Incest/Taboo Toplist is FROZEN

[ChiShyGuy]

Hey All,

Has anybody else noticed that the Incest/Taboo toplist is absolutely frozen?

The last 30 days list seems to stay current, but the last 12 months and All-Time list don't update AT ALL.

I actually confirmed this by going to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. I compared the Last-12-Months toplist from today with the 'Last-12-Months' toplist from a snapshot taken April 20th.

There hasn't been a single change. Many of the stories are actually dated far beyond 12 months. For example, the top spot 'Threads: The Island' was posted in December of 2011 (21 months ago).

The All-Time toplist is similarly frozen.

I've checked the other categories, and they all seem to be updating consistently in all three categories (Last 30 days, Last 12 Months, and All Time), but Incest/Taboo seems very, very broken.

I've messaged both Laurel and Manu on this, but haven't heard anything back.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yup, and its been reported repeatedly. I doubt its ever going to update properly.

I have a story in the twelve month and the all time and it reflects it from when it had around 2200 votes, it now has well over 3200 and that did not happen overnight, that vote total is a year old at least.

The 30 day works fine, then a black hole to the 12month. I have three that were on the 30, belong on the 12 month, but just vanish.

Nothing you can do about it, because, well, they don;t seem to care about it.

 

[Handley_Page]

Yup, and its been reported repeatedly. I doubt its ever going to update properly.


Nothing you can do about it, because, well, they don;t seem to care about it.

Perhaps that should be: "They have more pressing matters to attend to" ?

 

[lovecraft68]

Perhaps that should be: "They have more pressing matters to attend to" ?

Yes they do, like upgrades that most of us see little to no effect from and never ask for. Meanwhile a good portion of the site either does not work, or has never worked.

Its the equivalent of going out and buy a hot tub, when the hot water in your house doesn't work.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've checked the other categories, and they all seem to be updating consistently in all three categories (Last 30 days, Last 12 Months, and All Time), but Incest/Taboo seems very, very broken.

At least one of the Lesbian toplists is also broken. The one here is updating OK, but the top-50 here has been frozen for at least a year.

 

[Darkniciad]

That's at least some more information.

The 12 month appears to be working properly for Lesbian Sex - for now. The 12 month for incest was working properly for a while after the all-time buggered up.

Anyone notice other all-time toplists where the first page isn't updating?

I'll try to go through them all tonight at some point and look for the tell-tale signs, but any that you can point out will make that quicker.

The more information there is, the more likely a fix can be found.

 

[ScouriesWorld]

FYI: MANU purposely "froze" the all-time INCEST list over a year ago. Both he and the QUEEN are trying to disguise the fact that INCEST stories are accumulating such huge vote totals while their "favorites" NH, SCI FI and NE stories have trouble getting 25 votes let alone 2500.

 

[Darkniciad]

Almost forgot about this, so at least Captain Ego's alt did something worthwhile for once by bumping this thread - regardless of whatever drivel he bumped it with.

Incest is the most broken. The all-time toplist first page is and has been dead for ages. The 12 month toplist also isn't dropping stories once they reach the end of the 12 month limit, and appears to be completely broken as well.

The following categories all exhibit the same issues, which may very well be a precursor to falling into the same condition as Incest soon. Only time will tell.

BDSM, Lesbian Sex, Transexuals and Crossdressers.

For those three categories, the first page of the all-time toplist has ceased to update.

The 12-month lists - while they appear to be dropping stories that have gone past the 12 month limit - are not properly sorting the list according to vote totals in descending order for stories with the same score.

Either that, or they're taking into account decimal places not displayed, but it seems unlikely, since none of the "working" toplists exhibit this behavior. Most likely, this is a symptom that could be used to track down the bug.

Sending the PM.

 

[ChiShyGuy]

Sort of an Answer

So,

I plan on taking down my Afflicted series because it is languishing due to the toplists being broken. I'm not saying I'll make #1, but my scores are certainly competitive enough to put some of the chapters up on the top-12-months and top-all-time.

I tried to post an essay about how I was likely going to take the series down due to the toplists being so broken. The essay was rejected with the following verbiage:

"This is better suited to our Author's Hangout forum: http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3 FYI, we're aware of the Toplists issue and have been working to fix it. The Toplists script was built by a programmer years ago who his no longer available, and our current programmer is working to rebuild the faulty code from the bottom up. This takes time. Sorry for the inconvenience, and feel free to remove your stories for whatever reasons you see fit."

So, at least there's something of an answer, for anyone who is interested.

Coming up on 2 years now... that is some very, very, very broken code.

 

[TheLordWinter]

Coming up on 2 years now... that is some very, very, very broken code.

Extremely broken code, especially for a website. This is disappointing news.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

What a bunch of moaners and whiners.

You think the top list is the be all end all of Lit? If you have a following, they they most likely don't pay attention to the stupid top lists. If they do, they are no better than you.

My, my, my so you think your good enough to even be in the top lists? I don't know, as I have never, ever looked at the top lists. Ever.

If I want good stories to read, I use the search page and check the H, E, W boxes. Now there's a top list I look at.

 

[TheLordWinter]

What a bunch of moaners and whiners.

You think the top list is the be all end all of Lit? If you have a following, they they most likely don't pay attention to the stupid top lists. If they do, they are no better than you.

My, my, my so you think your good enough to even be in the top lists? I don't know, as I have never, ever looked at the top lists. Ever.

If I want good stories to read, I use the search page and check the H, E, W boxes. Now there's a top list I look at.

Baseless attacks in the face of a civil discussion get you cast into the abyss of ignore hell for eternity. See you later, jackass.

Oh wait... that's right... I won't.

 

[ChiShyGuy]

What a bunch of moaners and whiners.

If you have a following, they they most likely don't pay attention to the stupid top lists. If they do, they are no better than you.

My, my, my so you think your good enough to even be in the top lists? I don't know, as I have never, ever looked at the top lists. Ever.

If I want good stories to read, I use the search page and check the H, E, W boxes. Now there's a top list I look at.

Zeb,

There are a half a million stories on Literotica (I think that is roughly the current number), and 2.5 million visitors to Literotica every month. To trust them to find a story or series based on a red H, E, or W after a search is a total crapshoot with lottery-level odds.

The top lists are the closest thing to the New York Times bestseller list that Literotica has. I can trace a direct and abrupt decline in the number of people viewing, voting, and commenting on my series to the day that the last chapter fell off the 30-day top list (which is the only top list that is still functioning in Incest/Taboo).

Contrary to what you say, the top list is pretty much the only 'focusing' element of the site and to make it there helps differentiate your stories from the rest. There's a reason why bestseller lists are important to writers, whether it is the New York Times, or Oprah's Book Club, or anywhere - because it means more readers.

I guess, yes, I do think I'm good enough to make the top list, since all of my chapters were on it at some point. I know that you've had some there, and you posted about it in 2009.

I've always taken the approach that I won't post my stories up on Lit forever. If I stop getting votes, favorites, views, and comments for a big chunk of time then I take a story down. There's just something about it floating out there in internet limbo that makes me uncomfortable.

I guess in publishing terms, you would say that I prefer to see it go out of print. The top lists make a difference with this, so I'm stating my reasons.

 

[sr71plt]

The top lists are the closest thing to the New York Times bestseller list that Literotica has. I can trace a direct and abrupt decline in the number of people viewing, voting, and commenting on my series to the day that the last chapter fell off the 30-day top list (which is the only top list that is still functioning in Incest/Taboo).

Contrary to what you say, the top list is pretty much the only 'focusing' element of the site and to make it there helps differentiate your stories from the rest. There's a reason why bestseller lists are important to writers, whether it is the New York Times, or Oprah's Book Club, or anywhere - because it means more readers.

I think they probably are, yes--for the general reader. There are niche authors with followings that never make the top list but have a good readership. But for the general reader, yes, I think the top lists are important--if they are reliable. Several have pointed out that many of them haven't been reliable for years. It isn't whining to point to this, I think. It doesn't spin out too far, though, because, as also noted, the Web site administrators don't put much more effort than really rare explanations into fixing it. They are content with dumping customer service response on the Web site users.

So, you pretty much have a choice of not caring all that much about story placement and still getting a big readership or taking your stories to some site that maintains the functions it claims to provide. You probably won't find the readership at any other site that you have here, despite the nonfunctional aspects, though.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Baseless attacks in the face of a civil discussion get you cast into the abyss of ignore hell for eternity. See you later, jackass.

Oh wait... that's right... I won't.

Oh, wait, you won't see this reply. Your loss.

Zeb,

There are a half a million stories on Literotica (I think that is roughly the current number), and 2.5 million visitors to Literotica every month. To trust them to find a story or series based on a red H, E, or W after a search is a total crapshoot with lottery-level odds.

The top lists are the closest thing to the New York Times bestseller list that Literotica has. I can trace a direct and abrupt decline in the number of people viewing, voting, and commenting on my series to the day that the last chapter fell off the 30-day top list (which is the only top list that is still functioning in Incest/Taboo).

Contrary to what you say, the top list is pretty much the only 'focusing' element of the site and to make it there helps differentiate your stories from the rest. There's a reason why bestseller lists are important to writers, whether it is the New York Times, or Oprah's Book Club, or anywhere - because it means more readers.

I guess, yes, I do think I'm good enough to make the top list, since all of my chapters were on it at some point. I know that you've had some there, and you posted about it in 2009.

I've always taken the approach that I won't post my stories up on Lit forever. If I stop getting votes, favorites, views, and comments for a big chunk of time then I take a story down. There's just something about it floating out there in internet limbo that makes me uncomfortable.

I guess in publishing terms, you would say that I prefer to see it go out of print. The top lists make a difference with this, so I'm stating my reasons.

All this may be true, but to whine about it here...and then say you're going to take down you stories because the top lists aren't working...that's just childish.

A PM to Manu would be better. Then maybe you might find out why and that the reason they aren't being fixed is because there is something so much better coming along.

As for your readership...if they know who you are they will come, no matter the state of the top list. If they don't know who you are, I do agree, if the top lists aren't working properly, they won't find you.

But you do what you want...let us know how that works out for you. No I really mean that. Tell me about another site that has better top lists? Where I don't have to register first.

 

[ChiShyGuy]

Oh, wait, you won't see this reply. Your loss.

All this may be true, but to whine about it here...and then say you're going to take down you stories because the top lists aren't working...that's just childish.

A PM to Manu would be better. Then maybe you might find out why and that the reason they aren't being fixed is because there is something so much better coming along.

As for your readership...if they know who you are they will come, no matter the state of the top list. If they don't know who you are, I do agree, if the top lists aren't working properly, they won't find you.

But you do what you want...let us know how that works out for you. No I really mean that. Tell me about another site that has better top lists? Where I don't have to register first.

I did PM Manu, twice. No response. And Laurel - no response.

As I pointed out, the site admins recommended that I post my thoughts here, in the Author Hangout.

I don't know if I will find a better site. My point is, it doesn't matter if my stories are up here if the toplists aren't working. My number of readers won't increase without the toplists. That's been my point all along.

And Zeb, I don't know you, but I don't understand why you are so abrasive in your comments. In this thread you have used the terms, 'childish', 'moaners', and 'whiners'. I just don't get it. Would you talk to me that way if we met face to face? That's the way I try to deport myself on forums; treat people the same way I would as if I was speaking to them in person.

 

[TheLordWinter]

And Zeb, I don't know you, but I don't understand why you are so abrasive in your comments. In this thread you have used the terms, 'childish', 'moaners', and 'whiners'. I just don't get it. Would you talk to me that way if we met face to face? That's the way I try to deport myself on forums; treat people the same way I would as if I was speaking to them in person.

Where I'm from, we call guys like that Unvarnished Pricks, and they get about as much attention as a two year old crying for a piece of candy five minutes before suppertime. Get used to using the ignore feature, there's plenty more asshats like him around here, unfortunately. I have several on that list already.

 

[Handley_Page]

May I ask a really innocent question ?

Why is the 'toplist' (or whatever it's called) so important to an author?
Surely, the thing here is to write, learn and write better?

 

[TheLordWinter]

May I ask a really innocent question ?

Why is the 'toplist' (or whatever it's called) so important to an author?
Surely, the thing here is to write, learn and write better?

Read through the thread carefully, and you'll have your answer, HP. It's already been stated.

 

[sr71plt]

May I ask a really innocent question ?

Why is the 'toplist' (or whatever it's called) so important to an author?
Surely, the thing here is to write, learn and write better?

Because being listed there genuinely increases the readership. I think to be read and making an arousing connection is a higher motivation here than to learn or write better. You're making quite a big assumption that all writers post here to develop their writing. I'll bet most just want to get themselves and others off by making a connection with what they think is an arousing story. This isn't advertised as a writing development or critique site. You're making false assumptions, I think that most are here to hone their writing.

 

[patientlee]

That's at least some more information.

The 12 month appears to be working properly for Lesbian Sex - for now. The 12 month for incest was working properly for a while after the all-time buggered up.

Anyone notice other all-time toplists where the first page isn't updating?

I'll try to go through them all tonight at some point and look for the tell-tale signs, but any that you can point out will make that quicker.

The more information there is, the more likely a fix can be found.

Nah. I'm not a top list kinda girl.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't see this as whining.

A site has a feature and its not a lot to ask that it works. I think a lot of people search for stories via the top list and if you are someone who should have some things up there, but don;t due to malfunctions it can be frustrating

@Zeb as for searching for stories with W's H's and E's how does the person find them? I can be wrong, but I don't think you can search by W/H/E.

Now where you can find those are......

Top lists. Because obviously the top lists are stories that mostly have H's and many W's are found there. E's are harder to fond because generally the scores are lower on those.

Your attack on the OP is a little out of line especially coming from someone who has locked off their voting to keep their H's. So don't get on your horse and pretend things like this don't matter to you.

 

[lovecraft68]

Because being listed there genuinely increases the readership. I think to be read and making an arousing connection is a higher motivation here than to learn or write better. You're making quite a big assumption that all writers post here to develop their writing. I'll bet most just want to get themselves and others off by making a connection with what they think is an arousing story. This isn't advertised as a writing development or critique site. You're making false assumptions, I think that most are here to hone their writing.

Translation:

This is my pretentious answer that top lists are meaningless because I am not on any of them, therefore no good stories can be found there and all writers there are hacks because I am the best, but can't find a top list with a GPS.

More sour grapes from lits resident phoney.

 

[RejectReality]

I've passed along all the possible information I can. It appears that in attempting to puzzle out the code and find the bug, the current programmers have decided it would be easier to start from scratch.

If you've never been in the position of trying to fix someone else's janky code, you can't possibly understand what a pain in the ass it is

It's certainly a pain for the people writing in the four categories currently affected, and it's no doubt hurting their exposure to new readers.

 

[TheLordWinter]

If you've never been in the position of trying to fix someone else's janky code, you can't possibly understand what a pain in the ass it is

Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. While I can sympathize with having to start from scratch instead of pulling out one's hair fixing someone else's fuck-up, 2 years is still a more than a little bit much... evey BY those standards.