ANNOUNCEMENT: A new way to build Mahalo pages?

I like this idea. More than this idea itself, it's awesome that Mahalo continues to improve. I'm not sure about the "how much do you want to earn to create this page" functionality.

Why does this added layer of complexity exist? I'd rather have a suggestion. If I request a page in a certain category (how to for example) I'd like to be presented with the going rate for those pages.

The standard rates change frequently. I could either be asking too much or worse, too little. There are two ways that this will play out.

First, I'll either bid too high and be knocked down. Second, I'll bid too low and not be paid as much as I could have been. I have to think that I'd be better to constantly input a higher amount than I think is correct to be adjusted down as required.

I'm not even sure that paying more for high labor pages is a good idea. There are of course special circumstances, but if a freelance contributor wants to put a lot of labor into a page, they're banking / anticipating a large residual ad share payout. Mahalo will never pay me M$100 up front to compose a page (one can however hope) but I may earn MORE than M$100 by composing a detailed page and marketing it.

Regardless of my concern with this "how much" bidding functionality, this is a good refinement to the system and one that I'm sure the staff has been hoping for. It will further refine an already great system.

YES! Good job Mahalo! The next step is to put re-directs into the search engine.Re-directs do an additional search for similar searches, and pull up pages that are similar to what was searched for.

In Google, this looks like "Did you mean to search for x? " Just yesterday I built a page Kraft Food Coupons, only to discover after I had already built it that there was already a page Kraft Coupons. Rather than even get an option to build Kraft Food Coupons, I should have been redirected to Kraft Coupons.

The next step after that would be to merge similar pages, but that might be dicey. Maybe the person who has had the page longest gets to keep theirs? Or the person who, in Mahalo's opinion, is doing a better job maintaining their page.

Like I said, this area is dicey.

It think it's a great idea, and long overdue. I have an additional request. Can we add this button to unclaimed pages as well?

There are many out there that have been created but have really poor or no real content. It would be nice to be able to request them as tasks.

I really like this idea, too many times I have had to send "sorry" emails to users because they created a duplicate page. This certainly makes the process a lot easier for staff as they can check for similar pages before the effort is put into the page being built.

This can be good because it means users will get tips for every new page they create. On the other hand, building pages through tasks allows less page building freedom as you are restricted to the task format. I'm wondering, will all new pages have to be QC'ed like current tasks?

Won't this make a huge increase in the amount of tasks that need to be QCed? I heard there is already an issue about pages not getting QCed fast enough. I don't know about the suggested tip amount feature.It seems like something like this should be standardized by Mahalo.

I know pages are worth different amounts, but how are we suppose to know how much to suggest? What if a user suggests less than it is worth? If the staff will adjust it, what's to stop users from requesting $10 for each task?

Overall I like the fact that users are now compensated for all new pages, and the fact that it will allow better quality control over new pages. I just hope the new system does not slow down the ability to make new pages or make it more difficult.

I'm really happy with this change for three major reasons: 1) A little upfront for building pages that we weren't getting before - more money is always awesome! 2) People can't grab and hold pages without developing them. This will make the site better as a whole, and quality control of the site as a whole is easier for everyone AND the site simply looks better with more developed pages and fewer overlapping pages.3) Did I mention the upfront money?

I think this will, in large part, weed out a lot of the wannabe page managers and the ones that really are just playing around, sign up, maybe claim a couple of pages and never return. It also allows those of us who spend a good amount of time on pages to get them their very best to get a little incentive for doing so and I like that a lot! The one problem I have with it is asking us to decide how much we want to be paid for the page.

I mean, you guys have the metrics and analytics on a much larger scale than we do. I would like to think all of my pages are worth 50 bucks or more! LOL So if we were to suggest it as 3 bucks and Mahalo thinks it's worth more, will they give us more?

If we suggest it at 10 and Mahalo thinks it's worth less? So if that's the case -- and Mahalo is going to choose what we get anyway, why bother with that step? Other than that, I really love this concept!

Thank you, Mahalo!

I absolutely love how Mahalo is constantly evolving into new and better incarnations of itself. This is another example of how things get better everyday. Even when I have been skeptical of improvements my skepticism has always been replaced with relief and happiness once I got into each new development.

Great job Mahalo!

On the one hand this is useful because it prevents duplicate pages from being built and then abandoned. However, I liked how easy it was to build a page before. Often I would build a page because it interested me or because I felt there would be a payoff down the line (with advertisements), and I would build the page for free.

I just suggested 2 pages, and I only asked for a $1 tip because that seemed fair to me. That said, I hope that this new system does not overly monitor the pages being created. Meaning, I hope you guys are not as strict as you are with the How-Tos (which is understandable since you're paying $10 for them).

I like the idea, but the 'suggested tip' seems rathre awkward. If I request too high, Mahalo staff will lower it. If I request too low, I get the lower value.Hmmm.

Further, especially on news items, speed is everything. A news page should be ready within hours after the event, of Google won't pick it up any more, as it is then just 'one of many'. Will staff be monitoring and approving page requests 24/7?

Otherwise, this system will seriously hinder me, as I like to cover news-stories during the EU day-time, and my experiences are that staff are not in until EU end-of-day PST morning). I'll try it out, I've just requested to make a page on 'U.K. Sends more troops to Afghanistan', I'm very interested in how long it takes to get that task assigned.

I really like this new system and look forward to watching it play out in the community. I think this is a great way to encourage new and old users alike to build more tasks. Not only does it offer a monetary incentive, but for those that did not want to build pages because they feared someone would create a close duplicate, they will now be more inclined to invest page-building time knowing that their page will not be in fierce competition with other pages.

Any similar pages will be ones approved through mahalo management -- pages Mahalo believes will benefit both the site and both page managers -- pages that will be mutually beneficial to all those involved. I think this feature is necessary as Mahalo continues to move forward, and it will improve the quality of pages allowed to pass through the system, eliminating strangely titled pages, and strengthening page titling/keywords in general.

I think this is a very good idea! Just this week I was told that a page I had claimed was a duplicate. It was a little disappointing but I abandoned it.

Now we'll know that we have the only page. :) I have some ideas I plan on getting started on tomorrow.

I agree that there needs to be some control on the pages that are created (duplicates, content, etc. ). However, I do see a problem when you are made to use a specific URL1 many cases it works fine (coupons), but other pages may not fit the given template. I just tried to complete my task but the template simply did not work for the page.

Excellent and good timing. I just got my page quota increased and was planning on creating some missing topic pages. I have just submitted my first three requests.

I did not want to underestimate the value of the pages, so I asked for the maximum and will trust the Mahalo folks to set the appropriate value. For folks who want to create topics related to pages they are already managing, check out kosmix.com/ Kosmix. You enter the topic of an existing Mahalo page, and check the 'Related in the Kosmos' lists in the right side-bar.

You will see a wide array of related topics. Marketing sets of pages with a main topic page will make it easier for you if you decide to create and manage many pages. By the way, will these pages once created, automatically be under the management of the author, even if they are at quota like with other tasks?

I like this idea. It will give the site a more professional appearance, which will encourage visitors to stick around a while!

This is great! I can hardly wait to create the best How To pages out there regarding topics I actually know something about - Exotic Pets! It's fantastic that the pages will conform, be found by search engines (thanks to Mahalo), increase traffic and truly put Mahalo on the map as the most comprehensive place to find ALL the answers to your questions on any given topic.It's also a comfort that we have QC in place to ensure conformity.

This is wonderful news. Oh - and I love how fair the payment system has become.It's all really well thought out. No surprise there!

Hurray! And thank you! Victoria Reid.

I really like this change. It will avoid duplicate pages. It will also help the page Managers to avoid wasting time in creating duplicate pages.

But, I want to know whether the revenue sharing system for pages continues or the Page Managers will be paid only for finishing the task of creating the page.

I actually just selected a page and noticed the change before reading this. I think this is a great idea. I did find it annoying that a page could be built on a million different ways to phrase a name of something and I think this will help.

Also can't beat the extra tip. Thanks for this!

I am really excited to try this NEW way of building a page. Not only does it seem simpler but it also will allow others like myself to create a page that is very different from other pages. I have the gift of GABB and being creative.

I also have my own online business and this can help me create a page around that. This information has been very helpful and has come in the nick of time, for me anyway. Thanks for this NEW, EXCITING, and CREATIVE way of page building.

Can't wait to get started.

I love this improvement! Great job Mahalo devs.

Great idea. $10-$20 seems fair to build the page depending on how many bells and whistles you want on it. I thnk it will get people to be more creative and active about building pages.

Wow, I think this will really get rid of all the confusions and pages that suck. I was browsing through pages and that sign came up. I was like cool a new feature.

All I have to say "FINALLY! " Oh and "THANK YOU" of course :D.

I like this idea! Now all the pages must go through review systems so no one can submit "crap" pages and double entries for similar pages. But is How-to pages still only open for How-to members or not?

I'm really excited to see Mahalo is continually taking steps to improve the site! Great move.

I'm really glad to see this change is finally here. This seems like a much smoother system. Can't wait to try it out!

I already followed the new system. And waiting for reply.

I think it is a great idea and there is no point of repeating all the excellent comments and suggestions that were already made. I would however like to ask the following questions: 1) Regardless of the tip itself, what are the other reasons a request may be rejected? 2) Does this new system lift the "maximum" page limit that we are all allowed to create at this moment?Thanks.

Ion I like this Idea. This will solve the page duplication problem. I almost had my page deleted when I built it not knowing there was a task for it already.

I have one problem with the new setup. You have taken off the description box. You known the one thats tells you what your term is.

Why do we need that you ask? Heres an example. Someone types "shell" into the search box.

Then reguests a page to be made. Well what are they talking about? Is it Shell station, shell gas, beach shell, some Acronym, a band, Power shell, terminal shell, shell script or a place.

I know this is a bad example. Another example bleach is this a whitener or a fictional anime and manga Character? This just a thought.

How does this effect your page total? Recently tasks didn't effect your page total. I hope this will be of use.

I can see some advantage; but, it will definitely discourage me from doing any new pages. Any delay after something gets my attention for a page will result in my moving on to other ideas (not Mahalo pages).

Last night I was thinking, I want to build some "how to's" about this and this, but I don't know how to submit them, now I know, thanks Mahalo :).

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.