Making Rep Power actually Mean Something.

morti · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:19 PM

I want to preface this post by saying I haven't run the idea past the staff or anyone else really. I wanted to start by simply throwing it out here to everyone and see what you think.

As it stands, the Rep Power system doesn't seem to mean much of anything. For some people, if someone amuses them... rep. If someone simply likes someone else... rep. If someone dislikes someone else... neg rep. If someone throws a tantrum... neg rep.

This has led to some wacky, overblown situations where people have "Abused" the rep system in the past. It has taken me this long to come up with a solution for it.

I was contemplating earlier a way for the rep system to be an actual, useful rating system. Basically it would be most useful if it is ONLY and STRICTLY used for reptile related topics. It would be a measure of helpfulness of advice.

In order for this to work as I envision it, a few (probably unpopular) things are going to need to happen:
1) All rep for every member will have to be reset to zero. Seriously. Even Staff. This is the ultimate democracy at play.
2) It will have to be self policing. By that I mean we will have to setup a private method of review for rep given. The staff will have to be more involved in reputation.
3) We could potentially bring back the "Top Ten Rep" and "Top Ten Thanks" for the main page.... if the rep started to mean something.

I want y'all's feedback. Seriously. I like my idea because it is my idea.... but I want to know what you think. Please qualify your thoughts with a why so I stand a chance of being persuaded.

-Your Sick Uncle Morti

Rex322 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:25 PM

i think its a good idea. i think it might motivate people to be more helpful (not thay we arent already).

Stigma · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:30 PM

i think its a great idea... on some other forums i post on they have rules like this and i think they help A LOT ...

boaterr · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:33 PM

Great idea, I always laugh when I look at how my rep power is in comparison to some of the other members.

morti · #5 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex322

i think its a good idea. i think it might motivate people to be more helpful (not thay we arent already).

My other thought is that it might motivate people to not post unless they actually know what they are talking about. Both would be beneficial to the people who come here seeking advice.

This would sortof also add a sense of involvement and empowerment to 'The Populace'. You the RTBers get to decide if a post is helpful or not and reward accordingly. For this to work, it would have to have lots of involvement in applying rep to those who deserve it.

Rejekt · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:38 PM

itd be a great idea. it would help people who to go to for more information, should have certain things like comments for rep so they can say " Great guy to help with red tail care questions" or "great help with building a cage info" and stuff like that it would help new comers with care tips and on who to stay away from ( if anyone! )

kellymack515 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:38 PM

I like the idea. As it stands now, the rep system is a bit of a joke. It's more of a show of popularity than anything else. It'll mean more work for the staff but overall I think it will benefit everyone in the long run. As for rep being reset to zero, I'm for that too. It won't work otherwise. Good job thinking outside the box Morti!

Hairless · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:39 PM

Wow. Do you mods have that much time that you can review all rep action? (-I really don't know-).

If the mods are ensuring ''justification'' for all reps, what if one mod agrees and the others don't (and if a mod doesn't agree with a rep given, the original rep giver isn't going to like that). I guess I don't like the mod review idea...it takes the power from the people and could become just as useless as it allready is...

How about a 'cap' of say 1000.? This would limit the destructive power. LOL

Rex322 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:42 PM

morti i think it would give the person who helped and got the rep points a good feeling as well, knowing that it was useful and helpful information.

i been trying to think of a negative point to this. all i could come up with is it would make us more competetive, which isnt really bad, cause it would cause us to be more accurate and helpful, and take more time to explain everything correctly

LdyDrgn · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:44 PM

I think it's a great idea providing the staff is willing to devote time to it.

I have more to say on this subject, but I think I shall refrain from that for now, lol.

morti · #11 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairless

Wow. Do you mods have that much time that you can review all rep action? (-I really don't know-).
If the mods are ensuring ''justification'' for all reps, what if one mod agrees and the others don't (and if a mod doesn't agree with a rep given, the original rep giver isn't going to like that). I guess I don't like the mod review idea...it takes the power from the people and could become just as useless as it allready is...
How about a 'cap' of say 1000.? This would limit the destructive power. LOL

While the staff doesn't exactly have any extra time on our hands, I envision this as an offense/report based system... where users would have to report any potential abuse of the rep system to the staff. I am not proposing that the staff review all rep.

If the staff don't agree, we do what we always do in that situation... we vote.

Rep doesn't get overturned because some member of the staff says that neg-rep was given for good advice or vice/versa... only if a clear abuse occurs.... Rep is given for saying that a picture is pretty or something.

I dunno about the cap. I think that some of the point of this is that a highly rated poster should affect rep more than an abject newb.

kellymack515 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:48 PM

*duplicate post*

My laptop is doing all kinds of wonky things... Feel free to delete this post Morti!

morti · #13 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:48 PM

Also... if we end up needing to take on one or two more staff members to support this, I would still be in favor of it.

morti · #14 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LdyDrgn

I have more to say on this subject, but I think I shall refrain from that for now, lol.

I am sure I will hear it later.

RioBravoReptiles · #15 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:58 PM

Just for me personally I see these issues with rep points..
.
There should be some rep positive for adding content to the site that is more than just answering 'Stunning'.. or whatever..
.
Reviewing or judging Rep points given is a hot potato! People receiveing points will like the system, those denied rep points will (justifiably) call foul. Just as an example.. if I post a photo of my gun collection (kick [butt]!!) and it gets big hits.. does that add to what the forum is about? Who decides? That's a small example.
.
Here's an idea.. you, yourself give away rep points from your own total (not invent new) when you give reps.. Rep points are only created when a new thread is started (and viewed? .. not sure how that works)..
.
Mods shouldn't be in charge of Rep points IMO, this would creat an atmosphere where their decisions are viewed as subjective.. not entirely 'just by the rules' .. we wouldn't want that!
.
Hope that helps.

Hairless · #16 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

While the staff doesn't exactly have any extra time on our hands, I envision this as an offense/report based system... where users would have to report any potential abuse of the rep system to the staff. I am not proposing that the staff review all rep.
If the staff don't agree, we do what we always do in that situation... we vote.
Rep doesn't get overturned because some member of the staff says that neg-rep was given for good advice or vice/versa... only if a clear abuse occurs.... Rep is given for saying that a picture is pretty or something.
I dunno about the cap. I think that some of the point of this is that a highly rated poster should affect rep more than an abject newb.

First bolded: How would one report such abuse? I can see people reporting getting abused (negatively)...Who will report positive abuse and how will anyone except the receiver (and mods, maybe) know?

Second bolded: A 'cap' will not change any of that...it will limit the power of rep given or taken. Many times I thought someone needed negative rep or positive rep, but didn't think it deserved the crushing/exalting power that a high rep would give. -just an example.

Also, I remember you saying something about not giving rep because the affect of your high rep would would be to great...

VexalUntil · #17 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:07 PM

I wouldn't care if my rep points were reduced to zero.

I think the key is blocking the ability to give rep points from certain forums (just talk, pictures, etc) and only having it in the News, Caresheet's/Tutorials, Help Me, Debate, and various taxon groups. Is this possible??

morti · #18 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:08 PM

I can see your points Gus, but in my first post I was suggesting that the rep points be reserved exclusively for reptile related posts that are literally of a helpful nature. Conversely, negative rep points would be for reptile related posts that are clearly harmful.

And example of a harmful post that should be given negative rep would be the following scenerio:

Someone asks what temperature to house their boa at. A user answers 220 degrees F. That would get neg rep.

The staff would have no say in the rep that is applied to this advice.

A situation where staff would intervene and remove rep:

A user posts pictures of their guns. Another user gives them rep for this. That rep would be removed.

Hairless · #19 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

Conversely, negative rep points would be for reptile related posts that are clearly harmful.

Who and what defines clearly?

morti · #20 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairless

First bolded: How would one report such abuse? I can see people reporting getting abused (negatively)...Who will report positive abuse and how will anyone except the receiver (and mods, maybe) know?
Second bolded: A 'cap' will not change any of that...it will limit the power of rep given or taken. Many times I thought someone needed negative rep or positive rep, but didn't think it deserved the crushing/exalting power that a high rep would give. -just an example.
Also, I remember you saying something about not giving rep because the affect of your high rep would would be to great...

On how abuse would be reported... I haven't gotten that far yet.

When I work that out, i'll let you know. lol

I can absolutely see your point about a cap and I think it is a good idea... Like the whole of this thread, it needs further discussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VexalUntil

I wouldn't care if my rep points were reduced to zero.
I think the key is blocking the ability to give rep points from certain forums (just talk, pictures, etc) and only having it in the News, Caresheet's/Tutorials, Help Me, Debate, and various taxon groups. Is this possible??

I have considered that posibility too. Frankly, I don't know if that is possible with the way this forum is currently setup. Also, how many times have you seen "Hi I'm New Here Look At My Pretty Picture What Should I feed My Snake" posts. I know I see them a LOT. Answers to those (reptile related) questions deserve rep too.

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