I’m usually a peaceful, easy going kind of a guy, grandpa and all, but sometimes a person just has to RANT! Today is one of those days!
I’ve been at AP for a month or so – it’s great fun. First rule I learned here came from Gatlianne: IF YOU READ A FEATURED ITEM BE SURE TO COMMENT SINCE SOMEONE IS SPENDING THEIR POINTS TO HAVE IT FEATURED. Sure wish everyone stuck to that rule.
I’ve been involved in four features that have seen about 400 points wasted by non-commenters, people who click, then disappear. What the heck is that for? Do they think that block up in the corner of the screen is just a place to find out “wass hap’nen?”
I believe people feature works so they can get comments. Most are looking for constructive comments about their writing. A lot of the non-commenters I’ve checked out are in the 13 to 16 year old range. Do they understand about features? Maybe not – but it would be a daunting job to try to educate all of them.
HERE’S MY PROPOSED SOLUTION. Spending points for 20 clicks should produce 20 comments. DISREGARD THE NON-COMMENTERS! The write stays featured until the proper number of comments are there. Sure beats trying to educate 10,000 people. And, it would eliminate some of the abuses others have told me about: friends clicking on featured poems to get them off the list so that their own moves to the top.
So, let’s evaluate the current policy and I say, LETS CHANGE IT!My thoughts on a problem that really "bugs" me. By the way, Kevin has an excellent article available regarding diplomatic commenting for anyone that's interested. Comments invited!
I’m usually a peaceful, easy going kind of a guy, grandpa and all, but sometimes a person just has to RANT! Today is one of those days!
I’ve been at AP for
I’ve been at AP for
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 43 of 43
-
"clicking on featured to get them off the list"! Never thought of that... (how dastardly!) I just assumed those who did't comment were too shy, or just simply weren't knocked off their feet by the poem in one way or another...
(I was doing a google search for 'allwrite' magazine and it led me to one of your columns here... and since you only had three columns, I read them all!) -
Arrr' matey! Hoist that sail already
Yes, some of us DO go over the posts from the past.
A good post is made to last. -
yeah, this seems to be an ongoing problem with no solution being taken very seriously. I like your idea. It's a win win solution. The only thing on the negative would be that it might take the others a little longer to reach the top but I dont' really think that would be a big deal...especially since the ones who do that "click to get you out of the way" thing would learn that it isn't helping and just leave the features alone. This is a great idea. Have you talked to Kevin about it?
~Lyrical
-
We,meaning a few of us .Were discussing this very thing tonight.We even have not so cute names we use with each other regarding the non-commenters.I couldn't agree with you more.~~Suseann
-
I completely agree. They have a system such as the one you proposed already set up on Sharepoetry so I'm sure it could easily be passed over to AP. Here's to hopin, take care and God bless.
-
Finally someone comments on this! The only excuse I can think of is accidentally clicking, and this should be disregarded. I think it would be much better if instead of it being for one click it would be for one comment, even better if it was a proper comment- rather than 'good job'. An important write, I hope lots of people take note
-
Bravo!!! Preach on Brother Paul. That is one of the most annoying things a person can do on this site. I couldn't begin to tell you how many points I've had wasted this way. I agree with your solution 110%. Thanks for voicing what I know a lot of us are feeling. Have fun. Steve
-
hmm, this is a great idea!!! i try to comment on all the featured poems i read--but i fail sometimes. i agree that if you spend a certain number of points, you should get that amount of comments. i hope the Mods read this and agree too
-
Way to state your case Kirby!! There is stuff out there that isn't even worth commenting on, sometimes you feel like you wasted your time just reading it, but if I click on a featured item, regardless of how I feel, I know those points are hard to come by and I always comment to give them their money's worth. Here's another thing people might want to do when they see a friend featuring a poem - go to their author page and click on the poem from there, you will save your friend 1 click and still comment on their work. Thanks again Kirby, this message can never be restated enough times.
-
Ok I will confess..I have clicked on a featured poem before and didn't leave a comment. I'm not offering any excuses. And thank you Kirbysmen for calling me on it the other day. I now await the verbal beating that I know I'm going to get.
--Willow-- -
I completely agree! That happens to me all the time! I'll promote something for 5 clicks and MAYBE get one comment. I'm glad you posted this! I'm with ya all the way!
Cheers!
Laura -
Of course, I agree. I don't know how anyone couldn't. Just yesterday I featured a poem that I'd worked really hard on and was extremely proud of. I didn't have many points, but I thought six clicks would be better than none. And out of those, I got one comment!? It makes me so mad. And with the extra three points for a critique, isn't there an incentive there for others to comment? Argh!
-
hell yeh!!
hell yeh i totally agree with you, thankyou for pointing something out that needs pointing out!!!
lol great idea carry on writing
xxx -
Good going
Woooooo hoooooo! Let them have it! When I read a poem I always make it a point to comment on it! I mean thats what this site is mainly here for. Why join and not use it! Anyways good job man! I agree with you 120%! TTYL -
I sure can understand and I go to the persons page if I frequent their works anyways~
I don't want to waste their points~
Bravo to you for writing this and getting the point across~
Hopefully people will get it~
Points are hard earned
bows
Big hugs
and much love~Desire
-
That is a nice idea. I hadn't thought of promoting my poems before. What if people don't like them? I just wrote one for a contest called "I am Dum" maybe I'll see if what you say is true about comments. I am going to applaud this column because I do like it.
-
Well said Kirby!!! YAY! finally someone who gets the idea!!! I whole heartledly agree!!! you go kirbs!!!!
xxx
Scarlet -
i make it a point to comment on any featured poem. 'tis more then about points as i 'ave always said, 'tis a comunity, and in order for that to work, we need to hear from each other. people post them generally to get feedback, we want to know what ye think, and believe it or no, the comments, weather they be just a simple hullo or a valid critique, mean a lot. i rather enjoy meting new people, and 'ae a history wi' the oldr ones. commenting builds that history, that community.'tis just plain politeness, and to diegard someones work, wi' out even leaveing a wee note of your being theree, is disrespectful. if ye canna be bothered to leave even five bloody words, then dinna bloody click! way to rant kirby,
arden -
I agree with you Kirbysman -- 100%. Although the points system is good, I agree with your post that people shouldn't be wasting other's points like that. I'll draft a note to my local MPP and Prime Minister straight away!!
-
I think another system besides points would be useful. Comments should be free, and not cost points. You can always tell how many times a piece is read by having counters, and simple check boxes if you like or dislike a selection. Of course comments be restricted according to set guidelines.
-
YOu make a very wonderful point. Every one of us who has ever posted on featured knows what it's like. It's why I don't feature mine anymore. Don't get the comments so why bother.
I definitely agree that they do need to change the policy and the way you thought of setting it up is a very well thought out plan and would like work with just some editing of the html and javascript code on the page when a poem/contest/column is posted. Good idea!
Amanda -
True! Then there's the other suggestion: put limited information alongside, so that we know we're clicking on a contest or what category a poem is in. I, for exampe, would generally prefer not to read or comment on an erotic poem, but if it has a name like, I dunno, "smooth as silk", how do I know it's erotic?
So we shouldn't feature for clicks but for comments, and when clicking we should know a bit about what we're getting!
Great points, well made! -
Agree! 100%
A very wonderful point you make here, and I agree with you 100%!
Though sometimes I have been on a feature item and my computer wants to shut down on me, and I feel horrible, wondering what they must think, but when I get logged back on, I go right back to the featured poem, but on their author's page, so I don't use any more points, and usually give them an applause too! So just clearing the air on that, and also thanking you for taking the time to post this too!
You take care, and pen on!
-Timothy -
AHHHHH THANK YOU
-
You tell them dad! Nawty commentless point wasting point wasters...lol! I hardly ever put my poems in that little box in the corner cause I'm sick of having nothing to show for it! I could go on and make your rant seem mild, but I shant...not today...grins! HUGS, keep on doing good! Dari x
-
It's hard to always know the appropriate thing to do. As many have mentioned, not everyone that has "a critical review is invited" is truly wanting that critical review. And there are some poems that quite honestly, just go over my head, when they are on subjects that I don't follow or a particular style of writing. I feel people would rather NOT have you leave a comment if all you have to say is nice job. I try to leave the best comment when I can, and here recently I have tried to not even click on the feature poem unless I really think it's one I could like. Some Erotica poems are featured, and you can't always tell by the title.... shivers There have been few instances when I have sent a message apologizing for not commenting but that I just don't follow those categories. Anyway, things can be changed and tweaked forever, but the bottom line is that if people don't want to comment, they simply won't, no matter what. But I am sorry that you have lost so many points...be stingy like me and it won't sting so bad, I won't spend that many points featuring one of my poems
Thank you kirbysman for taking the time to write this, maybe, if anything else, people will watch out on doing this to you.
take care
~whisper -
Great job with bringing your point across! I was wondering what your rant was about. I find it to be meaningful and very educating. You've presented some good ideas! Keep writing and take care!
-
I didn't understand this.....being a new person, so I am NOW educated, thank you.
-
Hmm...I've been on AP for quite a while now and I've discovered that more people comment on yoru pieces when they are in the shameless area rather than in the featured. I'm not sure why. But giving 20 points and receiving a lot of comments is much better than giving away hundreds of points and receiving two comments. I agree with you, there's a problem, but if we do change the policy it would be harder to keep track on how many comments have been made.
~Anastasia -
I do go on don't I? (sigh)
-
Having had my ear bent today for this very point, I am in agreement. As a new member (less than a month) I was unaware of these restrictions.
I thought the points went to the person who clicked. They don't do they? they just disappear into the ether. I apologiseto anyone who I have inadvertantly, albeit through ignorance, done this too. In my own defence, I can say that if I do comment, you usually get your points worth, even if not quite what you may have wanted! lol. One of the last comments aimed at me was someone 'doing a Topaz'. Not what I would have wanted as a claim to fame, but warming none-the-less.
I have a slightly different idea. (ish). You get three bonus points for commenting on a feature. Why not base it around that so that the points you donate from your hard earned pool are taken that way. I endorse the no comment, no points drain idea though.
Thanks for bringing that up Kirb.
Sometimes real life does intrude and you have to leave the pc. But I should imagine the vast majority is passers-by.
I did write a poem based on this some while ago, but no advertising huh? lol -
I agree fully.... and it sounds like the perfect solution to me.... I hardly ever feature poems anymore, just for the exact same reason....
-
Amen brother, just like week the orange county
indians driving around in hondas with over
exaggerated exhaust systems came over to
my poetry (feature) and scalped my women
and buggered my pots and pans. My ass wagon
was a total disaster, my horses rotisseried and for
what, but to merely do it.... those scoundrals, I say
execute those unpoetic red skinned tanning bed
store owning hack bastards, ATACK!!!!!!! -
grate
very nice even if its not to much of a poem but i wish i haddent clicked on this so that people who dont comment would know what to do but i have to give you props for spending your points just for the good of the cause so keap it up and keap it real.... -
bravo!
Sounds like a good idea to me...I spent 30 points a few days ago and all i received were clicks without one comment
Like are they trying to tell me something? I think good, bad or indifferent ..let the person know what you think! Not every piece is going to be a work of art and the writer should know this. Very well written rant! Great flow and one hell of a deep read
-
You've got a good point, and I agree with the part about possibly changing the policies. However I'm very much guilty of not commenting sometimes on a featured item. If the only thing I can think of to say is that I enjoyed it, did or didn't relate to it, then I'm not going to waste that person's time with another meaningless comment that doesn't help them.
Which does however bolster your idea on the point distribution, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
keep penning,
~^_^~ -
hurrah! I have seen people who have had someone click without commenting go and leave a message in the comment area of the person who clicked without commenting..it is usually along the lines of 'if you click without commenting, you are wasting the author's points and in addition, it is just plain rude'. Maybe some find it a bit strong, but at least you get some points backwhile you are doing it hehe. I agree sometimes it is hard to comment on something you really don't like, but now that I know first hand how annoying it is, if I am not sure I can leave a comment, I will just look the poet up and go read their poem that way..that way, they still get read, and I don't have to feel bad if I absolutely can't comment..however, you can usually find something to say, the only reason I won't say anything is if I think it is terrible or obscene or something.Anyway, thanks for the rant..cool idea..
Lea -
I'm gonna comment again in response to brigetjanejone...if people don't want constructive criticism then they shouldn't ask for a critical comment when they are adding their poems...and those who are commenting should note whether or not a piece has asked for a critical review.
Another way to go about this is to tell the person that you think the piece could be better and that you're more than happy to help them ... then they can come to you if they're interested.
M -
You tell them, gramps...I like good rants
Your choice of topic, points it does not lack
If I like what I read, a comment I would lay
If not then they would, just have to have a nice day!
-
I try to comment. But I have been caught out before when I've tried to give an HONEST opinion, ie NOT Awww this is good, or someone writing 100 words on the subject and NOT the poem! I just don't believe "most" people are looking for constructive criticism.
-
My philosophy is that if you don't like something you read...comment any way! Don't just say you don't like it. Tell the author why. I do it all the time and don't get negative feed back from it. If the poem is technically sound but is just in a genre that I don't like then I say that. I play up what's good about the poem while nicely pointing out the bad. Most writers on here are striving to be better and any feedback they get helps with that. Good or bad.
Good job gramps!
M -
You make a good point, though I do agree with JennyLee, it is hard to find something to say for every poem you read. Though... people could try a little harder, I'll give you that.
-
Ah, I always enjoy a good rant. Would have been better in rhyme though . Actually you proposed a pretty good idea! I liked it, although it did help a lot to give 3 extra points for featured comments. I will tell you, sometimes it's hard to find something to say when I am reading in a genre I don't like. I'm sure many feel the same about my poems.
Jennifer
Adding your comment:
1 - 43 of 43
