Can we borrow something from the dreaded Facebook?

[Reardy Mister]

In the forums, alot of times we get "+1". Its to be expected. Often someone says exactly what youre thinking, you want to approve, align yourself with their opinion but not add anything particularly.

So, what if we had a "Like" feature, like Facebook does? Instead of having an infinite "+1" fest, there would just be a note to say how many people "Liked" it (or gave it a thumbs up, however you want to package it) and then clicking on that number tells you which PHers agreed/Liked/etc.

Ive no idea of the programming mechanics, but it might be a good streamlining tool?

[The Riddler]

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd post my idea here.

Would it be possible to add a 'Show original post' link on quotes, quite often I skim read threads, see something interesting quoted then have to stumble back over numerous pages to find the original. Also comes in handy when someone only partially quotes someone.

[abarth500]

Will there be a -1 (or hate) option too?

These are pointless in my opinion, who really cares if someone likes it?

Edited by abarth500 on Friday 25th March 00:07

[Reardy Mister]

abarth500 said:

Will there be a -1 (or hate) option too?

These are pointless in my opinion, who really cares if someone likes it?

Edited by abarth500 on Friday 25th March 00:07

No there wouldn't be a dislike option. If you had a differing opinion, you would need still post to say what and why.

I believe PHers do care about seeing who or how many people agree with their posts, no different than people look for agreement or people to align themselves with in any other social setting.

Besides that, the point of this isn't particularly finding out who agrees or not, but reducing a particular type of response and providing an alternative form of responding.

Well done on the "meh" pic though. I take it your "cool story bro!" pic was being used elsewhere?

[abarth500]

Reardy Mister said:

No there wouldn't be a dislike option. If you had a differing opinion, you would need still post to say what and why.

I believe PHers do care about seeing who or how many people agree with their posts, no different than people look for agreement or people to align themselves with in any other social setting.

Besides that, the point of this isn't particularly finding out who agrees or not, but reducing a particular type of response and providing an alternative form of responding.

Well done on the "meh" pic though. I take it your "cool story bro!" pic was being used elsewhere?

So you are only allowed to "like"? Surely if you liked something you should still "post to say what and why"?

As for the "meh" picture, it's just showing an alternative to "like" or "dislike", where do you draw the line?

Here's another pic to end this post with

Edited by abarth500 on Friday 25th March 08:37

[Mr Will]

Reardy Mister said:

In the forums, alot of times we get "+1". Its to be expected. Often someone says exactly what youre thinking, you want to approve, align yourself with their opinion but not add anything particularly.

So, what if we had a "Like" feature, like Facebook does? Instead of having an infinite "+1" fest, there would just be a note to say how many people "Liked" it (or gave it a thumbs up, however you want to package it) and then clicking on that number tells you which PHers agreed/Liked/etc.

Ive no idea of the programming mechanics, but it might be a good streamlining tool?

It's simple enough to program, if we wanted to. The problem is that features like this don't tend to work very well on forums like PH. You end up with the cliques up-voting each other regardless of content, "funny" posts receiving massive number of likes and (if you allow disagreeing) people down-voting whoever they are arguing with. Ultimately it ends up stifling discussion far more than the occasional "+1" ever did.

[Mr Will]

The Riddler said:

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd post my idea here.

Would it be possible to add a 'Show original post' link on quotes, quite often I skim read threads, see something interesting quoted then have to stumble back over numerous pages to find the original. Also comes in handy when someone only partially quotes someone.

It would have been better off in it's own thread, but I can answer it here!

Because of the way the forums work, this is very tricky to do so I'm afraid it won't be happening any time soon.

Sorry

[The Riddler]

Mr Will said:

It would have been better off in it's own thread, but I can answer it here!

Because of the way the forums work, this is very tricky to do so I'm afraid it won't be happening any time soon.

Sorry

Thanks, and it's ok! I didn't think this thread would descemd into a Facebook bh fest!

[Reardy Mister]

Mr Will said:

It's simple enough to program, if we wanted to. The problem is that features like this don't tend to work very well on forums like PH. You end up with the cliques up-voting each other regardless of content, "funny" posts receiving massive number of likes and (if you allow disagreeing) people down-voting whoever they are arguing with. Ultimately it ends up stifling discussion far more than the occasional "+1" ever did.

The bigging up of posts from mates, I cant see an issue with. Everyone will expect PHer x to agree with PHer Y, but it might save a series of +1s.

The disliking would not be permitted in the grounds I mentioned above - if you disagree, you need to back it up.

But if your experience is that it kills discussion, rather than fostering it, then no dramas. It was just a thought.

[Reardy Mister]

abarth500 said:

So you are only allowed to "like"? Surely if you liked something you should still "post to say what and why"?

As for the "meh" picture, it's just showing an alternative to "like" or "dislike", where do you draw the line?

Here's another pic to end this post with

Edited by abarth500 on Friday 25th March 08:37

I wasnt suggesting we make this place like facebook, just draw on one feature.


Ok, so youre anti facebook in general. We get it.

[Mr Will]

Reardy Mister said:

But if your experience is that it kills discussion, rather than fostering it, then no dramas. It was just a thought.

No problem, suggestions are always welcome and considered!

Something very similar was tried on PH by Ted a few years ago but was scrapped because it didn't work. It's down to the way that communities work and the vested interests involved, rather than networks of friends like Facebook or "Hit and run" posts like the news sites and similar.

I won't say that we'll never try it again, but it doesn't feature in our plans at the moment.

[nouze]

Reardy Mister said:

No there wouldn't be a dislike option.

Why not, world isn't full of roses and rivers flowing with milk and honey you know.