Reputations. Do they deserve more careful thought?

[NoRemorse]

Originally Posted by shyra1353

i think there should be a maximum number of bad reps you can receive for one post ..

I'd have to agree on this. Ive gotten 3 negative points for one post. And it was because I had a small part of bad information. It's not lik ei was intentionaly hurting someone. And hardly anyone recieves a good point for what they do. I got a few from sharing some files, but most things by people go unnoticed. I really think it is kind of a bad thing to have negative rep points really. All for the good ones tho. This is FIRST, we don't put people down when they make mistakes, we help them realize what they have done and correct it.

[Brandon Martus]

Originally Posted by LauraN

Basically, form your own opinions.

Exactly. The reputation system is just there to help you form your own opinions, not form them for you.

[JVN]

Okay...
I'm not really sure how to respond to this thread.

I've got a whole pile or rep, and I'd like to believe that most of it was earned, and not (as accusations have implied) simply given to me by my online friends.

I've got a few questions to ask:

Do you really judge the worth of a person's response by the number of dots next to their name?

I don't. Not at all. I judge them based on the quality of their posts, and by the way that they "act" in these forums. Yes, I know you can't really judge a person online, but I'd like to think these forums make for a good "first impression".
Do you judge me by my dots?
I certainly hope not.


How do you decide where you give reputation?

I give it based on respect, and based on post quality. If I respect someone highly, I am more likely to give them rep, simply because of the large amount of respect I feel for them, I believe they should have a high reputation. I also give rep to someone when I see a "good" post. I give negative rep rarely, and only in instances when I feel the individual is out of line.

I receive negative rep, more frequently then you probably imagine. Usually for the same kind of posts I get lots of positive rep for. Yep, that's right. I speak my mind, and I sometimes take the gloves off. Lot's of mixed red/green dots for those posts...



Do you feel the reputation system is overall, working?

Yes... I do. Strongly.
I think the actual rep-list reflects my individual "rep list".
With a few minor exceptions (people left off), the top of the "rep-list" is a veritable list of "people who JVN respect". (If only a few people would move up, and that #2 person would drop down a few dozen spots, then all would be right with the world.) I'm always glad when I get the opportunity to throw some rep to a (great) guy like Paul Copioli who has taught me so much through his posts in these forums. I'm glad to see the top of the rep-list has many of my personal heroes on it. (Again... what is up with that #2? )



Do you genuinely feel the reputation system is causing harm?

No. I don't.
I largely ignore rep when reading the boards. It doesn't affect my respect of individuals, and it doesn't cause me to ignore someone. If anything, I think it only serves as a benchmark for self improvement. My rep is high, so obviously I'm doing something right. If my rep was low, I'd work to change. This isn't high school, no one is judging you by your dots (if it was HS, would the enginerds from Delphi, and NASA, be on top?).

Don't sweat the rep you get.
Just try to give rep in as positive a manner as possible.
Think of it as a tool for self improvement, and constructive criticism of others.


I am not the "cool kid".
John

[Kris Verdeyen]

So who else thought he was being funny and original by giving Justin plus rep on this post? I've noticed a new green dot next to his name, and there's now a spectacular aura about it.

That is not to say that Justin didn't deserve the rep - the post was well thought-out, with no obvious spelling or grammar errors (i.e. I could read it), and it sparked a thoughtful discussion. I just sort of chuckled to myself while clicking the button, amused at my own ironic gesture. You have to take amusement where it comes.

Feel free to spotlight that last sentence.

[Mike Heinowski]

I fell the rep system is fine. My only problem is not with the system but with the fact that some people will abuse the system and put a lot of negative rep on one person. I am a member of a lot of forums and most of the time they have a goofy atmosphere, it works because I'm a goofy person. The problem is when you type a message you tend to lose your tone of voice, and even the smillies don’t always help . People tend to take me the wrong way a lot but I just don’t let it get to me.

I hope this makes any sense, because I don't really think it does.

[KenWittlief]

I think a lot of people need to stop and read the text next to the little box before they give someone rep points

it doesnt say "I agree" or "I disagree"

is says "I approve" or "I disaprove" of what you have posted

thats a world of difference that many people miss.

I use the rep system alot to send one sentance messages to someone for many reasons - its better than having several "me too" posts show up in a thread that dont really contribute anything to the conversation - but it allows you to acknowledge a simple fact

its a act of courage for someone to go on a public forum and communicate information, feelings, opinions, or even something as simple as a joke - to post a message you have to believe that at lease one person out there is interested in what you have to say

the rep system is a great way to tell someone, hey I read your post and it connected with me on some level - thats a pretty cool thing

as for negative reps? think about the quality and character of most people involved with FIRST teams - you would have to search pretty hard to find anyone who really deserves to have a 'bad reputation' in this virtual community

I have popped off a few - you gotta really be dragging the forum into the mud to get a neg rep from me - hopefully if someone starts getting a few for a post they will seriously consider going back and editing what they said, that others are finding unacceptable.

I have also given people pos rep when I disagree with what they have posted - we can have opposite opinions on something, but I still approve of your posting your side of the issue, and I appreciate you taking the effort to do so.

and since I am human myself, I have received neg rep from several people - when its someone I really respect it makes me stop in my tracks and reconsider what I have posted - we all get out of line once in a while and need a little 'negative feedback' to get back on track. Much easier than someone having to compain to the forum monitors, have the monitor look into the situation and play babysitter.

[Greg Ross]

Originally Posted by JVN

How do you decide where you give reputation?

I very rarely give reps.... Period. A post has to be exceptional before I will give positive reps. And if the poster already has lots of green, the post must be above and beyond what they normally post.

(Now you see why I count myself among the ranks of curmudgeons. )

As to negative reps: Occasionally, I have started to ding a post, but thought better because the person is new to the forums, and probably just hasn't acculturated himself to the Chief Delphi community yet. (I don't want to make a bad first impression on the newcomer.) However, if he has a history of exhibiting bad behavior, and should know better, then I will ding him.

(See, a curmudgeon can still have a heart. )

[Ken Leung]

Originally Posted by JVN

Don't sweat the rep you get.
Just try to give rep in as positive a manner as possible.
Think of it as a tool for self improvement, and constructive criticism of others.

The great thing about the little button on the top right corner of your post window is the fact that I can leave a little comment to the poster without having to reply to the thread or start a PM. Than I can tell the poster if I like their post, or if I think they can make it a little better.

The only thing I don't like about it is I have to give positive points or negative points. A lot of times I feel really reluctant about giving neg points when I see the poster just need to tweak his message. I've always hated teaching by punishment, and negative rep points is a form of punishment.
Therefore I have no choice but to give him positive points.


I figure, the best way to teach is by example. If you want others around you to post better, you have the responsibility to show others you are capable of the same thing. Then others can see what's good and what's not, and improve their writing accordingly.

Also, I would've LOVED the new rep point system if I am given the option to give no points to the poster, and the ability to leave him a little comment. I figure if I am not too harsh in those little comments, people might actually listen once in a while.

As far as the overall rep system goes, I look at a person and decide if he/she deserve my respect based on what they wrote in their messages, not what others tell me if they are good people or not by the count of green dots.

Seriously, if you want to get to know the people behind online messages, you have to do the hard work to get to meet them face to face. A lot of people like Libby Ritchie, Paul Copioli, Erin Rapacki, and Don Knight I got to know well only because I met them at off season competition or at regionals, and spent time chatting about different things. As far as I am concerned, thats the best way to meet people. Then you can form your opinion on these people based on your experience with them. Besides, its rather pleasant getting to know the real person who is sleep deprived and totally stressed out at competition time ;-).

[IMDWalrus]

Originally Posted by Ken Leung

Also, I would've LOVED the new rep point system if I am given the option to give no points to the poster, and the ability to leave him a little comment. I figure if I am not too harsh in those little comments, people might actually listen once in a while.

Who's to say that Brandon couldn't add this one in?

I'm with Ken - I'd love to be able to add comments without affecting reputation.

[Madison]

I like the reputation system that's in place and, so far, am comfortable with how it's being used.

Like John, the members with the most reputation are people I admire and respect, and I believe that they are deserving of their many little green dots. I believe this system is working because, when I see a member with higher reputation than I'd have anticipated, I often go back and find meaningful contributions from them that I had previously missed.

When I'm given negative reputation, I often initiate a private conversation to discuss what about my post people feel negatively about and decide whether or not it's something I'm interested in changing. I probably don't do the same for positive reputation nearly enough and maybe it's time that I showed more appreciation to the people who take the time to recognize the contributions I try to make.

The system's not broken and nobody with high reputation is undeserving of the accolade. Maybe it's time I looked at who has low reputation and investigated if they're deserving of that.

[Salik Syed]

High Scores 03-22-2004 02:39 AM KyleGilbert45 not for this post..... but ok
High Scores 03-21-2004 08:08 PM tkwetzel You should PM someone with that type of message.
3D Model Showcase 03-11-2004 12:42 PM dlavery Posting that image, without making it clear right up front that it wasn't your work, borders very close on plagarism. *

3D Model Showcase 02-29-2004 02:53 AM jacob_dilles dont be an ignoramious
3D Model Showcase 02-28-2004 11:41 PM M. Krass edit one post instead of making three.
USFIRST Simulator 2004 ... 01-20-2004 07:55 PM KyleGilbert45
some new graphix..for t... 12-27-2003 12:14 AM M. Krass please write properly.

* these actually make sense
Okay these are some negative feed backs i've received...and some of them have a point .... but a lot of them are just plain stupid...and i thought bad reputation is for actually do something bad ...not just posting too many times or using ur instead your???>... i mean do you think badly of a person / give them a bad rep because they might mess up a few insignificant things in real life....NO only if they say something mean or stupid.... not for using bad punctuation....
I'm not sure if i should a censored the names but hey...you said it...! not me

[Greg Perkins]

Salik, what was said i believe you, however..the way you react to them is much worse. i would've censored the SN's due to common courtesy, and not to retalliate against them. i myself have had a lot of ridiculous reps, but i dont show them and gloat them over here to make the writer look bad. so, next time, please out of common courtesy, think about what you are posting.

[Ryan F.]

Sorry..if this is a little off....and hopefully you won't give me bad rp's for it . But..I haven't recieved many reputation points, and I'm trying to figure out if some of them were negative or positive because the people don't write comments.....and I don't know how to tell the difference. So if someone know's an obvious way..it would be great to know..is it the difference between the box color ??

Anyways...I'm against rep points. Gives me bad thoughts of a popularity contest. Lets see who can get more reputation points!!

[Kris Verdeyen]

Originally Posted by Salik Syed

i mean do you think badly of a person / give them a bad rep because they might mess up a few insignificant things in real life....NO

Do I think less of a person who can't express himself to me? Absolutely. Being able to communicate is not an "insignificant thing".

[shyra1353]

Originally Posted by rforystek

Sorry..if this is a little off....and hopefully you won't give me bad rp's for it . But..I haven't recieved many reputation points, and I'm trying to figure out if some of them were negative or positive because the people don't write comments.....and I don't know how to tell the difference. So if someone know's an obvious way..it would be great to know..is it the difference between the box color ??

Anyways...I'm against rep points. Gives me bad thoughts of a popularity contest. Lets see who can get more reputation points!!

on the left hand side of where it says what post you made, there is a box ... if it is red than it means that it was a negative rep .. if it is green than it was a positive rep .. if it is grey that means that it could be either but the person who gave it to you has a negative rep or not enough experience on cd and that rep will not affect your overall points ..

hope this helps