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HMF discussion of photo ratings

12 years ago

I wanted to post this to the Antique Rose Forum, but it refused to acknowledge me. Roses has no issue. Go figure.

There is a discussion under way on Help Me Find concerning the ratings system and its validity. I know many who belong to Garden Web have opinions and may wish to share them. Here is the link where you may read, follow and chime in. Thanks. Kim

http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=21.165133&threadID=50745&qcID=50763&tab=32#p50763

Here is a link that might be useful: HMF photo ratings discussion

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Comments (4)

trospero
12 years ago
One of the discussion topics that is receiving the most attention regards the merit of the "Aesthetic Value" voting option. Some feel that by including this option, people are being encouraged to treat it as a "beauty pageant" and that is counterproductive to the main goal of the ratings. What is the main goal of the rating system? HMF admins feel (If I may sum up some of their statements) that it ought to act as a tool to emphasize the more useful photos; the photograph as "diagnostic" tool, or one which illustrates the honest-to-goodness behavior of the plant, warts and all. Sometimes the prettiest photos happen to be good "diagnostic" photos as well, but not always. Sometimes a casual snapshot of the whole plant, regardless of what other clutter might be in the photo, or how well lit and composed the image is, is the most meaningful to people who are shopping for a rose with certain features as their priority: bush shape/size, for example. We all want to have an idea of how a certain cultivar is going to look in our garden, and the best way of providing people with that information is to upload your photos of the rose in your garden. So the question is whether the photo ratings on HMF facilitate or hinder the process.

If HMF wants to have a way to prioritize the most useful photos, then putting a system in place for participants to vote for image merit is a good approach. Voting for an image based on its "art" merit may or may not serve a purpose in achieving that goal. What is your opinion? How can HMF promote the best photos without turning the process into a beauty contest?

This is currently an issue for HMF admin because more than one person has stated that they have either removed a photo because it got a "poor" aesthetic rating, or have refrained from including a snapshot of their plant for fear of receiving a "poor" aesthetic rating. Any and all ideas for avoiding perceived problems in this matter are welcome. Feel free to voice your opinion here and/or at HMF in the following discussion:

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo ratings discussion on HMF
simonauv
12 years ago
I have posted my opinions, as it is something I also brought to their attention back in April this year. The reply was dismissive. I won't hold my breath.
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Paul said, "If HMF wants to have a way to prioritize the most useful photos, then putting a system in place for participants to vote for image merit is a good approach. Voting for an image based on its "art" merit may or may not serve a purpose in achieving that goal. What is your opinion? How can HMF promote the best photos without turning the process into a beauty contest?" After reading the HMF Admin responses on the thread, I realized that the rating system is a tool to manage over 150,000 photos, with more being added every day. Instead of taking that on himself, he made it possible for site users to make that determination. Maybe the rating feature needs to be tweeked to meet the site users wants and needs better and one of the best ways to do that is to share your thoughts about it in this thread. Steve has said over and over in the thread that he is open to suggestions. Keeping the data management issue he must deal with as the site continues to grow in mind, give him your feedback. In a sense, he is second-guessing us if he is working without that feedback. Your opinions and suggestions do matter. Paul also mentioned something in one of his responses on the thread that I think is important. The current premium-membership is not large enough to support the cost of the site. Whenever we ask for changes, there is a cost associated with implementing them. Some of the changes that might make the rating system more in line with what you want to see may require more server costs. Becoming a premium-member and supporting the site just because it is an incredible rose resource is also a way of supporting the changes you want to see on the site. I didn't mean for this to sound like a lecture, because it's not. I just tend to get kind of intense about wanting feedback from site users. Smiles, Lyn Ps... here's a link that may let you see how Steve sees your participation on HMF Here is a link that might be useful: HMF Participation
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landperson
12 years ago
I did too, but all my commentary on this subject is over in the Antique Roses Forum.
roseblush1
12 years ago
Simon.........

Personally, I don't think the reply was dismissive at all. There are always time and funding constraints on every website. You made some good suggestions and I am sure they were noted. As Susan said above, there is more commentary about this topic on the Antique Roses Forum.

Smiles,
Lyn

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