- Impact
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We all know that threads that make it to the popular today, this week or this month, and get listed in the right hand sidebar, have a big advantage and tend to get more replies and that helps keep them there.
I think the current system, which I take is number of replies discounting those by the original poster, is flawed. What it means is that someone can start a frivolous thread, perhaps with questionable or inappropriate language or seemingly false claims, and then many complain about it, the number of replies goes up, the thread makes it to the most popular list, edging out many other threads that are truly valuable to our community.
I know the answer is to simply ignore and they will go away, but many members have difficulty doing this for the obvious reason of not wanting incorrect or misleading content on the site. Surely we could have a better way to choose popular?
Not wanting to pick on any thread, but there is one currently on the popular list that demonstrates this problem perfectly. The original post has 1 like and 4 dislikes. There are 7 replies but essentially they all disagree with the original post (there is one useful one that points out an error in the terms used). One reply from a respected member even suggests a useless posts section for threads like this. But yet, this thread is there in the middle of the most popular today. If i just stumbled on the site I would think this must present information of interest to domainers.
I am not sure exactly how a better system would be, but maybe we need some way for community to indicate how valuable a thread is, and threads that do well get promoted. I know sometimes the first post is not particularly strong, but leads to a good thread. What I have in mind is a 10 point scale each person reading a thread can give a rating on the thread overall (and ideally change it if the thread evolves), and instead of popular feature ones that the community say are worthwhile.
Now I do realize a weakness in any community that some may try to use any system to discount contributions from some, but surely we are a big enough community that would not be a serious problem. I think the vast majority of our members want to make this great community even better.
Anyway, just a thought. Thanks to the moderators for all of the great work they do.
Bob
I think the current system, which I take is number of replies discounting those by the original poster, is flawed. What it means is that someone can start a frivolous thread, perhaps with questionable or inappropriate language or seemingly false claims, and then many complain about it, the number of replies goes up, the thread makes it to the most popular list, edging out many other threads that are truly valuable to our community.
I know the answer is to simply ignore and they will go away, but many members have difficulty doing this for the obvious reason of not wanting incorrect or misleading content on the site. Surely we could have a better way to choose popular?
Not wanting to pick on any thread, but there is one currently on the popular list that demonstrates this problem perfectly. The original post has 1 like and 4 dislikes. There are 7 replies but essentially they all disagree with the original post (there is one useful one that points out an error in the terms used). One reply from a respected member even suggests a useless posts section for threads like this. But yet, this thread is there in the middle of the most popular today. If i just stumbled on the site I would think this must present information of interest to domainers.
I am not sure exactly how a better system would be, but maybe we need some way for community to indicate how valuable a thread is, and threads that do well get promoted. I know sometimes the first post is not particularly strong, but leads to a good thread. What I have in mind is a 10 point scale each person reading a thread can give a rating on the thread overall (and ideally change it if the thread evolves), and instead of popular feature ones that the community say are worthwhile.
Now I do realize a weakness in any community that some may try to use any system to discount contributions from some, but surely we are a big enough community that would not be a serious problem. I think the vast majority of our members want to make this great community even better.
Anyway, just a thought. Thanks to the moderators for all of the great work they do.
Bob
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