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Suggest FT add “Like” button [implemented 9 Aug 2017]

Old Aug 8, 2017, 9:37 am
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Last edit by: JDiver
The new "Like" "button"

When you click on the "Like" button, it registers the handle of the user liking the post in a horizontal box immediately below the "Like" button. "Liking" a post also optionally sends a notification to the post owner. "Like" notifications appear in Your Control Panel in My FlyerTalk.

To turn the notification function on or off, look in Your Control Panel and Settings & Options under Messaging & Notification:

Likes Notifications:
  • Enable Likes Notifications
  • Disable Likes Notifications

NOTE: Editing a post causes the "Likes" to disappear for a short period of time. They are restored after that pause.

To report issues, problems etc. please visit this thread in the Technical Support and Feedback forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/technical-support-feedback/1863159-new-like-button-information-issues-discussion.html

LIST OF SUGGESTIONS, PROS and CONS discussed in thread:

Please add all your suggestions since implementation, August 9 2017:
  1. Modify Like button to take up less real estate - ie, put the button w/ the other buttons & likes under signatures or list only if hover
  2. Allow members to completely turn off the ability to see likes
  3. Use Helpful instead of Like
  4. Completely eliminate Like button
  5. Do not display handles of those who Liked the post

"Some FTers are supportive of like/helpful button. Some are not. Some on both sides of the issue have questions, concerns and/or need more info. This wiki attempts to highlight them in bullet format/"cliff notes" version from the 566 posts made in prior Talkboard thread, which had 700 posts. More detailed information regarding the pros/cons/questions/concerns/info can be garnered by reading the entire thread, where FTers on both sides of the like/helpful button have been eloquent/provided valuable input. When TalkBoard last polled FT members, the result of the poll was in favour of introducing likes (by a considerable margin)

Pros:
* Make Flyertalk more modern/more like Facebook, LinkedIn and many other social media sites
* A like/helpful button would minimize unnecessary replies such as +1.
* Streamlines posts
* The value add of showing likes, helpful votes, etc. is that it can surface good content and get more views for it
* Positive feedback incentivizes quality content/FTers will post more
* Some people won’t take time to write a thank you but will post a like
* Those with more likes/helpfuls are considered knowledgable

Cons:
* Makes Flyertalk more like Facebook/dumbs it down
* FT had rating system here years ago and it did not go well
* System can be gamed/cliques develop
* Clutters up posts/takes up valuable screen space
* Will not eliminate +1s/+1s also provide positive feedback
* Posts that have inaccurate info can also get likes/doesn't mean poster is knowledgable
* If FTers post info & it doesn't get likes/helpfuls, less incentive to post more
* Some who might have posted info in the past will now just post like, so less information provided to other FTers.

Questions, concerns about how it will work, and/or information based on brief internal trial already done (trial done last time it came up for discussion)
* If implemented, can FTers who prefer not to utilize the like/helpful button turn it off so that they don't see it at all?
* Is there a software way to separate likes of posts from posters? (Limited trial indicates no; don't know if software can be changed to do so)
* Can a post/day count be implemented before implementing for FTers, similar Omni/CC? (Yes)
* Can certain forums have it turned off such as Omni? (No, current software is it's either all forums or none)
* If a sitewide trial is created, what are the metrics for success or failure?
* What is the goal of this/how will the data be used?
* If customization of current software is required, will this take away from development on other projects such as a better mobile app?
* Will or can there be a dislike/unhelpful button?
* What happens if a post that is "liked" gets its content edited and ends up having a different meaning than it initially had at the time the post was "liked"?
* Can threads or individual posts deemed helpful be bookmarked/saved?"

IBobi responded to theses comments and questions here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28664495-post59.html


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Suggest FT add “Like” button [implemented 9 Aug 2017]

Old Aug 8, 2017, 9:10 pm
  #61  
 
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BTW - unless you've got numbers showing that thousands of FTers have been clamoring for a like button, I stand by my statement that based on the threads in Talkboard & Omnis there's not been a huge clamoring by FTers for a like button.
While there may not be many proactively asking for a like button, it seems pretty clear that there are many more in this thread, at least, in support of a like button than not (granted, the vast majority of FTers just don't visit, or are even aware of, this forum).

Heck, I bet if you put up a poll that said which would you prefer: A) a decent search function on FT; B) a 'like' button, A would win by substantial numbers
This may be true if you made it a binary choice, but if you allowed respondents to select both, I would guess that a majority would also select Likes.

I don't see why a like feature can't be turned on/off, like other features of FT& that would be my & a # of other FTers preference. It's not self-defeating. If I as a user/contributor of FT don't want to be bothered to either post a like or - more importantly - view the likes (because I literally don't care if a post gets a like or not), I don't see why I should be forced to view them. If someone wants to view them, they can keep the feature turned on. Having the option of turning it on/off makes FTers able to use FT in a manner that works besst for them.
There is probably some more technical / coding reason for this. But would it really degrade your experience on FT to see a "like" button next to the "alert a moderator" button, for example, and to see "Likes: 14 under "Posts: 59,859" on each post? I don't know how it would actually be implemented, but I imagine it would be fairly unobtrusive. Why not give it a shot before decrying the concept?

And if I have to see the user names of those who have posted likes, that's going to turn FT into as big a mess for viewing as Milepoint was - and one reason I stopped going to Milepoint. Also, saying that it can'be gamed is silly IMO. There are plenty of ways it can be gamed. FTers even counted the ways in the 700 post thread. And BTW - posts have user names associated w/ them, so saying it's the post & never the FTer is a bit naive.
I absolutely agree with this. The usernames associated with likes was interesting at first, but quickly got very old and cluttered threads. Maybe I wouldn't mind it so much if it were less obtrusive (hover over the "Likes" to show usernames, or click to show pop-up balloon or something), although I am generally not a fan of attaching usernames to likes b/c who cares?

One thing I would suggest - don't make it possible to like your own posts.
aeroman380 likes this.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 4:19 pm
  #62  
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We are about to roll out a like button. I'll be posting a global announcement. Once you use it, feel free to post your reaction and any glitches that you experience.

Carol
Community Director
jackal and IBobi like this.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 4:33 pm
  #63  
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We'll be turning it on, forum by forum. It's now on in here
nsx, JDiver, SanDiego1K and 8 others like this.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 4:41 pm
  #64  
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ah, being turned on right now?
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 4:58 pm
  #65  
 
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I see the like button on the full site version but it doesnt appear on mobile version and tablets.

So glad this is active now i wont open the same trip report i hav3 read.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 8:26 pm
  #66  
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Just my 2 cents...
  • I don't like that it shows who liked the post.
  • The list of who likes the post is distracting from the main text of the post.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 8:28 pm
  #67  
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Originally Posted by corruptcanadian
I see the like button on the full site version but it doesnt appear on mobile version and tablets.

So glad this is active now i wont open the same trip report i hav3 read.
How does it keep you from opening the same trip report you've read previously?
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 8:40 pm
  #68  
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How can I disable this? I find it useless and obtrusive.
tom911, audio-nut, beltway and 2 others like this.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 8:59 pm
  #69  
 
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Originally Posted by kipper
Just my 2 cents...
  • I don't like that it shows who liked the post.
  • The list of who likes the post is distracting from the main text of the post.
+1

Originally Posted by mahasamatman
How can I disable this? I find it useless and obtrusive.
+1

I wasn't in favor of a "Like" button and am less so after seeing it's highly distracting implementation.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 9:46 pm
  #70  
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by javabytes
I support a Like button, to the extent that it stops people from posting "+1" or "^" replies, and actually reduces clutter. ...
Originally Posted by nequine
I enjoy reading the trip report section but don't always want to repeat myself saying the same thing, so I'd like a 'like' button so that I can acknowledge the work someone has done (and the time taken) to post a trip report....
Originally Posted by nittanylion1
It would be a validation that the post contains useful information, making it more valuable to newbies..
Originally Posted by MANtraveller
I would have 'liked' or 'helpful posted' this post with good suggestions without clogging up the thread with what I feel is unnecessary space to just agree with the original comment.

I feel it would make the forums easier to find great input from other members without too much of the surrounding posts that agree, +1 or sometimes dislike (no button for that please)

there are many times I have stopped myself from making a few word reply based on my opinion of the relative value, but the original poster has little idea of how well his/her post/comments are received by many people - just my thoughts !
Agree 100% with the above (and the others that said the same-- will reduce clutter and will help people figure out which posts have been deemed helpful to large #'s of members.

Strongly in favor of this feature.

Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
We are about to roll out a like button. I'll be posting a global announcement. Once you use it, feel free to post your reaction and any glitches that you experience.

Carol
Community Director
Glad it was decided to be worth a try!
jackal likes this.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 9:56 pm
  #71  
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Can I turn off the blasted xxx likes this banners? Really annoying.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 10:30 pm
  #72  
 
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Originally Posted by mahasamatman
How can I disable this? I find it useless and obtrusive.
I gave you a "like". Hope you appreciate the irony
I agree with mahasamatman. I don't have a Facebook account because I don't give a toot about what people like or don't like. I already know what *I* like.
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Old Aug 9, 2017, 11:58 pm
  #73  
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This is really annoying. All the times in the past when there has been any publicity, the consensus was that the "like" button was NOT something that was wanted. Now, it just gets implemented without any prominent mentions of this thread where it was being discussed, so few contributed their dislike of the "like."

Arrgh. Turn an adult forum into facebook-like junk.
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Old Aug 10, 2017, 12:41 am
  #74  
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Never ask members whether they would like a feature. There are many that would prefer to live in the past and not progress as humans simply do not like change.

Sadly it is not showing on the mobile skin.

Thank goodness the software behind the forum is so poor otherwise there would be many more modern features to annoy the minority.

We need to remember that today's youngsters will want to enjoy this site and get the same benefits as we do. The site has to be relevant to them as well.
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Old Aug 10, 2017, 2:11 am
  #75  
 
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Now we need to find out how we can convert our likes into miles in the program of choice ... 1 like converts to 10 miles!
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