The User Reputation system

[John Kennett]

< Edit: It's turned off now! See this thread for more details and discussion. JK >

Introduction

One of the new features that I mentioned a while back is the User Reputation system. The idea of this is to establish "credibility" scores for each user, based on what other members think of their contributions.

If it all works out, then once it has been running for a while and scores have become established you will be able to see at a glance how useful someone's advice is likely to be. This will be particularly useful for new members who haven't been around the forums long enough to form their own considered opinions.

How it works

On each post you will see this button on the left hand side under the member's details:

When you click on it a small window will pop up (make sure you don't have pop-up blocking software that will stop it) and give you the option to add to that user's reputation or subtract from it.

The amount that gets added or taken away will depend on your own credibility rating and the length of time that you have been registered.

Each member's credibility level is shown as a graphical representation (that's green dots to you!). Everyone starts as an "unknown quantity" with a grey blob.

A few notes

To avoid any individual having a disproportionate effect on the scores, you are limited to making three awards per 24 hours and they can't all be to the same person.

If your score falls below zero then reputation hits that you give out will not count.

Use your votes carefully! This is not designed to be used as a weapon, so try to base the scores that you give out on the content of the message, rather then whether or nor you particularly like the person who posted it

The more people that use the system, the better it will work. If you think a post is particularly useful or particularly unhelpful then please vote!

John

[Headhunter]

Now you see them, now you don't!!

John
The credibility points came and went, is this a trial?

John

[John Kennett]

I've decided not to show the actual points as it didn't seem particularly helpful. As people's score rises though you will see more of the green blobs and the description that you see when you put the mouse over the blobs will change.

John

[Alan]

I just ran my pointer over the blob on your post to be told "John Kennett appears to talk sense." Are you sure?

[John Kennett]

Just wanted to add that this system is not meant to replace discussion. If you don't agree with someone, then by all means post a message to say so.

For instance, if you don't like the idea of the reputation system then you can say so here. You could just hit me with negative reputation of course, but that wouldn't really be very helpful to anyone would it?



John

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Alan

I just ran my pointer over the blob on your post to be told "John Kennett appears to talk sense." Are you sure?

Note it only says appears!

John

[Phil Davies]

.....and I've just run the mouse over your credibility green blob, Alan, and it says you're an 'unknown quantity'!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Phil Davies

.....and I've just run the mouse over your credibility green blob, Alan, and it says you're an 'unknown quantity'!

I think you'll find Alan is more the "wise (old!?!) sage" type!!!

[Nick Hearne]

Well this should be entertaining then!
Or should I be more constructive in my comment!
Nick

[gavin]

Not so sure about this as a good idea, I feel that we should be left to make our own minds up about the quality of posts and posters, it definately has the potential to cause offence, It will be used as a weapon by some individuals on the forums, it might become a bit like schoolyard stuff.I think it will take a bit from the forums I certianly dont come here to score points, will it not turn things towards competiveness.

[Daniel]

Gavin, you are only saying that because noone has voted for you yet

It appears to me JK has bumped his own score up in advance because i can't find anyone else who "appears to make sense" on here

[gingercoastie]

Originally Posted by Daniel

i can't find anyone else who "appears to make sense" on here

Aparently I do, though thats not what the wife says.

[Headhunter]

Perhaps those that do not wish to be rated one way or the other should be allowed to opt out, letting the quality of their posts speak for themselves.

JK please remove me from your credibility rating and make it clear to all that this is so.

John

[The Jackeens]

Why has it suddenly become cedibility?

Missus

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Why has it suddenly become cedibility?

Because I was editing the templates much too late last night when I should have been asleep!

John

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Headhunter

Perhaps those that do not wish to be rated one way or the other should be allowed to opt out, letting the quality of their posts speak for themselves.

I think that it would make the system less useful, but I'll bear it in mind for the future!

John

[tim griffin]

i for one dont like this system and will not be using it, if i disagree with someones post i will say so, the whole fun part about the forums is any one can post a question/reply and watching it develop into a useful discussion/arguement keeping the rating score is not a good idea as can/will be used as a tool to harm someones reputation so please think again
and take me off it
regards tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

[Alan]

So whats next after "x appears to talk sense."

"x is wise beyond his/her years?"

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by tim griffin

i for one dont like this system and will not be using it, if i disagree with someones post i will say so, the whole fun part about the forums is any one can post a question/reply and watching it develop into a useful discussion/arguement

There's no reason why the reputation system should change this at all

keeping the rating score is not a good idea as can/will be used as a tool to harm someones reputation

I can understand a certain amount of apprehension about this, but I genuinely think that it is unlikely to be a problem. It is very difficult for an individual to make a major dent in anyone's reputation score, even at this early stage with only a few votes cast. The more it is used, the less power that a malcontent will have!

The reputation system is not something that I have introduced lightly, and I believe that it will turn out to be a useful tool. I have given a lot of thought to the best way to use it, and despite some concerns it appears to be working well. I am able to keep an eye on what is happening behind the scenes and with a couple of minor exceptions people are using it well!

so please think again and take me off it

I will keep the whole system under review, but I won't be adding an option for individuals to opt out. Sorry!

Please run with it and see how it goes. Please also cast your votes -- the more people that use it well, the stronger the system becomes. Negative votes are just one side of it, and so far are massively outnumbered by positive votes, a situation that I fully expect to continue.

Thanks
John

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Alan

So whats next after "x appears to talk sense."

We'll just have to wait and see!

John