XF 2.2 Deleting custom thread fields - I don't think the current functionality is good. It makes them risky to use so I don't use them for anything important

[MaximilianKohler]

Sorry if this was posted before. I looked through the first of ten pages https://xenforo.com/community/search/4737262/?q=custom+thread+field&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

I discovered that if you delete a "custom thread field" it (and its content) will be deleted from all previous threads that used them. It's irreversible. This was not the expected behavior. I did not expect the user-submitted content to be deleted. Thankfully, I was only in the testing phase.

But because of this, I stopped using them as their intended purpose, and instead use the "field description" to list information I want people to include in their post, and they can copy-paste that in. I pair it with a "checkbox field type" containing "I included all required info". And then I hide the field with CSS.

I think this is not ideal and I'm sure someone's going to delete one and lose a ton of content. There really should be some warning explaining this when you're deleting one. Also, I think the deletion behavior should be modified to give you options on what to do with the old content when you delete the "custom thread field". The behavior I expected was that existing posts would not be impacted, or at least the content the user inputted would not be deleted.

Currently, there's only a "delete" button. I would suggest an on/off option as well. Turning one off could save the existing content but no longer allow it to be selectable for new threads (nvm, I guess setting "Applicable forums" to "none" may work, though I'm unsure and don't want to test it due to concerns about it modifying existing content).

EDIT: Hmm, you moved it to XenForo questions and support but I don't think that's correct. I'm giving feedback that the current way "deleting custom thread fields" works is not good.

 

[TPerry]

EDIT: Hmm, you moved it to XenForo questions and support but I don't think that's correct. I'm giving feedback that the current way "deleting custom thread fields" works is not good.

Pretty sure if you assign that custom thread field to only moderators/admins, then it won't delete it, but it is also no longer available to normal users to edit.



Honestly.. If I delete a field, I expect the content to go also, as then you only have "dead" content with no ability to display/reference it because the custom thread field no longer exists that it was associated with.

 

[MaximilianKohler]

Not sure what you mean by "dead content". Let's give an example:

Custom thread field (Let's say OS for example): User input (Ubuntu)

What is "dead" about the above? I would expect the above content to remain in this comment if the "custom thread field" is deleted. I wouldn't expect it to "edit" my comment to remove the content of my comment.

 

[Paul B]

The content is dependant on the field.

Delete the field and the content is also deleted.

I wouldn't expect it to "edit" my comment to remove the content of my comment.

Your post is not edited.
The content is no longer present in the database to be displayed in the post.

 

[TPerry]

What is "dead" about the above? I would expect the above content to remain in this comment if the "custom thread field" is deleted. I wouldn't expect it to "edit" my comment to remove the content of my comment.

If you remove the custom thread field by deleting it... HOW are you going to associate the data to be displayed?
You can't, because the deleted field is gone and that data is directly related to THAT custom thread field.
That's why I said you can probably limit the input to moderators/admins and the data will still display, but nobody can edit the existing data and they won't get prompted for the ability to fill it out.

And yes, I make fairly extensive use of custom fields on my site, so am familiar with the restrictions involved in them.

 

[MaximilianKohler]

This is the expected behavior and exactly what I wanted: https://community.centminmod.com/forums/install-upgrades-or-pre-install-questions.8/create-thread

This addon enables it:
[Liam W.] Post Macros https://xenforo.com/community/resources/liam-w-post-macros.5631/
[XFA] Thread Template - XF2 https://xenforo.com/community/resources/xfa-thread-template-xf2.6531/ - $5
or
[OzzModz] Thread & Quick Reply Placeholders & Templates https://xenforo.com/community/resources/ozzmodz-thread-quick-reply-placeholders-templates.8167/ - free.

I think the default feature should have an option to behave like that (simply inserts prefilled text).

 

[Vercingetorix]

This is the expected behavior and exactly what I wanted: https://community.centminmod.com/forums/install-upgrades-or-pre-install-questions.8/create-thread

This addon enables it:
[Liam W.] Post Macros https://xenforo.com/community/resources/liam-w-post-macros.5631/
[XFA] Thread Template - XF2 https://xenforo.com/community/resources/xfa-thread-template-xf2.6531/ - $5
or
[OzzModz] Thread & Quick Reply Placeholders & Templates https://xenforo.com/community/resources/ozzmodz-thread-quick-reply-placeholders-templates.8167/ - free.

I think the default feature should have an option to behave like that (simply inserts prefilled text).

@MaximilianKohler

Hey I genuinely would like to thank you for your remarkable efforts regarding the comprehensive walkthrough/guides/resources you've been so thoughtfully journaling online as you've progressed—(*for others to freely-optionally benefit from.)

I have found your resource's guidance tremendously encouraging & very helpful indeed...

...and, tbh I think some of the most significantly influential factors are afforded due your particularly relatable insightfulness, the sound-objective reasonability, the non-judgemental stance bourne of experiential comprehension & such highly developed perspectives from which you've so far presented these resources.

Imo, to me, it seems that what you're selflessly creating there, is extraordinarily constructive—& no doubt will certainly be greatly beneficial for many.

Well done @MaximilianKohler!
You have my sincerest gratitude.

 

[MaximilianKohler]

Thanks. I'm assuming you got here from my Xenforo setup guide and are referring to that?

I find it to be quite natural and logical to document undertakings so that others can simply follow in your footsteps rather than have thousands of people struggle to accomplish the same thing numerous times. I've also been quite frustrated with how few people recognize the value of doing such things, and do it themselves. It's "selfish to the point of being unintelligent and harmful to oneself" because if most people did it, then most people would benefit from other people doing it.

One of many signs of our current dystopia, unfortunately.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Thanks. I'm assuming you got here from my Xenforo setup guide and are referring to that?

I find it to be quite natural and logical to document undertakings so that others can simply follow in your footsteps rather than have thousands of people struggle to accomplish the same thing numerous times. I've also been quite frustrated with how few people recognize the value of doing such things, and do it themselves. It's "selfish to the point of being unintelligent and harmful to oneself" because if most people did it, then most people would benefit from other people doing it.

One of many signs of our current dystopia, unfortunately.

Far out, you really do possess an astonishingly insightful capacity!

Imo, this is striking especially relative to our current species wide - individually & societally diminished states - where contrastingly - you seem to bare highly developed—rarified qualities which I've not often encountered at all online but a handful of times.

Anyways, with regards for your response:

-I am in full agreement with your expressed opinions-(& also mildly in awe)

-Oh, and yes sir, you certainly are correct in that I was referring to your exceptional Xenforo setup guide.(*To me, it easily comprises the most reasonable, comprehensive & concise provisions of XF guidance I've come across.)

Now...I must admit that I am truly surprised to find myself so ever increasingly impressed upon positively - the more I read of your-(*imo)-very uncommon profundity. It is indeed humbling af!

Just quickly, I'd also like to take this opportunity to offer my genuine apologies to you - for roughly 2-3 months ago I had indeed erroneously misjudged you during our very brief interactions regarding the custom extended thread title add-on thing.
The reality I now know - was/is that I had been wholly mistaken and I am sorry for my error @MaximilianKohler

Regardless, it has been an honour meeting you @MaximilianKohler
Cheers