What features and functionalities should forum software have? Which are requirements and which are nice to have? How does this forum fare?
For me a fairly fundamental requirement is subscriptions, something this forum doesn't have. It only has "Show unread posts since last visit." which is a very inferior solution.
ׂ
A somewhat odd thing about the subscriptions is that the code probably exists, but it only outputs e-mails. Perhaps there's some kind of mod available; you might have to remind me to check for that.
Isn't Gravatar more a matter of implementation? If you can choose between a Gravatar or a locally set avatar, it sounds like nothing but added value to me.
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Gravatar is slow, and a central point of failure for avatars to possibly be moderated and taken down. Maybe it's not an issue yet. But if we accept such sites, then the next step is to move posts up there, or and videos to another place, and screenshots elsewhere. And in the end we don't own nothing and must "deal with it"™.
A proper Gravatar implementation locally caches the Gravatars and allows Gravatar-independent local avatars.
If I ban Gravatar entirely, I lose also the default/blank avatar of poeple who haven't picked one, but the site becomes much snappier (relatively speaking, since it still runs the modern IPB).
That, too, is a sign of a bad Gravatar implementation.
For me a fairly fundamental requirement is subscriptions, something this forum doesn't have. It only has "Show unread posts since last visit." which is [glow=red,2,300]a very inferior solution.[/glow]
Yes, after contemplation, I see your point & totally agree.
As time goes on, & when thread count explodes, the email notify option (which to date I use & find cute) will become a real pain, & surely need to be abandoned.
I've traveled to many forums, but to it's credit, I found Opera's Subscriptions superior to most every.
This puppy is hoping that Frenzie can find it in his warm heart to somehow implement the same here!
This puppy is hoping that Frenzie can find it in his warm heart to somehow implement the same here!
You should now see "My Bookmarks" in the top navigation and "Add Bookmark" alongside the "Notify" option on topics. I think it addresses all concerns, but please be sure to point out any issues. :)
Also, in lieu of xErath's permission to modify his script (https://twitter.com/xErath/status/410889731996540929), I added a premade inferior quick quoting ability. I will create a better solution one way or the other, but I'd prefer to adapt xErath's script rather than work from scratch. For example, it already deals with links, lists, and some varieties of text styling correctly.
This puppy is hoping that Frenzie can find it in his warm heart to somehow implement the same here!
You should now see "My Bookmarks" in the top navigation and "Add Bookmark" alongside the "Notify" option on topics.
Ok, I looked everywhere, but no, the
"My Bookmarks" doesn't exist, & the
"Add Bookmark" button doesn't either ------ anywhere???
I've logged off & back on, reloaded sans cache, but nothings changed in regards to Bookmarks.......
I do see the
'Quote selected' option you modified though, & I think I have it figured out.
I'm sure when you fix it though, it'll be fine..... as is it's not too user friendly.....a tad bit arcane.
Should be fixed now. I had to manually add permissions to every user group.
What features and functionalities should forum software have? Which are requirements and which are nice to have?
Where's my pizza!? Downloading pizzas & al.!:D
Should be fixed now.
Thanks Fran.......works a charm
Getting used to the new forum has been easy, to sometimes touch & go, but overall a very exciting experience. I feel this is most probably due to Frenzie's uncanny ability to read into our minds & needs ---- sometimes before we have a thought to mention something.
That said, there does seem to be one feature I'm having a little difficulty doing without.
In MyOpera when we opened a new thread, that original post was visually distinctive, & easy to spot. It also set in motion what would be in context for posters to easily follow as a basis for discussion.
Also, regardless of how many pages the thread had traversed, each page started with the original thread opening/starting post....as a guiding light so to speak ...... a place to remind us of the thread's intended focus.
In my travels to many other forums, this feature always set the MyOpera Forums apart from the rest as a positive & motivating factor.
Am I being overly reminiscent?
Am I alone in my observation?
What do you guys think?
Yes, I agree. Repetition of the OP would be a welcome feature. I've also missed having that.
Is whispering available? I've not found out yet. That's a nice-to-have feature.
ׂ
I'll take first post on every page into consideration, but I'm somewhat inclined to agree with j7n.
I'd also like to have the ability to load a high number of posts per page to search long threads easily (for approved user classes), which was also possible on My Opera.
I increased the default because I agree it was too low, but it shouldn't be too high either for performance reasons.
Btw, perhaps you should look into the "print" feature? ;)
I second with Frans and the cat.
Btw, perhaps you should look into the "print" feature?
I have no printer...
By the way, are such things as shortcutting some actions on the forum available/feasible? So to say, why the quote "button" is on the top of a post? Maybe... What about some playingaround about it? Just noticed — you seem to have "modify" doubled -
look at my previous post... It seems that we have no tools in the modifying mode...
Just noticed — you seem to have "modify" doubled - look at my previous post...
1. The lower "modify" is seemingly meant to serve as analogue to Wiki's Visual Editor or what it's called. That'd be ok, but...
2.
...it seems not working...///Now I see it's working, but a reload needed... Bit confusing, isn't it?
ׂ
I can see my edits immediately after pressing Save.
It seems to me that I can't.
It seems to me that the thing needs testing...
About niceties — is making some shortcuts easy? For example, "Ctrl+Enter", etc...
I have no printer...
Maybe you'll figure it out if you read what I was replying to and if you actually try it. :P
Is 'everything in one page' usable as a forum?
I desire "My topics" button. Which means 'the posts (threads) to which I'm the author'. It might dwell in the "Profile" pop-down menu, for example...
I guess such posts (topics) are already findable some way through the profile - so it'd be legit and enough to have it in that menu... Who thinks similar? ???
Add.: Sure one can just add their posts to "bookmarks", so... I don't know...
It seems to me that I can't.
Now I see I
can!:)
Frans, what about a shortcut for quoting?:D
Frans, what about a shortcut for quoting?
Huh?
Well, I'm highlighting some text, then I need to scroll the page to reach the 'quote' button, right?
If you're quoting from a really long post, I suppose. I'll consider making something pop up in an unobtrusive place if/when I write my own quick quote, but I'm not sure how feasible that is precisely. A better idea might be to expose a Javascript function which could be activated through a bookmarklet.
Also I'd like to see the string who's online not only at the Index page. It seems redundant on topic pages, but on most others... I mean on such special pages as "new posts" and such.
And what about adding more "post moods"? A "Shocked" would be amazing!:D
It would? :right:
In MyOpera when we opened a new thread, that original post was visually distinctive, & easy to spot. It also set in motion what would be in context for posters to easily follow as a basis for discussion.
Also, regardless of how many pages the thread had traversed, each page started with the original thread opening/starting post....as a guiding light so to speak ...... a place to remind us of the thread's intended focus.
In my travels to many other forums, this feature always set the MyOpera Forums apart from the rest as a positive & motivating factor.
That feature you can thank/blame me. One of the forums I was active in (CNET Builder, I believe) at the time the forums were redesigned had this feature, and I really liked it for all the reasons you stated. I still really like it, so +1 from me. It requires that the first post is visually distinct from the other posts, otherwise it can be confusing.
The post sometimes appeared alone on the last page.
The forums have a few page counting bugs, and there are a number of paging-related issues in every forum.
Speaking of which, paging in this forum is a blast from forum software past. Particularly the "« previous" and "next »" buttons that don't go to previous/next page, but to previous/next thread, a pretty useless (and confusing) function.
Speaking of which, paging in this forum is a blast from forum software past. Particularly the "« previous" and "next »" buttons that don't go to previous/next page, but to previous/next thread, a pretty useless (and confusing) function.
:lol:
I'll remove those and I'll look into adding first post on every page.
ׂ
The page number code is more integrated in the core of the forum and less available in the theme than I'd like. I wrote a quick JS that provides the prev/next functionality for now instead. By quick I also mean it won't work in Opera <10 because that would complicate matters.
That feature you can thank/blame me. One of the forums I was active in (CNET Builder, I believe) at the time the forums were redesigned had this feature, and I really liked it for all the reasons you stated. I still really like it, so +1 from me. It requires that the first post is visually distinct from the other posts, otherwise it can be confusing.
An initial implementation is available as an option in Look and Layout (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=theme).
I wrote a quick JS that provides the prev/next functionality for now instead.
Would you add a space between the "Previous" and the next number?
(Still desiring a 'quote shortcut'...)
I desire that Jimbro shall recover his account.
I'd also like
- that the numbered list had an option to look like "1)",
and
- that among the editing tools we had a modest list of the most used/required punctuation (or(and) some other) symbols (Unicode?)
.
[/list]
(I see the list paraphernalia need some test driving, er?:D)
- that the numbered list had an option to look like "1)",
That's not part of the system: http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/List
What's wrong with this?
1) blabla
2) blabla
If you want the specific list display, use type=none
- that among the editing tools we had a modest list of the most used/required punctuation (or(and) some other) symbols (Unicode?)
I don't really understand the punctuation part of the question, but what kind of symbols are you talking about?
If you want the specific list display, use type=none
O'k.
I don't really understand the punctuation part of the question, but what kind of symbols are you talking about?
Some most (needed)common ones from here (http://copypastecharacter.com).
And what there about a quoting shortcut? I desire it much...
And what about adding more "post moods"?
Is it difficult?
Sometimes I have a ??? mood when replying. And a :beer: could also be loved by some
;)
Why not use a bookmarklet like this? http://panmental.de/symbols/info.htm
And what there about a quoting shortcut? I desire it much...
Once quick quote is in place I can look into it.
Why not use a bookmarklet like this? http://panmental.de/symbols/info.htm
The mathematical symbols in the
toolbox are ok, in other tables the most ones look like sort of poops for me. In the main frame (text) most look like squares.
Once quick quote is in place I can look into it.
Are you going to dump your "experimental"?
I'd be obliged. (When you look into that;)
As of the "moods", it'd be nice to have some :P, "scared", and ???.
Are you going to dump your "experimental"?
No… in several use cases the My Opera Enhancements quick quote already significantly outperforms the other one without any effort on my end whatsoever. A few minor adjustments and it'll run many circles around it.
Alright, patching in support for selectSingleNode makes the quick quote now also work in Chromium and Firefox. I fixed up the smilies handling code up to work with this forum, and I changed the the generated images bbcode from [IMG=http://etc] to [img]http://etc[/img].
What this means is that in Opera it properly handles lists, smilies, images, and some text styling. In Chromium and Firefox lists fail for some reason, but it does still handle the rest.
There are obvious issues left, but I trust this will stifle any cries for removal of the experimental quick quote.
NB This doesn't mean I might not use the other as a basis instead. It just means that the My Opera Enhancements quick quote is quite significantly more functional than the other even in a broken state, with rather little work involved.
and I changed the the generated images bbcode from [IMG=http://etc]http://to .
It already was this way!
and I changed the the generated images bbcode from [IMG=http://etc]http://to .
Your "experimental" now works peculiarly: I hit it - nothing, then I hit the other (old) - double blow...
and I changed the the generated images bbcode from [IMG=http://etc]http://to .
"Quote" (old) -
I'm good, thanks:zzz:
It already was this way!
Generated. As in, the quick quote saw an image and produced My Opera bbcode.
I'm good, thanks:zzz:
< "Experimental".
Generated.
Normal.
Your "experimental" works, but some other way than the old: it won't scroll&show - I rather have to even open the "Quick reply" thingy first - but it's ok when you do multiple quoting. I think...
Change Use quick reply on topic display (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=theme) to "Show, on by default" (that's now the default for new users). I'm not really sure why the default was to have it hidden; at the bottom of a thread it hardly gets in the way or anything.
Change Use quick reply on topic display (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=theme) to "Show, on by default".
Nah, it is ok![abbr=:ok:]
[/abbr]
(We might need an "ok" smilie, don't we?)
I'm not really sure why the default was to have it hidden; at the bottom of a thread it hardly gets in the way or anything.
Nah, I don't feel so.
It's been o'k for me so far, and it stays that way[abbr=:ok:]
[/abbr]
Frans, would you mind, in the "Members" [abbr=or how is it called?]"tooltip"[/abbr] menu (dropdown menu), adding a "Buddies" item? What do other folks think about it? ???
Hm, I haven't even tried that buddy list thing yet. What does it do?
Sorry if it doesn't exist as itself. It exists in my profile though, but I thought it could be comfortable to have it faster.
"Show only buddies" is present in "who's online", though, too, by the way.:)
This:
Latest Post: "Re: Profile settings and..." ( 1 January '14, 13:52:51 )
What if - in the paretheses - we had also "by Mr.User", a comma preceding?
Like
Latest Post: "Re: Profile settings and..." ( 1 January '14, 13:52:51 ; by Josh)
O'k, it was not a comma, I think a semicolon fits better
Frans, make the "toggle" in 'Profile' and 'Messages' a shortcut. It executes slow now, did you know...???
Could you be a bit more specific?
The thingy that has a tooltip "toggle blabla" or so.
In both 'messages' and 'profile': it shows/hides the folders etc. or the user's tools&funs, respectively.
It 'toggles' quite much slower than the average loading of a page here on the site.
Then I recommend not using it in toggled form. :P
"Show only buddies" is present in "who's online", though, too, by the way.
It isn't.
Maybe it WAS - I'm not sure...
Frans, what is this freaky thing (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=mlist;sa=all) doing on the "Members" page? It "creates" the exact twin of the normal "Members" page - no any difference at all! (Well, why not changing it to "buddies"?
:))
You have two options under members: view all and search. View all is the default.
I mean why is it needed as a GROSS button there then! Why not making some additional "sorting" instead?
I find the text "News: Settling in" generally an undesirable. It should appear when there are real news concerning the entire membership, in the category of the notification at My Opera that it will be closed down. Or when we are having a voting on the matter.
You're right, disabled.
Nice to have, bordering upon needed:
I don't know if you have been approached for this feature previously, but at the very beginning of each page would it be possible to insert a
"Last Post" button,
thus saving
all users from having to click on the last page, & then scroll down to the end of that last page, which if done often enough can lead to severe headaches & nose bleeds
Thank you for your consideration
@SF
There's the End button on every computer. In browsers it jumps to the bottom of the page. If it doesn't, then that's not a browser you are using.
@Frenzie
Is there a way to block or minimise forum posts by undesirable members?
There's the End button on every computer. In browsers it jumps to the bottom of the page. If it doesn't, then that's not a browser you are using.
Apart from that, you always can hit back or click on the board - where every topic item has the last post button.
I think that would be redundant.
@Frenzie
Is there a way to block or minimise forum posts by undesirable members?
In your profile you can edit your Buddy & Ignore lists. I haven't tried those features myself yet.
"Last Post" button,
thus saving all users from having to click on the last page, & then scroll down to the end of that last page, which if done often enough can lead to severe headaches & nose bleeds
As ersi and Josh said, there is a last post link on the topic index page. I made a note of it, but transplanting that functionality may be less self-evident than it seems at a glance.
@Frenzie
Is there a way to block or minimise forum posts by undesirable members?
In your profile you can edit your Buddy & Ignore lists. I haven't tried those features myself yet.
I found it and tried now. Ignore list works like at My Opera. The ignored posts show up with the content "You are ignoring this user. Show me the post." :)
Edit: But notifications when the ignored person makes a forum post do not cease :(
D&D had (*) a feature which showed all posts that an individual had posted. It was useful when looking for a remark which one remembered but forgotten where it was. Is that possible here?
(*) Without thinking I used "had...showed" and not "has...shows" - a revealing slip.
https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=8
That is, go to someone's profile and you'll find a "show posts" link.
Thanks both - fascinating.
Ahh, so we all have user numbers......Mine is 9.....Just hover on any user, & the u=# at the end of the url is the user's user number.
My user number is 9
https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;u=9
To find a users posts just put their u=# at the end of this url
https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=#
I'm guessing that my number signifies that I was the
9th person to register on [glow=green,2,300]
DnD[/glow]
That would logically make Frenzie #1
https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=1
It would be small/short, but I wonder if there is a listing somewhere of all the [glow=green,2,300]
DnD[/glow] User Numbers,
otherwise just hovering the user on the [glow=purple,2,300]
Members List[/glow] will enable you to find a User's user# & you can do the procedure manually.
Personally, I'll use a homemade FireFox Custom Button.
Are you high, bro?;)
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It would be small/short, but I wonder if there is a listing somewhere of all the DnD User Numbers, otherwise just hovering the user on the Members List will enable you to find a User's user# & you can do the procedure manually.
You're making it a bit complicated. :P Just click the link to get to the profile and then click the "show posts" link.
You're making it a bit complicated. :P Just click the link to get to the profile and then click the "show posts" link.
I agree.
The reason I went through the exercise was for those who, like myself, who just might use/want links for FireFox Custom Buttons, or FireFox Custom Button Menus, or use links for other reasons only known to them.
My suggestion was simply to outline
what could be done. If anyone chooses to use those suggestions or not, that's their choice .....
The
information I gleaned, & then outlined, is there for anyone to find or use in any way, manner, or form they so wish ......... Personally, I have no interest in any particular outcome.
Are you high, bro?;)
Yes, sis .......................................
is you?
Presently there are 2 places on a post where one can click on to modify a post that needs modification.
I would like to know if the lower modification option could also include a preview?
It would make it easier to use, & make the post modification process more uniform.
I'm asking this relative to another post (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?topic=99.msg11144#msg11144) where these two different approaches were possibly one cause where unfinalized posts led to user misunderstandings.
.
It's 100x100. I'm not sure why it doesn't display it there by default.
Punctuation is used everywhere else but here:
Hello Josh
.
Why shouldn't it be "Hello, Josh!" or something!:huh?
I would not use a comma there unless there were more words after Josh.
Not that it matters, but I wouldn't put one after Forum requirements and (un)desirables either, nor a full stop.
I would not use a comma there unless there were more words after Josh.
I don't think there happen words after me at all.:P
In case you meant the word "Josh", there is a hracking general grammatical rule about addresses. They are
always separated by a comma/commas from the surrounding clause. I don't invent English rules, dude!:lol:
I would not use a comma there unless there were more words after Josh.
I don't think there happen words after me at all.:P
In case you meant the word "Josh", there is a hracking general grammatical rule about addresses. They are always separated by a comma/commas from the surrounding clause. I don't invent English rules, dude!:lol:
What clause?
ANY clause having happened to contain the address (vocative).
I was about to meow that "it's usually imperative", but that would be bullshit.
Is " hello Josh " a clause?
.... waits for Jimbro to talk about Xmas ....
Is " hello Josh " a clause?
No way.
It looks like a meaningless sequence of graphic symbols vaguely resembling letters. To happen a clause, something ought to be part of a proper sentence in the first place.
Is " hello Josh " a clause?
No way.
It looks like a meaningless sequence of graphic symbols vaguely resembling letters. To happen a clause, something ought to be part of a proper sentence in the first place.
Then I go back to:
"I would not use a comma there unless there were more words after Josh."now that we've established that
Hello Josh is not a clause.
Did you drink?
1. Of course it's not -- why would it be! :crazy:
2. Clauses (unlike Santa Clauses) don't survive isolatedly (which means they are considered and can be shown in a linguistical context - but that's all).
Do I drink? - no - not at the moment.
I would not use a comma there unless there were more words after Josh.
I don't think there happen words after me at all.:P
In case you meant the word "Josh", there is a hracking general grammatical rule about addresses. They are always separated by a comma/commas from the surrounding clause. I don't invent English rules, dude!:lol:
So - about the comma, or the absence of one, in the phrase " Hello Josh ", which is not a clause, should be there because of some rule which is about clauses?
Is, this, something, to, do, with, hracking?
Clearly Josh is on the right track. After all, letters are written like this:
Dear, Josh,
Hello, Josh,
Bla, bla, bla.
Bla, bla, bla.
Sincerely, yours,
Yours, truly,
Me.
:whistle:
:angel:
:rip:
Move those posts to grammatical mutterings. They are a very welcome addition there. Great resource. Awesome teachings from Josh.
Move those posts to grammatical mutterings. They are a very welcome addition there. Great resource. Awesome teachings from Josh.
Yes good idea - but that should be Great, resource., Awesomesauce, teachings ,from, Josh., and one , for luck.
...in the phrase " Hello Josh "...
...now that we've established that Hello Josh is not a clause.
...nor a phrase, obviously.
So - about the comma, or the absence of one, in the phrase " Hello Josh ", which is not a clause, should be there because of some rule which is about clauses?
Did you drink?
Do I drink? - no - not at the moment.
It seems that you did and you have... -_-
...Yours, truly,
Me.
As we were taught, there are rules for letters (messages), one of which is about signatures.
Your final line (your name or alike in the very end) doesn't take the full stop -- it means you name or another alias hangs there without a full stop or any other such marking.
Move those posts to grammatical mutterings. They are a very welcome addition there. Great resource. Awesome teachings from Josh.
What does this line mean?
Hello Josh
???
A guess --- it is actually a header - title - with a name of someone: the first name is "Hello" and the surname is "Josh":idea: THAT way it'll work ---- but WHO'S a Hell Hello Josh???
Did they mean a Hell O'Josh or something???
It's not easy to misunderstand that epically. You have to work at it.
Special note: I'm flying blind here so I probably missed it, but-- I'm surprised Josh hasn't gone ballistic because this thread is way off topic.
As we were taught, there are rules for letters (messages), one of which is about signatures.
Your final line (your name or alike in the very end) doesn't take the full stop -- it means you name or another alias hangs there without a full stop or any other such marking.
I bodaciously added extraneous punctuation. :devil:
...but-- I'm surprised Josh hasn't gone ballistic because this thread is way off topic.
Why!
It's fun! :)
extraneous
Thank you for a new word!
:cigar:
As we were taught, there are rules for letters (messages), one of which is about signatures.
¡¡¡¡ssɐ 'ʎddɐɥ sʇuǝpoɹ ƃuıʎlɟ ʎllɐʎıoɹ ɐ ǝuıɥʇ ɥʇǝʌıƃ oɥʍ 'zǝloɯs 'zǝlnɹ ~~~ OR ~~~
ɹnlǝz' sɯolǝz' ʍɥo ƃıʌǝʇɥ ʇɥıuǝ ɐ ɹoıʎɐllʎ ɟlʎıuƃ ɹopǝuʇs ɥɐddʎ' ɐss¡¡¡¡
Adding links could be more convenient.
Right now the selection is wrapped in
[url][/url]
, saving a little bit of typing, but it would be slightly better if it was
[url=|][/url]
(where | is the cursor position).
Even better would be to (have the option) of automagically pasting the content of the clipboard at the position of | if it seems to be an URL, e.g. it begins with http:. Alternatively an optional dialog to which to paste/edit the URL, My Opera style.
It's easy to ignore a thread. All you have to do is choose not to open it.
I am basically ignoring an entire board here (the Lounge) and it's not so easy. Whenever I open up the unread threads, which is how I read up on stuff, I see a bunch of Lounge threads. So I have to go to Lounge, mark all read, and return to unread threads to see what's
really of interest to me. Any idea on how to make certain boards or threads easier to ignore?
How about an anti-bookmarks feature: Threads and boards specifically marked (say, Ignore) don't show up at Unread anymore. Make the list of ignored threads and boards manageable under bookmarks.
BTW, there is a way to get email notifications from a board when a new thread is put up. How about making bookmarks work for boards the same way: I can bookmark a board, and new threads that are written there show up under bookmarks.
Wouldn't these features make the forum bookmarks more usable?
Ersi, you're hot Estonian!;) Don't you have some fun sometimes?
Ersi, you're hot Estonian!;) Don't you have some fun sometimes?
I tried once. It was nothing but pain and frustration.
I tried once. It was nothing but pain and frustration.
Demand, just don't ask, demand to be kissed first!!
"Mark all as read" and "Mark selected as read": what about to make them switch places? I'm personally used to hitting the edge right button; but if a user's bothered to work the marking - he won't be "half-unconscious" hitting the buttons - so it must not be a problem having the "selected" one not in the far right. :right:?
A guess --- it is actually a header - title - with a name of someone: the first name is "Hello" and the surname is "Josh":idea: THAT way it'll work ---- but WHO'S a Hell Hello Josh???
Did they mean a Hell O'Josh or something???
Frans, is it REALLY
HARD to add a comma and a, say, excl.mark, huh?:left:
Frans, is it REALLY HARD to add a comma and a, say, excl.mark, huh? :left:
Yes, like "Hello, Josh."...
Or "Hello, Lincoln!":rolleyes: