Turning Off Or Moddifiying The "Reputation" System ... Your Thoughts?

[Zander]

I'm throwing this idea out there to see what others reckon: I feel the reputation system on this board is, on balance, a bad thing in its current form and could do with being changed.

There are a number of options that could be considered, the main ones I have thought of are added to the poll in this topic.

I've come to this conclusion (that the current set-up is a bad thing) as the more I look at topics where posts have been negatively flagged, the more I feel their rating has little reflection on the content of the post or the intent/behaviour of the user in question. I strongly expect that most negative flags posted reflect the voters initial displeasure at a reply and their unwillingness or inability to view things from the other users (often very valid) point of view. I'm not saying everyone uses the system like this, but I think more and more that the system is flagrantly abused by certain sub-groups of our community and for the rest, my original expectation holds true for the general population of users.

So... two questions for the people:

Do others think the system should change? If so, how should it change and why? (I'm going with yes, and with Option 1 in the poll above).

and two for the site staff/admins:

Can changes such as the ones suggested actually be implemented? If so, will you consider it based on the feedback of this topic?

[NB: This might not be the right forum for this topic - I'm sure an admin can move it if that's the case - but it seems sensible]

[LuvsGurl]

We've been down this road before. Nothing is going to change.

As is it's a completely laughable system that has absolutely no bearing on anything. For some it's a popularity contest, for others it's another form of abuse. It doesn't actually affect anything, so if we're not ever going to make it into something useful why is it even here?

[nealab]

I didnt know there was a reputation rating. Mine is "1". What does that mean?

[belinda_sue_fox]

Never use it.

If you feel strongly about a post, post a reply stating your view.

But i think it might give new peeps to these boards whats accept and whats not accepted to post by seeing the rating to a post.

[jbz2079]

My vote was turn the voting system off entirely.

I have noted that some people do just stick a negative vote on someone because it's anonomous and can't be traced back to them.

Instead of taking the time or trouble to actually type in words why the post or poster upset or annoyed them, so gaining the poster a negative vote for possibly nothing more that their own view on a topic or subject.

I'dont agree with quite a few posts that have been made on here over the years, but as a member of a group I expect to be able to have my views aired on here as long as it's not derogertary or a personal insult to the original poster.

If enough people are upset or disagree with something they are free to place a few joined up letters in a post.

[LuvsGurl]

I didnt know there was a reputation rating. Mine is "1". What does that mean?

Now it's "2"

[sarah_ab]

dear lord another one of these?

i see no problem with the system .... its not as if someone is egging your house they are simply showing disagreement to a post

you cant judge a book by its cover and you cant judge a member by their reputation ... it seems the same people who claim it doesnt matter and to ignore it are the same people who have such a problem with it even existing....

it doesnt matter so just ignore it .... and if it really does matter .... then realize not everyone out there will like a persons post and not everyone is going to be kind and courteous etc .... just like it real life there are people who will say pretty mean thing to you .... same on the internet

[padded_husky]

I personally think that the reputation system is a serious issue. I mean I personally have net even seen another forum have a system like this and there is a reason. I feel that the reputation system is miss used and does nothing but leave a negative mark on a person's profile.

First off, I think that people use it simply for there own personal political views. Someone posts something, another person is against it so they leave a negative rep and that person has a visible stain on there character simply because they where disagreed with. I think it is used as a form of bullying and I think that no one should have to deal with being represented negatively simply because someone else disagrees with them.I think it is complete crap that I can vote positively upon myself. For those of you who say "it is to help balance if you are wrongfully marked" than I say, "that is full of crap!" if you have to allow someone to positively mark themselves just to keep balance, then there is obviously a serious issue.

If someone is trolling or someone is saying something wrong, illegal, is being rude, or doing anything serious that deserves them a negative mark on there character, then you need to report that person and let a mod deal with it. That is the simple fact! If there is an issue, you need to report it to a mod. If they are not, leaving a negative rep just makes that person look bad. I mean I know for a fact that there are people on here who will not be someone's friend simply because of there negative marks.

But i think it might give new peeps to these boards whats accept and whats not accepted to post by seeing the rating to a post.

That is why we have pinned articles in every section. Every section has a pinned article stating what is allowed and not allowed and what is OK and what is not OK. that is why people learn to read in school and if there is no article in every section explaining what is allowed...etc then there should be. Honestly, if someone needs an example of how to properly act in public then that is a problem because it does not take a genius to know if something is inappropriate. Using others as an example is un fair. If a rating system is so important then any ratings on a post should not be represented on there profile.

i see no problem with the system .... its not as if someone is egging your house they are simply showing disagreement to a post

That is where you are wrong! giving someone a negative rep simply because you disagree with them is wrong. let say someone says they agree with a political stand point and you disagree with them and think there opinion is ignorant so you post a negative rep. That person is now a negative rep point on there profile. Now lets say someone else starts to talk about inappropriate things in a topic and you give that person a negative rep. the problem is, you do not know why that person has a negative point on there profile. you can not tell the difference between a negative rep simply because you disagree and a negative rep because they are trolling and being inappropriate! It is egging someones character and profile because it does leave a negative stain on there profile and the fact is, you can say all day long that people do not judge people by there rep but the fact is that is a lie. a lot of people do judge someone based on there rep and that is the fact. Honestly, if it is so not a big deal than why defend it? If everyone is to just ignore it then what is the point? If everyone is to ignore then why is it there?

the point is the rep system is used to bully others and force your opinion on everyone. The rep system is a form of cyber bulling in my opinion and I think that it is wrong to have. IF someone wants some kind of a system, then it should simply be used for Mods and Admins to see when a post is bothering someone. It should be used to help, and the fact is, if you go to someone's profile and there negative 2, your going to wonder why no one likes them and what they have said to receive that.

I have an idea. lets start tattooing marks on peoples foreheads every time they get pulled over, arrested, sent to jail or receive a ticket. That way they can be an example to everyone else! I mean no need to make difference on the marks and it doesn't matter right? I mean those people who get pulled over for speeding or those people who go to jail for theft should be made an example of right? my point exactly!

I do not mean to be so...opinionated on this subject but I seriously have a problem with it, I have been meaning to express that opinion but have wrote anything on it yet. I do not mean to come a crossed so agitated but I just think it does nothing more then harm someone. I mean what is stopping someone from going through this entire topic and just leaving a negative rep on everyone's comment? What does it matter you say? does not mean anything to you? Maybe you should check your own profile and see how many rep points you have and I grantee you have several. I would like for you to have a negative rep and still think it does not matter because when I first started on here I had a negative rep and it bothered me simply because I am a good person, I am considerate of other people and I am generally a good sport with everyone. (just want to make sure it is known, that my post is not geared towards anyone specific. it is a general opinion not pushed upon anyone in particular)

...OK....I feel better! cant wait to receiving those negative marks I am expecting! (there should be a smiley for feeling relieved and a weight off there shoulder.)

*added later* lol someone actually went through and started leaving negative posts. funny, tried to level it out but I guess I am limited on how many positive posts i can leave.

[Little BabyDoll Christine]

My Ear-Nose-Throat specialist/surgeon put it this way "If it does not good, it does harm". However, I will miss the opportunity for jokes, humorous references and my usual snotty remarks

How snotty are they?

They're so snotty; I single-handedly keep Kleenex in business

You can go "AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!" Now.

[Waits a few beats]

I SAID "YOU CAN GO......"! DO NOT MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF A THIRD TIME AND IF I HAVE TO GO OVER THERE...

[Repaid1]

The funny thing is this has been gone over too many times!! The only thing the rep system is for, is to let the mods see who clicks the neg's. Then and only then those who are over using the system for it's not intended purpose are subsequently banned. It's not there for you all to use for any other reason. We watch those who don't think they are being watched.... It's kinda complex...so the rest of you might want to move on. Other than that see Sarah's post.

And to answer the OP. It's on or off.

But I have been known to adjust someones, just to see if they are paying attention....hmmm.. Check yours now...did it change??

EDIT: I just noticed that I can go to the admin section and click on your profile and see every vote ever, that you did by posts.. pretty neat. and useful???

[padded_husky]

Well...fair enough then. I just have one more comment and then I will move on. If it is not intended for others to use, and it is intended for admins and mods to see then why is it in general view of the public? why is it advertised like a stripper on a corner on someone's profile? can't it be made silent or hidden to the general public?

[Bettypooh]

Well...fair enough then. I just have one more comment and then I will move on. If it is not intended for others to use, and it is intended for admins and mods to see then why is it in general view of the public? why is it advertised like a stripper on a corner on someone's profile? can't it be made silent or hidden to the general public?

With the IP boards you don't get any options There's one way- like Repaid said- and it's that way or no way at all It's here and staying so the best thing to do is not let it worry you Personally if I didn't get a Neg every now and then I would feel bland

Bettypooh

[Little BabyDoll Christine]

These IP boards are a miracle. Must cost a fortune

[DailyDi]

These IP boards are a miracle. Must cost a fortune

$350 one-time and $50 every 6 months

Plus $30 a year for chat

Plus $50 one-time and $20 a year for blogs

Plus $65 one-time and $20 a year for gallery

We added the extras one at a time, so didn't have to pay all that in one shot.

[Little BabyDoll Christine]

I imagine that that does not even include the disk/webspace to make them run as smoothly as you do.

That would be well out of the range of most one-person operations and would require ad support and donations to run rught. Which reminds me, me "subscription" should be running out soon and absent PayPal, I have no idea of how I am going to re-up since reading card numbers for input is a but out of my league since my bank decided to have the numbers on the new cards raised by not in a contrasting color. In fact, I have two words for those involved in commercial graphic arts: Aging Babyboomers

[DailyDi]

I imagine that that does not even include the disk/webspace to make them run as smoothly as you do.

That would be well out of the range of most one-person operations and would require ad support and donations to run rught. Which reminds me, me "subscription" should be running out soon and absent PayPal, I have no idea of how I am going to re-up since reading card numbers for input is a but out of my league since my bank decided to have the numbers on the new cards raised by not in a contrasting color. In fact, I have two words for those involved in commercial graphic arts: Aging Babyboomers

Nope, that's JUST for the board software. Our hosting and maintenance costs are crazy!

Sadly PayPal won't let us use them on here because we are considered by them to be an adult site. Working on finding a nearby mailbox service to use for snail-mail donations and will have our shopping cart system going soon too.

[Repaid1]

Well...fair enough then. I just have one more comment and then I will move on. If it is not intended for others to use, and it is intended for admins and mods to see then why is it in general view of the public? why is it advertised like a stripper on a corner on someone's profile? can't it be made silent or hidden to the general public?

I was being facetious (Kidding) Jeeze!!! go back and read it again and note the Emoticons. Then see I referenced a post for the real answer.

I also noted the three negative marked posts in this thread were all from the same person who didn't even post in the thread... I'm doing the eye sign from Meet the Fockers to you...."I'm Watching you"

[ForbiddenFruit]

Nope, that's JUST for the board software. Our hosting and maintenance costs are crazy!

Sadly PayPal won't let us use them on here because we are considered by them to be an adult site. Working on finding a nearby mailbox service to use for snail-mail donations and will have our shopping cart system going soon too.

Does that mean it's impossible to donate via paypal?

[Little BabyDoll Christine]

That's bizarre since Ebay has "adult" auctions. Does PayPal cover those?

[Bettypooh]

That's bizarre since Ebay has "adult" auctions. Does PayPal cover those?

Of course Since Ebay now owns Paypal they can be as hypocritical as they want to which is why I don't Paypal except on Ebay where it's required

You go Amazon- beat Ebay into the dirt

Bettypooh