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more likes/helpfuls on average than newer posts in the same thread, which can be misleading when the information is out-of-date.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?
Jan 23, 2015, 7:24 am
#751
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I'm not a MilePoint user but I'm very active on Facebook where I use the Like button frequently. More and more recently I've seen some FT posts that I would consider liking but don't really want to comment on to say "agree" or whatever.
Jan 23, 2015, 7:31 am
#752
Suspended
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Not that it would actually happen, but I think it would be interesting to know the background of each person making an argument in this thread (as well as our TalkBoard members).
I wonder how many of those opposing this feature are active Facebook and/or MilePoint users. Is the opposition simply due to a lack of familiarity with how it works?
I place more weight on the argument of someone who actively uses the feature elsewhere but believes it will not add to the community here, in which case, I would like to know that person's specific reasoning for his or her position.
I wonder how many of those opposing this feature are active Facebook and/or MilePoint users. Is the opposition simply due to a lack of familiarity with how it works?
I place more weight on the argument of someone who actively uses the feature elsewhere but believes it will not add to the community here, in which case, I would like to know that person's specific reasoning for his or her position.
If the objective is to tip the scale to the point of view of those who want this feature, then weighting things only toward people who like a feature enough to contribute to the feature's expanded use is sort of like a self-fulfilling prophesy. Even if that is not the objective, the outcome would be just that: a tipping of the scale in favor of something already favored by those who favor it.
Jan 23, 2015, 9:40 am
#753
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
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Posts: 21,624
Experience with harsher systems would be relevant only if the objections related to the milder subset of functionality.
Jan 23, 2015, 11:57 am
#754
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Posts: 19,781
None that I'm aware of, although how well-exposed the up-vote count is does vary pretty highly between boards -- I can think of several I'm on where you have to dig for it; having it as exposed on the left-side bar (as post count is here, and many, many other places) doesn't seem to be the norm.
Jan 23, 2015, 1:20 pm
#755
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,051
Not that it would actually happen, but I think it would be interesting to know the background of each person making an argument in this thread (as well as our TalkBoard members).
I wonder how many of those opposing this feature are active Facebook and/or MilePoint users. Is the opposition simply due to a lack of familiarity with how it works?
I place more weight on the argument of someone who actively uses the feature elsewhere but believes it will not add to the community here, in which case, I would like to know that person's specific reasoning for his or her position.
I wonder how many of those opposing this feature are active Facebook and/or MilePoint users. Is the opposition simply due to a lack of familiarity with how it works?
I place more weight on the argument of someone who actively uses the feature elsewhere but believes it will not add to the community here, in which case, I would like to know that person's specific reasoning for his or her position.
Jan 26, 2015, 4:50 am
#756
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 10,187
Jan 26, 2015, 7:33 pm
#757
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Jan 27, 2015, 2:07 am
#758
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Jan 27, 2015, 5:37 pm
#759
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
And quite a bit of it exists here without "Likes," especially once you get away from the core by-Airline boards which seem to have a bit tighter moderation standards than Travel and Dining boards or OMNI.
Jan 27, 2015, 7:16 pm
#760
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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It occurred to me that, like before, not all that many folk are interested in the topic, especially now that the public announcement & TM are past. The thread keeps getting bumped by the same few folk who have posted previously (including me w/ this post in fairness) & not a lot by new folk clamoring for the feature. Methinks this is still a solution in search of a problem. 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 27, 2015, 8:13 pm
#761
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Jan 28, 2015, 1:20 pm
#763
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Jan 28, 2015, 2:53 pm
#764
Jan 28, 2015, 6:02 pm
#765
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 31,008
The fact that we choose not to use it elsewhere isn't meaningful? We need to like it and use it and not want it here to be meaningful? Sounds like your just setting criteria to exclude those who don't agree with you.
I participate elsewhere with the feature. I don't fnd it useful there, so I don't use it. So I don't believe it would be useful here. Sorry if you don't put much weight to that opinion.
I guess some members are more equal than others.