Discussion:What does TaxAlmanac need?

Here are a few examples to get the discussion started:

• Spell Check
• A better way to navigate in the discussions so you don't have to go back to the list each time
• Additional content - what content is most important to add?
• Ability to categorize discussions without them sorting to the top of the list
• etc.

Let me know what you want!

Thanks!

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 10:26, 19 January 2007 (CST)

But hte board is great, I've learned so much, and it is my own little addiction to read these daily. So thanks for your work!

On Tim's short list #2 is most needed IMO. Also, another site that I follow daily has a 300 second refresh timer built it which is nice. The graphic on the 'Tab' header changes and I know I that that Tab has new information to be reviewed.

William Price, EA | Portland, OR - Talk to me

But it should be made clear that this is NOT a homework solution board, or a help-me-do-it-myself forum.

Also, in regards to the handy links to all forums, take a look on the left column under the sponsors section... Will that work?

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me

Tim: Format / edit buttons on the page when creating (or responding to) a post. As of now one has to post and then go to edit to see the buttons OR know all of the formatting codes. I think this may be on your list already from discussion in the Feedback forum.

Will

JR - Agree. I guess it's just the nature of Wiki.

Woman: Hello young man. Is your mother home? Boy: No, she ain't home. Woman: Why young man, where is your grammar? Boy: Oh, she's in the kitchen baking cookies.

The way this is diplayed in TA highlights the carriage return problem mentioned above as well. I did not hit CR twice purposely.

Or have the time to split messages....

Right now, I'm taking time messing around here, when I should be working. One of these days, real soon, I need to get my priorities straight.

I'd love it if there were nice, indexed, complete sets of rulings, PLRs, tax treaties, state laws...

• Use 2 apostrophes for just italics.

• Use 3 apostrophes for bold.

• Use 5 apostrophes for bold and italics.

LOL. About 22 years ago, I lost a set of W-2 forms for a GM employee. I looked all over, in other clients' folders, and never found it. I had to call my client and ask him to request a copy of his W-2 form. He did that (and is still coming here). The next year, I found his W-2 forms in another client's folder. This is probably my #1 worst nightmare during tax season. One other time, I lost someone's whole folder. I found it after desparately searching all over--behind the file cabinet where I keep my "pending" metal baskets. I guess I didn't quite get the folder in the basket and it fell behind the cabinet.

Real soon I am going to get serious around here, as soon as I finish preventing this one idiot from going to jail or losing his license.

D&T: It's probably your browser settings because the only time I am logged out is if I purposely clear the cookies in the browser. For example, it's probaly been two weeks since I've had to log back in to TA. Here is what I think you need to do:

1) When you first log in remember to check the "Remember me" box.

2) In your "Preferences" area of TA, in the "User Data" page in the "Change Password" section at the bottom, check the "Remember across sessions" box.

3) In your browser settings tell it to NOT clear cookies upon exit. It's probably located in the Tools menu under Internet Options and Security.

One or all of these may fix your problem.

I agree with Uncle Sam (above) that non-professionals should have their own forum where we could choose to view or not choose to view.

I want to help people in this business because they will help me at sometime. I don't want to help people who have no intention of helping me.

So, rather than "gracias", "grazie" will do!

BTW, Prego (You're welcome)

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 12:51, 20 January 2007 (CST)

What do you think about PJL's idea about putting another column in the forum showing 'Original Poster'?

Will

There are things that I can do on my own, and there are things which need programmatical changes for. Adding the list of discussion forums to the left column was something I could do. Unfortunately, adding the original poster to the discussion forum listings is something that would require engineering changes (due to underlying database issues). Because of this, I'll have to add it to the enhancement list. I think it's a good idea though.

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 14:03, 20 January 2007 (CST)

Content

1. Update the Code - Updates to incorporate the Pension Protection Act of 2006 are scheduled to begin shortly.
2. Add Treasury Regulations - We have Treasury Regulations, but they need to be updated.
3. Add other content, such as indexed complete set of Rulings, PLRs, treaties, state laws, etc. - We have started to do this, see Tax Research Resources, but we need your help to add more. See Content Team.

Forum Enhancements

1. Add handy links to all forums - DONE! See the list below the ad section in the left-hand column.
2. Add a better way to navigate in the discussions so you don't have to go back to the list each time
3. Add a spell check feature - See Discussion:Spell Check Feature for interim solution
4. Add "Stealth Edit" - Ability to categorize discussions without them sorting to the top of the list
5. Add ability to flag discussions for follow-up / favorites / email reminder, Watch this discussion doesn't work / Refresh - This works, but I think it is a feature that most don't really understand. I'll put together something to describe how this works soon.
6. Less cumbersome forum interface, perhaps use third-party forum software
7. Add a non-practitioner forum
8. Add format buttons when posting or responding to a discussion
9. Add links to breaking news
10. Add a column for the Original Poster in forum listing
11. Add an easy way to split a discussion thread in two
12. Add fun, advanced features such as smilies and swords and fireballs and stuff
13. Restrict posts if user page not filled out
14. Add ability to delete blank discussions
15. Add a topical index of discussions

Misc.

1. Make Main Page more current, concise
2. Figure out why carriage returns act funny - See Help:How to start a new line
3. Fix frequent login issue - DONE?
4. Make TaxAlmanac less addictive - Sorry, I don't think we are going to be able to do this one!  :-)

Did I get everything? Any more suggestions?

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 15:08, 20 January 2007 (CST)

1) Does the wiki support making links open in new windows by default rather than moving the user out of TA? Right now I have to remember to right click on the link and choose "Open in New Window" to do so.

2) The "More" links when going to earlier or later pages do not work the same. I.e., the "more" link that goes to older discussion pages goes 10 pages at a time; however, the "More" link that goes to the new pages only backtracks one page at a time. WHne you want to go back because you went to fast you basically have to start all over by opening Tax Questions all over again to get to the first page and then move forward again. Otherwise you may have to click the backward "More" link up over and over again.

- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 16:40, 21 January 2007 (CST)

Would it be a good thing to add another column to the 'Discussion_Forum_-_All_Topics' list that displays the forum?

Also, could you time-stamp the posts as well? Right now there is just a date. It would be easier to find my place if I could jump into a topic and see what has been posted since, for example, noon.