New DU feature: The Greatest Page

[Skinner]

As Democratic Underground has grown larger and busier, it has become increasingly difficult to find the most interesting or noteworthy topics. With thousands of threads posted each day, it's virtually impossible to wade through them all to find the best ones. With this in mind, we have created a new function for the message board, which we call the Greatest Page. Now you can easily find the Latest and Greatest discussion topics on the Democratic Underground message board. (Get it?)

The Greatest Page lists discussion topics which have been recommended by DU members. Topics can be recommended for 24 hours after they are first posted on our message board. The Greatest page shows topics that have received at least two recommendations, and topics remain on the page for 48 hours. To recommend a topic, click the link on the post that says "Recommend Topic for Greatest Page." Members are unable to recommend their own topics.

To go directly to the Greatest Page, click this link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=greatest_threads

You can also access the Greatest Page by clicking the "three thumbs-up" icon at the top of the forum Lobby and Latest pages. Or you can click the blue link at the top left corner of each page, which says "Lobby / Latest / Greatest".

We are very excited about this upgrade. We believe it will make it much easier for visitors to find the best stuff on DU. Enjoy!

Skinner
DU Admin

Please be aware that the DU administrators can easily track which members recommend which threads. Individuals who abuse this feature will lose the privilege of recommending topics.

[pelagius]

1. Very helpful!

Navigating DU has become increasingly difficult -- gotta love those problems of growth, though! -- and this is a useful approach. Thanks.

[AllegroRondo]

2. Would it be redundant to rec this thread?

[da_chimperor]

3. Awesome feature. Separates the meat from the potatoes, and I love meat

:D

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. wow this is GREAT

thank you Skinner

[Skinner]

5. kick (nt)

[Skinner]

6. Kick (nt)

[Cooley Hurd]

7. Very cool...

Thanks!:thumbsup:

[Skinner]

8. Kick (nt)

[jasop]

13. oops

I just posted in wrong thread i think :shrug:

[mantis49]

9. kick

[NNN0LHI]

10. I don't know how you guys do it. I am serious

You guys just keep improving this site constantly. I am going to add this page to my favorites. Thank you.

Don

[realFedUp]

11. Great idea with problems

If only the really deserving threads
were voted for...but you know that
isn't going to happen. I already
see really iffy threads, especially
from the Lounge, which shouldn't
be some of the "Greatest" IMO.

Ok, editing because I saw one iffy
thread from Lounge...I thought Kef's
pyramid was great.

[Skinner]

12. Of course, this approach is not going to be perfect.

We cannot guarantee that every thread on the Greatest Page is going to be worthy. But this should make it easier for members to find the good stuff.

[Skinner]

14. kick (nt)

[Tweed]

15. Latest Break News?

I don't know about that...

Kidding Skinner, it's your website. You of course can do whatever you want.

[Blaq Dem]

16. No Live Chat?

How about a live chat room? That would cut down on some threads.

[Alisa]

17. I love it! Thanks!

[paineinthearse]

18. Brilliant!

This certainly has changed the dynamics of the board. Posts that are deserving but obscure are getting the attention they deserve. I think it will contribute to better quality posts. Knowing there is more peer scrutiny, I've put more effort into mine.

[Skinner]

19. kick (nt)

[porkrind]

20. Tried it, and love it!

great feature, thanks!

[Skinner]

21. You're welcome.

:thumbsup:

[indigobusiness]

22. Great idea...How about a Hall of Shame?

Someplace to showcase the real doozies? I might realistally aspire to something like that, the Greatest page seems a bit much to hope for. But it sure is a nice addition. KUDOS.

Awhile back someone mentioned having a tombstoned entry archive of some
sort. It would be fun, but (I guess) problematic...even if anonymous.
There's not much chance of that...is there?

[TahitiNut]

23. It violates a cardinal rule: "Don't Feed The Trolls"

The last thing we should ever do is motivate such behavior by either responding or otherwise elevating it. This is a hard-earned lesson from decades of Usenet. It's a shame it has to be relearned by repeated experience. When we lose the ability to learn from the experience of others, we cannot be properly called "progressives."

(Yes, I too succumb upon occasion. I rarely if ever find an opportunity to preach about something where I'm not also a congregant.)

[indigobusiness]

24. Oh yeah. See...I'm not very bright..

All I could see was the comedic value. All the darkness lurked amorphous and illformed for me. But, too my credit, I knew it was there. I just need you to spell it out for me, and give it manageable form. Taking the bull by the horns is difficult with Angus.

I like your sig line. It's true, we are all hypocrites...to some extent. It's the matter of degree that matters, I reckon...as well as the degree of acknowledgement.

[indigobusiness]

25. "Too" my credit?

See? I told you I wasn't too bright.

[TahitiNut]

26. "Bright"?? Hell, I'm still working on sentient.

:silly: :dunce:

[indigobusiness]

27. I think that's what Viagra is for...

but don't hold me to that.

[TahitiNut]

30. Oh! Maybe that explains it. I've been soaking my feet in Rogaine.

While I no longer need to wear shoes in the snow, I still wander into trees. :dunce:

[indigobusiness]

31. LOL. That might work...

but I think you're soaking the wrong appendage.

:freak:

[wildflower]

28. Question on abusing the recommendation feature.

Are there any rules about this? I'm assuming it's along the lines of (1) recommending all your friends' posts; (2) recommending your pet topics; and (3) recommending too many things or everything you see.

Is that the right idea? Or is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks for this new feature!

-wildflower

[codswallop]

29. I think you make a good point.

I would be in favor of a limit. To ensure judicious use, and emphasize the privilege.

[wildflower]

32. What constitutes Great

I forgot to ask about this.

I'm assuming Great can be anything a member defines it to be, from "This is really funny and all would appreciate it" to "This is really important" to "This is really helpful." Would that be right?

In addition, for each of us looking at a post, should we be thinking "This is a good one" or "This is one of the greatest of the day"? Because there's already a built-in function to show the Greatest by the number of overall recommendations it gets. Does this make sense?

For example, today I posted a link to a site that tells you which fish are safe to eat. The site is very helpful, but I wouldn't call my post itself great by any means. But if posting such info to the Greatest forum would help more people, I think that would be a good thing.

Anyway, again, thanks!

-wildflower

[TNOE]

33. KICK

FOR THE MONDAY CROWD :KICK: