Unlimited Content Editing
In the Steem 19.10 release a change was included to support unlimited content editing. Prior to this change, the blockchain would reject attempts to edit content older than seven days.
Changes to posts and comments older than seven days can only be included in a block that is processed by a witness running 19.10. The transaction will also only be propagated across the peer-to-peer (p2p) network by nodes that are running 19.10.
Currently the 19.10 release has been applied to some nodes, but not all.
What this means is that if you submit a change to content older than seven days it will be delayed until a block from one of the witnesses running 19.10. There is also a slight chance that it will get rejected by the p2p network before it makes it to a witness node running 19.10, and will not make it into a block.
@roadscape (one of the Steemit developers) developed a change for condenser (PR 2826) to enable the editing of posts/comments older than seven days on steemit.com. Steemit is waiting to apply this change though until more witnesses have updated to 19.10.
Their decision to wait makes sense, since the slight potential of lost transactions as well as there being significant delays when editing old posts would likely lead to a bad user experience.
I know a lot of people are really eager to start editing old posts though, so I spun up a local condenser instance with this change applied so that people can start using it today!
There are some disclaimers though:
- This site is "use at your own risk". I do not guarantee that anything will work or that the site will be error-free.
- The pull request for the change has not been fully tested/approved and merged into the official repository yet. Based on this, there are risks with using it.
- Image uploads do not work via the site. If you want to use images, you will need to upload them through a different interface (such as steemit.com or imgsafe.org) and plug the URL of the image into the post.
- When you submit a transaction to edit an old post, it may take up to a minute to process.
Based on the risks, it is highly encouraged that you:
- Only use the site to edit old posts.
- Backup a copy of your post before you make any edits, so that you can rollback if needed.
- Save a copy of the new version of your post before submitting, so that if the transaction fails you don't lose all your work.
Users who are using the site should ONLY login with their private posting key. Do not login with your master password or active/owner keys. To get your private posting key, go to your wallet permissions tab:
Ok, with that fun stuff out of the way - here is a link to the site:
https://condenser.timcliff.com
I have tested it and confirmed that you can edit posts older than seven days :)
Have fun and let me know how it goes.
This is great. I don't have any old posts where I care enough about fixing a typo or such to go back and edit now, but it is comforting to know there is the option. Especially if there is something more significant like a bad link.
👍We have added unlimited content editing on eSteem Surfer as well! Post history revision viewing coming soon
Nice!
Hi again, Tim,
I've just exercised your provisional condenser offering, and here is a "first blush" user report:
This is the "old" article that I edited:
I had no trouble with the edit. I was careful to follow your recommendations and to "color within the lines" of the limitations you mentioned in this article.
I have confirmed that the edited article appears properly in my blog, both when accessed from a computer and from a smart phone.
Tim, I must say that I am pleased beyond words... Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
You happily derailed me from completing my current article, which will now appear containing additional praise for you and your kind efforts.
With great appreciation,
- @creator
😄😇😄
Huzzah! Now all we need is a way to view our old posts in the Steemit feed!
i know that would be nice...
I've been slacking on creating something I plan on doing to take advantage of being able to edit older posts!!!! Guess I know what I'll be working on tonight :)
Glad to see this get more traction.
Wow. Wow! WOW!!!
What an example of going "above and beyond!"
Tim, I am beyond gratified to see you provide this workaround, even with all its disclaimers and caveats... THANK YOU so very much!
I was just in the middle of a write-up about this issue, hopefully to appear today, when I discovered your article. Now I can include it by reference in my own article, with great appreciation!
😄😇😄
Great job @timcliff.
It is terrific that we have people like you on steem. Even though not part of the steemit team, your endless work to improve the conditions of the steem ecosystem from a technical point of view is of great help. I know the task is enormous for all involved...to move this blockchain to the next level technically requires the effort of a ton of people.
Thanks for the update and this is invaluable for all those interested in going back and editing posts.
I did it! I was able to edit This post. I added a picture to it that I had edited the other day for a different project. At the time, I had wished that I could add it to my old post. Prayers answered.
@timcliff what would be the reason for allowing edits after 7 days? I understand it can be nice to update a tutorial post or something, but doesn't it go against the blockchain principle of once posted that it stays the same (even though the pre-edit posts can be found back on a block explorer)
Not a lawyer, but I think it's also a good way to prevent copyright issues and potential lawsuits. Imagine getting a cease and desist order, somewhere down the line, from someone saying they own the copyright to a picture or video you posted and would like you to take it down. This way, users can resolve the issue with a simple edit. It also makes sure that Steemit, Inc. cannot be blamed if its users publish plagiarised content because no one can say that Steemit's system is preventing them from removing the plagiarised content after the first 7 days.
The only drawback is that the original post still remains on the blockchain (as it should) but most people don't look that deep so hopefully those copyright laws will catch up...one day?
True. That always seems to be the case, though. With the laws trying to catch up with technology and the individuals like us dealing with the inconvenience in the mean time.
For laws to exists there has to be a need for them first :)
That's true. It would be nice if it didn't take them too long to catch up. And it would be better if the laws catching up didn't include lawmakers overreacting to everything they don't understand, yet.
I think we have a better chance of finding unicorns.
That is a good point!
There are a lot of forms of content that benefit from updating beyond seven days. Tutorials that become out of date are one example.
The full history of posts is always available on the blockchain. Even when you edit a post within the 7 day window, the previous version is not removed. It just creates a new version.
Does it also resets the payout window?
No
I just want to ask. whether the post that we edit will get reward if there is a vote. thanks timcliff
Having evergreen content like this will help for that though. If an author makes a change, they can simply note it in the comments. That comment will then be eligible for rewards. Not ideal, but a feasible workaround.
No. Posts older than 7 days are not eligible for additional rewards.
Hi @timcliff . Hi @timcliff . Does devs consider allowing rewards for old posts? (since some of them are still of great value for today's readers).
b.b.
It is not really being considered at this time.