New Forum Poll Features: "Allow Changing Votes" and [Beta] Take Suggestions from Commenters

Just rolled out a new update this morning containing these two new features for polls in forums. When you try to post a new forum post, there will be two new options under "Poll Settings":

Allow Changing Votes

People change their preference over time. What if you are allowed to change your vote over the duration of the poll? Wouldn't some of you want that as well for the last Federal election? :) Well, maybe not that one but now you can on OzBargain. The OP who sets up the poll needs to make sure "Allow Changing Votes" is enabled. Then the voters would be able to:

  • Change vote as many times as you want before the poll expires.
  • Revoke your vote to remove your participation from the poll.

We'll also show the date/time when you cast your vote.

Take Suggestions from Commenters

This option is currently beta users only. When you have this option checked, instead of OP providing a list of available Poll Options, we'll take suggestions from the commenters. I developed this mainly for many forum posts that request suggestions from other OzBargain members. I think it would be suitable for posts such as "What should I buy?" or "Which one should I choose?" when coupled with detailed description.

When this option is ticked, the poll would start with no options to vote. However "top-level commenters" (i.e. those who reply directly to the post, rather than replying to another comment) can add his/her "suggestion" in a text field right above the comment field. Hopefully the comment will be arguing why OP (and others who also have the same inquiry) should take up that suggestion.

The suggestion would then become a pending poll option that can be approved or rejected by OP or by moderators. Approved poll option can then be voted on.

When combining with "Allow Changing Votes" I think it would become a great tool to provide long running discussions on ever-changing products. For example if I am to ask "What is the best Android phone under $500?" today, people might suggest Nexus 5, Sony Xperia Z1, etc, and others would vote on those suggestions. However 12 months down the track, instead of ANOTHER post asking the same question again, people can add new suggestions, add more discussions and people would change their votes to reflex the current state of cheapest Android phone under $500.

Edit: Here is the example.

Well. That's the plan anyway, and we'll see how it carries out.

Comments

  • Who votes this to be a good idea?

    Hehe, nice work Scotty. Propelling into the future! What is next on the burner?

    • There are quite a few new features lining up for the rest of this year. Can't promise when they will be delivered but expect typical delay from average IT projects :)

Login or Join to leave a comment