Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
- FrugalInvestor
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Dislike the idea of a like button. This is a very different sort of site than Facebook and I'd like it to stay that way (no pun intended).
Have a plan, stay the course and simplify. Then ignore the noise!
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
A like button could have multiple uses, however the benefits of such a feature do not outweigh the drawbacks according to the people who manage the site. Namely, they are worried about how introducing social feedback systems like this can influence the behaviors of a community in unintended ways. I respect their decision and happen to agree with them too. If you don't agree, consider addressing the core argument to make your case. Suggesting that we're "not all that interested in trying something new" doesn't seem fair to me.pondering wrote: Even getting an option for the Home tag on every page being user selectable (the default works very poorly in Safari) was turned down.
The current crowd here is self selected. They like things the way they are. A like button has multiple uses. As a lighter form of engagement it is particularly suitable to mobile use.
Last edited by zuma on Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I'm grateful that this site fosters education and community and not popularity.
- pondering
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
The pejorative term used was yours, not mine. Several of them have been used here, and if I have used any, I'll correct my posts. Leaving name calling in a thread like this is inappropriate on both sides.
The experience of people in social media is that making a site easier to use increases engagement and broadens your audience.
The experience of people in social media is that making a site easier to use increases engagement and broadens your audience.
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Fair point. I've updated my post.pondering wrote:The pejorative term used was yours, not mine. Several of them have been used here, and if I have used any, I'll correct my posts. Leaving name calling in a thread like this is inappropriate on both sides.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Agree.FrugalInvestor wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:50 am Dislike the idea of a like button. This is a very different sort of site than Facebook and I'd like it to stay that way (no pun intended).
I use a forum which has like, dislike , agree, funny, etc buttons. The other board is a social online place for knitters, crocheters, weavers etc, so the buttons are fine in a social context.
This forum is meant to educate and inform - buttons would be a distraction from the mission.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I never signed up for Facebook so don't know how to use the like button and have many interesting things on my to-learn list so don't mind not learning to use a like button.
Jokes apart, I think buttons degrade the quality of interactions. Sure, the quantity may go up but people tend to just press buttons and not explain why they are doing it. Just the act of hitting reply and typing a emoji is more involved and indicates that the person really appreciated your post.
As for reputation, it would make harder for newer contributors to get attention even though they might have valid points. Hedgeifund's post might be ignored by most if he/she shows up as novice. The reputation is built by active community members recognizing who posts quality material
Jokes apart, I think buttons degrade the quality of interactions. Sure, the quantity may go up but people tend to just press buttons and not explain why they are doing it. Just the act of hitting reply and typing a emoji is more involved and indicates that the person really appreciated your post.
As for reputation, it would make harder for newer contributors to get attention even though they might have valid points. Hedgeifund's post might be ignored by most if he/she shows up as novice. The reputation is built by active community members recognizing who posts quality material
- Sandtrap
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Mahalo.LadyGeek wrote: ↑Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:01 pm It's been discussed before, check this thread: I Wish There Was. "Like" Button. The short answer is that there will not be any "like" button in this forum.
j
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I don't just "like" the above exchange. I LOVE it. <3Mel Lindauer wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:56 pmI just didn't want to be the bad guy, so I was trying to be as subtle as possible.Munir wrote:Mel, as usual, you are being too subtle. Can you please be more clear?legio XX wrote:Good.Mel Lindauer wrote:And it will be "NO" tomm. and next year and the year after that for all eternity. It ain't gonna happen. Period.LadyGeek wrote: The answer is still no.
Vic
I wasn't familiar with the past lobbying for a "like" button so thanks for the bump. Delighted to see the commitment from the top down - for all the right reasons. Stay the course...
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Please do not add a "like" button. It will make the site more addictive. It will not add anything positive.
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The most important thing you should know about me is that I am not an expert.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Your service, your rules, but I hardly think that Bogleheads is similar to CNN, Breitbart, IGN, or whatever Allkpop is. That would be like saying Vanguard's PAS is a ridiculous concept because Edward Jones doesn't provide good value, and they are both advisory services.Alex Frakt wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2015 1:29 am The scholarly consensus on this appears to supports my position. The dynamics vary depending on the type of site and type of rating system, but it is now taken as given that these systems lead to distortions in contributor behavior in what I feel are negative ways. For example:
How Community Feedback Shapes User Behavior, Cheng et al, arXiv.org, 6 May 2014
In this article, the authors state "There are legal obstacles to making the data available and revealing the name of the Web site," but it does say "the website provides a web based architecture for a community of people to submit synopses of news and entertainment-related posts published elsewhere on the web with links pointing to the outside content. These posts compete for a visible spot on the web site’s frontAlex Frakt wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2015 1:29 am Social Influence Bias: A Randomized Experiment, Muchnik et al, Science 9 August 2013
page as they are ranked by the community members." Again, not really what Bogleheads is about.
I have certainly seen the value of voting on, for example, Stack Overflow. An up vote button does not have to be a Facebook "Like." There are up and down votes on Stack Overflow, that while not perfect, has value in searching for the better answers. Now 1) that is strictly a Q&A and reference cite and 2) it isn't perfect. Still, I think it adds considerable value to that site when going through a thread of answers to find the best information. I would NOT suggest negative votes on this site (although a negative vote could just subtract from up-votes), as SHOWING down votes could stir too much contention.
"No man is free who must work for a living." (Illya Kuryakin)
A way to "thank" posts
[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek]
Just curious if yall can do an addon where you can "thank" or "like" a post. So many posts here are excellent, and I want to tell the poster thank you, but it's overboard to write a whole post. A simple "Like" button would be great, and the "likes" would be tallied under the post. I would avoid any kind of "dislike" button that would convey a negative attitude. Just allows us to say thank you and then move on.
Just curious if yall can do an addon where you can "thank" or "like" a post. So many posts here are excellent, and I want to tell the poster thank you, but it's overboard to write a whole post. A simple "Like" button would be great, and the "likes" would be tallied under the post. I would avoid any kind of "dislike" button that would convey a negative attitude. Just allows us to say thank you and then move on.
- Sandtrap
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
How to thank someone without needing a "like" button.
Do it like this:
(Reply in thread)
"Great post. Thanks! "
Or, send a PM to the poster.
Something like this:
"Great post. Thanks! "
Do it like this:
(Reply in thread)
"Great post. Thanks! "
Or, send a PM to the poster.
Something like this:
"Great post. Thanks! "
Last edited by Sandtrap on Mon Jun 17, 2019 3:54 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Excellent idea! Especially to exclude any type of "dislike" which is useless feedback most of the time.
Taking care of tomorrow while enjoying today.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
I fear it would reward snark.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
I suggested nearly this exact item a year ago as a diff forum I use has a 'thanks' button.
Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Send an IM. A personal thank you means a lot more than a Facebook-style like.
- oldcomputerguy
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
The issue of a "like" button has been brought up in the past. There is a long discussion of this subject (and why the forum owners are not in favor of such a button) in this thread.
If you would like to express appreciation for a particularly helpful post, a simple "Thanks for the great information" post would be fine, that's been done countless times here.
If you would like to express appreciation for a particularly helpful post, a simple "Thanks for the great information" post would be fine, that's been done countless times here.
There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way. (Christopher Morley)
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
Please DONT ever add a like button or anything else that's just tallying clicks. That adds nothing but a social media element to an otherwise useful discussion.
If you want to agree or thank someone, just make a post doing so.
If you want to agree or thank someone, just make a post doing so.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Complete agree. The snark-factor has been rising steadily in recent months, to the degree where I've seen posts where the poster starts with something like "please be kind" before the question is presented.
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
+1,000.aerosurfer wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:07 am Please DONT ever add a like button or anything else that's just tallying clicks. That adds nothing but a social media element to an otherwise useful discussion.
If you want to agree or thank someone, just make a post doing so.
Simple and easy is not the proper way to thank someone. If the amount of effort of writing a post and/or message is too much, don't do it.
KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
- whodidntante
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
I am uncomfortable with this change and any other changes. Please keep the 90's era brutalist text interface with no color choices. This is the correct interface for a website. I am not yet ready for 2009's "like" button technology. Besides, I've noticed that suggestions rarely come with a bag of money.
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
+1KlangFool wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 6:45 am+1,000.aerosurfer wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:07 am Please DONT ever add a like button or anything else that's just tallying clicks. That adds nothing but a social media element to an otherwise useful discussion.
If you want to agree or thank someone, just make a post doing so.
Simple and easy is not the proper way to thank someone. If the amount of effort of writing a post and/or message is too much, don't do it.
KlangFool
Absolutely!
j
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Send a PM. I would stop visiting this website if such Facebook-esque 'features' were ever implemented.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
I think a lot of people would leave the site.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: A way to "thank" posts
In the long run, a lot of people will leave the site in any case, and an increasing portion of the potential new audience won’t be put off by (and will be accustomed to) social media features.
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- topper1296
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
You can "subscribe" a topic if you want to keep track of it. That way, you get notified for any new posts. Go the the very top of the post, hit the button that looks like a wrench and hit subscribe topic. There's also an option to bookmark posts, which I like better.topper1296 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:30 am Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
Thanks mervinj7. I was just testing Bookmark out for topper1296 and was notified of your post as a result. It is nice that you can go to your Control Panel and see all bookmarked posts as some may be older posts that I find of value but for which future replies are less likely.mervinj7 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:39 amYou can "subscribe" a topic if you want to keep track of it. That way, you get notified for any new posts. Go the the very top of the post, hit the button that looks like a wrench and hit subscribe topic. There's also an option to bookmark posts, which I like better.topper1296 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:30 am Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
Cheers
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Please don't add a new post saying "thanks" or "great post" unless you are the original poster and want to acknowledge your question was answered. I cringe to think of an excellent post that is followed by 100 "Thanks" or "Great post" unless they add an additional comment to extend the topic further (for example, another reason why OP should consider this or that).
Or you can bookmark the page. I've even started (browser) bookmark folders for various topics that I may want to return to in the future: housing, SS, travel, etctopper1296 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:30 am Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Agree, thanks for the comment
Don't it always seem to go * That you don't know what you've got * Till it's gone
Re: A way to "thank" posts
Agree.oldcomputerguy wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:32 am The issue of a "like" button has been brought up in the past. There is a long discussion of this subject (and why the forum owners are not in favor of such a button) in this thread.
If you would like to express appreciation for a particularly helpful post, a simple "Thanks for the great information" post would be fine, that's been done countless times here.
Also, thanking a poster is more meaningful if reasons for it are included, since it is possible to thank someone for the wrong reasons (e.g., because their post was misunderstood).
"Yes, investing is simple. But it is not easy, for it requires discipline, patience, steadfastness, and that most uncommon of all gifts, common sense." ~Jack Bogle
- CommitmentDevice
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
Like button or no like button? I don't know.
What I do know is that Bogleheads.org has achieved something rare and valuable... insightful, authentic engagement. SOMETHING about the way this community is structured is working quite well, and I'm inclined to think that the current forum design is contributing to that positive community culture.
What I do know is that Bogleheads.org has achieved something rare and valuable... insightful, authentic engagement. SOMETHING about the way this community is structured is working quite well, and I'm inclined to think that the current forum design is contributing to that positive community culture.
- whodidntante
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Re: A way to "thank" posts
I view the site as an immune response to Edward Jones, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James, high-cost 401ks, and every other way that investors get separated from their money. We also talk about water heaters.CommitmentDevice wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:26 pm Like button or no like button? I don't know.
What I do know is that Bogleheads.org has achieved something rare and valuable... insightful, authentic engagement. SOMETHING about the way this community is structured is working quite well, and I'm inclined to think that the current forum design is contributing to that positive community culture.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I merged ERguy101's thread into the on-going discussion.
We will not be adding a "like" button.
We will not be adding a "like" button.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Good call!
Emotionless, prognostication free investing. Ignoring the noise and economists since 1979. Getting rich off of "smart people's" behavioral mistakes.
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I'm glad that we won't be adding a "like" button.
Why would we want to be more like Facebook/Reddit?
Bogleheads.org is better than both of those sites.
I think that "like" buttons incentivize bad behavior.
Why would we want to be more like Facebook/Reddit?
Bogleheads.org is better than both of those sites.
I think that "like" buttons incentivize bad behavior.
Re: A way to "thank" posts
If only there was some minimalist way of doing so, taking up very little space and not cluttering up a thread. Some simple icon and count system. I don't know what that could possibly be, but maybe we could call it a "Like Button." Too bad we lack the technology.
"No man is free who must work for a living." (Illya Kuryakin)
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
I’ll say me piece on this...
I think there should be a “like”, “agree”, “thumbs up” or whatever button.
My rationale is that many threads (this one being a prime example) end up having a lot of posters basically saying the same thing. Some kind of “agree” button would give people an outlet to agree with another poster without creating more posts. The real estate posts tend to do the same where a whole bunch of people give the same reasons as to why they think real estate is a bad investment and similarly many of the reasons why it’s good tend to get repeated.
I think there should be a “like”, “agree”, “thumbs up” or whatever button.
My rationale is that many threads (this one being a prime example) end up having a lot of posters basically saying the same thing. Some kind of “agree” button would give people an outlet to agree with another poster without creating more posts. The real estate posts tend to do the same where a whole bunch of people give the same reasons as to why they think real estate is a bad investment and similarly many of the reasons why it’s good tend to get repeated.
Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
For particularly useful information that one likes, one should consider condensing and clarifying it and getting it into the Wiki. That is a great place for consistently useful ideas to live in and be more easily found.
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Re: Why not add a "like" button to Boglehead posts?
Please don’t add a “like” button. And may we let this thread quietly disappear.
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" - Leonardo Da Vinci
Re: A way to "thank" posts
mervinj7 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:39 amYou can "subscribe" a topic if you want to keep track of it. That way, you get notified for any new posts. Go the the very top of the post, hit the button that looks like a wrench and hit subscribe topic. There's also an option to bookmark posts, which I like better.topper1296 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:30 am Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
I "Like" this . In seriousness, thanks for the info. Had no idea you could subscribe to a topic. Even though I've been reading Bogleheads.org for 1.5 years, I'd say I'm still a total newbie
Re: A way to "thank" posts
No problem. I have a few dozen topics that I keep bookmarked for handy references. For example, Kevin M's post on Tax Equivalent Yields is indispensable.nexesn wrote: ↑Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:42 ammervinj7 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:39 amYou can "subscribe" a topic if you want to keep track of it. That way, you get notified for any new posts. Go the the very top of the post, hit the button that looks like a wrench and hit subscribe topic. There's also an option to bookmark posts, which I like better.topper1296 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:30 am Personally, I wish there was a way to "track" a thread. Currently, the only way I know is make a comment (even if I don't really have anything to contribute) so I can "view my posts" later.
I "Like" this . In seriousness, thanks for the info. Had no idea you could subscribe to a topic. Even though I've been reading Bogleheads.org for 1.5 years, I'd say I'm still a total newbie
Is there an "upvote" feature in the forums?
[Thread merged into here, see below (next page). --admin LadyGeek]
I am not seeing that option. Often I quote someone and reply but sometimes I just want to agree/support. Am I missing that ability? THANKS!
I am not seeing that option. Often I quote someone and reply but sometimes I just want to agree/support. Am I missing that ability? THANKS!
Last edited by ronno2018 on Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- cheese_breath
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Re: Is there an "upvote" feature in the forums?
To support someone, quote the post and reply +1
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: Is there an "upvote" feature in the forums?
+1 but I just want a button to click -- easy peasy.