Actually the new ranking algorithm could make sense for threads like this, where you want to be informed about new comments. But it doesnt work for new posts.
Maybe we need to rank different types of posts differently?
This is a huge problem with Reddit. New and Top are pretty self explanatory, and everyone’s familiar with Hot (not that it’s well explained either), but what exactly is Rising, Controversal, or Best supposed to mean?!
Actually the new ranking algorithm could make sense for threads like this, where you want to be informed about new comments. But it doesnt work for new posts.
Maybe we need to rank different types of posts differently?
I’m leaning towards splitting these into two sorts.
Activitysort, IE its called hot right now. It’ll be default, and its basicallyhotRank(score, newest_comment_time)Hotsort, which is what we’ve had until last week. ItshotRank(score, post_creation_time)Thats where the explanation for the sort options becomes important. And maybe better naming, because those two dont explain it at all.
This is a huge problem with Reddit. New and Top are pretty self explanatory, and everyone’s familiar with Hot (not that it’s well explained either), but what exactly is Rising, Controversal, or Best supposed to mean?!
By the way, I like the idea of using tooltips (AKA help text) to explain the different sorting options. Just my suggestion.
I also like it, but it does not work on mobile.
Good point.