One commentator on this blog yesterday asked that I stop putting up polls. He felt they were not adding value.
I have to disagree. As I noted recently, over the last year the average weekday readership a day on this blog was about 7,300. This chart shows how that has changed since I put the first poll up last Saturday:
Yesterday was the biggest day for traffic on this blog this year. It followed other days of exceptional traffic.
However, that is not enough reason for doing this. The real reason why I am pleased with the outcome is that many new commentators have joined debate here, making valuable new contributions. That adds to my moderation workload, but debate is good, and it has been enhanced. For that reason the polls will continue unless and until I think they do not add value.
And I am open to suggestions as to questions to ask. So please feel free to suggest them.
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The data is compelling. I find the polls insightful and hope they continue.
I like the polls, however I noticed that, a couple of days after voting, when I went back to a post to read further comments, I was able to vote again. I am not sure that is supposed to happen?
If you clear your cookies that is possible
I suspect I will look at other software in due course. I had no idea these would be quite so popular
As you know Richard, I had already signalled this problem by email (not wishing to advertise this possibility online!)
But I do think it needs fixing before word gets around, especially as you have now indicated how to do it!
The participation bias is unavoidable, but no need to make things worse by allowing multiple voting.
We will look at it
But quite a lot of time and expense has been spent on this and for now I need to look at other things
Sprry…
We have now changed the settings to stop this
There is a learning curve in this process….
I think this calls for a poll.
“Do you think this blog should have polls?”
I have already done that – and the answer was yes
“Your blog, your rules”.