New feature update - User submitted photo directory

New feature update - User submitted photo directory

As you may know, we have been working on the User Submitted Photo Directory that will allow you to browse photos submitted by other members. Unfortunately we ran into a few problems and couldn't get it released last week.

I am pleased to report that the dev team has hammered on it this weekend and it's getting very close. Our plan is to spend Monday playing with it, get out any last bugs we find and roll it out for general use on Tuesday (fingers crossed).

I'm curious to see what type of feedback you have for each other's photos. Hopefully you will have some fun browsing around once the new directory goes live.

Next, we will turn our attention to groups and improved comment threading. Originally the plan was to add a "voting" feature on user submitted photos but we must remain flexible and these other features need attention for several reasons.

For example, we have been holding off on promoting some of the more popular channels (ie. The Great Outdoors) because the existing comment board becomes difficult to follow when the number of daily comments gets much above 150. We believe adding some smaller groups will make certain discussions easier to manage (those that should be more "permanent" than the main daily comment board). This, along with basic threading of the main board, should make things better and allow us to comfortably add new users again while we continue to build other features.

Personally I am excited to see the group features come online in the coming weeks. This is a critical component to the master plan.


Post by: JT

Missed A Day? Use The New Image Archive!

Missed A Day? Use The New Image Archive!

We hear over and over again that people love our images. And we love hearing that because we put a lot of time and effort into finding our pictures and adding useful links.

But one question we hear a lot is, "Why can't I see old images?" The real answer is that we're all knowing and provide the right pictures at the right time. So get used to it.

Just kidding. The image archive has been on our to-do list for quite some time, and we just added version one to your Startlike home pages.

When you click the little film strip icon, you'll have the option to upload your own photo or check out our old images. Once you're in the archive, you can even comment on the pictures and view past discussions. (see image below)



Poke around a little bit, and let us know what you think.

Our idea wasn't very good :-/ Got anything better??

Our idea wasn't very good :-/ Got anything better??

We have been trying a "social promotion" where people get a chance to win a Startlike gnome and $100 by giving us a shout out in their Facebook or Twitter status and following us.

We are about half way through the promotion and the results have not been great. People just don't seem to be visiting the promotion when they see the message "What has 2 thumbs, a gnome and $100 cash?".

You can see the promotion here.

We could use a little help. If you have something better we could have people post to their status (that would make their friends more likely to visit and participate) please let us know.

If we change the promotion and use your suggestion we'll also send you $100 when we announce the next winner.

To post a suggestion, please become a fan of Startlike on Facebook and post your idea on the wall.

Thanks.


Post by: JT

Startlike Common Sense Code of Conduct

Startlike Common Sense Code of Conduct

So far we have operated the Startlike comment board largely un-moderated and without any rules. We’re happy that Startlikers are respectful bunch and we’ve only had a few minor issues.

However, to be sure we limit potential problems in the future we wanted to post a few basic guidelines.

Here goes…

• Please treat other Startlikers with respect. Disagreements are fine, but please be respectful.
  
  
• Please keep the language G rated.
  
  
• No posts should condone, promote or glorify illegal behavior (ie drugs or doing 100mph down the Blue Ridge Parkway).
  
  
• SPAMMING - You MAY post links to other sites (even commercial) if they are relevant and likely to be helpful for other Startlikers but please be smart and don’t abuse this privilege.
  
  

That’s all we have for now. We will revise this list as needed in the future.


Post by: Jeff

Friendship One: Charlie Harrison & Scott Dillon

Friendship One: Charlie Harrison & Scott Dillon

Recently a few resourceful Startlikers used the comment board to connect and plan a mountain biking trip. To our knowledge this is the first connection enabled by Startlike and from what we understand “Friendship One” is off to a great start.

Startlikers Charlie Harrison and Scott Dillon live fairly close to each other and through a series of discussions they realized each was proficient in different outdoor pursuits. Charlie was an experienced hiker/backpacker while Scott was an avid mountain biker. They decided it would be a good idea to meet and share their knowledge and experience with one another.

So, on April 25, 2009 Charlie and Scott met to ride mountain bikes and Friendship One began.




Without sounding too corny, this is a BIG deal for us. Our corporate mission is to create friendships and although our strategy has gone through numerous iterations over the past year this mission has never changed.

We are honestly humbled to know that a connection was made that would not have existed were it not for our product and we hope this will be the first of many.

Most companies hang their “first dollar” on the wall. For us, we’ll be hanging this photo in honor of our first friendship created because there will never be another “Friendship One”.

Now, Charlie and Scott, please don't get in a fight!!

UPDATE: We have unconfirmed reports that a group of Startlikers from The Great Outdoors channel have met up and they are in the woods camping right now. We have rushed a member of the Startlike dev team to the area in an effort to find the Startlikers and document the mayhem. Stay tuned for details.


Post by: Jeff