PSA, you can still give links better names on Anandtech forums

[dullard]

People are now linking things like this: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2035054
Click the link to see a recent example of this now-rampant poor linking in the OP.

But please, it just makes the forums look like crap, the links aren't informative, and if the links are long they screw up the horizontal scrolling.

So I propose that we return to linking like this instead. See how much better that looks? We used to do that and the forums just were nicer to view.


How to:

1) Copy and paste the link where you want the link to be in your post.
2) It'll show up with the full link http:// style text - colored and underlined.
3) Highlight the colored and underlined link text.
4) Type what you really want it to say.
5) Note: a space " " cannot go at the end, so if you need spaces, start typing in the middle then delete the excess characters at the end.

Edit: looks like this thread has turned into a browser war. Some browsers work while linking with the link button; you'll see a part in your reply if your browser works with the link button. Other browsers don't work; the [URL=...] part doesn't appear. This information is for people who have browsers that don't work with the link button.

 

[Fritzo]

I wondered how to do this. Thanks!

 

[KeithTalent]

Rate movies here

KT

Edit: cool, works. Been wondering how to do that. Thanks OP!

 

[mcurphy]

Cool, I didn't know you could link that way. I have been typing out the tags, but including the = to rename the link.

 

[dainthomas]

Or maybe they could just put back the button that did this automatically. Gotta love "upgrades".

 

[AnonymouseUser]

WTF are you guys babbling about? There is a javascript button >>

<< to insert links, and it works just fine.

 

[dullard]

WTF are you guys babbling about? There is a javascript button >>

<< to insert links, and it works just fine.

A fully functional method isn't there by default. So, I gave a very simple and straightforward method to do it. You are free to teach people to add such a button if you wish. That button in your image does NOT do it intuitively.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

A fully functional method isn't there by default. So, I gave a very simple and straightforward method to do it. You are free to teach people to add such a button if you wish. That button in your image does NOT do it intuitively.

The button gives the full URL tag, with two copies of the link. The second link is highlighted as soon as you click OK, so all you have to do is type what you want the link to say and it changes. Is this really so hard that a board full of computer geeks can't figure it out?

 

[mcurphy]

WTF are you guys babbling about? There is a javascript button >>

<< to insert links, and it works just fine.

Where is that button located, or how do you get it? Is it exclusive to a certain browser?

My "advanced" reply looks like this (no buttons):

 

[KeithTalent]

^^You need to change the advanced options in your user settings.

KT

 

[mcurphy]

Awesome, thanks KT! I missed that when I went through the options after the switch. No more manually typing bbcodes for me!

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Where is that button located, or how do you get it? Is it exclusive to a certain browser?

My "advanced" reply looks like this (no buttons):

Go to User CP > Settings and Options > Edit Options where you will find

Choose WYSIWYG option and you'll see

 

[dullard]

The button gives the full URL tag, with two copies of the link. The second link is highlighted as soon as you click OK, so all you have to do is type what you want the link to say and it changes. Is this really so hard that a board full of computer geeks can't figure it out?

First, you have to change your settings, like you described above (and use the correct browsers). Second, I'm not sure that it looks like two copies of the link to the average user: see here. To me, that looks like one copy. At the very least they should have three explicit input fields: (a) Type, (b) URL, and (c) What you want it to display. Sure, it may have two copies there, but they don't both show up at the same time.

Sure, I can figure out a method using that button, but it isn't even close to straightforward. It really does take a board full of geeks to figure it out as it is. It really isn't that simple as you make it out to be. Instead, just highlight the link and type away (my method above).

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Ah great, now I'll have to resize those images or it will break the forum formatting for those not using Opera (with "Fit to Width" option enabled). *sigh*

 

[dbk]

I don't get the instructions.. you copy paste the link then you highlight it and type what you want it to say? Sorry, I'm dumb.

 

[KeithTalent]

I don't get the instructions.. you copy paste the link then you highlight it and type what you want it to say? Sorry, I'm dumb.

That's exactly right. Very straightforward.

KT

 

[dbk]

didn't work..

 

[dullard]

I don't get the instructions.. you copy paste the link then you highlight it and type what you want it to say? Sorry, I'm dumb.

Yes, with the exception that a space cannot be at the end as you type it. But other than that, it is as straightforward as can be.

 

[amdskip]

testing: more better link

Why isn't the advanced wysiwyg editor enabled by default?

 

[dbk]

hah didn't work again.. ok forget it
i'll just use the button

 

[AnonymouseUser]

First, you have to change your settings, like you described above (and use the correct browsers). Second, I'm not sure that it looks like two copies of the link to the average user: see here. To me, that looks like one copy. At the very least they should have three explicit input fields: (a) Type, (b) URL, and (c) What you want it to display. Sure, it may have two copies there, but they don't both show up at the same time.

Sure, I can figure out a method using that button, but it isn't even close to straightforward. It really does take a board full of geeks to figure it out as it is. It really isn't that simple as you make it out to be. Instead, just highlight the link and type away (my method above).

Maybe it needs some clarification:

The second link is (added and) highlighted as soon as you click OK, so all you have to do is type what you want the link to say and it changes.

So, click

, paste link, press OK, type what you want the link to display. After the link is added and renamed, you just have to move the cursor to the end of the URL tag to continue your post.

 

[dullard]

hah didn't work again.. ok forget it
i'll just use the button

It looks like you didn't even try. But, use the button if you wish. Good for you.

Will you at least show Anandtech how to use the button properly?

 

[dullard]

So, click

, paste link, press OK, type what you want the link to display.

That method doesn't work in Internet Explorer. Which is why I keep saying "most users".

 

[LTC8K6]

Test

That method doesn't work in Internet Explorer. Which is why I keep saying "most users".

Just worked for me in IE8...

 

[AnonymouseUser]

That method doesn't work in Internet Explorer. Which is why I keep saying "most users".

Damn, now you forced me to use that cursed browser, and you are right, it doesn't work like it does in real browsers!

EDIT> This is IE7, btw.