Extensions categories = most, top, new, hot, editors pick, etc

[Prutkar]

What is code behind calculating ladder in "Most/Top ..." extensions categories?
How an extension can earn "hot" icon?
Is it possible to show an exact calculated value instead of stars when it comes to rating extensions?
How often do you reevaluate your "Editor's Pick" section?

It would be nice if visitor to extensions directory could actually understand how do you calculate these things.

PS: I think "most popular extensions" category is worst one, few month back I recommended to have "rising stars" or "top movers" for extension that got many hits in few hours, but can't really compare to well established, many times downloaded, with many hits extensions in actual popularity.

Please, share the logic behind scenes.

[Prutkar]

Add-on:

"Editors pick" area, could you tell us how often do editors reevaluate extensions to maintain your Editors pick selection? What is your selection based on and why should community follow it (I do not see some kind of professional review on extensions in your Editors pick, Pros and Cons or something similar). Who are editors and where can we read their credentials, to decide if it is even worth considering Editors pick selection?

[ot2sen]

Hi Prutkar,

We really do appreciate your continued inputs on this matter. Thanks for reminding us once again 
Can only agree that there´s a lack of explanations, and we are working on providing some kind of FAQ for the Extensions Directory.
We will try to cover the "hows/who/why/where" to ensure transparency.

Just give us a few weeks 

[Prutkar]

I will appreciate it and I am sure community will do as well, but if you remember our emails, these questions and comments are as old as whole Extensions website itself, you did correct few things I pointed out but you never changed anything about your categories and how are they calculated, calculations are not clear at all.

Personally, I joined Extensions because it is directly on joomla.org and it seemed like core developers established this area and I trust Joomla core developers, but seems like Extensions area is being handled by other people, who? I'd like to read some credentials, who are you guys, what is your competence in this area, I never red one single review on any extension from you (not even any review on your own editors pick marked extensions), I do not know how you calculate things in this area ===>>> SO Why should developers and visitors trust that this system works as one would think it should work when they are most likely mistaken.

[quote=∓quot;ot2sen"\]All in all we try to create the directory in a way it will, help the developers to present their work to the users AND to provide the best possible and easiest entrance for the users to the great world of extensions.[/quote] This is most welcome and appreciated but then, IF you do provide ranking systems, editor picks etc THEN your ranking system, calculations, editors picks and other should be transparent, understandable and most of all should reward developers in a most true/fair sense of success of their extension (your Most popular category definitely does not fit these desired requirements).

You can take a few hints on how more fair calculations could be done to reflect more realistic data from this link:
http://www.alexa.com/site/help/traffic_learn_more#reach
Most popular -> "How Are Traffic Trend Graphs Calculated?"
Movers/Shakers -> "How are Movers & Shakers Calculated?"


Do not be mistaken, I do appreciate your work here, but I have problem with "core" of extensions area and I have not seen a single change since the beginning (that is why it might seems I am bit blunt here)

[Prutkar]

Could you please explian why I can see 5 star rated extension in "Most popular" category but it is not listed in "Most rated"?

[KeithJ]

Could you please explian why I can see 5 star rated extension in "Most popular" category but it is not listed in "Most rated"?

I would think it would be because the stars are a measure of its popularity, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has been rated many times.  "Most Rated" to me means that it has been rated by many people.  "Most Popular" means that it has many stars.

[Prutkar]

I think you are incorrect in both, but I am not sure. It is exactly what I complain about here, everybody only speculates what what means, so these stas do not really helpful.

I would appreciate if an extension area admin would give us a real meaning of things.

[Prutkar]

I see you did adjust something...as lists do look different now and definitely much better.

1. Could you share how calculations are done behind scenes?

2. How are extensions in category sorted? Is it same as "Most popular Extensions" area, or just stars count?
(should be same as "most popular" sort I think.)