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Discussion: I have an idea that might help promote reviews
It's a good idea. We're actually working on a comprehensive "community score" system right now that, when it's implemented, will help us to give users titles and rankings based on activity. With that will probably come some sort of "community stars" list in the Community section of the site, so that'll go a long way towards what you're talking about.
It's not exactly like what you're suggesting, though, because one thing this site tries hard to do is treat both readers and authors in an egalitarian way. Your idea has an "everybody is a writer" assumption built into it. While we'd certainly love it if everybody was a writer (and was submitting good stuff!), we know that's not the case and want to ensure that we still have a good experience for people who just like to read. Both camps are, ultimately, equally necessary: writers who write with no intention of anyone ever reading their stuff are in all probability just doing it to stroke their own egos. Readers who have nothing to read are, um, probably pretty bored. :) The point being that the writers need the readers and vice-versa. So our community scoring system will do its best to do justice to both.
Thanks Jason - I wait with bated breath (and what exactly does one bate their breath with, I wonder) :)
The spoken lasts but a moment; the written lasts forever.
Well, it's "bated", not "baited", so presumably we're not talking stinky cheese or fish eggs here. Perhaps one bates breath with anticipation and eagerness, then?
I, at any rate, am bated for the personal message feature Jason mentioned to go live...
Sign up for National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org; novel writing starts November 1st!
Cloister's active submissions:
The Fallen
And for all the reviews you do Cloister, they'll need to unveil a community galaxy rather than a community star. :)
The spoken lasts but a moment; the written lasts forever.
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I was thinking, why do I write reviews and then hear nothing back? I then realized... I was reviewing works of authors that were no longer logging in.
So... I had a thought.
Could we have an 'active members' list that shows who performed reviews in the past week or two?
I know... I know... more work, and what would it change?
For me, I would be reviewing members that have recently reviewed other members, as this would give me a better chance of receiving a review myself. Not a promise mind you, but a far better chance than reviewing Big Al who hasn't been back to the site in four months.
Of course, members that aren't getting any reviews would then quickly realize that all the reviews are going to those who are reviewing others and would (hopefully) become avid reviewers themselves.
So to speak, this would weed out the chaff caused by those who no longer log in and would reward those who check in faithfully and provide reviews.
Perhaps it's a crazy idea, but I know I really get disheartened when I work up a great review for someone, only to learn they haven't been online for months - and there just isn't enough of the new-bloods to keep me reviewing forever (though I see a few new ones that just entered the fray).
Just a thought, and I'm thankful for any consideration it might receive - though I would thoughtfully understand if this idea were rejected. :)