[REJECTED] Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

[chronodekar]

Suggestion request withdrawn. Hiding it behind a spoiler box.

Spoiler

I know we have a 'Reputation' system, but frankly its cumbersome to use. If I want to 'up-repute' someone I need to first click the button, type in something and then press another button before the system registers it.

On other forums (notably spacebattles) there is a little "Thanks" or "Like" button next to (or at the bottom of) every post. Any member can click on it to just say they appreciate that post. It is a LOT more easier to use than our reputation system (just one click!) and can be used alongside it.

I made a test board with a dummy account and can confirm the feature exists. Under 'plugins' for the admin this is listed as 'Thanks (3.9.1)'.

A BIG difference between 'Thanks' and 'Reputation' is that reputation is user-based. It might tell you that someone is well-liked, but nothing else. The 'thanks/like' system is post-based. It lets you see how well-liked a certain post is and indirectly gives you an idea of what behavior is encouraged in the forum.

An additional benefit I've seen on spacebattles is that if a moderator takes punitive action on someone (like editing a certain post) the community can use the 'thanks/like' button to rally behind the mod's decision (or against it depending on circumstances).

In a nutshell, I've found that the 'thanks/like' system helps to show support for a certain opinion without cluttering a thread with useless posts.

Adding a poll to this thread to gather support/disapproval/apathy for the idea.

-chronodekar

 

[PCHeintz72]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

Ugh... I do not even like the idea of a reputation level... forget me wanting a thanks level.

 

[chronodekar]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

Ugh... I do not even like the idea of a reputation level... forget me wanting a thanks level.

I have to chime in on two points here,

user "levels" - I'm neutral on this. Frankly, I like seeing my own 'reputation' or 'likes' go up, but its an ego thing.

Post-level thanks/likes - This is something I consider invaluable. Regardless of WHO first said something, if its an opinion I can agree with, but not add to the conversation, its a good way to show my support. Take some of the image threads; we have posts in there which are nothing but 'Thanks' or 'Looks great!'. I've even made a few myself. For someone new to the thread, they are just clutter. But what other choice do I have? I really like it when @[MastaofBitches] puts up a good pic and want to tell him so.

If this could be implemented separately, i.e. having the number of thanks not show up next to a user post and only in his/her profile, I'd most certainly try that. But we're limited to what icyboards gives us and its either both or nothing.

... Actually, now that I think about it, it might be editable via the forum theme (not to show reputation/thanks next to every post and limit it to profile views). If the idea passes, we can look into that option.

-chronodekar

 

[rdde]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

Our current 'Reputation' system is actually something like SpaceBattles' 'Like' system, just improperly tagged as 'Reputation'. It is linked with our posts.

I would prefer something more like SpaceBattles' however, over our current system.

 

[pidl]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

If I wanted 'likes', I'd create a Facebook account.

If you liked what MoB posted, just say so, it's not that hard to do.

And reputation can be used to see if a post is popular. When checking someone's rep, it mentions for which post he got +1.

 

[Nanya]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

Maybe instead of a Like/Thanks button, it should be a "found this post useful" button.

It could be tied to the user's rep system. I know that some boards do it like that, just a button that you can click to say "hey, I found this post useful" instead of having to go "I like it".

 

[chronodekar]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

If you liked what MoB posted, just say so, it's not that hard to do.

I already do that. But you are missing my point.

And reputation can be used to see if a post is popular. When checking someone's rep, it mentions for which post he got +1.

This isn't easy to determine on simply browsing the thread. Here let me hunt a few examples on SB,

This post by Kyte,
http://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/nasuverse-fic-rec-discussion-thread.247230/page-77#post-10475949

The ongoing discussion at that time was if a certain topic belonged in the thread or not. We can clearly see that 6 people on the board agree with Kyte - right there in the thread, without looking at some profile page. If that happened here, we'd have at least 1 entire page full of people just agreeing with each other. By which point, a newcomer would have no idea what the discussion was about.

And this thread which the moderator locked,
http://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-city-upon-a-hill-au-mass-effect-deus-ex-crossover.214148/page-33

See how easy it is for anyone to tell that the community SUPPORTS the moderator action to lock the thread? If that weren't there, its easy to think that the mod was being an ass and just locked the thread up to justify his/her own opinion.

I could go on, but I think I've shown some of the limitations of our reputation system?

@Nanya,

I don't really care about the exact wording we use for the button (as long as it makes sense). I think we can customize it, but am not certain.

-chronodekar

 

[The Ero-Sennin]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

I feel the like/rep system is detrimental to discourse on any forum. The Spacebattles system is certainly a good example of why, writers can post stories and instead of getting any written feedback, they just get likes, which don't bump their threads and causes them to rapidly disappear off the first page which in turn prevents users from giving it a look and providing possible feedback.

 

[Shirotsume]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

I've said my thoughts on the Thanks system before, and I'll say it again- it's a pointless waste of space, and the only thing it does is lick and stroke your epeen. Stop giving a fuck about likes/rep/bullshit, they mean nothing and do nothing. I would take out the rep system if I could, having seen it in use, because people act downright stupid about it, and the thanks system would be no better.

None of the benefits of the 'Thanks/Like' system (Which we don't even have, we have a thanks plugin and that's it) are things that couldn't be done with a post, which is infinitely preferable for the reasons Ero gave. Worse yet, it WILL cause people to just Thanks a story instead of actually giving feedback, because it's a faster and easier way of showing they like it, and that does absolutely jack fuck for the writer.

If you want someone to stroke your ego, go do it on FFnet. While you're there, go commiserate with perfect lionheart about us not blowing you off.

 

[NuitTombee]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

There is one reason I'd want it, does this Thanks system allow you to view which posts you've liked so you can see all of the posts you've like?

 

[chronodekar]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

I've said my thoughts on the Thanks system before, and I'll say it again- it's a pointless waste of space, and the only thing it does is lick and stroke your epeen.

My apologies if it was brought up earlier. But I do remember you talking about how the rep system might help make posts better and felt that you might feel similar about the Thanks plugin (Obviously, you've changed your opinion since then).

Worse yet, it WILL cause people to just Thanks a story instead of actually giving feedback, because it's a faster and easier way of showing they like it, and that does absolutely jack fuck for the writer.

Way I see things - if someone wanted to give useful feedback to an author; they actually post it. Forcing feedback, is not necessarily honest feedback. I've got it a few times.

If you want someone to stroke your ego, go do it on FFnet.

I'll be the first to admit that I get a bit of an ego stroke with it (mentioned in 3rd post). But it most certainly is NOT the primary motivation for this request.

While you're there, go commiserate with perfect lionheart about us not blowing you off.

:-/ ... was the reference really necessary? Considering what I know of him; it's harsh.

-chronodekar

 

[Shirotsume]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

There is one reason I'd want it, does this Thanks system allow you to view which posts you've liked so you can see all of the posts you've like?

It cannot.

@Chronodekar: The issue is that people will stop giving useful feedback to stories they like. We've already seen this when hawk mandated that you couldn't just post moar. Also, you're missing the point- we aren't forcing feedback, only making sure that the only feedback isn't a "Thanks." We already know this will happen.

And yes, it was necessary. I fully intended to be harsh. Something like this deserves it.

 

[chronodekar]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

@Shirotsume,

Well, in that case I don't see the point in any further discussions on the matter. I officially withdraw my suggestion request.

I can't seem to delete/remove the poll - odd. While I can delete the entire thread; an overly extreme option.

-sigh-

Do we want to lock the thread now?

-chronodekar

 

[Shirotsume]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

I personally do not approve- that means nothing but my own opinion.


So far in the poll, Yes is winning (Though barely, if you take the posts as votes as well.)

What, do you think that just because I disprove, I wouldn't add it if that's what TFF wanted? For that matter, in a day or two I won't even be an admin anymore.

EDIT: and goddamn it myBB, STOP LETTING USERS DELETE SHIT WHARGBL.

 

[chronodekar]

RE: Add a Thanks button to user posts ?

I personally do not approve- that means nothing but my own opinion.


So far in the poll, Yes is winning.

What, do you think that just because I disprove, I wouldn't add it if that's what TFF wanted? For that matter, in a day or two I won't even be an admin anymore.

It's not just you.

PCHeintz72, The Ero-Sennin and even Vexarian (in the admin thread) rejected the idea based on experience.

As much as I would like the idea implemented, I believe in deferring to the wisdom of those who've been around here longer - to an extent. This is a case where I fold.

-chronodekar

 

[Altered Nova]

The way I see it, though I might be wrong - people who are willing to post actual useful feedback still will, they aren't going to say "well I was going to post 3 paragraphs of detailed constructive criticism, but clicking that like button is just so much easier" but those people who would have just posted "moar" or "this is awesome!" or some other useless comment will instead hit the like button because it's basically the same sentiment but without cluttering the thread with crap posts. Which means a thread with more constructive discussion and the mods not needing to warn as many people for making positive but useless posts.

Edit: In other words, the kind of person who would just like/thank the story/post and move on probably wouldn't have instead posted very useful advice if the like/thanks button wasn't there, so nothing of value is lost.

 

[Shirotsume]

The problem I see is that people will replace the Thanks button for smaller feedback.

Instead of saying something like "I really liked it, but the flow was a bit off." they'll just hit like and move on with their lives.

 

[Vexarian]

It really just adds nothing. The reputation system is silly, but ultimately pretty harmless so long as no one takes it seriously.

The proposed Thanks/Likes system would be much easier to take seriously, and as I've said, adds nothing. At best it would amount to pointless ego-stroking, at worst it could, as Shirotsume said, discourage discussion by acting as a lazy replacement.