Edit post functionality

[hrvelic@…]

Hello again. :)
I wanted to ask if it'd be possible to include an ability to edit existing posts into the DiscussionPlugin.
Any user would be able to edit his or her own posts, while trac administrators and discussion administrators and moderators would be able to edit all of them.
This functionality enables users to correct errors in their posts, and allows an administrator or moderator to remove parts of the post without having to delete the whole post.

[Radek Bartoň]

I think that edits should be versioned (same as wiki). Because someone could easily change his/her mind without noticing. This obviously extends time needed to implement this feature so I'm asking for your opinion?

[hrvelic@…]

So far, I've used various forums for various occasions. I can honestly say I never found an occasion where versioning posts would be useful.
Some forum software keeps track of edits as either modifiable or non modifiable text appended at the end of the post. For example:
<example-post>

This is my post, blah, blah, blah, blah
. etc...
etc...
Thank you all,
Me, myself and I
--
Edited by Me, Myself and I on 2006-06-18 05:00
Edited by Me, Myself and I on 2006-07-01 15:52

</example-post>

Edited by... here is simple text. Some forum software permits editing this text, others don't. Although, it's useful to know that a post changed and when. Most of the time users edit the text on following occasions:

• didn't use preview, or didn't pay attention
• since the post the user has additional information that wanted to add to the post
• user posted a draft of a document, and is modifying it as the comments and suggestions arrive; the document remains the first in the topic so it's easy to find and read
• administrator or moderator wants to remove a piece offending (for whatever reason) text, while keeping the rest of the post - in this case a moderator definitely won't appreciate versioning

If you see a use for implementing versioning for the posts go for it, but if you don't, I suggest you wait for a concrete need to appear. I recommend against reasons like "somebody might need it".
I hope my opinions helped some. Take care,
Hrvoje Velic

[Radek Bartoň]

Implemented in changeset 1077.