Encouraging Comments

[Sir Wulf]

I'm still fairly new to the site, but I wanted to offer a suggestion for consideration by the administrators: I've visited the site for several weeks and find the forums and tutorials very informative, but I just got my first helpful comment on the main site today. When each mini I submitted had received over 40 votes, having to wait weeks for helpful feedback was a bit discouraging.

I've noticed that when I vote on a mini, the site automatically bumps me to another one. Is there some way to adjust this function to encourage more comments, rather than just votes?

As someone eager to improve my skills, I relish detailed feedback: I don't benefit as much from simple numerical ratings. Since I'm a battered old grognard who has finally gotten (semi-)serious about improving my abilities, I may differ from less grizzled visitors to the site (who may need more encouragement than criticism).

Modelers need to learn a variety of skills before they can display their work to best advantage. As an example, If someone paints skilfully, but their photographs look muddy, they'll receive a low score, but may not understand why without some guidance. More detailed feedback would help newer painters push their work to a higher level.

Please forgive me if any part of this comes across as arrogant or pushy. I offer these comments in a spirit of humility and desire to help other "students of the brush" improve their abilities.

 

[skraaal]

Generally you'll find that if you want detailed critique on a specific piece, or help on how to improve in depth, the best way to get it would be to start a WIP or an individual thread concerning the item in question.

The voting comments are more of a brief summery of what people think about the model or rather the place where people can, if they choose to, add something extra to their vote.

The gallery where votes are made are just that. A gallery for your model to be voted upon using the numerical marking system that is in place atm.

The forums are the places to go for for help, constructive criticism and questions or queries that you may have or want in order to help push you forwards or deal with something you may need help with.

All in all if you create WIP's or item specific threads, you'll find that there are lots of great people that will be more than happy to help you out with w/e your dealing with.

I hope this helps, peace out and happy painting! :brushwave:

Skraaal.

 

[No Such Agency]

People post comments on minis partly because they think it's worth the effort to do so. Some random user who joins up, posts five basecoated Marines and never comes back is a poor investment of commenting time. Someone who obviously cares about the craft and desires feedback is much better.

Give it time and become more known here and you'll likely get more comments. I remember the days (old guy voice) when this site was in its infancy and you could know everyone here. But it's a big site now and we're all just drops in the bucket, unless we cultivate our membership a bit. Posting in the forums is a good start

 

[bsop]

I second the motion to starting a WIP thread, I'm about to start up my first with the site, but the most feedback ive seen (and given) up to this point has been in the threads. If you want comments on a specific submission, post it in the "discuss submissions" forum; plenty of people will read and give you more advice than you can shake your brush at.

I will however, vote and comment on your mini at the voting booth!

 

[Dragonsreach]

@Sir Wulf:
Your comments are not considered pushy by any means.
You do raise a valid point as to the level of pictures being commented on, however please remember that the galleries are "open access" just as in the same manner as an art gallery. So a lot of people visiting either bypass those items they aren't interested on or vote for their friends.
As has been suggested a WIP thread or Discuss Submissions thread will get you more constructive comments and help if needed.

 

[Chern Ann]

It's a good suggestion, I've been looking at some way of providing intangible rewards for comments and other desirable behavior. This is on the to do.

 

[CrookedEye]

I thought about this post for a bit and it's hard to go against human nature and poke, prod or cajole them into leaving comments. What about having a list (or two) next to the voting button to say what the person rating it likes or doesn't like. So you could rate the picture a "7" and select "clean painting style" from the likes list and "too flat" from the dislikes list. After a little time the submitter would get an idea what people think of their work even in the absence of many comments.

This would probably be the most help to people in the middle of the spectrum, and would be good motivation. If 75% of the voters selected "boring base", then it tells them exactly what to work on.

Just a thought...

Zach
www.crookedeye.net

 

[Chrome]

I like that idea a lot. To basically have two polls besides the rating. It won't encourage comments other than for those who want to explain their choices though.

Oh, and instead of a "I don't like" poll, "what to work on" would have a more positive feeling to it I think...

 

[Torn blue sky]

it would be nice to have an intensive, as Chern said, to encourage people to leave feedback. It kinda pains me a bit people would need that intensive to do so, however. Still, it's a very interesting solution that i'm sure would be measured in it's own success. Possibly something along the lines of points accrued = something of a lower scale value from the shop etc (A fair amount of points, naturally).
Addressing the initial musings, i'd suggest throwing your work out into the forums in the 'Work in Progress' and 'Discuss Submissions' threads. There's heaps of people that are all too willing to help provide feedback/issue tips and help you improve =)

 

[MoblinMan]

I have to agree with many of the OPs points, and feel that some kind of incentive to leave comments would be a great idea (Maybe somthing like the reputation power thingy you use on the forums?)

I joined the site after coming back to the hobby after a 10 year absence. My hope had been to recieve a little feedback from some of the more experienced painters, and hopefully get some advice and pointers on how I could improve, however I've never received a comment.

Dont get me wrong thats not meant as a moan or complaint, despite the lack of comments I have found the resources on this site, both the tutorials and forums to hold a wealth of great tips and advice, that have helped me loads. Getting Feedback and Critique would just be icing on the cake!

 

[Aulbath]

My hope had been to recieve a little feedback from some of the more experienced painters, and hopefully get some advice and pointers on how I could improve, however I've never received a comment.

Fixed that.

 

[Aliengod3]

I have always found that saying, "Comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated" in the comment box for a photo I have submitted are pretty helpful. Also if feedback is really important to you then you should post your photos in the "Discuss Submission" section of the forums. It is a bit more work than simply submitting a new photo to your gallery but everyone here is very helpful to the best that they can be.

 

[MoblinMan]

Fixed that.

Thanks! I hope no one thinks I was dropping hints lol, though its apprieciated all the same.

Funnily enough I thought your name looked familiar, as coincidence would have it I actually commented on one of your submissions yesterday (your Night Goblins), small world I guess

Also if feedback is really important to you then you should post your photos in the "Discuss Submission" section of the forums.

To be honest I actually thought that forum was for discussing other peoples work, to learn how certain effects were achieved, I guess the forum tag line ("Here's where we talk about the minis posted on the site. eg. How did you do that? - is the subject line to discuss".) must have confused me a bit.

I had considered linking submissions to the forums, but I guess I figured if people wanted to comment they would have done it in the first place, I didnt want to sound rude or impatient pushing submissions on them. Though starting a WIP log sounds a good idea to consider.

 

[No Such Agency]

Fixed that.

The system works, folks Sir Wulf, Genryu, I'll have a look at your stuff myself when I have a slow moment at work today