New messages (aka light bulbs)

Maybe I'm doing this wrong. Perhaps someone can help. When I log into permies I see all the threads with new posts that I haven't read yet. (yellow light bulbs) As I browse through/read those threads light bulbs disappear on threads I haven't read yet. Example: Hugelculture forum has a yellow light bulb so I click on it. ( As does forest garden and many others ) Two threads in hugel have bulbs so I click and read them. When I go back to the main page ( usually by clicking "forums" ) the bulbs that were yellow in forest garden are no longer yellow. ( without me going into that sub-forum ) Am I doing something wrong? This happens in two different browsers. ( chrome and mozilla ) I have a suggestion on how the light bulbs should work, but will with hold that until I know it isn't user error aka, me

Doesn't sound like user error to me, but let me talk and ask a question or so. The light bulbs indicate unread posts (by you) in that thread - there are many threads that are cross posted into other topics. You only need to read them once and the bulb goes out in all the topics that thread is posted in. Is that what you mean or is it something else? If totally unrelated threads in a different topic have the light going out, then that would be something for the CodeRanch Volunteers to look into when they can.

If totally unrelated threads in a different topic have the light going out,

this.

This morning came to permies, many forums have bulbs lit. (Including "chickens") I do my usual reading of forums that interest me more first. After reading through hugelkultur, inner circle, wheaton lab, plants, soil etc I notice the "chickens" forum light bulb is no longer yellow. I havent yet been there. I open up chickens and there is a thread with a new response from today that I have not read. The "folder" next to the thread is not yellow either.

All this isn't a huge deal, but this site has so much info it is hard to keep with all of it by memory. (knowing which threads have new post when the light bulbs aren't on)

I don't know how often you visit, but if you visit most days then the Recent Topics link is the way to go. It's a link at the top of the forum on a PC or at the bottom of a mobile page. This lists all the topics from all the forums in starting from the most recent reply and moving back in time from there. I almost never visit the forum pages anymore unless I'm researching specific information.

Hope this was helpful.

There are two algorithms.

One algorithm is very simple and fast. It is about showing you what is new since your last visit. It is the default.

The second algorithm carefully tracks every thread for you. You can turn it on in your profile. This is the one I use (and I wish to thank the coderanch staff for implementing it - it saves me an enourmous amount of time).

The second algorithm carefully tracks every thread for you. You can turn it on in your profile. This is the one I use (and I wish to thank the coderanch staff for implementing it - it saves me an enourmous amount of time).

Thank you Paul. That is exactly what I was looking for.