[wp-hackers] the_excerpt improvements

[Michael Heilemann]

Not sure this is the place to suggest 'features' (well, improvements 
really), but here we go, and then you can let me know where to send it 
if I'm OT.

First of all, the_excerpt currently removes all markup and cuts off a 
post by adding an ellipse, like so...

First of all, I believe it would be beneficial if the ellipse  be more 
marked, perhaps like so: [...], and linked to the entry, so that it 
stands out a bit more. Another solution is to add the boxed ellipse and 
then follow the entry with a link, like <!--more-->'ed entries when 
using the_content.

Secondly, if you're using <!--more--> to break up your posts, and the 
opening of the entry is sufficiently short, the_excerpt doesn't 
actually let you know that there's a whole lot more text after the 
<!--more-->, which is very confusing.

My suggestions:
a) ability to set the number of words, before 'on-the-fly' excerpts are 
cut off, through a variable (so that it isn't hardcoded, which I think 
is the case now)
b) ignore the use of <!--more--> or better yet, have a link appear 
after the excerpt, as <!--more-->'ed entries do when using the_content
c) ability to specify text for said link
d) must revolutionize blogging as we know it...

Anyhoo, I'm tired, if this doesn't make any sense, I'm sorry ;)

Aloha, Mike
http://binarybonsai.com