Suggestions on a new rating system

[Pete (Thed)]

Hi all,

First up. Thanks for sticking with authearth. I know the current system isn't so great but I am really pleased to see that we have a good community of writers on here. We are doing our best to ensure that the new system we build is best able to profile your work and enable people to get feedback and (dare I say) praise.

On that note we are looking at ways of ensuring the best work is shown more frequently. The only way I can think of doing this is by using a rating system. That means when you read someone's work you rate it say out of 10) and we use the new homepage to show highest rated work across various categories. Another feature we want to have is an easy to way to be notified when someone whom you like posts new work. Any other ideas?

All comments and advice on ensuring we get this right gratefully received.

Best
Thed

[Robyn :)]

They sound like great ideas, and i think you should give it a go. Each user has a grey bar at the top of their page, where they can see friend requests, ect.as you know (!) I was thinking that maybe a new feature could b available where once you log on you can automatically see if anyone has commented on your work, a bit like the yahoo toolbar where you can see (using the mail symbol) if you have any more mail? And also, on the users own page, you could have a section with something like:
My average rating, my top rated work, etc. Sortr of like statistics for each user?
That about it for now :)
Robyn xoxoxox

[Pete (Thed)]

good ideas robyn. we want the new system to have an email function but for the default to be people choosing to receive emails (rather than the current system). I think the average rating across all work and best rated system would work well too.

in additon we want member's favorite other members work to be shown on a member's page if they choose too so everyone can easily keep up to date with their favourite writers, musicians and artists

[Syd]

I agree with Robyn, that's a good idea.

[Jo Pecksen]

Hi Thed,

I think a rating system would work well as there seems to be a pretty good feedback system between writers on the site already, so I don't think you will have a problem in getting people to use it. In regards to the other feature, perhaps those authearth users who are prolific in their feedback and comments can sign up for an email notification service which tells them when their favourite writers have up-loaded a new piece. At least that way users don't have to log on to the site to be aware of updates which isn't always practical and it keeps the flow of debate going. Or, if you want to provide a blanket service you could always send internal emails so when people check their homepage they will see details on their favourite writers updates.

[Pete (Thed)]

thanks Jo, we will make sure members can choose how they want to keep in touch with their favourite writers, musicians and artists work (email, rss or loaded automatically to a section on their site for friends and favourites)

[Daniel Grosvenor]

Both good ideas. I notice that if I click on my name (in the top-left corner) the screen enlarges, which is quite cool, but all it does is list my friends. Why not make it list something more interesting, like suggested highlights and a quick-access link to submitting work?

[Pete (Thed)]

Hi Dan,

liked your heaven story :)...the issue I have is that the software behind the site is made by a third party. That means whenever anyone has a cool idea we have to sit on our hands which is just depressing and also not fair on our members. The new site will be nothing like this one in terms of look and feel so the suggested highlights and quick submission links will be on the homepage for everyone to see immediately. Just hope everyone can bear with us in the meantime and for regular users we want you involved during the build so we can get feedback and ensure we build a site you all love coming to.

Also, for anyone reading who might care we are going to have to put everything on one domain. That means authearth.com will forward to tailcast.com once we go live and we might even stop using the name on the new site s. Next month the earthed magazine content is going to be integrated with the tailcast magazine (TailSpin) so that this community gets used to the new name. Anyone feel particularly attached to the name authearth? (other than me :))

[Daniel Grosvenor]

I dunno, AuthEarth isn't a bad name. What's the significance of TailCast? (and why 'Tail' and not 'Tale'?)

[Pete (Thed)]

Tailcast means broadcasting the long end of the tail so it applies equally to music, art and literature given our objective is aimed at unpublished, aspiring or little known artists. Maybe on the new site we can continue to call the writers community authearth and use other names for the others.

[David Chevasco]

Hi Thed,
There's something similar to the out of 10 rating system on poetry.com. To have a look go to this web-site and type my name in "Search for writers". Once you've read my poem you get to rate it. I thought it might be useful for you to see this. You could then have the best voted works (in theory the most competent ones) appearing at the top of the list in Poems/Stories by members...

Hope you're well.
David

[Pete (Thed)]

Thanks David, now on my list for features we might like on the new system. All good thanks. All the best Thed

[Rosemarie Short]

Hi Thed,
I think a rating system's a really good idea (I feel sorry for you having to create it though - it sounds complicated!). The rating system would also help you choosing the monthly competition winners - although you've probably thought of that already :)
I like Robyn's idea of having an extra icon is a great idea - as I often miss comments on my work. I like the name Authearth - it describes us perfectly - Authors all over the Earth. However, i appreciate that there are more than just Authors on this site (poets, artists etc.). Perhaps you could get everyone involved with the name - a sort of poll? If that would be possible I think everyone would really appreciate being included.
Hope that helped :)
Rosie x