A Joystiq firmware update: new comment logins and site search

by Christopher Grant { Jan 25th 2007 at 3:37PM }

After countless firmware posts, it's always nice to bring you news of a Joystiq firmware update. We're calling this one the "Winter Update" and it includes not one, but two new features that have long been requested. First: comment logins. We know, our comment activation emails have long promised the ability to plug in a password to magically bypass the onerous activation system. Now, you can take that password and plug it into our new and improved comment field, bypassing onerous email activations forever! This password works on all Weblogs, Inc. sites including Joystiq's seven daughter sites and even our buddies over at Engadget.

Second: we've also improved the stiq's long suffering search functionality. Multi-word search? No worries! We've got all your "wii injuries" right here. In fact, we're liking it so much, we recommend rolling your very own Joystiq Firefox Quick Search. We'll be fine tuning things based on user feedback (no, you can't change your password; yes, we're working on it), so be sure to let us know how everything works in the comments.

[Big ups to our devs!]

Tags: Announcements, Comments, search

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

benjamin @ Jan 25th 2007 3:43PM

I've been having a problem where, when I use a password to confirm a comment, my name appears as the portion of my email address before the @.

So if I have the name, say, Y and get an email confirmation to address X@host.com, I can then use the password sent to X to make a comment.

However, when I do, I enter X@host.com and the password generated from the above email, and my name appears as X, rather than Y.

Is that by design?

Arno @ Jan 25th 2007 3:44PM

I still don't see why we can't just have a login system, or at least the option to change the password.

This helps, but it's far from ideal.

Cody @ Jan 25th 2007 3:45PM

Yay. Now maybe i'll comment on joystiq.... nah too many fanboys, not worth it.

Matt @ Jan 25th 2007 3:48PM

Glad to see the passwords implemented. Two questions though:

1) Will we see a return of the star system (or something like it) anytime soon? It made it a lot easier to look past the fanboys.

2) There's a check box for "e-mail me when someone replies to this comment" will we be able to reply to specific comments anytime soon?

ahatter @ Jan 25th 2007 3:48PM

sweet new comment system.

vidGuy @ Jan 25th 2007 3:49PM

The login feature has been sorely needed for some time so it is a welcome addition.

However, I'm disappointed that the Star system was trashed and that top commentors/star-earners are no longer featured in a column to the right. I don't know if you have the ability to reinstate this or if you are linked forever with your big-brother-big-sister sites in features.

Also, the site NEEDS a few static threads in a message board. Stickied threads could be used to keep all users abreast of the most imporant news (such as console system updates) which might get lost amongst newer but less important pieces. Also, it would be a spot that could host the more common discussions/arguments so that the comments in each news piece would stay ON TOPIC instead of going into some graphics v. gameplay debate, as is common on Joystiq.

Can't wait until I can change my password to something I can remember and therefore actually use! ;)

dis_guy @ Jan 25th 2007 3:52PM

The only major problem I have is that a totally different name shows up at the bottom. It should read Juan Tan but comes up as dis_guy.
I found this out on autoblog.com

el moco @ Jan 25th 2007 3:53PM

it's about time.... welcome to 1998

benjamin @ Jan 25th 2007 3:55PM

Also, my stars are gone.

My valuable, lovely stars... :foams at the mouth:

Roddie @ Jan 25th 2007 3:59PM

ah that makes sense, i always wondered where i was meant to be putting that password..

number40one @ Jan 25th 2007 4:01PM

final-fracking-lee!

Nate @ Jan 25th 2007 4:03PM

very nice addition

teknomusik @ Jan 25th 2007 4:06PM

It's not really a login if you have to enter your password every time! Ever heard of sessions?

HappyJack @ Jan 25th 2007 4:07PM

Hooray!

Dan S. from 4allmemory.com @ Jan 25th 2007 4:08PM

Checking out this new password thing

JoseMiguel @ Jan 25th 2007 4:09PM

Great. Having to check out your email each time you're going to comment is a pain in the ass. Thank you joystiq.

JoseMiguel @ Jan 25th 2007 4:10PM

But you might want to make the "Email me when someone replies to this post" checkbox not default checked. I sure as hell don't want my inbox flooded with mails about replies.

Hell I'd even say it has no reason to exist as this is not a forum, but to each their own I guess.

Ihya @ Jan 25th 2007 4:10PM

Bout goddam time.

0ldb0y @ Jan 25th 2007 4:11PM

Yes, why did the stars disappear? And how were they awarded in the first place?

Zig @ Jan 25th 2007 4:11PM

Domo! Joystiq-ku

Cinder @ Jan 25th 2007 4:16PM

Guess I'll start using the thing ^_^

vidGuy @ Jan 25th 2007 4:21PM

@ 0ldb0y,

Stars were awarded by the bloggers/modders for posts that were exceptional (argued both sides, stimulated discussion), or if they felt like playing favorites ;) Stars were removed for continuous fanboy blatherings and/or spammings. It is a good system that recognizes commentors for their reputation on the site.

cwolf267 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:22PM

about time

Kibbles @ Jan 25th 2007 4:22PM

Denny Crane.

Babylonian @ Jan 25th 2007 4:22PM

Sweet, but what's up with the 'reply' shenanigans?

Mr Khan @ Jan 25th 2007 4:23PM

My greatest issue is that the new confirmation system seems to have arbitrarily changed my title from Mr. Khan to simply Khan

Perhaps it has something to do with the dot, but maybe this shall alleviate it (no dot)

Colin @ Jan 25th 2007 4:24PM

glorious. I hated having to go to my email to activate a comment.

Agent MOO @ Jan 25th 2007 4:24PM

instant comment post ftw!

PT Cruiser @ Jan 25th 2007 4:25PM

Will you be implementing the Digg-like comment voting system that Engadget uses? That's pretty useful.

juv3nal @ Jan 25th 2007 4:29PM

wtf?

MDK2002 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:30PM

i like updates

David @ Jan 25th 2007 4:36PM

Yeah having a password like 485724370f doesn't mean shit.

Imadogg99 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:43PM

I sorta like this, but 2 things:

1) Like #1 benjamin said, is there a way to have your username not be your email using the pass system? It's not that big of a deal for me though since my email is Imadogg99 and I just like using Imadogg.

2) How do I link my username now?

Thanks, keep fixing up the site

vidGuy @ Jan 25th 2007 4:57PM

Woah, what's up guys? I'm using my user name just fine.

Here's the fields:

left side
Name - the name you want displayed on Joystiq
E-mail: email you confirm with

right side
E-mail: same email, fills in for you if you use the Remember Me checkbox
Password: drop in your pass to auto confirm

Easy as pie!

Smitty3000 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:58PM

Good stuff guys!

vidGuy @ Jan 25th 2007 4:58PM

Oh, I get what some of you may be having problems with.

When you FIRST use the new system to get a password you have to make sure you use the left hand panel and put in your desired user name.

For all other posts, you just use the right hand panel. At least that's the way it looks and works for me.

Murdoink @ Jan 25th 2007 4:59PM

Yay

Exick @ Jan 25th 2007 5:01PM

Woot, time to test it out.

The Food @ Jan 25th 2007 5:01PM

For some reason, my name is incorrect.
It's not supposed to be "The Food". My name is the same on Engadget, too.

JR @ Jan 25th 2007 5:01PM

Awesomeness! Does this make it Joystiq 2.0?

beesnipe @ Jan 25th 2007 5:01PM

HAHA

This is me commenting on joystiq, because I don't have to login to a seperate website just to post my comment!!!!

now lets get some avatars!

Tiberius Jones @ Jan 25th 2007 5:04PM

Thank the Gods!

Now I can comment with impunity. wOOt!

Tiberius Jones @ Jan 25th 2007 5:04PM

It didn't work, still made me activate from an email. WTF? And you had me all excited. Major drag.

Eliot Phillips @ Jan 25th 2007 5:05PM

Bah, it's not a proper firmware update unless you limit the user's fun and call it a "security update".

PhoenixGeek @ Jan 25th 2007 5:11PM

/*Obligitory, Posting a comment to get into the system comment.*/

Trunks @ Jan 25th 2007 5:14PM

Oh thank the lord. I can now put my two cents in without waiting for GMail's approval.

Christopher Grant @ Jan 25th 2007 5:21PM

JR: We've got a lot more planned for Joystiq 2.0, this is just a point release. Let's call it ... Joystiq 1.13alpha.

As for the problems with names, try submitting a comment without the password, using the New Users form, take the password from that email and then try leaving a comment with your email/password combo. We'll have the ability to change passwords at some point in the future but until then we'll need to just have our browsers save the passwords!