Can (should) notices of new comments appear on the front page?

asked 2011-02-14 10:25:10 -0500

niles
473 ● 11 ● 4 ● 17

updated 2011-02-14 12:08:36 -0500

Evgeny
11059 ● 50 ● 84 ● 182
http://askbot.org/

One user of Ask Sage has complained that information about new comments does not appear on the main question list. He describes a possible unfortunate consequence, when someone adds a comment requesting more information to answer the question:

Let me try to describe that situation from the point of view of a (new) user:

1. I ask a question, say, concerning installation.
2. After a day or so, I return to the AskSage front page, in order to see whether there was any activity related with my post. No activity is reported, so, apparently nobody noticed my post [unfortunately, I am not aware that there is a comment, asking me to provide more information]. I am frustrated.
3. After another day, I still see no activity, and my problem with installing Sage is not solved. I am angry.
4. I drop Sage.

Of course if the user is subscribed for email alerts for that question, or if the user logs into Ask Sage, they will get some notice (either an email, or a red mail icon at the top of the page). But otherwise there is no information.

So, could something be added with the other information about the question, giving the number of comments (on both the original question, and on answers), and the date of the most recent one? I see that a date and username already appear, but this does not seem to be updated for comments.

The original thread on sage-devel is here.