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Create empty threads

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1 Initial Problem

If users want to to create a thread in a forum, they always have to create a first posting. It is not possible to create empty threads (only by deleting all posts afterwards). In some scenarios it is useful to provide a set of forums with empty threads (as a scaffold for defined topics) in a course or another container.

2 Conceptual Summary

Similar to the creation screen of repository objects, we would like to introduce an second option when creation new forum threads.

  • Option 1) New Thread with Posting
  • Option 2) Empty Thread
Both options should be placed in an accordion tab.

3 User Interface Modifications

3.1 List of Affected Views

  • Forum / Thread / Creation Screen

3.2 User Interface Details

3.3 New User Interface Concepts

None

4 Technical Information

None

5 Privacy Information

None

6 Security Implications

None

7 Contact

  • Author of the Request: René Sens, Bundesverwaltungsamt
  • Maintainer: {Please add your name before applying for an initial workshop or a Jour Fixe meeting.}
  • Implementation of the feature is done by: {The maintainer must add the name of the implementing developer.}

8 Funding

If you are interest in funding this feature, please add your name and institution to this list.

  • …

9 Discussion

Kunkel, Matthias [mkunkel], 18 AUG 2020 : How about removing the mandatory status of the posting in general and just have it for the thread? Then you do not need the accordeons and keep the interface slim and clean. And for threads with empty postings we could offer a placeholder "Create your first posting" that vanishs when the first posting has been created. What do you think?

Jansen, Michael [mjansen], 18 AUG 2020:

  • MK: And for threads with empty postings we could offer a placeholder "Create your first posting" that vanishs when the first posting has been created. What do you think?
    • I like this idea. How should this placeholder be presented? Should it be similar to a posting, or just a 'UI Message (Info)'?
  • MK: How about removing the mandatory status of the posting in general and just have it for the thread?
    • Hmmm, I am not sure. If we remove the 'Mandatory Flag', what about the other form elements (file upload, notification checkbox)? In this case we MUST introduce a new checkbox and move all three posting related form elements (posting textarea, attachments, notification checkbox) as a sub item to this checkbox. I don't like that approach, because we would hide the default use case (create a thread with a posting) behind a checkbox/sub-form. I already thought about this before suggesting the accordion approach. IMO the accordion approach is well known when creating new objects, so maybe it is a good idea to reuse something users (and their muscle memory :-)) are already familiar with.

JourFixe, ILIAS [jourfixe], 14 SEP 2020: We highly appreciate this suggestion and accept it for ILIAS 8.

10 Implementation

{The maintainer has to give a description of the final implementation and add screenshots if possible.}

Test Cases

Test cases completed at 04.05.2021 by Matuschek, Nadia [nadia]

Approval

Approved at 29.04.2021 by René Sens, Bundesverwaltungsamt

Last edited: 5. May 2021, 11:13, Matuschek, Nadia [nadia]