## I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:55 am

Authors on this site often want to know if people liked their story, and are less likely to continue if they don't get responses. But sometimes, we read a story we like, but don't post a response for one reason or another, like maybe we're too lazy, don't have the time, don't have much to say beyond the fact that we enjoyed the story, etc. I feel like if there was a little button at the bottom of each post saying like or thank or something, that we could click to show we like and/or agree with that post, it would be a quick and simple way for people to let someone know we enjoyed their story without having to take the time to type a response.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by chadmc90 » Sun Dec 07, 2014 11:51 am

I think that has already been brought up. Can't remember why, but I think Zanev passed on implementing this into the system.
But I definitely agree with you. I would write MUCH more if I got more feedback for my own stories, and a feature like this would be really beneficial.
Check out my latest story A Cowboy's Dream!
Feedback highly appreciated! Feel free to Private Message me if you prefer to not post on the public forum!

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Jason Toddman » Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:05 pm

This has been suggested before. But I believe it would require us to link up with Facebook or some similar site; something many of us (including me) object to.
Besides which, I'd be a lot more impressed if someone actually took the effort to write a post (even a brief one) saying they like my story than if they lazily hit a 'like' button'. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I wouldn't give a damn how many 'likes' I got if no one could be bothered to actually write something directly to me. It's... lazy, and lazy to me equals worthless.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:10 pm

While I don't know much about forum coding and stuff myself, I do know it does not require linking with facebook to incorporate a 'like' or 'thanks' or similar type of system. I have another forum I go on that uses a 'thanks' system, and no Facebook linking is required.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Jason Toddman » Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:17 pm

> Matthewtheman wrote:While I don't know much about forum coding and stuff myself, I do know it does not require linking with facebook to incorporate a 'like' or 'thanks' or similar type of system. I have another forum I go on that uses a 'thanks' system, and no Facebook linking is required.

Perhaps, but it still wouldn't impress me, and might even lower the number of actual comments writers get for their stories. Most of us get too few now as it is.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by xtc » Sun Dec 07, 2014 2:17 pm

I agree with Jason.
It takes only a few seconds to type even short comment and displays a level of appreciation far above the mere hitting of button.
Comments can also give writers an idea of what they are doing right (or even wrong) for their readers.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Lake Lover » Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:28 pm

Yup. Better to write a ten word acknowledgement that you have read the story than simply putting a check mark in a box and moving on.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:40 pm

But I feel like short 'good story dude' comments are just unnecessary padding that don't contribute much. And it could be used for more than just showing you like a story. It can be used showing you agree with someone. Like if you're in one of the discussion forums and want to show someone you agree with them without having to quote their post and say "I completely agree with you", you could just 'like' or 'thank' or whatever their post.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Jason Toddman » Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:18 pm

> Matthewtheman wrote:But I feel like short 'good story dude' comments are just unnecessary padding that don't contribute much. And it could be used for more than just showing you like a story. It can be used showing you agree with someone. Like if you're in one of the discussion forums and want to show someone you agree with them without having to quote their post and say "I completely agree with you", you could just 'like' or 'thank' or whatever their post.

You have a point about the brief attaboy kind of comments, but I still think might feel differently about the 'like' button idea after you've written a bunch of stories and that's the only kind of feedback you get.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by drawscore » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:02 pm

I've written stories that ran the gamut from "Great story, dude!", to "Where the hell did you learn to write?"
Positive comments are always welcome, no matter how short. Negative comments require some explanation. If you think it was a bad story, why? Was it the writing, grammar, characters, too young, too old, not believable, what? If you are going to be critical, you have to explain your reasoning. Criticism must be constructive, if it is to help the author improve.
Drawscore

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Jason Toddman » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:23 pm

> drawscore wrote:I've written stories that ran the gamut from "Great story, dude!", to "Where the hell did you learn to write?"
> Positive comments are always welcome, no matter how short. Negative comments require some explanation. If you think it was a bad story, why? Was it the writing, grammar, characters, too young, too old, not believable, what? If you are going to be critical, you have to explain your reasoning. Criticism must be constructive, if it is to help the author improve.
> Drawscore

Quite right. Imo a 'dislike' with no explanation at all would be just about the most discouraging thing ever; no better than a totally negative comment composed of nothing but insults and four-letter-words. If I see a story i don't like, I generally just don't comment at all.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by xtc » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:54 pm

Hang on . . .
Did I just read Drawscore and Jason agreeing about something?
The last time this happened there was star in the east . . .
However, they are both, of course right.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by chadmc90 » Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:14 pm

Yea, I do agree with you guys about feedback being much better than the proposed like system, BUT what about getting likes verses NOT getting feedback? I mean right now it's either leave feedback or not, so if a user would more likely prefer to hit "like" rather than comment, isn't that better than nothing?
Check out my latest story A Cowboy's Dream!
Feedback highly appreciated! Feel free to Private Message me if you prefer to not post on the public forum!

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by xtc » Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:34 pm

OK, it MIGHT make us feel better but is no help as far as making progress is concerned.
Two points:
If I see 100 views and see no likes, what am I supposed to think? Yes, the obvious implication is that my story is crap, but where is the help to allow me to improve?
I am still confused about why one of my most popular stories (judging by total views and current views per week) has attracted no comments (pro or con). People still seem to be reading it even though I have said that, as a result of the lack of feedback, I will not be posting the final episode here. Just ticking "like" would not help me to understand readers' reluctance to take just a few seconds to share their opinions.
By the way: for anyone who is interested, I shall probably post the rest of this year's episode on DA.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by LordNelson » Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:42 pm

Like xtc I too have been dismayed with the lack of comments on stories I have written that are obviously being read judging from the views. I realize that a proportion of those views are incomplete, it is impossible to write a story that pleases everyone, but for those that are pleased it would follow that they would like to read more but that isn't going to happen if they don't say something to give the writer the motivation to continue.
I too have curtailed my writing and mostly do requests now knowing that I will have an appreciative audience of at least one person.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Sun Feb 15, 2015 3:15 pm

Who said I thought a 'dislike' button should be added? That's an awful idea. That's basically a form of non-constructive criticism, which I despise. Plus it would lead to people doing things like disliking a story simply because it's not to their interests(i.e., someone who only likes M/M disliking a well written F/F story).
Anyway, I still feel like a 'like' system would be a good idea, especially if we make it so anyone, user or not, could do it(to prevent someone liking something multiple times, we could limit it so each post can only get one like per IP address), because I'm sure one of the reasons people aren't getting many comments is because there are people who read and like a story but lack an account on this site, so they can't comment. I'm certain a 'like' button won't reduce the number of comments a story gets. Not to mention, FanFiction.net gives you the ability to 'favorite'(which is a similar concept) stories yet the stories there still get plenty of reviews.
P.S. LordNelson, if it helps, I haven't read a story of yours yet that I didn't like.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by tony2 » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:52 pm

buttons already there --- I think almost ANY comment is still more constructive. don't you?
If you believe in yourself enough -
nobody else will figure out you're faking it.
ANTS viewtopic.php?f=85&t=22496
Talk is cheap viewtopic.php?f=78&t=21971

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by bondagefreak » Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:03 pm

Something Chad and I started doing is posting polls at the top of our story threads.
I have some asking questions like "Which is your favourite character?" or "Are you enjoying the story?"
The response has been good.
Until we get a "like" system, I think this would be a viable atlernative for authors here.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:49 pm

That's actually a really good idea. I think I'll try it.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by bondagefreak » Wed Feb 18, 2015 9:08 pm

> Matthewtheman wrote:That's actually a really good idea. I think I'll try it.

Glad to hear it
If I'm not mistaken, you can't create a poll during the topic creation. You need to create the topic (or use an existing one) and Edit the first post to include the Poll creation option.
On a sidenote, polls tend to be much more interactive than a simple "like" system.
Depending on the poll question, you can get your audience to give a bit of thought to your stories and characters. That in turn encourages discussion in the comments below. IMHO, the poll creation option makes the "like" system sort of obsolete.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:21 am

Yeah, I already figured it out. I went and added a poll for my latest story 'Brooke's slumber party' asking how they liked the story and who their favorite character was. You should check it out, unless F/F isn't your thing.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Plueschbabycd » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:58 am

> Matthewtheman wrote:Yeah, I already figured it out. I went and added a poll for my latest story 'Brooke's slumber party' asking how they liked the story and who their favorite character was. You should check it out, unless F/F isn't your thing.

Hallo Matthewtheman, I think at would not push a like Button more often than write a comment. I would not use a "like Button" read story and like, than you push the Button but aft it change form F/F to a M/FF or some even worse to a M/M some even not like.
Andrew
"Don´t dream it, be it." Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by bondagefreak » Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:25 pm

> Matthewtheman wrote:Yeah, I already figured it out. I went and added a poll for my latest story 'Brooke's slumber party' asking how they liked the story and who their favorite character was. You should check it out, unless F/F isn't your thing.

I'm not into F/F stuff, but I just checked the poll you created and it looks good.
IMO, a quick poll is better than a "like" system.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Lake Lover » Sun Feb 22, 2015 6:46 am

> bondagefreak wrote:

> > Matthewtheman wrote:Yeah, I already figured it out. I went and added a poll for my latest story 'Brooke's slumber party' asking how they liked the story and who their favorite character was. You should check it out, unless F/F isn't your thing.

> I'm not into F/F stuff, but I just checked the poll you created and it looks good.
> IMO, a quick poll is better than a "like" system.

I think that the yes or no check-off is detrimental to the forum, while a well constructed poll requiring a thoughtful series of choices may be more informative. Still, direct dialogue between a writer and his reader is best!
Last edited by Lake Lover on Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:21 am, edited 1 time in total.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by xtc » Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:14 am

> Lake Lover wrote: Still, direct dialogue between a writer and his reader is best1

I agree!
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Matthewtheman » Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:16 am

I'm also in agreement that direct conversation is best, but a like, favorite, thanks, etc. or a vote on a poll is better than no response at all.

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by Plueschbabycd » Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:11 am

Hallo,
but I know from other forum that not even all reader would give vote on a poll. Perhaps the begin to read story because title sound interesting but they dislike story. The want tell this because thought only her liking.
Andrew
"Don´t dream it, be it." Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show

### Re: I think we should implement some sort of "like" system.

Post by drawscore » Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:10 pm

Keep in mind that there are some that do not take criticism well, even when it's constructive, and points out both strong, and weak points. (ie: "The story/plot is good, but line space between paragraphs, and remember that SpellCheck is your friend, but it misses homonyms like "flak" and "flack" when the wrong one is used.") If you can, have someone you trust, proofread your work, and if you have no one locally, send it via PM to a board member you feel can help, or even make corrections for you. It is usually a good idea to ask first, though, rather than just sending the story.
There are those that have written quite well, but are reluctant to pen additional efforts, for fear of being criticized. I think such a fear is unfounded. Rarely, is someone going to post something to the effect of "The story sucked, and you bite as a writer." 99% of the time, suggestions, recommendations, and criticism, are posted with the intent to help the writer become better.
Granted, sometimes criticism could be worded differently. What might seem innocuous to the person criticizing, may look like a hard slam to the writer being criticized. I would suggest initially mixing in both criticism and praise, and putting the highest praise in the last paragraph, so that it ends on a high note.
However, if the story is REALLY bad, is full of grammatical, spelling, case, tense, and usage errors, and has absolutely no quality at all, then criticism through private message would be more appropriate.
Drawscore