Labourhome updates

admin Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 11:47:11 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

As Labourhome approaches the 400th registered blogger mark in just over 3 months of being operational, we'd like to get your input into how we can make this site better. Please be frank, and all criticism toward this site will be considered constructive, one way or another.


PS: Alex and I are already working on enabling users to more easily add their aggregated content to the Bloggers4Labour functionality. We really won't be able to move forward without your comments, thoughts and opinions.






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Labourhome updates | 23 comments (23 topical)

Re: Labourhome updates (#1)

by Glass House on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 01:11:55 PM GMT

In the "Recommended" section on the front page, each title has (x comments) next to it - but never has the (x comments, y new) thing - even when there's new comments.

It's sometimes hard to keep track of threads after they've moved into the recommended box without having to actually memorize the number of comments last time you visited.


Re: Labourhome updates (#6)

by Glass House on Tue Sep 12, 2006 at 06:41:04 PM GMT

PLEASE fix this. As it is, 'Recommended' threads just die as there is no "1 new" message in bold to alert people to new posts.


[ Parent ]

Re: Labourhome updates (#7)

by Jag Singh on Tue Sep 12, 2006 at 11:52:42 PM GMT

Fixed it. Also tried to make it a little more friendly to the eyes. More suggestions are definitely welcome.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#8)

by Glass House on Wed Sep 13, 2006 at 05:35:24 AM GMT

Thanks


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Re: Labourhome updates (#10)

by nickparrott on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:50:28 AM GMT

On some of the more popular debates, as comments go further and further to the right of the screen, they eventually become unreadable, on my browser at least...


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Re: Labourhome updates (#12)

by alexhilton on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 02:19:51 AM GMT

Yes, but you can always star a new comment thread - don't you find the threading useful?


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Re: Labourhome updates (#14)

by nickparrott on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 03:20:10 AM GMT

In general yes, it was only the problem that it keeps scrunching everything up even when there's basically no room. Oddly enough, at one point I was using Mozilla Firefox and it was a lot better on that than IE, so perhaps I should just go back to it...


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Re: Labourhome updates (#2)

by turnleft on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 01:31:02 PM GMT

The "Blog" focuses on the tittle-tattle rather than policy issues. Tittle-tattle is great, but I think discussing the days big policy announcements by both Labour and Torys would add some balance to the site.

 


Re: Labourhome updates (#3)

by alexhilton on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 07:46:54 PM GMT

We're working on this. Watch this space!


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Re: Labourhome updates (#16)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sun Sep 17, 2006 at 09:24:40 PM GMT

It would be good if contributors posted their  peace as a "Blog", and not as  an "article". The contribution space is marked "New blog entry". and makes for a very different (and more personal) wrighting style.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#17)

by chrisdoidge on Sun Sep 17, 2006 at 11:01:32 PM GMT

It'd be good if contributions made sense, too.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#20)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Wed Sep 20, 2006 at 10:20:10 PM GMT

True


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Re: Labourhome updates (#4)

by AJScobbie on Tue Sep 12, 2006 at 11:35:27 AM GMT

There is a time and place for both policy and title tattle. Guy Fawkes and Iain Dale are very readable blogs from our opponents. We need to be coming up with something of a similar engaging vein. Also the design of this site is less than appealing. The new Progress blog looks nice but nowhere near enough traffic and the lack of unmoderated posts is worrying.


Re: Labourhome updates (#5)

by Jag Singh on Tue Sep 12, 2006 at 05:14:59 PM GMT

So do you feel that should be a strict editorial policy in place, or just a little more tighter than what currently exists? Also, how could we improve on the design/layout? If you'd prefer your comments to be kept private, shoot us an e-mail at support@labourhome.org :-)


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Re: Labourhome updates (#18)

by nickparrott on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 04:19:38 AM GMT

I think the intent to be a bit more democratic and open than ConservativeHome is admirable, but it does risk the site getting a bit sclerotic with so many contributors.

I think there might need to be stricter criteria for getting on the front page, e.g. more recommendations than currently needed and/or an editors' decision.

Also, at the moment no-one really uses the facility for rating comments. On at least one thread the only people rating anyone were a couple of the Tory users, who were just rating anyone who said anything remotely pro-Labour as a one or a zero, which is the opposite of what is intended, obviously. Not entirely sure how to solve that problem though!

Might also be good if things could be broken down into more manageable components, like having separate sections for breaking news, policy discussions, etc.

The design/layout might be a little too cluttered - it gives the site a slightly frentic feel, which isn't all bad, but something like the new Progress site is a bit cleaner. (Though I disagree with much of what gets written there!)

Overall though, good effort guys - a much needed development and I wish you good luck with taking it to the next level.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#9)

by guido fawkes on Thu Sep 14, 2006 at 03:45:05 AM GMT

Can I suggest you introduce a "Totty Watch".  It is very popular.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#13)

by alexhilton on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 02:20:22 AM GMT

Thank you for that positive contribution Guido


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Re: Labourhome updates (#19)

by Jag Singh on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 11:48:26 AM GMT

But Guido, if we started a Totty Watch, there'd be no reason for people to visit your site any longer...


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Re: Labourhome updates (#11)

by chrisdoidge on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:32:13 PM GMT

I think the site could do with an "About" section on the homepage, explaining what it's all for. The layout and idea behind it may be a little bewildering for newbies.


Re: Labourhome updates (#15)

by Jag Singh on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 11:47:53 PM GMT

Good idea. We've been meaning to get started on that.


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Re: Labourhome updates (#21)

by nickparrott on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 07:36:58 PM GMT

One thing that would be useful is being able to edit your own comments - it's a bit annoying when you realise that you've made a typo or something that you can't go and correct it.

(Yes, I know, I should preview them properly!)


Re: Labourhome updates (#22)

by nickparrott on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 03:34:58 AM GMT

One other thing (sorry, I'm a bit late to the party on this one I know) is that it would be great if we could have a section on by-elections.

This could let people know whenever a by-election is called, carry details or contacts for campaigning, and then run the results.

The Lib Dems have such a resource, I believe, on the Assoc of Lib Dem Councillors website...


Re: Labourhome updates (#23)

by JR on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 05:05:37 AM GMT

In general, I would like to see a more professional set up which allows all of the usual features that you would get on another professional blogging site (eg. editing comments, split into several, appropriate sections etc.). Perhaps a bolder logo at the top to really emphasise what this site is about. More colour backgrounds as well might be nice to separate the various sections on screen.


Labourhome updates | 23 comments (23 topical)