The recent discussion over the trial of a per-article comment limit was a really useful one and it revealed that, by and large, capping the number of posts per piece was not a popular one.
My impulse in trying a limit on comments was purely to protect the site. I had assumed that many people have the same reaction as I do when threads become bogged down by arguments (often between the same people) but it seems as though most Members are quite happy to scroll past long submissions or comments from posters they don't typically agree with. In that sense, I might have been unnecessarily concerned.
Nevertheless, in an effort to canvass as much opinion as possible, particularly from members who might be a bit reluctant to weigh in publicly, I thought I'd throw it open to a survey.
Your feedback is valuable so please be as honest and frank as you see fit:
Reader Comments (48)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
3 Posted 16/12/2017 at 07:04:46
4 Posted 16/12/2017 at 07:22:08
Before I fill in the survey, a question: Does anyone know if posts can be removed as a result of complaining to the eds?
I haven't and wouldn't use the facility if it is available, but wondered if that is possible.
5 Posted 16/12/2017 at 08:26:42
6 Posted 16/12/2017 at 09:03:44
ps: Lyndon it might be worth giving this a more prominent place on the Home page as some may miss it as it is a little hidden away in its current place
Editorial Team
7 Posted 16/12/2017 at 17:26:28
Does anyone know if posts can be removed as a result of complaining to the eds?
The answer is Yes, if we believe that is justified in the broader interests of, as you say, maintaining lively but reasonable debate.
8 Posted 16/12/2017 at 18:20:06
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
9 Posted 16/12/2017 at 18:40:13
10 Posted 16/12/2017 at 19:29:38
11 Posted 16/12/2017 at 19:45:24
I may be a little biased when I say that I believe that people who contribute articles could be given a little leeway, as they (in general) require a chance to respond to posts.
However, I trust that you will devise a system that is fair to everyone, and I will respect and support whatever that system may be.
12 Posted 16/12/2017 at 20:18:40
I have submitted my response which was basically "Don't change anything".
However since then I have had a thought about a "missing ToffeeWebbers" button.
Perhaps something were a member can contact you Michael or Lyndon under the radar to say "I haven't spotted anything from Fred Bloggs for a while". You could maybe follow up with a private email to them asking, "Is everything all-right, Fred?"
13 Posted 16/12/2017 at 20:30:08
Nested replies are one way forward. As would be individuals parking their own particular vitriol wagon whilst taking a few long breaths.
COYB!
14 Posted 16/12/2017 at 20:44:33
I would welcome a 'user post history' facility. For example, when I want to find Eugene's 'The Moyes Presbyterian Holiday' thread, I have to use Google to find it, rather than going through ToffeeWeb itself. Or am I missing something?
15 Posted 16/12/2017 at 21:00:16
Great job Lyndon & Michael
16 Posted 16/12/2017 at 21:20:15
And the Laurie suggestion of 'missing TWers' is really needed in my opinion. Where's Richard Dodd? Christine Foster took a hiatus I think... And there's many others. I often think, "Where the hell are they?" or, "Are they all right?"
Regarding user post history, as I age I post and can't even remember where the hell I posted. I'd like to be able to stick my name in a search engine to find any responses, as well as find other contributors I enjoy and don't equally.
It's a great site. The fact you're even looking to improve it and never stand still speaks volumes.
I do wish I wouldn't get edited so much... some of it seems silly to me, but it's your site so I move on... A recent conversation with Mark Riding springs to mind as I called him by his last name, explained why later, only to find my original post had been edited to show his first and last name. Seemed silly to me and a waste of time and resources, but do what you please in those regards. Most of the corrections are admittedly sentence structure and grammar, which as a college graduate is embarrassing, but I do love a good fragment.
17 Posted 16/12/2017 at 21:41:00
18 Posted 16/12/2017 at 21:49:13
19 Posted 16/12/2017 at 23:36:58
20 Posted 16/12/2017 at 23:41:39
21 Posted 16/12/2017 at 23:54:53
22 Posted 17/12/2017 at 03:43:56
However I understand that might require a lot of work on Lyndon's part, for which he may not have the time.
So it would be nice to have, but not essential as the site is great as it is.
23 Posted 17/12/2017 at 10:44:51
One point I made in the survey, having visited other club's fan's forums and of course our own GOT and OS, is that in design and the way it functions we are lucky that ToffeeWeb seems to be the best of the lot.
Keep up the good work, chaps.
24 Posted 17/12/2017 at 10:51:21
ToffeeWeb is a great site, well done Michael and Lyndon.
25 Posted 17/12/2017 at 10:54:26
As someone who has a habit of forgetting to add certain points, then reposting immediately after myself, having limited posts would be a nightmare for me!
26 Posted 17/12/2017 at 11:16:10
I don't feel the need to submit a survey as nothing needs changed in my opinion.
I can not believe the question asked in post 4!
27 Posted 17/12/2017 at 11:58:34
28 Posted 17/12/2017 at 12:40:07
Like others, I don't always remember a particular thread I was interested in and following and, in the past, used the TW search engine (top right) to find topics/posts.
Now that used to work very well and offered pages of relevant links. But recently any search term just lists 3 links to ads, and nothing else.
I don't know if that is a local problem on my PC, or a universal problem for all. Perhaps Lyndon might care to have look at that feature and report back. That was/is the solution to that particular issue.
One other thing, the survey question about "moderators monitoring posts."
It was something I previously suggested the eds could consider. It is a widely used practice on many an internet forum, that members volunteer as moderators.
I replied 'NO' in the survey but would say 'YES' with some caveats.
For me, the issue would be how moderate a moderator would be.
Let's not pretend. We all have particular perspectives on all things Everton. Quite clearly, some posters do not hide their strong personal dislike for some individuals.
The danger of volunteer moderators is that they would censor and exclude views and posters they personally object to and promote only the views and posters they approve of.
That potentially undermines the democracy and balance of TW where (for the most part) anything goes, from the most considered to the most rabid and rancid of rants.
Otherwise, my opinion remains unchanged: a strong NO to any prescriptive or restrictive ruling that limits the number of posts, the length of posts, the frequency of posting, or how or what a poster posts (within reason).
29 Posted 17/12/2017 at 13:12:45
You have a very difficult task to suit everyones wishes, but it is not just down to you two, it is the duty of all posters to show respect for the feelings and opinions of fellow contributors.
30 Posted 17/12/2017 at 13:21:19
A search function for your most recent posts (say last 5) would be good as it is sometimes difficult to locate where you posted and see if anyone had replied.
Also while I disagreed with the nested function, some sort of option to insert a direct response under a post might be useful, although this does open up possibilities of everyone trying to get their post to the top by claiming they're replying to one.
31 Posted 17/12/2017 at 13:54:18
If anyone then wants to keep banging on about the same thing, they can do it with people who are interested enough in their own 'private box' kind of thing.
32 Posted 17/12/2017 at 16:43:04
Alex (#27), not sure what that was about... You don't seem to have posted much recently, so I didn't review it, but have now removed the delay on your posts appearing.
Cheers.
33 Posted 17/12/2017 at 17:18:39
34 Posted 17/12/2017 at 17:59:16
35 Posted 17/12/2017 at 20:31:27
I think it would be interesting to know about how the site is run. How Michael and Lyndon became Evertonians. How much time the two of you dedicate to this site. How it all started. What are your favourite posts.
Also, how about an end of year awards. Best post, funniest comment, worst post, best article etc.
37 Posted 19/12/2017 at 21:54:43
38 Posted 19/12/2017 at 22:07:48
39 Posted 19/12/2017 at 22:10:51
40 Posted 20/12/2017 at 06:28:38
I'd support Martin Mason and Tony Marsh!
41 Posted 20/12/2017 at 06:32:54
They're okay on this page though.
44 Posted 20/12/2017 at 16:23:51
I have gotten censored a couple of times for bad grammar and I am trying to keep it in toe. When I was let back in I noticed the likes of "DCL" was being edited despite everybody on the board knowing what it means , Also slightly strange how I am now uncomfortable saying this I found "Fat Sam" was being edited to "Big Sam" I did note after his appointment that the better the results the thinner he would get so you probably aren't finding it as often.
Apart from the grammar which I know is necessary to avoid text speak it is a great site and I find the discussion open and entertaining, I do feel it's okay for the live forum to be an open space as long as no overly offence messages are sent.
Filling out the form now
45 Posted 20/12/2017 at 19:21:57
46 Posted 20/12/2017 at 19:28:18
A bit pointless and a waste of time discussing ways forward.
Michael just doesn't like it and pulls the plug !!
Probably best way forward
47 Posted 20/12/2017 at 19:35:23
48 Posted 20/12/2017 at 19:36:47
51 Posted 23/12/2017 at 23:06:05
52 Posted 28/12/2017 at 00:19:05
53 Posted 01/01/2018 at 12:39:11
I have not selected to cap the number of submissions either, on the basis that someone may ask a question after the 'permitted' amount which may have merited an answer, or that member has just received some information, and wishes to share it.
54 Posted 01/01/2018 at 19:36:15
I feel bad that I have no suggestions for improving the live forum given I feel the discussion is so poor that I don't go in there any more. Possibly just serves its purpose by keeping that stuff off matchday threads.
One comment I do have that didn't really fit the survey is that I've had an intermittent technical issue on my Android devices over the last two or three months. Pages seem to get stuck loading and commenting is impossible. I'm assuming it's an ad that isn't fully loading. Would be interested in knowing if anyone else has this issue. I seem to get it in spells and only on TW.
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1 Posted 16/12/2017 at 06:48:06