Not quite a "Like" button

**Steve Ashton** · 16th May 13, 01:22 AM

In a recent thread in the Comment and Suggestions forum a few members asked for a "Like" button.

Some commented in that thread that a "Like" button would be helpful. Others commented that such a feature would dumb down X Marks to the level of facebook.

The Forum Moderators discussed this issue at length and along with our Code wizard have found a plug-in. This plug-in is not exactly a "Like" button. It was originally a "Thanks" button where members could thank another member for a well written or well presented post.

We have renamed this button "Aye". A way of saying congratulations, I agree, I approve and/or thank you to a fellow member.

The 'Aye' button will be found in the lower left hand corner of a post. Clicking the button will add an 'Aye' to the post.

An 'Aye' will not add to your post count. You cannot 'Aye' yourself. You cannot 'Aye' a post more than once. You cannot 'Aye' more than 5 posts in a day. You cannot 'Aye' an old or closed post.

The Staff would like you to understand that this will be for a trial period of six months. At the end of that time we will review the feature. If it has been proven to be of added value to the discussions on X Marks it will become a part of our forum. If all it has been used for is a one click way of posting *** it may be turned off.

Presented on behalf of the entire staff,

**David Thorpe** · 16th May 13, 02:11 AM

Excellent! Well thought out and adapted to the Xmarks culture, IMHO. Thanks, Steve.

**BCAC** · 16th May 13, 03:05 AM

I like it!

Two questions come to mind though.

How will you be able to tell if it has been proven to be of added value to the discussions on X Marks or if all it has been used for is a one click way of posting ***?

Why only 5 posts in a day?

**Deirachel** · 16th May 13, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

If all it has been used for is a one click way of posting *** it may be turned off.

If I may be so bold, but this is exactly what we need it for. It will eliminate the "***" posts which clutter the threads.

**David Thorpe** · 16th May 13, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by Deirachel

It will eliminate the "***" posts which clutter the threads.

I wouldn't count on that. "The Kyle" is nearly legendary here.

**unixken** · 16th May 13, 04:23 AM

Also, Steve, you said it doesn't work on an "old post". How does it define "old"? Days, Weeks, Months?

Thanks!

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 16th May 13, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by unixken

Also, Steve, you said it doesn't work on an "old post". How does it define "old"? Days, Weeks, Months?

Thanks!

Old is defined as 90 days or older. And really, an Aye on a post that old is somewhat pointless.

**sydnie7** · 16th May 13, 07:21 AM

I like it!

I've also noticed that there is a "minimum post length" which seemingly prevents a mere "***" reply. I discovered this when I tried to reply "PM sent" in a For Sale thread. This would seem to force a "***" reply to include a quote of the entire post in question, which in some cases is real overkill (huge photos, etc. when the object of the "***" is a single line of text). I have no solution or suggestion for this, just exposing it to the light as it was a forum feature of which I was previously unaware, after multiple years of posting. Obviously I have never before been accused of too short a post!

**Couper** · 16th May 13, 07:27 AM

Nice addition to the forum, Steve. I have been an active member at the largest affiliate marketing forum, ABestWeb, for nearly ten years and the same plugin was added a year or so ago over there. They kept it as "Thanks" and it has seen a good bit of use - for exactly the reasons that have been listed here.

**be da veva** · 16th May 13, 04:25 AM

Just used it on your post Steve. Nice to see who else did it too. I will make it my personnal misson to remind people who still use the infamous ''***''.