Also for Sifttalk posts, one would see a button to sticky the post, a button to award quality, and another to return a video from discussion, ect, etc.

[Edit] - Also, I do realize that invocations are listed in the comment box. Some are greyed out and there's a link to finding out more info, but I feel this isn't enough, and doesn't do much to alleviate confusion.

taskkill /f /im masturbation.exe

"but I feel invocations are archaic and clunky."

i actually like how its now some kind of commandline interface. i dont need no shiny buttons.

"Not to mention they take up far too much space in the comments section"

i agree with this part of your argument. but this problem could be solved by making the commands-comments a different category of comments, and could have an option of hiding them. (or something like that)

"The worst part is that new members seem to be unsure of what they can and can't do around here."

now the commands you cannot invoke turn grey and other commands are white, it would be better if the difference was made more clear (by just removing the comments one cannot invoke, or a strikethrough or something)

>> ^paul4dirt:
i actually like how its now some kind of commandline interface very much.

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the uniqueness of the system. I've never seen anything like it on any other website. It's kinda neat. But I feel like it's starting to outgrow itself. Like the boundaries are being pushed farther than the framework should allow.

but this problem could be solved by making the commands-comments a different category of comments, and could have an option of hiding them. (or something like that)

I mentioned earlier in another Sifttalk post that the solutions offered on here serve to complicate things further. I think this is a prime example of that.

it would be better if the difference was made more clear (by just removing the comments one cannot invoke, or a strikethrough or something)

First off, how many people actually notice those invocations in the comment box? It took me a while.

Besides, I think new members are operating on a system of "monkey see, monkey do." They see starred members invocating so they give it a try as well, and are confused to see they can't do it.

I think you're right about some of the commands. Adding a kill button to one's own videos wouldn't be a bad idea. But you have to realize that many of the commands don't really lend themselves to a button. How would you create the buttons for channel and nochannel invocations?

It's also part of the culture of VS to use invocations in creative comments. Like, "I wish I was born in the *future so I could fly with real *wings."

>> ^jonny:
How would you create the buttons for channel and nochannel invocations?

You wouldn't. You know how when you look at your own video you see a link that says "Modify video details"? I'm proposing that starred members can see that link on someone else's videos. Of course, the field to enter the title would be greyed out or not there at all.

I think instead of having words written on the buttons, a little trash can would be neat for discard. Maybe an up arrow for promote. And a word bubble for discuss.

Or perhaps I'm just a Web 2.0 fan.

*quality idea, I'm all for it. Maybe for VideoSift 3.4?

Awarding Edeot with one star point for this contribution to Sift Talk - declared quality by arvana.

Faugh, the newbies of today, with their web2.0 razzmagazz and fancy buttons! I ain't understandin' any of it! In my time we made do even without UTF-8, and none the worse for it either.

Nah, it's a good idea that I've even occasionally contemplated in the dark recesses of my mind. But I am very fond of the way siftbot always jumps to do my bidding when I add channels or promote stuff. It's also a nice gesture to have it proudly displayed in the comments who promoted what. But that could maybe be done in another way.

BTW, the *reclaimvote invocation would be perfect for testing how such a feature would work in practice.

I can't even tell why reclaimvote was implemented. I guess it's to satisfy the OCD in some people, but I don't think that's gonna get used.

I see no reason why Siftbot has to stop giving us info on the videos. He's a pillar of the site. Even if he continues commenting in the same manner that still cleans up 50% of the usual clutter we see.

Or perhaps, as you said, he can just inform us of promotes and such in another manner.

do you know how long it's taken to train siftbot? you start adding more buttons and the little fucker'll lose his tin(n)y mind. the siftpocalypse'll seem like an enjoyable day in comparison.

If you feel siftbot's comments are taking up too much space, you could always use campionidelmondo's script for merging those comments. I've been using it since it came out and it works perfectly.

http://blog.videosift.com/campionidelmondo/New-GM-Script-Merged-Siftbot-Affirmations

You're one of those guys who tossed their rotary phone for one of those fancy push-button ones, aren't you? I think all Sift commands should be executed in cursive and sent via the postal service to the site administrators.

I actually like typing *quality. It makes me feel good.

Edeot has already been awarded a star point for this post - ignoring quality request by schmawy.

http://blog.videosift.com/campionidelmondo/My-New-GM-Script-Invocation-Links

I agree with Edeot. Shiny red buttons!
No really, maybe both systems could work in tandem, where manual linux like commands can be written or windows like buttons can be pushed. To please die hard fans of the old and hippie new generation sifters.

I like typing in commands. Who's asked what new users think? Has anyone surveyed them?

Channel assignments should operate like the "Add To Playlist", where you click on it and it expands revealing all of the channels with the current state and allowing you to uncheck and check the appropriate ones.

>> ^burdturgler:
http://blog.videosift.com/campionidelmondo/My-New-GM-Script-Invoca
tion-Links


Damn, that's neat. Now see, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Why can't we have something to that effect?

I feel like you guys are clinging to your DOS boxes while GUI interfaces are marching their way in. You're the hardcore fanbase which is the foundation of any good website, but you need to think in terms of what the average user is gonna want because they outnumber you 1000:1.

Campioni's script is a much better solution, because it doesn't require having the images served by VS's cdn, which I think dag noted was the biggest financial drain.

I strongly disagree. It's a solution for whoever knows about the script. And whoever knows how to use scripts.

How many does that narrow it down to?

[Edit] - Look, it's all about appealing to the lower common denominator (Note: I did not say lowest. Don't dumb the site down). Ask your family members and friends what they would be more comfortable with. Would it encourage them to post a video?

VideoSift could be more accessible. No question. It would be good for current users and obviously new users as well. I'm sure that a simpler interface and better, more clear, consistent and apparent information would help grow the site. But what is the point? The site has traffic. It can't afford the traffic it already has.

I don't think people wanting to conveniently invoke star powers (like you suggest) or using a basic interface for throwing links into comments makes them part of any denominator .. lower lowest or otherwise. I'd click the buttons too instead of typing out a href= blah blah. But more importantly .. I don't think it will increase revenue.

If Lucky has the time and inclination .. great! I'm not saying don't improve the site but I don't see the real solution here.
Make the site better. Get more traffic. Lose more money.
I just don't get the math. How can they afford the traffic they have now?

if everyone would be using the same avatar it will save costly bandwith. think about it.

but on a more serious note: i kinda agree with the burd, streamlining videosift in a bandwith-saving / cost-cutting way should be the first priority (and i'm sure dag and lucky are already working on that), afterwards we can start thinking about shiny bandwithmunching hobbit buttons. for now i'm more than happy with the scripts Campioni is providing (and they are quite easy to use)

>> ^burdturgler:
http://blog.videosift.com/campionidelmondo/My-New-GM-Script-Invoca
tion-Links


Why not leave the option of star invoked commands but have the option of using buttons like these, which then don't eat a comment at all? You could stick the buttons where the invocations list resides now, and get rid of the description of traditional invocations entirely.

That was if you want to use invocations in some creative comment you can, but the 90% rest of the time they won't clutter up comment space.

There's no reason *invocations have to go if buttons are added but I'm pretty indifferent on this suggestion.

I do think it would be nice to squish siftbot's comments, like so.

Get rid of all that extra cruft that takes up so much vertical space. The majority of it isn't even of any use (voting, comment history, quote, profile reply, spam, ignore) on siftbot.