Identifying the OP at a glance (SMF patch)

[PowerGlove]

What if the extension connects to a server that has a list of OPs for every topic? I'm thinking of TryNinja's API.

Yup, that would work. Although, I think it's over-engineered and fragile compared to changing a single line of PHP (which is what each of the proposed patches do, excluding style C).

I think client-side vs. server-side is a false equivalence in this case. Firstly, coming up with a perfectly reliable client-side OP caching/lookup scheme is a much bigger engineering effort (which should be taken as a sign, IMO, that the work is being done in the wrong place).

Secondly, a server-side implementation automatically benefits every forum member, instead of only the members that are willing to install browser extensions.

Thanks for this, I did some tests and I can survive this

No problem, I'm happy that it won't (seriously) disrupt any of your data wrangling!

[TryNinja]

What if the extension connects to a server that has a list of OPs for every topic? I'm thinking of TryNinja's API.

I don't have that list, though. I was thinking about this earlier this week, maybe just assume the first post found with the same topic id is the OP (not 100% reliable) or build something new (i.e with every new post check if I know the post_id of the OP and, if not, scrape it to keep a log).

[theymos]

I probably never would've spent the ~hour figuring out how to add it because it strikes me as unnecessary, but I also don't see the harm in it. Since you wrote the code, I added it. Thanks!

[AnotherAlt]

I probably never would've done it because it strikes me as unnecessary, but I also don't see the harm in it. Since you wrote the code, I added it.

I just came to the Meta to check whether it's from the forum or maybe the extension I am using. Perhaps I am the first one who noticed that. This is the first ever quick change in the forum after users ask (At least as far as I know). Thank you, theymos. You are OP (Over Powered - Not Original Poster  ). Number C was chosen by theymos.

[PX-Z]

I probably never would've spent the ~hour figuring out how to add it because it strikes me as unnecessary, but I also don't see the harm in it. Since you wrote the code, I added it. Thanks!

Nice, i have read this thread before, and just a minute ago after visiting one thread on the service discussion i have observed OP besides one of the username who posted there.
Thanks for this simple look improvement.

[NotATether]

Damn, first forum update I've seen in years.  Now we won't have to keep explaining to people what we mean when we say the word "OP". Nice work @PowerGlove.

[taufik123]

I probably never would've spent the ~hour figuring out how to add it because it strikes me as unnecessary, but I also don't see the harm in it. Since you wrote the code, I added it. Thanks!

a few minutes ago I didn't notice any changes, but when looking back some threads already have a tag ( OP ) with an explanation.
A useful little change to indicate that the creator of the Thread or the OP can be seen when there are already a lot of comments in the thread.
With the position next to the name and not in bold with the description " This member is a starter-topic"

[autumnleaf]

@PowerGlove, you've taken a fantastic step. I truly appreciate your idea, and it was great to see the forum updated quickly in response to a member's request. Having a programming background is pretty amazing. As a result of this beginning, I anticipate that many of us will soon submit a request for a nice SMF patch that could help the forum.

[Awaklara]

a few minutes ago I didn't notice any changes, but when looking back some threads already have a tag ( OP ) with an explanation.
A useful little change to indicate that the creator of the Thread or the OP can be seen when there are already a lot of comments in the thread.
With the position next to the name and not in bold with the description " This member is a starter-topic"

PowerGlove provides great advice and the forum is updated quickly. At first, I thought it was an update of the extension I was using in the browser. but after seeing this thread and opening it via mobile, it turns out that theymos agrees with the suggestion.
as the OP said, this advice will be useful for forum members, especially on threads that already have multiple pages. we can also see, if the discussion in the thread is still being followed by the OP, or if the OP just creates a thread and then disappears.

[bittraffic]

Would it be too much to add a shading color to OP and his subsequent posts in the thread?

Most of the time actually the subsequent posts are not noticed by the users who reply to the thread because they only see the first post. This results in a discussion that has repetitive answers while OP has rebutted and added changes to the situation.

[Little Mouse]

Nice work by OP and of course, a great thanks to theymos. This is somewhat a very simple update but something necessary.

Damn, first forum update I've seen in years.  Now we won't have to keep explaining to people what we mean when we say the word "OP". Nice work @PowerGlove.

I think you are wrong. Now, you have to explain this to more hundreds of members. I wouldn’t be surprised if we now see a few threads daily here on what is OP and why it is there though it is self explanatory 

[LoyceV]

I probably never would've spent the ~hour figuring out how to add it because it strikes me as unnecessary, but I also don't see the harm in it. Since you wrote the code, I added it. Thanks!

I was happily surprised to see this was added!

Number C was chosen by theymos.

It's Style B

@PowerGlove I mean @OP: kuddo's for actually writing the patch to make it easy enough to get it added! I did not expect it would get added.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

I just realised it was added and I also thought it was unnecessary, but if it didn't cost too much to implement and people wanted it, I welcome it.

Now, you have to explain this to more hundreds of members. I wouldn’t be surprised if we now see a few threads daily here on what is OP and why it is there though it is self explanatory 

In the time I've been on the forum I haven't seen anyone ask that question, and I hope they know how to use google to find out.

[AnotherAlt]

Number C was chosen by theymos.

It's Style B

Huh? I saw taufik123's screenshot, and I thought it was because of his screen size. I thought theymos added Style C because it looks like this.



I changed my screen size. I have zoomed in and out. Still, this looks like this to me. Am I the only one?

kuddo's for actually writing the patch to make it easy enough to get it added! I did not expect it would get added.

I hope someone will write a patch to add 2FA one day. I guess there was a 2BTC bounty by Stunna for 2FA Patch.

[fillippone]

After all, who needs Epochtalk when she have development here on SMF?
I can here as well checking what that OP was due from.
Well done @PowerGlove and @theymos!

[TheBeardedBaby]

Nice surprise I had today. Seeing who is the OP in long thread is just time saver for many, as well as for me.
Good work OP! Perfect thread to fit to my merit source application

[Little Mouse]

After all, who needs Epochtalk when she have development here on SMF?

No matter what you develop, it will still be SMF forum software which has a lot of limitations when it comes to having a modern forum software (I don't have problem using SMF but it would never be the first choice of many). So, yeah, we of course need a better forum software and that's what I think.

[FatFork]

Yes, great job, PowerGlove and theymos! I was honestly surprised when I noticed the changes already implemented in the forum this morning. I'm sure this will prove helpful.

Damn, first forum update I've seen in years. 

If you don't count the April Fools pranks we get every year... 

Now we won't have to keep explaining to people what we mean when we say the word "OP".

I'm not so sure about that. 

[LoyceV]

I changed my screen size. I have zoomed in and out. Still, this looks like this to me. Am I the only one?

I tried 4 different browsers (including mobile), and they all look like this for me:

I guess the BPIP extension changes it for you.

[shahzadafzal]

Damn, first forum update I've seen in years. 

Thank you theymos never a boring day month year at bitcointalk, (OP) is a nice addition.

PowerGlove salute to you!