I have a request for a match to the old InvisionCommunity functionality of being able to view the next unread post without having to return to the New Posts listing of posts (one click vs back - scroll - click).
I didn't see that you can apply this to pseudo or ad hoc nodes like the "New Posts" collection. Is the Social Feed composed of New Posts at the top, then unread posts that may not be new but that you haven't read yet? This might be a solution to my member's that want that old functionality.
Thanks for reaching out! That's a great question, and it touches on the exact friction XenSocial was designed to solve - though it approaches it from a modern angle. To answer your specific questions directly:
1.
Feed Composition & Sorting:
The Social Feed is ordered chronologically by latest activity (
last_post_date DESC), rather than unread state. It doesn't query ad-hoc collections like the "New Posts" search results, and already-read threads don't disappear from the feed - they simply flow down the stream as newer activity comes in, just like Facebook, X, or Reddit.
2.
Does it solve the "click - back - scroll - click" fatigue?
Yes, absolutely - but by eliminating the page transitions entirely. Invision's "Next Unread" button was a clever band-aid for the traditional forum workflow (jumping you from thread page to thread page without returning to the list).
XenSocial solves the root problem:
members never leave the feed in the first place. They scroll down a continuous stream, read the full post content (or click "Read more" to expand in place), view the latest replies right on the card, react, and even post replies inline using the rich text editor. There's no "back button", no returning to a list, and no re-orienting where you were on the page.
A few other details that help those members:
- Read-state sync: When members load and read replies in the Social Feed, XenSocial marks those threads as read in XenForo's native system - so if they ever do check "New Posts", it stays completely accurate.
- "My Feed" tab: Members can switch to a personalized feed that only shows threads from forums and users they actively watch/follow.
- The Navigator: Members who prefer the feed can set it as their default in Account Preferences, so thread links and alerts drop them straight to that post in the feed with a smooth scroll and highlight pulse.
That said, an
"Unread Only" filter tab for the feed is on our development roadmap to give members who want an "inbox zero" style feed the ability to view only threads with unread replies with a single click.
If your members' primary frustration is the repetitive clicking in and out of thread pages, XenSocial solves that on day one...
