An Observation

I know that this Pentax site is a quiet one, but I personally preferred it when the "Gallery Photographs" were just likes and not signatures attached.

Echo chambers occur when one feels that they owe some sort of allegiance to others. as they're name appears in the "Like", because they feel compelled from other "Likes" from other members.

Preferred the anonymity of the contributor in the the original "Likes" in the Gallery, as they felt more sincere.

Regards, Flan

I should probably rephrase my thoughts but" The Likes" do not have to be named.
Comments on the other hand in the original recent Gallery, were always appreciated by everyone.

I think

You mean have 'likes' as a simple numerical counter without the liker being identified.

Yes David , is my answer. I from a personal point, do not like the "Likes" being identified.
The Likes , should not display an attached identity, or users name to be specific.
If a user wants to make a comment on the other hand , then they will and have that option, at their disposal for better or worse.

A like should be just what it is (or used be on here) and nothing more

I hadn't thought about it that deeply - But, Yes I agree with Flan. If a member want's to identify themselves they can in the comments section or not, as they prefer.

Personally I don't have a problem with being identified if liking an image, I see it as a non issue. Indeed I think it is nice and interesting to see who likes a particular image. It falls in line with most social media.

Sorry Flan to hear that you're not a fan of being able to see who's liked. I don't believe there's any pressure to replicate a like, it's just a simple acknowledgement of appreciation of the photo or the effort put in.

Statistically it's given the gallery a much needed boost and the number of likes placed on photos has increased dramatically from hardly being used. We have explore new ways of increasing the activity on site otherwise it'll fall by the wayside. I don't know of any other site or social media where activity can't be attributed to someone, so it's not really breaking away from the norm.

To end on a positive, New Year will bring new developments as we strive to attract new members and enhance the experience for existing members in hope of securing the site's future.

Cheers,

Rick

Hi All
When people like Flickr photos you can be see who has liked what photos. It appears to me to be self perpetuating as I tend to look at other peoples the photos if they have liked mine. Maybe there could be an optional tick box so others cant see what you like, but I really don’t mind at all.

I guess there's no reason while this can't be an option to be named IN/OUT in each user's profile, just a personal choice then.

And long may this forum survive!

Cheers
Mike

Thanks everyone for you're responses and opinions.
Too Rick, I am delighted that the "Gallery" received a boost in submissions, so I cannot argue with that.
It is probably just me that is social media shy as in the likes department.
Yes as pointed out by others , long may this forum survive

I personally don't have an issue with my ID being linked to a 'Like'.

I can understand what Flan is saying as I notice on the larger e-photozine site that you do seem to get 'voting patterns' emerge between certain groups of people and I can understand the possible 'pressure' to feel you have to 'like' someones image if they've consistently liked yours!

I try not to let that influence me though and only 'like' an image both on here and on e-photozine if I genuinely do.
Also I often 'like' an image but forget to 'like' it by pressing the button or think I have already done so when in fact i haven't without checking.

It's nice to get a fair few likes particularly for an image one might be especially pleased with, but I don't lose any sleep over a 'drought' of such votes...it's only a bit of extra fun to me and when all said and done I take images for myself primarily...if others like them...well that's a bonus

I think if collectively we stick to liking photos where we do indeed like the image we'll be fine. I know unfortunately all too well the issues caused on ePHOTOzine within clique groups, the fall outs from it all and how some members believed it influenced the awards process.

Fortunately on Pentax User currently the only site award for photos uploaded to the main gallery is being selected as Photo of the week, I can assure you that the selection process is conducted by individuals (and not automated) who definitely select photos on their merits and not views & likes.

I'm happy to code up a solution like MikeInDevon suggested where you can opt out from your username being visible, which could also hide the likers box for that member too, so to all intents and purposes rolling back, however it would remain visible for everyone else. The only negative I can see is the number of (likers) usernames matching the vote count, I'd have to put something like + 2 anonymous.

Personally I'm happy to see who's liked my photos, also happy to see my name against a photo that I've liked. But I'm also cool with being guided on what we should do, although I think the benefit it's brought to the gallery currently outweighs the negatives.

I agree with Rick on this, I'm happy to be identified when liking an image, and I only click Like when something really shouts out at me. Otherwise, I like many images that don't get a click, so there's a threshold that I guess will be different for each of us. Personally, I would leave well alone as it is unless some problem became obvious. Otherwise we have the possibility of creating solutions for problems that are not major issues? Being able to vote anonymously would cover all bases though, hopefully being satisfactory for everyone?