Bring back the applause list!

Please please please please!! I'm begging you here.

I used to surf the applause list everyday. Hitting up the posts that actually had some weight to them (to warrant an applause) instead of all these stories and nonsense posts!

Begging here!

Me too.... I feel I keep missing the good stuff without it.

When was there a list of what posts got applause? I remember there being a list of who got the most recent applause, but not what posts warranted it.

If we have such a list, it'll just be used to justify whining.

There was a list of users who were applauded, but it didn't specify exactly which post was applauded. I'd kind of like to see it back too, but maybe it did cause back-end drama.

w00t
braggin' rights

Originally posted by QuietSoul
I used to surf the applause list everyday. Hitting up the posts that actually had some weight to them (to warrant an applause) instead of all these stories and nonsense posts!

Please tell me how you knew which posts got the applauses

Because many times I have gotten an applause for a post that was a week old. The moderater just happened to run across it.

[edit on 15-4-2006 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Please tell me how you knew which posts got the applauses

It's obviously not an exact science, but I do use it as a navigation tool to accomplish at least two purposes.

If I see a well known member receive a succession of applause, I look at that member's most recent posts and generally find threads worth reading. I am not looking for the specific post that earns the applause, I'm simply increasing my chances that I will find something worth reading.

The second purpose is essentially the same, except that it makes me aware of new members whose threads might be worth pursuing.

I don't always have time to scour the board for the best content. In fact, since the time the list was removed, I feel the quality of my time spent here at ATS has diminished.

While I think the addition of the TOP viewed, and most replied to, threads is nice... Popular does not necessarily mean quality. The applauds list increased my chances of seeing the latter.


[edit on 15-4-2006 by loam]

Wasn't the Applause Bar just about self-righteous ego boosting? You know "Oh wow..I got an applause...Cheeeck it out peeeeopppple!!!!"

Hmm...on second thought...yeah...bring back the applause bar.

What was the applause bar?

To be clear, I am talking about the applause LIST.

[edit on 15-4-2006 by loam]

I always called it the bar...because unlike a list, it only shows a set ammount..a small snitbit of the most current applauses...thats more ofa bar to me.

Oh, OK... I see what you mean... Then, yes, we are talking about the same thing!

I really do miss it. I feel I spend most of what little time I have clicking through a massive volume of threads to only occasionally find the ones that are outstanding. I find that tiring.

Nah, just hunt around and discover the good stuff. Just like browsing an old book store.

Serendipity rules!!!

I agree, NotClever, ATS can do without the Applause List, just as ATS moved away from the Applause Bar/Count.

The Applause List, as with the Bar, was a recognition only factor, and never was constructed as a navigation tool, for if they had been, then clicking on the name of the one who recieved the applause would have taken one to the post that the applause was given for, much like clicking on warns does.








seekerof

Originally posted by WolfofWar
Hmm...on second thought...yeah...bring back the applause bar.

Bring it back? I just got rid of mine! (and yes, it's completely about self-righteous ego-boosting. Why else would I be shamelessly prostituting my political insights in an unpaid venue for hours each day?)


In all seriousness, I don't particularly miss the recent applause list, but I can see the argument for wanting it back.

To be honest though, I have from time to time felt some petty bitterness when seeing a certain someone's name on that list 2 or 3 times in succession, only to check their recent posts and find nothing but political rhetoric and vitriol or some other breed of ignorance-run-amok. I think not having that list around protects me (and also people even less well adjusted than myself, if there are any) from certain unpleasantries in our own nature.

If there was going to be a new applause list, I'd like to see "most applauded" or "most WATSed" threads (don't know if that would be practical from a coding standpoint though). If that were possible, rather than seeking out one or two stellar posts, we'd be able to find the threads where the there was an interaction of many high-quality posters, and hopefully it would be at least as ambiguous as the prior list in terms of drama reduction.


Edit to add: By the by, although I do love bragging rights to a sometimes foolish extent, I do think it's a good idea to avoid overdoing it to the point of elitism. In the debate forums lately I've been seeing an awful lot of grey post bars making a good account of themselves. Ditto a couple of new tallents in Short Stories. Ditto the general forums.

Recognition is nice, but if we overdue it, 1. it becomes undervalued. 2. not having it becomes a scarlet letter.

[edit on 15-4-2006 by The Vagabond]

Hear hear vagabond. I think a remember some sort of appluase bar when I first joined up, but I never used it, and I can now imagine the sort of strife it would cause if it was braught back. Scarlet letter, yeah, for sure. Leave it away. Use the new posts button, and we'll all live happy lives!

Originally posted by The Vagabond
If there was going to be a new applause list, I'd like to see "most applauded" or "most WATSed" threads (don't know if that would be practical from a coding standpoint though). If that were possible, rather than seeking out one or two stellar posts, we'd be able to find the threads where the there was an interaction of many high-quality posters, and hopefully it would be at least as ambiguous as the prior list in terms of drama reduction.

I would completely agree with this approach. I hope SO & Springer seriously consider it. The board is HUGE, and it is very clear to me that there are pockets of quality members whose posts I never see. I just don't have that kind of time to monitor every post to find them. People tend to stay with particular forums, because that's how MY ATS works. Unless you subscribe to every forum, and then have the time to monitor each one, you can miss a lot of quality stuff.

That was how I used the applaud list, however imperfect the tool. Your suggestion is even better.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
Edit to add: By the by, although I do love bragging rights to a sometimes foolish extent, I do think it's a good idea to avoid overdoing it to the point of elitism.

I agree, but if that were really true, we'd dispense with the color bar altogether. That appears in every post you make...whether you're bragging or not. The applaud list itself hardly contributed to the problem you suggest.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
In the debate forums lately I've been seeing an awful lot of grey post bars making a good account of themselves. Ditto a couple of new tallents in Short Stories. Ditto the general forums.

I agree.....but, then, I don't understand your next statement.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
Recognition is nice, but if we overdue it, 1. it becomes undervalued. 2. not having it becomes a scarlet letter.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "overdoing it". If anything, I think until recently there were not enough MODS covering the forums. I'm willing to bet a lot of quality threads get missed. When the list existed, however imperfect, that's how I got to those threads. Now that its gone, an applause's only remaining function is the "feel good factor" you mention. I think that's unfortunate...EXCEPT, someone just U2Ud me with the last remaining place on ATS where the list has NOT been removed. As long as "it" remains there, I no longer have a dog in the fight....



[edit on 15-4-2006 by loam]

Utilizing my new found source, here is the most recent list, at the time of this post:



I only recognize two members in that list. Normally, I would browse the recent posts of all those on the list. Without the list, I couldn't do that and it was unlikely I would ever see their threads without a HUGE investment of time on my part, or by just getting lucky.

Just sayin' is all....

While its gratifying to be on that list...I highly recommend anything posted by donwhite. His/her posts are always intelligent, logical, and entertaining. Look for 'em.

NC

Originally posted by loam
If anything, I think until recently there were not enough MODS covering the forums.

Yeah I agree. This never would have happened if they'd promoted me and you instead of that tallentless troll Majic (no warns buddy, you know I like you, even if I have to keep a dictionary on hand just to catch all of your incessant puns).

Let me guess... PTS. Everybody hates PTS. We partisan flame warriors are children of a lesser Overlord. I bet he'll forget my birthday again this year too.

wtf are you guys talking about applause bar?

Its still there under ournames applause list and applause bar Rn't teh same?!

here have a cookie



mmm peanutbuttah