Rich text editor behavior
I'd like to get your opinions regarding the behavior of the rich text editor. As it is configured now, if you click on the (Open rich text editor) link when composing a post, a huge popup appears, completely covering your entire page. This huge size bears no relation at all to how your post will appear when you are done. I personally hate this behavior and find it very counter-intuitive. I cannot think of any other site that uses this configuration.
The alternative is for the existing text box to change in place, with the formatting buttons appearing along the top edge of the existing text box. This leaves you in the same context where you were, you can still easily see a prior post you may be responding to, and the width of your text is essentially the same as it will be in final form when you post.
Another thing that can happen with the current configuration is that it's possible to edit the same post in both places! This just happened to me. I had not considered the issue before, but I was composing a post, went to refer to something elsewhere, and when I returned to continue composing I was on the main page; the rich text popup was covered by another window and I forgot for a moment that I had opened it. So I ended up cutting and pasting the new text from one to the other. Annoying!
I do not see what purpose the popup editor window serves, and if the decision were mine, I would change it. It is a simple matter of changing a single checkbox to do this, so there's no labor involved, it's just an issue of preference. Please, people, can we get a little feedback?
David, I am following these
David, I am following these discussions at about 50%. Since I don't have a deep understanding I need to SEE what you are saying. Any chance you could send me screen shots or something so I can really understand what you are saying? Also, with these changes I need to understand the consequences of the change. Losses and benefits. But this is a great way to discuss stuff. I will make sure to give everyone a push to chime in. Thanks!
Do you ever use the rich text editor?
Just click on the (Open rich text editor) link below the lower left-hand corner of the text box when you are composing a post like this one (and this function appears in other text editing contexts as well). That's what I am talking about.
Ok so I opened the rich text
Ok so I opened the rich text editor and I see what you are saying. There is no need for a separate pop up box. This box should just replace the non rich text editor. You know what else drives me nuts. The need to input a URL to post an image. Why cant we post images from our own computer. Just seems like an unnecessary extra step. Facebook, myspace, flicker etc they all allow you to upload a picture from you c drive. I also have forgotten how to do this anyway! ARGH! I hate when stuff is not intuitive :(
Anyway, yes the extra pop up window is not necessary. With that said. What effect would changing this (you said it could be changed with a click) have on the rest of the website in the short term and long run.
Also when I was done typing and hit ok. Nothing happened. Said there was an error on the page and I just had to copy everything I typed and put it this window, the non rich text editor boxy thingy. So...don't know what that's all about?
The editor does seem a little buggy
I haven't noticed the glitch you had, but I have seen other buggy behavior with this editor as it is set up here that I have not seen on other sites using the same editor (could be a different, possibly newer version elsewhere).
I cannot see how changing the editor to not pop up would have any affect on the site other than the desired one. The rich text editor has no affect on posts except just when it is actually being used to edit them.
Window size
I agree that the RTE box should not be expanded. As much as possible, it should be WYSIWYG, so we don't have to redisplay to see what would be on the live page.
So, shall we change it?
Nobody has spoken up in favor or keeping it the way it is, I think. So, I don't know what happens next. I can go in and change it, but Michael may feel that's inappropriate. Should I just do it? It's just a matter of a single checkbox.
To get any rich text editor fully WYSIWYG takes some custom CSS editing in my experience, so I think the time to get it really dialed in is after a new theme gets set up, supposing that that happens. The theme will determine what the target is, in terms of tuning the editor to match it.
In a related matter, we can make it so previewing your post is optional. It is mandatory now, which feels a little controlling to me. Again, it's just a checkbox kind of change.