Google groups no longer provides pinned posts, program highlighting?

57 views
Skip to first unread message

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 12, 2020, 4:00:05 PM11/12/20
to leo-editor

Imo, the so-called "classic" form of google groups was significantly better than the "new improved" version, which lacks pinned messages and syntax highlighting for program text.

Am I mistaken, or are we stuck with a much inferior group? I can no longer see any way to use classic groups.

Edward

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 12, 2020, 4:04:24 PM11/12/20
to leo-editor
On Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-6 Edward K. Ream wrote:

Imo, the so-called "classic" form of google groups was significantly better than the "new improved" version, which lacks pinned messages and syntax highlighting for program text.'

And no way to edit a previous message??? You have got to be kidding me.

Edward

Thomas Passin

unread,
Nov 12, 2020, 5:11:50 PM11/12/20
to leo-editor
I'm still using classic groups.  When they changed me over, I disliked  the new skin and found some link to get back, but I forget where it was.  And yes, no ability to edit, GRRR.  I figured that at some point, we'd all get stuck with the new look.

jkn

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 6:01:40 AM11/13/20
to leo-editor
Yeah, for a while an alternate link with (something like) "ui=1" in there worked. But it was only a matter of time before Google decided that their new shiny interface was somehow better.

I was concerned originally that having a 'google group' rather that (eg) a usenet group would be too much of a tie-in, although I appreciate the reasons. I too think the new interface sucks.

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 6:34:16 AM11/13/20
to leo-editor
On Thu, Nov 12, 2020 at 4:11 PM Thomas Passin <tbp1...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm still using classic groups.  When they changed me over, I disliked  the new skin and found some link to get back, but I forget where it was.  And yes, no ability to edit, GRRR.  I figured that at some point, we'd all get stuck with the new look.

I changed back too, several months ago. But yesterday I found myself looking at the new look, with no obvious way to go back to the classic look.

Edward

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 6:39:23 AM11/13/20
to leo-editor
On Fri, Nov 13, 2020 at 5:01 AM jkn <jkn...@nicorp.f9.co.uk> wrote:
Yeah, for a while an alternate link with (something like) "ui=1" in there worked. But it was only a matter of time before Google decided that their new shiny interface was somehow better.

I was concerned originally that having a 'google group' rather that (eg) a usenet group would be too much of a tie-in, although I appreciate the reasons. I too think the new interface sucks.

Thanks for your comments. We could all complain, but I doubt that would do much good.  For now, I'd like to adapt, and see how that goes.  The plan:

1. Add links to the previously pinned messages to the welcome page.
2. To simulate edits, create a new post, then delete the old.
    I only ever edit posts soon after creating them, so this looks feasible.
    Alternatively, post corrections in responses.
3. Learn to live without syntax coloring. It will encourage me to be brief :-)
    Alternatively, post a link to a comment in a Leo issue that does color properly.

Before getting all upset, I'm going to give the new look a try for a week or so. If that doesn't work, we can all consider alternatives.

Edward

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 8:17:15 AM11/13/20
to leo-editor
On Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-6 Edward K. Ream wrote:

> Imo, the so-called "classic" form of google groups was significantly better than the "new improved" version.

I do notice a significant improvement in typing responsiveness. That's not nothing. Otoh, I'll now be using the free version of grammarly to check my work.

Edward

Thomas Passin

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 11:05:29 AM11/13/20
to leo-editor

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 13, 2020, 4:55:31 PM11/13/20
to leo-editor
On Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10:05:29 AM UTC-6 tbp1...@gmail.com wrote:
Thanks for this. I have a vague memory that Google promised/threatened to do this awhile ago.

For now, I'm not too chuffed. I think there are more important things to worry about ;-)

Edward

Rob

unread,
Nov 14, 2020, 3:04:29 PM11/14/20
to leo-editor
I thought it was just me, so I suppose it's somewhat comforting to know it isn't:-(

I don't like it either. I don't care that much about editing prior posts, but I really miss the code view. Perhaps there's a workaround for that?

Rob...

Edward K. Ream

unread,
Nov 14, 2020, 4:59:00 PM11/14/20
to leo-editor
On Sat, Nov 14, 2020 at 2:04 PM Rob <lar...@gmail.com> wrote:

I don't like it either. I don't care that much about editing prior posts, but I really miss the code view. Perhaps there's a workaround for that?

There's always a workaround. A url pointing to a github issue is good enough for me. Github has really great fonts and syntax coloring.

More generally, I have been confronting lately how often my upsets are in reality  thought distortions. Try that thought on for size.

The more I use the new forum, the more comfy I am with it. I enjoy the responsiveness more than I imagined I would.

Edward
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages