Request: Forums should be able to edit posts

This is a request for users to be able to edit their posts.

-KLH

Hi KLH.

Yeah this has been raised a number of times in the past. We have our own reasons for not having an Edit button but it's something that we discuss regularly.

Consider your request duly noted ;-)

Chris,

What about a 5 minute limit on being able to edit your posts? That might solve some of the problems.

Yep, that's been mentioned a few times - it's a good idea for sure.

Previewing is kind of like editing too, admittedly.

Chris, thanks for the response.

-KLH

This is the only forum I have ever been on that does not allow the users to edit their posts (and I'm on dozens for years). Very strange and frustrating to say the least. The biggest problem I have had with not being able edit posts here is not being able to go back and update links that are relevant to original posts. The thread conversation becomes fragmented because of this. Previewing doesn't apply to these situations and a time limit feature would be no good for this. You'd think a simple "Post has been edited" note would be sufficient as it is on nearly every other forum on the innerwebs. Anyway, yes, an edit feature is highly desirable.

Soulsonica,

It sounds like you want to be able to permanently edit posts and I think it's safe to say that this will never happen. Allowing people to "revise history" means that they can get away with all sorts of nonsense then disguise the fact that they were misbehaving.


Could you give me an example of this.


Making a new post with an updated link isn't going to fragment a thread in the same way the re-writing a previous post would, in my opinion. Editing has the potential to completely skew the flow of a conversation.

Our philosophy is that if you say something on our forums it's there for all to see so you have to accept responsibility for your comments.

FYI, the only time I ever edit posts is to remove dodgy links (illegal downloads etc).

Hi Chris,

Yeah, I think I read somewhere a while back on this same topic what is dealt with here. I was basically asking the same questions, wondering why all this was a problem, thinking everyone here was adults, and it was pointed out to me that that sadly isn't the case.

Anyway, regarding examples, yes, here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about in regards to not being able to go back and update links: www.scratchlive.net

Where the images had been hosted had to be relocated and I couldn't go back and update the links. So now, anytime anyone new or who goes back to the thread has no idea what the images were and the whole thing gets fragmented.

Anyway, not a big deal. You guys obviously have your problems to deal with and reasons for setting up the forum the way you do. What I'm having probs with is probably just an isolated thing in the big picture. Thanks for the explanation.

Thanks for the example. In that case I can totally see how editing your original post would be the simple and obvious thing to do.

But it is the unfortunate reality that many people would abuse the option to revise their previous posts.

However, nothing is set in stone forever. I'm happy to revisit this topic from time to time and I understand how it can be frustrating the more responsible amongst you.

I like the idea of a time limited editing option. That makes sense to me to. But permanently editing posts? Unlikely for the time being.

I suppose that it's frustrating because it's an expected feature of a forum and there's no warning about NOT being able to edit after you post.

I've grown used to it (here), but I would expect that if there's something that truly needs to be edited, we could simply ask you to do it.

-KLH

Exactly. We can do that.

Well if THAT's the case, please close this thread - we're done here folks.

@ChrisD and dave (admins) - thanks for running a great forum!

-KLH