Requesting feedback on a new feature suggestion.

[Manu]

Hello friends and neighbors!

We recently got a suggestion for a new feature and I wanted to share it here and get your feedback on the idea.

The idea was that we would make a link at the top of each story category page that says "Read A Random Story In This Category", or something along those lines. Then, when a user clicked on the link, the link would just go to some random story in the category.

The logic behind this is that we have published so many stories that some readers may be more likely to read the stories at the top of the category simply because they are the first ones listed. If we had a "random" link, then it would give readers the chance to read a random story (in that category) and it would give authors a chance to have their stories, which may be listed further down the category, be read more often, hopefully.

There would be no other changes to the way things are sorted (we are working on some improvements to the pagination for the future as well), just a single link at the top of each category page that would offer a link to a random story.

Do you think this is a good idea or a bad one, and why?

Before we make changes, we want to get some feedback and see if it's something that Literoticans want of if it's something that they'd rather not see. Let your comments and questions fly!

Thanks about a million!

 

[nasty]

I think it's a good idea, because I know, I don't want to shift through 15,(or is it more,?)pages of incest stories.

 

[p_p_man]

I'm all for it.

You're right. Stories at the top of a list tend to get read leaving the others unnoticed (unless a particular reader is popular).

This way will uncover all those hidden gems that rarely get a chance.

 

[p_p_man]

Re: I'm all for it.

(unless a particular reader is popular).

Sorry. "writer".

 

[Bob Peale]

It makes sense. The volume here has really gotten incredible - this would give people a chance to discover new writers.

 

[Natalie Nessus]

 

[naudiz]

Damned fine idea. Sometimes when I'm browsing categories, I just start clicking links at random to see what's good. A feature like this would give those names toward the bottom of those long lists a chance to get discovered.

 

[Merelan]

And yet another fine suggestion from the boss.
I vote yes, if this is a voting society.

 

[pabloback]

great idea , can you start with one of mine?
the alpahbetical format penalises us that dont start our names with the letter a

 

[chatbug]

Another alternative

I don't want to throw cold water on the idea of a random story link, but if we want to expose the stories that aren't being seen, how about a list called something like "Hidden Surprises" with the stories within a topic listed in order of fewest page views, then reverse alphabetical if the page views are the same?

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Go the random links...

Hey Manu... werent you the guy that never posted?

When did you go and do a swap with WH, did we not see that tag?

 

[BlondGirl]

Yes--excellent idea.

It has never occurred to me before, but can we search the stories by numbers of hits or date or popularity or length or any other of the multitude of various ways of categorizing things?

 

[It'sasecret]

Hey I hope you don't mind me posting another idea here. I suggested it awhile ago but got no feed back so maybe no one liked it but here goes........ I think the avatar that was used when a poster made a post should remain in that post. So if you change avatars the one you were using at that time will appear in the post you made at that time. Sometimes people make references to their avatars then change them and then post no longer makes sense. What does everyone think?

 

[thumbs2_ca]

great idea

I vote yes on that Manu.

It'sasecret that is a good idea too but I think problems in handling as everything is tied to your character. For example: When you make a post it is updates your total on all your posts.

 

[It'sasecret]

I see your point Thumbs, but maybe something can be done. It was just an idea.

 

[MissTaken]

Great Idea!!!!

I don't read stories as often as I might because there are so many to sift through.

A random story link would be great.

I am wondering though, could you add to that link "other recommended readings" or something of that nature. Could even categorize those by "New" "Ratings" ..........

I find the story index to be rather overwhelming.

 

[pabloback]

how about the rating next to each story , that way the good ones are easier to find

 

[bluntforcemama]

I think that's a GREAT idea! That way stories that aren't at the beginning of the alphabet or on the toplists will get more exposure as well. I think that's fantastic! I'll probably be a "random story button" junkie.


pb... aren't the ratings already next to the story?

 

[MissTaken]

Another great idea, pablo....

regarding the avatars.

 

[batter]

makes sense to me!

definitely two thumbs up

Manu...You da Man!
i know it is makes it very difficult to catch up on older stories.
the idea of reading a "random" sounds very practical.

 

[Renegade]

Sounds like a great idea. Best of luck getting that working soon.

Maybe now I'll actualy read one of the stories here.

 

[Ask For More]

Thumbs up

Good stuff

 

[luv2tvl69]

I would like that...it also give some stories at the end of the list a chance to be read...It is human nature to start at the top, and with sooo many wonderful stories the ones appearing at the bottom may not get seen.
GREAT IDEA!

 

[Guest]

This is a great idea!

I find myself doing a sort of "random" search when I choose to reread books I own. I'll close my eyes and then run my finger along the edges of the books until I stop on one. Whatever I pick, I read.

 

[Skibum]

It's not a feature that I would use, but it might get some more exposure for stories that have been "buried".