View Poll Results: Q: What is your view on FlyerTalk implementing a "Helpful" button feature?
Support
433
59.72%
Oppose
275
37.93%
No opinion
17
2.34%
Voters: 725. You may not vote on this poll
Jan 12, 2015, 9:07 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the 
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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 in this thread. 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.
Pros:
* Makes Flyertalk more modern; more like Facebook, LinkedIn, and other progressive internet bulletin boards
* A like/helpful button would minimize unnecessary replies such as +1.
* Streamlines posts
* 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 it easier for airlines/companies to find mistake fares/glitches/underground tricks
* 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.
* Older posts will tend to have more likes/helpfuls on average than newer posts in the same thread, which can be misleading when the information is out-of-date. [added by MSPeconomist]
Questions, concerns about how it will work, and/or information based on brief internal trial already done
* If implemented, can FTers who prefer not to utilize the like/helpful button turn it off so that they don't see it?
* 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?
* Can users "opt out" and select to remove all trace of the system, as is currently possible with the ignore list and removing view of signatures?
(lower right wiki corner)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 in this thread. 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.
Pros:
* Makes Flyertalk more modern; more like Facebook, LinkedIn, and other progressive internet bulletin boards
* A like/helpful button would minimize unnecessary replies such as +1.
* Streamlines posts
* 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 it easier for airlines/companies to find mistake fares/glitches/underground tricks
* 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.
* Older posts will tend to have more likes/helpfuls on average than newer posts in the same thread, which can be misleading when the information is out-of-date. [added by MSPeconomist]
Questions, concerns about how it will work, and/or information based on brief internal trial already done
* If implemented, can FTers who prefer not to utilize the like/helpful button turn it off so that they don't see it?
* 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?
* Can users "opt out" and select to remove all trace of the system, as is currently possible with the ignore list and removing view of signatures?
"Like" Button?
Dec 19, 2014, 4:10 pm
#286
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,051
It should, but I think that will be a nightmare!
Dec 19, 2014, 4:13 pm
#287
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
I agree that having OMNI/PR as part of a short trial would be informative as a worst case (i.e. the "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere" idea), although the trial might be disruptive to members who use that forum.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:17 pm
#288
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
No. That's part of why I don't expect anything more than a brief test to occur until Autumn or later. The mobile app comes first. Maybe other things too.
I agree that having OMNI/PR as part of a short trial would be informative as a worst case (i.e. the "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere" idea), although the trial might be disruptive to members who use that forum.
I agree that having OMNI/PR as part of a short trial would be informative as a worst case (i.e. the "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere" idea), although the trial might be disruptive to members who use that forum.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:22 pm
#289
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
Again, speaking just for me, I would want any sitewide trial to be limited in time to about 4 weeks. It would end and we could discuss what we learned extensively before deciding anything.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:40 pm
#290
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,728
I voted NO, wouldn't like it, then I'll have to think of something intelligent to say and that would hurt my head. 
so no no no no and NO.
so no no no no and NO.
Dec 19, 2014, 5:06 pm
#291
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Now how about you "like/helpful" my post in kind? Or don't you like me/my post even as this post is an example of liking yours/helping to draw attention to it and/or you? See what I've done? If I point to your post in my signature encouraging people to "like"/"helpful" vote for it, would that get a "like"/,helpful" for me too? See what I've done.
Seriously, I don't think FT needs this feature enabled unless the idea is to have more grade school-like popularity contests and ego-stroking games going on across FT.
Dec 19, 2014, 7:11 pm
#292
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
I voted NO, as I think it is a bad idea to turn Flyertalk into a clone of Facebook. That site is already pathetic enough as it is. No need to start copying it.
Dec 19, 2014, 8:04 pm
#293
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PHL
Posts: 10,060
I voted NO, as I said on my previous post in OMNI/PR, the likes button would only serve as stroking one ego.
Dec 19, 2014, 8:48 pm
#294
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
The only material benefit I can see for a "Like/Helpful" feature is to eliminate the occasional (and usually short) series of "+1" posts we see. I don't see it as enough of an upside to counterbalance the ego-stroking downside, though.
Dec 19, 2014, 11:08 pm
#295
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,559
There is no benefit to adding a like button in my opinion. FT does not need to try to become facebook. Anyone who wants social media bs can find it elsewhere
Dec 20, 2014, 1:02 am
#296
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
On some news sites, likes and dislikes are used to rate comments. The rating is later used to sort comments (so most liked comments are shown first)
Some sites use the rating as auto-moderation - when the like/dislike quotation falls below a certain number, the post is automatically hidden.
Neither of these usages would be a benefit to FT. Filtering and/or sorting the forum would be a disaster. And for moderation we have moderators.
...
Surely if you agree with something a poster has written you note your approval in a written post.
It takes time to think about what you're writing and the views you're expressing.
And presumably if you're on FT you have the time to do that.
That's the joy of FT.It encourages good argument and the occasional polemic.
Leave Likes to the kids.
Surely if you agree with something a poster has written you note your approval in a written post.
It takes time to think about what you're writing and the views you're expressing.
And presumably if you're on FT you have the time to do that.
That's the joy of FT.It encourages good argument and the occasional polemic.
Leave Likes to the kids.
And even when you agree with someone, there often is something more to add. So that also drives FT forward, because posts will be added as long as there is anything more to be said (excep in OMNI then, perhaps).
Dec 20, 2014, 1:14 am
#297
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
I do want to understand the pro-arguments, and I have tried hard to find situations on FT where a like would really be a benefit. And IMHO it is difficult to find. (except the ^ as you say)
Perhaps in trip-reports, where likes would encourage a poster to keep on doing the hard work of writing. Especially for someone writing their first trip report, or trying out a new writing style. It takes many hours of thinking and writing to do a good trip report, and here I truly think getting likes will help posters to keep on. Also, as a report is a personal view, there is less to debate and a like system wouldn't compete with / kill any discussion.
But that is about it, I can't see any other positive usage of the like button.
Dec 20, 2014, 8:49 am
#298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Dec 20, 2014, 8:54 am
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
Please, no.
Remember the reputation feature? Anything with a potential to be abused will be, and even without a dislike feature , I suspect someone will figure out a way to abuse this. There are way too many clever people, as well as trolls, around here. I do not consider both remotely similar though there is an overlap.
Remember the reputation feature? Anything with a potential to be abused will be, and even without a dislike feature , I suspect someone will figure out a way to abuse this. There are way too many clever people, as well as trolls, around here. I do not consider both remotely similar though there is an overlap.
Dec 20, 2014, 9:48 am
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
notifications definitely need to be able to be disabled
but if notifications for PMs cant be disabled...
but if notifications for PMs cant be disabled...