User Reputation

[Robert]

ToeQuest has had a user reputation scheme available for several months, but few users know about it or understand how it works. I've made a few recent changes to the system and I describe what it is and how it works below.

User reputation is meant to be a ranking of a member's benefit to the community. The ranking is based on the opinions of all members of the community who choose to participate. Users will gain or lose reputation points based on how their posts are scored by other members. The users who have the ability to affect reputation, will either give or take away points by approving or disapproving a post's content. The idea behind this is to encourage higher quality postings in the forums, that are well-thought out, insightful, respectful to the opinions of others, etc. Also, this is an excellent way to provide anonymous feedback to a post's author.

Here are the rules and parameters. I may adjust these later:

1. A user must be green belt level (25 posts) before that user has the ability to affect another user's reputation.
2. A user must have a reputation of 10 to affect another user's reputation. All users start of with 10 points.
3. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 100 days since registering.
4. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 100 posts.
5. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 40 points of positive reputation received.
6. A user can affect the reputation of up to 10 other members over each 24 hour period.
7. A user must alter the reputation of 10 other members before altering the reputation of the same person again.

The way to add to or take away from a members reputation is by clicking on the scale icon in the upper right hand corner of the post. See below:

Then you will see the following popup window:

From there, you just need to select whether you like or dislike the post and give a comment. The post owner can see his reputation and comments by clicking the scale of his own post or by going to the control panel. Unless the member is part of the ToeClub, the member will not know who added to his/her reputation.

When you see a post that you especially like, be sure and add to that user's reputation. Don't disapprove of a post just because you disagree with the thesis. If it is based on rational thought and is well presented, then you have no reason to disapprove. If, however, you do disapprove of a post, do give your disapproval, but try to supply some constructive criticism as well. No need to be mean or rude.

If you're a member of the TOE Club then you can optionally choose not to be part of User Reputation ranking.

Post questions and comments to this thread.

Regards,
--Robert

[neutralino]

I thought I'd bump this thread up to try to make new members aware of the user reputation system, especially since it is one of the categories for choosing the "member of the quarter" (and because I didn't know how to use it until I found this thread!)

Note that the position of the icon may differ from that displayed in this thread, since the styles have changed. In the style I'm using, it shows up as a blue square next to the red "report post" square at the bottom left of the post, but in other styles it shows up as a little reputation block on the top right of the post, and the unaltered style has the same images as the pictures in Robert's post.

Anyway, I hope bumping this thread up helps to explain a little more about what the user reputation system is, especially to new members. I personally think it's a useful way to show that you appreciate a string of threads, instead of using the "thanks" button for each one.

[RascalPuff]

Dear Neutralino:
As you may have noticed, users are notably inhibited about promotional moves regarding reputation.

Whatever the reason, when they're particularly impressed with a post, they'll extend the thanks and avoid the promotional reputation icon.

On the other hand, it is my honor to intiate the promotion of your reputation (at the next opportunity):
because you've clearly earned it.

Best regards to you and yours; with the gratitude of many,
- RP

[everymansmedium]

Hello Robert:
Below is a paragraph that I cut and pasted just as it was done In a response to Bob Campbell’s post about truth and bias. I do not normally respond in a negative manner But I feel in this case that I must make my opinion known.
If you truly feel the need for reputation you might begin a post of the week archive. That we can put our favorite posts into by our vote. Then also will they be there for others to read even after the thread has fallen off the list.



This place (ToeQuest) is like one that I hope will one day control the spread of opinion. Without the personal politics.

I do think that there is a bit of that creeping into our midst here at ToeQuest. I do not agree with the rating system that they are now using. I understand that Robert has reason for his methods. But It is resulting with people posting 13 or more posts per day to increase there reputation rating. I am afraid that this has not improved the material being discussed here. I think in fact it is causing some to spread a bit thin. It also makes it harder to find material that you wish to read. The posts have less time to be visible as they are quickly pushed off of the page by material that is in fact also getting a bit thin.

I realize that this is not the place to say this except that you have seen first hand what the final result of this will be…

I will now copy this last paragraph and post it also to the thread that deals with reputation.

Thank you for the work you put into your post it should have been given the opportunity to be seen where you originally tried to put it.

John

[Robert]

Hi John. You make a good point but there is a trade off between "Just the facts, Ma'am" and idle chatter or, what I like to call, community building posts. Originally, the community building posts where removed by myself or the moderators, to keep only relevant posts in the thread, but this caused great angst and uproar within the community. More recently, I've asked the moderators not to delete such posts but try and guide the discussion back to the original topic. The thank you button was added to reduce the 'Thanks for a great post' posts and that has helped some.

I'll give the post of the week some thought and see what I come up with. Sorting a forum by thread rating would have a similar affect, but I don't think enough threads are rated or enough members know they can sort this way, for it to be useful. It does make sense to remove idle-chat posts from the more serious-minded forums after a couple of days.

--Robert

[dipayankar]

I do not see the scale icon on my browser window..

ToeQuest has had a user reputation scheme available for several months, but few users know about it or understand how it works. I've made a few recent changes to the system and I describe what it is and how it works below.

User reputation is meant to be a ranking of a member's benefit to the community. The ranking is based on the opinions of all members of the community who choose to participate. Users will gain or lose reputation points based on how their posts are scored by other members. The users who have the ability to affect reputation, will either give or take away points by approving or disapproving a post's content. The idea behind this is to encourage higher quality postings in the forums, that are well-thought out, insightful, respectful to the opinions of others, etc. Also, this is an excellent way to provide anonymous feedback to a post's author.

Here are the rules and parameters. I may adjust these later:

1. A user must be green belt level (25 posts) before that user has the ability to affect another user's reputation.
2. A user must have a reputation of 10 to affect another user's reputation. All users start of with 10 points.
3. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 100 days since registering.
4. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 100 posts.
5. A user gains 1 point of reputation-altering power for every 40 points of positive reputation received.
6. A user can affect the reputation of up to 10 other members over each 24 hour period.
7. A user must alter the reputation of 10 other members before altering the reputation of the same person again.

The way to add to or take away from a members reputation is by clicking on the scale icon in the upper right hand corner of the post. See below:

Then you will see the following popup window:

From there, you just need to select whether you like or dislike the post and give a comment. The post owner can see his reputation and comments by clicking the scale of his own post or by going to the control panel. Unless the member is part of the ToeClub, the member will not know who added to his/her reputation.

When you see a post that you especially like, be sure and add to that user's reputation. Don't disapprove of a post just because you disagree with the thesis. If it is based on rational thought and is well presented, then you have no reason to disapprove. If, however, you do disapprove of a post, do give your disapproval, but try to supply some constructive criticism as well. No need to be mean or rude.

If you're a member of the TOE Club then you can optionally choose not to be part of User Reputation ranking.

Post questions and comments to this thread.

Regards,


--Robert

[RascalPuff]

Dear Robert & Comrade Questors:

The scale icon isn't in my browser window either.

Regarding the system in place, imo, it's a good system and needs no change.

Best regards to all,
- RP

[dipayankar]

Yeah RP... I dont think I have the right to decide someone's reputation..

Dear Robert & Comrade Questors:

The scale icon isn't in my browser window either.

Regarding the system in place, imo, it's a good system and needs no change.

Best regards to all,
- RP

[RascalPuff]

Yeah RP... I dont think I have the right to decide someone's reputation..

Hi dipayankar.
Your stance on this issue is one I believe I understand, and could effectively take either side of. I ask you to parody Robert's role in doing what he can to balance the sometimes precarious dialogue.

Best regards,
- RP

[Robert]

The image was taken from the original style used for the forum. We now have two styles to choose from: Aria and Tech Two. The reputation icons are there but they're no longer the scale icon. See below...

You can temporarily change your style by making a style selection at the bottom left of most forum pages. You need to go to your control panel to make a permanent change.

dipayankar - Your reputation altering power is 19 so you have 19 rights to decide someone's reputation .

Also remember, you can give someone positive or negative reputation points and you can give some or all of your reputation points.

--Robert