Survey posted 2004-03-05 08:48 by Morgan.

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My favorite idea is the rating thing. That's the best on every level:

Now you don't have to "search through the crap"
You can recognize good programs
Faster page loading (if you cut out a lot of the lower-rating programs)
And if you don't like the crap, you don't have to see it. It makes everything easier.

Of course, we have hundreds of comments already on this very subject in the article, so I don't feel that much more needs to be said.

Oh, and as for deleting files... if you don't like it, you can request that it be deleted with that form thingy.

Umm...I tried the form, for a .zip file that only consisted of metallica guitar tabs, but I never heard anything about it. (On a page after you click the "submit" button, it says you will be emailed about it.) :-)

Is the file still there? If so, send in the form again and I promise we'll take care of it. :-)

Ok, I had no idea it said that or else I would be sending repleie out to those (which I haven't since I have gotten here) however I have taken care of everyone that I deemed viable. So check first.

I don't know how much we could trust a rating system. If we could rate other people's files, some people might be dishonest. Not me, of course. But some authors might just vote a 1 (assuming 1 would be lowest) on everyone's file they see. I think new folders is the best idea.

Maybe if we did a comment system where users of the program give their various opinions? Along with the ratings system, that could work well. And then percentages of people who approve/disapprove could be compiled. It seems to work pretty well with downloads.com.

>> comment system

:-) It's called reviews, goa head and sumbit as many as you would like!!

I think he means like what we are speaking in right now. Reviews are nice, but afaik you cant review a program more than once or change your review afterwards. With a comment system as well, you could have tons of different discussion in relation to the program. Someone could voice their opinion and someone could respond, and then the first one could rebut. Questions could be asked of the author and strategies could be discussed. I admit this isnt very realistic, but it could be good.

Nice idea. I've always thought it would be nice being able to leave an author a comment about his program without having to go through the trouble of emailing him. Then again, I realize that this would be difficult to implement, or at least eat up a lot of space on the server. Or something.

What?!?!?! There is a rating system? I knon I have not peen posting a lot, but you would think I would not miss something like that. Wait... It is probably a news item, and I should probably look before I start ranting about me being inept.

-W-

There is no rating system as of yet.

OK, here's my justification.

Archivers rejecting meaningless files could produce developers who don't want to send something in that is a specialty file, but still useful that they worked VERY HARD on, simply because the archiver could see no lcd public relevance.

A rating system is subject to the same disadvantages as the one above.

Keeping everything the same isn't working.

That leaves New Folders. I voted for it because it takes files that, according to some people's opinions are irrelevant, and places them in a location where people who want it can access it. For example, for all most of us know, there could be an informal QUADFORM contest to see who can use the most advanced methods, debugging, graphics, optimization, etc., which would serve as a school for advanced programming techniques (something dearly needed). Who cares if it's QUADFORM or an OS? people download the file, learn from it, update other programs and make a positive contribution to the community. Just keep it away from the people who don't need it.

I agree with your opinion that people can learn from other programs. I do it quite often myself. But new folders? I just worry about the possibility that the classifications might not be...well, what would you call it...uh, accurate according to opinions. That's why I voted for ratings...but I dunno. This is one heck of a dilemma.

I totally agree but I think they also need to sort all the files in some order -

-alaphabetical
-date added
-# of downloads
-ratings

Currently they are not in any order.

They're in alpha order, by zip name.

AND there is an option to sort by date added (just click on the word "Date" at the top of the list...)

I think it would make more sense to sort by "Program Title" or whatever they call it. HEY! Now I know how to get my files at the top of the list!!

file: 0000aaaa.zip

Just name all your files:

000_QuadForm.zip
000_FunGame.zip
000_TicalcServerFlooder.zip

Wel when I see files tta have even just one 'a' in from of them I check it out and most often rename it becasue I realize that they are just trying to get it to the top of the folder. I usualy give it something lest likeable...that usually sems to stp them from doing that in the future...not sure if Joey does that, should remind him of that.

So name it like "#1 Game of whatever" and use that name throughout the entire thing so it's the "official name". Symbols sort before numbers.

We're not talking about deleting programs that are only useful to a small majority, we're talking about TOTALLY useless programs like "HELLO WORLD!" ones.

And a rating system wouldn't have the disadvantages of sort by popularity. Only people who use that file would rate it, so it would get a true rating regardless of popularity.

Totally useless to you-maybe not to people who still are learning. "Hello World" programs could include grayscale, graphics, optimization, animations, etc., and be an example for people who are still learning how to do those things.