System and method for concise display of discussion threads

摘要

A process for organizing a series of discussion replies is disclosed, including monitoring a discussion thread for a series of single replies, each subsequent reply in the series responding to an immediately preceding reply. Once the system determines the existence of the series of single replies, the series of single replies is arranged into a single horizontally-aligned block, the block being vertically separated from other replies to the discussion comment that are not in the series of single replies. Thus, the horizontal-space used by the discussion thread is minimized and readability of the discussion thread improved.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method of displaying a discussion thread, comprising:
detecting, in the discussion thread, a first group of replies organized such that a first reply of the first group is posted in response to a message posted to the discussion thread, and each remaining reply of the first group responds to an immediately preceding reply; determining a point in time when the first group of replies was last presented for display; detecting, in the discussion thread, a second group of replies, a first reply of the second group posted in response to the message; providing for display each group of replies in the discussion thread as a horizontally-aligned block of replies, the first and second groups being vertically separated from each other under the message; and displaying as a summary line of a predetermined height each reply in the first group that was presented with the first group at the point in time while displaying in an expanded state one or more replies created for the first group after the point in time.