Can We Please Have a 'Hide All Child Comments' Feature

bohn on 03/10/2018 - 15:41
Last edited 05/10/2018 - 09:57 by 1 other user

Quite often the comments of posts are filled up with 'funny' comments, which people reply to creating dozens more comments that really add nothing to the deal or post. It would be nice to have the ability to hide all child comments and view only the direct responses to the post/deal.
I use the hide all child comments all the time at Reddit, with the help of Reddit Enhancement Suite addon, and it would be nice if it could be added to ozb. Or perhaps someone wants to make an addon or whatever.

What you reckon, Scotty?

Site Discussion

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 03/10/2018 - 15:49
    -3

    +1

    An option also is to report the funny comment/s as offtopic, so a mod will remove them from view

    • whooah1979 on 03/10/2018 - 15:55
      +147

      Hiding funny posts is un-australian.

      • Wystri Warrick on 04/10/2018 - 11:46

        That you Max?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 04/10/2018 - 11:50
        +1

        Hiding funny posts is un-australian.

        Tell that to the moderators.

        One or more of them don't seem to appreciate that visitors come here for more than just deals, and those same visitors click the affiliate links and advertisements which pay their salaries.

        OzBargain is a complex community ecosystem of deals, advice and jokes. The more users enjoy their experience here, the more likely they are to share deals when they find them. So everyone who volunteers their time and effort to provide content to this site should be valued.

        tl;dr:

        fun → participation + clicks
        participation → content
        content + clicks → revenue

        • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 12:37
          +1

          Judging by what the mods have allowed in this thread I don't think we have anything to be worried about in that regard.

          If you are getting your posts removed regularly it must be drivel that goes beyond what we have encountered here. cheers :)

        • 1Kenobi on 04/10/2018 - 20:43

          Sure make the comments just don’t make me read them

  • Ryanek on 03/10/2018 - 15:52
    +39

    Party poopers

    • 87percent on 03/10/2018 - 17:54
      +35

      You said 'poop'

  • MITM on 03/10/2018 - 15:52
    +1

    A "Peekaboo" button.

  • Moderatorscrimshaw on 03/10/2018 - 15:57

    I don't know if you have noticed it, but if you hover your mouse cursor to the left of the user's avatar, a normally hidden "-" button shows up. If you click it, it hides the parent comment and all replies to it.

    • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 15:59
      +13

      Sorry that's not the same thing at all.

      • Moderatorscrimshaw on 03/10/2018 - 16:02

        Do you mean you only want to see top level comments and not replies to comments?

        • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 16:04
          +7

          Yes.

          • cypher67 on 03/10/2018 - 16:45
            +3

            @bohn: I don't think it is the same. I think what you are asking for is an additional button with the + - votes on comments with the addition of a laughing smiley face, so if the comment is funny you dont + vote it, you click the funny button. Then at the top of the page you would have a hide funny counter that you can set to like 5 funnies and hides any posts deemed funny leaving the helpful and/or boring comments.

    • Mattmattmatt on 04/10/2018 - 12:04
      +3

      I didn't notice that button before, thanks for pointing it out!

    • wheretobuychocettes on 04/10/2018 - 14:51
      +4

      I know it's difficult trying to fit features onto mobile sometimes - but it would really help seemingly endless scrolling to get to other parent comments.

      Any chance of that coming across to mobile? =]

      • Moderatorscrimshaw on 04/10/2018 - 15:00

        I'll ask Scotty at the next Ozbargain meeting.

      • ChillBro on 06/10/2018 - 02:36
        -1

        Reddit can do it fine however.

      • Moderatorscrimshaw on 10/10/2018 - 11:59

        This has been put on the todo list.

  • tsunamisurfer on 03/10/2018 - 15:59
    +24

    How would the system know it is a 'child' comments?

    Can these criteria include :

    • AMG High Yield 'jokes'
    • MS Paint comments.
    • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2018 - 16:55
      +12

      We might need to do some DNA testing to determine the true Parent of some of these child comments.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 04/10/2018 - 12:00

        The best comments are immaculately conceived.

    • idonotknowwhy on 03/10/2018 - 17:03

      And any comments mentioning "JACK"

      • Gandalf the Thrifty on 03/10/2018 - 17:21
        +3

        Every comment in ebay %off deal then?

        • orangetrain on 04/10/2018 - 08:42

          The jacking is a joke, op clearly doesn't want to see those comments.

      • cantstanzya on 04/10/2018 - 20:22
        +3

        So no Jackie Chan drinking Jack Daniels while Jack knifing a holding Jackaroo he car jacked from a lumberjack who was jackhammering Jack's crack that's deep enough to fish for mangrove Jack out the back while talking smack about eBay deals?

    • pegaxs on 03/10/2018 - 23:15
      +1

      Or the top comments being about using bikies to solve problems or paying fines using eneloops.

      What we need is a thread ranking system, where valuable comments make their way to the top of the first page instead of starting 1/2 way down the page and ending up on page 3 after all the shit posters make their posts.

      • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 07:57
        -1

        you mean like reddit? ;)

        • pegaxs on 04/10/2018 - 09:04
          +1

          Yeah, similar. Sort by new/oldest, most upvoted/downvoted. That kind of thing.

          • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 09:13

            @pegaxs: I totally agree. Here is a recent example where that would be useful.. it doesn't involve 3 pages of comments, but it is a good example of it. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/6416582/redir
            Here an item is $9.99, but a comment indicates that you can get it for $5 by joining the auto club. It is the most upvoted parent comment, therefore it would be the most useful at the very top for everyone to see.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 04/10/2018 - 12:09
            +1

            @pegaxs: Just so long as users have the choice of sorting algorithms. Some like to zoom to the best comments, some like to read discussions, others like both.

            That way everyone gets what they want and you don't annoy half the community.

    • blehgg on 04/10/2018 - 10:52
      +4

      I think he meant childish

  • dazweeja on 03/10/2018 - 16:11
    +3

    This would be simple to do in a Chrome/Firefox extension or Tamperscript. All replies to comments are contained within ul.comment.level1.

    • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 16:36
      +2

      Any info on how to implement it? I do have tampermonkey running.
      Obviously it would be better if scotty implemented it on the site.

      • dazweeja on 03/10/2018 - 17:42
        +5

        OK, here's the Tampermonkey script. Hides all comment replies and adds a link below the parent comment to hide/show replies (next to 'reply', 'votes', etc).

        https://github.com/dazweeja/tamperscripts/raw/master/ozbarga…

        If this works for you, feel free to add it to the post.

        • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 18:26

          Thanks for the script. With this script it would be a matter of constantly turning the script on and off - and once the script is on, it will apply to all posts until it is turned off again. I am really hoping scotty can add a similar function to the site which applies on a per post basis, so, if a post needs the child comments hidden, the next post you view is normal, and it can be applied if needed again.

          • dazweeja on 03/10/2018 - 19:14
            +3

            @bohn: You could do exactly that with Tampermonkey too but I'm not being paid enough to write it ;)

            • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 20:46

              @dazweeja: heh ;)

              • dazweeja on 03/10/2018 - 23:03
                +3

                @bohn: Did it anyway. You should see 'hide replies' next to the 'COMMENT' heading with this one.

                https://github.com/dazweeja/tamperscripts/raw/master/ozbarga…

                Remove the old one if you don't want it.

                  • theguyrules on 04/10/2018 - 10:37
                    +2

                    @bohn: Perfect time to learn some JavaScript!

                    • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 22:04

                      @theguyrules: True. Also the best thing about editing it myself, I can change it to say 'hide all child comments'.

                  • Scrooge McDuck on 04/10/2018 - 12:15
                    +6

                    @bohn: And can you also wax my car while you're at it. cheers :)

                • nith265 on 05/10/2018 - 10:54

                  @dazweeja: good work - would be trivial to add this to OzB with a new DB toggle value in the profile section to enable/disable it.

                  the big thing however that would stop it being done is refactoring how pagination is handled

                  • bohn on 05/10/2018 - 16:41

                    @nith265: yeah, I have it working pretty much, but it will only do one page at a time obviously. Still handy as a short-term fix.

  • pformag on 03/10/2018 - 16:18
    +24

    Maybe change "child comments" to "comment replies", and people might actually understand what you want.

    I enjoy the reply comments, as they tend to be funnier that the original comment.

    • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 16:32
      -1

      I've seen scotty refer to parent comments on numerous occasions, and the mod above also referred them. It makes sense if a parent comment is a top level comment, then child comments are the replies to that.

      But anyway, I'm glad you now know.

      • Illian on 03/10/2018 - 22:22

        Wow, ok, so one person that essentially nobody here or in the general public has ever heard of has referred to these as 'parent' and 'child' comments. On numerous occasions no less, perhaps even dozens! Therefore every internet-using person on this planet should no doubt have innate knowledge of this wording? Is that correct? That is the basis upon which you would refuse to refer to them as anything self-explanatory or recognisable? Yes, I can see you are exactly the kind of person who would ask this question, and want this feature.

        • Godric on 03/10/2018 - 22:56

          I was thinking of how Windows handles 'Collapsing', when you choose to collapse a branch of folders, they hide aside from the 'parent' folder which is the opposite of what OP is trying to say.

          I'm sure OP had an idea that his post wasn't all that clear and would be misunderstood, probably half his intent.

        • abb on 04/10/2018 - 09:20
          +7

          one person that essentially nobody here […] has ever heard of

          Scotty is the site owner?

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/1

          Parent/Child is very common terminology in computing (and other fields too - "parent company", for example).

        • jayniner on 04/10/2018 - 10:40
          +2

          As a developer it is standard terminology bud.

        • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 12:03

          haha.. oh boy.

      • Miss B on 04/10/2018 - 13:08

        If only you'd used the correct terminology and explained in further detail within the post…

        • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 13:43
          -1

          My post was directed to scotty (the site administrator for those that still do not know hah), as evinced by 'What you reckon, Scotty?'.

          Should I have dumbed the post down a bit more, for the 'regular ozbargainer' ?

          • tastybaklava on 04/10/2018 - 16:13
            +1

            @bohn: Sounds like you're getting mad, bro. You mad, bro?

    • smpantsonfire on 04/10/2018 - 13:45
      +1

      Case in Point on the first comment of the thread

  • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2018 - 16:31
    +26

    I would prefer a feature of only show child like comments. I come here for the comments as much as the deals. Maybe my life is sad?

  • geek001 on 03/10/2018 - 16:40
    +4

    +1. I can see how this feature might be useful. Some comments can have replies that span pages. Especially on a deal that is currently "hot" and a comment touch on a sensitive subject that has nothing to do with the deal.

    • pegaxs on 03/10/2018 - 23:20
      +4

      This…

      I have seen some great and very valid, on topic and researched informative comments end up on page three after all the shit posters try their hand at karma whoring.

      I’ve started blocking a lot of the shit posters, so when I get to some threads, a lot of it is already collapsed ahead of my arrival.

      • geek001 on 04/10/2018 - 09:28
        +1

        Oh thanks, I didn't know I could block certain posters to avoid this problem.

      • rompastompa on 04/10/2018 - 12:24

        blocking a lot of the shit posters

        Is that why you keep ignoring me? ;)

        • pegaxs on 04/10/2018 - 13:20
          +1

          You're safe, rompa… For now! :D

          It's mainly for the "can't be told" idiots, who, even in the face of undeniable evidence and facts, will still argue that black is white.

  • DarthAntz on 03/10/2018 - 16:51
    +1

    Please implement this feature

    • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2018 - 16:56

      came here to see this

      • muncan on 04/10/2018 - 09:55

        Nosedive

        • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 10:12

          Black Mirror is awesome, although some episodes are too much even for me.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 04/10/2018 - 12:39

      Has no one told them that 1984 was a dystopic novel?

      • DarthAntz on 04/10/2018 - 12:53

        The worlds got enough people now, lets just see how it goes

      • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 21:11

        Governemnt seems to have picked it up as a plan of action, damn you Orwell, damn you shakes fist at sky

  • ausdday on 03/10/2018 - 16:52
    +1

    what if it's really commented by a child? Are we all child-ist now?

  • Godric on 03/10/2018 - 17:36
    +9

    Childish comments is what i like about Ozbargain, you're able to have a joke.

    Want a heavily moderated forum that has killed a community? WP Forums may be for you.

    • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 17:44
      +4

      Sorry you must have misunderstood. I think that an option to hide child comments would result in less moderation. As one user suggested above, the alternative is to report posts as off-topic, which would result in more moderation and work for the mods.

      In case anyone is confused, what I am proposing only hides it for the user who clicks 'hide child comments' - not for everyone. Not sure why you think what I am proposing makes ozbargain more heavily moderated. I would appreciate clarification.

      • Godric on 03/10/2018 - 17:55

        So you want a system that automatically scans for Childish Comments for you to be able to toggle off and on?

        Mods from my understanding review most/all posts, and label/collapse comments they dictate off topic for which then you won't read unless you expand the thread.

        If you have a higher sensitivity to what you deem a Childish Comment than that's probably on you to collapse said comment individually, which let's be honest is not a difficult action to have to do.

        • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 18:02
          +6

          Child comments have nothing to do with childish comments, just as parent comments have nothing to do with your family members.

          • Godric on 03/10/2018 - 18:07

            @bohn: Oh, so want a collapse all feature then, where all replies to to the parent comment are hidden not just the ones that have been labelled off-topic?

            • Quantumcat on 03/10/2018 - 18:10
              +1

              @Godric: Yes this

            • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 18:10
              +2

              @Godric: Yes but the reason I didn't call it a collapse all, is collapse hides the parent comment as well.
              That's why it's called hide all child comments.

              • Quantumcat on 03/10/2018 - 19:08

                @bohn: Collapse would be hiding everything but the top level nodes

  • Ozbargainite on 03/10/2018 - 17:37
    +25

    REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

    I live for the shitposters in the comments. Can we get a function that filters out deal or post related comments, a hide all parent comments if you will.

    • pegaxs on 03/10/2018 - 23:24
      +1

      I want a “sort by highest + votes” just for this.

      But I like reading people getting rickety rickety REKT in the comments, so a nice “sort by most - votes” would also be cool…

    • hooyn on 04/10/2018 - 14:19
      +1

      Yes please. It would be nice to have the ability to hide all parents and serious comments and view only the memes and shitpost responses to the post/deal. Some of us come here not only for bargains but for lafs.

    • muncan on 04/10/2018 - 15:01

      Set your homepage to www.ozbargain.com.au/user/14180

  • bluedolphinsmangos on 03/10/2018 - 18:01

    I prefer not to comment on this. Woops.

  • Quantumcat on 03/10/2018 - 18:08
    +3

    Wow, I would never have thought so many people would be so computer/maths illiterate to have never heard of the concept of parent/child

    • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 18:34

      It surprised me as well.

      • Ozbargainite on 03/10/2018 - 19:12
        +1

        Sarcasm is beyond some people.

        • bohn on 03/10/2018 - 19:16
          -1

          There's obviously some of that too.

          • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 04:19
            +1

            @bohn: I never would have imagined someone would miss that everyone was just taking the piss out of them.

            • bohn on 04/10/2018 - 07:24
              +1

              @[Deactivated]: Don't worry stormii, I knew I could count on you to understand. At least Godric now knows, but now he thinks my 'post wasn't all that clear and would be misunderstood, probably half his intent'. That's ozbargain for ya. ;)

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 00:19
      +1

      My commenting style is part Binary Space Partitioning, part Sparse Voxel Octree.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 04:21
        -1

        deep

      • abb on 04/10/2018 - 09:21

        Bro, do you even Translation Lookaside Buffer?

  • hawkeye on 03/10/2018 - 18:25

    Most of the big threads go to 3 pages before they lose steam so I can understand the frustration of wasting 3 minutes of my life reading funny and off topic.
    Someone should start a thread with a poll of course on what would of you'd done with your extra 3 minutes of life by not reading relevant to the thread about Ebay 20%, HJ vouchers. Missed flight in Thailand I earn 500K PA how to cut my tax ect ect.

    For those who don't do you bank the time saved for the end of year? Or for when your just about to visit death? Do you write time vouchers for yourself? Would the Grim Reaper except them and give an extra 5 hrs of life? Would the Grim Reaper take time off the mods to balance the time payment?

  • [Deactivated] on 03/10/2018 - 18:49
    +1

    There should be a trigger warning.

  • kahn on 03/10/2018 - 19:22
    +7

    My comments look eighteen.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 04:21
      +1

      I'm sorry but we are going to have to card check you.

  • burningrage on 03/10/2018 - 19:36
    +12

    Lol. 50% of posters here are confused between child comments and childish comments.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2018 - 04:22
      +6

      or they are deliberately making childish child comments for the OP not to read.

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