... ?

[joedf]

right, I know that would have worked... but I didn't bother because these cases are mostly from guest posters not paying attention.
I didn't think this is worth more javascript, but if so... I can implement it. What do you think?


I guess one argument might be impatient users could just put a space, but also nothing stops them from just putting a gibberish title... :/

[BoBo]

gibberish title? Means you wanna set up a filter that skips all threads using the word(s) "help", "HeLp", "HELP", "please HELp" & "... qleH" !! That's really good news [just kidding [well, sort of]]

[gregster]

I just tested with my new-user test account. I could still create new topics without subject.

But I don't see the whole thing as high-priority. If it can be fixed easily, nice. If not, we will still live.

@BoBo: I don't think that is joedf's plan - and I am not sure that it would make better topic titles. You can't prevent gibberish. And I don't feel like punishing newbies who can't think of a good title.

Edit: I assumed you might be joking. But I wasn't sure.

[nnnik]

You can prevent gibberish.
Just check if most words can be found inside a predefined lexicon.
Its just too much effort and the downsides are that terms that are specific to AutoHotkey might be unknown.

[gregster]

Just because words are in dictionary, it doesn't mean you can't make gibberish (or completely meaningless titles) out of them.
Example: every pitch meeting I ever attended. Compare BS-Bingo.

On the other hand, titles with typos or scrambled letters (or the word 'help') can be perfectly fine.

Edit:
You might need some kind of AI to determine if a title is an adequate title for the actual request in the post (and if that request makes any sense, might still be a completly different question). ergo: human moderators, giving a helping hand if possible, are the best we can do...

[joedf]

I'm not sure I want to get into a whack-a-mole situation. As a compromise, I will implement my original proposition later tonight.

[BNOLI]

@joedf


What I've heard so far, there are nastier jobs to have these days!

[joedf]

Updated.

for future reference:
posting_layout.html

Code: Select all

<script type="text/javascript">
function validatePostform(){
	var eSubject = document.getElementById('subject');
	if (!!eSubject) {
		var _t = eSubject.value.trim();
		var isValid = (_t.length > 1);
		if (!isValid) {
			alert('Please specify a valid subject post title.')
		}
		return isValid;
	}
	return true;
}
</script>
<form id="postform" onsubmit="return validatePostform()" method="post" ...> ... </form>