Why does reading front page article comments need to log-in now


Recommended Posts

I think this is possibly related to the above, it doesn't seem possible to reply to an existing comment when logged in.

When clicking the "add comment" button, the button greys out, however the comment is never submitted.

  On 09/01/2023 at 10:12, InsaneNutter said:

I think this is possibly related to the above, it doesn't seem possible to reply to an existing comment when logged in.

When clicking the "add comment" button, the button greys out, however the comment is never submitted.

Expand  

But I am not talking about reply existing comment. I am talking about basic reading the comments made by other members on the Neowin site. I mean before you can still reading the comments made by other members without log-in. And also sometimes there are not many I can add to the conversations just curious what other say for the front page articles and news posted by various writers there at Neowin. 

Was it an update to the software used by the website? Or was it because of a recent article regarding Twitter that led to this?

Before, I read comments and if I feel that I have something to share, I log in... Now, just reading atrticle comments require you to login...

  On 09/01/2023 at 03:46, Zero.Freedom said:

Why does now reading the front page articles comments need to log-in now? Even though you do not want to make comments on the articles why it it now reading others' comments require log-in? 

Expand  

Hello. We decided to hide comments from guests because I was getting fed up with the level of misrepresentation by some members about our news or the deals we post. It's annoying when it is obvious that the person who is commenting clearly has not read the article, or educated themself about the item on offer (in a deal article). Plus I don't know about you, but why should I showcase a few members constantly whining and nitpicking about things they are clearly not interested in, but feel like it is their duty to whine about it in the comments.

I want to point out that many comments are also helpful and insightful, but the negative ones usually get more traction where full blown arguments end up happening

The community forums are user generated, and at the least this much is clear to guests when they browse topics of a forum, however having members spout off about news articles going off on things they don't understand and is clearly wrong information does not add value to the site. It is for this reason more and more news websites have decided to stop allowing comments on news articles altogether (which is something I first considered).

If a guest wants the opinion of the reader on a news article, they will have to login to view it.

On the flip side, advertisers are starting to boycott websites which includes user generated content next to their ads. Our advertiser already has a different set of ads for the forums than the news, and now I can tell them that guests will never see negative comments in our news articles, which could open up higher quality advertising there, you know... to support the running costs of the site.

  On 12/01/2023 at 14:20, Steven P. said:

 

On the flip side, advertisers are starting to boycott websites which includes user generated content next to their ads. Our advertiser already has a different set of ads for the forums than the news, and now I can tell them that guests will never see negative comments in our news articles, which could open up higher quality advertising there, you know... to support the running costs of the site.

Expand  

So sketchy, if an advertiser is afraid to illicit user feedback, there's probably something seriously wrong with the services their ads are advertising. 

Those office keys you post are still sketchy, and anyone with a competent background in IT sourcing and procurement can tell you that. Your deals contact even claimed ignorance when you pressed them (and they'd have to go up the chain to ask around), only alluding to the fact that the keys are "legitimate" aka, they activate. You can find numerous complaints on the BBB and similar for Stack Commerce, particularly about the deals you post... office keys, cotsco/bj's memberships, etc...

This honestly probably will have the opposite effect of what you're hoping for. When I go to purchase a product online (from a reputable source), if there are no product reviews, comments, I steer clear and find one that do have them. Just like the OP here, nobody is going to know they have to be registered to see comments.

Hopefully you don't start deleting comments on those articles that are negative. 

 

Edited by shockz
  • Like 2
  • Facepalm 1

I've never based a purchase on reader comments of a review, I have based it on the reviews (to find out detailed information about the product) and then user posts on places like Reddit or forum posts (for actual use cases by owners). 

  On 12/01/2023 at 14:20, Steven P. said:

Hello. We decided to hide comments from guests because I was getting fed up with the level of misrepresentation by some members about our news or the deals we post. It's annoying when it is obvious that the person who is commenting clearly has not read the article, or educated themself about the item on offer (in a deal article). Plus I don't know about you, but why should I showcase a few members constantly whining and nitpicking about things they are clearly not interested in, but feel like it is their duty to whine about it in the comments.

I want to point out that many comments are also helpful and insightful, but the negative ones usually get more traction where full blown arguments end up happening. 

The community forums are user generated, and at the least this much is clear to guests when they browse topics of a forum, however having members spout off about news articles going off on things they don't understand and is clearly wrong information does not add value to the site. It is for this reason more and more news websites have decided to stop allowing comments on news articles altogether (which is something I first considered).

If a guest wants the opinion of the reader on a news article, they will have to login to view it.

On the flip side, advertisers are starting to boycott websites which includes user generated content next to their ads. Our advertiser already has a different set of ads for the forums than the news, and now I can tell them that guests will never see negative comments in our news articles, which could open up higher quality advertising there, you know... to support the running costs of the site.

Expand  

I'm struggling to understand what compelling story there was about the bathrooms at Twitter that had anything to do with technology. Sorry if people are obnoxious in discussing it, but it's a two-way street, right?  If Justin can bang on his pots and pans, we can at least talk about it. Otherwise, what's the point? Why drive your audience away? Either be a message board or don't. The comments and people are what keep people coming back, but if you guys just want to disable them, there are dozens of other tech sites all the same. :ermm: 

  • Like 2
  • Dislike 1
  On 14/01/2023 at 02:51, dead.cell said:

I'm struggling to understand what compelling story there was about the bathrooms at Twitter that had anything to do with technology.

Expand  

we're primarily a technology focused site but that doesn't mean we're ONLY technology.

  On 20/01/2023 at 05:04, Orrelix Organimus said:

Well maybe just a post an article about this 'decision'. I had to create an account and find  this post just to know what's going on. Really, man. Or woman, whatever's wild.

Expand  

Ohhh 'poor you'! I hope you are able to recover your mental state.

I'm actually in agreement with @Steven P. on this one, the other issue is the comment sections and a good portion of the forums have been infected by the political bile which is something advertisers just don't want front and center. 

And Neowin isn't the only tech focused site doing this, there are numerous that I visit that require a login to view & post comments.  

Hell you can't even easily get adsense on personal blogs anymore.

 

@Steven P. one suggestion, why not move the comment section into a forum topic the gets auto generated once the article is posted? (less maintenance in a way too since you don't have to maintain the comment section code.).  This also solves the issue of guest viewing, but alas there will be those that will still complain even with this solution.

  • Like 3
  On 20/01/2023 at 11:52, Matthew S. said:

I'm actually in agreement with @Steven P. on this one, the other issue is the comment sections and a good portion of the forums have been infected by the political bile which is something advertisers just don't want front and center. 

And Neowin isn't the only tech focused site doing this, there are numerous that I visit that require a login to view & post comments.  

Hell you can't even easily get adsense on personal blogs anymore.

 

@Steven P. one suggestion, why not move the comment section into a forum topic the gets auto generated once the article is posted? (less maintenance in a way too since you don't have to maintain the comment section code.).  This also solves the issue of guest viewing, but alas there will be those that will still complain even with this solution.

Expand  

This is one thing we discussed, but that requires a code change in how comments work.. we also don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water, right now we can still reverse our decision.

My immediate concern is maintaining the quality of any discussion, but far too many comments threads have derided into arguing between members or leaning on totally wrong information when it is super clear the commenter hasn't even bothered to read the article. 

Also to the people who downvoted my response to Orrelix Organimus, I would just say how would you like to go into work everyday to have to read crap like that said about you. If you want to belittle me or our staff go talk to an AI support chat bot.

  On 20/01/2023 at 08:00, Steven P. said:

Ohhh 'poor you'! I hope you are able to recover your mental state.

Expand  

If you had been in Africa, I would have charged you with "How very racist of you". 🙂 Luckily, my mental state isn't as degraded as that of my peers.

  On 20/01/2023 at 13:30, Steven P. said:

Also to the people who downvoted my response to Orrelix Organimus, I would just say how would you like to go into work everyday to have to read crap like that said about you. If you want to belittle me or our staff go talk to an AI support chat bot.

Expand  

We're downvoting your response for belittling someone who suggested that you post a notice of this change. Don't play stupid with why you're being downvoted.

As to your point, I'm not saying that would be easy. I actually support the change for the reason that it probably isn't a good image to random visitors. However, you're going to get negative feedback. That's part of journalism. Even if it's not constructive feedback, you are going to get it. That's just how it is.

  On 20/01/2023 at 13:30, Steven P. said:

This is one thing we discussed, but that requires a code change in how comments work.. we also don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water, right now we can still reverse our decision.

My immediate concern is maintaining the quality of any discussion, but far too many comments threads have derided into arguing between members or leaning on totally wrong information when it is super clear the commenter hasn't even bothered to read the article. 

Also to the people who downvoted my response to Orrelix Organimus, I would just say how would you like to go into work everyday to have to read crap like that said about you. If you want to belittle me or our staff go talk to an AI support chat bot.

Expand  

Well, I probably wouldn't take it out on the new guy who just walked in the room for one. :ermm:

I dunno what to tell you though, you choose how you want to take things. If calling someone biased is the new "bad word" though, then I guess I should go apologize to Mobius for all the times I've called him out for strumming the same note, over and over and over...

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
  On 20/01/2023 at 16:16, dead.cell said:

Well, I probably wouldn't take it out on the new guy who just walked in the room for one. :ermm:

I dunno what to tell you though, you choose how you want to take things. If calling someone biased is the new "bad word" though, then I guess I should go apologize to Mobius for all the times I've called him out for strumming the same note, over and over and over...

Expand  

I've taken a lot on the chin over the years, but the "new guy" calling me a woman. I suppose you think that's okay, well I don't. My poster name and avatar pic makes it clear, so it was just a dig and disrespectful response  from the "new guy".  I should know better, but sometimes things get to you I guess.

  On 20/01/2023 at 16:25, Steven P. said:

I've taken a lot on the chin over the years, but the "new guy" calling me a woman. I suppose you think that's okay, well I don't. My poster name and avatar pic makes it clear, so it was just a dig and disrespectful response  from the "new guy".  I should know better, but sometimes things get to you I guess.

Expand  

I missed that insinuation in his comment. I'll agree with you there.

Edited by mip
Correct wording
  On 20/01/2023 at 16:25, Steven P. said:

I've taken a lot on the chin over the years, but the "new guy" calling me a woman. I suppose you think that's okay, well I don't. My poster name and avatar pic makes it clear, so it was just a dig and disrespectful response  from the "new guy".  I should know better, but sometimes things get to you I guess.

Expand  

I didn't catch that either. Goes to show how conditioned we've become where we're now just cool with people saying he/she regularly I suppose.

Alternatively, if we want to go by avatars, Nick H. is lookin great. 😛

  On 20/01/2023 at 16:25, Steven P. said:

I've taken a lot on the chin over the years, but the "new guy" calling me a woman. I suppose you think that's okay, well I don't. My poster name and avatar pic makes it clear, so it was just a dig and disrespectful response  from the "new guy".  I should know better, but sometimes things get to you I guess.

Expand  

To me it came off as them not knowing, so they said Man. Or Woman.  I didn't see it as an insult.

These days, the avatar doesn't say enough to be accurate about gender. Nor does conversation usually. Point in case, everyone calls @Mobius Enigmaa "he", but their profile says female.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
  On 20/01/2023 at 17:16, adrynalyne said:

To me it came off as them not knowing, so they said Man. Or Woman.  I didn't see it as an insult.

These days, the avatar doesn't say enough to be accurate about gender. Nor does conversation usually. Point in case, everyone calls @Mobius Enigmaa "he", but their profile says female.

Expand  

Mind. Blown.

Now I have two apologies to make to Mobius... :ermm: 

  • Haha 2
  On 20/01/2023 at 16:25, Steven P. said:

My poster name and avatar pic makes it clear...

Expand  

Yeah! Who would make their avatar resemble someone they're not?

Oh...hang on. :laugh:

Thread Closed

Closing the thread as it has run its course and simply devolved into throwing insults/attacks back and forth. Steve explained why the change was made, I apologize if it somehow inconveniences anyone but it is what it is; please try and understand.

--------------

 

  On 12/01/2023 at 14:20, Steven P. said:

Hello. We decided to hide comments from guests because I was getting fed up with the level of misrepresentation by some members about our news or the deals we post. It's annoying when it is obvious that the person who is commenting clearly has not read the article, or educated themself about the item on offer (in a deal article). Plus I don't know about you, but why should I showcase a few members constantly whining and nitpicking about things they are clearly not interested in, but feel like it is their duty to whine about it in the comments.

I want to point out that many comments are also helpful and insightful, but the negative ones usually get more traction where full blown arguments end up happening

The community forums are user generated, and at the least this much is clear to guests when they browse topics of a forum, however having members spout off about news articles going off on things they don't understand and is clearly wrong information does not add value to the site. It is for this reason more and more news websites have decided to stop allowing comments on news articles altogether (which is something I first considered).

If a guest wants the opinion of the reader on a news article, they will have to login to view it.

On the flip side, advertisers are starting to boycott websites which includes user generated content next to their ads. Our advertiser already has a different set of ads for the forums than the news, and now I can tell them that guests will never see negative comments in our news articles, which could open up higher quality advertising there, you know... to support the running costs of the site.

Expand  

 

  • Dislike 2
  • Brandon H locked this topic
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Gemini in Google Sheets can now generate fully editable charts by David Uzondu Back in January, Google introduced a feature in Google Sheets powered by Gemini that lets you ask the AI to create charts from your data. The problem was, these charts were just static pictures, slapped on top of your cells. You could not edit them, and they would not update if your data changed. Now, the company has upgraded the feature so you can edit the charts however you want, plus they stay synced with your data as it changes. The process is quite straightforward. You use the Gemini side panel and just type what you want, like "create a bar chart showing campaign performance by market." Gemini then builds the chart, and when you insert it, the chart appears in a completely new tab within your spreadsheet. From that new home, you have total control. You can change the title, tweak the colors, and adjust all the little details just like any normal chart you would build yourself. It is not a completely perfect system, however. The biggest catch is that the editable chart is linked to the data in that new tab, not your original data source. So if you want the chart to reflect new numbers, you have to update the data in the chart’s dedicated tab. This is a bit of a weird detour from how standard Sheets charts have always worked, where they update directly from the source cells. For certain, more complex chart types, Google also notes that Gemini might still fall back to spitting out a static image, so your mileage may vary. The full rollout began recently, with Google expecting it to reach everyone within one to three days. This update is available for a bunch of Google Workspace accounts, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus. It is also included for anyone with a Google One AI Premium plan, which the company has since renamed to Google AI Pro and Ultra. If you are on one of the old Gemini Business or Enterprise add-ons that Google stopped selling back on January 15, 2025, you get this feature too. Just make sure your admin has the "Smart features and personalization" setting turned on, or none of this will work.
    • iOS feature updates are lacklustre. I know it’s difficult with a mature OS, but imagine the announcements without Liquid Glass. Pretty thin.
    • Should you buy the Kindle Scribe? What to know about Amazon's e-reader for notes and reading by Paul Hill We’re all familiar with the Amazon Kindle lineup of affordable e-readers, but did you know that Amazon has a Kindle for writing on too? That’s where the Kindle Scribe comes in. The Scribe is more notebook sized, rather than book sized and has the largest screen Amazon has ever included in a Kindle. With this device, Amazon is trying to expand the paper reading-like experience to paper writing-like. With the current discount, you can save up to 25%, with prices as low as $299.99. There are three models available: a 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB model. You cannot expand the storage so be sure to pick the size you’ll need from the get-go. The Kindle Scribe won’t be the perfect choice if all you want to do is read books, however, if you’re a student or professional who wants to take notes, or an avid reader that wants to make annotations, then this could be a good pick for you. What it does The Kindle Scribe features a large 10.2-inch glare-free display with a 300 ppi density. It comes with a Premium Pen that makes it feel like you’re writing on paper as you jot down your notes. To make writing easy, you get Active Canvas for in-book notes and a built-in notebook with templates. You can import and write on PDFs and documents via Send to Kindle, including sending directly from Word if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription. Once you have written out your notes, the Kindle Scribe allows you to summarize them using artificial intelligence. You can even customize the length and tone of your notes. You can also refine your notes by converting your handwritten words into a script font. One of the standout features of other Kindle devices is their spectacular battery life, and the Kindle Scribe promises the same. The battery will last you up to 12 weeks for reading and up to 3 weeks for writing. Furthermore, Amazon has used 18% recycled materials including 100% recycled aluminum parts, and it comes in fully recyclable packaging. Finally, and it shouldn’t really need mentioning, the Kindle Scribe has full access to the Kindle Store so you can quickly and easily gain access to all of the latest books. Should you buy it? If you are looking for a distraction free gadget to read books on and take notes then the Kindle Scribe is definitely worth considering now that it is at its lowest price to date. Students and professionals are two groups who might benefit the most from this model. If you’re just looking for a Kindle for reading on Amazon, there are other models that may be better such as the Paperwhite or Oasis. The Kindle Scribe is a pretty radical change for a Kindle device with its very large display and writing capabilities. If you’ve been waiting for something like this, then it may justify an upgrade from an older Kindle. If you do decide to buy, make sure to get enough storage from the get go. Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB): $299.99 (Amazon US) / MSRP $399.99 Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB): $319.99 (Amazon US) / MSRP $419.99 Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB, Tungsten): $349.99 (Amazon US) / MSRP $449.99 Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB, Metallic Jade): $349.99 (Amazon US) / MSRP $449.99 This Amazon deal is US-specific and not available in other regions unless specified. If you don't like it or want to look at more options, check out the Amazon US deals page here. Get Prime (SNAP), Prime Video, Audible Plus or Kindle / Music Unlimited. Free for 30 days. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • They shouldn’t listen to stupid ideas and this is a stupid idea. Many issues can be fixed via the registry but not with general registry cleaners. Sometimes a value needs to be changed or a new key needs to be created or deleted but there is no way a general cleaner could make that distinction. Making daily backups of your system state is a better idea so if your system does start behaving differently you can revert to a previous date. System Restore used to be helpful in this area but doesn’t seem as reliable these days. A full registry restore is often helpful.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      IAMFLUXX earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Æhund earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      CoolRaoul earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      Kurotama earned a badge
      First Post
    • Collaborator
      Carltonbar earned a badge
      Collaborator
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      506
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      269
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      241
    4. 4
      +Edouard
      201
    5. 5
      snowy owl
      163
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!