Wedge

I've seen it elsewhere and while I find it interesting, I can't shake the feeling it should be a plugin rather than core.

The way I saw it implemented sucked because it had all these buttons... (And they even showed up for guests. Incentive to register...? What? Why would I register to tell the world I'm "concerned" by the post I just read? I can understand one would want to do that if registered, but it's in no way a good reason to register...)

Obviously it has to be done through the (future) mini-menu for Likes...

Uhm.. I prefer the simple like.. I wouldn't complicate it much.

It certainly can be done, and I've seen it done even for SMF with this, but as far as being a guest incentive, no.

I'm not entirely convinced this should be in the core though, minimenu or not. Simple like in the core, something like this as a plugin.

Well, as I said, it's the kind of thing that can be implemented through playlists (and plugins), but I was asking if we should modify the likes system to allow for more like types to be plugged in later through plugins or core additions...

More types of content to be liked, sure, but not more types of likes through the core. Were I to implement it, I'd sidestep the entire current system and implement it separately because there are other things to be considered in terms of queries.

In fact this is probably the most compelling reason to have a master on/off switch for likes as it currently stands so the plugin could override behaviour entirely.

I'm not sure about using the Like button for playlists, it would only work for a limited case of very structured content (i.e. photo albums, music library, media cache, etc.)

But for generally conveying mood, maybe there's a simpler way. Have the "like" button pop open a dialog box that lets the reader Like/Dislike the post, leave a comment, and also award karma/respect (for user ranking).

The "like with comment" would let people say why they liked the post, or could be used to convey a "short" response when they didn't want to write a full reply. Forum user's LOVE the PDA (Public Display of Affection), since it's clear to the entire community who's contributing content, who's been thanked for it.


I attached a few screen shots of something similar to this to convey the idea.


dwx

I do not want a full-on reputation system in the core, which is what you're proposing. I'm not against the idea in principle, and there are certainly merits for it for some kinds of communities - but as I see it, more communities would benefit from keeping it leaner rather than more thorough, and I'd much rather see something as thorough as what amounts to a full on rep system be a plugin.

There is also a secondary consideration here, my gut is telling me that anyone who wants a rep system as complex as this is also going to want to seriously customise it, and to me that also says it's going to be a support issue. Putting it into a plugin keeps is more self contained.

I agree. I think the whole "like" system should be a plug in. And what I described was definitely functionality that keys off a reputation system.

You bring up a very interesting point, the purpose of the forum will heavily influence the form of any "like" systems. It would probably be best to have the hooks for the activation button and the Public Display of Like Comments, and let the specific "like" pluggin chosen do the work. This way, the forum owner can chose a "mood" based like system (which Nao started the discussion with), or a reputation based like system (like I proposed) or a simple Digg style "thumbs up/down" system, or something completely different and not imagined before.

I do think that the admin should pick ONE "like" systems to install, and that the interfaces are well defined, but don't assume much about the "like" functionality.

dwx

The base like system is already a core feature, and it will not be deprecated to plugin status any time soon. I consider it a required function in the core at this time, because I consider that *some* kind of reputation mechanic should be in the core and it is the least useless one I've seen. I'm also mindful of the fact that we do have to compete meaningfully with other platforms and that something perceived to be as basic as a 'like system' is both very desirable in the core and considered to be core functionality in other platforms.

However, I'm well aware that going much further than the base like system that is currently implemented is headed firmly into plugin territory.Which is basically how it works. I consider that the general use of 'likes' as implemented is sufficiently generic that almost any kind of forum could use it if nothing better is available, though I will put in an option to disable it at some point. Note that in XenForo for example it doesn't not appear to be able to disable it.Hmm. I don't like forcing admins to make a choice like that. It's actually better from a usability point of view that a basic version is built in by default and that plugins can do what they will with it, rather than removing everything and making anyone who wants reputation have to install a plugin.

Imagine you're looking to choose a forum system: are you seriously going to choose a forum system that has absolutely zero reputation systems built in?

(Let me clarify this. Back in 2006, I started out running a forum with PunBB. The *sole* reason I moved to SMF all those years ago, and the seed for everything here today is because PunBB did not have something as 'simple' as polls built in, and already on this forum, Likes gets more use than polls.)

I'm coming from vbulletin, so I'm not familiar with which features are core to SMF. In the vbulletin (and vanilla) world, there are some addons that are included by default, but are not core.

I have a specific use in mind, and DESPERATELY want a reputation system that displays PDA and allows users to advance into different user groups (with additional powers and privileges), and the "like" system is how the community awards reputation and recognition. The usergroup and user access restrictions to photo albums that's already built into wedge feed right into this, since attaining a higher rank would get a user access to more exclusive content, etc.

This is a LOT different than the category defining "like" system that Nao suggested as a thread starter.

I wasn't actually suggesting that there be NO reputation system, but more like a choice of the one that fits your application.

dwx

PDA...?

Public Display of Affection.

SMF's system for such is user-level karma (users can + or - another user's karma once per day), which as you can imagine does not work all that well, and we considered it would be much better to tie it into posts rather than to users, per se - what you see here as far as likes go (at the bottom of posts) is what Wedge has built in at this point.

I have no intention of bundling any add-ons with Wedge itself, but making it very easy to obtain such should you want. I am not going to get into the madness that is 'picking a distribution for installation'.