D2 Updates, Text Message Notifcation

A few quick notes on some recent code updates. The smaller function is that we've added text messaging stuff for phones. If you visit the messages page (you must be logged in) you can define your cell phone's email address, and get notifications sent to it. The more interesting update is for Discussion2 users (turn it on on any article page). There is an option now to restrict page sizes and you will retrieve comments by score. This means you can configure your Slashdot to return smaller, more bandwidth friendly pages that you can expand without loading fresh pages. Anyone still running D1 is a sucker.

Re:sucker?

[fm6]

Or use the Slashdotter Firefox Plugin [mozilla.org], which isn't compatible with D2. It's ability to hide threads I'm not interested in far outweighs any advantages of the new layout. I also like the reply (no more typing in <blockquote>) feature, and various AJAX features.

Re:Mobile Browsing

[Reapman]

go to "slashdot.org/palm" thats what I use on my Treo 680.

Re:"Sucker!"

[mwvdlee]

So now I'm a sucker because I can't use D2 at work?

Closing a thread

[benhocking]

there still is no way to "close" a thread or to easily skip to the next top-level thread. when someone (usually an early poster) posts some flamebait comment it is very difficult to find the next top-level comment. There should be a [+] entry in the title bar of each comment where one can close all replies to that comment.

There is a way: click on the title to close it and all replies to that comment. Click on it again to open it back up.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:"Sucker!"

[rufo]

I just tried it again after finding it lacking a couple of months ago, and no, still no way to sort by score. So I guess I'll keep sucking the traditional interface for now.

Huh? I just hit Prefs and there's an option for Highest Score First...

Re:Texting in US is Ripoff

[stinerman]

With all carriers that I know of, there is no way to stop unwanted text messages, and yes, we have to pay for each one.

AFAIK, if there is a consistent pattern of abuse, you can call your carrier and they might make concessions. Similarly, the FCC and your state attorney general will be interested in text message spamming. I don't see how this would stop someone from outside the US from simply spamming the crap out of us. Similarly, I can just use the SMS option on most modern IM clients these days.

Yeah, the state of cell phone usage in general in the US is shit.

Re:"Sucker!"

[GeckoX]

Pref is there, but it does nothing for me with D2, never has. Under d2, threads are always ordered by oldest first. Very annoying. This is the only thing that keeps me from using D2.

Re:Texting in US is Ripoff

[smallfries]

I've never seen a UK contract where you pay for incoming texts. Who are you with, and which tarrif are you on?

(So I know who not to change to next time)

Re:Texting in US is Ripoff

[Skater]

You can get them to put a block on (at least with Verizon). The only problem is that the sender never knows that you didn't receive the message.

Re:d2 ignores sort prefs?

[pudge]

That's my problem too. I get a Score:2 post first that's rolled up, then a Score:3 post, before hitting the first Score:5!

Correct.

Sorry, D2 is buggy.

Incorrect.

Re:"Sucker!"

[ozbird]

How about some consistent naming standards? There's no "Discussion2" or "D2" option in preferences - it's "Slashdot's New Discussion System Testing".