For those of us disinclined to transmutate our loyalties to MediumYabberz, will this site completely close--and if so, when?

Thanks, Melissa Nguyen Horton and Mike Horton .

Mike and Melissa, et al.

Just some thoughts about the new place, questions, musings, and functioning. No Hurry! We know you are not busy at all... lol.

a.) Are there going to be separate "pages" within Yabberz^2 eventually that will highlight the stories? Similar to the front end page?

b.) Does this mean we are expanding the themes in Yabberz, or allowing it to actually focus more on the political and societal aspects. - That are the main premise now?

c.) Do we invite a more diverse commenting and writing group? Bring in more opposing views?

d.) Can we set up a side fund for those who may need assistance with membership costs?

Just a few, I am sure others have theirs to add as well. They may have been answered already, in that case... just checking.

Hi Mike,

I am still getting used to Medium. Just wanted to let you know that I don't expect you to publish all of them and understand you have to space stuff out.

Is it just me or are there times where posting a link to an article causes problems. Sometimes when I paste a link into a post I am creating it just sits there and stares at me until I click elsewhere on the page. Other times it looks like all is OK and when I click "Post" it all just sits there. Not sure if it's on my end on Yabberz end.

Why Yabberz is better....

I invited a friend from another blog to join us here....several times.....finally my nagging got to her and she reluctantly (to make me shut up) did so.

She is a blog meister. I have been asking her for feedback. I got this note from her last night.

"Murph, thanks for being such a Pain in the Butt (just joking...kind of). I have been at Yabberz for a while now and I love it. Why? Let me tell you.

• It's easy to post here. One stop shopping. You can do all your editing from one screen. And there are a lot of options.
• It's easy to import images and texts.
• It's easy to edit after you post.
• It's easy to respond to the posts of others.
• It looks good.
• The members really do control what is being talked about. They post the starter articles and they keep them alive with points, sharing, and ongoing replies. And members who post the best stuff are highlighted with "Pundit" status (by the way how do I get to be one of those?)
• Articles that move off of "the front page" can be put back there by new activity around the article or by action by the publishers here. I have seen articles that were dead for a week pop back up and get a whole new cycle of life.
• Sharing and Sponsoring really promotes the best stuff.
• The tone is outstanding. Facebook could learn a thing or two from the people who run this place. Those who do not play well with others are kicked out of the sandbox. Those who follow the rules, honor the contract, work with the mission, get the point of a site like this...get to stay. Simple. Respectful, honest dialogue with a minimum of meanness and flaming. Love it.

I could say more but I am spreading the word. I want friends I post with as part of this place. There are five things the site needs.

• $$$$ Support from the Members. You have told me that you contribute monthly to the site. I am willing to do so as well. Membership is worth getting to support the effort here but I know that Membership Programs are more attractive when they come with "privileges". There are also levels of membership in some places. I don't know what those would be but it's worth thinking about. From what you tell me Melissa and Mike Horton, the publishers here, are carrying the site as a public service (and that too should be publicized).
• Fixing some small glitches in functionality like the ones you pointed out to me.
  
• Getting e mail notification whenever you get a "chat message." The system would be better used if people got quick notification. I am on a site that actually forwards member messages to your preferred e mail automatically. That is great.
• Polling like another site we know very well allows. Just copy their system. I love responding to polls even when I don't have anything to say. I think it promotes engagement overall.
• A "in praise of" page....what our long time members are saying about Yabberz that would encourage new members and provide a means for new members to contact veterans.
• AND...lastly....following is what makes this place work. I have a radical idea....You told me that the editor here has a system that automatically attaches new members to your pundits (which someday I hope to be)...that is great. Here is another idea. Whenever you respond to a post if you give it points you automatically follow and are followed back. Build up the networks of people here.




I am sure I will other thoughts...you know me.....gabbbbbbyyyyy. Yeah, you can post it....and take the heat if there is any. HA HA HA!

Mike Horton something is making the site fail to render on an ipad. Tells me to download android app. Loads ok on iPhone, so not iOS issue

why are we seeing ads that help Trump? ...barf

UPDATE: I don't know if you changed anything, but this is no longer a problem.

A minor problem --

I have had trouble viewing all the discussions on the Home page in my Facebook browser (in Windows). I am able to see whatever the initial batch size is, and then hit the "Load More Discussions" button. It just "spins" but never succeeds in loading more.

Today, just for the hell of it, I disabled the Ghostery ad block plugin. Problem disappeared. As a test, I added the plugin to my Chrome browser. Same problem. Disabled it and problem disappeared. I use another ad block on Chrome and have not had this problem, so it seems to be specific to Ghostery.

Ghostery is also performs anti-tracking, so that might be the clue as to what is causing the problem.

Don't know if anybody uses this plugin, but if anyone complains about the same symptoms, you can ask them if they use this (or maybe some other anti-tracking app).

1. Sponsorships should last more than one hour

This is an international website with bloggers reading and responding in multiple time zones. Sponsorships generally become a waste of 100 points when so few can take advantage of it.

2. Spotlights should be in a separate and prominent link

They should also receive an award of at least 100 points.

3. Pundits should get automatic VIP status They should also have a more prominent link and free shares on comments.

After all, what's the point of selecting Pundits and bloggers awarding Sponsorships if they are given such little value?

Followers – is based on how many followers you have since you have opened a Yabberz account. This puts users who have been with Yabberz for longer with a slight advantage. This factor is relative to your peers. The person(s) with the most followers will receive the full 1000 value.

What is the current rank of followers in the top twenty, no names please>

5

8

6

2

4

7

5

3

16

19

21

130*

37

38

44

81

23

41

82

86

* Hi Tom, lots of points not many interested, how is that possible?