Forum Topics
News & Announcements: Two Weeks Without Whispers
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 6:40pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
One of the most frequently mentioned topics in the 2011 year-end survey was whispering. There has also been a very active thread in the VIP message forums on this topic for the past few months.
BACKGROUND: For the past couple of years we have limited whispering to where only customers can whisper to performers, i.e. the performer cannot whisper back.
Both sides of the issue definitely have good points. Whispering does provide the ability to send a private message to a performer, but at the cost of a disjointed conversation within the chat and a confusing experience for the performer.
Our goal going into 2012 has been finding ways to make the site more fun and part of those efforts centers around increasing the activity in the rooms. In its present state whispering detracts from the overall conversation and thus appears to run counter to our goals.
Starting Thursday, February 9th we will being to roll-out a chat system change to temporarily disable whispering for two-weeks. If you attempt to whisper the message will not be sent and you will be reminded about the temporary ban on whispering.
Whispering will still be available during paid shows, mostly applicable to multi-user shows.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we test this change to our site. We realize that there were many other good ideas about how to curtail whispers but we made a decision to test this change first.
Sincerely,
Brad
Quote
BACKGROUND: For the past couple of years we have limited whispering to where only customers can whisper to performers, i.e. the performer cannot whisper back.
Both sides of the issue definitely have good points. Whispering does provide the ability to send a private message to a performer, but at the cost of a disjointed conversation within the chat and a confusing experience for the performer.
Our goal going into 2012 has been finding ways to make the site more fun and part of those efforts centers around increasing the activity in the rooms. In its present state whispering detracts from the overall conversation and thus appears to run counter to our goals.
Starting Thursday, February 9th we will being to roll-out a chat system change to temporarily disable whispering for two-weeks. If you attempt to whisper the message will not be sent and you will be reminded about the temporary ban on whispering.
Whispering will still be available during paid shows, mostly applicable to multi-user shows.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we test this change to our site. We realize that there were many other good ideas about how to curtail whispers but we made a decision to test this change first.
Sincerely,
Brad
Quote
Thanks, Brad. About a year ago I posted that I hated whispers and hoped you would create a bank so members could hide their credit totals and not encourage models to milk the credits. Now, it has happened, but I hope the whisper ban remains permanent. I guess dreams do cum true. LOL
Quote
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 7:50pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
Thanks, Brad. About a year ago I posted that I hated whispers and hoped you would create a bank so members could hide their credit totals and not encourage models to milk the credits. Now, it has happened, but I hope the whisper ban remains permanent. I guess dreams do cum true. LOL
Some things take a bit but I'm happy that we're getting a lot of stuff cranked out and I feel like it's having a positive impact on the experience on the site. It's all about "MORE FUN"!
Brad
Quote
Some things take a bit but I'm happy that we're getting a lot of stuff cranked out and I feel like it's having a positive impact on the experience on the site. It's all about "MORE FUN"!
Brad
Quote
Brad,
I understand the concerns of other members and I also do not like it when someone has a complete conversation in whisper. Honestly I do whisper from time to time but never in excess. I do not want whisper permanently removed and I hope you can find a solution to please all. I think this is a great site and I enjoy the time I spend here. Quote
I understand the concerns of other members and I also do not like it when someone has a complete conversation in whisper. Honestly I do whisper from time to time but never in excess. I do not want whisper permanently removed and I hope you can find a solution to please all. I think this is a great site and I enjoy the time I spend here. Quote
i think it is a mistake.
the conversations are disoriented without whispering.
if you need to tell a model somethi gright away that is private why should i not be able to do it?
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear.
I do not like it. Quote
the conversations are disoriented without whispering.
if you need to tell a model somethi gright away that is private why should i not be able to do it?
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear.
I do not like it. Quote
i think it is a mistake.
the conversations are disoriented without whispering.
if you need to tell a model somethi gright away that is private why should i not be able to do it?
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear.
I do not like it.
I totally agree
Quote
the conversations are disoriented without whispering.
if you need to tell a model somethi gright away that is private why should i not be able to do it?
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear.
I do not like it.
I totally agree
Quote
Created by:
uglycouch
2/8/12 @ 8:36pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: In your chatroom!!!
Posts: 101
Brad I understand why many dont like the disjointedness Whispering causes to the chat, I feel it does too.
BUT....
I think getting rid of Whispering is a mistake, granted I think way to many people use whispering to talk with a model about things that would be perfectly "safe" in open chat. Sometimes a whisper is a nice private way to negotiate ones desires for a private with a model, especailly one new to a member, not all of us wish to disclose our particular kinks out in public in front of the other citizens of our community.
Might I suggest that instead of removing this feature, even if just for a trial, maybe we can find some way to limit the "abuse" of the whisper. Maybe a limit per user account of 20(or some other useful yet limiting number) whispers a day. Quote
BUT....
I think getting rid of Whispering is a mistake, granted I think way to many people use whispering to talk with a model about things that would be perfectly "safe" in open chat. Sometimes a whisper is a nice private way to negotiate ones desires for a private with a model, especailly one new to a member, not all of us wish to disclose our particular kinks out in public in front of the other citizens of our community.
Might I suggest that instead of removing this feature, even if just for a trial, maybe we can find some way to limit the "abuse" of the whisper. Maybe a limit per user account of 20(or some other useful yet limiting number) whispers a day. Quote
Mistake to remove them, there are lots of things guys wish to discuss without the room needing to know especially when it comes to special kinks, personal things and the like. Yes its annoying when you know there is entire whisper conversations going on but I think the models do a good job following everyone else just fine and it hardly annoys me enough to want to give up my ability to whisper. Again I believe this will be a huge mistake.
Quote
Created by:
chinmusic
2/8/12 @ 9:25pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: 19,627
Posts: 19,914
Hey Brad,
Wow. Quite the aggressive move!
I've been one of the advocates of change regarding whispering, but I think removing it would be a mistake.
My main issue has been with certain members who chronically abuse it, rather than the whispering tool itself. That said, I like UglyCouch's suggestion of a limit per user account (those who use the feature responsibly won't be affected at all)
Disabling whispering temporarily seems like a great way to evaluate all the pros and cons, but wouldn't one week suffice?
If the goal is more fun, then don't eliminate whispering, just curtail it. Seems to me the obvious solution. Quote
Wow. Quite the aggressive move!
I've been one of the advocates of change regarding whispering, but I think removing it would be a mistake.
My main issue has been with certain members who chronically abuse it, rather than the whispering tool itself. That said, I like UglyCouch's suggestion of a limit per user account (those who use the feature responsibly won't be affected at all)
Disabling whispering temporarily seems like a great way to evaluate all the pros and cons, but wouldn't one week suffice?
If the goal is more fun, then don't eliminate whispering, just curtail it. Seems to me the obvious solution. Quote
I'm not one to post much on the forums, although I do read them regularly. But I feel the need to voice my opinion here.
To me, loosing the ability to whisper takes something away from the site. Whispering give the memembers an opportunity to ask the models personal question, or give them a private little tease to tell them something that not the whole rooms bussiness.
I wonder if maybe you haven't listened to a vocal minority on this one.
Thats just my 2 cents worth. Quote
To me, loosing the ability to whisper takes something away from the site. Whispering give the memembers an opportunity to ask the models personal question, or give them a private little tease to tell them something that not the whole rooms bussiness.
I wonder if maybe you haven't listened to a vocal minority on this one.
Thats just my 2 cents worth. Quote
Created by:
masterdave
2/8/12 @ 10:07pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 10
Brad, in a history of Flirt implementing stupid ideas, this has to be one of the most stupid yet.
Quote
Created by:
shamrock925
2/8/12 @ 10:15pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: near the greatest city in the world!
Posts: 29
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 10:51pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
I do not want whisper permanently removed and I hope you can find a solution to please all. I think this is a great site and I enjoy the time I spend here.
I can't make any promises, but I do appreciate your feedback on the issue. We're committed to this two-week test run to see how things go. Hope you continue to enjoy the site during the test!
Brad
Quote
I can't make any promises, but I do appreciate your feedback on the issue. We're committed to this two-week test run to see how things go. Hope you continue to enjoy the site during the test!
Brad
Quote
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 10:54pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
if you need to tell a model somethi gright away that is private why should i not be able to do it?
Frankly because it is widely abused and even the most creative ideas to curtail it are riddled with rules and stipulations.
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I disagree 100%. There are very few words that are filtered after the recent changes and fewer still that are filtered in private. What exactly are you trying to say?
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear. I do not like it.
Perhaps, but maybe still another customer shares the same question? The open chat is for chatting, not for private conversations.
I appreciate your feedback both before this change and I look forward to what you have to say after its in place for a few days.
Brad
Quote
Frankly because it is widely abused and even the most creative ideas to curtail it are riddled with rules and stipulations.
the privates are not private to start with. You watch them as they perform and sensor anything we say. we have to watch what we say now all the time.
I disagree 100%. There are very few words that are filtered after the recent changes and fewer still that are filtered in private. What exactly are you trying to say?
I think this is taking away a means of the potential client to ask a model a question not all in room have to hear. I do not like it.
Perhaps, but maybe still another customer shares the same question? The open chat is for chatting, not for private conversations.
I appreciate your feedback both before this change and I look forward to what you have to say after its in place for a few days.
Brad
Quote
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 10:55pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
Brad, in a history of Flirt implementing stupid ideas, this has to be one of the most stupid yet.
Well at least we're setting records for stupid ideas.
Lots of vocal opinions, can't respond to each post tonight. Looking forward to seeing how things go though.
Brad
Quote
Well at least we're setting records for stupid ideas.
Lots of vocal opinions, can't respond to each post tonight. Looking forward to seeing how things go though.
Brad
Quote
Created by:
shamrock925
2/8/12 @ 10:56pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: near the greatest city in the world!
Posts: 29
I am with Kertus! See you in two weeks!
Quote
I am definately against the removal whispers for any period of time... I don't want 100 people knowing anything how about the events/my day/my life that I decide to share with a model.
I expect to be seeing a lot of "XXXX I sent you a mail." In open chat now. So, you will probably have the models flipping from the chat screen to their mailboxes to appease customers.
If anything, make it a function only VIP's have.
Quote
I expect to be seeing a lot of "XXXX I sent you a mail." In open chat now. So, you will probably have the models flipping from the chat screen to their mailboxes to appease customers.
If anything, make it a function only VIP's have.
Quote
Created by:
VS_Brad
2/8/12 @ 10:59pm
(EDT) | UTC - 4:00
Location: California, USA
Posts: 3,429
I wonder if maybe you haven't listened to a vocal minority on this one.
Thank you for your comments.
We listened to both vocal minorities on both sides of the issue. The reality is that each group still only represents a small slice of the site ... the rest of the people aren't really represented on the forums or the survey.
That's when it becomes our job to look at the data, listen to both sides (plus the performers) and try to do what's best for the entire community even if it means some frustration with the change. Not going to please everyone, but that's not going to stop us from doing our best to try to improve the site.
Brad
Quote
Thank you for your comments.
We listened to both vocal minorities on both sides of the issue. The reality is that each group still only represents a small slice of the site ... the rest of the people aren't really represented on the forums or the survey.
That's when it becomes our job to look at the data, listen to both sides (plus the performers) and try to do what's best for the entire community even if it means some frustration with the change. Not going to please everyone, but that's not going to stop us from doing our best to try to improve the site.
Brad
Quote
