Well, you can add me to the list of frustrated diarists who see their diaries scroll off the list of recent diaries within a few hours after the diary is posted. Once the diary is pushed off the recent diaries list, it will be found only by real diary junkies, and has absolutely no chance of becoming a recommended diary, must less a front page post.
Earlier today I posted the diary --
John Cloud's brother Jay speaks
I have my front page set to show the 40 most recent diaries. Within three hours, my diary had disappeared from the recent diaries list. For those specifying less than 40 diaries to be displayed, my diary disappeared even sooner.
During the three hours my diary was listed on the front page, my diary received 16 comments, of which 5 were by me. I got 10 "4" ratings in my tip jar and 6 recommendations, far short of what is required to make the recommended diaries list.
I had really hoped this diary might make the recommended diaries list, because it contained some bonafide original reporting. It wasn't just a rant or an analysis of a linked news story.
It seems that the recommended diaries list is dominated by diarists who have a reputation and have established their street creds. When Kid Oakland or Sterling Newberry posts a diary, it is practically guaranteed to make the recommended diaries list and/or the front page.
I have no problem with this whatsoever. The popular diarists are popular because they write good diaries which a lot of people like. It's just very frustrating for an unknown diarist like me. I really can't justify spending the time to write a decent diary if only a few people will see it before it disappears into oblivion.
Here are some ideas for changes which would give more exposure to unknown diarists and give them a better chance to make the coveted recommended diaries list --
- Right now the recent diaries list is in chronological order, with the most recent diary first. It would be really cool to have the option to display the recent diaries list the way threads are listed in a typical internet forum. List the diaries in order of the most recently replied to, with the diary most recently replied to listed first. If a new comment is made to an old diary, that diary automatically goes to the top of the list of recent diaries. I realize this would probably take a lot of work to implement. The big advantage of this system is that you can see at a glance where the active discussions are.
- Give us the option to sort the recent diaries list by number of recommendations. This would give us the ability to see the most recommended diaries which have not yet made the recommended diaries list.
- Give us the option to sort the recent diaries list by number of comments. This would give us the ability to see the diaries which have generated the most discussion.
Your thoughts?
William Coleman