[wp-forums] Pastebin requirement

[Rich Pedley]

long blocks of code also affect the admin side of things, so it isn't 
just the front end that would need addressing, it is the admin side as 
well.

Some code blocks have caused major issues.
a lot aren't correctly marked up
asking volunteer mods to repost the code elsewhere may be asking too much.


there is no easy solution, blocks of code will always cause problems. 
We did look into the feasibility of stopping code being posted, but it 
only worked if people used the correct tags.

Rich



On 09/10/2011 08:08, Tom Barrett wrote:
> Hi
>
> Currently, when a user posts a long block of code in the support forums, a
>> moderator will delete it and says that posting long blocks of code is
>> against the rules.
>>
>
>
>> In short, everyone looses.
>>
>
> I think there is a small set of people that don't :)
>
>
>> a) allow long blocks of code directly in the forums.
>>
>
> This would definitely make them too noisy?
>
>
>> b) the moderator doesn't just remove the code, but also posts it on
>> pastebin
>> and posts a link back to the thread.
>>
>> c) Add a notice close to the submission form with a link to pastebin so
>> that
>> users know about the requirement.
>>
>
> As previously noted by others, people will not read these notices.
> Additionally I think the external link to pastebin will put people off, as
> it can be a fickle world out there.
>
>
>> d) Allow long blocks of code directly in the forums, but with a "show /
>> hide" link
>
>
> I like this one. Easy to moderate, no loss of data and no need to visit
> another site.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I think pastebin is excellent, however I would be
> slightly concerned that having to open another window or tab will put up a
> slight barrier. In my experience forum and mailing list questions using
> pastebin get less responses than a spammy (possibly rule-breaking) post.
>