So we will just wait and see.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Fardap on June 26, 2023, 06:58:37 PM
On the face of it just looks like anything after a hyphen is ignored by the system.

Easy enough to test if the admins create an account with a user name and a -something on the end and then run the same test as with Malc (but with the new user name)

So if it was me @Fardap (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5581) and another account called @Fardap (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5581)-test was set up then theoretically tagging me would also go to the 'new' user as well...

Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 07:30:01 PM
@fardap already tested and confirmed, see the previous page :)
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: njee20 on June 26, 2023, 08:39:10 PM
Does Malc-c (I tagged him originally, but that seems pointless  :doh:) ever get notifications of being tagged?

Because yes, it sounds like it's ignoring hyphens and it just so happens we have two Malcs who are quite active. I guess this is still remedied by Malc-c changing his username, but it's not great.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 08:51:29 PM
Quote from: njee20 on June 26, 2023, 08:39:10 PM
Does Malc-c (I tagged him originally, but that seems pointless  :doh:) ever get notifications of being tagged?

Yes he does, as he showed on the previous page :)
Quote from: malc-c on June 26, 2023, 03:41:34 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 03:22:46 PM
Simple to test?   If I tag @malc-c (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5722)    here let's see who gets the notification?

Hello,

You were tagged in Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly by ntpntpntp
Post:

Simple to test?   If I tag @malc-c    here let's see who gets the notification?



I also received the e-mail notification
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Fardap on June 27, 2023, 10:27:31 AM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on June 26, 2023, 07:30:01 PM
@fardap already tested and confirmed, see the previous page :)

To be fair that tested and confirmed what was being said that Malc was getting notifications of tags for Malc-C

What I was suggesting was to confirm if it was the ignoring everything after a hyphen in general or if it didn't do it then it is only an issue with these two accounts

S
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 27, 2023, 05:51:15 PM
I'm not sure if the whole notification system needs an overhaul.   I get notifications if a reply has been made to a thread I've contributed to, however although it says the text of the reply is shown below it's always blank and simply has the word "Message" between two brackets

Quote
A reply has been posted to a topic you are watching by Malc.

View the reply at: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=59567.new;topicseen#new (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=59567.new;topicseen#new)

The text of the reply is shown below: {MESSAGE}

Unsubscribe to this topic by using this link: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=notify;topic=59567.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=notify;topic=59567.0)

More replies may be posted, but you won't receive any more notifications until you read the topic.

Regards,
The N Gauge Forum Team.

If this turns out to be a user error as Malc appears ahead of me in the list of members, then changing my UserName to "Malcolm" for example may not help.  If it is a software issue where the system is ignoring symbols including hyphens then using an underscore rather than hypen in my username may still cause the same issue.  However I would have thought that the admins would have been made aware of this sooner unless I'm the only member using a hyphen ?
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: njee20 on June 27, 2023, 05:55:07 PM
It isn't that you're the only member using a hyphen, but it is conceivable (probably likely) that you're the only active member with a hyphen in his name, where another member has the exact same name without the hyphen and what follows.
Title: Re: Getting tagged, incorrectly
Post by: Malc-c on June 28, 2023, 11:18:31 AM
If it is changed to my full name as suggested above, it may put a plaster of the issue of the software ignoring hyphens and prevent notifications being sent to Malc it still wouldn't prevent miss-selection as it might place me directly below Malc in the drop down list of options.   However as I have already stated I've used the same username elsewhere and would only agree to it being changed here if that was the only option.  I was under the impression that the admin team was going to investigate the software to see if it is a bug and if so is there an easy patch first. Going by the copyright below, the portal software is old and clunky, and it could be a case where there as so many plasters it now needs major surgery !