Add "Add New Topic" link to the top / left on forum pages

[sterndata]

Some people seem to have a hard time finding where to add a topic in a forum. I suggest that "Add New Topic" be added as link below "Forum Info".

[SergeyBiryukov]

Related: #169

[netweb]

Added the comment: "The "Start a new discussion" button should probably appear on the forums page also" to the mockups post ​https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2016/08/19/support-forum-preliminary-mockups/

[coffee2code]

As a link with a dashicon

[coffee2code]

As a button

[coffee2code]

I posted mockups of two options:

1. As a link with a dashicon (so it matches the "Recent Posts" and "Recent Topics" links below it): meta-1977_link.png​
2. As a button (so it matches the "Subscribe" button above it): meta-1977_button.png​
3. Something else/somewhere else?

Thoughts?

/cc @samuelsidler @mapk

[samuelsidler]

I like it as a link, personally, but I also think we should move the subscribe button lower in the sidebar. Perhaps even at the very bottom. That link should probably have a "reply" icon and say "Reply to Topic" when it's on a topic page.

[mapk]

I like the button idea because it's performing an action.

I also agree with Sam about moving the 'subscribe' lower in the sidebar.

[coffee2code]

Replying to mapk:

I like the button idea because it's performing an action.

I'm not sure I agree it is performing an action. Like other links, it simply takes you elsewhere (down-page) with no lasting effects.

Buttons like "Subscribe" and "Favorite" (the other current sidebar buttons), or the "Submit" button for the reply/topic forms, all result in lasting effects.

I'm inclined to agree with @samuelsidler that is should be a link. I'm not opposed to executive, designer, or majority override on that matter, should any be employed. As such, I'll wait a bit more to hear one way or another to avoid an unnecessary revert and reimplementation.

[mapk]

Replying to coffee2code:

Replying to mapk:

I like the button idea because it's performing an action.

I'm not sure I agree it is performing an action. Like other links, it simply takes you elsewhere (down-page) with no lasting effects.

Buttons like "Subscribe" and "Favorite" (the other current sidebar buttons), or the "Submit" button for the reply/topic forms, all result in lasting effects.

I'm inclined to agree with @samuelsidler that is should be a link. I'm not opposed to executive, designer, or majority override on that matter, should any be employed. As such, I'll wait a bit more to hear one way or another to avoid an unnecessary revert and reimplementation.

Oh yeah, good points. I didn't realize it just took you down the page. Keep it a link with the dashicon. That's cool.

[coffee2code]

#2352 was marked as a duplicate.

[coffee2code]

In 4720:

Support Theme: Add sidebar link "Create Topic" or "Reply to Topic" based on context.

Adds an above-the-fold link that leads to the down-page form (which is otherwise only discoverable by scrolling).

Fixes #1977.

[coffee2code]

In 4721:

Support Forums: For plugin/theme support forum sidebars, add link to "Create Topic", "Add Review", or "Edit Review" based on context.

Adds an above-the-fold link that leads to the down-page form (which is otherwise only discoverable by scrolling).

Fixes #169.
See #1977.

[coffee2code]

In 4722:

Support Theme: Move "Subscribe" and "Favorite" buttons to bottom of sidebar.

See #1977.

[SergeyBiryukov]

In 4739:

Support Theme: For reviews, change "Reply to Topic" link text to "Reply to Review".

See #1977.

[SergeyBiryukov]

In 4918:

Support Forums: Fix a typo in [4721] that prevented "Edit Review" link from appearing in plugin/theme sidebar for non-keymasters.

Review is a topic, not a reply.

See #2199, #1977.

[melchoyce]

Looks like this is an issue again. Going to re-open.

[coffee2code]

@melchoyce: The sidebar link was removed via [7489] at the behest of #3722.

In short, [7450] for #3595 added a "Create topic" link above the topics table, so subsequently the duplicative sidebar link was removed. The justification was that the sidebar link was basically horizontally inline with the new above-the-table link and that at smaller viewports, the entire sidebar would flow below the table and out of immediate view, rendering the link much less useful than the newer link.

[melchoyce]

I don't see a button above the topics table? Adding a screenshot.

[coffee2code]

Ah, it was only added above topic listings for the main forums and not pseudo-forums such as plugin and theme specific support and review forums. Thats for the clarifying screenshot. Fix incoming.

[coffee2code]

In 9463:

Support Forums: Also add 'Create Topic' link above support forums for plugins and themes, and reviews.

Props melchoyce, coffee2code.
See #3595.
Fixes #1977.

[valentinbora]

Related #4659

[melchoyce]

Thanks @coffee2code!