switch from "Fan" to "Follower"

1. 60

   Jason Menayanposted 14 years ago

   Thank you for all the comments.  We are reading them. We have some features that are going to be released soon that we thought it made more sense to use the term follow since there is more familiarity with the term follow on the web (with Twitter and Google Wave, for example) than fan.
   
   We wanted one term that works for topics and people.  As an example, we felt it was better to follow the topic bladder cancer than to be a fan of bladder cancer. 
   
   Thanks again for all the feedback.

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   1. 0

      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      good thinking!

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   2. 85

      KCC Big Countryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmmmm..."features that are going to be released soon"......sounds like fun.....can't wait to see what they'll be. 

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      nekros729posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm a fan of bladder cancer! =P

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      Neil Sperlingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A Rose smells like a rose no matter what you call it!

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   5. 59

      saltposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      interesting choice of topics, bladder cancer,... any light reading available???

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         Dao Hoaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I did not think about it

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      Ghost32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'll never not hate it.  It definitely does NOT work for me.

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         Dao Hoaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Aw! Hate is a strong word. Do give it a try!

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   7. 66

      darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm wondering if both terms should be used. So when we talk about 'fans' we know it's about people, and when the term 'follow' is mentioned we know it's referring to topics.
      
      A one size fits all term might not work as well as using both to describe two different distinct functions.

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   8. 60

      h.a.borcichposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am not bent out of shape over fans or followers, actually I like it that we can "follow" a topic instead of being a fan of.
      
      What I think is amazing is your choice to point that out...
      BLADDER CANCER! It is real and it is deadly - I know! More women will die this year from bladder cancer than from cervical cancer...
      
        Please read up on it - know the signs and save your life:)
      
        Holly, (trying to survive stage 3b high grade invasive)

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         h.a.borcichposted 14 years agoin reply to this

           Sorry to be intense about this...but for whatever reason the OP had for using bladder cancer as an example - I will take it as an opportunity to advocate.
         
           Even if you never smoked ciggarettes you should know this cancer is the 5th leading cancer and is deadly! Holly

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      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      glad to know there was a reason. ever since someones page told me to quit following them, ive been good with it. besides, dont we all have hubs to write?

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       starme77posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Makes sense to me , thats why you guys do what  you do so well, ya think things through a bit LOL Thanks

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   11. 0

       KellyEngaldoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I was trying to figure this difference out - thank you very much!

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   12. 0

       BookFlameposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Very funny riposte!

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   13. 66

       Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That's a good change. I,m a "follower" of several hubbers of which the term "fan" isn't an accurate description.

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          susanlangposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Hey there Ralph.. I like the new look you have a sharp lookin hat on

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   14. 60

       ramkkasturiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I am wondering if  I should publish a new  one or not. To my surprise what I have  posted  yesterday morning (India time),stayed on zeros in all columns. This is the first time I am seeing this ! Got worried. Kindly let me know. I am new just started 10 days ago !!. Thanks.

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       susanlangposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       bladder cancer has one fan, the grave yard and I know too many people who joined it.  Maybe I'll do a story on cancer next week..Hmm.  In any case.. I do agree with you on the change from fan to follower. Smart !

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Thank you for the explanation. Greatly appreciated.

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3. 84

   Marisa Wrightposted 14 years ago

   Thanks Jason - it makes a lot more sense now we understand the same term will be used for topics as well as people. I couldn't understand what all the angst was about anyway!

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   Black Lillyposted 14 years ago

   Thank you
   
   With regards to bladder cancer... I'm now FOLLOWED by Bad Company and FOLLOWING Bad Company...
   Makes sense anyway

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   wavegirl22posted 14 years ago

   I guess with that explanation is makes sense. . It sure made for a lot of chatter around the Hub today . .but I think I still like the "fan" more than the "follower"

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   mel22posted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the reason. Gee, a little goof off post in the HubberHangout and people sure had lots to say.

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7. 93

   habeeposted 14 years ago

   What? No fans for bladder cancer?

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      Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Not I - and not a follower of bladder cancer either.

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8. 68

   Hmrjmr1posted 14 years ago

   Well all I have to say is AllllRighty Then!

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9. 68

   Jeffrey Nealposted 14 years ago

   Thanks Jason!  An explanation certainly helps one to understand.  So you're totally against "subscriber"?
   
   No problem, I'm enjoying HubPages either way! Looking forward to the new features.

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10. 61

    tony0724posted 14 years ago

    Is following anything like stalking ?

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    Sybil Marieposted 14 years ago

    Thanks for explaining! I can't wait to see what the other "features" are!

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    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    I've always tended to look deeper at statements than some... I always consider What Is Not Being Said in relation to what is.
    
    From the information given: It would appear that HP is actually 'Following' Twitter's intiatives as opposed to Leading The Market through HP's Unique Selling Position
    
    Are Twitter Following HP in any respect?

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       mistyhorizon2003posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Good point !!!

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13. 75

    barryrutherfordposted 14 years ago

    mmm The word has such a wide meaning...
    
    1. to go or come after in the same direction he followed his friend home
    2. (tr) to accompany; attend she followed her sister everywhere
    3. to come after as a logical or natural consequence
    4. (tr) to keep to the course or track of she followed the towpath
    5. (tr) to act in accordance with; obey to follow instructions
    6. (tr) to accept the ideas or beliefs of (a previous authority, etc.) he followed Donne in most of his teachings
    7. to understand (an explanation, argument, etc.) the lesson was difficult to follow
    8. to watch closely or continuously she followed his progress carefully
    9. (tr) to have a keen interest in to follow athletics
    10. (tr) to help in the cause of or accept the leadership of the men who followed Napoleon
    11. (tr) Rare to earn a living at or in to follow the Navy
    follow suit Cards
    a.  (Group Games / Card Games) to play a card of the same suit as the card played immediately before it
    b.  to do the same as someone else
    n
    (Group Games / Billiards & Snooker) Billiards Snooker
    a.  a forward spin imparted to a cue ball causing it to roll after the object ball
    b.  a shot made in this way See also follow-on, follow out, follow through, follow up
    [Old English folgian; related to Old Frisian folgia, Old Saxon folgōn, Old High German folgēn]
    followable  adj

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14. 59

    Dao Hoaposted 14 years ago

    "(tr) to accompany; attend she followed her sister everywhere"
    
    If you follow someone everywhere, you are a stalker.
    
    However, thank you Jason for the explanation. I am glad Admin is bringing even more features for us.

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15. 71

    pylos26posted 14 years ago

    I am a follower of very few.

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16. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 14 years ago

    Why do we need "followers" anyway?  What purpose does it serve as many people "fan" (formerly) in binges expecting, or hoping, others will do the same for them?
    
    I saw one hubber today who has been here less than a dozen days and had over 250 "followers' with only a few hubs.  So, what good is this facet of the site?

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       Dao Hoaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I saw that too and wondered how did that person get that many "followers"? It made me want to "follow" that person and "learn"
       
       However, I also learned that another person posted a link in her thread and if you click on that link, you are automatically became her follower. That IS WRONG! Trickery!

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    Rebecca E.posted 14 years ago

    thanks for the explaination.

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    Research Analystposted 14 years ago

    interesting concept indeed

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    Janettaposted 14 years ago

    yes, that does make more sense

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20. 73

    b4u2cposted 14 years ago

    Although "followers" does makes sense in general, it also presents problems for the writers and readers of hubs on "religion". As a few other hubbers have inferred in this thread, would it be too complicated, confusing or difficult to use "fan" for people and "follower" for topics?

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       camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, I thought of that to. That a particular Topic has so and so many followers, but the Hubbers have Fans.
       
       I really do miss having Fans.
       
       Besides, I don't follow a particular Topic. I enjoy reading a wide range of subjects.

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21. 85

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    Whats the big deal we are now following a person or topic instead of fanning a person or topic. It's really just a word. Do you guys really give a flying fig if you're following or fanning? The scalp hunters are going to be able to demand you follow them just as much as they can demand that you fan them...will it really make a difference which? 
    
    Mind you the silver lining here could be that while the discussions of that little change of term was happening few people fought and argued in any of the forum sites.
    
    Hubteam a big 's up for the continuously new and improved site (Jason how about a hint of what coming next?)

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    at first it irked me but now im in agreement with bee.

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23. 84

    camloposted 14 years ago

    Okay, I now understand why they did it, but I still prefer the word 'Fan'.
    
    And 'Fan' was quite unique to HubPages. I liked it very much.
    
    Hopefully, Fan-mail will remain Fan-mail, or has that changed, too, and I haven't noticed yet? 'Followers Mail'doesn't sound quite right, somehow.

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24. 57

    Jim.Jonesposted 14 years ago

    Changing "fan" to "follower" is the best thing that ever happened at HubPages. This bickering needs to stop! Quit wasting your time in this forum and go become my follower, for we must escape this tyranny today!
    
    Zsuzsy Bee was almost right in his comment above, saying "It's really just a word", because your words do not matter, only mine do. So pack your bags, we are moving to Guyana!

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       A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Ill bring the Kool-aid

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          Jim.Jonesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Thank you Tex. Your generosity will be rewarded (and bring some sedatives, we need more sedatives).
          
          As for the rest of you, you too can be led. Click "Follow Jim.Jones". BE LED! FOLLOW ME!

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25. 60

    heart4thewordposted 14 years ago

    I thought I noticed a change, but figured it was just my imagination.  Follower did make since when I signed up to be a new fan for someone:)  Thanks:)

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26. 84

    Elena.posted 14 years ago

    Would one of the new features be the ability to remove one's followers that are offensive or just plain spammers?

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    lmmartinposted 14 years ago

    I don't want followers. It has a new-age, cultish kind of feeling. i.e. Christ had followers: his disciples.
    
    I want my fans back. If someone is following me, I will call the police.
    
    Oh, one more question: do we now leave follower mail, instead of fan mail for someone whose work we enjoy.

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    Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years ago

    There's so much being added to HubPages that I can scarely "follow" it all, but I'll catch up. I really do like the term "follow" though.

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    Glenn Stokposted 14 years ago

    Well, after all is said and done, I DO like the word "following" better. I feel more comfortable saying "I'm following you" than I do saying "I'm fanning you."   Nevertheless, I'm a fan of my followers.

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    Ghost32posted 14 years ago

    I'm still a Luddite with a few Grinch genes.

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    bojanglesk8posted 14 years ago

    Cool story, bro.

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       lyricsingrayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       

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    Lita C. Malicdemposted 14 years ago

    "Fan" or "follow" or both suit me. It's great to discover new friendship at HubPages.

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33. 0

    lyricsingrayposted 14 years ago

    Cool. Thanks for the explanation Jason.

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34. 0

    shinujohn2008posted 14 years ago

    I too liked Fan Power more than followers

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    compu-smartposted 14 years ago

    I have to keep looking over my shoulder now!

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    Metta's iPhoneposted 14 years ago

    Thanks for the clarification.  Never would have put the two together since I am a new hubber.

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    Lita C. Malicdemposted 14 years ago

    Fan or follower suits me. Both do also. Thanks. I'm slowly graduating as new hubber because I have fans and followers who give me tips on hubbing.

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    Richieb799posted 14 years ago

    I am starting a cult, anyone want to follow me? didnt some guy do a documentry on this? he sent out flyers asking people to join but he didnt tell anyone what it was about and still got lots of replies

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    msanandhposted 14 years ago

    Thanks for your info.

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    khurram's worldposted 14 years ago

    I don't mind fan or follower, both terms are ok but your explanation described it very well. Thanks again.

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    PegCole17posted 14 years ago

    Ok, now that explains that. I was wondering when and why the fans changed into followers. Kinda liked the fan thing but I understand it doesn't go with some topics.

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    pylos26posted 14 years ago

    Is hubpages going religious cult…you know…with disciples and apostles and them lame sorts that form cults as “followers”…poor description of “fan”.

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    Ben Zoltakposted 14 years ago

    Aha! I knew this subject would be somewhere on the Forums. Guess I can close the file on Fans v. Followers.
    
    "Are you employed Mr. Lebowski? One doesn't go out looking for a job on a weekday dressed like that!"
    
    "Weekday? Wait, what day is it?"

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    bojanglesk8posted 14 years ago

    I like "follower" better.

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    Internetwriter62posted 14 years ago

    I totally agree with you, there is a certain dignity to the word follower, that the word fan does not have. Unfortunately, the word fan has been associated with movies about sick, deranged weirdos, who are obsessive about the person, they admire and even stalk them. So I think it's a good change.

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