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Left Take Community: Need your feedback!

by: leftake

February 28, 2010 10:09 AM

Greetings folks, and happy Sunday from your humble editor/ "Fearless Leader."

Well, after just a few months, we're now over 11,000 registered users, a million page views, and... even a few of our very own trolls! :D

Seems a good time to take the pulse of the community, and figure out what you like, dislike, want more of, less of, etc.

So tell me... what would you like more of? Comedy? Activism? Mockery?

Feel free to post your ideas below.

One note -- tech ideas are more than welcome, but please note, we're somewhat constrained in what we can do, since we're using the SoapBlox platform. A fine platform indeed, but it just means that a lot of the tech changes are not in our hands.

Love,

Fearless Leader

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Left Take Community: Need your feedback! | 22 comments

Hi

by: BabylonDonSun Feb 28, 2010 at 10:22:00 AM CST

I like your site. My advice would be to forgo the 'can this ___ get more fans than___' I think people are getting tired of it.

The caption contests are fun and probably attract a lot of posters(that's how I joined)

I don't know much about functionality, but it would read easier if there was a more linear way to read new comments.

Thanks
Don

(4.00 / 2)

Thanks

by: leftakeSun Feb 28, 2010 at 10:45:47 AM CST

Yeah, no doubt, those caption contests generate an INSANE amount of responses and new signups.

Maybe making it a regular feature? Caption contest of the week kinda thing?

Hmm.....

(0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]

The second time

by: The ParduSun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:16:23 AM CST

I have seen two of these feedback diaries since I joined the LEFTAKE about one month ago. The site is great! The only way to improve interest is to give the registered what they want , so I understand the desire 'to pick things up'.

It is a bit perplexing that you indicate so many have registered and 1,000,000 pages but I see only a limited few who interact and communicate. I know one cannot force participation and interaction.

I love to read the various perspectives here, even though the perspectives are 99.8% from the LEFT. My experience is, if left to full blown dialog from both RIGHT and LEFT, the site would soon ooze with mean-spirited deviates who want to do no more then the recently uncovered JOHNNYCATT. Thus making the site far less attractive to me. I will say that those who interact frequently are one very heady bunch; I like that.

Dislike? I do not yet have any.

Want more of? Well, maybe a few more comments from the 'Fearless Leader", would be my comment. As a relative 'newbie', I cannot get read on the 'fearless Leaders' beyond remarks left as the dialog facilitator.

Less of? I have not been around long enough to have comment here. All is fine for me. Maybe, next survey.

(4.00 / 1)

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

Thanks much!

by: leftakeSun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:24:49 AM CST

Yeah, I think there are no doubt a fair amount who are just lurkers, and not in a negative way.

They say the rule of thumb is that for every commenter, there are 10-20 who are there just to read and observe. And that's cool, of course.

Nevertheless, I agree, I love it when folks go back and forth. And while that's been slowly rising, as new active members join... I'd love to spark more of that.

I've seen on other community blogs, that there seems to be a critical mass point reached, when there's enough active participants to start to spark a chain reaction. That is, there's enough to get people coming back more frequently... which leads to more comments... which leads to more people joining and getting active.

I'm sensing that we're getting close to that point, as the active participant numbers really are starting to climb, but... I think this ain't nothing compared to what we'll see 6 months from now. That's my hunch, at least. :)

(0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]

!!!!!

by: The ParduSun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:42:06 AM CST

You seem astute in your assessment; glad to be here.

(0.00 / 0)

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

[ Parent ]

Very happy to have you here as well

by: leftakeSun Feb 28, 2010 at 14:50:02 PM CST

Really enjoying your work. :)

(4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]

FYI...

by: marsha rigganSun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:44:26 AM CST

I just started a new account and had to delete my cookies twice to see the "Post a Comment" link...

One of my friends sent me a message about your site. I have blogged on the DNC Partybuilder page since 2007.
I have to agree that if you allow the "trolls" open and unlimited access you will lose valuable input. They produce a high frustration level and destroy the sense of community.
They nearly killed "Partybuilder".

That said, a forum where people can civilly disagree is so important. And laughs are good medicine. :)
Thanks for the forum.
Peace to you,
marsha riggan

(4.00 / 3)

Yeah, we've had to make a few trolls "unpersons"

by: leftakeSun Feb 28, 2010 at 14:51:42 PM CST

It's fun to have them pop in, and give us target practice (metaphorically only, of course!).

But... when it gets to the point where they're here to sling poo and not even engage, well... that's the point where it's time for them to go somewhere else.

(4.00 / 2)

[ Parent ]

Glad to hear that..

by: marsha rigganSun Feb 28, 2010 at 18:45:56 PM CST

I just tried to ignore them but sometimes it is difficult if not impossible to ignore.
peace,
marsha

(0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]

Don't forget

by: The ParduSun Feb 28, 2010 at 16:56:47 PM CST

..share share with us MARSHA. I sense one who has comment that could be good for all to read an contemplate.

Appreciate your comments about the trolling RIGHT. They are so accustomed to the way their leaders and politicians work, they actually clone the despicable behavior.

(0.00 / 0)

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

[ Parent ]

Thank-you

by: marsha rigganSun Feb 28, 2010 at 18:48:09 PM CST

Kind words, indeed.
I try to remember that some of them really believe the things they say.. misguided and unfortunate souls.
That makes them no less frustrating.
peace,
marsha

(0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]

I think we have plenty of comedy and mockery.

by: spiral115Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:57:06 AM CST

I love me some comedy and mockery! But activism is important to the whole country and I think having more of it here would be a good thing. I have to say though, they don't get as many comments as posts that "go downstairs".

(4.00 / 2)

Mental slavery is mental death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the living coffin of his dead soul. ~Robert Green Ingersoll

I like the idea of a weekly contest

by: SuzeB1964Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 11:59:28 AM CST

but maybe not for monetary gain. Perhaps we could get some way of creating a LefTake shirt or hat or other wearable art, and that could be the prize. (I bet Spiral would design it for us if we asked him nicely.) And, of course, with a LefTake store, you could generate additional revenue to help cover the cost, since it would seem like the cash prizes come out of your pocket.

(4.00 / 1)

No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism. - Annie Besant

Hi, my name isn't Bob

by: faultguySun Feb 28, 2010 at 12:01:52 PM CST

You know I don't pull punches, so here's my issues at this point (not surprisingly, most are tech ideas):

1a. deleting comments. I know this has been brought numerous times before. But it would still be a handy ability to have. I know...soapbox platform.

1b. if we can't delete comments, at least let us edit them [so we don't make a complete fool out of ourselves and have to call someone to apologize ::ahem:: LOL]. I know...I know...soapbox platform.

2. automatic banning of trolls. Perhaps this is happening now. I'm not sure. But once someone garners a certain amount of troll ratings [say 666 of them, just to pick a number at random], they are automatically banned. Again...I know...soapbox platform.

3. "forever diaries". It's nice that "Recommended Diaries" stay around longer. But it would be nice if there were a select few that were shown for extended periods of time...or, hell, forever. A good example is your "Roll Call" diary. It would be great to always see that link so any new members can add to it, or current members can update it. blah blah blah soapbox platform.

4. I have to agree with BabylonDon that the "can this used condom get more fans than Eric Cantor" type sites are moronic. **IF** there is a really good one that comes to mind, then run with it. But don't just keep throwing those out there because you thought of another one while shaving that morning. They just get real old, real fast and, honestly, they don't add much to the conversation.

5. monthly orgies. Er...nevermind. :-D

(4.00 / 2)

I find it truly amazing how certain human beings aren't a PART of humanity as a whole.

Agree

by: The ParduSun Feb 28, 2010 at 14:36:57 PM CST

...with BOB (just kidding FAULT).

I also would love to be able to retract or delete a comment. I am one who makes lots of typos and anagrams.

I would love to be able to protect my ego and provide cogent written material.

The thought of the ROLL Call sitting someplace for extended completion and viewing is also attractive. I hope new folks will have opportunity complete the Roll Call.

(0.00 / 0)

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

[ Parent ]

Something I would like to see...

by: LiberalinLimboSun Feb 28, 2010 at 13:06:49 PM CST

In regards to the caption contest, instead of having the person to get the most "4" votes or better, why don't we just not offer a reward, but instead, for every entry that get's X number of 4 or better votes, X amount of money will be donated to a charity? Maybe the USO, Habitat for Humanity, something...

(0.00 / 0)

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -FDR

"Every ship launched, every missile fired... is a robbery from those who hunger and are not fed; who are cold and are not clothed" Dwight David Eisenhower

if I may LIL

by: faultguySun Feb 28, 2010 at 13:28:19 PM CST

I would like to piggy back on LIL's post...

6. there is a fundamental flaw in the caption contest - the voting is skewed towards older posts. If an entry is submitted on the last day, it might be the best of the bunch, but having only a short time to be viewed, it most likely will not garner the ten 4-point votes needed to win.

If you look at the last contest [and it's 500+ entries], the bottom portion barely has any votes tied to them.

I only see 2 ways to solve this problem - 1. you, Sir Fearless Leader, must choose the best one; 2. the caption contest goes for a week, after that week no new submissions are allowed. Rather that is followed by a week of voting.

I think option 2 is more fair because it still leaves it up to the community to decide the winner.

(4.00 / 1)

I find it truly amazing how certain human beings aren't a PART of humanity as a whole.

[ Parent ]

That sir

by: spiral115Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 13:56:42 PM CST

seems fair!

(0.00 / 0)

Mental slavery is mental death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the living coffin of his dead soul. ~Robert Green Ingersoll

[ Parent ]

Hey, that's pretty cool

by: leftakeSun Feb 28, 2010 at 14:55:23 PM CST

I really like number 2.

Maybe some kind of version of that, where... say... after a week, I take the top 10 submissions (perhaps still by number of "4s", so the community has say), and... put those up for a vote for a few days to determine the final winner.

Maybe even make it top 8, and 2 more chosen by Fearless Leader. The great ones that still might've been late to the party.

We could play around with it, but... seems like some combo would be kind of nice.

(3.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]

Sounds good to me

by: spiral115Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 15:25:09 PM CST

(0.00 / 0)

Mental slavery is mental death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the living coffin of his dead soul. ~Robert Green Ingersoll

[ Parent ]

I was thinking

by: LibertasMon Mar 01, 2010 at 09:56:51 AM CST

Maybe a little thing to pop up when you sign in that shows if someone has replied to your comment or posted a comment on your diary. Like how facebook has those notifications.

(8.67 / 3)

Stalking Mortality- http://www.facebook.com/photos...
We put the female experience in your back pocket.

Also

by: LibertasMon Mar 01, 2010 at 10:27:59 AM CST

I would like to be able to rate diaries like we rate comments, too. I like being able to recommend them but I would also like to rate them. Some deserve more recognition than just a recommendation.

(4.00 / 2)

Stalking Mortality- http://www.facebook.com/photos...
We put the female experience in your back pocket.

Left Take Community: Need your feedback! | 22 comments

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