Suggestion...

[Mia Bettolo]

Ok... so I am not exactly sure if this is the right place to post this but I'm gonna give it a go anyway.

So I noticed a post asking for Weekly Assignment Suggestions... and while I don't necessarily have any of those to post right now I DO have a suggestion for DPS in general...

I would really like to hear ppls reaction on this. Because though it sounds like a good idea to me I might stone cold crazy to the rest of ya's

So here is my suggestion...

I think that DPS should add a 'Like' button to all photos posted in forums (or maybe make that an option for the photographer when they post the thread reply) Because often I see GREAT shots posted on the forums and they really just make me want to give that person a 'thumbs up'... but... I am nothing if not lazy so posting a whole entire comment... meh.... I am willing to bet that there are others like me out there... so what do you say?

Yeah or Ney to a photo 'like' button?

oh and added a photo for the fun of it Hopefully I have not broken any forum rules this way

[Rolling Stone]

I think some would agree with you. But most would not for one reason. DPS is a learning site. One can learn more via comments than a thumbs up.

[Mia Bettolo]

Ok... Rolling Stone I see you point. But I have to say I can not agree in full. Whilst a comment is most definitely more constructive when it comes to a learning process. I would not discount the possibility of gaining knowledge from a simple 'nod', you know... pat on the back, well done, this image made an impact on someone. If nothing else you know you've done something right. Keep in mind that the idea for this button is not meant to be in lieu of a comment option... people who want to comment will still comment. You just try and stop em! I know that, for myself... if I had the option to simply say... me likes... via a simple click I'd interact with a lot more members of DPS. So many times I find myself looking at a great photo and wishing I could simply say... great photo... often I can't put into words why this or that photo even got my attention... and I am certainly not going to go to all the trouble to say... hey I'm a beginner and your photo left me at a loss for words... but great photo! Seems like too much work for such a banal comment. Am I making sense?

More COMMENTS please....

[LMAshton]

From the programming perspective, what you suggest is potentially a huge nightmare and time consuming to implement. A thumbs up or down on just the photos? I can think of so many ways that could be so complicated to implement. (I'm married to a programmer. I hear him whine and complain. )

Otherwise, yeah, I agree that it could be fun and useful.

[freezeframe03]

There's plenty of people who click on a photo, type in "great photo" and then go back to where they were. There's no rule says your comment has to be in great detail. I'll bet most people would more enjoy the actual comment of "great photo" rather than a bunch of clicks of a "like button".

[Mia Bettolo]

Oh no thumbs down... if ya wanna be negative just make a comment ya meanies
Programming wise... didn't think of that... wonder how facebook does it? Is it a nightmare for them too?

[Vagebond]

Believe me, implementing anything like that in this forum software would be a nightmare. Facebook was custom built to collect as much info as possible from users, their likes and dislikes etc., and sell it to all comers. So adding there is realtively easy. Their privacy policy is a joke.

But, on topic, I must be old because I don't think that clicking on a "like" button is interacting with people. The forum is part of the Digital Photography School where you presumably come to learn something and to help others to learn -written comments. There are enough sites for popularity contests.

I apologise if this sounds unfriendly or so, that's not my intention

[Indigo November]

No way! Sorry, but that is a bad idea. We would lose some of the friendly constructive atmosphere of DPS.
I think people like having actual comments on their photos, that's why we are here.
If we wanted to join the competition for the most "likes" we would stick to facebook. JMO.

EDIT: just saw Vagebond's reply, I totally agree. "Like" button is not interaction!

[Mia Bettolo]

ohhhuuuuh! This is fun... I love a good debate. You all have points... good ones...even the facebook 'hater' (I use the word with love)

Good point #1 Comments are better than 'likes'. Yes its true. Will not even try to deny that (never tried) Everyone loves comments. I'm a comment junkie myself. I admit it... there aint no shame in it! I just happen to see a possible 'like' button as... softer... if you will, form of commenting. Less invasive... and time consuming... And before you get too upset let me explain better what I mean. For example I absolutely LOVE browsing (and participating in) the Weekly Assignment Thread. But when you get... well like last weeks... High Contrast Black and White... there are 42 pages on that thread.... it says there are over 400 entries. Your average person probably not even really going to have time to look at all of them let alone comment on every single one that stands out to them, especially if they are only going to say 'nice shot' But a simple click to say this one stood out of a crowd takes no time at all. Again... real commenters will comment anyway... As I said before... Just try and stop em! 'Like' buttons do not threaten comments. Again... we have already agreed the comments are far superior I was just going for a quicker way to say 'that one made me pause in my scrolling, well done'

Good Point # 2: Technologically speaking it may not be the very feasible... Well I have no arguments for that one really... I'm sure you are right... but I know can be done...

Point # 3: Sorry, had to omit the good there.... just don't agree AT ALL. 'Likes' may not be the best or most popular form of interaction... but they ARE interaction.

Ok... now that I'm sure I sound like the wicked witch of the west I will stop typing... I mean nothing in a MEAN way I promise... I'm just defending my ideas Please don't get all upset at me... I just like a good debate ... really and truly

[BCampbell]

Just what everyone needs, more "great capture"-type response without any real feedback.

If someone can't take thirty seconds to explain why they like a photo, how much do they really like it in the first place?