The Casual Vacancy
discussion
Do you hate the use of GIFs?
Katherine wrote: "Kara wrote: "Old and out of touch? Was that before or after you said this, and I quote directly:Oh, and I need to add...GOODREADS IS NOT YOUR BLOG. If you want GIFs on your tumblr where you and t..."
Inferred did they...no you didn't imply, you said it right out actually. I am not sure that inferred mean what you think it means, because saying that this is a site to be literate and that posting GIFs is not part of the site's purpose is not implying that by doing said activity one is illiterate, it's just saying it. So then it would not be "inferred" that's what you said, it's fact that's what was said.
But there are many people who have posted on this thread who are too busy looking imperiously down their noses at those dumb GIF posters to realize that there are a dozen ways to avoid the problem in the first place until an alternative is put in place...if one ever is.
Thanks, Stefani. Yeah she did. And I pasted her own quote. Funny that.
It is clear that animosity has been shown on both sides. Both sides claim it is wrong, so lets all be polite and solve the problem in a manner that pleases all. Do we all support that we want GR to add a "button" that blocks GIFs? Are we all in agreement that we request that GR does this as soon as possible?
(ETA: It is the animated pictures we want GR to give us the option of blocking. We do not want all images blocked. For example book covers and avatars should remain.)
Please, let us stop the arguing and solve the problem!
I started this thread in an effort to find a solution. Clearly GIFs should be allowed, some members want them, but at the same time a means of blocking them should be implemented by GR as soon as possible!
Please answer the question above, which I have underlined. Then we can go to GR management and make a request and show them we are capable of solving issues in a polite manner. We must do this in a polite manner if we want them to pay attention to us.
Chrissie wrote: "It is clear that animosity has been shown on both sides. Both sides claim it is wrong, so lets all be polite and solve the problem in a manner that pleases all. Do we all support that we want GR ..."
Yes. This is pointless arguing. I agree.
I would love a button that blocks GIFs (especially in reviews). Clearly GIFs should be allowed, but there should also be (no there must also be) an option (and an option provided by GR) for those of us who do not like GIFs to be able to block them.
I rarely appreciate moving pictures in reviews or anywhere on this site. I'm here to meet people and relate with my friends and others, but mostly I'm here to discuss books, and I enjoy using words to do that. I try to scroll through the GIF reviews and try not to notice them, but when they're so common, as on this book's page at the moment, they're hard to avoid.
I'm really glad I'm not prone to seizures, or I'd have to start avoiding this site entirely. I do recommend Goodreads to many people but from now on I will warn anyone with epilepsy, as their medication might not be potent enough to overcome these GIFs.
Is there anybody who would say no to the two underlined questions in message 113? Please answer.
We do not want to argue. We want to solve the problem.
Of course I support a block feature. I've already stated that more than once in this thread. Believe me when I say that I don't mind if any of the GIF haters in this thread block me. By all means.
It is clear to me, however, that some of us *cough* Lisa *cough* cannot remain civil enough to answer the question without resorting to arguing.
I use plenty of words to discuss books with my friends on this site. You aren't the only one who has MANY friends on this site, Lisa. Some of us like GIFs. You have a right to this site as do we.
It is clear to me, however, that some of us *cough* Lisa *cough* cannot remain civil enough to answer the question without resorting to arguing.
I use plenty of words to discuss books with my friends on this site. You aren't the only one who has MANY friends on this site, Lisa. Some of us like GIFs. You have a right to this site as do we.
Thank you, Gabby, Gundula, Lisa and Kara.Let me repeat:
Is there anybody who would say no to the two underlined questions in message 113?
Please answer. It is important you say so if yo do not agree. If you say nothing I will assume you do agree. OK?
We do not want to argue. We want to solve the problem.
To be honest, I don't know anyone that wouldn't support this feature. Why wouldn't anyone want that? Even the users that littered this book page with GIFs would not object, I am sure. So that isn't the issue. The issue is getting Goodreads to do it. And this issue has been brought up before. The site owners are aware of the situation. I just don't believe it is a priority right now. So while I appreciate what you are trying to do to solve the issue, Chrissie, for the time being I think it is a lost cause.
Kara, one should not give up! If we go to GR and say we all want this, then it is clear that they, the leadership, is not doing what we, the members, are politely requesting. Thank you for helping me.
You are welcome. It's just that I know there was a Goodreads Help thread about this today and it was closed down. But I agree. They'll do it eventually if we keep at them.
Kara, let's give members a chance to respond to my questions. After a short elapse of time, perhaps GR staff will consider our request. One can understand that they are trying to avoid more arguments. We will come with a polite request.ATTENTION:
Please respond to the underlined questions posed in message 113.
Whoa! Kara, I truly was speaking only for myself and my taste and not putting down what anybody else likes. Geez, inflection is sure hard to read on the internet.Chrissie, I'm always for customizing this site in all ways possible, and yes, it never hurts to ask, individually or as a group. But I suspect that this feature may be hard to implement. It's been asked for before and I've found when Goodreads doesn't respond or add requested features, it often means it's either too hard to program/implement, or it takes time away from other things they think are more crucial. But you're right, it doesn't hurt to ask. If this is asked for directly, then I hope Goodreads will reply and do it or let us know what they won't or can't do it.
Chrissie wrote: Do we all support that we want GR to add a "button" that blocks GIFs? Are we all in agreement that we request that GR does this as soon as possible? "Yes, if feasible.
Lisa wrote: "Whoa! Kara, I truly was speaking only for myself and my taste and not putting down what anybody else like. Geez, inflection is sure hard to read on the internet."Just one of the reasons gifs come in handy.
I don't have anything against a block feature. Who would?
Belle wrote: "Just one of the reasons gifs come in handy."Smilies can help as well, but I guess I don't always know the times when they might be needed. I generally skip over GIFs, although not always, but if I skip then I wouldn't see any message they might have.
Sort of off topic but as far as blocking, ideally I wish we could all customize GR as we'd like. I know that's not a reasonable wish, unfortunately. My biggest wish (in terms of GR's appearance) would be to be able to customize my profile page to allow as many shelves as I'd want to show without clicking the more link. Then I'd add a lot more shelves. But I digress... (sorry)
I have added a clarification to my original message 113. Please read it. We must be very clear when we present this to GR staff.
Chrissie wrote: "I have added a clarification to my original message 113. Please read it. We must be very clear when we present this to GR staff."Chrissie, What's the edit? I think I see what I saw originally. ???
Chrissie wrote: "ETA: It is the animated pictures we want GR to give us the option of blocking. "Ah, yes. Do we know that it's easy for the site to distinguish between static and moving pictures so that this is possible?
Lisa wrote: " Do we know that it's easy for the site to distinguish between static and moving pictures ..."Lisa, we do not know. They are the experts. We are simply making a polite request. Each member must decide individually whether to employ the provided facility or not. If all pictures must be blocked to achieve the blocking of animated pictures, so be it. That is only a second alternative.
Chrissie, I would support the idea you have proposed, but I don't think it is feasible. .gifs and .jpgs are added in the same way, using the same .html tags, so I don't know if there is any way to implement such a specific request. I think probably the best we can hope for is that people will be a bit more sensible and sensitive about their usage of .gifs - like my earlier message regarding using several different .gifs to show the same idea. I can understand wanting to use one, to get an idea across, but four or five "saying" the same thing is redundant and unnecessary. *shrug* As to me, I'm very fortunate in that I am not prone to epilepsy, and if I'm on the verge of a migraine where something like that might trigger it, I'll just quick-scroll to get rid of it. While Firefox and IE have many great add-ons that might (I emphasize might) help block these, I use Chrome and it's a very streamlined program, which means most add-ons do not work. Or don't work consistently, or as designed. *shrug*Alternately, you can just block the worst offenders. Most images don't show up when a post/review is "liked" by a friend, as I've noticed in the past couple of days, so that might help get rid of some of them.
Whoops. Sorry, Lisa. I guess it was a misunderstanding. I'm a little heated. This thread has been rough for some and kind if argumentative. I'll be the first to admit I am feeling sensitive.
STOP: Hold on... hold on... I'm noticing that the images are stripped off the front page and you have to go to look at the actual review and status to see them. Is this acceptable to everyone? I think this might be the response...
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I'm always impressed with ASCII art, 'cause I just can't do it. This is awesome...
Kara, no problem. I guess I just wasn't aware enough of all the strong feelings expressed. My Internet connection has been spotty for a few weeks and I've been skimming a lot then posting quickly before I go out again. Katy, Off to check that. Can't imagine Goodreads would have done any work on a Saturday evening but maybe.
I'm still seeing all the moving pictures on the book's page.
Lisa wrote: "I'm still seeing all the moving pictures on the book's page."Yes, they're on the book's page, but not on the front page - I haven't seen a .gif on my front page since sometime this morning; I just see [image] in its place. At first it was just the "liked" reviews, statuses, and comments, but now it seems to be all of them. If a person is looking for reviews, they can always filter for actual reviews based upon stars - I will do that if I want to get rid of all the un-starred "commentary" that is being put into the reviews section lately. It helps strip out some of the speculative stuff that doesn't tell anything about the book or contain actual reviews.
Chrissie wrote: "It is clear that animosity has been shown on both sides. Both sides claim it is wrong, so lets all be polite and solve the problem in a manner that pleases all. Do we all support that we want GR ..."
I support a "block-GIFS" feature, so everyone can choose to watch them on interest.
Katy, let's just request clearly what we want. Are we in agreement what we want?Everybody, please look at revised message 113. Please answer the underlined questions which are now clarified. I will assume you agree if you do not answer. Nobody so far disagrees.
Chrissie wrote: "Katy, let's just request clearly what we want. Are we in agreement what we want?Everybody, please look at revised message 113. Please answer the underlined questions which are now clarified. I wi..."
As I said, I support it. I was just also stating I don't know if it is something that is workable or realistic. We shall see. Besides, I think they've done something to at least keep the .gifs off our front pages.
Katy, I understand you support my suggestion. Others have not responded.That is wonderful that the GR staff is not ignoring this problem. It is great if they have removed animated pictures from the home page, BUT I want all members satisfied. Maybe some want them there. What we are requesting is a way for each member to block them if they so wish. I want to read reviews without animated pictures.
Gaeta1 wrote: " It was the The Casual Vacancy that really brought this issue home for me."Me too. That is why I began the discussion here, in the hope that we can find a solution that appeals to everyone.
It also seems that the GIFs aren't displayed in the Mobile app, which is how I normally access the site.
I would absolutely support this feature. I don't really understand why someone wouldn't.
Just triple-checked to make absolutely sure...Thursday/ Friday was an anomaly for me, as I looked for reviews on my desktop machine, which is normally used only for work.
That was the first time I'd seen anything approaching GIF overload on this site.
Now as I am looking at it from the mobile app, which is how I've used the site 98% of the time for the past two years or so, there are NO GIFs.
Since I have an actual health/handicap accessibility issue this is great news. I suggest that in addition to whatever other steps folks decide to take, that it's helpful to spread the word about the mobile app option.
I am aware that it isn't ideal, as it requires an additional device. But hey. I have a wheelchair for walking, a kindle for reading and a dozen different other tools as well.
It's better to have an enabling device than to lose access.
You can use the mobile version of a site on your computer by accessing the site though its mobile version URL.
www.Goodreads.com/mobileI should check it out.
It's funny though, I always go to the full site on my phone vs. the mobile site. I like it better.
But I should check out the mobile site from my computer.
Thanks for the reminder, Katya.
There are moving pictures on the mobile site too, the same ones as are on the "regular site." At least that's true on my computer. Just FYI.
Lisa, are you saying that if I only use GR on my computer, that is the cable connection, I will have no GIFs on the book reviews and home page? Thank you. I am so very happy!!!
Chrissie, I'm sorry but no. I'm saying I see no difference. I still see the moving pictures. Apologies for being unclear. At least that's true for me. It wouldn't hurt for you to try in case you get a different result.
I think that in order for GR staff to actually notice this particular request or suggestion (being able to block GIFs), we might very well have to create another thread in the feedback section (GR staff would not necessarily notice this thread as it is not in the feedback section). However, seeing that a previous thread about images in reviews was just closed down on Friday, I think it might be prudent to wait a few days and see what happens (I know that GR staff does not generally like it when members keep recreating the same kinds of threads after previous, similar ones have been shut down, which I also can understand to a point, have you seen some of the recent threads trashing authors and conversely, threads trashing "problematic" reviews).
Why don't you just contact them directly at the _Contact Us_ page?
Chrissie wrote: "Katy, let's just request clearly what we want. Are we in agreement what we want?Everybody, please look at revised message 113. Please answer the underlined questions which are now clarified. I wi..."
Yes, I support.
Katherine wrote: "Why don't you just contact them directly at the _Contact Us_ page?"I might actually do that, but perhaps a new thread would also be good. Because if only one person contacts TPTB, they might dismiss this as one person complaining, but if they see a thread with many messages asking for a "block" button, it is not so easily dismissed.
Lisa, you were not unclear. I have been having a hypo for the last four hours. Now my head is back in place. Gundula, maybe if you contact them in a couple of days. (I am not going to remind you, just do it if you want.) I feel I am just so computer stupid there is no way of my discussing this technically with them. But we all know what is acceptable to both groups of people.
Katherine and Maureen, thanks for your help.
Chrissie wrote: "Lisa, you were not unclear. I have been having a hypo for the last four hours. Now my head is back in place. Gundula, maybe if you contact them in a couple of days. (I am not going to remind you,..."
I'm pretty computer illiterate as well, but I will try :-)
And I hope you're feeling better. Do hypos often last that long?
No, not usually.I was so confused I didn't think to drink coke. Gundula, you are much more computer savvy than me.
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Oh, and I need to add...GOODREADS IS NOT YOUR BLOG. If you want GIFs on your tumblr where you and the rest of yo..."
They inferred. I did not imply.