Does anyone know if there is a time limit (or size limit) for composing and sending a message to ano
It appears that messages which take time to compose (or may be too long for a single message or too lengthy a conversation with several messages back and forth?) disappear or do not get sent to the other party even though there is no warning of either a time out or exceeding a certain length. One can spend an hour or more researching and composing a response, and then click the send button (which remains active all the time until clicked), and the message disappears from the conversation. Help articles about messaging describe Messaging as functioning like an email - but emails do not time out, and most automatically save drafts.
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I would never spend more than a few minutes composing a message here in FS communuty. The edit windows are not word processesors that are meant to be kept open for long periods of time and save backup copies.
Rather for long compositons like you refer to - you should do all of your editing in a word processor (saving periodically) - and then when completed - you can copy and paste to a browser window.
Browser edit input windows (on just about any site ) - are just not meant to be kept open for such long periods of time.
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FamilySearch uses a time out feature to sign off from. I don't know the exact amount of time it uses (possibly 10 to 15 minutes or so, possibly 15 to 20 minutes), but it is constantly checking the amount of activity occurringwith finds, adding sources, details, memories, etc., and reseting the clock each time. There are no warnings about timing out at any time. FamlySearch apparently doesn't give warnings with the messaging. It'd be nice to know to show the time on the screen to t If we write long messages it's best to copy the message to your clipboard (shift + mouse right click and click on "copy") then do the send. If the message appears to have not been sent, then go your email and paste (shift + right click and click on "paste") it into the message area, add the email address(es)and send it.
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the thing is its gets tricky
there are various other factors beside just an application time out that can cause a dropped message
for that reason I dont encourage any one to spend more than 5 minutes on a post
and the code may not even be able to detect that a message was even submitted. (because it lost connectivity before that). there can be numerous things - such as browser session time outs, database timeouts, router issues, memory issues on your local PC, Internet instability, signal instability and more.
For these reason - most internet sites (not just FS) dont encourgage much time editing on an input window - but cant always give a specific time period.
Rather most people on message boards day in and day out - use a much more robust word processor - that is backing things up - on its own and not dependent on all these unforesseble factors outside of the local PC.
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@eunice eunice
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Eunice
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You are not alone ...
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Like it or not ...
Unfortunately, the "Time-Out", is a 'Necessary Evil' ...
NOT just "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
But, also the OTHER Parts of 'FamilySearch' ...
ARE all used 24/7, by Users/Patrons, from ALL around the World ...
The "Load" on 'FamilySearch' must be phenomenal ...
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IF, "Time-Outs" were NOT imposed, the "Load" on 'FamilySearch' would be just TOO much; THEN, 'FamilySearch' would SLOW to a crawl.
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THAT is WHEN the Users/Patrons WOULD start COMPLAINING ...
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So ...
That said ...
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Short Answer: 'Yes', to, BOTH,"Time" Limit; and, "Size" Limit ...
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'Rule of Thumb' in 'FamilySearch', DO NOT expect any more 20 Minutes before 'Time Out'.
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[ And, in some instances, you are lucky to even get 20 Minutes ... ]
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In relation to "Size" Limit" ...
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A number of 'Fields' have "Character" COUNTS, that count down to the Number of "Character" left in the 'Field'.
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Whereas, some 'Fields' DO NOT have "Character" COUNTS.
[ Hopefully, in time, all the BIGGER ones will ... ]
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Generally, the BIGGER the "Field" 'Box', the more "Characters" that are available.
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And ...
That said ...
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In Relation to 'Time' Limits ...
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That SHORT 'Time-Out' in 'FamilySearch' ...
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▬ Is NOT just limited to when using "User Messaging" of 'FamilySearch', to compose a 'Message', to "Send" ...
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▬ It IS in ANY (and, EVERY) Part of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
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Best advise ...
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ALWAYS compose ANY thing [eg. Reason; Note; Discussion; Memory (especially, Story); Source (Citation; Note; Reason); Message; etc.] of "Length", in a, "Text" Editor (eg. even just, "NotePad"); or, "Word" Processor; or, the like, BEFORE, proceeding to ANY Part of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', where you can then "Copy" and "Paste"; and, "Tweak" (eg. "Spell Check"; Format; etc), if required.
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Most of us have ALL learned this through BITTER Experience.
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Just my thoughts.
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Here is a "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch':
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Why did my session time out?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/why-did-my-session-time-out
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The Article suggests that a 'Time Out' will occur if a page/screen is "Idle" for MORE than ONE (x1) Hour ...
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I suggest, "Get Real", MORE often than not - IF, there has been NO "Enter" for 20 Minutes; THEN, "Time-Out" CAN occur.
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That "Enter" DOES NOT mean "Typing" any "Text", that means NO interaction between your page/screen and 'FamilySearch'.
[ ie. "Typing" any "Text" is STILL "Idle"; and, NOT interaction between your page/screen and 'FamilySearch' ... ]
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Plus ...
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Another thing to Note/Remember, is that there is NO (Automatic) "Auto Save", when working in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
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IF, you DO NOT "Select" Save; THEN, it is NOT "Saved" ...
▬ it is GONE ...
▬ you LOOSE it ...
▬ say good night ...
[ And, you have to START ALL OVER, AGAIN ... ]
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Been there, done that ...
[ Still happens, every now and then ... ]
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Now ...
That said ...
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IF, you are lucky; THEN, ...
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Sometimes ...
[ And, just sometimes ...]
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IF, you have ANOTHER (ie. being the SAME) 'Tab', for the individual/person OPEN, as a "Duplicate"; THEN, you can 'sometimes' get the 'Time-Out' to extent beyond the 20 Minute/1 Hour, if you KEEP "Refreshing" that OTHER ("Duplicate") 'Tab'; and, "Working" away (ie. "Typing") in the MAIN page/screen.
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The aforementioned does not always work; but, sometimes it does.
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And, that OTHER ("Duplicate") 'Tab' must relate to the SAME 'Tab', for the SAME individual/person.
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Just some thoughts.
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Brett
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When you have a lot to say, or think your post could initiate a conversation with lots of info to exchange, you could invite the others to answer via email and continue the discussion elsewhere. I frequently suggest this at the end of a post to "Discussion."
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Thank you for your thoughts.
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Thank you.
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Thank you! Good idea.
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