you have xx unread topics ???

[Gargoyle]

Is something like this even possible?

I know that PM's have been the source of concentration on this but I was wondering if it was even possible, or if there was existing support for something like this? Basically I am looking to see if the number of unread topics can be displayed next to the "home" button if you will..

Example:

HOME (12)

Where 12 would be click-able allowing the user to view all of the unread topics on that site. Or all of the topics they haven't read. Not just the replies but all of them.

Curious where I should start. I don't recall seeing anything like this so I'm asking.

Thanks!!!

[Arantor]

The problem with this is you need to know how many unread posts there are. Getting all unread posts is the second most computationally expensive process...

[margarett]

It is, obviously, possible but an *extremely* bad idea. There is no way for you to know how many unread topics there are unless you run the queries that actually fetch the information and count the records.

Unread topics are, according Arantor, the 2nd most heavy operation your forum performs. Having it being performed in every page load for every member online can be really a bad idea...

Edit: Ninja'd again

[Gargoyle]

Okay... It sounds like something just just isn't "built in" so to speak. I find the majority of my users don't realize there is a "unread topics" link so they just go a specific category or board and stop at that point.

Was looking for a way to alert them that there are more unread posts for them to view.

Simple and easy was my goal here. Not server crushing load...LOL!!

Thanks!

[Arantor]

First up, in approximate order on a stock configuration, searching is the single most expensive operation, followed by unread topics, followed by unread replies.

The only way you could mitigate it would be to keep a count of unread posts for each member and every time there is a post to a board they can see, to update it. But this is no mean feat either.

[Gargoyle]

I guess that explains why I haven't found anything that does this. :-)