New 'Like' feature

RobM · Feb 12, 2011

Anyone else a bit confused how it is meant to be used?
Is it a replacement for reputation, or is it meant to be used supplementary to user reputation? Does it make reputation points redundant? Are people likely to click ‘Like’ than to give reputation for a post?

I imagine that it is to be used to help identify useful posts, but I have also seen it used on a more personal and humorous level. Perhaps if someone could explain its intentions it could make things a little clearer.

mewsie · Feb 12, 2011

Hey, I think its just linked to facebook - so if you 'like' it on here, it will appear as a link on facebook and a like in your 'likes' over there.

Molch · Feb 12, 2011

I wonder if it should be balanced with a spanking feature as for every yin there must be a yang....

Yahilles · Feb 12, 2011

Personally i think it's annoying. Reputation is enough, and these "likes" seem to be just making an additional mess over the forum. Social groups, visitor messages etc. are in my opinion enough social on this forum. The new feature is expendable.

mewsie said:
Hey, I think its just linked to facebook - so if you 'like' it on here, it will appear as a link on facebook and a like in your 'likes' over there.

I don't think so - i don't see the like i just recieved, on my wall.

If anybody even THINKS about liking this post, i'll KILL him/her.

Otterwoman · Feb 12, 2011

If you "like" it on the button on the left in the first post of the thread, the thread will appear on your facebook page. If you do the individual ones on the thread on the right, I believe it just shows that you "like" it here. It could really clear up a lot of clutter, like when someone posts a cute picture or tells how their newt laid eggs, instead of 20 posts saying "wayta go" or "cute pic" you could just "like" it. Or if you click "share" on the right, THEN you can post it on your facebook page.

RobM · Feb 12, 2011

otterwoman said:
It could really clear up a lot of clutter, like when someone posts a cute picture or tells how their newt laid eggs, instead of 20 posts saying "wayta go" or "cute pic" you could just "like" it.

That makes a lot of sense! It would suggest that it is more of a personal/social feature in that case.
However at the same time I also think that, that kind of thread would be quite disappointing if it got 20 likes and no personal comments.

Kaysie · Feb 12, 2011

I'm with Dawn on this one. Having one function adds a little clutter, yes, but it's much less than the 50 "oh that's nice" posts some threads get. I'm not sure how the other Mods work, but I know I try to make it a point to read every thread, just to keep tabs on things, and long threads about irrelevant things make me feel like I could've spent my time better elsewhere.

Bellabelloo · Feb 12, 2011

I use the new like button if the post is interesting, funny etc. But I still use the rep button if the post is helpful, informative and so on.
I agree also with Kaysie's and Dawns points

Janusz ~ I just couldn't resist it, I did try .

DeCypher · Feb 12, 2011

I certainly hope it doesn't get annoying like facebook. I have people on facebook who like every single post I make!

RobM · Feb 12, 2011

Thanks everyone for your replies. It is now clear that it is for "interesting, funny etc" (Julia - 2011). I hope I was not the only one unclear

Ken Worthington · Feb 12, 2011

I have to admit that Facebook is something I have little respect for.
For the purposes of 'identity-theft' and 'data-mining' it's a treasure chest for those so inclined.
Once you have opened an account on Facebook, you cannot 'close' that account as such, or delete/remove data.
Whilst I appreciate that it can make forum administration easier, I feel that 'people being people' will be inclined to click 'Like' rather than add 'reputation'.
I'd hope that the 'Like' wouldn't be over-used....
Personally, I feel that the advantages are outweighed by the disadvantages.

In a nut-shell, I have a sense of disappointment stemming from a potential 'dumbing-down' of this forum through linking it to Facebook.

Thanks for starting this thread, Rob,

KW

Kaysie · Feb 12, 2011

It's actually been linked to facebook for some months now. You can "like" a thread, which is under the original poster's avatar. The "like" function on the right side of the posts, however, is not linked to facebook. Just the "share" function.

mewsie · Feb 12, 2011

Its a difficult one, the whole 'dumbing down' thing.

Having moderated Sony AIBO forums for years, we went through the inevitable change from it being highly technical, to, as AIBO became more accessible, more of a social outlet for a much wider range of people.

Sure, a lot of the threads were 'omg, ur AIBO is wikkid' (when essentially, they all look alike, they are robots!) but it took the site in a new direction, and people started to build lasting friendships outside of AIBO as a result.

I do use facebook, much as I think of it as an 'anti-social network' these days, although I don't like to link across sites - it already freaks me out how I get gumtree ads etc all over the web advertising to me things I've been searching for!

Ken Worthington · Feb 12, 2011

Kaysie said:
The "like" function on the right side of the posts, however, is not linked to facebook. Just the "share" function.

Thanks, Kaysie, I understand

Kaysie · Feb 12, 2011

It's a sign of the times, Ken. Kids these days, they need to "like" things. If we don't keep up with the trends, we're just old fogeys. I don't think this forum will 'dumb down' much. At least, any more than it does. Really, I see this is two forums: The professional side (which is moderated), where good science is spread, and the 'omg look at my axie' side, which is where kids (and kids at heart) can get together and show off all their pets and still get good advice.

RobM · Feb 12, 2011

The younger people want to like everything, the older people want to dislike everything

Kaysie · Feb 12, 2011

RobM said:
the older people want to dislike everything

It gets worse the older you get too! *shakes fist and mumbles about her lawn*

DeCypher · Feb 12, 2011

The thread has somehow turned into a 'young people vs. old people' thread.

Kaysie · Feb 12, 2011

Dang kids.

RobM · Feb 12, 2011

Well I'm going to consider myself middle aged, and say I don't really mind :yawn:
I request an 'alright' or 'okay' button...

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