[EM] minguo presidential poll with direct links

[Michael Ossipoff]

On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 10:49 AM, Michael Allan <mike at zelea.com> wrote:
> Michael and Augustin, some suggestions for improving the site:
>

Michael Allan:

Thanks for your suggestions.

>   * Display live counts and other signs of activity.  Otherwise
>     newcomers will assume the site is dead or dying.

As each new vote changes the candidates' totals and scores, that is
immediately shown in the posted results. The results are shown
directly above the ballot, when someone selects the link to one of the
poll ballotings.


>   * Show the contribution of each participant.  Don't just take it and
>     give nothing in return. (!)  Ideally show the contribution in a
>     social context, because people vote for social reasons.

It's important that people can vote anonymously. But anyone can
comment, in the various blog-spaces, and can sign their name if they
wish (as I always do).

But yes, the website could announce each new ballot (without in any
way identifying the voter). That would be of interest. We'll see if
Augustin likes that idea. As it is now, each new ballot does show up
in the "recent posts" or "latest posts" list, to which there is a link
at right end of the top edge of the Realm of the USA screen, and every
screen in the Realm of the USA.

>
>   * Restrict voting to real people.  Bots and sock puppets ruin the
>     social context and render the results meaningless.

Certainly. But bots don't usually vote in polls. I suppose someone
could write one that does, if they wanted to distort a poll result.
That could be discouraged by only letting registered members vote, or
by using something like a "captcha" image, in which a voter would have
to identify characters in an image, or answer a verbally-expressed
question.

But, in order to get large participation, it's best for the poll to be
open to the public, not just registered members.

But those are just my answers. Augustin might reply as well.

Mike Ossipoff