Project 1 – Consensus
The web is shifting from static sites that purely inform users, to dynamic sites at which users interact. User input allows for fresh, mutable content — and this aptitude for change motivates users to return to the site.
User polls and voting have been around for some time. My proposition for project 1, entitled Consensus, is a “Web 2.0″ user poll.
Polls will be displayed as a statement, and a see-saw. The sides of the see-saw will be labeled yes/no or right/wrong — whatever is conducive to the question.
A person visiting the site will start out with the ability to view all polls. Registering a username will allow the user to create an avatar, distinguishable by a user-selectable color, and participate in the polls. To participate, the user will place his avatar on the see-saw relative to his stance on the subject. He will also have the option to leave a comment explaining his opinion. All registered users viewing a given poll concurrently will be able to chat with each other to discuss (and probably argue about) the topic. Mousing over avatars on the see-saw will display users’ explanations (if given).
Polls will be only be opened for a limited time. During this time, users will have a chance to invite like-minded friends to sway the balance in their favor. When the time expires, the poll goes to archive mode, the results are viewable, but no further modification is allowed. Being on the winning side grants the user some food, which will increase his weight, making his effect on further polls stronger relative to slimmer users. Users will lose weight when creating a poll, thus dampening over-posting.
I’d eventually like to implement a “lightning poll” option, available when more than 10 users are logged into the site concurrently. When a lightning poll topic is created, users will scramble to get 1 of 8 spots in the poll. A timer begins, and users have to decide and convince the others which opinion is correct. When the timer runs out, users get food accordingly, and the pattern continues.
The strengths of this concept lie in the interaction between users, the urge to voice an opinion, and the ability the user has to participate in the site even if no other users are actively logged in. Altogether, I see this as a very compelling idea, and one that I’m anxious to explore over the course of this project.
- Joe
Jason said,
September 9, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Joe. a great idea but maybe a bit to complicated for the time allowed for this project. Let’s simplify this one by allowing the user to only vote on the proposed idea at hand. The user registration and chatting feature will take a bit longer. Unless you are already very comfortable with this technology.
Also, think of a way to abstract the see-saw graphic. I like the idea but would prefer the aesthetics of these projects to stand the test of time. Think sophisticated and simple.