QOTD: Do You Want Reader Submitted Content?

[Judguh]

i wouldn't mind seeing how other people tweak their stuff... but again, i agree with how that should stay in the forums - just make it more... renowned? more noticable? it's own section on the home page?

 

[rags_20]

I'm fine with it if it is added as a Forum and not as news. We see a lot of new stuff in the Forum. There could be a separate Forum for this purpose so people really don't have to write articles but give links and other not-so-professional write-ups. I'm sure moderators are aware of the news getting posted in the forum.

 

[LuxZg]

Umm, I don't think that forum-type of user content is good. Too much garbage will be there eventualy.

It should be a separate section, and articles would be posted there ONLY after being read and approved by an editor from Tom's staff. So only a well writen articles get published.

As an incentive, the "best of" would be linked on a front page, and those authors would perhaps get a small amount of "compensation".. or an offer to become a part of Tom's staff.

 

[bpogdowz]

Too many newbies use this site for a learning tool and I think randoms diggs from trolls would get even more confusing for a viewer using the best video cards for the money resource. Our life doesn't revolve around this web site and it's an even greater waste of time and a distraction from the folks trying to study computers.

 

[spud]

As long as I can babble about nothing, well within reason you got my vote.

-Spud

 

[Guest]

Im sure someone else has written something similar before me, im too lazy to read through them all right now, but still, it would be a good thing IF there were people maintaining a certain quality of the user submitted information. If just anyone can post whatever they want too, then... Well, i don't think i have to say that it wouldn't be good. I don't mean to complain... Actually, i do, but still. Some of the articles have a certain sense of mediocracy to them, and that's stuff posted by "professionals" just imagine what it would be like with "amateurs" posting, and then being cleared by said professionals... Im not so sure about this, now that i've thought about it loudly. Well, as long as you keep it separate from the normal THG site it doesn't matter, i suppose.

- Yes, i know i sound like a mean spirited bitch, and im sorry, i just want THG to be what it once was = Great.

 

[LoboBrancoTimido]

I think its a bad idea, fanboys would spam the site, keep user content in the forums.
You guys already have problems with typos and other stuff so why overload the staff even more?
Anyway if TH actualy goes with amateur content keep the main RSS feed of the site clean of that, make a separate RSS, I don't want to read spam or fanboys.

 

[nerrawg]

[citation][nom]randomizer[/nom]Keep it to the forums, or if you are going to have user submitted content, then as previously suggested it should be in its own section CEALRY stating that it is USER submitted content.[/citation]

Agree, however I think that the forums could maybe use some more organization. Its good that they give people an opportunity to discuss all sorts of issues.

"Reference" Sections?

However I would love to see a sort of "Reference" section for each of the individual sections (i.e. CPU, Overclocking, Graphics cards .. etc.) and ideally the only topics in these sections will be well formulated results and testing or build ideas, like some those that have been made to stickies now, only with no reply options. These topics would have to include the appropriate facts and proofs (i.e. CPUZ pics, bios screenshots etc.) and also they would only get moved to these sections by moderators.

The reason I think this would be helpful is because there are some threads in the forum that have really helpful info that haven't been made stickies, and would not be appropriate as stickies anyway,

One such example:

There was one really good thread in graphics with a guy who built a 3 way 4850 CF solution using a 4850X2 and a 4850. It was excellent because he showed a variety of benchies and you could really see some valuable scaling at 1920x1080. However it shouldn't be a sticky in the Graphics section because it is too specialized - but on the other hand it is impossible to find now in masses of he say/she say fan boy polls and other trivial whatnots.

So guys what do you think about making special sections to include more valuable and factual threads as technical reference material for the rest of us?

 

[mdillenbeck]

Like so many others, I don't think it is a good idea to put user generated content on the main site.

For example, take the questions of the day or some of the more opinion-laden pieces that have appeared on Tom's - do these really belong in the news feed section? I don't think so. There should be a news feed, and opinion feed, and QOTD should be in a front page linked forum so that features like polls could be implemented.

For hardware reviews, I am a proponent of a collaborative wiki. There citations or documented evidence should be required, and each article would cover a specific piece of hardware or comparison.

For example, if I do a comparison of frame rates of graphics cards, I should define my test bed and what identical actions were performed on each card. If I used a script of particular program, these should be named and/or provided. Screen captures should be provided, preferably in video format, to back up my claims. If someone should replicate my testing procedures, then they could add their content to my article and update it if the conclusions have changed.

I guess what I am trying to say is there is a place and method for presenting anything - and when trying to maintain a reputation for quality, a company needs to carefully consider how the content is laid out. If news is about how such-and-such "sucks", or is filled with QOTDs, what does that say about how the company perceives "news"? If vaguely defined and seemingly opinion based content from casual users are presented in the same format as strictly controlled tests, what does that say about how the company perceives "reviews"? Blur the lines, and all content will be judged based on the poorest quality set - something I don't think Tom's wants to see happen.

 

[jhgoodwin]

As long as the content is screened for quality and accuracy. If wild claims are made, they should have to be verified before being posted for everyone to read.

 

[Guest]

I think its a good idea, so long as the user-content was in a seperate section on the main page. Also, there would need to be some system of organization so that readers could find a review sorted by date, manufacturer (of the reviewed item), price, and finally a search box to find specific items

 

[wira020]

yea kewl... like talking bout W1MAX, it's already implemented here in Malaysia... u know, wifi covering the whole city... a few city here is getting coverage... bet you guys dont know bout it yet... i mean i read bout W1MAX in one of the article but it's still not implemented in US... we could give first hand review bout that... or perhaps some Japanese with their technological wonders would write bout their country's tech advancement... that will be true borderless news and articles... globalization and stuff... and filtering it would be best.. maybe readers submit their articles and then you publish the best one for the week or days or month at the front page... while the rest would still be accessible but at a different section so it wont crowd the front page... i think this is a great idea...

 

[69camaroSS]

No. It would add little value, and make me have to worry about the actual results.

 

[teh_boxzor]

I think Toms should pull good topics off of the forums. and with the THG staff elaborate on that topic or test the arguements in said topic. Would be great for the community and it would be fun to see who is right and wrong...

 

[guhland]

No

 

[Guest]

As long as it's professional looking I wouldn't mind reading.
However,in the past there have been a few articles a bit 'shit' 'porn' and 'fuck' aimed, as well as articles that turn out to be totally uninformative...
In this I like Tomshardware.com/uk better. Their articles show more professionalism,and are very informative.

I think it not a step forward, if by adding 10 articles per day, we have to wade through 8 uninformative or non professional looking ones.
I'd rather have 9/10 good articles, than 13/20 per day.

 

[Azimuth01]

It would be good to read, but the content would have to be moderated. Some kid should be allowed to post that the latest keyboard is the best because it's purple with lights....there should be more informed information then that.
Maybe have a forum section where users can submit their stories, and moderators pick the best to be displayed on the main site.

 

[mamw93]

That would be nice. Tom's does most of everything new and good but maybe some of the stuff that is still in great use (like 8800GT's) need to have more spotlight then they do now.

 

[Maclin1682]

Assuming you can speak to the various concerns already noted, it would be a nice addition. I am especially interested in your article about older HP servers used for home servers, there are lots of older machines that could run Linux and be fast NAS, essentially recycling. I think that would be an area where it might be more practical to let those out there doing it comment and share methods and the like.

 

[talys]

Tom's Hardware should have a user article blog with a "recommended diaries" concept like political site DailyKOS. Basically, the 10 or so highest recomended (thumbs up) articles are placed on top; each user can only recomend a diary once, and over time, the point count decreases, dropping it from the rec list and allowing new articles to get onto the list.

 

[oldmangamer]

Yes, as long as the content is subject to the same editing standards as other content.

 

[JMcEntegart]

[citation][nom]ProDigit80[/nom]As long as it's professional looking I wouldn't mind reading.However,in the past there have been a few articles a bit 'shit' 'porn' and 'fuck' aimed, as well as articles that turn out to be totally uninformative...In this I like Tomshardware.com/uk better. Their articles show more professionalism,and are very informative.I think it not a step forward, if by adding 10 articles per day, we have to wade through 8 uninformative or non professional looking ones.I'd rather have 9/10 good articles, than 13/20 per day.[/citation]

Being the .co.uk editor, I'm interesting in hearing which articles you think are more professional/informative!

 

[g0rilla]

Only if it is good and adds something of value to the site. If reader submitted articles are just there to say you have reader submitted content, don't waste yours or our time.

 

[g0rilla]

Only if the user submitted content adds something of great value - something that is not seen on the forums. If it is there just to say you have user submitted content, don't waste yours or our time.

 

[ravenlord]

only if you eliminate morons....
and you know who they are... they say nothing, add nothing, contribute nothing...
Even a curse-laden rant is good for the soul if it makes a valid intelligent point, or if it is amusing...failure in any of these 2 categories should kick you out, period!