"This message was edited..."

I'm curious as to why the "This message was edited..." text needs to be put in with messages after editing a post? We are well aware that we have just edited our own posts. What purpose does it serve? It doesn't really seem to do much but take up space. I was wondering if the annoying text might be discontinued?

TC

I think it helps those of us who read a post, then hapen to re-read it after it's been edited. (It keeps us from scratching a bald spot on our heads while we wonder if we IMAGINED reading something different, or if really read differently the first time ;o)

Yes, it especially makes sense when replies further on down refer to a post and the referral no longer makes sense. If we see the post was edited, we know the comments were about something that's been modified.

I see y'alls points. Still it'd be nice to have the option of either having original text displayed after editing or not. Personally, I find it annoying as I stated.

Terry, do you think it'd be viable to have the option of having edited text displayed or not?

Again, thanks.

TC

Something many don't realize is that any previous edited on... lines can be deleted from the bottom of posts when they're re-edited. You can just delete those previously-added "edited" lines from the bottom of the post you're editing. This is especially important in posts which people update regularly with new information (like roundup organizational threads, round-robin threads, etc.).

This message was edited Jul 18, 2005 5:22 PM

I'm a little confused, so bear with me.

1) If you asking if we can show the "before" and "after" versions of posts that have been edited, I doubt it. There are legitimate reasons to edit out things (a post that wasn't well thought out in advance, or an email address the user thought better of after they posted it, etc.) To display them pre- and post-editing defeats the purpose of having an edit button.

2) If you are asking if we can have the option of displaying "edited" when we edit our own posts, again, I doubt it. The edit message is more for the benefit of other readers, rather than the person who edited the post.

3) If you are asking if each person can choose whether or not to see the "this message was edited" at the bottom of posts, that would be a Dave question. He may want to fiddle with the settings to allow this intensive level of customization; then again, he may not.

When I step back and think about how much personalization and customization Dave gives us as users, I'm personally reluctant to demand more - at some point, it puts unnecessary strain on the system to remember thousands of unique combinations for each user, and becomes a maintenance nightmare for Dave - one change can upset the whole applecart. (We may not like seeing the "edit" message, but let's keep in mind that many sites don't let you edit your posts at all, and few allow you to really tweak your view of things as much as DG does currently.) Just something to keep in perspective.

Thanks Terry,

All I really wanted was the option to not show the "This message was edited..." text. I didn't know it would involve all what you said it would.

I apologize for bothering you.

It has been suggested that the proper thing to do is to say "Edited for . . . (state reason here)" at the time of making changes. Many folks kindly do so.

Edited for demonstration purposes.

This message was edited Jul 18, 2005 5:05 PM

I do that too, most times Ulrich. It does help in letting a reader know why the edit took place.

So do I - would need to less often if my fingers would hit the right keys - or I was any good at proof reading!!