Comments on: Sphinn Is Dead: Long Live Anything Else

By: Rafi Hecht

Rafi Hecht — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:45:41 +0000

…And what exactly is the purpose of Sphinn without the voting angle? I thought that was the sole purpose!

These guys either are going to shut the site down, or will add an angle that hasn’t been featured before and will make up for the voting (although I doubt it).

The guys admin-ing Sphinn are in the wrong field IMO.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:48:12 +0000

You’re welcome. I’m putting you in my list so I don’t miss future posts!
.-= Kristi recently posted: 9 Search Optimization Tips with Benefits for Your Visitors =-.

By: Ruud Hein

Ruud Hein — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:41:10 +0000

In reply to Ileane.

Thanks for the comment, Ileane. From what I read on Twitter, some people already consider something like that. Also … well…. you never know.

By: Ileane

Ileane — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:24:30 +0000

Hi Ruud.
Thanks for the info I was just about to submit a link!

Why don’t some folks like you Donna, Ann Smarty, Gerald, David and a few others get together and start a new and improved “Sphinn-like” networking community??

Please…

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:45:34 +0000

I just don’t understand the thought process.

People aren’t engaging because of fears about bloc voting and power users.
Let’s create a system where the front page is decided by bloc voting from editorial staff.

I’m all for turning a problem into a solution, but this just seems mental.

By: Ruud Hein

Ruud Hein — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:22:03 +0000

In reply to Nick Wilsdon.

Nick, I respectfully disagree. Sphinn wasn’t there to provide an editorial best of the best — it featured “news stories submitted to Sphinn and discussions within the site that have been voted the most active recently by the Sphinn community”. That latter part is now gone. Sphinn is just another aggregation site now albeit one with editors. The removal of voting is as trivial as Google News being hand edited from now on.

By: Nick Wilsdon

Nick Wilsdon — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:20:08 +0000

Hey Rudd,

You nailed the crux of the argument in your finishing line. Sphinn was always there IMHO to provide the ‘best of the best’ fix. The question you have to ask yourself is whether this move helps or hinders that goal.

Users can still submit articles and instead of wasting hours deleting spam, the editors will be selecting and promoting the best material. Personally this will give me back time to read more articles and promote upcoming talent in the industry.

I also believe community resides in the commenting/discussion, not the voting. If Sphinn better serves everyone’s “best of the best fix” this will be judged a success.
.-= Nick Wilsdon recently posted: Industry In Revolt Now Turns On TopSEOscom =-.

By: Ruud Hein

Ruud Hein — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:31:09 +0000

In reply to Kristi.

Yup. The idea of at least a Facebook Like button on those stories is doable, I think. Very happy to see you comment here, Kristi: was really hoping you would! Thanks!

By: Kristi

Kristi — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:28:18 +0000

I think the editors should still allow voting on content after they put it on the homepage. At least that way they would see if people like their selections and get a better idea what their community wants, or doesn’t. That way they get what they want – a community that isn’t gamed by voting because that isn’t the reason the story got there. But the audience will still get to say yay or nay on their suggestions.
.-= Kristi recently posted: How to Stop Competitors Copying Your Links =-.

By: Ruud Hein

Ruud Hein — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:17:21 +0000

In reply to Thos003.

@Thos Like that idea too. Different user groups.