# We're All Here. Now What? (Basic Tutorial) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081 "2020-06-22T03:28:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/81 "2020-06-27T17:31:24Z")
One additional thing to add is the CHAIN. Click the chain icon at the bottom of any post. A dialog will pop up. Press + New Topic to start a new thread (presumably what would otherwise have been a hijack) with a link automatically to the original thread/post already inserted. Go 'head, try it out. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/82 "2020-06-27T23:37:50Z")
Huh. Apparently I could also send the link to twitter, to facebook, or in an email. I didn’t try any of the options; but that’s what it looked like. Is that right? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/83 "2020-06-28T23:31:18Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Huh. Apparently I could also send the link to twitter, to facebook, or in an email. I keep wondering if others have noticed that and dislike it. > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > One additional thing to add is the CHAIN. > > Click the chain icon at the bottom of any post. A dialog will pop up. Press + New Topic to start a new thread (presumably what would otherwise have been a hijack) with a link automatically to the original thread/post already inserted. Go 'head, try it out. I started to try this, but couldn’t figure out how to start the new thread in a different category. ETA I got it ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/84 "2020-06-28T23:54:48Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > I keep wondering if others have noticed that and dislike it. As a non-user of either Twitter or Facebook, I find it a bit disconcerting that this board apparently makes it very easy to quote me there. On the other hand, I don’t suppose I could stop anybody from quoting me there anyway, even if the board didn’t invite it. On the third hand (no I am not a Motie), this setup makes it something that not only could be done without having to think about it, but could even be done by accident; at any rate, if it works the way that I think. – I just tried the email link, on one of my own posts; it popped up a window in my email program with the link filled in. No warning, no ‘do you really want to do this?’ On this rare occasion when I want discourse to be nannyish, it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/85 "2020-06-29T12:05:21Z")
Why does Discourse keep asking me to install the SDMB? I’m logging on and reading with Chrome on my Android device. I’m very leery of installing any software, especially without some explanation. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/86 "2020-06-29T13:33:54Z")
There is no reason to install the software. You are right to be leery. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/87 "2020-06-29T22:42:34Z")
I closed the notification for that on day one, haven’t seen it since. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/88 "2020-06-30T11:57:53Z")
Can anyone tell me what’s flashing while I type a reply? Not always, but often when working in the reply box, something behind it is blinking/flashing. It reminds me the ‘someone is typing a reply’ notification on facebook. Personally, it drives me up the wall. I know it’s not the case for everyone, but I have a really difficult time reading/writing when something is going on on the screen. Even the little blinking check mark at the bottom of this box is annoying. In fact, 20ish years ago when a website I used to read everyday (howitsmade) started with the blinking ads is when I finally got ADP. I use fbpurity to remove the ‘someone is typing a reply’ thing from FB. I have to stop any animated gifs when I’m reading, or if they can’t be stopped or scrolled off the page, physically hold something over them on the screen so I don’t get distracted by them. That’s the reason I’ve always hoped we don’t get anything animated here. As much as I wouldn’t want it, I can deal with static images. It’s the animated gifs and animated emojis that I can’t stand. Again, I know these things don’t bother a lot of people, but for me, however my brain is wired, I have a hard time reading/writing when something on the screen is moving around. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/89 "2020-06-30T12:08:23Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It reminds me the ‘someone is typing a reply’ notification on facebook. There _is_ a ‘someone is typing a reply’ notification here as well. You may be able to get round it by going to another page. You won’t lose your reply. It looks like animated gifs and animated emojis will not be tolerated, as plenty of other people also don’t like them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/90 "2020-06-30T12:21:54Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > > > I don’t really know what the check is for. My best guess is that it means your post is long enough to be saved as a draft > > It seems to be that the system has saved your work in progress. Yesterday I was impressed by the system saving my work. I was at home typing a reply when I realized I should have already arrived at work. Instead of canceling my reply, I just shut my browser down and went to work. Later at work I opened my browser _on a completely different device_, went to SDMB, and _found my reply waiting to be finished._ Seemed like some sorta witchcraft. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/91 "2020-07-02T05:32:48Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Yesterday I was impressed by the system saving my work. I was at home typing a reply when I realized I should have already arrived at work. > > Instead of canceling my reply, I just shut my browser down and went to work. Later at work I opened my browser _on a completely different device_, went to SDMB, and _found my reply waiting to be finished._ Seemed like some sorta witchcraft. I do not like that “feature”. At all. There are times when I’ll start writing a reply to something, then after reviewing my response before submitting deciding it’s better to just let it go. I do **not** want the system to be able to “see” what I was writing until I submit it. If it’s saved somewhere, that means someone can read what I decided I didn’t want to say after all. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/92 "2020-07-02T05:56:56Z")
Reply to this post- see the little trash can at the bottom? That will allow you to abandon your reply if you change your mind. I use this feature extensively, because I often realize what I typed was gibberish or a new reply pops up while I’m typing mine (I like that instant feedback, btw) that says what I’m trying to say, but with much more eloquence. I also like being able to start a reply on my phone, decide that I need to approach it from a keyboard, and voila, I move to the computer and my reply is still there for me to finish. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/93 "2020-07-02T06:03:41Z")
Acey, this is a WAG, but I think it’s asking you if you want the App. I clicked on something the first day on my tablet and now the App is in my pile of Apps. I enjoy seeing it on there and it makes it real easy to log in from the Ipad or my android phone. Havn’t ventured on to the laptop yet. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/94 "2020-07-02T06:07:47Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Reply to this post- see the little trash can at the bottom? That will allow you to abandon your reply if you change your mind. I use this feature extensively, because I often realize what I typed was gibberish or a new reply pops up while I’m typing mine (I like that instant feedback, btw) that says what I’m trying to say, but with much more eloquence. I also like being able to start a reply on my phone, decide that I need to approach it from a keyboard, and voila, I move to the computer and my reply is still there for me to finish. I don’t know if this was a response to my post, but I’m well aware of the cancel button (not a trash can. There is no trash can at the bottom - unless it varies depending on the theme). My concern is that there is what’s tantamount to a keylogger recording what I type on Discourse’s server. What I’m typing should not be sent out until I decide it should be submitted. Now, an option to save a draft for later is fine, but it should not be automatic. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/95 "2020-07-02T06:09:12Z")
Gotcha! And yes, must be thematic- mine is a trash can (dark theme on phone). ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/96 "2020-07-02T06:13:47Z")
On another subject, I wonder if there’s a way to mute a thread (sorry, I refuse to call them topics) without opening it first. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/97 "2020-07-02T06:26:17Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Gotcha! And yes, must be thematic- mine is a trash can (dark theme on phone). I did a little checking, and apparently it’s trash can button on a phone, but a cancel button in a regular browser. I guess Discourse thinks phone users can’t understand words and need pictures on the buttons. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/98 "2020-07-02T07:27:24Z")
I appreciate pictures. The bright red ‘yes abandon’ scares me everytime. ETA: the trash can appears on my phone and tablet. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/99 "2020-07-02T13:58:01Z")
The fact that it automatically saves replies is one of the **best** features of this new site. So many times on the old board I would have a reply typed out and the page would glitch and the whole thing would be lost. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081/100 "2020-07-02T14:01:55Z")
I like that feature, **Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom** , as well as the preview pane as I’m typing my post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-here-now-what-basic-tutorial/911081.md?page=6)