Post #624067 by swizzle on Tue, Feb 7, 2012 11:34 PM

On 2012-01-27 10:13, Hakalugi wrote:

On 2012-01-27 10:05, JOHN-O wrote:
If a thread is good then its popularity is reflected in the number of views it solicits. ...

This is not always true. Many times people post something great, maybe something they've found or made or a design idea. TC members might think, "hey, that's great, I like that". but they know better than to clog up a thread with a me too "Looks great!" comment. If there was a "Like" button (okay, one not tied to the dreaded Facebook) then people could quicky and easily show support for something without clogging up the place.

I'm going to give my perspective on the topic as it seems this will be the last chance i have. I completely agree with what you have said here Hakalugi. (I even 'liked' your comment when you first posted it.:)) I personally, and i get the feeling that other members who have commented in this thread, and also those that haven't, like the idea of a 'like' button. (Having to type the word 'like' so many times is making me start to 'dislike' the idea. :D) I think it is as you mentioned, one that should NOT be linked to Facebook. As Hanford said, he is able to write a specific one for TC, it'll just take a little time. I'm pretty sure no-one will mind how long we have to wait, but while he's at it maybe he could also add a 'dislike' button also. That is something that has been mentioned on FB countless times.

I'm sure everyone else is just like me. If there is a thread that interests you and you can see that there has been more comments added since you last visited, you look at the thread again. Again, your quote above hits the nail right on the head.

An example is my own mug thread in Other Crafts. The majority of the comments are from the same members and i'm sure that besides myself viewing my own thread to see what responses i've received a lot of the other views are from those same members seeing who else has commented and what they've had to say. But what about all the other views? The ratio of comments to views is completely out of whack, not just on my thread but on EVERY thread.

For instance, Wendy's thread(Danlovestiki). I constantly look at her thread so am therefore contributing to the increase of views, but, again as you said, i know better than to say, "looks great" and just add another pointless comment. If there was a 'like' button i could click on that (and hopefully the other 28/4,026 members would also), Wendy would know who has looked at her thread and appreciated it and the next time i looked at her thread the next comment would be Wendy again as opposed to scrolling through a whole page of comments that say the same thing. If she wanted to thank each and every person, that would be up to her. But i think that she, and all members that post, would love to see that, besides the people that do comment the countless others that view your thread can acknowledge and show appreciation for it without having to actually leave a comment.

This where i believe a 'dislike' button would also be appropriate. A particular member, who i will not name, left several pointless, stupid comments (in my opinion) in this particular thread. If enough people 'disliked' their comments they might get the hint to shut up and only comment when they have something useful to say.

Anyway, that's my opinion on the topic. I think a 'like' button IS a great idea. It just shouldn't be a Facebook one, it should be TC specific. Maybe a Mai Tai, or a Zombie we can click on.