Here is an interesting thing we have been working on. It is not available yet, but it will be soon. Here is what it does: 1. Before you can submit a link or article, you must login with Facebook. 2. The user clicks login and they agree to Run the App (takes two seconds). They agree to share their email, username and facebook ID (with avatar too). 3. The user data is stored in the PLD_USER table and viewable through the admin panel through User Management, so things like blocking the user are still possible. 4. The links are submitted as normal in the directory and the admin can approve. Potentially it might be an interesting test to auto approve as well. I think this could be a interesting new development for the directory industry. When a user decides to allow the app they can choose to make their link request private so it will not appear on their timeline unless they allow it. But I think it will be pretty hard for any sort of auto submitters to go around submitting because facebook tends to shut down repeated requests. So for the directory owner this can be another level of defense against spam. We're still testing, but you are welcome to try it out, and see how it works. If there is a lot of demand for this, we will try to speed up the final testing and get it released soon. Let me know what you think. If something isn't working right, that is because we are in beta, but appreciate any feedback.
Keep in mind they can make the post private in facebook, but facebook is the busiest site on the net, so lots of opportunities for directory owners.
I don't use Facebook. I don't like having to log into one site to gain access to another - it makes me nervous that the login info will somehow be captured. I like what you are trying to do, conceptually, in that it would make it harder for spammers. But anyone gun shy about sharing too much information isn't going to like it.
Personally I never let programs rape my FB like that, some might,, but many might not. A lot of people have a ton of personal info on there facebook they will probably be not so warm on the idea of an app scraping it or an app doing things they have no clue of to their personal data. then you have the zombie facebook accts made by "seo" guys who do not care, but what are their links worth?
Ok, thank you. We will see what we can do for you to get it launched. I know there were a couple of additional updates overnight.
Terrible idea. I'd just move on since I don't feel I should have to approve ANY "app to run" when all I want to do is submit a link. Just make you provide an option that says: Turn trash off
It should be optional for people to login with facebook because most of them would feel insecure if this would be the only option.
Exactly. It is good if it helps your directory business and since it has not been tried, we don't know. Makes sense to me. The more options directory owners have, the more they can test what works best for their business. Ignoring the busiest site on the internet may not be the best plan.
David, just because you can do something it doesn't mean that you should, its not all about options, directory owners dont necessarily need more options within the software, similarly submitters are usually not looking for a load of features either.
Why is it ignoring the "busiest site on the Internet" by not making it a way to submit to a directory? Would this not just be providing the scammers another list building technique? And, how long before some jerk figures out how to modify your software to capture the FB password too? I'm all ears for new ideas to improve the value of what we offer the sites we list but I just don't get this one. It would make a neat feature for a Facebook niche directory but I'm not sure if the investment on your part would be worth it. Have you posted this in the phpLD forums and opened it up for conversation? It seems that the only yes vote here is from someone who has been a member of this forum for 2 years, only posted a handful of times and may not even own a directory.
Didn't want to point this out but feel that i should, wouldn't it just be a simpler and free opportunity for you David to promote the directory script on facebook by using the directory owners to do that? Not helpful for directory owners, they dont need more competition, but helpful for you, to promote your product.
There are lots of reasons for Facebook integration. One of the big ones is REAL traffic that is not just for Google. People can make comments using facebook, and already I am aware of a number of directories where they actually have some conversations going on about the links and articles, and that is great for the LISTERS in the directory. I understand there is desire to preserve the old model, and also sometimes new ideas work, and sometimes they don't, but that is no reason not to try new things. We did some testing with people on the phpLD forums as well.
Looks like you have got some mixed feedback. Why not have an option in admin to enable and disable this FB option? In this way, admins who wish to have FB login setup can still use and doesn't want, can disable and have the traditional submission method.
Yes, of course. This is more something that we are first testing and then releasing as we have successes that are worth being shared. At no point would there ever be a requirement to use facebook. I have some phpLD driven sites that are doing very well as a result of facebook modifications. It's not like google is the only game in town, but some people like it is.
Sure, and I don't think that has ever been an issue with the directory industry. The greater issue is the directory industry basing their whole business around only google, when there are other ways to profit that are being ignored, especially on the higher end where quality is involved.