One problem with private messages has been that if there are multiple people in a PM, only the person that is being replied to directly would be notified of a new comment.
Today we added email alerts and notifications for PM conversations.
That is, if someone makes a new comment in a PM, everyone in that PM will now receive an email alert, and the comment will appear in their notifications.
You can toggle 'private message emails' in your settings.
In addition to this change, there are two aspects of PMs that we would like to get feedback on:
1) Should hubwheels be added to PMs? 2) Should the OP be able to add more people to the PM? This is currently possible.As always, feedback is much appreciated.
Part of the attraction of hubski is the simplicity of the featureset. With time and skill, the seemingly simple features of the site can be used in such a way to do more complex things, but the essential simplicity is all there. Therefore, I think PMs should be PMs. A private message between two people. Period. Adding, subtracting, hushing, blahblahblahing... that's all functionality that really doesn't need to exist. If three people are collaborating on a project together, there are tools for that. Tools that AREN'T hubski. And there is no reason for the hubski featureset to support such functionality. That would distract from hubskis base purpose. Feedback has now been applied to the affected area.
I think I saw kleinbl00 mention in the other thread that this feature would have the potential to turn PMing into "invite only subreddits" or something of the sort. Though I kind of figure that can be done now if people wanted to do so. So the question is, would being able to use hubwheels in PMs really hurt? I like the whole functionality of being able to do mass PMs. I think as long as the PM OP is the only one who can add people to the discussion, I don't see a problem with it. I think if anyone in the PM chain can add anyone though, then we might start getting into the territory of "invite only subreddits."1) Should hubwheels be added to PMs?
2) Should the OP be able to add more people to the PM? This is currently possible.
At the heart of any ranking aggregator, however, is the ranking. Currently, there is no ranking within the PM system, therefore putting it somewhat aside and parallel to core aggregator functionality. By adding ranking to PMs, they become directly competitive with the core functionality - the same, in fact, only with added echo-chambery goodness. And that's my real problem: Hubski is already a bit of an echo chamber just because the size and community tends to attract like. Most of us are pretty good folx. A "shadow Hubski" could be the absolute opposite of that, and considering hubski's sterling moral character, I suspect very little snooping would happen. But we can't even really test that because there aren't enough nasty shits about to truly see what a wretched den of scum and villainy could be created. Can anyone add anyone else to a PM conversation? Can anyone remove anyone else? How does blocking/muting/hushing work within a PM? My concern is not that this is a good or a bad thing, my concern is that this is a complex thing with difficult-to-map consequences and that none of us will really have a handle on what it does until it has irrevocably shaped Hubski.
It's stuff like this that makes me reticent. Before long, we are focusing upon and coding for two different sites. Currently, the OP can add and remove people.Can anyone add anyone else to a PM conversation? Can anyone remove anyone else? How does blocking/muting/hushing work within a PM?
It hasn't been a problem yet that I am aware of. It can be very useful. However, it is probably best that everyone knows that the OP can do this. Imagine I am telling thenewgreen how I wish b_b would shower after his hockey nights, and then thenewgreen invites him into the PM.I think as long as the PM OP is the only one who can add people to the discussion, I don't see a problem with it.
Why would you? Is there a reason to other than karma whoring? (Serious question, not trolling.) I see a PM as an email, a way to resolve a dispute or ask for more info privately. PM's are where you go to ask for clarifications, try to find intent and get a more precise response that you can't, or won't, get in public. The question seems to be, IMO, is Do you want to create a non-public component to Hubski? 1) Should hubwheels be added to PMs?
2) Should the OP be able to add more people to the PM? This is currently possible.
Fundamentally, any scoring system serves the useful purpose of ranking the forks of a bifurcated discussion. Reddit without ranking becomes SomethingAwful, for example. It has little to no effect in a small discussion, but in a large one they have outsized effects; try browsing a single thread on Reddit using different ranking, for example. I can see scoring being useful on a large discussion held via PM... but again, I see a big murky set of possibilities when PMs become things with ranking.
Ok, I can see that being useful in a PM chain with multiple people. I still say that the hub wheel should only be on the public face of the site for the exact reason you have stated elsewhere: it creates an incentive for a private "subreddit."Fundamentally, any scoring system serves the useful purpose of ranking the forks of a bifurcated discussion
One thing we talked about but have not implemented was notifications for when a link to a comment or post is used in a comment or post. "Cards" For example, ButterflyEffect would get a notification for the below card:
That'd be kind of neat. I think, though, I would like the ability to toggle that function on or off as I please.
I think it's good that notifications can be toggled on and off but I'm not keen on getting overly granular with it. Do you think you'll be bombarded by people referencing your posts and comments?
I strongly support this. The commentor or poster mentioned is likely to be both interested in the subject matter of the conversation and in how their ideas are being referred to. I think it may function almost like a citation, just adapted for an online social site. Personally, I'd appreciate receiving these to protect the integrity of my ideas and words. If it's being used in a way I didn't intend, having the notification would allow me to correct any misunderstandings. Or, of course, we could all just have an informal agreement to tag people who's posts/comments we reference.