I think if there's one thing that constantly impresses me about this site -- and when I say site, I mean the incredibly active and intelligent users that comprise its community -- it's been the quality of the conversations, content, and knowledge that's already been gathered here since we launched last July.
The team has been pretty hunkered down over the last couple months banging out new features and thinking about the future of gdgt, and I know Peter and I have been spending even more time than ever behind the scenes guiding that product development. So he and I wanted to take a step back for a bit and listen to what you're thinking about gdgt.
We want to hear how we're doing: what you want from the site, what's working and might work better, even (and especially) what we're sucking at. Feel free to ask us anything about gdgt -- big or small, what we're doing, what we're thinking, whatever. I can't guarantee we'll have a worthwhile answer or reply everything, but we'll sure as hell try. Don't hold back, we're listening!
Ask us anything (about gdgt)
I'd love to know how many members we have here.
actually, I'd love to know if it'd be possible to get a page with general data on total members and the averages of basic stats (gadgets owned, posts, gadgets added etc...)
just curious i guess.....my friends call me whiskers
actually, I'd love to know if it'd be possible to get a page with general data on total members and the averages of basic stats (gadgets owned, posts, gadgets added etc...)
just curious i guess.....my friends call me whiskers
Likely with the new discussions we're launching (very) shortly. Actually, we've been hard at work all weekend testing and getting it ready. To start, it'll likely only be per-thread -- you won't be able to subscribe to all gdgt discussions, but that's something we can look at adding.
just trying to follow this discussion I realised one big issue. It would be great if new posts would somehow be indicated. I love this thread since it just shows how much thought you put into this and how far you are ahead of what we think of ;) But in order to see all the responses, I need to rescan the whole thread again and again. Just another "little" thing to bug your programmer with ;)
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Hey guys, as everyone seems to be saying, great job with the site. This place is awesome. Now for a a couple questions:
1. What are you guys using to develop the site? (languages, IDE's)
2. How do you let everyone beta test the new features before they go out for public use?
3. What are a couple favorite TV shows? (current or old)
1. What are you guys using to develop the site? (languages, IDE's)
2. How do you let everyone beta test the new features before they go out for public use?
3. What are a couple favorite TV shows? (current or old)
gdgt runs largely on LAMP (with a few neat customizations), but as a company we are platform independent, so dev tools vary. Some of our guys use Linux, most on OS X.
To date we haven't beta tested new features with the public, but we're looking into how we can do that without making too many alterations to the core framework.
I can't speak for everyone on staff, but Lost and BSG are probably among the bigger staff favorites.
To date we haven't beta tested new features with the public, but we're looking into how we can do that without making too many alterations to the core framework.
I can't speak for everyone on staff, but Lost and BSG are probably among the bigger staff favorites.
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I really loved your Tweet about a great post (it was the courier one)! That is the way to go... and to do so, it might be nice to have the like/dislike for discussions as well. I know, it might open Pandora's box to flamewars and personal wrath but I think this is one of the most grown up user forums I know of, so worth the risk in order to get really great postings out there.
Also, how will you fight future problems of Trolling and flamewars. They will come, as soon as the user base is big enough to give this kind of people a platform (first discussions in that direction already started). Personally, I think any kind of censorship is bad and should be avoided. But I'd love a function to mute a certain person for myself. Would also give you guys a possibility to react and look closer to a person who gets muted a lot (I see the info / flag button but would love to jsut decide for myself to ignore a person eventually).
Also, how will you fight future problems of Trolling and flamewars. They will come, as soon as the user base is big enough to give this kind of people a platform (first discussions in that direction already started). Personally, I think any kind of censorship is bad and should be avoided. But I'd love a function to mute a certain person for myself. Would also give you guys a possibility to react and look closer to a person who gets muted a lot (I see the info / flag button but would love to jsut decide for myself to ignore a person eventually).
You guys already covered a lot of the stuff I wanted to ask. Improving the edit gadget list page, mobile ( I can't wait until a mobile version of the edit gadget list page, the JavaScript on that page kills the browser on my N900), A non flash widget, and even if more moderators will be called for.
I assume reply notifications and discussion watching are coming with the new discussion system, that the automatic unit converter is coming at some point, and that the number of people on the watching list will be displayed on gadget pages.
Which leaves with just my thoughts on comparisons and the finder.
First off its to hard to get to the compare page, other then the link in the finder its quite isolated secondly I'd like to be able to move the spec groups around so that what I want compared is brought into focus.
The Finder is so close to perfect, If I could use the back button and go back to where I left off after a comparison I'd have nothing else to say.
As always, I eagerly anticipate whats coming up, keep up the great work!
I assume reply notifications and discussion watching are coming with the new discussion system, that the automatic unit converter is coming at some point, and that the number of people on the watching list will be displayed on gadget pages.
Which leaves with just my thoughts on comparisons and the finder.
First off its to hard to get to the compare page, other then the link in the finder its quite isolated secondly I'd like to be able to move the spec groups around so that what I want compared is brought into focus.
The Finder is so close to perfect, If I could use the back button and go back to where I left off after a comparison I'd have nothing else to say.
As always, I eagerly anticipate whats coming up, keep up the great work!
Doing an excellent job gdgt team. I dont know if it is a bit early but car mobile devices. I haven't been following the recent changes in the industry other than hearing about Ford Sync. I care more about the quality of music then the ease of use (got 2 DC 1AMP capacitors, 2 300 watt Kenwoods, in the trunk and copper the thickness of 3/8" plumbing running to all the doors). Now! What can I hook-up to that, that can answer the phone? ;)
1. Are you going to add other types user generated content, such as video uploads capabilities for unboxings, first looks, etc?
2. Is there ever going to be moderator roles that are off hours? I'd like to get more involved with the site in that respect, but I still have a gig during the day.
Bonus: What's your favorite beer (or drink if that's not your thing)?
2. Is there ever going to be moderator roles that are off hours? I'd like to get more involved with the site in that respect, but I still have a gig during the day.
Bonus: What's your favorite beer (or drink if that's not your thing)?
1. Yes, we're going to add user photos later this year, we may only offer video through YouTube embed or something like that. But, yes, we are going to add more user content types to the site.
2. Good question, we're honestly still figuring out what the right number of mods should be and what the scheduling needs to be like. We don't seem super understaffed at the moment, but we also do want to be ready to scale as the site grows.
Bonus: I actually don't really drink that often, I pretty much stopped when I started Engadget. Boring, I know, but hopefully Ryan will have a good answer here.
2. Good question, we're honestly still figuring out what the right number of mods should be and what the scheduling needs to be like. We don't seem super understaffed at the moment, but we also do want to be ready to scale as the site grows.
Bonus: I actually don't really drink that often, I pretty much stopped when I started Engadget. Boring, I know, but hopefully Ryan will have a good answer here.
Love the site and podcast, guys. Are there any plans for more "what's on your gdgt list?" videos?
I'd like an easy way to see who has the most gear in common with me, not just who also has a single item in common.
I'd like to start a discussion that cross references 2 or more gadgets so we can discuss ways to make collections of gadgets work together. This especially happens with home theater gear. It took me a couple of hours to get my Harmony Remote, Samsung TV, and Apple TV to work together properly. It would be great to be able to draw upon the subset of gdgt users that have either solved the problem already or are stuck trying to solve it.
I'd like to start a discussion that cross references 2 or more gadgets so we can discuss ways to make collections of gadgets work together. This especially happens with home theater gear. It took me a couple of hours to get my Harmony Remote, Samsung TV, and Apple TV to work together properly. It would be great to be able to draw upon the subset of gdgt users that have either solved the problem already or are stuck trying to solve it.
Yeah, I want that feature as well. I think we'll probably have some more stuff that helps surface commonality on the product axis soon. For discussions, mentioned that one above but tagging a discussion to multiple products will be a feature of our upcoming discussion system.
Hey guys! Couple of things I would like to see from gdgt:
#1) More guest appearances / user input on the Podcast. While I enjoy Peter and Ryan's commentary a lot, there are times where I think another point of view might add quite a bit of depth to the conversation. What if gdgt had a skype voicemail # users could call and say what is on their mind. (Be it a comment about last week's podcast, question, or submission of a story we would like gdgt to discuss) Then, if there is something note worthy, playback the recorded message (or call the user, with permission of course, for live discussion) on the podcast. Think of it as a TWIT for the rest of us gadget nerds who just happen to have a different 9-5 than Tech Blogging!?!?
#2) I know the gdgt events have kinda served this purpose, but I think it would be awesome if you could convince consumer electronics manufactures that gdgt would be an awesome conduit for brutally honest enduser gadget reviews. If there was a way that you could allow users to "test drive" (so-to-speak) demo units at our homes for a short period of time, in return, we would leave feedback on the product. It would then require the user to send it back to gdgt for distribution out to another user.....kinda like a gadget club or something. I think this would really encourage more discussions on the site, not to mention increased users. (Of course this might require some kind of deposit or something incase the gadget doesn't get returned or damaged etc) A lot of logistics to figure out here, but I think t would be great!
#3) I think interoperability of gadgets is something gdgt could capitalize upon. I'm thinking of a way to group gadgets into custom, user defined, groupings for the soul purpose of expressing interoperability to achieve a cool thing. For example, I'd like to create a special group that includes an my Canon Rebel xTI, Macbook, iPhone. To describe how I can operate the shutter on my DSLR from my iPhone's touchscreen wirelessly while previewing what is in the frame; I would connect the gadgets with arrows (Like a visio diagram) and explain how they all work together to by a simple predefined key of symbols, with the ability to indicate with freetext that I am using the "DSLRemote iPhone app" and desktop client.....maybe with the ability to indicate a total cost of the project. (Maybe using PriceGrabber?!?!) I think this would be a lot of fun, especially with the flood of internet connected devices coming to market.....
Taking it a step further, these specialized groupings could be searchable as well as commentable, allowing other users to discover how some devices are being used being used in conjunction with each other in new creative ways. It could lead to more informed buyers, as well as better discussion on the site.
#4) Why haven't you guys partnered with Gazelle.com..... it seems like a match made in heaven!?!?!
Just a couple of thoughts....sorry for the novella! Hope to make it to one of the gdgt events this year!
#1) More guest appearances / user input on the Podcast. While I enjoy Peter and Ryan's commentary a lot, there are times where I think another point of view might add quite a bit of depth to the conversation. What if gdgt had a skype voicemail # users could call and say what is on their mind. (Be it a comment about last week's podcast, question, or submission of a story we would like gdgt to discuss) Then, if there is something note worthy, playback the recorded message (or call the user, with permission of course, for live discussion) on the podcast. Think of it as a TWIT for the rest of us gadget nerds who just happen to have a different 9-5 than Tech Blogging!?!?
#2) I know the gdgt events have kinda served this purpose, but I think it would be awesome if you could convince consumer electronics manufactures that gdgt would be an awesome conduit for brutally honest enduser gadget reviews. If there was a way that you could allow users to "test drive" (so-to-speak) demo units at our homes for a short period of time, in return, we would leave feedback on the product. It would then require the user to send it back to gdgt for distribution out to another user.....kinda like a gadget club or something. I think this would really encourage more discussions on the site, not to mention increased users. (Of course this might require some kind of deposit or something incase the gadget doesn't get returned or damaged etc) A lot of logistics to figure out here, but I think t would be great!
#3) I think interoperability of gadgets is something gdgt could capitalize upon. I'm thinking of a way to group gadgets into custom, user defined, groupings for the soul purpose of expressing interoperability to achieve a cool thing. For example, I'd like to create a special group that includes an my Canon Rebel xTI, Macbook, iPhone. To describe how I can operate the shutter on my DSLR from my iPhone's touchscreen wirelessly while previewing what is in the frame; I would connect the gadgets with arrows (Like a visio diagram) and explain how they all work together to by a simple predefined key of symbols, with the ability to indicate with freetext that I am using the "DSLRemote iPhone app" and desktop client.....maybe with the ability to indicate a total cost of the project. (Maybe using PriceGrabber?!?!) I think this would be a lot of fun, especially with the flood of internet connected devices coming to market.....
Taking it a step further, these specialized groupings could be searchable as well as commentable, allowing other users to discover how some devices are being used being used in conjunction with each other in new creative ways. It could lead to more informed buyers, as well as better discussion on the site.
#4) Why haven't you guys partnered with Gazelle.com..... it seems like a match made in heaven!?!?!
Just a couple of thoughts....sorry for the novella! Hope to make it to one of the gdgt events this year!
We've been trying to layer in guests more as of late -- we had on Nilay Patel from Engadget last week, and, no surprise, it was a great addition to the format.
We have absolutely considered working with manufacturers to seed units to key members of the community. Not sure if/when that will happen, but I definitely think it'd be healthy.
One concept I've been playing with is user defined groups of products (i.e. "goes great with") so users can draw logical links from one product to another, kind of like cross-tagging. We'll see if it pans out!
Not sure a partnership on secondary market stuff would work to our advantage at the moment; we might be best off baking that directly into what we're doing.
Thanks for all the input!
We have absolutely considered working with manufacturers to seed units to key members of the community. Not sure if/when that will happen, but I definitely think it'd be healthy.
One concept I've been playing with is user defined groups of products (i.e. "goes great with") so users can draw logical links from one product to another, kind of like cross-tagging. We'll see if it pans out!
Not sure a partnership on secondary market stuff would work to our advantage at the moment; we might be best off baking that directly into what we're doing.
Thanks for all the input!
Thank you for listening! I think this type of forum will really help make the site grow in ways that you may not have thought of before....
One more thing... It would be great if gdgt events could land on a weekend. Since I am in the Midwest, I would have a very hard time making it to an event that is in the middle of the week. (I know it might be hard with all the vendor's schedules....but I think turnout would be better on a weekend)
Thanks again! Keep up the good work!
One more thing... It would be great if gdgt events could land on a weekend. Since I am in the Midwest, I would have a very hard time making it to an event that is in the middle of the week. (I know it might be hard with all the vendor's schedules....but I think turnout would be better on a weekend)
Thanks again! Keep up the good work!
Just this kind of top-down interaction and transparency is really incredible and appreciated, keep it up!
Heartening to hear the ability to add news comments coming.
Love the News streamer under the Add New tab, it would be neat to have a similar aggregator for podcasts and the same ability to tag, cross-reference, or comment, such that in any week in tech you'd be able to see all the podcasts that talked about a given tech news story or gadget at the time of query. Easy to ask for, tougher to execute of course, just my 2 cents.
A few other random ideas:
1) Bi-Monthly video podcast - Help put a face on the site and enhance its personality/branding (I'm sure the Engadget Show has done wonders to humanize Engadget) contrasted against the anonymous editors of Gizmodo. Your audio podcast already does it well, and in fact what drew me to the site in the first place, but "a picture's worth..."
2) Original content, "People of gdgt" - You guys have a great pedigree and loads of connections in tech and tech journalism as friends and gdgt members. Social networking like Facebook works because your friends (and social spheres- school, work, etc) are on it. Twitter works, to an extent, because of celebrities and content. I'm sure your slightly better known members could be a draw if you would do short features or interviews with them. It fosters community through the entire tech pundit biz ("a rising tide lifts all boats") and leverages the loyalty of existing communities/celebrities (while enhancing their celebrity by exposing them to gdgt's audience), and draw those spheres in, following their respective tech celeb. Just have to figure out something tasteful that all parties are comfortable with.
3) Tutorial - I think I said this a while back and Peter was kind enough to answer, basically, I wanted something to clarify the use case/vision of gdgt. I think I have it down now and honestly, the slight barrier to entry is perhaps a good thing for keeping the community as a whole more sophisticated... but more users = more crowd content so it'd be good to have just one page, one video, one demo, or one killer app to "sell" the site to friends and new users. To say, "See, this is why you've gotta join gdgt!" I think the giveaways, podcasts, and sheer breadth of the gdgt database are all great draws (I think the People of gdgt idea above would work similarly to draw in cnet, Revision3, TWIT, etc. crowds) but a concise summary or demo of it all could lower the barrier to entry if that's your goal.
Anyways, great site, incredible how far its come in such a short time. Best.
Heartening to hear the ability to add news comments coming.
Love the News streamer under the Add New tab, it would be neat to have a similar aggregator for podcasts and the same ability to tag, cross-reference, or comment, such that in any week in tech you'd be able to see all the podcasts that talked about a given tech news story or gadget at the time of query. Easy to ask for, tougher to execute of course, just my 2 cents.
A few other random ideas:
1) Bi-Monthly video podcast - Help put a face on the site and enhance its personality/branding (I'm sure the Engadget Show has done wonders to humanize Engadget) contrasted against the anonymous editors of Gizmodo. Your audio podcast already does it well, and in fact what drew me to the site in the first place, but "a picture's worth..."
2) Original content, "People of gdgt" - You guys have a great pedigree and loads of connections in tech and tech journalism as friends and gdgt members. Social networking like Facebook works because your friends (and social spheres- school, work, etc) are on it. Twitter works, to an extent, because of celebrities and content. I'm sure your slightly better known members could be a draw if you would do short features or interviews with them. It fosters community through the entire tech pundit biz ("a rising tide lifts all boats") and leverages the loyalty of existing communities/celebrities (while enhancing their celebrity by exposing them to gdgt's audience), and draw those spheres in, following their respective tech celeb. Just have to figure out something tasteful that all parties are comfortable with.
3) Tutorial - I think I said this a while back and Peter was kind enough to answer, basically, I wanted something to clarify the use case/vision of gdgt. I think I have it down now and honestly, the slight barrier to entry is perhaps a good thing for keeping the community as a whole more sophisticated... but more users = more crowd content so it'd be good to have just one page, one video, one demo, or one killer app to "sell" the site to friends and new users. To say, "See, this is why you've gotta join gdgt!" I think the giveaways, podcasts, and sheer breadth of the gdgt database are all great draws (I think the People of gdgt idea above would work similarly to draw in cnet, Revision3, TWIT, etc. crowds) but a concise summary or demo of it all could lower the barrier to entry if that's your goal.
Anyways, great site, incredible how far its come in such a short time. Best.
Yeah, video is a constant debate. I'd like to do it, but the time investment required to do video over simple audio is probably 5x or more. Just really hard for to justify when I'm already working 16 hours a day.
To your second point, we are absolutely thinking about ways we can highlight members of the gdgt community in the future.
For that "WTF are we" thing, check this: features.gdgt.com/2009/07/01/introducing-gdgt/ Probably a good idea for us to actually embed that video elsewhere on the site!
To your second point, we are absolutely thinking about ways we can highlight members of the gdgt community in the future.
For that "WTF are we" thing, check this: features.gdgt.com/2009/07/01/introducing-gdgt/ Probably a good idea for us to actually embed that video elsewhere on the site!
I agree, more product reviews from you guys, hardly ever see any on products I know you have ;) I know, I know, time!
Not sure that's really part of what we want to accomplish here. There is absolutely no shortage of sites out there doing product editorial -- a big part of the reason I left Engadget was to do something totally different which I hope can really move things forward in how users and products relate online. That said, you'll be much more likely to see us starting discussions about products than doing any formal reviews, I think.
I do enjoy your discussions! And I value the opinion of all your team, that's why I would love to see a review of some of the gadgets you own. But I agree, page would not depend on it since it's really about the whole of the comunity
Ok last one, I swear. Like many others have mentioned, a lot of people now use gdgt as a first line of research when considering a purchase. I spend a lot of time reading smartphone discussions and a common thread for any new phone seems to be "smartphone x vs. smartphone y". It would be cool if these discussion could be cross posted on both (or sometimes three) product pages so you could get input from users of both devices. Having the discussion only on one product may miss out on contributions from users that may be interested in one of the products but not the other. Again, not sure about the feasibility, but would be a cool feature to enhance discussions.
maybe also have discussions on gadget levels, i.e. discuss TVs rather than a company or a specific product. Would love that!
Something I just came across; On your personal gadget page, there is no option to move the gadget from your Want list to you Have list. I know you can drag it, but I have too many gadgets for that to be efficient. I usually click into the gadget and add to my Have list. It would be nice to have a way to move a gadget between lists from the gadget page. Maybe another option in the Options sub-menu that is already there?
I decided I wanted to arrange my have list, but it is long. (Half a dozen monitors, four of which are crts, all still running; my two digital cameras, my dad's two digital cameras, my three old cell phones...) So I set my three monitors to stacked, rather than side by side, raised the resolution, and stretched the browser window down all three screens. I was a little confused and wanted to move my cursor sideways to get to the next screen, and I had the center (larger) screen as the top screen.
Wouldn't want to do that every time I move a wanted gadget into my have list, or a have gadget into my had list.
Wouldn't want to do that every time I move a wanted gadget into my have list, or a have gadget into my had list.
