Request to change feature.
Topic: Solutions to Issues involving "Code" in the forums
Description:
Currently, members of the forums are constantly having the same issue of posting code straight into the forums page like I have posted below. Due to this we cannot see their actual code and therefor we must ask them to fix it when the individual may not know how to. This issue causes frustration to the whole community, and I have thought of a few solutions that may be practical in eliminating this issue.Current problem:
What we see:
hello
What we see when the code is marked correctly:
<p><s><i><b>hello</b></i></s></p>
Proposed solutions:
- Right now in order to mark anything as code you must either indent the entire pasted code 4 spaces, or put three backticks above, and below the code```
<code>
```
<code>
- Automatically assuming the user is posting “Code”: If we could possibly reverse this or automatically put them into the post this would ensure that new comers would more ably post their code, enabling help to come at a quicker pace. This would alleviate the pain of figuring it out later. In essence, it’s just dummy-proofing the forums.
-
Popups whenever code is recognized: While I believe this would be a lot harder to accomplish, I believe that we could have a popup appear one time per post after a “tag” || “
<p>
” has been recognized that offers the user the option to enclose their post in back-ticks ( ` ) like example 1) above. This would do the same as 1. however it would not be automatic unless someone was posting code. -
Reversing Code & Text conditions: As we know, currently you need the back-ticks, or spacing in order to post code in flat text format that code may be read instead of interpreted by the computer. What if instead we reversed those rules and made it instead of Code->Text, that it become Text->Code format. In more detail that means in order to post regular text, and have pictures or links be followed, we invert the current process. We could make the back-ticks allow the code run, instead of the current process or just allowing the code to be seen.
I understand that most of these are hard to change, or impractical in some way. However those are a few of the solutions that I’ve been able to think of recently allowing new users to more easily post code in a way that they may be able to receive help in a quick and efficient manner without jumping through hoops to figure out how the forums works. Essentially Dummy-Proofing the system.
Pros:
- Dummy-Proofing the forums allows it’s primary function to be fulfilled. Assisting members quickly and efficiently. (Main argument)
- Allows quicker response times between users, and members. (Sub-Argument)
- Eliminates a recurring problem in the forums (Sub-Argument)
Cons:
1. May not be possible with the current forums set-up. (Main Argument) 2. May cause confusion for old Members through Admins (Sub-Argument) 3. May cause unknown consequences, things I haven't thought of (Sub-Argument)Do you want to see this in CodeCademy?
[poll] - Yes, this would be awesome! - No, There's a better way, or I like it like this! - This does not affect me. [/poll]Additional Remarks:
I cannot claim to know if this is even possible. Or even if any of these are the right direction to pursue in this issue. All I hope to accomplish is setting all of us on the right track to further assist, new members to the forums so they don't become overwhelmed and just give up. This is supposed to be easy for them to get the help they require, and in a timely, or efficient manner.Experienced users will be the ones that this change impacts the most as we already have a grasp on how the forums work and the change will probably be jarring as most changes are. Otherwise, I hope that in newer users will be positively impacted by implementing any of these, or other solutions.
Let me know if there’s anything else I need to add, or wasn’t clear on and I will do my best to correct and clarify the error.
-Alex