Proposal: Rule hints

[felix]

Everyone looks at the textarea they are about to write the message in; well lets just say their eyes will be focused on it at one point or another. So anything important, that doesn't follow the common sense they have established from other sites (ie. no cursing, harassment, trolling, spam etc), can be written in the small space with something distinctive such as gray text. In theory this should make the important bits of the rules idiot proof, but you never know...

List explaining behavior,
* if: textarea is empty -> mark & add hints in gray text
* if: textarea gets focus -> unmark & remove text
* on submit a textarea which is still marked will have its contents cleaned (ie. the hints in gray text removed)

Example hints:

hi! for stuff that hasn't happened in the anime yet write like this:

[spoiler=future events] stuff that hasn't happened yet [/spoiler]

also,
* no links to licensed stuff
* no asking when its going to get subbed

kk, thx bye

Implementing this would require a very small piece of javascript. The code required for inserting the javascript can be handled via a plugin using a hook on the head of the page.

[xris]

While something like this might make sense to you, to the general user it's just plain confusing.

If I was about to write a post, the last thing I would expect is for there to be text in the area I was about to use. I would think that either an error has occurred and would abort the post before it was even started or I would try and erase the (phantom) message that was there.

[felix]

The message would erase automatically when you click. vB actually uses a similar notification system when you have quick reply turned off; where as the user must quote or hit "reply" on a post before it becomes active.

Well yes, it does push the boundary and make the post box a little more versatile but the system is used and users don't appear to have issues of accessibility with it, all be it the common uses for it are with messages describing html syntax allowed or more common "Type here..." messages.

Given the complexity of modern interfaces/systems if a user can't be expected to understand it then its doubtful they were smart enough to be able to make their way here (with out assistance) or otherwise use this site.

[Gin]

Would the same message appear for every post? Like for a post in the music subforum it could remind you not too ask where to download music. This might be a good idea if it showed up for a members 1st 50 posts or so, that way an experienced user who knows the rules wouldn't be bothered by information they already know.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by xris

While something like this might make sense to you, to the general user it's just plain confusing.

If I was about to write a post, the last thing I would expect is for there to be text in the area I was about to use. I would think that either an error has occurred and would abort the post before it was even started or I would try and erase the (phantom) message that was there.

What he said.

[SeedFreedom]

I feel this is more bothersome than helpful. Chances are, people who ignore the rules wont read the greyed out text under their messages anyways. I just don't see a need for this.

If you really wanted to push home the rules, i suggest making it a part of the quick reply/reply box as a permanent message for the common violations regarding that topic/subform/whatever.

[Liddo-kun]

The concept seems innovative, but don't we have rules posted at several areas of the forum already?
There's Forum Rules below the banner (a very noticeable place), and rules at the first post of anime threads such as this one.

Given the fact that the rules are placed in locations where they can be seen easily, I believe that "hints" are no longer necessary.

[Vexx]

This sounds a bit like some of the "informing" text on Facebook fields..... no opinion on it, but I have seen it on some sites.