We all Love Sided, what input do you have to make the site even better than it already is??

Bernard Thompson

VERIFIED

Love this site. One suggestion is to catalog the debates to avoid repeats. Maybe some kind of indicator that shows how often a debate has been asked and answered.

make it more specific how each point is earned.

MaryBeth Zmuda

For me it would be nice if I didn't have to scroll through all the debates/questions after I give my debate.  After I input my debate it starts me back at the top of the screen again.

It would be nice if when you hit the back arrow you would be back where you started.  I hope this makes sense?

Albert Long

I have been loving the site so far, can't wait until the app comes out. The whole Scott and br team has made this one of the most entertaining sites I visit everyday. If I would suggest anything it would prob be just when you sign up you have to verify an email address so no one makes about 10 accounts or anything. And add where you are writing your topic you can add links available to click on if we post a clickable image /video link. but other than that great work with the site so far.

I do think the platform should have a wild west feel. Its on of the only places we can put controversial topics and really get honest opinions without getting attacked.

Frederick Remick

Definitely love it and agree with what everyone else has posted. Personally maybe the ability to trade winning a week or placing on several week for swag if people are interested. I would like to see the comeback for the font/list/etc option for when your doing a post.

Derrick McQuinn

Gotta figure out a way to tweak the “game” or “competition” aspect and find a way to truly reward the best arguments. 

The point system is a little counter intuitive and incentivizes the player to make an argument for a side and hope to get the most likes/votes (so far so good) BUT voting or liking another player’s argument/take essentially is a vote or like against yourself. I see a lot of the exact same takes multiple times on a side all with 0 or 1 vote (like it’s every man for themselves).

Not sure if it’s a point system tweak or perhaps a game tweak. I’ve thought about it a lot and have concepts/thoughts but it’s tough to articulate.  I think one of of the first iterations was you chose a side got challengers and people voted for one or the other... maybe explore something like that again? Or find a way to incentivize/encourage others to actually vote/like other’s arguments; the best arguments and reward the true winner. 

I’d also suggest and even volunteer for a conference call or group chat to flush out some of these and other ideas.

Joe Rigby

I’ve mentioned before but I still think it would be cool to have a filter or more seamless way to access debates I’m engaged in (not just debates I created) I used the bookmark and it works but I always forget! Less “topic” filters because for now I think most people just engage in them all no?

The platform is great and the engagement with others is a solid way to get an opinion out and discuss. One thing id probably change is to make it a little more clearer how points are earned and distributed.

johnny rivera

I think this could morph into a true national debate platform and we can help Scott take this to the next level. A little support from users and some PR? Sky is the limit!

Bob Rauch

I would make sure that the app gets out as quick as possible and it has to have greater speed.  Takes too long to navigate currently.  I would prefer to see the winners be not only those voting but providing a meaningful take.

Jason Finley

Some other random “points” ideas/suggestions:
- Clear, accessible and concise point system (easier said than done and really should be as simple as possible)
- limit takes to only the side you choose
- award point(s) for leaving a take but limit it to one... meaning player earns a point(s) to enter the debate when a take is left but limited to one (additional points only awarded if player receives votes/likes on the take they left)
- award point(s) for arguing or commenting on another player’s take BUT only if arguing the other side (can only get points if you leave comment(s) of players on the opposite side 
- award point(s) to players that vote/like another player’s take and limit it to one point(s) per debate and only one player (perhaps can vote multiple times on multiple takes but you only get a point for one) 
- award more points (vs just 1) for people who create debates and bonus points if the debate goes “fire” (maybe the creator gets a cut of the overall points generated)
- not saying limit the comments, votes/likes/interaction...etc. Just suggest limit points available within each debate.

- Character counter might come into play at some point- limits make total sense (Or I’m sure we’d see endless novels) but a counter as you go will help for those that leave appropriate long detailed takes
-  ability to change your vote! I don’t know how many times I accidentally voted on a side due to my fat thumbs or misinterpreting it before I voted or simply changing my mind. Not saying unlimited vote changing but perhaps the ability to change your vote while engaged in the debate but once you leave to the next or “refresh” the screen the vote is then set and can’t be changed

Probably on the radar but specific awards for specific debates from sponsors or even just great friends who want to “sweeten the pot” (like the MJ fathead that Charity Stripe did) I have some cool new stuff I’d be glad to donate if it helps the cause (maybe I wouldn’t feel as guilty for getting in the top 10 if I didn’t think it was coming out of the same budget as the development or overall sided.co budget -LOL)

Apologies in advance if these have already been suggested, but there are few main areas that I think need some more thought, consideration, and tweaking to make Sided more user friendly and play true: First, users need an easier way to keep track of the debates that they participate in. Perhaps this feature can be added to their profile (not just the debates they create) or a separate tab that shows up after logging on or through an enhanced notification system (which I think is vital for keeping people on your site). Part of the strategy with Sided is to keep the conversations going and debates flowing between users, and the navigation of the site should not be an impediment for accomplishing these goals. Second, the scoring system needs to play more true than it does. I am glad to see that the scoring is now going to be reset to zero every week, that definitely has helped. But the option for people to vote for themselves or have multiple accounts for voting skews things and ultimately disincentivizes user participation over time for those wanting to compete on the leaderboard. I enjoy Sided, thanks!

Christopher Moreno

Possible App suggestions:
-ability to sort thread by close date
-notification of close date approaching
-search function (search for debates)

I think the app will be a game changer. One suggestion would be updates to the point scoring system. Make it harder to obtain points, so that the spread isn't so significant.

JD DeOcampo

Great idea. Maybe we can suggest debate titles from earlier debates when you create a new one. This way you know it exists already, and if you want to ask it again, we'll have a way to track that debate over time.

Adam Viccaro

ADMIN

SUPERADMIN

Agreed.  This helps the veterans and also the new Sided members.  I know when I first came on I thought I was the only one that asked the question.  LOL... It would really help to know if the question has been asked before.

Great suggestion @bernard. We plan to add a verification flow soon so you can verify your email and more, and automatically get that green checkmark. Load times will improve soon! MUCH faster already in the app ... night and day.

Bernard, great question...yes I'm with you , the app needs to happen asap....the website has a lot of latency issues...but happy to have the site don't get me wrong...

Definitely makes sense. This annoys me too but we haven't had the bandwidth to fix yet on web. The app handles this MUCH better. Coming soon...

We can't completely share the secret sauce because people will know how to game the system, BUT I agree we should share more details on this. You get a fixed amount of points (+1) for adding content (debates, takes, comments, and votes). For debate creators, we also give an additional point award when the debate closes based on how engaging your debate was. Same goes for 'takes' ... when you leave an engaging take or one that people like a lot, we give you more points when the debate closes. Top takes get a little extra thrown on top :)

Edwin Garcia

I would love to join this call if possible. Thanks!

Let's definitely all get on a call and talk about how we can make the game better. @scottkaplan will set this up!

Totally agree J Fin!! Working on some point suggestions too... one of which is not rewarding points for comments from people on the same side of a debate. Or perhaps no points at all maybe?

Good call.  Only problem with the competition part is people will respond just to get points not because they really have a take.

We have a roadmap meeting today and this is a priority topic. We have a ton of new content, but a lot get's buried. One thing we may do is to switch the main feed so it shows only debates from people you follow.

Speed improvements and app coming very soon! Best takes on the winning side (most 'likes') win the debate and get 3x points.

Eventually we want to allow you to redeem your points for swag, sponsor products, etc. We had to remove the rich formatting to simplify things for the app but will try to bring it back soon.

Re: points -- Agree, but we also don't want to share how to game the system.

-Limit takes to the side you vote for -- This is almost done and in QA, will be deployed by next week.

-Points for leaving a take --Currently you get 1 point for leaving a 'take', however you also get additional points when the debate closes for how engaging your take was (likes, comments, etc)

-Points only for comments on the other side -- Great idea

-Award more points for people who create debates -- This happens now and can be one of the biggest point awards :)

Great suggestion with the character counter. Added to the roadmap. Changing your vote is a tough one. I get what your saying about voting on accident, and I've done the same, but once you vote, you know the tally and it would change things a lot if we allowed people to change their vote. Maybe you could use your points to 'pay' for this feature?

This will become a regular thing. The Charity Stripe debate was a trial run and we want to do more of these.