I'm sorry, title1, I missed the part about restricting to one download a day. In that case, I've got to hand it to you, sounds like a capital suggestion to have what I would call a pool of software. Sorry I got it wrong.
[closed]
GOTD Evaluation System
(67 posts) (29 voices)-
aRenegade
MemberA concept with the details TBD:
Currently a user downloads a program, unzips it, then runs the setup which culminates in the programs launching. The user then runs the Activate to remove that programs restrictions, and is taken to the GOTD’s confirmation page.
Now in the confirmation page you create a short numbered ratings questionnaire/comment about the program they just installed. With those numbers someone could generate graphs, and every body loves looking at graphs. You could ask the user to come back in X amount of time to comment on the program they just installed, giving that user more time to use that program. As far as that goes, I believe more people than not would return to give their feedback.
A similar type of procedure is used on a site “Watch Movies For Free” ( http://www.watch-movies-links.net ) where a user is awarded points. Points are issued as follows: 3 points for forum and movie comments, 3 points for reporting broken links, and 1 point for rating a movie. Although a users accumulated points have no redeemable value, users return time and time again, which goes to show that people love that sort of stuff even when there are no tangible rewards other than seeing the number of points they’ve earned opposed to someone else’s. It gives them bragging rights.
Keeping that in mind, a GOTD newbie starts out as a “Rookie Reviewer” and builds up to be a “Grand Master Reviewer” based on the number of points they’ve accumulated. More points can be earned by those who leave more comprehensive opinions, forum activities, etc, weeding out those people who just blindly give negative comments/ratings based only on a personal need for a program. You could possibly reward top reviewers with an unrestricted license to their choice of a few programs, eligible for all future updates and tech support. A system like that benefits a developer by giving more credence to the validity of how their program is performing, and how it’s being perceived by the end user.
Posted 15 years ago # -
thenameipicked
MemberI love the point system...this might even get people to download it, JUST so that they can review it! However, instead of saying "Come back later", which they might just do immediately (for the points), at the end of the user's first run of the program (not the setup), we could send them to a webpage that has options for giving it a 5-part, 5-point rating, and/or a review.
One other though I had. With these ratings, we should still have the thumbs-up/thumbs-down icons with percentages in the same spot, but remove the option to click it. (Farther down, below the description, we could have the in-detail graph.)'EDIT: As I was reading a different post (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5972), I thought that points could be the standard, should you want to be a moderator. I am NOT suggesting that points is the only factor, as this person needs to understand good posting, and not just how to write a fast review. Good Idea. (Sorry for getting a little off topic... :P)
Posted 15 years ago # -
title1admin
Memberon the point system... a bad review from a grand master may reduce the amount of traffic and thus generate less revenue on that particular day.....
on another note....how about including a desktop hyperlink for the day's give away linked to the voting/ratings/poll url.
Posted 15 years ago # -
title1admin
MemberBTW I forgot to say LOT's of great ideas!
Posted 15 years ago # -
thenameipicked
Member@title1
...If somebody gets to grand master (which should be hard, so it will knock out all of the newbies), they should be writing good reviews. Therefore, if a program is bad enough...it shouldn't produce that much revenue anyway. Right now we have our own reviewers that are treated like the Grand Masters will be. (Ashraf, Bubby, and WR)
On another note for the point system. Why don't we make it so that your rating of the program can increase (not decrease, ever) how many points. Not every point, but X points for every 2^X thumbs up. (2 is something made up on the spot, it can be changed). This will make people *want* to write good reviews.@gonwk: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5084#post-54524
Posted 15 years ago # -
Steelers6
MemberHello,
I've been a frequent tester on the GOTD site and I have a suggestion regarding the timeframe for GOTD Giveaways.
I work in a company with over 5,000 employee's I would love to know what give away was being given away a day prior as now many of my colleges and employees have been tracking my feedback on GOTD and other testers.
I also live in Arizona so half the year we are on Pacific time. It is difficult to evaluate the software and post findings in the timeframe given. Because I work, I will either download at 12 midnight (not good) or try to grab it in the morning. So, by the time I get to test it is about 7 to 8 pm and then I need to post my findings, pros, cons and overall summary. It would be most helpful for those of us who work or are on such a short timeframe like the Pacific time zone to have more time to download and evaluate in order to provide a very good revuew.
I don't believe I should download the software and not leave a post as that does not seem to be in keeping with the spirit of the site.
So, from where I stand, I would find it most helpful if we were given more time to download and evaluate so we or I can make the most of the software and provide a good and thorough review.
Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
PS. I have never relied on the e-mail system to come to the website, I see many posts regarding this and I think it is easy to just check the site each day however; with a heads up, I can inform my colleges about a new software as we all can and drive even more traffic your way. So from a personal standpoint I don't find this to be an individual concern, but for advertising and driving more people to your website I can see this as a very useful feature.
In closing, I really enjoy your site, testing software is fun for me even though I don't need most all of the offerings, it is a treat. You do a Great job and please keep it up.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Steelers6
MemberRegarding the evaluation system, I think it would be a good idea to have a structured format that included PRO's, Cons, overall summary and an easy rating system. This will stop a lot of the comments that are not related or useful. People will still be able to add a comment in the overall summary but it should be related to the tesing of the software. This would help because it would require people to give actual findings to help companies, if someone doesn't fill in one of the fields they then should be directed to do so before it can be posted. This should help with some of the rif-raf that goes on.
I don't agree that all testers should be experts as new users feedback is needed by the companies as most of the software tested will eventually be downloaded by the masses who are not that computer savy. New user feedback is needed because they won't have the knowledge about workarounds and I think this will only help companies. I think they need a good sampling of all walks of life.
I do think it would be helpful to have people register so you will know who is just grabbing software and not testing vs. those of us that do test and provide feedback.
Just my oppinion thanks for your consideration. I generally post as Karen but now updated my registation to Steelers6.
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberIt has been expressed time and time again by people in these forums AND over in the comments section, that the comments section of the main page is badly moderated. That way too much junk gets through: spam, personal attacks, and off topic posts. It makes you wonder how developers would get anything other than a negative impression. Many new users also post in frustration in these forums that they don't understand - and can see NO recognizable pattern - in what causes a comment to be accepted or rejected. Since no detailed explanation is provided, we never hear from many of them again. How comments are moderated seem to be a deep, dark secret. Perhaps that's an attempt to keep bad news away from the eyes of bdevelopers. There seem to be a lot matters that GOTD seems relunctant to reveal any details about, perhaps to avoid giving a bad impression. Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be effective. People notice. For one example, in the last year many people have said in both places have said that they don't even read the comments section because it so full of junk.
For a fuller discussion of this, please see this thread:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/6035Posted 15 years ago # -
Personally one improvement I'd like to see is some form of chat box where members could chat. I hate trying to carry on conversations through pm's.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Yes, wizzard, at least a chat box for the administrators and moderators; that would make our coordination much easier.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Yes many sites are now adding instant messaging systems to enable live communication to other online members. I do like the idea of including all members but all staff and mods should always be at the top of any "Online" list for easy access.
Posted 15 years ago # -
I would also like to see the ability of the mods and admin to move posts to another subject. This would help tidy up the forums a little bit and help ensure topics are posted in the right area. Of course one of the number one options would be to move the post over to the thread giveaway suggestions as this is the number one misplaced thread in the forums.
Posted 15 years ago # -
RosnSC
Member"chat box where members could chat"/"instant messaging systems"
Yes, I agree; one of those would be great, for the reason already given.
"the ability of the mods and admin to move posts to another subject"
There again, I agree. Would make the job of moderating, administration easier.
"the comments section of the main page is badly moderated"
For what it's worth, regarding the comments, I feel there should be moderators to handle the job of keeping out the general spam, and such. I'm not necessarily talking about commenting on the software, as someone mentioned, but I'm not sure who, but to keep the junk comments out. Perhaps some of the Forums moderators could be trained to do that. The junk would be kept out better, and comments posted much quicker.
Sue
Posted 15 years ago # -
aRenegade
MemberWhy Hello title1admin,
I'm not sure what you meant when you wrote, "on the point system... a bad review from a grand master may reduce the amount of traffic and thus generate less revenue on that particular day....." The "amount of traffic" as in people visiting the site that day or overall? The number of developers who agree to come on board to use the services of GOTD?
In a singular sense that may be a concern. But, when there are more than one person at the higher level, and all of them are making similar comments, what better way is there to say to a developer whose program bombed they should be thank full for that information; and recommend addressing those issues because next time it will be in the real world. That type of point system, planned well, would have checks and balances to ensure that no single person could generate “less revenue” for GOTD in the manor you envisioned. There have been many occasions where a self-proclaimed guru would trash that day's offering with little affect on the download numbers or repeat developers. I certainly don’t have a sense that of late there has been a noticeable decline of developers coming on board to GOTD after a program (possibly in their product line) was shredded by one self-proclaimed reviewer.
Let me repeat myself, "A system like that benefits a developer by giving more credence to the validity of how their program is performing, and how it’s being perceived by the end user". As far as GOTD marketing itself, this system only adds to the current level of professionalism they now enjoy.
- Renegade -
Posted 15 years ago # -
jempeace
MemberIs there anyway to offer software M-F as usual, but maybe have 2 alternates that last all week? You may still only download 1 a day. So you downloaded Monday and Tuesday's but didn't need Wed. so you took an alternate. This would be great for companies that really want feedback, they might not get 2000 hits a day but 753 times 5 for the week. It also gives some people a chance to really use the product and better reveiw it. GAOTD turns out to be the place for the software you need everyday and we win more choice.
Hate the ratings system! Ten mins. in and 50 thumbs down, really doesn't bother me. Some people tried the game last time and found it was great for 4 levels, then it was same old same o. Not your type of software you didn't try it and giving thumbs down I don't like. Maybe a link right by (however we vote) not what you want tell us here, not the comments section.
Like live chat,even mouthier in person.
jempeacePosted 15 years ago # -
thenameipicked
MemberLike I said before, the only rating that would be immediately available upon accessing the site is "Usefulness" (If my idea gets accepted). People don't just vote down to vote down, they vote down because they don't need it. However, giveawayoftheday could put in a piece of code that says "Would you like to review/rate this program" when it closes for the first time. Here they could rate the program in 4 different areas (Ease of use, Features, Speed/Efficiency, Other) and/or do a review. That doesn't mean that comments are enabled to those only downloaded, because people may want to post why its not useful to them, or post freeware. The people that did download it and post, however, will have some marker saying that they downloaded the program, such as a star next to their post.
The final part that I imagine would be a system kind of like eBay's. That star next to their post could gradually change as a person writes more and more reviews, until somebody has reached the top position of Grand Master (Not necessarily the title, just one that has been mentioned here). Therefore, somebody starting out will get a plain old yellow star next to their name when they download and review, but a star, nevertheless. And having a positive score (aka the thumbs-up/thumbs-down for the posts), will increase their points to becoming a Grand Master. (A negative score will not decrease their points)
Wow...that went longer than I expected.
PS, I like the live chat too.Posted 15 years ago # -
Kickapoodle
MemberI think the input field for comments should be hidden and a small password field displayed instead.
Currently after a software is registered the user is directed to a page that informs them that the registration was successful, you could supply the password on that page. At least that would limit comments to people that actually installed and registered the product.Posted 15 years ago # -
I've been trying to get an answer to this for a few days now.
I'd like to add a full GAOTD page to my Wordpress blog using your GFS but, I'm confused on exactly how to do this.
Can anyone help with this?
Posted 15 years ago # -
thenameipicked
MemberI actually like the time limit, because if people change their post days later, I have no idea that they did, and so I won't read it again. However, my comments are about the new forum...
It needs some work, which I'm sure you guys are pretty aware of. When not logged in, the log in is over the title...and I don't like the (bb) banner when its all the way across the screen.
Besides the (bb), however, my only complaints (I'm getting really picky here) is jut the layout. The search above the title bar??? That doesn't make sense to me, and I like the page number with the page icon, but is it possible to make that bigger?
Seriously guys though...its awesome. Good work :P
Just my thoughtsPosted 15 years ago # -
Regarding edits to old posts - regardless of how much time is allowed after a post to go back and edit - the option for a user to edit their own old post should not be permitted once a new reply has been added after (ie. the original post is no longer the latest post in a topic).
This is standard for how pretty much all discussion forums operate.
I've seen forums that keep a changelog of updates to a post, so users can also see earlier versions of the post.
Following editable posts with a read only label - 'post edited XX times, last edit at DATETIME by USERNAME' would be a help too.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Inas
MemberHi all,
I agree with Kickaboodle and others who have suggested that the comments should be limited only to those folks who have downloaded and installed the software.
One other comment/observation I'd like to make is that the "Thumbs up, Thumbs down" system seems (in its current state) not to be an accurate measure of what reflects useful or unuseful comments. I say this because it seems (to me, in my humble opinion) that people vote "Thumbs up or Thumbs down" not based on the usefulness/value of the content and substance of people's comments, but more on whether or not the "voter" likes the software or not.
If the voter does not like the software (for whatever reason) then the voter tends to vote "Thumbs Down" for a comment that reflects a differing and opposing viewpoint (no matter how valuable the comment may be). I am basing this statement on the fact that my comments (at least, from my perspective) are valuable, substantive, and factual, based on what I actually encounter with the software download, installation, and operation. However, no matter how useful my comments are (such as for today's PDF to HTML software GiveAway), I am getting numerous arbitrary "Thumbs Down" votes(apparently, because the voters subjectively disagree with my comments, for no rhyme or reason).
It is very frustrating, because I put forth much effort, and take my time to evaluate the software, to list details about its operation, functionality and features, for everyone's benefit, but I feel that most voters do not appreciate this, and that they very quickly and easily vote "Thumbs Down" just for the heck of it, just for kicks, and simply because they enjoy doing so. It is very disheartening indeed.
I'm sorry for the lengthy statement, and I don't know if there would ever be a way to implement a system that would successfully and effectively limit voters to objectively vote for comments, based on substance, value, and content (instead of whether or not they subjectively agree or disagree with what is being said, etc.)
Ah well, enough said, and thank you all for listening to my viewpoint on this topic.
Best regards,
HappyPosted 15 years ago # -
I have a gripe from an admin/mod perspective: when you delete a thread it shows a 404 error. It's a minor bug, but a rather annoying bug.
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberHave to say, I'm impressed. I think most will just post general comments, rather than category comments. Also, not real sure of the value of the leave your recommendation for the developer section. Most will just put that in a general comment, too. Still, people have comment flexibility if they want it and, much more importantly, the new voting system will definitely solve the "It's not what I want, waaaaaa!" problem. As someone on your blog said, you do need a vote counter on each category, though. It might hurt a developer to have some low stars on just one or two votes.
Still well done, GOTD!
Posted 15 years ago # -
Inas
MemberGOTD Admin Team,
I will mention here what I mentioned in a separate thread (for technical glitches) for our individual comments/ratings for the seven different categories related to daily GiveAways.
Every time I rate the seven categories, the resulting votes (linked to my GOTD user name) are erroneous, and are not what I originally indicated. All of my individual votes (for each of the seven categories) are converted to perfect 5-star ratings, even if I've given a 2-star rating to a particular category..
This glitch should be fixed, and I hope the GOTD team is able to do so soon.
Best,
HappyPosted 15 years ago # -
CodeHydro
MemberTo get the best of both worlds, we should have kept the thumbs up/down rating even though there is the 5-star rating system now. The thumbs up/down ratings were fairly useful for a quick look at everything while the stars are useful for detailed ratings if wanted. Or maybe have a quick overall 5 star rating where the thumbs up/down was for those who don't want to rate the software in 5 ways.
Posted 15 years ago #
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