"Thanks" before downloading

[ggold]

I looked for a thread about this and did not find it. If there is one, feel free to move this there.

Lately a new trend has appeared: put a teaser pic/capture in a post and then click the "Thanks" button to see the link. That is a little annoying, but the real issue I have is that you are thanking for creating the post, not thanking for the file download.

If you don't like the download, shouldn't there at least be an "Unthanks" button?

 

[Mamah]

I agree, it is quite annoying and misleading and seems to me like a misuse of the purpose of the button. But I'm not going to fight anyone about it!

 

[ggold]

Well I for one always thank when keeping posted material. I guess my thinking was "are thanks due to the forum for posting, or to the poster for the material posted?"

 

[XMan101]

I understand your views but this is an option that is being tried out if posters would like to use it to give their links a little bit more protection.

Like I say it's an option, it doesn't have to be used, but it's up to the individual poster.

Anything that proves to be too problematic for members will of course be reviewed.

You views & input are appreciated

 

[ERICOOL85]

i agree with ggold, but i also think its cool cuzz then posters receive much more thanks, a lot of users dont click the thanks button not even after downloading the files, so thats a bit unfair too, besides guys its not that hard to push the thanks button, and you just dont like what youve downloaded, simply dont keep it
lets just be more fair guys ^^

 

[Synned]

i agree with ggold, but i also think its cool cuzz then posters receive much more thanks, a lot of users dont click the thanks button not even after downloading the files, so thats a bit unfair too, besides guys its not that hard to push the thanks button, and you just dont like what youve downloaded, simply dont keep it
lets just be more fair guys ^^

Yes, except those 'thanks" don't mean anything anymore, since they're forced.

If every poster adopts this system, the thanks figure will equal the downloads figure... which is already known.

And what when the download is a repost under another name? E.g. "Chad and Jesse Star by the poolside". I already discovered at least three versions, and there probably are more.

What when the download is of bad quality? Or shortened. Or the original sound is replaced by sappy music?

Thanks only mean something when they are freely given. I understand that uploaders are less than pleased when they see that there are a hundred downloads and only three thanks. It's the same on all forums though.

A compromise would be to give users the opportunity to remove their thanks when they are dissatisfied. That would also take an "active effort", so probably would only be used when there is a valid reason. (If I am not mistaken vBulletin, the software of this forum, has this option built in - it just needs to be activated.)

 

[ggold]

And what when the download is a repost under another name? E.g. "Chad and Jesse Star by the poolside". I already discovered at least three versions, and there probably are more.[/I]

A master of understatement you are.

What is worse is that recently - at an accelerating pace - different people are uploading the same files several times a day. I have seen some as little as two hours apart. Almost always renamed. I just don't understand the point of that.

 

[Shadow]

@ Synned

Yes, except those 'thanks" don't mean anything anymore, since they're forced.

1: As I have already said to you elsewhere, they are not forced, you can see a screen capture, if you don't like that then don't download, don't press thanks button, simple as that.

If every poster adopts this system, the thanks figure will equal the downloads figure... which is already known.

2: And your point is? This also is not correct I have more thanks on some posts then downloads!

And what when the download is a repost under another name? E.g. "Chad and Jesse Star by the poolside". I already discovered at least three versions, and there probably are more

.

3: Yes and if the screen captures were not there then you wouldn't know that would you. Plus if the post is an exact duplicate then the original poster can ask the duplicate to be removed.

What when the download is of bad quality? Or shortened. Or the original sound is replaced by sappy music?

4: After you have downloaded something and your not happy leave a constructive comment in the thread.

Thanks only mean something when they are freely given. I understand that uploaders are less than pleased when they see that there are a hundred downloads and only three thanks. It's the same on all forums though.

5: So just because it is the same on all forums, it has to be the same here. Sorry but it is a sad state that when you are getting something for free, that you can't say thanks! Besides you are missing the point posters are hiding their links for protection. I for one would have stopped posting here a long time ago, if I was looking for thanks.

A compromise would be to give users the opportunity to remove their thanks when they are dissatisfied. That would also take an "active effort", so probably would only be used when there is a valid reason. (If I am not mistaken vBulletin, the software of this forum, has this option built in - it just needs to be activated.)

6: See 4 and 5

 

[Synned]

@ChelseaBoy

1.

they are not forced

Of course they are. You can put several buttons. An "I Love You" button, an "I Worship The Ground On Which You Walk" button, a "You Are The Most Beautiful Human Being On The Face Of The Earth" button. If I want the file, I will, gladly even, push them all if you force me to. If you believe all those things however, you are sadly mistaken. I really don't mean them. I just want to download the file and you are forcing me to push those buttons in order to do so.

Nobody forces me to buy food, but if I want to eat I have to. That doesn't give supermarkets the right to ask me for money before giving me a bag with undisclosed content saying "There's a nice picture of it on the bag".

But, hey, if it makes you happy.... why not.

2.

And your point is?

It's silly and superfluous.

4.

leave a constructive comment

That's a rather hazardous undertaking. What I would think was a constructive sign of appreciation was called "misuse" and got me a harangue in fat green letters from... oh yes, you.

So, no. I prefer to have the choice to not thank the person or withdraw my thanks.

5.

So just because it is the same on all forums, it has to be the same here.

That is the first statement I can agree with. It is also a strawman. You make me say something I didn't. I said it was the same on all forums. I didn't say that should be a reason that it has to be the same here. That's your own addition and a misrepresentation of my intent.
"Gays should be able to marry." "So you think any two persons should be able to marry, even when they are brother and sister. What's next, marry your dog?"

posters are hiding their links for protection

That one you have to explain. How exactly is a link more protected when hidden under a thanks button that reveals the link by simply clicking on it?

Sorry but it is a sad state that when you are getting something for free, that you can't say thanks!

Yes, I fully, unreservedly agree with you. Alas, that seems, for the time being, to be the case. And all kind of tricks to get people to push on buttons, no matter what text you print on them, isn't going to change that or people's mentality.

I try --silly me-- to partake in a few discussions. Which is more than about 99 % of the members seem to do. I have respect for the people who torrent down clips and picture sets from e.g. PornoLabs a.o. and repost them on a download service. I'm even more grateful if they do it on one that works for me. But that's another post.

On an unrelated forum I am what they call a content provider. I create content, which is not down- and uploading, but which is making available something that didn't exist at all before I created it. Which takes days, even weeks to do, including polishing, refining and generally agonizing over it. I PM and chat with a lot of colleagues. We know our content is accessed by hundreds of people from all over the world, often thousands. We also know it is enjoyed as we can see that the same IP-addresses access the same content several times. Among ourselves we often complain, only half joking, about the lack of response and appreciation. "Would it kill them...?" Apparently it would. Or at least hurt them painfully.

So why do we do it? For the sheer joy of creating and sharing. We know that lots of people enjoy our work, but that only a few will say so.

That's the world for you. That's people for you. Get over it. Maybe try to do something (sensible) about it, but don't let it bug you.

Let me be constructive:

I propose that a new button be installed. The "I really thank you" button. Which I can push after downloading. I will push it most of the time. I already do with the one we have now.

 

[Mamah]

@ Synned


3: Yes and if the screen captures were not there then you wouldn't know that would you. Plus if the post is an exact duplicate then the original poster can ask the duplicate to be removed.

I think on a few occasions I've had to press Thanks in order to see the screen captures. That did annoy me. Or is my memory deceiving me?

I've also noticed multiple posts of the same clip recently, but my response is: better too many than too few. I guess when some kind folks see a new clip they're keen to pass it on to others.

Mamah

 

[ggold]

I think on a few occasions I've had to press Thanks in order to see the screen captures.

FWIW, I saw some that only had a single still, with the rest hidden. I don't remember seeing none at all.

 

[Shadow]

FWIW, I saw some that only had a single still, with the rest hidden. I don't remember seeing none at all.

I hope that both of you are wrong, it really should only be used to hide the download links, I have not seen any posts that I have checked with hidden screen captures. Sometimes screen captures can take a long time to load or host sites maybe down, but I don't see the point in hiding captures.

 

[BurntOut]

Just to be clear..
This modification does not force members to click thanks because we do not force posters to use it or plan to. We are simply providing this as an option to the forum's posters. There could be many reasons to why a poster would be interested in hiding his own links, however, I will not get into specifics now. What I can tell you is that we have a very experienced team of staff which you can be sure has thought and examined every point you my probably think of. This idea has been rolling for a long time too. Eventually it was decided to give this a try after taking all aspects into consideration and the team is supporting it.
Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the feedback Synned, however, it looks like you are unwilling to even try understanding how this hack could actually be useful. If you have a question about the specifics, you can send me a pm and I will be happy to give you the answers.

 

[Synned]

Just to be clear..
it looks like you are unwilling to even try understanding how this hack could actually be useful. If you have a question about hte specifics, you can send me a pm and I will be happy to give you the answers.

it looks like you are unwilling to even try understanding

How do you figure that? Because I said: "explain this to me? How exactly is a link more protected when hidden under a thanks button that reveals the link by simply clicking on it?"

That is exactly the opposite of what you accuse me of. This is neither a fair nor an honest way of dealing with criticism.

Could you please stop misrepresenting what I wrote?

Further: Now you tell us that there are other good reasons. Which of course we didn't know about and so couldn't take into account.

To be honest, personally, I don't care (very much) one way or the other. I'm perfectly content to do what 99% does and I regret that I ever involved myself in this.

I will PM you, because I'm curious about the background of this. As for the general discussion: I don't like bullying and strong arm tactics.

Count me out.

Edit 2010-02-21

Well, I got my explanation and it is indeed a valid one IMHO. I still think the button should get another name, though.

BUT

I downloaded four clips of the same series. The poster had in two cases used the 'forced thank you' button. In both cases more than twenty clicks. In the two other cases, where he had left the link visible only five.

That's a disgrace.

If you can move your hand up and down, you can push a button. If you can't move your hand up and down: Whatever are you doing here?

 

[bloop2]

I may not be as thorough as everyone in their post with this subject.. only just because I guess it didn't bother me that much.. but I think its a wonderful idea! I mean.. pictures are given in each post.. so you know what the download is expected to be.. so if you are interested then a proper thanks to show the file is necessary a post does take time and effort!

 

[ERICOOL85]

just say thank you damn it XD
-blush-
just say thanks guys, not that hard ^^

 

[Askani]

Lmao, it's not that big of a deal, if any pic got hidden by the feature it was just a small mistake, but c'mon, have u seen the amount of daily posts? One or two would end up slipping eventually, I'd use the whole "thank me dammit" function too but I'm way too lazy and most of my collection's actually banned material xD. SO no real point. U're thanking for the effort to share stuff not quite cuz you liked only... or at least that's what I tell myself u.u

 

[Mamah]

FWIW, I saw some that only had a single still, with the rest hidden. I don't remember seeing none at all.

I think you're right. The picture just happened to come up at the instant I hit the Press Thanks To See More button. It happened also this morning with the normal Thanks button. h go on:

 

[ERICOOL85]

hehe now im interested in askani's banned material lol XD

 

[diklik]

I too have questions

it looks like you are unwilling to even try understanding

How do you figure that? Because I said: "explain this to me? How exactly is a link more protected when hidden under a thanks button that reveals the link by simply clicking on it?"

With all due respect to the Moderators, I believe that they don't fully appreciate or comprehend that being forced to click on a button marked "Thanks" is a bit of an imposition. If I wish to offer thanks, that should be my freewill choice. If link protection is desired, there are lots of ways to do that without hiding behind the Thanks........if this is a simple way to protect links, than relabel the button.

I have, in past, moderated several large groups, although not with the same subject matter as this one. One thing I learned from those experiences is that forcing anyone to do stuff that they are not freely willing to do simply chases them away. I feel that the choice to relabel the button or to stop using hidden script operators would be a better move than hiding behind words that seem to impart the idea of 'big brother knows best'. Perhaps Synned and I are the only ones who are willing to commit words to the screen to describe our displeasure - but I am certain many more out there are equally miffed at this forced thanks issue.

Perhaps if this need to protect links was clearly explained when one joins the group - along with the compelled use of the Thanks button, I would have known what was expected and could have then made a decision to join or not join. Since I have other avenues by which I can obtain some of the video material of interest to me, that is a consideration I am looking at.

Petty and picky? I don't think so at all. I merely would like the option of offering thank you's when I choose to; not as part of some scheme to conceal links when that can be done in a better way.