Some suggested additional features for TRF

[RhapsodyBrat]

Hi mods and admins! I'm opening this thread with the intention that if there are any features or functions that TRF members would like to see here in our forums, they could post it here.

I'll start with this: Do you know those thumbs-up and thumbs-down function on YouTube, which you could use to rate a comment?



Is it possible to have them here at TRF? I was hoping we could use that to minimize the incidence of empty posts, because users can just rate the previous posts unless they have something else to add to the comment.

Another feature I'd suggest is the three moving/GIF carets, something that I can use on another VBulletin forum:

(they're the three yellow triangles)


I was hoping we could add them to our smilie list. The main function of the carets is to use them in posting a reply to the post immediately before one's own reply, as if referring to them, instead of having to use the Quote function.

Thanks in advance!

[PrinceOfCanada]

I'll start with this: Do you know those thumbs-up and thumbs-down function on YouTube, which you could use to rate a comment?

Is it possible to have them here at TRF? I was hoping we could use that to minimize the incidence of empty posts, because users can just rate the previous posts unless they have something else to add to the comment.

Bad idea -- opens up an enormous can of worms. Look at Slashdot or Digg for examples of why this really, really doesn't ever work out well.

I was hoping we could add them to our smilie list. The main function of the carets is to use them in posting a reply to the post immediately before one's own reply, as if referring to them, instead of having to use the Quote function.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Besides, use of carets in that way is ambiguous; if someone else posts while you're typing your reply, it becomes unclear as to what you meant. The quote function is definitive.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by RhapsodyBrat

I'll start with this: Do you know those thumbs-up and thumbs-down function on YouTube, which you could use to rate a comment?
I was hoping we could use that to minimize the incidence of empty posts, because users can just rate the previous posts unless they have something else to add to the comment.

Rating a post in this manner is just as empty as saying "I agree" or "I disagree". This is a discussion forum and a discussion can't develop unless members are prepared to give reasons for their views. Replacing an empty phrase with an empty symbol won't encourage discussion and is more likely, if a blunt thumbs down, to give offence.

[RhapsodyBrat]

well, it was just a suggestion. you take this thread off if necessary.

[Warren]

All suggestions are welcome, and should be discussed.
The three triangles symbol does come in handy when referring to the preceding post without having to repeat it in a quote box. The downside, as PrinceofCanada has mentioned, is the cross-post timing issue which can lead to confusion.

[jcbcode99]

The thread is a good idea! I do like to use the quote box, though, it makes referring back so much easier. I don't like to complicate things!
Also, I do think the thumbs up/down could have the potential to be very argumentative. Best we just read to decide for ourselves.

[Elspeth]

Please don't worry about starting the thread, RhapsodyBrat. If people didn't feel they could make suggestions, nothing would ever improve!

I have some reservations about the thumbs up and down thing, for many of the same reasons why we haven't enabled the karma system. People would be inclined to use it for posts they agreed or disagreed with, whether they were empty or not, and it could lead to bad feelings.

As for the triangles, I can add them to the smiley list if you think they'd really be useful, but I've seen people referring to previous posts by using ^^^, which does much the same thing although it isn't as noticeable. Could you send me a PM with a link to that website so I can see what those triangles are like in context?

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Could you send me a PM with a link to that website so I can see what those triangles are like in context?

Here's one: link.

[PrinceOfCanada]

On reflection.. while karma and thumbs-up/thumbs down may not be a good idea, a flagging system that is visible only to mods might be useful. You know, something like 'click here if the content is offensive or breaks the rules'. Would help you guys be notified quicker of trouble spots, and you wouldn't have to constantly be looking at every thread to keep on top of things.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by PrinceOfCanada

... a flagging system that is visible only to mods might be useful. You know, something like 'click here if the content is offensive or breaks the rules'. Would help you guys be notified quicker of trouble spots, and you wouldn't have to constantly be looking at every thread to keep on top of things.

Every post carries a flagging system with the 'Report Post' function. This sends a message to the moderators of the forum:

[PrinceOfCanada]

Well clearly I'm a doofus who can't see what's right in front of his eyes.. doh.

[jcbcode99]

I have to say, I think that TRF has a pretty good system in place and that is obviously because the board was extremely well thought out. I wonder what the Board looked like in its original inception?

[Elspeth]

Here you go, RhapsodyBrat:

[RhapsodyBrat]

Thank you very very much, Elspeth!

These carets don't make anything complicated at all, you see. If you've been following the discussion closely, then there's no problem. It just speeds up typing your response.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by jcbcode99

I wonder what the Board looked like in its original inception?

Similar in design, but a shadow of its current self in breadth of content.

[Elspeth]

When I first joined at the beginning of 2004, the forum had fewer than 5000 members, and it was very focussed on modern European royalty. The main forums were chosen for their popularity rather than their royal significance, so (if I remember right) the Greek royals had their own forums but the Japanese and Jordanians didn't. Also, there were subforums for the popular crown princes and princesses but not for the monarchs or for history, and the selection of avatars in the gallery was almost exclusively made up of the young, glamorous royals and their children.

Also, again if memory serves, the forums for chit chat and books weren't split between the royal and nonroyal ones, but were sort of catch-all forums. We've added a lot of forums and subforums and have separated the royal and nonroyal parts of the forum.

I think early on there weren't any moderators, just three or four admins. Then when Andy took over the forum we went to having supermods as well as admins, and as we grew we also started adding forum-specific moderators.

The newsletter, picture-of-the-month, articles, and now the book club are more recent additions too. And the banner, with the revolving photos of various royals, was the result of a competition a few years ago which was won by Humera. I don't remember what the previous banner was like, to be honest.

And one of the main differences was that when Andy took over the forum, we had a change of name. The forum was originally called Les Tribunes Royales.