Question title lengths

[bibblebub]

There are some questions posted in which the whole question is put into the title field instead of the details box being used for the main body of the question.

If this is NOT a problem with certain browser versions then may I suggest that you make the title box maximum input length substantially less than the 255 characters that are currently allowed. Not only would the resultant display being a lot tidier but some people might realise how to post questions in the way that is intended.

If it is a browser problem then ignore all of the above.

[JoolsTwo]

Hi bibblebub, I asked this question and emailed the AB Ed. I had a reply this morning and they are going to do something about it. This from the email I received.

"Essentially, we will be reducing the character limit in titles and further encouraging people to post their messages in the "detail" body.

Hopefully this change will be implemented soon!"

[dothawkes31]

'Hopefully' and 'soon', don't consider that reply a result !

[bibblebub]

hooray, not before time - unless this is the "avatars" type of soon...

[dothawkes31]

Soon we'll be able to all walk on the moon and get served in less than 5 minutes in a high street bank,

[bibblebub]

and everyone will work from home and use personal jetpacks whenever they go out

[craft1948]

Personally I think this is down to uninformed (thick) users rather than a technical fault.

[Mctavish]

I don't think this a a browser problem but to do with the fact that some people don't bother to read the heading before they post. It does state very clearly where
the "Title" of the question should go.

[JoolsTwo]

I agree, but if they resrict the number of characters that can be used in the title box. Then they won't be able to put the whole question in that box and will have to put it where it is supposed to be. Thus enabling us to read the question easier. :-))

[factor-fiction]

Good idea which will help.... but will it stop all those postings where someone puts what looks like a couple of random words in the title box and leaves the question blank- presumably because they meant to do a search not ask a question?

[bibblebub]

Another change that could be quite easily done would be that if the details box is empty then either

(a) disable the submit button and only enable it when something has been typed into that box,

or

(b) keep the submit button enabled but when it is clicked on a message pops up saying that something needs to be entered into the details box and returns the poster to that box without the question having been submitted.

Either of these would prevent the accidental "search" questions.

[factor-fiction]

This is still happening many times a day. It's okay for short questions but all the capital letters make long questions and crossword clues difficult to follow.
Is it just incompetence by users or is there a problem on AB- do certain browser users get a different screen layout? I'm sure it didn't happen so often before the AB changes were made a few months ago

[ChuckFickens]

If I recall correctly Factor prior to the changeover to the new AB it would give you an error if you tried to post a question with nothing in the details box.

[society]

"the new AB it would give you an error if you tried to post a question with nothing in the details box. "

it still do.