Feedback on the current Like system...

[Krazyquilts]

I may well be in the minority here, but I much preferred the old system of likes. When we had a limited number of likes and they were based on a semi-mystical "weighted system" where likes meant more or less depending on who gave them to you..

I find the current system of "likes" with unlimited likes has done what unlimited numbers of anything inevitably does. It devalues the value of the object.

Just like Grade inflation in education has devalued the value of the grade point average. Or excess money in the system causes inflation devaluing the value of the money.

The like system based on the Facebook like system --as I understand FB-- has made the percentage of likes a worthless method of judging what value a poster has to the "community".


It use to be a person with 30% of their total posts "liked" was a person that normally knew what they were talking about, or added to the conversation in worthwhile ways, whether it be knowledge or humor, or just friendly consoling manners.

Now we have poster that have 250-300% or more likes. I have seen in discussions where one person says," I dislike X", without giving a reason getting a "like" from someone........Them in the very next post a person says " I like X" once again giving no reason getting a like from the same person that liked the first dislike.

I use to worry about running out of "likes" we all did. We used them when they were truly deserved. The current system has no value, and I would just as soon see it abolished as to continue as it is.

To go on would be to beat a dead horse and many of you know I do that too often, so I will stop here. Thanks for the time used to read and or consider this...

I'm often on a knitting and crocheting forum/pattern website called Ravelry which has series of buttons on the bottom of each post including Like, Dislike, Love, Interesting, Educational, and Funny. I quite like being able to simply hit the Like button if I like the way someone put something or said something clever without actually having to write a post and clutter up a thread just to say, "Nice Post" so I have liked the new Like button here, On the other hand, I really miss the Ovations here. They took more effort to give and seemed a lot more special, especially since we were instructed to only give them when there was a good reason. Would it be possible to keep the Like button and have the Ovations back?

As always, a big thank-you to the wonderful staff and programmers who keep this amazing community possible!

 

[Duckworth]

As a newer member, I wasn't aware that there had been a limit on the number of likes that could be given. I find myself liking posts as a way to show appreciation for various things. Sometimes, it is helpful information. Other times, it is a decision someone has made that I think is wise. I may also like a clever idea, a show of support from one member to another, or may use my like to acknowledge someone else's appreciation for something I have contributed.

Though I frequently voice my appreciation through a reply, there are times when a like will suffice and a written reply would not contribute anything meaningful to the overall conversation, but might, in fact, distract or detract from it. I am just trying to be a contributing and benefiting member of the community.

I don't see likes as a matter of popularity, but more as an encouragement, both when I give them and when I receive them. I don't really want to have to dole out appreciation as a limited resource, though I have no idea what the previous limit was or whether it was a number that would have any practical effect on my current use of likes. I'm not given to liking everything I see--just to showing concern, support, and appreciation. As people get to know me, they can decide how much value to place on my likes and my posts. That would be true no matter how many likes I had to work with. It almost seems that receiving likes would become more competitive if they were limited in number, since choosing to like something would also be a choice not to spend that like on everyone or anything else.

I have found so much to appreciate here on BYC. People here show an uncommon level of care for one another and willingness to share their experience for the benefit of others. One way or another, I will find a way to express my thankfulness for that. The like button is just one way.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Hmmm, Maybe instead of limiting likes we might limit how many a member can receive in a day? week? If there is fraud or not honest peeps giving for the quality instead of quantity we could stop that way ? Say, I open another account just to give myself 1000 likes in one day, that would put an end to that. Ya or nay ?

 

[casportpony]

Hmmm, Maybe instead of limiting likes we might limit how many a member can receive in a day? week? If there is fraud or not honest peeps giving for the quality instead of quantity we could stop that way ? Say, I open another account just to give myself 1000 likes in one day, that would put an end to that. Ya or nay ?

lol, I think the staff would spot that pretty quickly and undo the likes.

 

[sourland]

I also agree with you Ralphie. Likes had more value, and I 'liked' the ability to add comments along with the like.

 

[Duckworth]

lol, I think the staff would spot that pretty quickly and undo the likes.

Do people get anything out of being liked other than the knowledge that someone supports or values their contributions? Is there a practical concern that some people are benefiting in a material way from illegitimate likes? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the real issue and what's at stake here.

 

[JanetMarie]

I prefer the ovation system. It means more when we were able to write something when giving an ovation.

 

[Duckworth]

I prefer the ovation system. It means more when we were able to write something when giving an ovation.

I can see a real value in being able to give positive feedback regarding a post that would remain closely associated with the post itself. If someone is looking for information and there is a post or reply that has meaningful feedback associated directly with it, that might help another member more quickly evaluate an answer they were seeking without having to read through a lengthy thread to locate that corroboration among what could be dozens or hundreds of replies.

Associating comments could also provide help to those of us who are newer and are trying to improve our ability to make a positive contribution here. I don't yet have the experience to be practically helpful about most things, but hope that in time, I will.

 

[3riverschick]

I worked for about 5 years to reach that coveted 3000 and the 10th egg.
I was at 2600+.Now I have 421 trophy points and it seems it will be bigger steps between getting more trophies.
Karen

 

[casportpony]

I find myself feeling sad for people without likes and will often like their post, article, comment, or picture in hopes that they will smile.