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Updates - Friends, Featured clicks, and more

With this update we introduce the idea of 'friends', which are favorites that have also added you as a favorite. Also, when you click on a poem in the featured box, you'll be encouraged to comment before leaving the page. And much more, please report any bugs you might stumble across
Friends vs. Favorites - It is my hope that this will encourage further growth of our community friendships. It can help you to realize who you are strongly connected with, and who you might want to get to know better.

Favorites are, as before, people you like... you'll get info when they post a new poem, etc.

Friends are people who you have as a favorite, who ALSO have you as a favorite. You like each other, so you're friends. Just like real life!


A ) Yes, this is a community feature, not specifically focused on poetry. I don't feel that it'll take away from the poetry focus however.

B ) The number of favorites/friends/ignores is now shown author pages. I am in general always of the mind that more sharing is good - it helps you get an idea of who is a strongly networked person, who is less outgoing, or who is new to the site. The friends and favorite lists can be viewed, as always.

C ) Why allow others to view favorites/friends? It is one of my favorite ways of discovering new poets - to see who my favorite poets like.

D ) The ignore list is still private. It does show how many people you have on it though, to help give people (including me) an impression of how ignore is being used. There is also now a limit of 200 people to the ignore list - any attempt to add new ignores may require you to remove some first. I hadn't realize how many people some were adding, which has been causing some site slowness and problems with featured box clicks (since anyone on the ignore list isn't counted as a click).


Featured box clicks

A ) You'll get a message asking you to please comment before leaving the page if you try to leave without commenting. This should *not* happen if you've commented (there was a bug with this for awhile). This should also only happen on poems (or stories, at storywrite).

B ) There was a bug where the number of comments it showed you as getting per click wasn't getting increased properly, which hopefully should be fixed now.

Included in the list

Add a comment

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Comments

1 - 58 of 58

  • cubert
    July 13
    Edit | Reply
    That was very helpful! There are several people I thought were missing that turned out to just be on my friends list instead. However, I am pretty sure I have added you, Kevin, to my favourites more than once, so I can keep up on your columns here, and you are once again not on it. And I just had to re-add another friend, who is not on any of my lists, but should be a favourite/friend. I am almost positive I was on her favourites, too, which would make us friends, but she's not in my friends, and I'm not in her favourites/friends.

    Of the three or four I can remember having to add lately, they were all people whose pages I hadn't been on lately...could that be why? A use it or lose it kind of thing? Is there a board for this already somewhere I could refer to?

    Thanks!
    c


  • XXxSeXy-BiG-GiRlxXx
    June 19
    Edit | Reply

    AbOuT ThIs..

    Really really dislike the feature about the comment reminder. If I feel I can leave a nice, positive remark, I do, if not, I don't, and one more box to close out is quite simple incredibly annoying!!!!!

  • Bad Bill
    June 19
    Edit | Reply
    In my opinion nobody should be asked to comment - it should be entirely up to the individual whether or not they wish to do so. I know if I don't wish to comment, then a reminder certainly won't encourage me to.

    Bill


  • Frodofan silver member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    I don't care too much for the amount of people on the ignore list being shown as it definently doesn't reflect on how outgoing I am with people on here. It just so happens I've been here for a few years and in that time a lot of weirdos have bothered me!!! But it doesn't really matter. If anyone judges someone by that they're idiots.

    The limit is a little annoying too, because no doubt one day I will reach it.


    • S A Adelmann
      June 18
      Edit | Reply
      I'm just curious, is there really a good reason someone should actually stay on the ignore list after a year or two? It seems to me that you are saying that there is no redemption, no growth, no change in attitude. (Besides, after a couple months I can't imagine those people would even know you took them off the list - and if they returned to cause you grief you could always re-ignore them.)

      IMHO the ignore should be used sparingly and only as a temporary measure. Of course, if it were up to me, I wouldn't have it at all since I think it allows people to ignore problems rather than solving them. I don't mean this to be a negative commentary on you, maybe just a suggestion.

      Personally, I figure that ignoring someone tells them (erroneously or not) that they have won - and I would never dream of giving anyone that satisfaction.


      • Night Hope gold member
        June 19
        Edit | Reply

        Oh. As for my favorites list...I have a list on my page of my favorite AP Poets. I stopped adding to it three years ago. There are hundreds of names on it. There are far more filed away in my brain.

      • Night Hope gold member
        June 19
        Edit | Reply

        Considering Scott's comment, I decided to test a theory; I've deleted most of my (38) blocks, leaving only 7 in place. Those 7 people had allll the chances they're gonna get from me (and still, several of them are the very same person). They didn't win, though; I did - 'cause I had the final say-so over them leaving their crap on my pages. We shall see if time has taught the others any lessons from their previously-bad behavior. Should be interesting.


      • Frodofan silver member
        June 18
        Edit | Reply
        I think so. Some people do and say certain things that really don't make me want to ever speak to them again. Besides, most of the people on my list already had their second chances.

  • all faded blue gold member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply

    Really really dislike the feature about the comment reminder. If I feel I can leave a nice, positive remark, I do, if not, I don't, and one more box to close out is quite simple incredibly annoying!!!!!

  • Night Hope gold member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply

    As for the ignore list: I have 38 on ignore now, after 5 years. Not so bad, really. Especially when one considers that a few of them are actually the same person, under different accounts. I've recently reduced my number of favorites (& thus, friends), since I'm not online as much or as often. Also, some on my list posted 30 a day, which made it impossible to see new posts from others. I explained the situation, then dropped the more prolific ones, asking them to let me know if they changed their screen names, so I could find them again. I wonder, though; would it be possible to somehow block our poems from the ones we've placed on ignore? It's irritating to see people who are on ignore still roaming around on our pages. Over the years, I've warned several people who were leaving horrid "comments" before blocking them, but they are still coming around anyway. I'd like it very much if these offenders could not even view our pages at all. Feasible? Perhaps not. But it would be a desirable feature, I know. I am a nice person who doesn't try to start battles with anyone, but there are those "lovely bashers" among us who do abuse their privileges on the site, as we all know. Thanks for keeping us up to date, Kevin. This is one of the best poetry sites online; even after all this time, there isn't any site that offers what AP does. Let alone all of the fabulous writers who choose to post here. I've been a member long enough to have found quite a few of them, but I am also open to finding even more talent. How else can our own writing grow & evolve, if not from reading & experiencing writers who are more skilled than we are, who have a different voice &/or method of writing?

  • piccola silver member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    On the subject of blocking and ignore. 14 people have me on ignore and I haven't a clue as to why. The adult thing to do in my opinion is to try to open a dialog and work things out amicably. I have one person on ignore and that's because he stalked my poetry and always added comments that made it seem that the poetry was written to him ... like some affair was goin on. It was gross and I gave him several warnings. That was years ago and I have never had to block or ignore anyone else. It's kind of childish really.


  • Solo Wisp gold member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    I find it interesting how the ignore function has been used. Personally, I rarely, to never, use it, but also, I keep my circle small as I am more of a recluse. I can see the logic in ignoring many to receive a more selective choice of general poems and contests, but also see where it may confine the ignorer's choices. I'm sure a balance would soon be established with the ignorer in this instance, because they may lack contests to enter or poems to read .. etc.

    The Feature box. I'd like to see a check box for those that wish not to comment on the poem. Rubbish is universal and subjective to one's personal opinion and since this is a community that tends to go by the way of "if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all" perhaps we need a function to allow those that can't say anything good or have no idea what to say, to check a box saying as such so that the featurer is not penalized. You can still back out and cost the feature a click, but it gives the reader an option if he/she has no opinion. Or maybe the poet can just state that ... "I have no opinion."

    My experience with the Feature box is receive a comment for every 4 views/clicks. I find my points are better served giving them to contest holders, but that's my personal opinion.

    Community changes won't normally affect me one way or the other. The finding of new talent and exposure to never seen poets from friends is a benefit to this site in my eyes, for if we enjoy our friend's poems, then how much radical could their friend's style be?

    I believe you have good ideas and logical progression that will better AP !

    Much Respect,

    ~Steve

  • piccola silver member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    we've always been encouraged to comment when we click on featured poetry what we need is to somehow make people comment when they click on a featured poem. I've stopped trying to feature poetry because more than a few times people just seem to click for the fun of it. Maybe they don't know we can see who clicked .. but you're doing a fine job kevin and thanks for all the hard work


    how's that friends thing going to work exactly?


  • HonorablyFallen silver member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    thanks Kevin!


  • Endeavor gold member
    June 18
    Edit | Reply

    Thank you Kevin


    I like the changes, Rick

  • piggyback
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    Sounds neat


  • trekkergirl
    June 18
    Edit | Reply
    I like the idea of friends and favorites


  • chasingtheday gold member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    aye. this site i think is not just for poetry, but also a community site, we dance about with smiles and frowns. it kicks me in the kneecaps sometimes, i just get used to a change in the site lol then you change it again hehehe but that is evolution i suppose.


  • ea silver member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Great idea Kevin! Loved getting to see that the people blocking me have between 22 and 80-some others on block. Misery loves company.


  • Auburn Sunrise gold member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    The "friends" idea is wonderful! Looking forward to seeing this in action!


  • cvillelisa
    June 17
    Edit | Reply


    Well key for me is this:

    Yes, this is a community feature, not specifically focused on poetry. I don't feel that it'll take away from the poetry focus however.



    What feature did you add that is contributing to poetry?

    I think you should ask members about previously private data before just implementing a change that makes the data public. I don't like the numbers on my home page and instead dumped almost everyone I did have on my list --- so it worked in reverse for me.



  • teenparent
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Thats an awesome idea! Great job with the site You always take care of us!

  • LovingPhoenix
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    I think the message when you leave the Featured box will help! Thanks! I was ignored once because I clicked on a poem twice in the featured list and didn't comment. I did not mean to offend the wonderful poet and didn't realize the cost. I was reading and was intimidated not knowing what to say. But I learned the hard way. And I felt horrible for a very long time and had no way to appologize. So, now I know not to make that mistake! I wish I had known before!


  • cazzy71
    June 17
    Edit | Reply

    Thanks for update

    Thanks for the info.I do not feel it will alter,either positively or negatively my enjoyment of the site.


  • thelordreigns gold member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply

    Thank you Kevin

    I like the updates!


  • LittleMoon silver member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you Kevin. I appreciate the hard work that goes on in the backroom. *Rose* Sheila


  • Mariana gold member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you, I like the changes you have made.


  • morgana raven Greeters member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    I like the featured thing, so many people waste peoples points by clicking and not commenting that its a shame. I'm still a bit iffy on being able to see how many ignores someone has but I suppose it does help.


  • Jonathan ROBIN
    June 17
    Edit | Reply

    Ignore List & Friends

    Where individuals lack courtesy, fail to comment on features repeatedly or click on other peoples' features simply to give their own features better visibility, trade trophies or otherwise act in a spirit contrary to community interests it is normal IMHO to put those individuals on ignore.

    This eliminates many abuses.

    Where contests are judged in such a way as to bring discredit on 'normal' appreciation then putting those individuals on an ignore list avoids the time and trouble of entering contests which are frequently ... or should one say 'there is significant evidence indicating" that to all intents and purposes these contests have been prejudged 'between friends'

    It should also be noted that some members, when blocked, put the blocker on ignore perhaps imagining some sort of retaliation. O brave new world ... !

    One further point : contest holders have discretion about who they delete - it is in my humble opinion perfectly logical to ignore them where the removal was unjustified. With this 200 limit is one obliged to contact those individuals and request that one be blocked by them if the current system fails to make allowance for unacceptable behaviour ?


    _________

    Friends and Favorites

    I have no objection to publicly stating the number of those ignored on the author's page - perhaps one should also add the number of members who have a given author on their favorite list alongside the 'friends and favorites'

    There is a current trend to automatically add as favorites those who have added you. While this may be construed as courtesy or encouraging mutual grooming one would question whether 'friends' is an appropriate term.

    At present I am a favorite with 152 people although I only have 4 on my favorite list. I am friends - offline - with members who are not on my favorites list on AP and if they feel they wish to draw a specific poem to my attention they simply IM - far simpler as it has proved impossible to follow all new verse from all those who considers one a favorite.

    ____________


    • galfalfa gold member
      June 18
      Edit | Reply
      1493 people blocked, i find hilarious


    • Kevin Moderators member
      June 17
      Edit | Reply
      I agree it's rude not to comment... but adding people to the ignore list is, in my opinion, a bit harsh of treatment for it. Hopefully the new message upon leaving without commenting will help some with that.

      I'm not sure what you were getting at regarding contest holders and "request that one be blocked by them"? Again, I think this is rude, but not necessarily warranting ignoring.... I know you disagree though so we shouldn't get into an argument about it - I respect your opinion, though I realize the new changes are going to impact it Let me know if you'd like me to try and delete all but the least-recently-visited 200, or something like that for you.


      • Saffron gold member
        June 18
        Edit | Reply
        Isn't advertising on the author's page that one will be "systematically blocked" if you don't comment on his featured poems, and then following up with the threat, considered harassment? I thought was against site policy to harass a person for not commenting or for leaving a negative comment on a featured poem.


    • Daniela Violin silver member
      June 17
      Edit | Reply
      1493 people blocked is insane.
      You are probably the reason this was implemented
      I'm sure a lot of people will thank you.

      • Jonathan ROBIN
        June 17
        Edit | Reply

        Blazing White Wolf

        In respect of the above see pseudo Blazing White Wolf who has not been on AP since September 2007 and whose Author's page offers due tribute to absent memories and short attention spans - with 1942 individuals blocked. Some 'esteemed' former members of AP at one time automatically blocked those who fail to comment on features - and many of AP's best poets have left precisely because of the lack of courtesy and judgement found on AP.

        Kindly bear in mind that statistics on AP give an average age in the late teens and for 'serious poets' to find insult added to injury by ineptitude leaves one little recourse to prefer tranquility to narrowmindedness.


        • poetryality silver member
          June 17
          Edit | Reply
          Why do you have Blazing White Wolf's name here as an example? Do you know the history behind his blocking that many members?

          • Jonathan ROBIN
            June 18
            Edit | Reply

            B W W and Blocking

            Good Morning

            I am unaware of the motivations except that I was blocked by him several years ago and there was an explanation on his Author's Page tantamount to saying that those lacking courtesy to comment featured poems were automatically blocked.

            I learned my lesson and found his actions perfectly justified and decided to adopt the same procedure


            • Dragonbabyx3
              June 18
              Edit | Reply
              Well, I know that is right. You blocked me within the first two weeks I was on AP. I didn't know the site very well, and I didn't even know at the time that there was a comment feature. That was over a year ago. And I am still blocked (Which, by the way I think is a bit childish and overly dramatic.)


            • Frodofan silver member
              June 18
              Edit | Reply
              Ha ha. I was blocked by him too and I never knew why. I used to enjoy reading his work.


            • Saffron gold member
              June 18
              Edit | Reply
              So, two wrongs now make a right? Is that it?


        • Daniela Violin silver member
          June 17
          Edit | Reply
          It's still insane.


  • Midnite-Rae
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Thanks for the info
    Yay for improving the site and making it easier to make friends


  • Mistress Leala silver member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    So how do you determine between who's your favorites and who's your friends?


    • Janice M Pickett
      June 17
      Edit | Reply
      Friends are people who you communicate with. Those that chat as you would if they were with you in the same room. favourites are poets you enjoy reading but don't share any personal connection. Anyway that's how I see it.


    • Kevin Moderators member
      June 17
      Edit | Reply
      Favorites are people you like. Friends are people that also like you...


      • poetryality silver member
        June 17
        Edit | Reply
        friends...favorites...where are the poetry/writing advancements?


      • Mistress Leala silver member
        June 17
        Edit | Reply
        Thanks for the info, Kevin and Janice. Sometimes, the brain works and sometimes it doesn't.

  • Kari gold member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    I like the other things that you've added including being able to see how many ppl someone have on ignore. If someone has over a certain amount red flags go up so I appreciate that.

    I do like the thing about the featured. I hope it encourages ppl to comment now and discourages them from random clicking. The only thing is when you don't mean to click it and that happens to me a few times lol.



    (post reedited)


  • Silent Cougar Moderators member
    June 17
    Edit | Reply
    Thanks for this Kevin, very handy info. The featured box update will be a welcome one I think. Good job.

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