[citation][nom]ProDigit80[/nom]what about adding a poll on some topics?I find "the question at the end of every article" just plainly stupid!Noone really cares about the question, but the article,and noone cares about the answer neither.I understand toms need to be funded, and gets a lot through advertising.Ads only bring up when people are visiting them or at least seeing them.So let's try people to reply to topics so pages will be loaded at least twice (once before the post, and once after the post).The questions at the end of the topic really disgust me.I mean, the day you can send an author that will either reply the answered question, or write us an article what you did with the feedback gained, (EG:went to MS,and gave them feedback; helped firefox to become more userfriendly through the comments posted on toms, etc...) I will start answering those ridiculous questions.Often those questions makes me NOT answer to the topic!It should be more than obvious users should be able to comment and make their own conclusions out of the article and write about them,not an artificial "yes we agree", or "I'll tell you what you asked even if noone ever will read the reply I write, and in no way is constructive in society".I am very happy though that my voice about Win Vista was heard here, and many people started realizing that Vista is not what it promised to be (with it's speed and response issues).As well as power saving issues, making users more power efficient aware (choosing the right pc).I'm sure a lot of manufacturers like Asus take a peek here from time to time in their R&D phases of new products.(despite being Japs)Toms is a great place to let a voice be heard,and has helped push the market a lot, making users aware of good buys, and thus efficiently raising the market quality of producs through user votes and information.A lot of articles are crappy indeed. Some not even looking professional and degrading the integrity of toms (like those porn articles).[/citation]
Hey there,
I'm not sure if this was directed at Tuan's Question of the Day or my style of asking questions in each post. Tuan has already responded but here's my two cents:
For one, I think you're wrong to suggest no one cares. Like I said, the community aspect is a big deal for us. The forums are a place where you guys hang out, talk tech and help each other with hardware/home-builds/consumer electronics problems or questions. I think adding an outlet for you guys to express your opinion on current events is a great step.
The volume of comments we get on some stories is astounding and this is, almost 100% of the time, directly proportional to how much we ourselves get involved. Sure, I ask "what do you think?" in some way or another at the end of my articles, but I also leave my own opinion and actively take part in the comments. Whether it's agreeing/disagreeing or conceding that I am wrong, many readers appreciate that we take the time away from providing the content to take part in/keep discussions going and mildy interesting (as opposed to "FIRST" "fAkE!" and "OMG FIRRRRST")
As for the question of the day ... I'll try to keep it short because Tuan has already answered this but I have to say, I have never disagreed more with a reader in all my time here at Tom's. As Tuan said, hundreds of people care enough to comment and whether or not the QOTD pieces or my own endeavor to bring the readers closer to the content rub you up the wrong way, plenty of people are interested in honest to goodness discussions on the topics posed.
If you don't care, don't respond. Let other people carry the discussion the way they want to. We know by looking at our own numbers that encouraging reader discussion garners more of a response in the comments (simply SHOCKING) and does not drive all of you away. You may not like it and I'm positive there are plenty who don't, but the majority of people seem to like it or at least remain open to it.
All of that said, we definitely appreciate the fact that you've taken the time to comment. This post was as much to check back with you guys to see how you like what we're doing here as it was asking if you'd like to see us do blogs. Every single comment will be (and has been thus far) read by all of the staff editors and criticisms remind us to keep things in check.
Is mise le meas/with respect,
Jane McEntegart
Editor