38 votes

Added a new setting to automatically mark notifications as read when you view the unread page

Tags: changelog

There's now a new checkbox available on your settings page for "Automatically mark all notifications read when you view the Unread Notifications page". It's off by default so that I wasn't surprising anyone by changing the current behavior.

I figured this would be a quick one to add, and it's a little simpler than a "mark all as read" button (since it doesn't have to worry about new notifications that came in after loading the page but before clicking the button).

18 comments

  1. [4]
    Stone-D
    Link
    Definitely a nice option but I’ve actually grown to appreciate being able to read the message while eating lunch, then come back to respond at a more opportune time.

    Definitely a nice option but I’ve actually grown to appreciate being able to read the message while eating lunch, then come back to respond at a more opportune time.

    16 votes
    1. [2]
      ZaphodBeebblebrox
      Link Parent
      It’s definitely nice. On Reddit, there is a feeling that you have to respond now or forever hold your peace. Being able to wait and respond later when you have a good response without having to...

      It’s definitely nice. On Reddit, there is a feeling that you have to respond now or forever hold your peace. Being able to wait and respond later when you have a good response without having to dig for the comment is nice.

      6 votes
      1. tumbzilla
        Link Parent
        I agree. I'd prefer to have a deep, insightful conversation over the course of a few days, than worry about having to respond immediately. Unfortunately, I think all sites such as this, where...

        I agree. I'd prefer to have a deep, insightful conversation over the course of a few days, than worry about having to respond immediately. Unfortunately, I think all sites such as this, where users regularly post new content, inherently discourage long drawn out discussion. This is because there's always new threads to read and discuss in...

        This feature definitely helped keep discussions going longer IMO

        Edit: I love that all of the new features are optional. Go @Deimos!!

        4 votes
    2. joelthelion
      Link Parent
      I'm with you. I think having a "mark all read" button would be more useful than this new setting.

      I'm with you. I think having a "mark all read" button would be more useful than this new setting.

  2. Silbern
    Link
    Thank you very much :D this is going to be so nice, it was pretty annoying always having to double back to mark it as read.

    Thank you very much :D this is going to be so nice, it was pretty annoying always having to double back to mark it as read.

    7 votes
  3. [8]
    Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    Thanks for that. I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to see this. What about clicking on an individual reply? Is there a plan to make that action turn off the "unread" status? I don't really...

    Thanks for that. I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to see this.

    What about clicking on an individual reply? Is there a plan to make that action turn off the "unread" status?

    I don't really want all my "unread" notifications to suddenly disappear just because I look at the notifications page. I prefer to address them one at a time. But, if I act on a particular reply (open it, reply to it), I would like its "unread" notification to disappear, because I've obviously read it.

    Currently, I right-click on 'link' to open the reply (complete with context) in a new tab, and then click on "mark as unread". I end up with multiple tabs open that way. It gets a little confusing.

    Is that feature in the pipeline? Or is it just a pipe dream?

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      Deimos
      Link Parent
      Yeah, I think it should be possible. Should it only happen if you click a link/action in the message (vote, reply, link, parent), or just clicking anywhere inside it at all? If the latter, it...

      Yeah, I think it should be possible. Should it only happen if you click a link/action in the message (vote, reply, link, parent), or just clicking anywhere inside it at all? If the latter, it would probably need a kind of styling like reddit does where it's in a box with a different background color initially that disappears when you click.

      4 votes
      1. Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        Yeah, I was a bit vague in my original request. It should respond only to a specific action (vote, reply, link, parent), not just a general click on the screen. If I perform an action on a reply,...

        Should it only happen if you click a link/action in the message (vote, reply, link, parent), or just clicking anywhere inside it at all?

        Yeah, I was a bit vague in my original request. It should respond only to a specific action (vote, reply, link, parent), not just a general click on the screen. If I perform an action on a reply, it's safe to assume I've read it, and the "unread" notification can be removed.

        4 votes
    2. [5]
      Jedi
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      The notification will only dissapear once you open the link, not when you open the notifications page. EDIT: I might be wrong, can't confirm this. This is just how I interpreted it.

      The notification will only dissapear once you open the link, not when you open the notifications page.

      EDIT: I might be wrong, can't confirm this. This is just how I interpreted it.

      1 vote
      1. [4]
        Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        You are wrong. I tested it - on your reply! (Thanks for that.) I turned this new setting on, and went to my notifications page where your unread reply was displayed. I didn't do anything on that...

        I might be wrong, can't confirm this.

        You are wrong. I tested it - on your reply! (Thanks for that.)

        I turned this new setting on, and went to my notifications page where your unread reply was displayed. I didn't do anything on that notifications page (didn't open the link to your reply). I navigated away from the notifications page by going to the home page.

        The "unread" notification for your reply disappeared. I didn't open the link, I just looked at the notifications page.

        3 votes
        1. [3]
          Jedi
          Link Parent
          Good to know, that's definitely not how I'd expect it to work. I guess I'll disable it in the meantime. Thank you for letting me know!

          Good to know, that's definitely not how I'd expect it to work. I guess I'll disable it in the meantime. Thank you for letting me know!

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            Algernon_Asimov
            Link Parent
            It's pretty much what it says on the label: "Automatically mark all notifications read when you view the Unread Notifications page".

            that's definitely not how I'd expect it to work.

            It's pretty much what it says on the label: "Automatically mark all notifications read when you view the Unread Notifications page".

            6 votes
            1. Jedi
              Link Parent
              Yeesh, you're right, apparently I suck at reading.

              Yeesh, you're right, apparently I suck at reading.

              3 votes
  4. Paradoxa
    Link
    tbh i dont get why people made such a fuss about it. the much, much bigger problem was between whether or not you'd visit the comment link for context and have it sit in your inbox. its cool you...

    tbh i dont get why people made such a fuss about it. the much, much bigger problem was between whether or not you'd visit the comment link for context and have it sit in your inbox.

    its cool you guys did that, but can we please automark upon clicking on the Link button next?

    5 votes
  5. [2]
    Jedi
    Link
    What're you doing up adding features so late? Glad to see it get added.

    What're you doing up adding features so late?

    Glad to see it get added.

    4 votes
    1. Deimos
      Link Parent
      It's 10 PM, it won't be what I'd consider "up late" for another 6 hours or so.

      It's 10 PM, it won't be what I'd consider "up late" for another 6 hours or so.

      12 votes
  6. ContemplativePanda
    Link
    This is why I have faith in the future of humanity

    This is why I have faith in the future of humanity

    1 vote