Ratings

[bmxer193]

I think the forum should have ratings for each user so you know how good the user is (i mean how good their info is,im not talkin about their personalty)

[sirdarksol]

Are you talking about a reputation system?
Honestly, I think that this forum is pretty good without such a system. Most forums, I would agree with you, but around here, I've heard almost no bad information. Most people (such as myself) who are putting forth a questionable statement will qualify it with an "Many people don't agree with me, but I believe...".

[Dino]

By reading just a few posts from a person, you can usually tell who has their act together.

Almost always, I post personal experiences. I figure that is what most people are looking for, otherwise, they could just google the info they are looking for.

[Chief_waterchanger]

In my opinion that would not work well.

Who is to say what is and is not good info? No one here aside from Mike has the authority to arbitrate in such a way, and then only because he owns the site, not because any one of us is the authority on what is and is not good advice. Also, I believe that it would only breed resentment and anger amongst members. There are sites out there that operate in such a manner, but they are quite commonly very uptight and not nearly as fun and does not normally have the community feel this site carries for a lot of us that have been here a while.

[atmmachine816]

I agree with Dino, though when they ask for facts and I have the time i google it for them, then provide a link

[sirdarksol]

Originally Posted by Chief_waterchanger

Also, I believe that it would only breed resentment and anger amongst members. There are sites out there that operate in such a manner, but they are quite commonly very uptight and not nearly as fun and does not normally have the community feel this site carries for a lot of us that have been here a while.

They aren't all this way. Really, in the case of sites using the rep system, it's up to the moderators and admin to insure that the system isn't abused or used incorrectly. On many sites, it is nothing more than an incentive to post well-written, helpful posts.

This is why I say that it isn't necessary here. I doubt that this group would get resentful, but there's no point. It's obvious that there are a ton of people on here who are willing to write helpful, well-written posts.

[Mike]

I agree with sirdarksol - I think we have a great bunch of members here and there really is no need for such a system. I think it could actually do more harm than good in our case. We also have enough members with good amounts of experience to point out or question someone's advice if it was obviously incorrect or just simply bad advice. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[COBettaCouple]

it would be too easy to abuse a system like that with 'revenge' ratings & such and all ratings would be subjective. all of a members posts are viewable and would let other members form their own mental rating, since everyone's got different information needs that works best i think.

[bmxer193]

im talking about a reputation system. In that you CANT give "'revenge' ratings" because you can only give reputation points (which are good) you cant take them away or give bad ones

[≈ D ≈]

I like the forum the way it is

[MagpieTear]

Over on the bike board, we had Karma points you could give other members, good or bad. It went well until one person who had a grudge against someone else set up a script that added a bad karma point to a specific user every time the grudge bearer logged in. Then all heck broke loose and what was friendly reputation points turned into a piranha's feeding frenzy, until the Mods figured out what was going on. About two years later we started a Trader rating point system. For the regular members it's great, but it's a huge resource hog on the server and a constant source of aggrivation for the Mods. Unless the board becomes so big that we can't trust each other by reviewing an unfamiliar names post and making a decision on our own, leave it as is.

[paswed]

i agree with magipie every one on here is so helpful why change a good thing if it is not broke

[Drea]

This is a great forum (thank you mods for all your energy with it) and IMO would not change a thing! I don't know if it's possible to have a designed "chat area" or if members who want to connect use the PM's.

[Butterfly]

Originally Posted by Drea

This is a great forum (thank you mods for all your energy with it) and IMO would not change a thing! I don't know if it's possible to have a designed "chat area" or if members who want to connect use the PM's.

usually we just ask permission then join IM's and talk back and forth
Carol

[Drea]

Thanks, Butterfly!