New forum feature- Do you “Like” it?

[willnewton]

Yep, you can like a post now.  Try it with this one.

You can be notified of “likes”.  You can see who liked your post.

There was also a “Dislike” available, but I disabled it.  We just are not gonna touch what that may lead to!

[lablover]

Noticed it this morning.  I like it.

[chopper]

I like the feature Will. I'd also like to see all the replies after someone posts a topic numbered so we could look them up faster when somebody refers to a fix or subject in a paticular topic. I see some forums use this and it makes it easier to go to it. Thanks
 Stan

[john bickar]

Heh, I saw the "dislike" this morning.

Agreed on leaving it out. PMA.

[willnewton]

I like the feature Will. I'd also like to see all the replies after someone posts a topic numbered so we could look them up faster when somebody refers to a fix or subject in a paticular topic. I see some forums use this and it makes it easier to go to it. Thanks
 Stan

I like the post numbering system too.  Unfortunately, the management software our forum provider uses does not allow it to be activated with a simple click on a checkbox or else I would have activated it.

If anyone has some good working knowledge of website coding using CSS on phpBB3, send me a PM.

Of course, the good old “See my post at the bottom of page 6.” works OK too. 

[willnewton]

Heh, I saw the "dislike" this morning.

Agreed on leaving it out. PMA.

Yeah, doing what I can to prevent a Butt-hurt pandemic.  

[Dr.Don]

I don't like this feature.  Too much like Facebook, et.al.  It motivates people to try and accumulate "likes", which is not remotely related to what I'm here for.

[willnewton]

I can understand that, but I am not sure that fame-seeking behavior is trait that is common in Bullseye shooters in general or forum members here.

I have seen positive signs so far as folks test it out, but let me know when you see some abuse of the system.

It will probably be John Bickar.  

[Sa-tevp]

I can understand that, but I am not sure that fame-seeking behavior is trait that is common in Bullseye shooters in general or forum members here.

I have seen positive signs so far as folks test it out, but let me know when you see some abuse of the system.

It will probably be John Bickar.  

Let's monkey-hammer that button so John gets to a million! 

double-dog-dare yah!

[john bickar]

I can understand that, but I am not sure that fame-seeking behavior is trait that is common in Bullseye shooters in general or forum members here.

I have seen positive signs so far as folks test it out, but let me know when you see some abuse of the system.

It will probably be John Bickar.  

Go ahead, poke the bear

[Olde Pilot]

Delete the "like" button. This is not Facebook.

[Wobbley]

Delete the "like" button. This is not Facebook.

[Olde Pilot]

Pretty good Wobbley!

[fc60]

Greetings,

I would be pleased to see the 'like' icon gone.

Cheers,

David

[PhotoEscape]

IMHO, either "like" or "dislike" buttons are meaningless, and just pollute space on each page and each post.  I would prefer well motivated and verbalized "dislike" over clicked "like" button without any substantiation.  This forum is all about exchanging information and ideas, sharing experience, thinking together about problems and finding solutions, and as such, I view it as a collaborative tool.  I could care less about someone liking or disliking my posts, if it is not followed by explanation. 

So, I see no use for this button, and, to be honest, for emoicons too.  If one has something to say, and as such contribute to the discussion, please take your time and express yourself in words!

AP

[mikemyers]

IMHO, either "like" or "dislike" buttons are meaningless, and just pollute space on each page and each post.  I would prefer well motivated and verbalized "dislike" over clicked "like" button without any substantiation.  This forum is all about exchanging information and ideas, sharing experience, thinking together about problems and finding solutions, and as such, I view it as a collaborative tool.  I could care less about someone liking or disliking my posts, if it is not followed by explanation. 

So, I see no use for this button, and, to be honest, for emoicons too.  If one has something to say, and as such contribute to the discussion, please take your time and express yourself in words!

AP

I agree.

[zanemoseley]

Where's that stick in the mud emoji..

[TomH_pa]

I think the "like" button is pointless and adds nothing to the forum.

[valbern67]

I like it. Beats having to write a post that says   +1

[oxbowbob]

PhotoEscape wrote:IMHO, either "like" or "dislike" buttons are meaningless, and just pollute space on each page and each post.  I would prefer well motivated and verbalized "dislike" over clicked "like" button without any substantiation.  This forum is all about exchanging information and ideas, sharing experience, thinking together about problems and finding solutions, and as such, I view it as a collaborative tool.  I could care less about someone liking or disliking my posts, if it is not followed by explanation. 

So, I see no use for this button, and, to be honest, for emoicons too.  If one has something to say, and as such contribute to the discussion, please take your time and express yourself in words!

AP

I agree.

I wouldn't really care if the button was there or not. BUT … using the above post as an example I think a lot of space could have been saved just by clicking the like button on AP's original post. Instead that post has now been quoted in full 2x. I really see no difference between "like" and "+1" or 'I agree". If "like" serves the purpose … use it. If not type away

[willnewton]

Lets see where we stand.

We have potential abuse listed as a problem and no evidence of it occuring. There is no scorekeeping or tracking, no one knows how many total “likes” another user has.  Even further, no one knows how many they themselves have, unless they have a notebook at home, counting “like“ notifications.  If this somehow becomes an issue, it will be addressed at that time.

We have Facebook-iness listed and I cannot agree that sharing a feature with another platform suddenly makes us that platform.  We allow posting and replies here too, but there have been ZERO complaints that that “makes us Facebook”.  This is like arguing that having a pistol makes you likely to become a criminal.  

We have aesthetic reasons listed.  This one I can get behind.  I am not a fan of how it looks on the page.  It is not the best design and integration gives this feature a very “stuck on” feel.  We are not in charge of that unfortunately, the hosting service controls this aspect.  I am sure we are not the only forum with opinions on the button and they are pretty good about making adjustments over time.  I will approach them about this issue.

There is the fact that it does actually clean up the forum in certain aspects.  To use Mike Myers post above as an example (no offense Mike, but it is a good example).  Instead of quoting a full post and typing “I agree” he could have simply liked the original post, affirming his agreement.  As an example, you are driving around and see a very cool vintage car drive by and give the driver a thumbs up.  You communicated, the other person got the point.  No essay required.  The like button does not mean you can’t make as flowery of a response as you like, but that is not always needed.

Lastly, we have the strongest point that has been made so far, yet is unspoken in this thread.  There is the simple reality of what has happened since this feature was integrated.  Even though they may not post their affirmation here, hundreds of forum members are making immediate use of it.  If we had the same number of naysayers as we had folks pushing the Like button, then that would be a strong argument for takedown.

Based on the above, I don’t feel the vocal minority should override the silent majority in this case.  Let’s give it a try for a few weeks, on probationary status, and revisit it again later to see where we stand. 

 This is a new feature, so we will have folks resistant to change and find later the change was not the boogeyman they thought it would become.  Also, we will have those who love the change now, but after the shine wears off, may find this new feature was not all that.  If I disable it in a six weeks, then we will have recent members complaining about the loss of a forum feature.  Ah, the joys of adminning!

I am going to close this thread so we can get back to arguing over crimp sizes and how to drop the slide on a 1911.  You can always PM me with your thoughts or by liking posts in this thread that reflect your own opinion, even if you like a post about disliking liking posts!!!

[Founder]

I liked the discussion enough that I unlocked the thread to chime in.

I like the "like" as I don't comment as much as I used to.

I figure if it causes trouble, I can disable it later. Carry on.

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