OK, I know this is probably going to sound silly to a lot of folks, but is there any way to install a "Like" or "+1" feature for posts? I lurk a lot lately. There are a lot of times I'll read a comment that I like and/or agree with or maybe just find amusing, but I don't want to send an email to every subscriber by adding an "agreed" or "lol" type of post.

Quote from: pspahn;729287OK, I know this is probably going to sound silly to a lot of folks, but is there any way to install a "Like" or "+1" feature for posts? I lurk a lot lately. There are a lot of times I'll read a comment that I like and/or agree with or maybe just find amusing, but I don't want to send an email to every subscriber by adding an "agreed" or "lol" type of post.

There was a discussion about that here: http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=28754

Quote from: pspahn;729287OK, I know this is probably going to sound silly to a lot of folks, but is there any way to install a "Like" or "+1" feature for posts? I lurk a lot lately. There are a lot of times I'll read a comment that I like and/or agree with or maybe just find amusing, but I don't want to send an email to every subscriber by adding an "agreed" or "lol" type of post.

Its a bad idea it will always be a BAD Idea...


- Ed C.

I have no opposition to people just saying "I agree" or "lol". I see way more of a downside implementing a system of "popularity of posts/posters" on the RPG Site, and thus basically turning some sort of "clique(s)" or "us against them" effect all the way up to 11 (or 22, whatever), trusting in [select group of users/individuals of your choice] that isn't you to make the tagging of interesting posts for you, versus just having to scroll down on a page and read the actual posts people are making to know if you like them or not for yourself.

Quote from: Benoist;729442I have no opposition to people just saying "I agree" or "lol". I see way more of a downside implementing a system of "popularity of posts/posters" on the RPG Site, and thus basically turning some sort of "clique(s)" or "us against them" effect all the way up to 11 (or 22, whatever), trusting in [select group of users/individuals of your choice] that isn't you to make the tagging of interesting posts for you, versus just having to scroll down on a page and read the actual posts people are making to know if you like them or not for yourself.

No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about any sort of categorization system or popularity contest. Having a Like button shouldn't preclude people from reading the thread (and if it does, that's one them). I just want some way for us to agree with a statement or sentiment that doesn't involve some massive email generation to those who are subscribed to the thread.

To be clear, I'm talking about individual posts on a thread as well, not just the full thread itself. Basically, if someone makes a point or counterpoint that I agree with, I'd like a simple way of acknowledging that I agree or support that viewpoint/post/whatever. I can't stand being subscribed to a discussion thread and getting an email notification which takes me to the discussion, only to read "+1" or "agreed" in the post. It's tedious, especially when you are subscribed to multiple threads. Or, when you are subscribed to a thread, get a link, and have to skim several pages to catch up, many of which are simple affirmations. I think it would actually help keep the discussions more focused and easier to navigate.

Quote from: Koltar;729380Its a bad idea it will always be a BAD Idea...


- Ed C.

And. . .why?

Quote from: pspahn;729503No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about any sort of categorization system or popularity contest. Having a Like button shouldn't preclude people from reading the thread (and if it does, that's one them). I just want some way for us to agree with a statement or sentiment that doesn't involve some massive email generation to those who are subscribed to the thread.

To be clear, I'm talking about individual posts on a thread as well, not just the full thread itself. Basically, if someone makes a point or counterpoint that I agree with, I'd like a simple way of acknowledging that I agree or support that viewpoint/post/whatever. I can't stand being subscribed to a discussion thread and getting an email notification which takes me to the discussion, only to read "+1" or "agreed" in the post. It's tedious, especially when you are subscribed to multiple threads. Or, when you are subscribed to a thread, get a link, and have to skim several pages to catch up, many of which are simple affirmations. I think it would actually help keep the discussions more focused and easier to navigate.




And. . .why?

This was discussed on the other thread, but I think the mods are all in agreement with Benoist. While it would eliminate ditto posts, i think the overall effect is popular posters get lots of plus ones even if their points are not that good. My feeling is it does lead to more focus on cliques and less focus on post content. If people feel strongly enough to agree with a poster, i prefer they make a post in support, even if it is just to say "agree". That requires more effort and you know who is in agreement (whereas with likes most people just see the ten upvotes without caring where the likes came from). The forums i do go to that havethis feature, in my opinion suffer because of it. I like that there isnt an XP or like feature here because i have to judge a post soley on its content, without the influence if how many likes it has.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;729515This was discussed on the other thread, but I think the mods are all in agreement with Benoist. While it would eliminate ditto posts, i think the overall effect is popular posters get lots of plus ones even if their points are not that good. My feeling is it does lead to more focus on cliques and less focus on post content. If people feel strongly enough to agree with a poster, i prefer they make a post in support, even if it is just to say "agree". That requires more effort and you know who is in agreement (whereas with likes most people just see the ten upvotes without caring where the likes came from). The forums i do go to that havethis feature, in my opinion suffer because of it. I like that there isnt an XP or like feature here because i have to judge a post soley on its content, without the influence if how many likes it has.

OK, that's fair enough I guess since it's been debated before. I don't understand about the cliques issue, but maybe it's because I'm more of a casual poster. I don't understand how the # of Likes can influence my judgement of a post's content.

I'm not trying to come off as argumentative, I honestly just don't understand it. I'm active on Facebook and G+ and whether or not a post has 800 Likes or 0 doesn't really play a factor into whether or not I read the post. If it seems interesting, I read it (and usually the follow up comments as well). If I agree with them I hit "Like" or "+1" if I don't have anything constructive to add.

I guess there's a different dynamic on a forum that I'm not aware of because like I said, I'm only a casual forum poster who skims the front page once a day or so.

In any case, thanks for the response!

Well, I don't like cluttering threads with "dittos" and I suspect if people did that more than the rather limited amount they do, the site would be unreadable.

Also I want to be clear that what what's under discussion here is purely a like button for a post. Not dislikes. Not filters. Not user scores. Please don't respond to the request for feature X by criticizing some other feature Y.

I would be very interested in seeing sites that have got this system--likes on posts, not dislikes, not filters, not user scores--which have suffered because of it. I realize causality is a tricky thing to prove and I'm not going to hold you to a high standard of evidence; I just want to know where the impression comes from.

For me, "likes" tell me that someone bothered to read my post and enjoyed it or agreed with it. Just because I get no followup could mean I'm babbling or it could be that I've covered the point so well that no one feels a need to add anything.

"Likes" also tell me how the readership responded to a post and clue me whether an argument really needs to be responded to or if it's just one doofus arguing for the sake of argument.

Quote from: Arminius;729524Well, I don't like cluttering threads with "dittos" and I suspect if people did that more than the rather limited amount they do, the site would be unreadable.

Also I want to be clear that what what's under discussion here is purely a like button for a post. Not dislikes. Not filters. Not user scores. Please don't respond to the request for feature X by criticizing some other feature Y.

I would be very interested in seeing sites that have got this system--likes on posts, not dislikes, not filters, not user scores--which have suffered because of it. I realize causality is a tricky thing to prove and I'm not going to hold you to a high standard of evidence; I just want to know where the impression comes from.

For me, "likes" tell me that someone bothered to read my post and enjoyed it or agreed with it. Just because I get no followup could mean I'm babbling or it could be that I've covered the point so well that no one feels a need to add anything.

"Likes" also tell me how the readership responded to a post and clue me whether an argument really needs to be responded to or if it's just one doofus arguing for the sake of argument.

I guess I just don't find it unreadable when people have posts that say "I agree" unless you are talking dozens and dozens of them. For +1 and likes, I am not convinced they would add anything, and feel they ultimately are not helpful.

Quote from: Arminius;729524Well, I don't like cluttering threads with "dittos" and I suspect if people did that more than the rather limited amount they do, the site would be unreadable.

Also I want to be clear that what what's under discussion here is purely a like button for a post. Not dislikes. Not filters. Not user scores. Please don't respond to the request for feature X by criticizing some other feature Y.

I would be very interested in seeing sites that have got this system--likes on posts, not dislikes, not filters, not user scores--which have suffered because of it. I realize causality is a tricky thing to prove and I'm not going to hold you to a high standard of evidence; I just want to know where the impression comes from.

For me, "likes" tell me that someone bothered to read my post and enjoyed it or agreed with it. Just because I get no followup could mean I'm babbling or it could be that I've covered the point so well that no one feels a need to add anything.

"Likes" also tell me how the readership responded to a post and clue me whether an argument really needs to be responded to or if it's just one doofus arguing for the sake of argument.

A football site i post to used to have a like/dislike function and it caused so many ructions that they got rid of it.

A more neutral version i've seen of this is a "Thanks" button. So your post isn't liked or disliked, but thanked.

Quote from: pspahn;729523I don't understand how the # of Likes can influence my judgement of a post's content.

I think it colors most peoples reading of a post. If you see 15 likes on one person's post and you see no likes on the post of the person debating with that poster, I believe it can have an impact on how you view it.

QuoteI'm not trying to come off as argumentative, I honestly just don't understand it. I'm active on Facebook and G+ and whether or not a post has 800 Likes or 0 doesn't really play a factor into whether or not I read the post. If it seems interesting, I read it (and usually the follow up comments as well). If I agree with them I hit "Like" or "+1" if I don't have anything constructive to add.

I don't see it as being argumentative. I think you are just expressing your view. And we can't always agree on everything.

Quote from: Arminius;729524For me, "likes" tell me that someone bothered to read my post and enjoyed it or agreed with it. Just because I get no followup could mean I'm babbling or it could be that I've covered the point so well that no one feels a need to add anything.

Agreed.


(see what I did there?)

While RPG Geek has as like system which works well, it is different forum software than vbulletin, and it is unknown how implementable it would be for vbulletin. Some things are better found out by going over to the vbulletin site and looking directly at what widgets are available and for how much.