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FreeByrd Member
since 1999-11-03
Posts 267 |
I think that especially for new members it might be a nice idea to have a read column just before the replies column to give them some added encouragement that their work is at least being looked at ( I guess you would just have to consider any open as a read ). There are certainly many more reads than actual replies. I applaud all the Moderators for taking time to give encouragement to new members and ask that everyone try and take the time to do the same. It helped me tremendously when I first jumped in. I would also like you to consider not allowing an authors response to send a topic back to the top of the list. I hesitate to respond many times because I don't think it's fair that my work should jump ahead of someone else's just because I have responded. This would also make the Replies column a true count. Thank you -RS ------------------ [This message has been edited by FreeByrd (edited 11-28-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Robert Skinner - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Hi Freebyrd! I know where you are coming from but please, we all love it when the author responds to the replies. It adds that nice quality of interactiveness missing at other sites! It's a way for us all to chat with others, as well, and to let the respondees know that their reading and comments are greatly appreciated. I don't think this site would be the same without that! Besides, none of the poems stays on top that long! They slip down very quickly. Every hour brings a whole new flavor to the site! That's my take on it anyway! I will look for your posts! And if I haven't welcomed you to Passions before this let me do so now! Welcome to Passions!! It's great isn't it?!  ------------------ Denise |
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FreeByrd Member
since 1999-11-03
Posts 267 |
D. You can still respond to replies. I'm just saying that it's not necessary to push the topic back up to the top again if the reply is from the author. Besides, the e-mail alerts you that your topic has been responded too. Plus I think that when you see the number of replies, it should indicate the true number. Those replies that come from other members. Just a suggestion. ------------------ |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Hi again, Freebyrd, I guess you could check with Ron to see if that would be a possiblity with the software, of which I know nothing!! Again, welcome to Passions! ------------------ Denise |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Good points FreeBryd but the most important thing in DP at present is reading and responding to other's works, compare our figures to OP#4 we are dismal replyers. Just hope the others see this and my post and realise. Still put the idea to Ron you never know what will happen. ------------------ The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there IS to celebrate. ~Isis~ (Daughter of Mystery) |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Those are actually both good ideas. Indeed, I spent almost two days when writing the new software trying to incorporate a counter into the posts so everyone would know how really often their poems are read (I can tell you it's exponentially larger than the number of replies). Unfortunately, what I discovered was that a counter for each poem added a tremendous load on Ceres, our poor server. Too much of a load, I fear... The 2nd suggestion wouldn't be quite as much a burden to Ceres (no extra files to write), but it would require an extra read (from the author's Profile). Not impossible, but I'm not sure the benefit would outweigh the cost. Incidentally, I haven't given up on adding that counter - I just have to find a more efficent way to do it... |
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FreeByrd Member
since 1999-11-03
Posts 267 |
Thank you for responding Ron and for considering the suggestions. ------------------ There must be some kinda way out of here... say the joker to the thief There's to much confusion, I can't get no relief - Hendrix |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I guess I'm going against the consensus... but... go against it I must. *S* I'm a person who tries to read as many poems as possible... but because of time constraints (and a glitch that makes me have to type in my name and password for every single post from home, which leaves me with even less time) I don't respond to even half the poems I read. Also, I'm not a critic... I don't have the knowledge and expertise to critique a poem's format or the ego to blast the poem itself if I don't like it... I simply move on. The truth is, I assume (and yes, I know what they say about assuming) that my poems are read... I have no need whatsoever to know how many times they were read, for I realize they're not everyone's cup of tea... no hard feelings. *S* But I enjoy any comments that are left for I know that people are giving me the gift of their time as well as a compliment on my poetry. I'm not sure I'd want to know how many people have read my poem without comment... To me, THAT is a negative comment.... I fail to see how it encourages a newbie or an old-timer to know that people have read, shrugged, and kept on going. And because I feel strongly that it is a negative comment, I fear my response to having such a counter would be to STOP reading poems I suspect I'll not be commenting on. Even though I know that in doing so, I'll miss some treasures. But maybe I'm just not into the numbers games. I thought this was about writing and reading poetry... and having a good time with other poets. Unless I'm missing something, there's no prize for having a high reply count... (Ron, if there is, couldja please make it monetary? LOL) I will admit that I search out certain poets and probably always will as long as their agile minds keep creating wonderful poetry... but after making almost 1700 comments, I can't think of a single time I've chosen to read a poem because of the number of replies it has received. [This message has been edited by suthern (edited 11-29-1999).] |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I must agree with you 100% Suthern, exactly what would be the point of knowing how many reads vs replies? It would discourage me also. I knew something was bothering me about this concept, but I couldn't put my finger on it until you brought up this point. This isn't a contest, so what do the numbers have to do with it. I do it for fun and to share with my poetry friends. I also do not read or respond based on the number of replies. I read almost everything and respond to almost everything when I have the time. Good points you make here, Suthern. (thanks for doing my thinking for me!)  ------------------ Denise |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
LOL and mine as well....bless, I knew there was a reason for waiting to comment on this post..*g*..:-~~~~ I sometimes don't even go back to a poem because I know it will go back to the top but I'm also fully appreciative and very aware that someone took the time to reply to me... In fact I don't even think I'm a poet, I'm not sure what one is really, well, I guess Ballader, PDV, Nan and a few others are excellent but I see them more as short stories and a chance to look inside their minds and hearts, get to know them... ANd I don't need a counter telling me how many didn't want to look inside my mind or to know how many did and decided there wasn't anything there...oooops..sorry, my humour..*g* Time to go and eat..ROFL HUGS ------------------ There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it... |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Well, Denise I have to say if you put it that way, I would have to agree. We get to know these poets not only through reading their poetry but from communication with them. Sometimes it's difficult when you start, I've been there. But as everyone gets to know everyone it is great fun. But I think I wouldn't want to know how many people read my poem either, cause to me that would say they didn't like it. Not that I can't take criticism but if they were actually to post that they didn't like it would be one thing. I'm jumping off the box now. Let me just say I agree. ------------------ <*\\\>< |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Ya'll shouldn't assume that because someone reads your poetry and doesn't respond that means they didn't like it. Nine out of ten people who stop into the forums never register - so they can't respond. We draw only a small fraction of those who visit the main site, but even that fraction equates to a lot of people. We can only guess why someone chooses not to participate - fear of giving out information over the Internet (we all know the horror stories, right?), no interest in making new friends, or perhaps lack of time. Or maybe they feel as if they've just walked into a huge ballroom filled with strangers, all deep in conversation with each other, and are more than a bit leery to intrude. Who knows? But the server logs show there are a lot more readers than there are Members. Ya gotta figure they've come quietly knocking our doors for something... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Ron: I know very well I shouldn't assume that it's a negative reflection on the poem when someone doesn't respond... for as I said, there are many reasons why I don't comment on a poem I read... and 95% of the time, it's not because I hate the poem (though I sure would appreciate greater utilization of spellcheck! LOL) However, KNOWING that I shouldn't assume something isn't going to keep me from assuming it! (My logic is blonde. *G*) I can guarantee you... without equivocation... that if I have a poem sitting there with 1 comment and 10 hit and runs, I will NOT be happy. I'd MUCH rather have that one comment and be thinking how nice that person was to comment... or even trying to gain something from their criticism... than to know that the great majority of readers gave it a great big yawn and kept moving... WHATEVER their reasons. It's one thing to accept intellectually that people are reading and not commenting... but my reaction would be completely emotional. Bottom line... I'm about as interested in having a tally of those who had nothing to say as I am in having still more spam hit my hotmail account! *G* But again... this is just me... Apparently numbers are of paramount importance to some. I just know that under the present system, if I have a poem sitting there with 0 responses, I think people are busy or haven't seen it or it moved down too rapidly or... or... or... That may be denial, but I'd find it a slap in the face I really don't need to have hard evidence in front of me that I was only fooling myself. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
{digging in my jeans for two cents to throw into this ring} I would not like a button for my readers to click on. Not that I crave responses, I don't, I would like to know only if something I wrote touched someone. In a good, bad or indifferent way. Numbers should not matter here. Not the number of poems we post nor the number of replies we get. I would love to get an e-mail (or with the new software an ICQ message) telling me how a poem I wrote affected someone. That means more to me than the number of responses.  [This message has been edited by Poet deVine (edited 11-29-1999).] |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Yea, then there's poems like mine that leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to the negative replies!!! LOL...and, if I didn't reply to my own poems.....they'd be lost in a matter of minutes?.....(Didja notice Rainbow didn't mention my wonderful poetic talents?...(sniff, pout, sigh)......Me and Balladeer are buddies though?...Tell'em Balladeer...g'head, tell'em...yep....I know him....I knew him before he was a poet...when he just killed bugs with a rhythm?..... |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
And besides, I can write poetry some....."There was a man from Nantucket,.............. deVine.....I write Balladeer sometimes and tell him how his poem affected me?...It's usually the first thing I do when I get out of the bathroom!! [This message has been edited by Toerag (edited 11-30-1999).] |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
There, there, Toe. *G* Rainbow may have neglected to mention you in her list of greats (and I'm sure it was simply an oversight! *G*), but I said "I search out certain poets and probably always will as long as their agile minds keep creating wonderful poetry" .... and you're ALWAYS first on my search! *G* |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Rainbow falling gracefull to Toe's feet and kissing them whilst asking for forgiveness...but she fainted from the smell..*g* I left out all the perfect poets Toe *phew* quick thinking Rainbow.. HUSG ------------------ There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it... |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Does anyone have two cents I can borrow? I'm broke...lol. I agree with suthern and Denise and pDV. A counter isn't something I really want to see happen here. It turns into more of a competition. I write because I love it. I post because I want to share. I am already amazed with the number of replies I get from my work....the rest is unnecessary as far as I am concerned. As a moderator I look at almost every poem posted in teen. I do not reply to all of them because of time constraints. I am not sure if it would be a benifit in teen. We have some fragile ego's there and if they see the number of reads with no posts....*shrug*. I would hate to have a author leave teen because of it. I can see it happening. Remember when you were a teenager and you didn't get the responses you wanted to get from your actions or words? Thanks for letting me throw those thoughts in with out any cash...lol. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Sheesh....1999.... seems so LONG ago..... |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
seems even longer now, huh Kari?  |
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