I only use a laptop, and download photos from my camera later - so that is the workflow I know. We have a conflict around Placeholder text. Especially for newbies (and the City Nature Challenge) When uploading observations, in the prime spot top left - Do this first - this is important - iNat has t…

You get me thinking. What is the point? Maybe make it so it stays as a afer the name? The placeholder is still a placeholder but to make it go away? Maybe put it somewhere else next to the name. Why?

This does not fix the underlying issue, which I envision with the implementation of some kind of “paste placeholder in comment field” button so I can limit the repetitive stress injuries from so much placeholder copy/pasting. But it’s a good workaround if you realize you just trashed the placeholder…

To my knowledge I’ve never used a placeholder. I upload an Observation (one or more photos) from my camera via my laptop and enter the info. If I’m not sure of an ID, I’ll enter the closest I can, then put any additional info the Notes field, where it persists. I hate to erase Placeholders by addin…

If your ID is still the only ID, withdrawing it will cause the placeholder to reappear.

I agree the placement of the placeholder text is bad, and the fact that is easily overwritten, worse. Placeholder text is supposed to be an ID, but something prevented it from becoming a “real” ID: spelling error, lack of internet connection, or just the typing of a phrase that doesn’t match any ta…

and thank you for following my trail and adding the how to … for the endless - only one species per obs please.

The good news is our advice actually worked for some records during the challenge, a few people did narrow them down so they got id’ed in time. :)

Weird issue I’ve had lately- when doing that workaround there has been a lag to see it reappear (could be during a heavy use time though).

Placeholder text and IDing Unknowns

General

Topic		Replies	Views
Question about placeholder notes General question	7	900	July 14, 2023
Do not overwrite placeholder text Feature Requests	27	3430	January 27, 2020
Lost placeholder General	19	557	March 10, 2021
Temporary placeholder General	68	2275	November 21, 2022
Placeholder and unknown General	6	1414	September 7, 2019

Placeholder text and IDing Unknowns

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