Main Page Explanation

[mx]

I've been thinking a lot about Sputnik music and its growth and direction. One of the problems is that we're not attracting many new users, besides for those that have an interest in writing the (admittedly) long and complex full reviews. People who don't write any reviews tend to rate their albums, make 10 or so comments, and then leave... there's not too much for them.

The danger with this is that it develops into a writers-only community. Although this can be fun, it's not what's best for the site. Although we want a strong community, we don't want a cliquish group of users.

The answer of course, is soundoffs. Allow users to review albums and state their opinion even if they aren't quality writers or don't have a lot of time. This mode has been used with great success at sites like epinions and RYM. The problem is, that if that's the main focus of the site, the quality, quite simply, begins to suck. We still need the quality writers making good reviews - that's what makes Sputnik sputnik.

So what am I getting at? As of tomorrow, all full reviews will be deleted.

Just kidding. We need to increase the visibility of soundoffs without damaging the existing community or the quality reviews we are getting. Essentially, get other people to participate who wouldn't have before.

I've already made several changes to the album pages to hopefully increase visibility of the soundoffs. More will probably come. But a big change I've just made is that soundoffs will now appear in the 'new post' format above new posts. Please note that this is an experiment - I'm trying this out. If it doesn't work out, I'll switch back, but I think in the long run it will really help with soundoff visibility and encourage the site to develop more reviewers and active members. Right now I'm only going to be running this on the main page, let me know what you think.

Please remember that this is largely geared towards new users. I understand if some of you are upset, since we have a tight community. But the new posts are still there =)

[JohnXDoe]

I don't see how that could be upsetting. I just saw the "mini review" section on the front page. I think it looks great and is a great feature for those who want to use the site in a less formal manner. Forget all that tight community stuff. The community is fine and could use some loosening up, anyway. Nobody wins unless everybody wins, amirite? Room for everyone. That means there is room for me, too. And all the rest of that cliched sounding but true stuff. Good work, MX.

[Iluvatar]

The only thing I think should change is that new posts should be above new mini reviews. But I suppose it makes more sense design wise...

[mynameischan]

new posts should be above new mini reviews.
I agree with that.

[mx]

new posts should be above new mini reviews.
I agree with that.


Well, the whole point of my post was explaining why they are not.

[Iluvatar]

I understand, but it's still a hassle that no one will care about in 36 hours, as we'll be broken in by then.

[pulseczar]

Are you still considering comments on sound-offs or are they being left off?

[JohnXDoe]

I disagree with the new post should be above the mini reviews idea. Just my opinion but I like the way the mini reviews are placed prominently for the new user to see. Might make them curious. The recent posts section is fine but makes the site seem more message board oriented. The site already has forums. Users will find them through sputnik. I think sputnik should focus on the music and participation side of the the site and lead people to the forums and not be emphasized as a review site/quasi messarge board hybrid in and of itself. Which is sort of what placing the most recent posts section more prominently does, IMO.



/beaten by the Admin :(

[mx]

Are you still considering comments on sound-offs or are they being left off?

No, but you can now 'bump' soundoffs to the top of the page if you agree with the poster.

Not sure if I should keep this bump system or implement the "was this mini-review will written" feature, a la full reviews

[StreetlightRock]

So what am I getting at? As of tomorrow, all full reviews will be deleted.

My heart skipped a beat there, haha. 'specialy 'casue im in the middle of writing one =P. Its a good idea though, i mean something like a mix of the mini-reviews on Amazon and a full length review site.

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

Not sure if I should keep this bump system or implement the "was this mini-review will written" feature, a la full reviews
Well, bringing in a "was this well written" deal would certainly increase interest in sound-offs, but I don't particularly find it nessacary. I think it's fine with the Bump option and the more prominent and visible position it has now, at least for the moment.

[Jim]

Allow users to review albums and state their opinion even if they aren't quality writers or don't have a lot of time.That's probably a good reason not to include a "was this mini-review well written?" feature. Sound-offs are generally opinions, so why comment on the quality of it?

I think I'll wait for the main-page to grow on me too. It may well attract new users.

[Oddsen]

True they are opinions, but putting the "was this well written" option may do a few things.
1. Encourage users to take more time and but more detail into their mini reviews
2. Create some kind of feedback
3. Differentiate between a mini review thats like "OMG This is the most amazing album ever" and somthing very in depth and detailed.

But by putting that feature, we'd have to hope that everyone respects everyones opinions/ratings which can be done.

Oh and by the way good idea MX. I like it

[The Jungler]

Maybe you should make like a minimum character limit for mini-reviews so we don't get to much of "OMG This is the most amazing album ever".

[FlawedPerfection]

I like that ^. I've never seen a good one sentence soundoff.

[Hep Kat]

True they are opinions, but putting the "was this well written" option may do a few things.
1. Encourage users to take more time and but more detail into their mini reviews
2. Create some kind of feedback
3. Differentiate between a mini review thats like "OMG This is the most amazing album ever" and somthing very in depth and detailed.

But by putting that feature, we'd have to hope that everyone respects everyones opinions/ratings which can be done.

Oh and by the way good idea MX. I like it

That (like everything else on the site involving percentages) is a double edged sword. Since sound offs are meant to be opinions, then you really can't judge how well they're written. Sure, it'll create feedback, but if too much of it is poor, then it'll only serve to drive people away.

And that third part is very easily handled with this:

Maybe you should make like a minimum character limit for mini-reviews so we don't get to much of "OMG This is the most amazing album ever".

Hopefully this way new users or "low-quality wirters" can use the function to its potential, and (hopefully) increase in skill without the possibility of negative feedback. Basically this keeps everyone happy.

I have an idea, though, of something that may be helpful. On mxtabs, there was the little "tab explained" page, which...well, explained tablature. I think Sputnik should have something like this, only to help with reviewing. Basically compile all the helpful posts people make into one page of tips and tricks. Something that lists common sense things (like not typing reviews in the submit box, but in Word, etc. instead), resources for writing reviews (Wiki, etc.), grammar tips, and anything else that could be useful to a new reviewer. This page could be linked at the top of the main/genre pages, and (if possible), perhaps it could be required reading before someone submits their first, second, or whatever number of reviews, or required before someone with a relatively low approval percentage submits a review. Meaning that before all the album info submission stuff comes up, that "Review Explained" page would come up. I just think it would make more sense for the benefit of everyone's helpful input to be in one easy to access place (it could even be integrated into the FAQ).

[innerdark]

there is one somewhere, honest

[Dave de Sylvia]

The only thing I don't agree with is the word "mini-review". Soundoff is better.

[Sepstrup]

Yeah, me too.

[mx]

I was worried that 'soundoff' wouldn't be intuitive.

[JohnXDoe]

It's not intuitive. If I clicked on and saw 'soundoff' I would have no idea what that is. Reminds me of something they say in the Army. 'mini review' gets to the point and people know what it is immediately. I for one like it.

I think the minimum character requirement is a good idea, too. Doesn't have to be too much. But a good lengthy paragraph or a couple of shorter ones is always nice to see.

[Sepstrup]

Hmm, good point.

[pulseczar]

This is where I'm a bit confused, some of the blurbs were turned into actual reviews when the sound-offs took over, if we're going to use the word "mini review", wouldn't it be best to make those blurb reviews back into soundoff/mini reviews? It might add some confusion to new "soundoff exclusive" users since a lot of the blurbs that were turned into reviews aren't that much over whatever the word limit was, it could blur the division between soundoffs and reviews (of course I realize I'm probably thinking too much and this isn't a big deal.)

[Storm In A Teacup]

NOOOOO! I like the blurbs being transformed into full-reviews because I didn't feel forced into trying to type five-eight paragraphs when one, or two were sufficient.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I was worried that 'soundoff' wouldn't be intuitive.
I don't think it needs to be; it's pretty clear what it is once you've clicked on it. "Mini review" just sounds a little silly to me.

[FlawedPerfection]

If we're making this "mini review", then we should change the full review header so it says "full reviews" instead of "user reviews"

[The Door Mouse]

the only problem i have wit the front page is that there should be more comments. im not saying make the "mini reviews" smaller im saying lengthen the page

[Oddsen]

I asume MX makes the page basically as big as possible, why wouldn't he?

[JohnXDoe]

ok MX I know nothing of web page design obviously. I just think the way the "recent posts" section on the front page is now above the "mini reviews" section looks kind of broken up. it's like having two different review sections when only one focused one on the front page is needed. Full reviews up top, mini reviews right below. seems to make sense....

....maybe not :confused:

/2 cents

EDIT: Although it may help to distinguish the two I understand, it also seperates them too far apart, IMO. Meh....

[masada]

Maybe there could be two different sections of the site.

/wouldn't happen

[The Sludge]

I don't know about featuring the sound offs like it is, it can somewhat take away from the community of the full reviews, which always should be the main focus.

Edit: Granted they do deserve a bigger place on the site. The new bump system and recent soundoffs with reviewer's name are great editions.

[Te Karanga]

My suggestion:

Don't think of importance or focus based on how you browse the site, base it on how new visitors browse the site.

You:
I'm going to look through the new reviews and check out if I've got any replies on my reviews or reviews I've commented in.

New user: Hey this place looks cool/alright/uncool (you decide which :p) I wonder whether they have any [insert favourite band name] reviews, I'll search for them.

Sound-offs and reviews need to be incoporated onto the same page, much like prog-archives or whatever its called does. What also needs to be emphasised more than sound-offs versus reviews is how you find bands. If thats through the search function, put more emphasis on it. If it is through browsing the list of artists from each genre, put more emphasis on it.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Sound-offs and reviews need to be incoporated onto the same page, much like prog-archives or whatever its called does.
Ew, I hope not.

[mx]

Sound-offs and reviews need to be incoporated onto the same page, much like prog-archives or whatever its called does.

Interesting. I was brainstorming with someone else and they suggested this -- essentially putting soundoffs where comments are now, and minimizing comments. But I'm not sure if I want to go that route

[FlawedPerfection]

No, I really don't like that idea.

[masada]

That would be wonderful*

*retarded