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These opinions are useless if the reasons are not stated. For example, you prefer iMessage over WhatsApp. Ok. Why? The UI? The exclusivity of the platform? Or i

These opinions are useless if the reasons are not stated. For example, you prefer iMessage over WhatsApp. Ok. Why? The UI? The exclusivity of the platform? Or is it just a whim?

ajkjk 3y ago
They're not useless? If someone likes A > B and nobody likes B > A then you should give A a second look.
- copperx 3y ago
  That's disingenuous. I don't believe you would pick something just because someone likes it. Almost everything that has been built is liked by somebody. Are flip phones worth a second look just because my parents prefer them over smartphones? However, if someone told me their anxiety vanished the moment they switched to a flip phone, they might be worth a second look. Maybe.
  - ajkjk 3y ago
    Of course I wouldn't pick it just because someone likes it, but it's still... data. Data that I'll combine with other sources of data. It provides a small but non-zero amount of weight to one side. Aka it is not useless. If you see patterns in people's unjustified recommendations, it starts to be a lot more than non-zero. Your take appears to be: "for an idiot reader who will do exactly what they're told, this information is useless". Well! The readers aren't idiots. Easy.
  - Sohcahtoa82 3y ago
    Who said anything about picking something just because everyone likes it? No, the statement was about trying something because everyone likes it. If everyone thinks A > B, and you seem to be the only person using B, then it might be worth your time to try out A. Sure, maybe you're happy with B, but there might be something you're missing that you don't know you're missing. If you try out A and decide you actually do like B more, that's fine.
  - yCombLinks 3y ago
    Eh, I just look at the rotten tomato number and rarely dig into reviewer details. I'm looking for a decent comedy that most people think is decent. I usually don't need your thesis.
- muzani 3y ago
  Because there's always a reason for different tools. I prefer nails over screws, but that doesn't mean you should only use nails for all your projects because some peeps on HN say they're superior. Most people do prefer a Phillips screw over a slot screw, or PNG over BMP, but nobody has stated that here because the superiority is clear. If you like BMP over PNG, or MS Teams over anything, then you probably should explain. There's culture too. I think Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber, WeChat are all roughly equal. Similar goes for the browsers. Some countries are strongly Viber, while others are strongly WhatsApp, but this is more a product of marketing.
thefurdrake 3y ago
The opinions are useful if you're a proactive person on the lookout for alternatives to try and have the time to spare to discover things on your own. Though I kinda agree. The question was worded in a way to promote terse responses...

These opinions are useless if the reasons are not stated. For example, you prefer iMessage over WhatsApp. Ok. Why? The UI? The exclusivity of the platform? Or is it just a whim?

ajkjk 3y ago

They're not useless? If someone likes A > B and nobody likes B > A then you should give A a second look.

copperx 3y ago
That's disingenuous. I don't believe you would pick something just because someone likes it. Almost everything that has been built is liked by somebody. Are flip phones worth a second look just because my parents prefer them over smartphones? However, if someone told me their anxiety vanished the moment they switched to a flip phone, they might be worth a second look. Maybe.
- ajkjk 3y ago
  Of course I wouldn't pick it just because someone likes it, but it's still... data. Data that I'll combine with other sources of data. It provides a small but non-zero amount of weight to one side. Aka it is not useless. If you see patterns in people's unjustified recommendations, it starts to be a lot more than non-zero. Your take appears to be: "for an idiot reader who will do exactly what they're told, this information is useless". Well! The readers aren't idiots. Easy.
- Sohcahtoa82 3y ago
  Who said anything about picking something just because everyone likes it? No, the statement was about trying something because everyone likes it. If everyone thinks A > B, and you seem to be the only person using B, then it might be worth your time to try out A. Sure, maybe you're happy with B, but there might be something you're missing that you don't know you're missing. If you try out A and decide you actually do like B more, that's fine.
- yCombLinks 3y ago
  Eh, I just look at the rotten tomato number and rarely dig into reviewer details. I'm looking for a decent comedy that most people think is decent. I usually don't need your thesis.
muzani 3y ago
Because there's always a reason for different tools. I prefer nails over screws, but that doesn't mean you should only use nails for all your projects because some peeps on HN say they're superior. Most people do prefer a Phillips screw over a slot screw, or PNG over BMP, but nobody has stated that here because the superiority is clear. If you like BMP over PNG, or MS Teams over anything, then you probably should explain. There's culture too. I think Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber, WeChat are all roughly equal. Similar goes for the browsers. Some countries are strongly Viber, while others are strongly WhatsApp, but this is more a product of marketing.

thefurdrake 3y ago

The opinions are useful if you're a proactive person on the lookout for alternatives to try and have the time to spare to discover things on your own. Though I kinda agree. The question was worded in a way to promote terse responses...