I have noticed that on some threads, next to the “new thread” link, the usual “post a reply” link is missing. Why is that? I tried to determine whether there was any reason for it, and could not figure it out. How is one supposed to add a comment to these threads?
You aren’t supposed to add new comments to these threads. I suspect you’re talking about closed threads - look at the other side of the screen, across from the ‘new thread’ link, to see if it says ‘closed.’ These are locked by the moderators specifically because they don’t want anything else added. (You can also tell if a thread is closed by looking at the envelope next to its title on the forum main page - the envelope will have a little padlock over it.)
Unfortunately, there is no padlock, and I don’t see the word “closed” anywhere. It seems that the envelope can be either reddish or gray when this happens, and I can discern no rhyme or reason for the behavior. I am really puzzled now…Am I the only one this ever happens to? These threads are not closed, nor are they being moved, since other people are continuing to post to them.
I think that if I quoted someone else, I could add to them, but what if I don’t WANT to quote someone else? Where in the world is the “post reply” link?
For example, it is missing for this thread:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=76853
but everything is normal for this one:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=77278
Is this my computer??
They both had the Post Reply link when I just looked at them.
Curious.
Perhaps someone else has the answer.
Did you scroll your mouse pointer over where the Post Reply link should be? Maybe the icon didn’t show up but the link should still be there.
Perhaps you have a really slow connection, and the image didn’t download. I don’t know. But if you do quote someone else, you can just delete everything from the reply window, and it’ll be like you used the normal method.
sometimes if the page hasn’t completly loaded up you might not see those. that’s the only thing I can think of, try hitting ‘refresh’. (that’s happened to me before)
Um. Well, I’m stumped. I clicked on the link you gave for the thread that’s missing a ‘post reply’ for you, and it’s got over in these parts. So it is just you. Or at least it’s not me.
Perhaps the Gremlin Gods of the SDMB are angry with you? Have you made the appropriate sacrifices (white goat, hand-ground pepper, nasturtiums) and performed the appropriate rituals (Sunday Message Board Abasement, Standard Daily Spiritual Cleansing and Moisturizing)?
But, more seriously - maybe one of the technically-gifted will wander by with a more helpful post. In the meantime, my sympathies. Try swearing at your computer. If it doesn’t help, it might at least make you feel better.
“refresh” doesn’t fix the problem, nor does switching to other message board areas and coming back.
Well, this thread (the one I started and you’re reading now), had the Post Reply link before, but now it’s missing, so I am using the “quote” method to see if it works. By the way, thanks for your suggestion. I tried it, but there is no link where the missing picture should be. Is this weird or what? I have a feeling it might be the SDMB servers or something? AAARRRGGGGHHH!!!
Yes, I believe electronic demons must be to blame. turning off my computer, switching browsers netscape 4.7 to IE 5.5 …this still happens. I have DSL, which loads pages very fast. Some pages with javascript cause my computer to crash, though, so perhaps there is some hidden electronic beast who delights in frustrating me with little quirks like this. I guess a sacrifice to the technology gods is in order. At least I know that I can get around the problem for now by using the “quote” method, which I’m using now!
Thanks to all of you who responded. After a lot of testing, I was able to discover that a program I have, called AdsOff, was the cause of this frustrating behavior. This program, designed to block ads and pop-ups, apparently was blocking the reply.gif icons, but only on some of the pages. Turning it off solved the problem!
Thanks for sharing your find with us, now we know a little more and that’s always helpful.
your humble TubaDiva
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