Edit2: @bryan-imhoff mentioned the reward change. I was thinking about multiple reward cycles, 7 day, 30 day, and 1 year recurring, with chances to upvote the content during each cycle.
I don't really think that 30-day rewards cycles are necessary, since most voters don't even really vote outside of the first hour. But if they're going to eliminate the 30-day payout, then I think they should just make it 48 to 72 hours max. There's really no reason for 7 days. Unless they're going to overhaul the curation system, then most votes will still be in mostly before the first hour is over.
Also, the 7-day period may be too long for new users who are looking to test the system. I don't know how long someone would be willing to stick around for their $0.05 payout. And it certainly doesn't help with the more time-sensitive posts about certain initiatives/fundraisers or contests. It will only serve to delay them and mostly for no good reason. If they insist on a 7-day payout, then perhaps they should offer the option for users to cut it to 48 or 72 hours. Make it an option like the 50/50 rewards split or 100% SP option.
Maybe 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and then 1 year recurring? I mean if it is worthy content then it'll get upvoted. I've seen stuff on other media platforms come around multiple times, and I've loved it each time. It was always sort of the "right time" - I know that doesn't happen here but that's because the reward structure discourages it.
I don't know if this community even wants that sort of thing.
I'm not demanding it. :) These are just notes.
edit : It could extend curation rewards too, so if you got in early on day 1 of some hot item, you'd be better rewarded.
1 day, 2 day, 30 day, yearly recurring works too XD
From what I understand, that would be too much of a memory issue. It's just not practical to have posts open that long. 30 days is about the limit that they're willing to do. But Maybe do a 48-72 hour and a 14-day period. Although, like I said, very few votes come in after the first day.
The current system does somewhat discourage voting after the first day though. I've voted past 24 hours because I found the content worthwhile, but I don't see much of that going on otherwise.
And yeah I have no idea of the technical limitations behind it. XD
I do have every confidence that there is some clever solution to any technical issue that Steem faces.
I think the multiple-cycle voting could improve Steemit. If you can vote multiple times on an older post, you can show that you really appreciate the content. Voting power isn't to be used lightly. It would help organize the content on Steem. A post that was upvoted multiple times during the cycles must obviously be important, and we could add a page for that like for the "new" and "hot" ... call it "oldie but goodie" XD
also there could be multiple ^ symbols and colors that would be awesome to see a post with like "^ ^ ^ ^ *!" next to it ok I'm rambling now.
edit: we could always let the post author choose the schedule. XD - and I realize there are technical issues the way things are now, I haven't read the steem source yet myself, but back in The Day when I did programming there was always some clever, elegant solution to any problem.