Site Updates Automatic Double-Post Merging

We've added a new feature that merges posts made in quick succession, to help tidy up threads where members make their replies over multiple posts:



New posts will still trigger alerts/notifications as before. Right now we've set the timeout for the feature at an hour, but will revise over time.

There's an exception set for the first reply to a new thread

 

[S.O.H™]

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

yes

New post automatically merged: 3rd Jan, 2026

 

[Moon]

Sorry but i really hate this feature. I wanted to post 3 quick seperate posts in a thread i created, but gave up as merging. Also hate reading these merged posts. Can not see any point at all, pelase dump them.

 

[Scriptoh]

Sorry but i really hate this feature. I wanted to post 3 quick seperate posts in a thread i created, but gave up as merging. Also hate reading these merged posts. Can not see any point at all, pelase dump them.

I agree - think its all about server space i could be wrong though

 

[Moon]

I agree - think its all about server space i could be wrong though

I cant see that, ban photos would save space but text nope. Guessing an idea to improve threads and readability, but for me it’s a total backfire, hate it.

 

[Scriptoh]

I cant see that, ban photos would save space but text nope. Guessing an idea to improve threads and readability, but for me it’s a total backfire, hate it.

In terms of readability its defo a hindrance

 

[Lank72]

Post in thread '🌞 What Are You Consuming Today?'

10th Jan, 2026

Feedback noted, thanks @Moon

Ditto, I don't like the auto wrangler! I don't think it suits this thread which has rapid bursts of posts, I find it hard to work out if I have been replied to and so on.

• OldBloke

• 
• 

@OldBloke, posting your feedback here to the relevant thread also

 

[Muiredach]

The reason it was introduced is that we have seen some members spamming continual replies to the same topic, in a way that seems like they're just trying to raise their post count by breaking a simple reply up into multiple posts per line - instead of just writing in one. It's frustrating reading a topic and having to scroll through 5 separate one line posts to find the next reply. I've used systems like the above on most forums I've run past 20 years.

It's been raised in our little staff area here too, the potential alternate solution I proposed was instead adding a minimum time between new replies to the sane thread, and instead prompting members to edit their previous reply if needed.

There are times making two separated replies works well and makes most sense – it'd be good to hear more feedback from members in general.

 

[joint_account]

I didn't realise it was so disliked. I can't say I've been too bothered by it.

Im wondering if a return to the old system and then warning spam commenters to edit comments rather than write new ones where appropriate would suffice.

But like I say, I didn't realise it was so divisive.

 

[Scriptoh]

Can we get an example of what isn't acceptable cause I know I post alot of messages, sometimes in a row before anyone replies - not for any gains I just like chatting...

 

[joint_account]

Can we get an example of what isn't acceptable cause I know I post alot of messages, sometimes in a row before anyone replies

Is this your doing

 

[Scriptoh]

Is this your doing

no comment

 

[joint_account]

no comment

Youve only been back a week

 

[S.O.H™]

#1 Public Enemy Scriptoh

 

[Scriptoh]

Youve only been back a week

think it was preparation for my return...

nah jk surely i aint the only nutter thats on the radar...

I know my suspects...

 

[joint_account]

think it was preparation for my return...

Preparing for the anti-christ

 

[Scriptoh]

#1 Public Enemy Scriptoh

 

[S.O.H™]

Preparing for the anti-christ

 

[TheGreenAvenger]

Makes things easier in the threads when as you mentioned 3/4/5 different messages are posted within quick succession, still aligns them oldest to newest when merged so I don't mind it at all

 

[OldBloke]

My dysautonomic brain finds it very hard to perceive whats what in a large merged post.8(

I am sysop on a forum I created over 20 years ago, admin and mod on others. I started on dial up BBS systems pre- public internet, where I ran Amiga servers for my sins.

I found that such posts are best dealt with by mods, unfortunately you then need more of them. Auto-merging does not educate forum members, imho it encourages lazier thinking as the issue is corrected for them.

But I'll go with the flow on this other than to say others may not be able to process the text in the same way you can

EDITED for sense.