Can't comment on long threads

Subject: Can't comment on long threads
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 08:52 PM

I am just going outside. I may be some time.

It has become close to impossible for me to contribute to long threads. This has been a problem for some time but has got much worse in recent weeks.

Platform: iPhone 4S running the most up to date OS possible and the Safari browser, not updatable. No add-ons or filters are possible.

Symptoms: if I try to contribute to any long thread (working with the latest 50 messages) and try to edit my comment, the page will almost always crash and reload, losing what I've written. The only workaround is to write the entire contribution in the Notes app (or maybe some other text editor), copy-paste it and hit Submit immediately; no editing within the Mudcat edit box.

My guess as to what's happening: the page has got so bloated with ad code that the buffering required for text editing causes an overflow. Since I have no way to throttle the ad code, I can't improve the situation.

No other app does this. Nor does any other forum I view in Safari.

You'll have seen some uncharacteristic typos in my messages lately. That's because I can't edit anything properly. I refuse to make a fool of myself like that.

I might have a more reliable platform later this summer when the village broadband goes live. Bye till then. I can read this thread but won't post anything more to it.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 09:25 PM

Hi, Jack -
On the Forum Menu, there's a column of thread titles. The next column shows the number of messages in each thread, and those numbers turn into clickable links if there are more than 50 messages in the thread - click that link, and the thread will split into more manageable groups of 50 messages.
That might help you a bit, but I admit that the ads do get in the way of posting, especially if I'm posting on my phone.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 09:43 PM

Even phones have some ad blocking software. Have you tried different browsers to see how the extensions or addons work?

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 09:47 PM

I use Firefox and don't have any trouble with an iPhone SE.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: DaveRo
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 02:52 AM

Yes, try Firefox. It's not proper Firefox because Apple doesn't allow it, but it might make a difference.

Neither Firefox nor Safari on iOS will run add-ons.

I use - as a phone - an iPhone 5s - the last of the still-updated 4" ones. It runs iOS 12, which I don't think will run ad-blocking apps, though I'm not sure. I don't use it for browsing - apart from checking bus and train times.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: JHW
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 05:49 AM

I don't look at long threads. Too much to read before posting.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 08:26 AM

I have iphone SE - no problems with Mudcat at home as we have "fibre to the door" so wifi is very fast indeed, but out and about on 4G can be a little troublesome.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 09:34 AM

I can't say that those of us with this ancient, outmoded technology of a desktop computer have noticed a problem.

Yes, I know that having the entire internet in your pocket wherever you go must be convenient, but as several have noted, there are trade offs.

I **may** have to get a smart phone in the next few months, as my 6 year old dumb phone will no longer be supported when they take the bandwidth for 4&5 G.
   It will be fun playing with GPS and a light weight instant camera... but serious browsing will be done with some of my 5-6 browsers on my Win7 Dell.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 09:49 AM

Joe: if I try to contribute to any long thread (working with the latest 50 messages)...
I can't say I do much on my phone. Tiny font/fat fingers.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 07:24 PM

From Jack Campin:

I have been doing the split-into-chunks-of-50 thing for years. Doesn't help any more.

Firefox doesn't run on my phone. The only browsers I have are Safari and the very
limited internal browsers in the Facebook and Reddit apps.

As I said in my original post, no filtering is possible. I can't use Adblock, it doesn't exist
on my platform.

[Please relay to the thread].

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 02:45 AM

I use Chrome as the Web browser on my phone, and the ads are only moderately annoying. I can't post anything substantial on my phone, though.
I have two 27-inch monitors on my desktop computer, and Mudcat doesn't cause me any problems with a desktop. But with a phone? It's tough.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: DaveRo
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 02:59 AM

Hmmm. I ran Firefox on the iPhone 4S I had before the 5S. (These were all free hand-me-downs from the children.)

According to WikiP the iPhone 4s runs iOS 9.3.6 and Firefox needs 11.4 (ref)

I know from long experience with Android that getting old versions of apps that you're not offered in the app store is very tricky, and I've never tried with iOS. Apparently it may be possible - see here - but you'd need to borrow a newer iPhone (and reset it!) so not really practicable. And it may not solve the problem anyway.

Before I wrote my addon (for Android, not iOS) which saves the post in case it fails, I used to press control-A control-C before submitting. If I remembered.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 03:42 AM

I have started using Opera lately. Quite impressed up to now but dunno if it will help here.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 08:28 AM

Do remember the "printer friendly" links for both threads and individual messages. Max set them so they appear without ads. You can't post on the printer friendly version, though. But it sure makes reading easier.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: DaveRo
Date: 20 Jul 21 - 02:53 AM

Bill D wrote: I **may** have to get a smart phone in the next few months, as my 6 year old dumb phone will no longer be supported when they take the bandwidth for 4&5 G.

I assume this is because your network is killing their 3G networks. Can you not continue to use 2g? Depends on your operator, but I see here that T-mobile are keeping 2g for a while.

In parts of Europe 3G has shut (Norway, I think) but 2G keeps going because it's used by lots of equipment.

In the UK I use an operator (called '3') which doesn't support 2g, which is a nuisance because in some rural areas only 2g is available. 2g-only phones are still sold - and are very cheap.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Jul 21 - 03:08 AM

I don’t know how anyone can use their phone for t’Interweb - tiny screen, tiny almost illegible script, way way WAY too fiddly. Drove me completely nuts the few times I’ve tried it.

Laptop or iPad are the only satisfactory devices for browsing t’Interweb AFAIC. Phones are for calling and texting.

Subject: RE: Can't comment on long threads
From: JHW
Date: 20 Jul 21 - 03:10 PM

I use this venerable laptop for the web (and Firefox)but spend as little time sat here as poss. Have a 2g/3g (depends what it finds) phone in the car in case of breakdowns. Will be a nuisance if it ceases working. pay as you go. no contract.