Reader’s Choice, Note Pages, and Llamas

Hello all,

Just a couple small things today.  There’s been a lot of discussion over on the boards about the need for some limits on Reader’s Choice nominations.  See, back in the day before OD 6 came out, we had a limit on how many RC nominations one person could make in a week.  This was a good thing, but when OD 6 came out, the limit went away because of the changes that were made in how RC works.

However, it seems we still need some control, because there are some people who are nominating several entries a day for RC – which tends to crowd out everybody else’s nominations.  So I’ve put a limit of three nominations per week per member into the system – meaning, if you make three RC nominations in a seven-day period, you will be blocked from making any more.  This works with a rolling seven days, not a calendar week – so it’s not a matter of waiting until Sunday rolls around, but of waiting until one of the nominations you made is older than seven days.  Hopefully, this will help to make RC somewhat more diverse.

Another small change you might notice is at the bottom of your Notes page – there used to be links for every page of notes, but this is something that took forever to load (if there were a lot of notes).  I’ve replaced it with a Previous/Next sort of paging mechanism, which loads much faster.  I’m also working this sort of paging into other parts of the site (I did it on the RC and Interests pages today), to help make our interface quicker and more consistent.

Finally, thanks to all who have joined the OD Booster Club this month – we’ve had some great submissions. Remember, there’s still time to get in on the contest to win this month’s free OD Plus subscription!

The DiaryMaster

Llamas? I actually just typed that because it was the first thing that popped in my head while I was thinking about another thing for my entry title.

And now, the other thing is gone, and the llamas are stuck there.

So I was watching Watchmen the other night while working – I probably wasn’t paying enough attention to it, because I haven’t read the graphic novel – it was interesting, but without (as I said) paying enough attention, somewhat confusing.  Interesting storyline (I’m a fan of stories based on alternate histories), but there sure was a lot of gratuitous-naked-blue-guy nudity, in my opinion.  Seemed like every time I looked up, he was waving his bits about – what I’d like to know is if this was a conscious decision by the filmmaker to adhere to the character of the book, but as I said, haven’t read it.

I’m terribly distracted today (you can probably tell from the llama reference) – seems like I did a lot of work, but haven’t accomplished anything momentous.

Don’t know if I mentioned this before, but one of my Christmas presents was a Kindle.  I didn’t know if I would like it – I love the feel of books, and the Kindle seemed somehow impersonal.  I have to say, I’ve become a fan.  It’s the best thing for reading in bed – you can hold it and flick through pages with the same hand, it’s light, and I really like being able to search text (which came in handy recently when I was looking for a LOTR reference to Glorfindel).  I am surprised by how much I like it.

Currently reading on the Kindle: D-Day by Antony Beevor.  I had read his Stalingrad book recently, which was just okay – but this one, I like a lot.  It does a good job of telling parts of the story I hadn’t read before (and I’ve read a few Overlord histories).

Well, enough babble for today, I think.

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March 26, 2010

Thanks.

Saving up for a Kindle myself! Glad you enjoy it.

March 26, 2010

I’m so afraid to delve into the world of the Kindle. I love books, but I don’t have to charge a book. Considering how often my phone and laptop dies, I think I would about melt if I went to read my book and my Kindle had been forgotten in the mist 😛

March 26, 2010

The more times you view “Watchmen”, the less you notice Dr. Manhattan’s blue junk. No, really. It’s true. 😉 <3 m

Awesome.

March 26, 2010

I’ve been wanting to pick the brain of someone who actually uses a Kindle. I think I would like one, but have never seen one in person, just online. Do you have the 6″ or the 9″ one? I hate to pay $500 for the larger one but I’m afraid the screen on the smaller one might not be big enough. My vision is not what it was when I was younger. Can you adjust the font size? Anything else you couldtell me would be very helpful. I wish I could just see one!

Hi Sir, How are you doing? I’m so happy to be back to OD. Maplelover55 was my previous handle. Couldn’t be back to my old one, so I strated a new one. I take this very opportunity to thank you very much for your great efforts sincerely done towards this great place. Kind regards. Sam

Good job with the changes to Readers Choice. I’ve stopped reading RC because it was becoming obnoxious. I’ll have to check it out again. Do you have any new foster kittens? You haven’t mentioned any in a while. Have a good weekend.

Do we get “Rollover Nominations”? Hahaha.

March 26, 2010

I was drawn in by the Llama title. Me and my loved one have to be apart for most of the year and so our relationship is carried out online while he works away at the moment. Llama is our code word, used when something exciting is happening, like job interviews or his return home. This made me smile. Thanks x

THANK YOU for putting that limit on RC nominations per user per week. Maybe that will help keep some of the ‘flotsam and jetsam’ to a minimum!!

Have you bought a light for your Kindle yet, DM? I bought one a few months back so that I could read in bed after my Hubby went to sleep – without disturbing him. LOL! I love my Kindle… wouldn’t trade for it! It’s the best, isn’t it???

March 26, 2010

All I can think about when I hear about the movie Watchmen is “blue penis, blue penis!”

March 26, 2010

LLAMAS!!!! *cue disco lights* C’mon, you know the Monty Python reference. I never considered a Kindle until my friend pointed out that it’s super convenient for travel because it’s way easier than carrying 4 books, especially if they are still in hardback format. Still, I’m kinda a luddite and have a horrible track record with electronics.

Llamas can be really mean.

March 26, 2010

I ordered an ereader…cant wait to get it!

I have a kindle, it is the best thing ever.

March 26, 2010

Oh, DiaryMaster…You’re a hoot. 😛

March 26, 2010

I feel so observant, I actually noticed the change to the bottom of the Notes page before I read this entry! *pats self on back* As a diarist who just passed the 12,800 notes mark I must say that this is MUCH easier on the eyes than having 250+ links all jammed together at the bottom of the page! Llamas are awesome… as long as they’re not members of the infamous flock of DramaLlamas (Scientific name: Dramaticus Llamaattentionwhoreus)… and I don’t have to clean up after them. *hehehe* I have nothing meaningful or pithy to say about the RC changes since I don’t use that feature very often. *shrugs* 🙂 ~Shady

March 26, 2010

If you actually read Watchmen, you will barely even notice any, erm, blue junk.

March 26, 2010

Your “booster club” link is faulty. Just an FYI.

March 26, 2010

Thank you so much for the Readers Choice limit. 🙂

March 26, 2010

I so want a kindle since it would take up less space then books which I never seem to rid myself of. I become attached to books. I wanted to see The Watchmen, but I feel I might crack up if I really do see his “Blue Junk”. When I do watch it I am sure I’ll have to write an entry about it with your words echoing in my head, lol

March 26, 2010

I like llamas.

I have a Sony Reader and I love it. Sometimes I want a Kindle though, for those special features. One day I will upgrade, I am sure.

March 26, 2010

Llamas. You must be a Monty Python fan. Am I right?

March 26, 2010

It would be nice if Readers Choice submissions required you to give a brief blurb as to why you’re submitting it. It would make the nominators a little more accountable for the quality of submissions, and would make it nice for those choosing to read through to skim and pick out the types of entries they might enjoy.

March 26, 2010

Sorry, I don’t know where to post this. Any chance of doubling the character limit on notes? I am too much of a blabber mouth (typist?) and always have to leave multiple notes!

The Llama in the title had my attention. I was hoping for some talks of llamas.. but no just a sentence. Those guys are my favorite animal at the zoo.

What on earth is a kindle? Good about the RC thing, it was starting to get a little ridic.

I’m glad to read that you got some more participation in the booster club. It’s such a great idea. I have posted an incentive for my faves on my latest entry to try and get them involved as well. I’m really glad this website was started. It has literally saved my sanity at times.

March 27, 2010

I saw Watchmen in the theater so I have to look at 3ft tall bits.the movie was ok in my opinion. I have kindle that I love. It’s easier to travel with multiple books on kindle than dragging around the books!

March 27, 2010

We should have a kindle fan journal here; love love love mine, generation one. One caution: the thumb that I use to click for notes/definitions, etc. is having trouble. Repeating actions? I’m trying to train myself to use other fingers for all that clicking.

Hi there! Well I am glad you wrote about your opinion on your Kindle. I have been considering an E BOOK Reader for some time, but, like you, I love actual books. And going into a bookstore. I think though, it would come in handy for certain purposes! Like some of the HUGE Stephen King tomes I haul around, (ie, Under the Dome For instance) Hauling that back and forth to work was a chore!

March 27, 2010

I have a Barnes & Noble Nook, and I absolutely love it.

March 27, 2010

Check out Tehachap’s entry about Owls today. Wonderful link. A far far better thing than Llamas any old time. I’ve given up trying to nominate anyone for RC entries. It never lets me do one.

March 27, 2010

There is a lot more to Watchmen than the blue junk 🙂 Funny, I was just thinking about watching that today.

March 27, 2010

i watched the watchmen just to see the blue bits and was disappointed. you had me expecting grander things as far as blue men go.

March 27, 2010

RYN: Thanks for the info. I didn’t know the screen wasn’t lit. I’m not sure if I would like that. It’s so much easier for me to read on a computer screen than a book nowadays. I wonder if the bigger one is backlit…

March 27, 2010

I got a Kindle for Christams too. So far I haven’t used it yet 😛 No time to read.

Thanks for your note. 🙂

March 28, 2010

i have no idea what a kindle is so im going to google it lol

March 28, 2010

ok i googled the kindle and its actually very kewl, i can see why you like it.

March 28, 2010

😉

March 28, 2010

I also was drawn in by the llama reference, lol. Only because I have a sad liking for the Llama song, you know; here’s a Llama, there’s a lama and another little Llama, here’s a Llama, there’s a Llama, Llama Llama duck! If you have never heard said song – google it while you’re feeling distracted, it’s good fun, LOL. Oh and I like the notes change 🙂

ryn Thank you. Your note was very informative. I’m sure my readers will think so as well. ~

One quick suggestion to the new notes scrolling feature: you have “first” “previous” and “next” but no button to get us to our very first notes. Is this an easy fix to add? I have over 20 000 pages of notes. It would take quite a while to get to the beginning! : )

ryn I didn’t say it wasn’t. I know it is. I also know that Mr. Zuckerman is not using that information to get the goods on me from other Facebook users. I’m sorry, but no matter how you try to make it sound, reading a FO entry that you do not have my permission to view is creepy and voyeuristic. Stop doing it. My public entries are goldmine for rules-lawyering; if you feel the need, do it to them.

Believe it or not, I’m not plotting your or anyone else’s demise in any of those FO entries. The only people who SHOULD have complaints about my FO entries are my Friends. I’m not hearing anything from them, and I’m dead sure you aren’t, either. I’m sorry; I don’t see any reason or justification for you to read my FO entries. As I said, if you MUST rules-lawyer my diary, do the public entries.

I keep on receiving the following message every time I want to write something on my diary: As an anti-spam measure, new diaries can not post links for the first seven days. Click the button to go to The Open Diary home page, or your back button to return to where you came from. Kindly, tell me what to do. Regards.

Dear DM, please explain. I’m hearing some very unsettling things… that YOU can view FO entries and private entries? What is the point of privacy settings? Honestly.

March 29, 2010

hey! thanks so much for the note! and yea we thought Gilligan was a cute name for a beagle. haha. We got it from the show Gilligan’s Island. btw ur diary is pretty neat. how did u get the column part on the right… thats pretty neat. ttys!

March 29, 2010

The limitations on RC are a good move – those click-happy RCers cheapened the status of RC, and made me less likely to read it of late. I must admit, I’m curious whether you read more books or more diaries… even just out of professional interest?

March 29, 2010

wheres the llamas?

March 29, 2010

u should read the watchmen graphic novel btw. so much better than the movie

Thanks for all your work! I’m *very* glad for the change to RC entries! I did prefer the old way of paging through notes though. I have several thousand notes. And when I’m looking for one (or a group of them), for example, that I think is somewhere in the middle, or towards the first notes I ever got, it is very inconvenient to have to click through every single page of notes to get there. I’m an OD+ member so I have the ability to search notes, but often I can’t remember exactly what I’m looking for. I’d rather be able to click on the group of notes I think it might be in, like I could before. The pages also make it harder to guess the location of the note than the groups of 50 did. I feel like I have to read through them all to find what I want. I never had a problem with slow loading. But I do appreciate all your thought and work. Would it maybe be possible to add a “Go to Page” feature of some kind? That would help, at least.

I know that you’re a wonderful administrator and your volunteer admin team does a great job, and you hardly need me, or anyone else, defending you. But I appreciate the quiet and definitive way you handled the situation on Temakric’s diary. Thank you for all your hard work. Some of us DO appreciate you, and all you do.

March 30, 2010

I just loaded Google Chrome on my Mac – and when I select an entry as “friends only” – the option to choose WHICH friends does not appear. Is it possible to fix that?

March 30, 2010

I don’t think I’d much like “watchmen.” naked guys are one thing; I kinda like them; naked blue guys? Not so much… I’ve been reticent about buying an e-reader like a kindle, but the more I hear about them, the more I think I might like one. I’d like to actually SEE one and hold it and all before buying one though. 🙂

Wow… Thank you for the note. After all this, which I didn’t at all intend by my entry, I think I need a nap. Something. Its nice to know you’re out there, even if we don’t always agree with every single thing you do. And its nice to know my stand is appreciated. Sincerely.

is it true that you have access to private entries?

I just wanted to say I think all this nonsense about ‘Temmy’ and Tender Lumpling is just a group of friends who don’t have enough to do in life. I think you provide a wonderful outlet and I am thankful for it. I just wanted to include a note of thanks and praise in what is probably a sea of bashing and complaining. Jen

Just been reading an entry about you and another OD’er. Can you read my private entries?

aww bruce, you’ve gone done pissed off the masses again. Why are some of the ODers so insane? eh…

March 30, 2010

The new note thing makes it a bit hard to look at old notes, but I suppose there’s always the note search function. Thanks for all the great work.

March 30, 2010

Just read the entry about you jumping over the line. I’ve been here since about a year after OD started, with multiple diary names and incarnations, stopped for a few years but I kept coming back… not so sure I am coming back anymore. Too far, way too far.

Hey DM, I read the entry on the main page regarding the issue of your being able to read our private entries, etc. The issue I found disturbing, actually, in her entry was the fact that the person who was stalking Jennifer Garner and has been arrested (thanks to your help!) still has a diary on this site that is visible. I was not aware of that situation, but you need to delete that diary. Please.It is very disturbing and that man’s mental illness and cause are still being read. Thanks!

Can you trace unsigned notes?

July 16, 2010

I’d appreciate it if you would come to my diary and read my entry AND my notes. I heard from X and replied with this: “Hello, X. I have written to the help desk numerous times. I get acknowledgment that my complaint has been received and that you’ll look into it, but I never hear anything after that. I think one person being allowed to regularly spam the RC section is abuse of the spirit of the site. I’ll read DM’s entry now, but if you take a look at my notes section, you will see that my complaint is shared by many others. RC shouldn’t become a place for diatribes. It should be a place for higher thought (NOT copying & pasting your favorite political pundit) and thoughtful reasoning. Instead, it has become a soapbox for left & right wing extremists and political nuts on both sides. I suppose hoping for more is futile, as is getting any real resolution on this matter from the help desk.” There are many of us who want RC to reach a little higher. Three nominations per person gets a bit much when three or four of them band together to spam the place.

Thanks for the link here. This is the FIRST that I have heard officially from OD that there is a limit. (I tend not to believe the word of whiners). And I’m guessing that the other 200,000 writers have not heard of this limit either, so how will they know about it if they do not read your diary here? I do not read your diary here every week, so glad you sent this link here. thanks.