Substitute Username Shortcut

[vreinkymov]

@pisum

why not just have an AI generate predictive responses?

Machine learning requires creating models, testing them, possibly more resources to run, etc. If-then logic seems simpler and less resource-intensive?

@petezani

It’s the second rule that creates a problem when someone has already responded to the observer, would not use of this respond to the identifier instead?

I wasn’t sure about how to word that second rule, but maybe a few example scenarios showing what gets substituted with >>> indicating “Typing this, gets substituted as:”

Example 1:

Observer_XYZ: Identified observation as Mallard
First_Identifier: Identified observation as Mallard
Second_Identifier: Comments: “@@, Great photo!” >>> “@Observer_XYZ, Great photo!”
Observer_XYZ: “Thanks, @@!” >>> “Thanks, @Second_Identifier!”

Example 2:

Observer_XYZ: Identified observation as Mallard
First_Identifier: Comments: “@@, Great photo!” >>> “@Observer_XYZ, Great photo!”
Second_Identifier: Identified observation as Mallard
Observer_XYZ: “Thanks, @@! >>> Thanks, @Second_Identifier!”

@cs16-levi

I’m not sure what you are suggesting. I’m not really sure if this is such a problem to be honest because you can just copy someones username if it is very long and confusing.

Essentially, just a shortcut so that one wouldn’t need to copy/paste the long username. Copying and pasting seems more time consuming and slow vs. just typing @@.

@dianastuder

Also unfortunately if you make a typo in a user name - iNat accepts the wrong name for a non-existent iNatter.
Because I follow notifications for comments on obs I have engaged with - I see many tiny variations on Diana Studer with one letter off somewhere.

I’ve done that too! See: Obs. 195438158

@cs16-levi

Optional other idea:

When you type in the character @ the system immediately brings up 1. Observation Maker 2. Most recent commenter(S) 3. Top Identifiers (allowing you to scroll down as needed)

I like this idea a lot, but am a little wary of having the top identifier pop up, only because of the forum topic: How does it feels like to be a top identifier?, where it’s mentioned that they get more notifications.