Readers frequently encounter messages from online conversations out of their original context. We develop a family of algorithms for presenting parts of the conversation surrounding a focal message; we refer to them as MessagePlus views. In a lab experiment, subjects using a MessagePlus interface were able to complete tasks more quickly than those using full displays of the same threads.

• In a lab experiment, users were able to make faster decisions about the relevance of the information in the conversation using the MessagePlus interface than the interface with everything displayed. There was no significant difference in accuracy.
• The experimental interface to Slashdot launched in summer 2006.