Stargate : Command - ideas, suggestions, problems and feedbacks

[WraithTech]

On that site, is there a way to:

1) Get email notifications of direct messages and/or mentions using the web site?

2) See who is downvoting your comments? A bigoted person is downvoting my stuff against calling others objectifying "it" and also downvoted someone who said they had been bullied this way in real life. I want to confirm and block or put this person on ignore, as the person is too much of a coward to make a bigoted remark and knows they will be reported if they do, per Rule 3F:
"Follow codes of social decency. Be respectful. Do not make personal attacks. Express yourself with non-offensive individual self-expression so we can continue to build a community for everyone to enjoy. Cursing, harassing, stalking, posting insulting comments, personal attacks, gossip or similar actions are prohibited. Your User Content may not threaten, abuse or harm others. Your User Content may not include any negative comments that are connected to race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual preference or physical handicap or that are defamatory, slanderous, indecent, obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit. If you think your User Content might offend someone, chances are it will – so it doesn't belong on the Site."

Stuff like this is why my family wants me out of the Stargate fandom-- and one of them used to collect a lot of early SG figurines. Bigotry like this that writers who know better need to stop complicitly supporting among Stargate fans. I don't see this problem in other fandoms. Stargate needs to be brought up-to-date or it will keep getting more and more behind and it will die.

[Chaka-Z0]

On that site, is there a way to:

1) Get email notifications of direct messages and/or mentions using the web site?

2) See who is downvoting your comments?

[...snip]

I've just gone through your comments, interesting read.

First of all in regards to the quoted part above:

Being really active on the SGC App when SGO originally aired, I've noticed a few things on how the commenting system works.

1- The comments that don't get any upvotes / negative votes get automatically removed (or by a mod) after a certain delay (not sure how long, maybe a few hours - 1 day). I've seen this happen countless times, perhaps it's to prevent spam (a lot of people did that to get to the Ascended rank) and for clarity' sake.

2- I've also noticed a comment I had made on an *official post* of the interview with the Ancient Egyptian culture consultant, was removed almost instantly after posting it. It had kind of a humorous tone and probably didn't fit in the *omg thank you stargate command!* kind of posts that were the ONLY ones left in the comment section of this particular post. There's obviously an intervention by moderators or by some kind of algorithm that filters the comments.

@WraithTech:

2) See who is downvoting your comments?

3- The voting system is flawed, since anyone can downvote anything incognito and then your posts gets removed. Although would you say that those who downvote your posts shouldn't have the right to? Aren't they entitled to their own opinion?

[WraithTech]

1- The comments that don't get any upvotes / negative votes get automatically removed (or by a mod) after a certain delay (not sure how long, maybe a few hours - 1 day). I've seen this happen countless times, perhaps it's to prevent spam (a lot of people did that to get to the Ascended rank) and for clarity' sake.

2- I've also noticed a comment I had made on an *official post* of the interview with the Ancient Egyptian culture consultant, was removed almost instantly after posting it. It had kind of a humorous tone and probably didn't fit in the *omg thank you stargate command!* kind of posts that were the ONLY ones left in the comment section of this particular post. There's obviously an intervention by moderators or by some kind of algorithm that filters the comments.

I didn't know that but had heard of posts vanishing from there. If only certain types of posts vanish, then it is not a random data integrity issue, but one of mechanical or human intervention. Sites with algorithm filters are unreliable-- machine learning isn't up to par yet and too many innocuous comments vanish to make conversations viable or reliable. If you tried to make a joke, a machine isn't going to understand that, for instance.

Although would you say that those who downvote your posts shouldn't have the right to? Aren't they entitled to their own opinion?

Downvoting/upvoting comments to anonymously show support of discrimination is not outlined in rule 3F, so, it is not reportable and they are entitled to do so, as I am entitled to block and ignore them (if I find out who they are).

[Chaka-Z0]

I think the platform itself is flawed. Hard to follow, not easy to scroll through, etc.

[WraithTech]

Tumblr has a summary/archive feature which lets viewers sort posts by month and year and gives thumbnails of the posts. Something such as that would be helpful.

[Falcon Horus]

1) Get email notifications of direct messages and/or mentions using the web site?

No, this is not possible.
In the app, you get notifications highlighted by a red icon. On the website, the new posts or mentions or whatever else is highlighted in a darker grey but you have to physically check each tab (New Discussions, Notifications and Direct Messages).

2) See who is downvoting your comments?

Downvotes are not anonymous. They show us as likes (I kid you not), so in order to catch the person doing it, you have to keep track of how many likes you had before and then look at the total of likes in your notifications. If there's only one like, and it says -1 then this person downvoted your comment.

I have a bit of experience with downvoters, and there are several people who will downvote every comment I make no matter the content.

1- The comments that don't get any upvotes / negative votes get automatically removed (or by a mod) after a certain delay (not sure how long, maybe a few hours - 1 day). I've seen this happen countless times, perhaps it's to prevent spam (a lot of people did that to get to the Ascended rank) and for clarity' sake.

Exqueeze me?!?

There's a difference between spam, and removing negative comments. The first is okay, as far as I am concerned, the second reeks of censoring so that only possitive comments remain.

2- I've also noticed a comment I had made on an *official post* of the interview with the Ancient Egyptian culture consultant, was removed almost instantly after posting it. It had kind of a humorous tone and probably didn't fit in the *omg thank you stargate command!* kind of posts that were the ONLY ones left in the comment section of this particular post. There's obviously an intervention by moderators or by some kind of algorithm that filters the comments.

I know comments and posts can be reported and that they are deleted if deemed inappropriate or perhaps too much cussing. I also happen to have experience with that.
And people can be reported as well -- also speaking from experience.

[Chaka-Z0]

Exqueeze me?!?

There's a difference between spam, and removing negative comments. The first is okay, as far as I am concerned, the second reeks of censoring so that only possitive comments remain.

I obviously do not have tangible proofs, as this is untraceable unless you take screenshots before and after. If they do not get removed they get *hidden* which is basically the same thing. I don't want to shoot the gun unless this can be proven, but it does stink as you said

I might be wrong, although I don't see any other explanation for the disappearance of some of my/other people's comments.

[Chaka-Z0]

To be honest it's quite easy to circumvent the *censoring* on social medias. Basically you just round up a bunch of people, they create standard users account and simply downvote / comment in accords to the agenda of a company.

Many, many use this tactic, politicians most of all on Twitter.

[Falcon Horus]

Oh yeah... I know.

Gateworld used to have red reputation on top of green. Well, it didn't last too long (for as long as I have been here anyway). People really abused the system.

[WraithTech]

Downvotes are not anonymous. They show us as likes (I kid you not), so in order to catch the person doing it, you have to keep track of how many likes you had before and then look at the total of likes in your notifications. If there's only one like, and it says -1 then this person downvoted your comment.

Not sure if or

To add to the confusion, it appears that upvotes and downvotes can be undone—yet the record remains in the activity log. So, one will never know what the original vote was if they all show as likes in the activity log.

I have a bit of experience with downvoters, and there are several people who will downvote every comment I make no matter the content.

[sarcasm]Oh, sure, but people without access are the ones with too much free time! [/sarcasm]

or perhaps too much cussing. I also happen to have experience with that.

To be honest it's quite easy to circumvent the *censoring* on social medias. Basically you just round up a bunch of people, they create standard users account and simply downvote / comment in accords to the agenda of a company.
Many, many use this tactic, politicians most of all on Twitter.

The platform features and programming *encourage* multiple accounts. Per the Apple store, “Family Sharing: With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.” One person could have 6 alleged “family” accounts to vote with, plus any free accounts on the side.

Also, some user posts there come across to me as paid advertising, to get lurkers to try to subscribe.

All in all, I don’t know who over there is a real person.

[Falcon Horus]

Not sure if or

I try to catch them sometimes -- never had any actual replies though.
Though some did stop the moment that it's pointed out it's not anonymous.

[sarcasm]Oh, sure, but people without access are the ones with too much free time! [/sarcasm]

I know, right.

All in all, I don’t know who over there is a real person.

I'm fairly certain most people I do follow are actually people.

[Platschu]

Hello Ákos,

We're sorry for the issue you're facing. We also want to confirm that currently the download code is only accessible via iTunes. If you're unable to download it via iTunes, we're afraid that the code cannot be utilized.

We have our dev team working on all the options out there to get other device support to access the download code and will have an update soon.

In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or queries, we'll be happy to help.

Kindest regards,
Stargate Command Support Team

They have responded at least.

I have also sent back a few suggestions:

Hello!
Thanks for the news. You know I am a bit sad that I can't download it at all, just because I am a Samsung phone holder. By the way I have got all the SG episodes on DVDs, so the Origins was the main reason I decided to be an All-Access member.

Here aer a few more suggestions:
1.) Please upload the feature cut then on SG:C. So every All-Access members could watch it without worrying their phone type. I believe it would be an easy solution while it wouldn't cost extra money for the MGM.
2). Please upload the DVD extras if possible
3.) Please make the video section a bit more user friendly. I can't change the language, the size, the colour etc.
4.) Maybe you should upload the Stargate : Infinity series as well if MGM holds the cotnract. I know it is not your decision, but maybe they should treat such merchandise products as "Altenate Timeline Stargate" what could work like the EU for SW. And AT SG would be a nice reference to Amanda Tapping. So seriously... everybody would know that such products (like the comics, novels, mobile games) would work as an alternate timeline, what are not part of the canon, but they could be accepted.
5.) It would be nice to start a prop sections. They should make some HD pictures of props, set pieces or costumes, so everybody could have a closer look like a "virtual SG museum".
6.) If there is going to be any new SG products, then maybe you should make some 3d pictrues of set locations. The technology is really amazing, so we couldn't have such "virtual tours" before, while it would please the fans. So every time they place the stargate in the woods, then they could make a little 3d pictures for the fans as well.
7.) The "gift" section is not working on the SG:C site. What are the plans with it?
8.) It would be nice if all the notifications could be cleared with a button click. Even if I used the "mark them as read" option, they are still there.
9.) Maybe you should upload into a new galery sections some promo pictures or production sketches of the old episodes.
10.) Maybe you could make a little mythology section as well, where you could make new materials or educational informations about mythological aspects of the shows etc.

Anyway keep up the good work and really try to extend the service to every countries. We are in the XXI. century now, so please buy a few new servers and try to not lose the trust and loyality of the fans.

Thank you.

Platschu

[Falcon Horus]

Well, I'm not surprised to hear they're "working on it". It's their classic excuse and a great line that holds literally a whole lot o' nothing on that site.

Your list misses one point -- all cool you ask all those questions but why do you not think of your fellow stargate fans. You know, why do you want all that and not share it with all fans?

1.) Please upload the feature cut then on SG:C. So every All-Access members could watch it without worrying their phone type. I believe it would be an easy solution while it wouldn't cost extra money for the MGM.

It's already on the website in the shape of 10 episodes.
Though, I agree, that it should at least be available for streaming as well.

2). Please upload the DVD extras if possible

Freely available on YouTube -- someone mentioned this when they uploaded a few from the season 1 DVD's.
And your DVD's obviously.

3.) Please make the video section a bit more user friendly. I can't change the language, the size, the colour etc.

They are using TopFan templates. It's possible they have no access to the base code and can't alter these things. TopFan can.
And you can change the language in your profile -- at least, the language of the menus.

4.) Maybe you should upload the Stargate : Infinity series as well if MGM holds the cotnract.

They do not and thus would have to pay a license fee.
Stargate Infinity is owned by DHX Media (which bought DiC Entertainment, the original creators). MGM only has distribution rights for non-US countries.

5.) It would be nice to start a prop sections. They should make some HD pictures of props, set pieces or costumes, so everybody could have a closer look like a "virtual SG museum".

Everyone? You mean all-access.

6.) If there is going to be any new SG products, then maybe you should make some 3d pictrues of set locations. The technology is really amazing, so we couldn't have such "virtual tours" before, while it would please the fans. So every time they place the stargate in the woods, then they could make a little 3d pictures for the fans as well.

Production stills already exist. Virtual tours cost money.

7.) The "gift" section is not working on the SG:C site. What are the plans with it?

TopFan template -- and according to TopFan, the gift section is something where you could spend your "command coins" for little knick-knacks and useless digital things (wallpapers, a cool avatar, a cool title... and the likes).

8.) It would be nice if all the notifications could be cleared with a button click. Even if I used the "mark them as read" option, they are still there.

And an edit button, and do away with the minimum image size and more than one line of reply-text... thank you.

9.) Maybe you should upload into a new galery sections some promo pictures or production sketches of the old episodes.

I think they tried that in the image section but it seems to have disappeared, or gone all-access because when I click it I keep being send back to the feed.

10.) Maybe you could make a little mythology section as well, where you could make new materials or educational informations about mythological aspects of the shows etc.

It's called Stargate Wiki and already exists -- or better yet, Gateworld's own omnepedia.

[Platschu]

Probably they CTRL+C and CTRL+V the standard answers.

Actually I am still figthing for ALL stargate fans. That is reason I mentioned to buy a few new servers. I moaned in my other letters as well. Don't worry, I won't give up. Technically I am "half All-Access" as I haven't received my download code, what I couldn't use anyway

I have got all the DVDs, so I can watch the extras any time. I was talking in general, how to improve the SG:C. Maybe it sounds harsh and I don't want to sound big headed, butour Hungarian website (the Abydos Gate) or the GateWorld is much better in almost everything. I used to write articles about mythology, mistakes, news etc. We created our own quote game, our database and we still have got a huge picture collection. Our forum is also very detailed, but obviously the GW is much larger. I have really put so much effort into this franchise without any financial compenstation just for the love of this scifi world, what Darrell has done for the American fans.

Thanks fot the template help. It looks like you are a better help than the official support team.

I know Stargate Wiki exists. But this SG:C could be so much more. But I know that they are just a few programmers, so they can't create new contents for the fans. That is the reason I suggested to have a "virtual SG museum", where we could watch every props from every direction, but that would also cost them money to hire a professional photographer. Honestly any fan would do it for other fans with a better quality mobile.

Or they could start a new documentary series about mythology, technology etc. But if they were not investing money into the Origins, then why would they spend money on such things? That is reason I believe they should create such supportive contents what doesn't cost too much money. Like posting all promo pictures for every season and episode. Or show all the sketches, draws, storyboards etc.

Not to mention that the the COTG director's cut is missing from the video section. Or the Stargate : Infinity, but you said it doesn't really belong to MGM anymore and even the fans want to forget it like the cancelled games too. Honestly it is not as bad (especially in comparsion to Origins) what it seems, so I would accept it as an extended universe / alternate timeline SG material.

Anyway I try to stay on the ground. I am not the editor of SG:C. I am just an user there, but honestly it could be so much more. Sorry if I look a bit over enthusiastic, just if we really get a new SG show (Origins season 2 or whatever) in the near future, then they should be pushed to improve the service and the reachable materials as well.

That is the reason I suggested to make more virtual tour (like standing 3d set photos), because they have got photography before shooting anyway. I doubt it would be so complicated to post some "panoramic pictures" about the sets or the "planets". So the fans could get a new experience, like they would be part of the story to be there. I am not joking, just I hope you can follow me. So they would make a 3d photos similar what the StreetView makes, so the fans coulld have a look on the DHD and stargate or the trees around them. It doesn't need any actors, just to create the feeling of travelling to an other "planet" after a new episode. Not to mention they could shoot some extra material for VR technology etc. So I believe this step could be an interesting step ahead what no scifi shows have done before and literally it needs only a talented guy who is willing to make some 3d photos in the empty sets without the actors or extras.

If I would be them, I would cancel the forum section and then GW should be the "official" stargate forum if they can make an agreement or fusion with Darren, but maybe not everyone would be happy with such decisions.

[Falcon Horus]

Probably they CTRL+C and CTRL+V the standard answers.

They certainly know how to use those combo-buttons.

Maybe it sounds harsh and I don't want to sound big headed, butour Hungarian website (the Abydos Gate) or the GateWorld is much better in almost everything. I used to write articles about mythology, mistakes, news etc. We created our own quote game, our database and we still have got a huge picture collection. Our forum is also very detailed, but obviously the GW is much larger. I have really put so much effort into this franchise without any financial compenstation just for the love of this scifi world, what Darrell has done for the American fans.

It doesn't sound harsh because it's the truth. Gateworld and Abydos Gate (I just gave it a look) look better, and are simply more invested in and better served than Command.

I tried clicking towards the "Pictures" from the home page yesterday at Command and it just send me straight to the feed, so either pictures is also all-access or the link simply doesn't work. I can literally only visit 4 different pages on Command (minus the home-page): Activity, Feed and Forum. Beyond that I have no access to anything on there so it's a far-cry from Gateworld's open policy.

I know Stargate Wiki exists. But this SG:C could be so much more. But I know that they are just a few programmers, so they can't create new contents for the fans. That is the reason I suggested to have a "virtual SG museum", where we could watch every props from every direction, but that would also cost them money to hire a professional photographer. Honestly any fan would do it for other fans with a better quality mobile.

You know who would relish the most in those images -- propbuilders. We'd take the image and started up our 3D printers.
But thanks to the selling of all the production stills we already have a pretty good source for that.

Like posting all promo pictures for every season and episode. Or show all the sketches, draws, storyboards etc.

The production stills were MGM's and should probably still be around on their serves. The sketches and the likes were sold at auction.

Not to mention that the the COTG director's cut is missing from the video section.

You mean the original version is missing. Because they have the director's cut on there, and not the original.

Or the Stargate : Infinity, but you said it doesn't really belong to MGM anymore...

It was never theirs to begin with. The Stargate license yes, the cartoon itself not.

I am not the editor of SG:C. I am just an user there, but honestly it could be so much more. Sorry if I look a bit over enthusiastic, just if we really get a new SG show (Origins season 2 or whatever) in the near future, then they should be pushed to improve the service and the reachable materials as well.

From my dialogue with the team from way back in April, it seemed like they were going to do something that would involve more involvement from the fan community but all communications ceased when they extended the all-access, so I don't think they ever were going to involve the community more. Just more empty promises.

If I would be them, I would cancel the forum section and then GW should be the "official" stargate forum if they can make an agreement or fusion with Darren, but maybe not everyone would be happy with such decisions.

Nope, don't give them any ideas. I don't want their elite-divide spread all over Gateworld. This is a place, and community for all stargate fans (and others). Command is not.

I do agree that they seriously need to reconsider that message feed and turn it into an actual forum, but it cannot be Gateworld.