# What happened to the quote text speech bubble? **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Created:** [February 17, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424 "2025-02-17T18:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/41 "2025-02-18T21:19:10Z")
I just realized something, here is a previous thread I started which was a _different_ problem with Discourse: > [@Annoyance about the ignore feature and the OP of a thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoyance-about-the-ignore-feature-and-the-op-of-a-thread/1009214): > > So, I have a (thankfully) short list of ignored posters. I do like the fact that I have the option to see ignored content, which I don’t take advantage of often (I’m ignoring people for a reason after all). But, sometimes it’s necessary if there is a useful discussion I want to engage in, and when I’m replying to someone’s post who is responding to someone on my ignore list, I need to see that ignored content to get the context of their post. It works well. But if there is a thread, and the … And there was a really cool solution to the problem that doesn’t involve going through all of the steps to take someone off of ignore just to read one stupid post. > [@Annoyance about the ignore feature and the OP of a thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoyance-about-the-ignore-feature-and-the-op-of-a-thread/1009214/4): > > Faster is to hit the reply arrow to the OP, then click on the speech bubble to pull the text of the OP into the reply box. Read and then cancel. It’s a nuisance, but faster than logging out/in. Well, that solution is out the window now. And I just ran into the problem today in fact. So one Discourse bad decision is making another one worse. 😠 At least there were a couple of other nice suggestions, but the “full quote” option was the simplest and most convenient one. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/42 "2025-02-18T21:32:59Z")
Yeah, the full quote function was so useful and so _basic_ that I don’t think there’s really a good excuse for this move. Believe it or not, I don’t actually have anyone here on ignore (I’m certain that the image of that function is not the empty set 😁), but what you describe does sound like a clever and useful workaround. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/43 "2025-02-18T21:43:55Z")
I’m a software product manager, which means I determine what software should do. It’s a lot more than just the user experience, but UX is a big part of it. So for the record, I think removing the Full Quote button was a bad call. But I want to _slightly_ push back on a couple things that always come up in threads like this. > [@wolfpup](#): > > “we know what you need better than you do” One of the first things a good PM needs to learn is when to listen to users and when not to, and how to ask the right questions. Users will _not_ tell you the best way to do something. They will tell you what they are used to. Sometimes that’s good, but it can also perpetuate bad design, and innovation is impossible if it’s all you ever do. Instead, you need to look at their workflows and the problems they face, and solve those, sometimes in new ways that seem disruptive at first. A **good** PM actually does know what users need better than they do. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad PMs building software. (Overall, I think Discourse has good PMs, even though I disagree with them on certain features like this one). > [@gnoitall](#): > > But they’re quite clear that it’s their way or the highway Well, of course. A sure way to build crappy software is to listen to every bit of feedback and try to address every request and complaint. You’ll end up with a Frankenstein monster that is difficult, confusing, and does nothing well. You can’t make everyone happy and will build crap if you try. Good PMs figure out the software they want to create for the audience they want to support. You still might build crappy software, especially if you don’t understand your audience, but at least you have a shot at something decent. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/44 "2025-02-18T22:38:47Z")
Now, right in the middle of the toolbar menu that’s missing the speech bubble, is an arrow for “Upload”, which we can’t even use. Has this always been there? Can we trade it in for our speech bubble? [![](https://i.imgur.com/2ndN2LW.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/2ndN2LW.png) ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/45 "2025-02-18T22:40:57Z")
Just upload the speech bubble–problem solved! 😂 ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/46 "2025-02-18T22:45:17Z")
Does it work? [testing.txt](https://boards.straightdope.com/uploads/short-url/qYqKal0HzCZfuoatD3NT90NIncb.txt) (32 Bytes) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/47 "2025-02-18T22:46:19Z")
It apparently does. I don’t think this is desired behavior of this board. I’ll report it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/48 "2025-02-18T22:49:21Z")
I tried uploading a photo and it rejected it. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/49 "2025-02-19T00:41:24Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Just upload the speech bubble–problem solved! 😂 You’re not supposed to be able to upload files. Only Cecil has permission to do that. I guess I need to go through our system settings. > [@needscoffee](#): > > I tried uploading a photo and it rejected it. That is the way it is supposed to work. Please do not upload anything to the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/50 "2025-02-19T01:07:54Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > That is the way it is supposed to work. > > Please do not upload anything to the SDMB Of course, I would have immediately deleted it. Was just testing the button. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/51 "2025-02-19T01:09:34Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Just upload the speech bubble–problem solved! 😂 > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > You’re not supposed to be able to upload files. Only Cecil has permission to do that. I think you were whooshed. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/52 "2025-02-19T02:02:26Z")
What can you do? He’s a beta. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/53 "2025-02-19T18:08:18Z")
I just noticed this now when trying to quote something on mobile. The quote bubble icon is gone in the editing window and there is no way to actually _show_ what I am replying to unless I first highlight it and then select Quote. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/54 "2025-02-20T03:44:22Z")
I came here today because I’m noticing the same thing. I tried to quote someone and the option is gone. There is nothing to the left of the Bold option. I noticed in the thread I was posting in that other people still have the option. They were quoting on threads that were current. I don’t see why the ignore list would affect it. In the past when other people quoted someone I have on block it just showed blank text where there post would be. So I don’t see how that would be related to the issue. Anyway, I demand an apology and a small stipend to support my lifestyle until this issue is resolved. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/55 "2025-02-20T05:08:35Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I don’t see why the ignore list would affect it. In the past when other people quoted someone I have on block it just showed blank text where there post would be. So I don’t see how that would be related to the issue. If you read the post I referenced, if you have someone on ignore and they are the first poster in a thread, you don’t get the option to show that first post if you’d like the way you could if it was any other post in the thread. But someone pointed out a very easy way to see the post; reply to it and click the “full quote” button, and you’d see the post appear in your editor. (You can then cancel the reply after you read it.) There are only 3 other ways to read that post that I know of… Temporarily remove that person from your ignore list (which is a pain in the ass since you have to go deep into your preferences to get there), or sign out of the board so that you are reading the thread as an anonymous person (no account, no ignore list), or you can log into the site in privacy mode on your browser (or use another browser) where you aren’t signed in. None of those workarounds are nearly as convenient as the full quote trick, which no longer is available. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/56 "2025-02-20T11:51:15Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I noticed in the thread I was posting in that other people still have the option. They were quoting on threads that were current. You can still quote from other posts by highlighting the text you want to quote and clicking the “Quote” option that pops up. But that works differently from the “Quote whole post” button which has disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/57 "2025-02-20T14:26:48Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > You can still quote from other posts by highlighting the text you want to quote > and clicking the “Quote” option that pops up. > But that works differently from the “Quote whole post” button which has disappeared I’ll be damned ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/58 "2025-02-20T17:45:20Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I’ll be damned Same here. I’ll be damned. I was wondering where the quote bubble went to! ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/59 "2025-02-20T18:32:19Z")
The fix for this is (it appears) the theme addin component described in [Full quote button in editor missing - #23 by Don - UX - Discourse Meta](https://meta.discourse.org/t/full-quote-button-in-editor-missing/350719/23). (The github repo I mentioned looking at earlier.) Who maintains our themes here? Are they in a position to try adding this theme component and seeing if it restores the previous feature? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424/60 "2025-02-20T23:15:43Z")
I’m used to seeing a “speech balloon” icon to the left of the **Bold** command. Did you guys (or @codinghorror) fuck with it, and if so, whom shall I contact to instruct them to un-fuck with it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-quote-text-speech-bubble/1014424.md?page=4)