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
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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more likes/helpfuls on average than newer posts in the same thread, which can be misleading when the information is out-of-date.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 16, 2014, 1:38 pm
#226
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
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Posts: 21,625
Dec 16, 2014, 1:40 pm
#227
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Do people on FT use the "rate this thread" feature? The few times I clicked there, it felt like I was entering a black hole with no indication of how the stars would be used. Moreover, I've never been able to find a star rating (derived from this feature) for any threads on FT. [I'm not counting TalkMail or the "thread of the month" stuff that started appearing pretty recently.]
Dec 16, 2014, 2:21 pm
#228
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: 21,625
Do people on FT use the "rate this thread" feature? The few times I clicked there, it felt like I was entering a black hole with no indication of how the stars would be used. Moreover, I've never been able to find a star rating (derived from this feature) for any threads on FT. [I'm not counting TalkMail or the "thread of the month" stuff that started appearing pretty recently.]
Dec 16, 2014, 2:44 pm
#229
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,059
Dec 16, 2014, 2:52 pm
#230
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Dec 16, 2014, 3:27 pm
#231
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Posts: 102,095
I would assume a post rating feature would get more use than a thread rating feature -- because some indivdual or clique will more easily be able to target a message about which FTers they like and which ones they despise and pile on in that eay; and because the post rating (and "like" is a kind of binary rating) would be more visible and send a more targeted message than a multi-star rating of an active thread with differing opinions in it from lots of different people.
Dec 16, 2014, 3:32 pm
#232
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Has anyone thought about what happens to "like" indicators when a post is edited after someone likes a post?
Dec 16, 2014, 3:48 pm
#233
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Right below where you choose (sort of in the upper left corner of this thread) which page in this thread you want to read there is a pull down for "rate thread".
Has anyone thought about what happens to "like" indicators when a post is edited after someone likes a post?
Has anyone thought about what happens to "like" indicators when a post is edited after someone likes a post?
Dec 16, 2014, 4:32 pm
#234
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Thanks but I know where a person can rate a thread--in fact, I rated this one within the last hour to verify whether the function was still available and then I tried to rate it again as a test--but my question is where one can see what a thread's rating is, for the few threads that have at least five ratings? I've never yet discovered a rated thread on FT but I haven't hunted systematically.
Dec 16, 2014, 8:38 pm
#235
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,539
As someone who has spent as much time on Milepoint as on Flyertalk, I will say that one of the things I miss most on FT is the lack of a like button. There have been hundreds of times that I've wished FT had this simple option. I feel it would be a GREAT addition to FT and would help make this a friendlier, more positive place.
i hope to see it here soon.
i hope to see it here soon.
Dec 16, 2014, 9:48 pm
#236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
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Posts: 23,194
Dec 17, 2014, 5:58 am
#237
Suspended
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So 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"?
There is room for mischievous and misleading behavior if the "likes" don't disappear upon a post being edited for content.
There is room for mischievous and misleading behavior if the "likes" don't disappear upon a post being edited for content.
Dec 17, 2014, 8:11 am
#238
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
So 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"?
There is room for mischievous and misleading behavior if the "likes" don't disappear upon a post being edited for content.
There is room for mischievous and misleading behavior if the "likes" don't disappear upon a post being edited for content.
Dec 17, 2014, 9:30 am
#239
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,059
If a post is edited to correct spelling, does that count?
Dec 17, 2014, 9:37 am
#240
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417