Mastodawn

vga256 Jul 3, 2023

as some of you know, i'm writing a decentralized #foss reddit-like, not- #usenet server/web client called #tomo.

i'm at the stage where i need to make some decisions about how discussion groups are organized on the network, and i'd like your thoughts.

an open question for #fidoNet, #usenet and #reddit users of yore:

1. do you prefer nntp's hierarchical tree-style format for groups, e.g. alt.binaries.warez.ibm.pc.old, or reddit's flat organization of /r/mysubreddit? how about fidonet-style?

2. what's a reasonable character limit on group names? e.g. reddit enforces a 21 character limit on subreddit titles.

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Rachel Stantz Jul 3, 2023

@vga256

1. I’d prefer hierarchical names, but with a flat presentation. I don’t like drilling down through a tree UI, but the dots make it easier to visually parse.

2. 72 characters total, since it’s likely to appeal to the sort of people who want to read it in an 80x24 terminal.

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vga256 Jul 3, 2023

@arjache okay that's an interesting way of thinking about it. i'm trying to work out what that might look like, but it's giving me some ideas.

that's a *great* point re: terminal limits. i hadn't even considered that. can you school me on why 72 chars is preferable on an 80 char term?

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Rachel Stantz Jul 3, 2023

@vga256 by flat presentation I just meant, like, a list of group names. nothing too fancy!

for 72 characters: this is borrowed from git’s “50/72” rule. maybe 50 would be better? but basically, I assume you need to include room for things like indentation, label text like “To: ”, things like that. 8 characters seems like the bare minimum.

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vga256

@arjache ah okay, that's perfect. maybe a flat presentation *sorted* by dot.name would work.

ah haaaa... I didn't know that particular piece of UI knowledge! (err.. this also makes me realize how ugly my git commits are to anyone who reads them). thank you!