Toggle text in vB editor between vBcode and WYSIWYG

[Emwe]

Has anybody created a hack that toggles between "vBcode mode" and "Actual Text Look mode" when writing a new message/post? Much like a Preview, but implemented directly in the writing area instead of in a new window?

The hack would (on clicking the toggle link, placed for example right beneath the writing area at the other end of "check message length") "hide" all vBcode and HTML tags and show the text in ready formatted shape. Not the whole page layout, but only the text - as a quick way of checking you got your code and tags right.

Would this be possible, and what would it take to do it?

Mats Wall,
Stockholm

[Emwe]

If I try to decipher the complete silence to my question, do I take it a) that the answer is just "No", or b) that it's just not a very good idea?

If a):
How about a Javascript? Would that be possible (which I think it is!), and if so, is there any particular problems I have to prepare myself for?

If b):
Am I the only one on this late great planet Earth thinking that the <textarea> editor i vB is a bit "sub-standard" and needs improvement?!

Mats Wall,
Stockholm

[Twig Deez]

i would be interested in seeing if this was possible also.

[MarkB]

While I think this is a fine idea, you have to remember that vB is actually just a bulletin board, not a WYSIWYG editor Mind you, maybe they'll come out with something super-funky in vB3

[Emwe]

Originally posted by MarkB
While I think this is a fine idea, you have to remember that vB is actually just a bulletin board, not a WYSIWYG editor

I can't see why the user of my bulletin board (most of them unskilled in computing) should have to return to the early 80's - with its constant inserting of formatting codes - just to express themselves much the way they normally do it - even in Notepad! Shouldn't it be the other way around: easier? Especially if we want this bb-type of communication to penetrate into the more general public?

I read in another thread that the <textarea> field is notorously difficult to improve the way suggested, since there's no common standard among the different browsers. But also: it WOULD be possible to implement it in an Internet Explorer environment!

Q: How about making the program find out if this computer runs IE (which the vast majority does!), and if so use a Notepad-like editor. If not, just use the normal (current) editor.

Mind you, maybe they'll come out with something super-funky in vB3

Let's really hope they do.

Mats Wall, :glasses:
Stockholm

[Tae-Hwan]

i'd like to see this as well