Comments on: @Replies: A Compromise

By: Alysson

Alysson — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:29:41 +0000

We’re on the same wavelength, Jason. That’s why I tweeted this last night in the midst of the #fixreplies conversations going on:

“Everyone who wants Twitter to #fixreplies should let @ev know by retweeting this. ”

By: Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:42:25 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for the clarifications and feedback. I’ve updated the post.

By: jason nadaf

jason nadaf — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:53:25 +0000

i agree with Derick, compromise or not, it should be an option rather than “forced”. with that said someone like YOU, and people with numbers of followers like @the_gman, @om, etc should create the tweet directed at @twitter or @ev, @biz – something like this ► @twitter (via everybody) RETWEET THIS IF YOU DISAGREE WITH DECISION TO HIDE REPLIES TO PEOPLE YOU DON’T FOLLOW! ◄ obviously, the importance would be to direct it at @twitter or @ev because otherwise they probably won’t see it (though they’ll see the activity and trend of course). great writeup Mr. Sullivan!

By: Derick Ng

Derick Ng — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:30:59 +0000

Compromise or not, it should always be an option rather than “forced” like how they just removed the settings and assumed everyone is OK with things. Then again, everyone including me will just grow to accept things as it comes along. Twitter is eating too much into our life! :p

By: Lynne Polischuik

Lynne Polischuik — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:24:01 +0000

I still don’t feel what you’ve suggested here is a good compromise. You yourself are a good example Danny: As you are an authority on search and someone I greatly respect in my industry I follow you. If you take the time to respond to someone I have to consider that that person may be someone I should also follow–perhaps not in every case, but more often than not I’ve discovered that the people I follow converse with others I’d like to follow. Given this change I would not see those exchanges.

While seeing @ replies to those you don’t follow does in some cases generate ‘fragmented’ threads and conversations this is part of what I love about Twitter: You can ignore these threads or pick them up and follow along as it suits you.

By: Alysson

Alysson — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:07:00 +0000

Twitter removed the user’s control and ability to choose for themselves with this recent update. Previously available within the settings area were the options to view:

1) “all @replies” – meaning you would see the @replies from those you follow even if you weren’t following the user being replied to

2) “@replies to those I follow” – meaning you would see only the @replies from those you follow to others that you also follow

3) “no @replies” – meaning you would see none of the @replies sent by those you follow

It appears that Twitter, in it’s infinite wisdom, has decided that giving its users the ability to make that choice for themselves was simply “too confusing”. I contend that if making such a choice is too confusing for someone, the benefit they’ll get from using Twitter is limited to begin with.

Don’t remove my ability to choose which @replies I see in order to dumb the use of the service down to appeal to the lowest common denominator of web user.

By: Lucas Ng

Lucas Ng — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:03:23 +0000

Danny, did you mean all replies sent to you? Because that didn’t get changed, you will continue to see all replies sent to you.

The change made hides the replies sent by people you follow to people you don’t follow, because supposedly, these messages are a ‘one-way’ or fragmented conversation that is uninteresting and/or confusing.

This is a good defense (and clarification) of the Twitter change made: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/twitter_puts_a_muzzle_on_your_friends_goodbye_peop.php#comment-137637

By: Atul Arora

Atul Arora — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:58:05 +0000

Danny – the compromise you are describing used to be there in Twitter’s account settings till today 2PM – See http://twitter.com/chrismessina/status/1782211266. Twitter switched of the feature with little notice and that is what has raised the ire of so many people