Do you want the "User Reputation" feature on our Discussion Board?

[admin]

The "User Reputation" feature allows registered members of our Community to leave comments about other member's posts and eby contribute to a member's overall "reputation".

You can read more about this facility at http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/reputation.

In brief, the advantages of the system are that it provides members with the ability to give feedback on how they perceive others. It also allows new users to instantly gauge the "reputation" of someone who answers their postings.

The disadvantages are that it can be seen as "exclusive and divisive", and can be open to abuse as members can give negative ratings based on personal opinions and vendettas rather than a balanced and considered opinion.

I thought that there could be some benefit of the system, so yesterday I activated it on a “trial” basis. The three moderators were given an initial “is a name known to all” status.

I expected some controversy and was not disappointed! See http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/question-about-the-forum-software-6046-14.html - post 208 onwards.

The best way to resolve this issue is to get your opinion. Could you please cast your vote “for” or “against” keeping the “User Reputation” feature active?

 

[aus_flyer]

I think it will only work if everyone contributes to reputation scores, and honestly.

 

[clifford]

NO.

It will be corrupted by special interest groups.

 

[jasonja3]

IMHO it could be more destructive than constructive. I did not think there was a problem where members needed to be labelled, either way.

AFF is an online frequent travellers community, aimed at helping others, not a popularity contest.

 

[Yada Yada]

Admin,

Thanks for giving us a say.

I believe that vbulletin can be configured to enable users to turn off reputation for their account, so there could be a middle ground if you wish.

Nonetheless my vote is a "no" because I've seen it used for bad.

Thanks,
Peter.

 

[alien]

I have to agree with the comments so far. I don't believe its required. We all know who the reputable and regular posters are and for those new to the forum will soon find out who they are.

It is great to see that Admin is looking at adding features contained in this version of vBulletin or at least an addon.

Verdict - Against

 

[roryg]

As someone who lurks on this board from time to time, I have learnt who it is that has a "responsible" (read: "similar opinions to me"!) attitude.

Personally, I would ignore "User Reputation" on the whole. I would prefer to read what they have to say and, over time, form my own opinion of that person's posts.

I will be voting against it, but will not fight it if it is brought in permanently.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion - even if it is different to mine.

 

[aus_flyer]

Admin, how about we ditch the ads?

 

[sully]

Short answer is NO. This will make the whole place more like an exclusive club with those who know each other voting for their mates and leaving others out of it.

Next thing you know people with excessive ear hair will be removed from the site entirely.

 

[Mal]

I'm indecisive.

Yes, I think it has benefits to a newbie who has just joined and sees responses to their questions like:

"Nope, no upgrade for you. You have sinned too much"
and
"I see J9 D9 C9 I9, I think you have a good chance of an upgrade tomorrow".

On the other hand, I see issues with personal vendetta's and negative scoring due to a dodgy post. Let alone the issues of someone who goes outside their knowledge and sprouts about something they know nothing about (not that I'm guilty of that in any way :shock: )

So in all honesty, I'm going to sit the fence on this one and let others decide. I think it has it's benefits and distractions.

 

[QF WP]

[PERSONAL POSTER HAT ON]

I'm ambivalent about this as well. Others have put up some excellent arguments for and against and I can't add to them, other than to agree that the greater good for all may be the better option than having something open for abuse. Most members who have been posting (or lurking) for any decent period of time have a sufficient sample to know who gives good responses.

I'm going to sit on the fence with Aus_Mal, so as not to be seen to "abuse" my moderatorial position (push up will you Mal :mrgreen: )

[PERSONAL HAT OFF]

 

[aus_flyer]

Lindsay, is that the same hat you wore for your TV interview?

 

[JohnK]

Is there any point?

Many discussion topics have no right or wrong answer. There is no correct or incorrect information. There are two sides to every coin which means that if someone does not agree with your point of your view and they do not like you then you may get a red vote against you.

Didn't take long. I now have my first red vote cast against me. No guesses as to who voted as the thread has been closed for a few days now.

The reason given was I provided incorrect information which in inself is wrong because this would mean that the person voting would know the correct information. Now there is no right or wrong answer, correct or incorrect, to the statement i made so therefore this would mean that the vote I received was based on voter emotion rather than fact.

Is this what we really want to have on a discussion board? If I didn't feel sick enough about the personal attack(s) that occurred on the recently closed thread, I certainly do now.

Is there any point in me carrying on posting on this discussion board? Discussion board? What discussion board!

If your opinion does not conform to the clique at the top then you are doomed to have red votes continually cast against your name. I have opinions. Some are right. Some are wrong. I am not perfect and neither is anyone on this discussion board. I am wrong many times. There are some people on this discussion board, no need to mention names as you know who you are, who are always right no matter what.

Very very childish. And I do not mean the playground forum on this website. The playground area is way above your intellectual level.

Oh and by the way I vote no to the poll.

 

[bigjobs]

no matter what happens i will continue to read the threads that i choose too and take what information is there and make my own choices about it.

i think that everyone knows a truck load more than i have learned and i am prepared to accept their ideas, knowledge and understanding.

i participate here for my benefit and the benefit of others - it's a reciprocal arrangement for me with others in the community.

to me i think the reputation feature is neutral - it's neither good or bad, just neutral ... and i choose my own meaning about this feature - to me it does not matter.

Cheers

 

[coco50]

I don't have a strong opinion either way, although I do see the potential for those of bad will to corrupt the process. I like the idea of an online community dedicated to helping each other. A community is a group of people with common interests.trying to help each other. I, like others, have learned so much from reading the posts of other, more seasoned travellers than I. I feel that anyone who wants to "slag off" at other members either directly or by innuendo doesn't belong here. So, I suppose if people are voting out of spite then the answer is no.

 

[Gazza]

Gave up worrying what people thought of me when I turned 17.

Question

Does it add value?

Gazza

 

[oz_mark]

I have to admit to be sitting on the fence with a couple of others. While I can see the arguments for and against, I have not actually seen it in operation. If it stays around, I am sure over time I will be arguing one way or the other.

 

[JohnK]

I have to admit to be sitting on the fence with a couple of others.

Careful that fence don't fall down!

 

[Damien]

Question

Does it add value?

Not really that I can see. Thread responses are quick and varied around here, so it doesn't take long to see if a poster is full of "brown stuff"...

 

[acampbel]

I think everyone here knows who the real tosspots are, without any need to glance at silly coloured bricks. In my experience these systems degenerate into personal attacks where the old wolves use their superior intellect and knowledge to belittle the innocent newcomer for daring to ask innocent questions like :-

"I'm a Bronze FF with 10 SC's and 1000 points. What are my chances of blagging an upgrade on my super-cheap SYD-LAX flight tomorrow?"

See ? ...... It's starting already!