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MacGregor Thomson

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Gift Badges

Posted: 08/16/11 12:12 PM ET

It's nice to let a fellow community member know when one of their comments is outstanding, which is why we have the favorite button. But what if you find a post to be particularly noteworthy and you'd like to do more than "fav" the comment?

Well, here's your chance to do exactly that. Introducing the new Gift Badges feature. You can still favorite as many comments as you like, but now you can also award users a gift badge to let them know when you think their contributions are truly exceptional. What makes gift badges special? Well, for one they look nice, but they also are limited, so when you get a gift badge it means that the giver really respects your comment. Veteran users have extra gift badges to give for the launch of the feature, and every day you'll get one more to give -- so use them wisely!

2011-08-15-giftb2.png

Also, keep an eye out for different badges that you can give depending on which section you are commenting on. Take a look around and give your fellow community members the specialized gift badges that they deserve. To see the badges that you've accumulated, take a look at your user profile page.

NOTE: Until you receive several Gift Badges, they act as a specialized 'fav,' meaning that if you receive one, it will only show on that comment. However, if you get enough badges of one type, it will show on all of your comments and on your user profile.

As always, if you'd prefer to not participate in the badges program, you can opt-out by going to your user profile preferences:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/users/social-preferences/
Uncheck the box below "Badge Mode"

You also may have noticed our new section: HuffPost Backstage, created to provide a space for you to find out about new community features and site announcements. Visit us often to stay up to date!

 
 
 
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Macgregor Thomson
UGC Editor, The Huffington Post
12:11 PM on 09/02/2011
Thanks to everyone for your feedback. Please feel free to contact us here with and Community issues, or for further feedback or questions. Also, be sure to check the new HuffPost Backstage area regularly for site news and updates, and be sure to get updates from me as an author (top of this page, next to my name) to get the latest news on Huffpost Community.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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12:53 AM on 09/02/2011
i don't need no stinking badge reminder every time i click on my personal area. how do i get rid that?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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03:49 PM on 09/01/2011
Ain't it kind of ironic that when you click on the "Learn more about these badges" on the popup it takes you... right back to this article?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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George Global
Diogenes has left the building
02:30 PM on 09/01/2011
...oh and the micro-bio.
It's kinda like wearing a designer label for people that can't see you...lame shorthand.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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George Global
Diogenes has left the building
02:23 PM on 09/01/2011
If I fan and favor someone/comment, I have to go through 2 ads...one for stinkin' badges and one for notifications I do not want.

You have made the process harder, and for no apparent reason.
Do you want us to comment?
Or do you want us to convert?

Please stop both.
HP has become the "difficult" site.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
tedsingingfox
Fund schools, not prisons. Classmates > inmates.
02:08 PM on 09/01/2011
these badges are stupid and childish. Pointless. This could only be AOL's doings. I'm VERY glad to find out there's a way to make then go away.
01:28 PM on 09/01/2011
Dear MacGregor Thomson.
I like you very much I am user of Huffingtonpost,nice to meet you.
regards.
Altaf Ghori
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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03:54 PM on 09/01/2011
I am without reservation, ambiguity or irony your newest fan.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
11:32 AM on 09/01/2011
how do I get rid of this????
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Macgregor Thomson
UGC Editor, The Huffington Post
12:50 PM on 09/01/2011
Hello,
I just updated the article with these instructions:
...if you'd prefer to not participate in the badges program, you can opt-out by going to your user profile preferences: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/users/social-preferences/
Uncheck the box below "Badge Mode"
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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George Global
Diogenes has left the building
02:25 PM on 09/01/2011
but you still have to see the entreaties every time you favor a comment, don't you?
09:38 AM on 09/01/2011
How do I get rid of this .....I don't use it and don't want it covering the page I am looking at.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sparkygirl91
Never apply lipstick while driving on gravel
03:34 AM on 09/01/2011
Just received this Alert: ".........replied to your comment 42 years ago"

Now surely I should get some kind of badge for this - lol! OR, more appropriate, the system, or the Tech person sending out Alerts should get one. Priceless. Just having a little badge laugh - lol.
08:33 PM on 08/31/2011
I'm ok with the badges but what I'd really like to see is the unfavorite button that puts the comment in hiding when enough people don't like it.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HippieChick
Still thinking about tomorrow
01:01 PM on 08/31/2011
This site is becoming more and more silly with each new addition. I miss the website that focused attention on creating an environment where adults can communicate without juvenile antics invading your space without invitation,
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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George Global
Diogenes has left the building
02:27 PM on 09/01/2011
...and I just had to go through several steps to fan and fave your fine comment.

What's up with that?

Seems like a lot of the comments are running this way.
Why do we have to have the "cute" site?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
dsws
No owning ideas. Limit only commercial use.
01:03 AM on 08/31/2011
Holy cow, the "learn more about these badges" link finally points somewhere, besides an FAQ page that tells almost nothing.

Yay!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
ManhattanMC
my micro bio ate my microphone
12:53 AM on 08/31/2011
I've opted out-wish I could eliminate the annoying prompts.
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thomasdep
Where's Skinny?
01:00 PM on 08/31/2011
how do you do that? I hate them
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Macgregor Thomson
UGC Editor, The Huffington Post
05:54 PM on 08/31/2011
Hi, the fix to disable the popups for user who have opted-out badges is nearly live. Thanks.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
joe477
There can be only one...
11:43 AM on 09/01/2011
hi mac. how does one become a blogger? on the huffpo or otherwise.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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12:04 PM on 09/01/2011
Oh. I guess we're not on the subject of bugs after all. Pardon me.
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SmolderingRuin
"All governments lie!" I.F. Stone
07:12 PM on 08/30/2011
In fact, Mac, there are several examples of opted-out users with micro-bios on this very page. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right place for mine?
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Macgregor Thomson
UGC Editor, The Huffington Post
06:12 PM on 08/31/2011
No, the users who you are talking about received at least one social badge, added a micro bio, then opted out of badges some time later. We'll be enabling micro-bios for long-term users, like I said, but we need to give the tech team some time to make the changes.
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SmolderingRuin
"All governments lie!" I.F. Stone
01:15 AM on 09/01/2011
That explains it then. Thanks very much, Mac.