BUG: sessions times out while composing reply; reply is lost

[joeu2004]

While composing a reply, the session time out despite frequent and recent "auto saves" (i.e. changes in the reply).

When I clicked on Go Advanced, the forum notified me of the expired session.

But as a consequence, I lost the reply that I was composing. When I clicked on the browser (Firefox) Go Back icon, the reply composition pane was gone.

In a previous posting here, I asked whether I can control the session expiration time.

But regardless, it would be nice if the session expiration clock were updated every time "auto saves" occurs.

And it would be nice if a session expiration error were handled in a manner such that after logging in again, we returned to the state we were in -- in this case, in the window with the composition pane.

I know the latter is possible (SMOP) because that is how it works in another forum.

In any case, the composition window must not be lost. At the very least, I could copy and paste into a new composition window that I open after logging in again.

 

[Zack Barresse]

Hi there,

Unfortunately this isn't going to happen. Not only that, but it's a bad idea. The timer(s) are there for a reason and serve to do their job well. There is a reasonable amount of time for any one token/connection, which shouldn't remain connected if inactive. This is for usability and security reasons, and is not going to change.

I do understand where you're coming from though, and I have lost some lengthy posts as well in the past due to either 1) an expired session, or 2) a browser going back. A quick tip to help you along the way so you don't lose everything you've written up, just get in the habit of selecting all of your text (CTRL + A) and then copying it to the clipboard (CTRL + C). Then if your action is taking too long and your session is expired, you can log in and navigate back there and just paste it as a reply again (CTRL + V). I realize this may not be what you're looking for, but it's served me well for a decade now.

 

[shg]

Also, tick Remember Me when you log in.

 

[joeu2004]

Unfortunately this isn't going to happen. Not only that, but it's a bad idea. The timer(s) are there for a reason and serve to do their job well. There is a reasonable amount of time for any one token/connection, which shouldn't remain connected if inactive. This is for usability and security reasons, and is not going to change.

Thanks for the prompt response. I understand. But activity in the reply composition pane, esp. "auto save", should count as being non-inactive, IMHO.

A quick tip to help you along the way so you don't lose everything you've written up, just get in the habit of selecting all of your text (CTRL + A) and then copying it to the clipboard (CTRL + C). Then if your action is taking too long and your session is expired, you can log in and navigate back there and just paste it as a reply again (CTRL + V).

Yup, that's what I do, when I have the presence of mind to remember. Actually, I copy and paste into Notepad. I think that is more reliable than the clipboard.

I realize this may not be what you're looking for, but it's served me well for a decade now. :wink:

I would hope that a moderator with 10 years experience in the forum would have enough clout to convince the UI developers to remedy this problem is some way. I have a lot of experience with other forums that handle this issue differently and quite reasonably without throwing out the idea altogether.

BTW, what is the session inactivity time limit now?

 

[joeu2004]

Also, tick Remember Me when you log in.

How might that help?

As a rule, I avoid "remember me" settings for security reasons. I realize that many internet users feel differently.

 

[Zack Barresse]

I would hope that a moderator with 10 years experience in the forum would have enough clout to convince the UI developers to remedy this problem is some way. I have a lot of experience with other forums that handle this issue differently and quite reasonably without throwing out the idea altogether.

LOL! Well, I wouldn't say I have "clout" here just because I've been here a while. I help where I can. It's not my board and I'm not an administrator, so it's not my decision. I too have a lot of experience at other forums, and would say (after I learned my lesson) this is a rare event to pinch me at all.

Also, it's quite common for a message board to have a time out feature like this. In fact it's built into the [vBulletin] software. I don't believe the 'auto-save' feature has anything to do with (or tied to in any fashion) tagging the session as active. This is a software-limiting issue (with the php). Though I agree, it would be nice.

BTW, what is the session inactivity time limit now?

You would need an administrator to tell you that. I think it's at 10 minutes, which I would say is quite reasonable for making a post.

 

[joeu2004]

You would need an administrator to tell you that.

How do I contact the forum administrator? Email consult@mrexcel.com?

More to the point: what is the most effective way to report such concerns to someone who might consider remedial action?

I thought postings in this forum (About This Board) might be seen by the Powers That Be, one way or another.

 

[Zack Barresse]

You've posted in the right place. They will see it here. That email address is for consulting work, not forum issues.

 

[starl]

This is how the software works. We aren't going to customize it.

 

[shg]

How might that help?

It keeps you from getting logged out.