Bittersweet Candy Bowl Forums

Once again I have a cold, thankless task that would be perfect for someone who doesn't mind re-reading the BCB archive along with the wisdom of thousands of stupid people!

We have this new starring comments system that has been used by myself, Rukral and Maverik to pick the top three comments on every new page, since At Loose Ends. We also worked on the first 13 chapters, and they're done.

But chapters 14 through 69 remain. It's a lot of pages.

Would anyone be up for this? The reason it matters is so that on any given page, the "cream of the crop" is displayed - interesting, funny or otherwise notable comments that wouldn't be a bother to people going through the archive and trying to get the reader reaction at a glance. It also stops spam.

So, anybody willing, let me know! And if it's not too demeaning, I'd really appreciate it if you did a test page for me and posted the results in this topic - just pick an old page without starred comments (even if it only has 15 comments to pick from!) and tell me which comments you'd star on that page and why. The options aren't always super obvious, but if you look at the first 13 chapters you'll find that there's almost always a good set of 3 you can pick out if you have the skill.

I don't really know what I can offer in return, but if you want some merch or something let me know. I'm not offering anything specific mainly because it'll be different for everybody.

P.S. I'd kinda prefer the chapters 51-69 to be starred before the really old ones, but it's up to you.

This post has been edited by SuitCase: 03 August 2012 - 10:37 AM

I be fine with doing it

If you can wait a week, I'd gladly do it for whatever you'll offer as a reward.

Anyone who does wish to perform the job, here's a little taste of what's to come. Having been starring comments, I can say that the process is taxing. You will read a few good comments, and many many bad ones. Many that are one line or less offer little constructive content or are generally "I hate x" comments and can be skimmed over. Ones consisting mostly of smilies too are rarely if every worth starring. I have tried to avoid response comments too to avoid people reading one half of a discussion. Larger comments too can go overboard and cause a nasty bout of TLDR.

Overall, just try to find comments that are well written, cohesive, and will spark good discussion for any who read them. Ones mostly like "Sandy sucks gawd i hate here i wish she would die" should be avoided. Ones that explain why a person may not like a character would be better candidates for starring.

In the end though, just use your judgement. If it seems like a fantastic comment, then star it and hope it is. It's a lot of work to go through all those comments, so if you volunteer, be sure you're up to the job.

Well Rukral even through all of that I am still willing to do it

If I wasnt in Greece i'd offer to help, although if it still needs people when I get back I'll do what I can.

Assuming my judgement isn't just thrown out anyway.

I could help if need be, have had a lot of spare time recently so doing something like this would be nice

As requested comments I would select from an earlier chapter:

Chap16 pg 1

Yeah, he did almost get laid… To rest!! LOL
CodyAugust 30, 2010, 10:47 PM EST.

****** uses throw! Its super effective!
EchoNovember 13, 2010, 5:04 AM EST.

David and Kinzuna danced very good(except that part when Kinzuna gets dizzy).
I am so proud !
emaFebruary 5, 2012, 7:38 PM EST.

Most comments on this page were personal experience not about the page itself, so they were out. The ones selected were not just pointing out something that happened but were either attempting humour or the one comment about character interaction

If you want I can attempt more pages to get a better breakdown

Oh God no

Link4565, the fact you forgot to audition for it is kind of a problem, but I'm still willing to try you out. Can you do what InsanityStreak did?

mAce and AceAce, sure, when you have time just post in this topic. I'll have use for you then!

InsanityStreak, this is a bit of a problematic page to pick because Kizuna's name gets censored and Bored's boring anecdote takes up 4-5 of the 20 comments. Your selections are okay, I guess, but I don't think I agree with them. The first one is a joke that's only really remarkable for being unironically bad, which is kind of okay. The second is a "super effective" joke, which you'll soon learn appears on every second page and is super tiresome. The third is absolutely inane and I don't know why you picked it.

The comments I just starred were these:

"Yeah, he did almost get laid… To rest!! LOL"

"if you cover David’s body on the 6th panel, he looks like Yashy"

"ahaha, I just realized what the motion Paulo is doing with his hands in panel 3 is. Niiiice "

These aren't great, but they're the best on the page. The third calls attention to a part of the comic that is easy to glance over, and might actually be useful for somebody who wants a fuller understanding of the page. The second points out a kind of funny thing about the art. And the first.. well, there's nothing much better.

Wanna try again on one of the post-51 pages where there's more than a handful to pick from?

I checked a couple of pages and it was really hard deciding which comment was pretty decent.

Still, I want to give it a shot. I tested out Humble Approach(Ch. 23) page 2.





Though the 1st comment I selected might be a 'lil bit of spoiler to those who are new to reading the comic..?

And I tried skimming Casting Call(Ch. 54) page 5.

Thanks for the feedback Suitcase was unsure what normally gets marked since I don't normally read comments.

Chap 52 pg 1

I see regret in those kitty eyes of his. o xo
SereneHeavenDecember 21, 2009, 11:37 PM EST.

TakuniChan: In the original series, Mike had two sisters: Haley and Cindy.. Haley is the bitchy girl that’s hogging the bathroom and harassing him at the table and Cindy was a baby.. but in the new Bittersweet I think I made Cindy a male baby.. though he isn’t shown in the comic at all.

The cat waving to Mike and Haley and getting on the car (Whose license reads THIS IS AUGHH to answer Xetch’s question) is Mike’s mother. She’s a businesswoman unlike Lucy’s housewife mommy.

Gabriel: We all want a piece of naked mike

when the scarf comes off OH MAN THE VAPORS
TaeshiDecember 23, 2009, 3:02 AM EST.

I know how he feels and I say he deserves to feel that way. But he doesn’t nearly feel bad enough yet. MORE ANGST IS REQUIRED! Or mental/emotional agony. Either one.

You know, I wager at some point in this comic, Sandy rejects Mike, thereby putting him in Lucy’s shoes(or ribbon, in this case).
Rock KenaroJune 8, 2010, 8:30 PM EST.

Chap 52 pg 2

Sheesh, every time i see that face style you use in the second-to-last panel, i can’t help but laugh, no matter what the expression is.
DavCubeDecember 23, 2009, 10:19 PM EST.

Oh dear… I know where this is going… It’s setting up for…

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!!! D

*Conversation between Mike and Sandy* Mike (Purring into the phone)”Sandy… I’ll be your Zac if you’ll be my Gabriella…”

PARUM PUM!

Merry Christmas!
NekoJunDecember 24, 2009, 12:48 AM EST.

Heh. Paulo’s been really just too SERIOUS in the last bunch of chapters (no Dark Knight references, please). It’s refreshing to see him back to being the rough, comic relief guy.
That said, with everything that’s happened, he is tied with Lucy as the character I feel the most sorry for.
Solario the VisoredApril 2, 2010, 8:37 PM EST.

Choices are based on comments that draw attention to whats on the page and are not repeated by 4-5 other people on each page, also details directing further breakdown on the comic itself to prevent the same questions being asked as they were 3-4 times as they were at the moment

Hopefully these choices are a little better but please let me know if I am wrong

DeSpErAtE567 , I'm sorry to say, but your choices were pretty terrible.

Read these as a new reader, casually going through the comic and ducking down to check reader reaction. Do they really want to see three comments with the same dumbass observation? Do they really want to see nerdy white knights whining about how horrible big bullies like Paulo are?

Here are my instructive, unimpeachable choices:

Humble Approach, page 2:

"It’s Abbey!! I didn’t know he would be come one of my favorite characters when I first read this, but he’s stolen my heart~?~ Lol, not really but I do love him."

A little gushy and stupid but nice and positive and hints at Abbey being more important later!

"wait… what is he? A Cat? Rat? Antelope?"

Kind of ignorant but posed in a funny way. It's a common reader reaction and of interest to a reader. This is different to the "Lyucs" comment you picked, which is critical and mean-spirited. I think I'm okay with criticism being starred but only when I agree with it.

"Thus starts a beautiful friendship."

Again, indicative of things to come without revealing too much.

Casting Call, page 5:

"I’m pretty sure thats Death of a Salesman. Coincidentally had the play right next to me on my desk, since I’ve been doing schoolwork on it."

Helpful info to reassure the reader what was referenced, and I'm always a sucker for people talking about school experience for this comic.

"Jesus, that sue it’s like a evil mastermind. Great comic as ever."

The best of a bad bunch of comments where people talk about Sue's plan with Mike and Lucy. Your choice for this one wasn't so bad "Somehow I think she’s going to make things worse by using this play to attempt to get Lucy and Mike together…" but it also seemed dumber than this one.

"Mike is the best actor I’ve even seen. He is so srs bns."

Cute observation of a cute part of the comic one might have missed.

So, I'm sorry. This might be a bad fit. But if you want, try again keeping in mind what I want and what upsets me.

__________________


Much better! My only criticism is that people were talking about the scarf on the second page, which is obviously an interesting feature of the page you want people to call attention to. I replaced two of your worser (but not bad) choices with two comments about the scarf which I think flow together well.

I've enabled your BCI account as a comments janitor, check if it works by doing a random page. And if you ever have time to do pages (chapters 50+ first if possible!) report back in this topic so people don't do overlapping work.

Alright, SuitCase. I'll come back and try again keeping those in mind. I really want to help if I can!

@ SuitCase - Sorry forgot to post an audition I will get on that

This post has been edited by Link4565: 08 July 2012 - 06:55 PM

Here is my audition I chose to do Hot Pursuit page 1

You cant play a wild as the last card!
Illegeal move!

Nobody May 28, 2011, 10:01 PM EST

he really shows his emotions in this one, i admire his determination.

Echo November 13, 2010, 6:23 AM EST

Aaah Lily you remind me so much of myself, don’t yo just love wild cards

Fenire July 3, 2011, 3:58 AM EST

I chose Nobody's comment because I thought it was kind of funny. Echo's because to show the reader Mikes emotions are shown in this chapter. And finally Fenire's comment for some more humor.
If you want me to post more auditions let me know.

Welp, here are my picks for ´´Sensible Precautions`` page 1.
i was kinda surprised by how many repeated comments there were, but whatever.



David, you should know that better than anyone, given that you were menstruating back in chapter 54.

I love this comic so much. <3


It is delicious that she is carrying a “dem anatomy” book for this particular comic.

Titanium Dragon, June 15, 2011, 4:01 AM EST.



What? It’s not like there’s any other reason to wear clothes.

SushiJaguar, June 15, 2011, 4:03 AM EST.



Great. Now I’m imagining Paulo talking like Joey from Yu Gi Oh Abridged.
Kaito, June 15, 2011, 4:04 AM EST.


Titanium's I picked because it's fairly fun and points out something not everyone would notice.
Sushi's I picked because I find the joke to be pretty fun and very fitting.
Kaito's I picked because a lot of people like YGOTAS and commented about it, but his was probably the best written one, and it doesn't flat out say that Paulo is wearing Joey's shirt.

So how's that?

Those are both great sets of choices!

mAce, I've enabled your BCI account for starring. Like InsanityStreak, it'd be great if you could test it out and maybe pick a section of chapters to do and report it in this topic.

Link, you need a BCI account to do this. Do you have one already or should I set one up for you for the purpose? If so, PM me with your preferred email and full name as they're kinda required.

@ SuitCase - Well if you signed me up for one for those purpose would I still have to pay for the account? (sorry I'm just kinda confused here)

This post has been edited by Link4565: 09 July 2012 - 01:30 AM

No, of course not.

Chapters 50-53 completed

Awesome!

As Rukral offered some insight, so too shall I. When I star a comment, there's a few things I will consider instant cause for dismissal. If the comment mentions spoilers from later in the comic (or hints at them in an obvious way, ie "Mike was so much nicer back here!") that's an instant no. If there's a stupid repetitious joke/meme (ie, "X used Y! It's super effective!" or "Long comic is long!") any where in the comment, it's out. I will not star a basic 1 sentence comment unless there's literally no other valid option. And most annoyingly, if a comment started out great, but eventually became terrible/broke one of the aforementioned rules, it is regrettably rejected.

Look for insightful, genuinely funny, or answers to common questions (that are not spoilers). An example of that last one is a comment that contains "Sandy calls Mike 'Maishul' because it's a cute pet name, not because she can't pronounce it". Though rare, on some pages where I'm hurting for 3 good comments, I will resort to starring the best version of the question that was answered as well.

Just be prepared for the worst and take it a few chapters at a time. It can be pretty draining after a while, so pace yourselves.

I think that's really good advice.

I'll keep that in mind then.
I'll hopefully be able to do a little bit of work later today, but I won't be able to seriously start until next sunday, possibly saturday.

EDIT: Janitor mode working just fine, I just starred the comments I submitted earlier.

EDIT THE SECOND: Begun working on chapter 54, Casting Call. Be sure to tell me if I f**k up.

EDIT THE THIRD: Janitor mode stopped working. Did I f**k up already?

This post has been edited by mAceOfHearts: 09 July 2012 - 08:34 PM

http://www.bitterswe...7.html#comments
These are the 3 comments I think should be starred out of the 572 comments

Quote

Quote

Quote

This post has been edited by Murderer: 10 July 2012 - 02:48 AM

Sounds like this is going to be finished before the end of the week at the current rate.
Pretty snazzy.

Doubt it Ace, I'll make sure to leave some for you

Chapter 54 complete and 55 til pg 17, sorry meant to do more but was held up tonight

This post has been edited by Insanity Streak: 11 July 2012 - 12:07 PM

mAce, I checked and yours should still be working. Make sure you're logged into /members/!

Murderer, those are pretty decent choices. Do you want to try another page, though?

Sure.
I tried a page with less comments, about 36
http://www.bitterswe...4.html#comments
These seemed like the best choices:

Quote

Quote

Quote

This post has been edited by Murderer: 10 July 2012 - 05:52 PM

Those are good enough choices, but I disagree with the first because it's an embarrassing nerd talking about how he'd white knight for the ladies, and the last because it's completely uninteresting self absorbed crap. Somebody's unjustified opinions aren't interesting enough to star.

Anyway, you can go for it! Do you have a BCI account? If not, can you email me the info I asked Link for, earlier?

SuitCase, on 10 July 2012 - 07:24 PM, said:

Done.

Looking forward to helping out.

This post has been edited by Murderer: 11 July 2012 - 02:11 AM

Welcome to the team murderer!

476 pages to go.

52% complete!

Apparently I made a mistake when I took this job, as I have to go to another city in less than half a week, and thus won't be able to help.
I'm terribly sorry about this, I was not aware of this when I took the job. I hope this does not cause any problems, but you seem to be doing well without my help anyway.

Only 52% damn thought was getting through more.

Up to chapter 62 at the moment, left 59 for now, that chapter has too many comments to focus on tonight

Hopefully once we get the later chapters done we will move faster due to less comments per page.

Also wanted to check once we have caught up what do you want to do with current page commentary? Will you just keep up with those yourself between pages or would you still like a bit of help from time to time?

Rural and Maverik do a pretty good job of that, but hey. I suppose you could help. This is mainly an effort for the archives though.

Getting there!

Full chapters yet to be starred
26
27
37.1
38.1
39 through 49
59
62
63
63.2
68
69

Weird leftover pages (chapterno-pageno)
19-4
19-5
19-6
28-11
28-15
28.1-1

I'm glad to see that so many of the post-Wonderland pages have been starred, exactly as I prioritised. But let's finish this off!

This post has been edited by SuitCase: 31 July 2012 - 02:04 PM

Rural has been doing a good job? What about Suburban? ;D

I need to get my BCI account removed since I have to go on a family vacation and won't have access to the Internet for a while, so I won't be able to do the job. Sorry!

This post has been edited by Murderer: 18 July 2012 - 02:17 AM

Chapter 59 can be checked off, also chapter 62

This post has been edited by Insanity Streak: 20 July 2012 - 12:19 PM

67% complete!

Unsurprisingly, most of the interest in doing this has evaporated. But that's okay! It's a tough and annoying job.

Was there anyone else who was interested in helping out? Is there anything I can do to make it worth your while?

Sorry had some family details I had to take priority over the last few days, will be going through pages again tonight

SuitCase said:

No kidding. A couple weeks back, I only got through a third of the comments for chapter 68, page 30 before being bored to tears. Today I managed to slog through another third before stopping. Maybe eventually I'll finish this one single page, like after I get back from vacation #2.

I checked in and did a few of the weird leftover pages. I've still set myself the job of manually reviewing the star choices for the first 100 pages or so after Wonderland (which will be where we direct readers to start reading, soon enough) but for now the priority is getting everything done.

Here's what's left:

39
40
42 through 47
63.2
69

63 finally complete, sorry took me much longer than expected

That's brilliant, thank you.

Any other of our erstwhile janitors willing to return to the game? 68 and 69 are intimidating but they're all that are left of the big ones!

P.S. I'm going to take on 48 and 49 soon.

Sorry I've been busy. Any way.........I HAVE RETURNED TO DEFEAT THE FOUL BEASTS!!!!!

Chapters 41 & 68 are done

Just like that, eh? Wow! Thank you.

I just went and did 48 and 49. So now we only have 200 pages left.