Feedback on TW Comments Facility

Survey submitted, Lyndon. A good idea to canvas members opinion.

Thanks Lyndon and Michael for your efforts. Such a brilliant site.

Not a lot needs changing in my opinion. You run a great site that on the whole encourages lively debate.

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.

Done, I think, maybe twice. Probably only a little fine tuning required. Just an after thought, make the persistent 'poachers' moderators, then they won't have time to cause trouble.

Thanks for all your efforts Lyndon (and Michael) – a brilliant site that you are making every effort to improve even further. Survey submitted!

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

John G (#4),

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.

[We also remove duplicate posts – that explains the gap at #2 above.]

Thanks for making that clear, Michael.

Keep up the good work.
Cheers

Thanks for a brilliant site Michael and Lyndon. I submitted survey response but then realised I wasn't actually logged in at the time! I guess that I'll have to re-do it?

Thanks Michael and Lyndon. Great site, well done

Hi Michael and Lyndon, approaching my 80th birthday, I'm not too good with technology, and I tried without success, to register my opinion, so I would like to thank you for an excellent service.

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.

I thoroughly enjoy ToffeeWeb.

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?"

Survey submitted as my first comments upon my go-to site for Blues related news.

Nested replies are one way forward. As would be individuals parking their own particular vitriol wagon whilst taking a few long breaths.

COYB!

I've filled it in Michael/Lyndon.

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?

If our club was as well managed as ToffeeWeb over the last 20 years we would have a lot more trophies in the cabinet, and a lot less to complain about.

Great job Lyndon & Michael

Filled it out. Agree with Brian on a 'user post history'.

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.

Some posters do like to comment on everything and multiple times. We all know who they are. But it's their opinion and they are passionate and do add value. I don't always agree but think the site is great for us to vent and is great as it is.

Like John @11, I tried to submit but failed twice. I agree with John – ToffeeWeb is fine as it is and I am very grateful it exists.

Submitted. Keep up the good work gents.

Great site, a class apart.

Keep up the good work!

A better search function would be my only ask, like others have said I often forget where I posted and can't return to threads.

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.

I have completed the survey and concur with most above.

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.

I have completed the survey, and have basically said that things are fine as they are.

ToffeeWeb is a great site, well done Michael and Lyndon.

Submitted my survey – for what it's worth I think TW is generally fine as it is. There are always going to be heated debates, and occasional agitators, that's the nature of online discussion these days.

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!

TofffeWeb is indeed a great Everton website and the humour and honesty from people more than anything keeps me coming back. Everyone is entitled to an opinion debated in a fair way.

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!

Good site. In my case overmoderared I think, but I enjoy it. Well done guys.

Filled in yesterday. Looking at the comments thus far, I'd echo what 1-2 others mentioned.

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).

Lyndon and Michael, I have completed the survey, and as so many others have said, a huge ‘thank you” for the work you do and for the quality of the site.

You have a very difficult task to suit everyone's 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.

Should have read these comments first...

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.

I supported the 'nesting' function because it will stop the hijacking of a whole thread by certain people trying to take over the site with their own opinion, thread after thread, day after day.

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.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

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.

The site is technically attractive and informative. Some of the floated innovations, notably nesting, would be an improvement and might partially avoid the hijackings and repetitions. Of course many of the respondents are not in favour or restrictions as they are the most vocal, but I do sometimes get a little weary of hearing the same people say the many of the same things ad infinitum...

I think having members of the TW community acting as moderators could work as long as there was a clear set of guidance for them l. For example, giving mods the ability to give ‘yellow card' warnings or even ‘red cards' from threads that were being hijacked or side-tracked could work.

Leave the site as is; no tampering for the sake of it.

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.

I'd like to see the 'arrow' thing like on YouTube when instead of feeling the need to reply with a Yes or a No, just hit the button.

Simon Mayo, on BBC Radio 2, has a thing called 'Three Word Friday' where you have to send in things like: 'Milk boiled over' or 'On wrong train'. So, why not have a ToffeeWeb 'Three Word Friday' thread: e.g. 'Bring back Deulofeu' or 'Allardyce for President'. it would certainly hone people's editing skills!

Nicholas, I tried that Simon Mayo thing a while back but apparently, after "Simon Mayo...", the third word was unacceptable.

Could we have a vote on who the moderators would be??

I'd support Martin Mason and Tony Marsh!

BTW, the "News", "Rumours", "Comments" and "Articles" links on the home page aren't working.

They're okay on this page though.

Great site and great outlet for beleaguered Toffee supporters think how much we collectively saved on shrinks this season alone (especially first few months)

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

Michael K seems to be getting quite belligerent on other threads since this thread went out and I, for one, am finding it very entertaining. Well done Michael, “FFS” is becoming the equivalent of the ref brandishing a card! I suggest only you and Lyndon should be allowed to use the expression.

Well that's that sorted.
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

Peter (#45), I suspect Lyndon would not deign to use such terms, being the "Maturin" to Michael's "Aubrey". For the record I admire both those guys too, and am fully behind Michael's newly revealed zest too, unless he starts on me!

John it was getting very boring. It's all been said before.

Congratulations Michael, Lyndon and all posters, for makingToffeeWeb favourite site.

From personal experiences, a good thread is measured by how many comments are submitted for viewing. If you don't like reading one comment, go to the next. Most ToffeeWeb contributors are nowhere near as nasty where there are other comment boards' responses to newspaper articles. The Liverpool Echo has Everton news but not so many responses, even when they are punctuated with trolls from across the park.

I have submitted my choices, and always believe everyone is entitled to their input, whether it is of a different opinion to the majority or not.

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.

Submitted mine and it's 100% in the camp of changing nothing.

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.