Topic Rating Abuse

Most of you probably don't realize, but the moderators are able to see who is rating posts and the respective scores they give the poster.  Therefore, we know who has been abusing the system by purposely downgrading certain individuals.  Interestingly, many of the people complaining about abuses of the system are ALSO the abusers themselves.

Let me cut to the chase - You will lose posting privileges on the site if you continue to abuse the rating system.  Downgrading peoples posts for personal reasons will not be tolerated.

Stephen

Can we get rid of that "quack, quack, quack" stuff?
It's hurtful to posters like leethebard, who just don't deserve it.
If  I see a post I like from someone who is "quacked", I make sure to give them 5 stars, as I don't think anyone should be in the "minus column"...

I've personally never downgraded anyone....
I only like upgrading people...
 I feel bad for those that were downgraded, so I make sure to read their posts , and give them the stars I think  they deserve..

Ellen, the "quack, quack, quack" stuff should be gone.  It should have never been there in the first place, but thanks to a coding issue (on my side), it reared its head again.

Question: Why is Chewingthefat listed as a "Lurker?"

What is the "quack, quack, quack" that Ellen is referring to?
 
 

Is it Ratings abuse? ........Or, simply most of those giving one star to a post has not realized the post was just penalized 2 points?

LOL, I'm back up to -4 points. Maybe one day I'll break even agian.  ......
     ......Maybe a Northern Folks against us Southern Folks deal ?????.........

Why have it in the first place?
I rate em as I see um.
A slippery slope indeed!  

edwmax


Is it Ratings abuse? ........Or, simply most of those giving one star to a post has not realized the post was just penalized 2 points?

LOL, I'm back up to -4 points. Maybe one day I'll break even agian.  ......
     ......Maybe a Northern Folks against us Southern Folks deal ?????.........

I was up to a -9.   At least I knew folks were reading what I was writing.
Now all of a sudden, I'm an all too respectable +1. Damn!

bill voss

edwmax


Is it Ratings abuse? ........Or, simply most of those giving one star to a post has not realized the post was just penalized 2 points?

LOL, I'm back up to -4 points. Maybe one day I'll break even agian.  ......
     ......Maybe a Northern Folks against us Southern Folks deal ?????.........

I was up to a -9.   At least I knew folks were reading what I was writing.
Now all of a sudden, I'm an all too respectable +1. Damn!

You're too funny, Bill Voss...
that's the best way to look at it, with a CHUCKLE, like Greymo said she does..
(as she was a -57 when she said that, and she was proud of it!)

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Ellen, the "quack, quack, quack" stuff should be gone. 

Hi Stephen,
Glad to hear ! Thanks !
happy Roadfooding!
ellen

Perfect example of why this type of system doesn't work.

M. Hoffman asks a question and gets hammered. So the threat is that the mods can see who is posting all the negatives? Where were the mods when the "friends of the moderators" were posting negative stars on other members here for no better reason then they don't like the fastfood section?

This has been going on since the start of the new forum software. The fact that there is "new" outrage over people abusing the system is silly. Where was the "outrage" when other members like JohnA, Ellen, and Chewingthefat were getting hammered by "the chosen few" 4-6 weeks ago??

Why is this suddenly an issue when the picked on figure it all out and decide to strike back? The hypocrisy is unbelievable.


Just my .02 - better read fast.


Hammer this post folks. No problem. The truth, as I see it anyway, can be painful. ;-)

JayJ, we let the system run its course, hoping it would correct itself.  It has not.  That is why we are taking action.  The person who downgraded Michael has been banned along with another person who made an inappropriate comment.

The line has been drawn in the sand.

You guys know how I feel about a ratings system...drives me nuts!

annpeeples


You guys know how I feel about a ratings system...drives me nuts!

I'll echo that...rating each other is beyond what should be the scope of this web site...and in so many hands...it becomes abuse!!!

   I live for my roadfood info being overseas makes me long for my native foodie. I Don't know how the rating system works really don't care just this site blesses my heart thank friends.
      When i post i try to relate to what i experienced or share China life bit different in Asia to say the least.

I don't know why anyone should feel the need to rate someone.  To me, it's equivalent to talking behind one's back. 

My feelings exactly, jman. I can see no possible good reason for the rating system to exist.

We should all thank JayJ for his comments!  

JayJ's comments on "The Chosen Few" are terrific. Either we are all "The Chosen Few" or there should be "No Chosen Few."  

   

It's like Slam Books for the internet!!!

This happened at another site I post at and all heck broke loose. A lot of people left & never came back. I'm glad the mods are keeping such a close eye on it, and honestly I can't even figure out how to give a post a negative rating.

If you can't dissolve the rating system, then users should at least be able to see either which posts (of theirs) were marked as unhelpful to others, or if someone's just being abusive. You should be able to see who gave you the negative rating. No one would give a neg on a post, ever, because if your name's attached to it, the person has every right to click on the Private Message function to ask why. It would make people think twice before doing it.

Baah Ben


We should all thank JayJ for his comments!  
JayJ's comments on "The Chosen Few" are terrific.  

I do want to thank JayJ, as well....

rating posts and/or people is NEVER productive - and is, invariably, used in a manner totally opposite of what it was intended for (ie, to be hurtful towards someone).

the feature should be turned OFF.

Let's echo it loud...If you agree type now:PLEASE TURN IT OFF!

Like everything else in life........it's often more convenient to just ignore rather than to re-engineer to make it go away

Don't know how to rate. Don't care ever to.

As leethebard said, please turn it off!

leethebard


Let's echo it loud...If you agree type now:PLEASE TURN IT OFF!

 
I've been on here for several years and never even knew there was a rating system. I thought those stars were for the Burger designations!
Since it's causing all these issues, why even have a rating system? We don't need it do we?
 
And STEPHEN___I"M STILL NOT GETTING ANY EMAIL ALERTS!!! Is it because my stars are not lining up???
HOW DO I FIX IT???

I'm all for turning it off, however, it's not that easy. Probably have to get whoever wrote the program code to eliminate it. When I was selling software seven years ago those guys were making $90.00 an hour. Also, I suspect that by doing so there is the possibility of intended consequences.

Anyone know a good hacker? 

I agree the rating of the the posts is not helpful and it is not needed-
PLEASE DELETE THIS FEATURE
we can all decide for ourselves how much we like a post

Give it up, Stephen. Pay the programmers a few bucks if you have to get them to deactivate the ratings feature. For starters, the authors of the software didn't provide anything that forces you to realize that if you give someone a one star, you are putting them in the hole.
 
Then, there is the potential for forum abuse. All free forums have this problem to a certain extent. Spam. Flame Wars. Flooding. And last but not least, Secret Trials by the Rating system.
 
These rating thingofamajigs seems to be popular on web sites aimed at kids, and on online editions of newspapers. But I don't think the people who are into Roadfood are into numerical ratings. Its nice to get written posts that thank you for the tips you posted, and constructive criticism should make posters re-think their positions.
 
Going after ratings abusers just makes more work for the moderators. Take away the feature, and you don't have to worry about it. I never pay attention to numerical ratings on posts ratings anyway.

JayJ

other members like JohnA, Ellen, and Chewingthefat were getting hammered by "the chosen few" 4-6 weeks ago??

You registered for RF on 1/19/2009 and are talking about stuff from 6 weeks back?

Interesting :-)

Yeah, I know....you were a guest reader

TJ - Why wouldn't he get the lay of the land before jumping into this bonfire?

JayJ had sufficient time to read some of the nastiness that appeared on this site over the past few months, if he chose to do so.  Why not give him the benefit of the doubt instead of attacking the poor guy as soon as he gets on the site.  

Perhaps if more people got to know the posters before posting themselves, fewer would be intimidated, feel blindsided and run off never to post again.

All I know is what he had to say suited me just fine.  It was long over due.  I applaud his comments.  Welcome to the site JayJ! 

Oh cmon, we all know JayJ is the former Larry-ribrater-jay, which makes his post even more entertaining.

There is a rating system?

Why?

Anyway...back to FOOD...

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Oh cmon, we all know JayJ is the former Larry-ribrater-jay, which makes his post even more entertaining.

I knew right off the bat- a 5th grader could have figured that one out!

I know that I am in the minority, but I thought the system could work.  Looking at the sitation as it stands right now, I was wrong.  This single feature caused a lot of hurt and hostility on this site.  And all of it was unnecessary.  Because I was such a strong supporter of the point system, let me say to everyone who was harmed by it, I am sorry.     
 
Remember, this is not about rating people, but about the posts they make.  And just about everyone on this site posts in a positive, funny and informative way.  I agree it would be better if your name was attached to the star rating you gave, but I guess that is not possible(is it?).  The system was never meant to allow members to stalk other members.  Stephen say's "The line has been drawn in the sand", I believe him.  Nobody wants to put up with nonsense like this.
 
Now, let me get back to the latest trip report. 
 
 
 
 

Joe,

I don't think you owe anyone an apology for the behavior of others.  The only thing you're guilty of is believing that people could act in a responsible, adult manner, which sadly isn't the case for some.

But it's a nice gesture on your part.

Brad

Brad_Olson


Joe,

I don't think you owe anyone an apology for the behavior of others.  The only thing you're guilty of is believing that people could act in a responsible, adult manner, which sadly isn't the case for some.

But it's a nice gesture on your part.

Brad

Agreed!

This is from the ASPPlayground.NET FAQ board. It says you can turn off post rating system. I take it the decision lies with board management and not the software.

Q: Does ASPPlayground.NET support post rating / user rating AND user ranking system?

Yes we do. ASPPlayground.NET by default supports post rating and user ranking system and both are configurable through our admin panel. You can:

• Turn on/off post rating system
• Create user ranks and/or modify our existing 5 ranks (comes with base installation) from admin panel.

Post Rating / User Rating:

Your members can rate a particular user by rating his posts. That particular user will receive corresponding scores with his rated posts.

User Ranking:

User ranking system can be either an integral part of the post rating system or as a stand-alone system. You as an Admin can choose whether to rank your users based on their post ratings or not. Our user ranking system can be configured to use

1. member' s post count
2. member' s post rating
3. 1. and / or 2.

as the base to determine users' ranks. It is highly configurable and flexible and is ultra-fast (client-side instead of server-side processing).

Davydd


This is from the ASPPlayground.NET FAQ board. It says you can turn off post rating system. I take it the decision lies with board management and not the software.

Q: Does ASPPlayground.NET support post rating / user rating AND user ranking system?

Yes we do. ASPPlayground.NET by default supports post rating and user ranking system and both are configurable through our admin panel. You can:

• Turn on/off post rating system
• Create user ranks and/or modify our existing 5 ranks (comes with base installation) from admin panel.

Post Rating / User Rating:

Your members can rate a particular user by rating his posts. That particular user will receive corresponding scores with his rated posts.

User Ranking:

User ranking system can be either an integral part of the post rating system or as a stand-alone system. You as an Admin can choose whether to rank your users based on their post ratings or not. Our user ranking system can be configured to use

1. member' s post count
2. member' s post rating
3. 1. and / or 2.

as the base to determine users' ranks. It is highly configurable and flexible and is ultra-fast (client-side instead of server-side processing).

 
Did ASPPlayground provide the software? If so it appears easy enough to eliminate it.
 
I said it when the rating system was first introduced and I'll say it again. I do not have a problem with the rating program provided posters are required to post in the sunshine, not hidden in the dark.

Brad - Well put!  Thank you.

Wow,  i wish I could raise a ruckus. Guess it is time to be boring again.

I don't even see any ratings, or do I not know where to look? I don't know what a bunch of the symbols used mean. Ah, well, I can still enjoy the conversation.

mbrookes


I don't even see any ratings, or do I not know where to look? I don't know what a bunch of the symbols used mean. Ah, well, I can still enjoy the conversation.

Click on a person's name to view their public profile and see their rating. Stephen at one time had the rating showing up in the member's info at the message but he removed that bit of info. The major complaint here was the descriptor below the name thought to be tied to number of posts changed to "quack, quack, quack" and then later "lurker" when one dipped into a negative rating. That is demeaning and it was happening to longtime dedicated roadfoodist here anonymously.

jman


I don't know why anyone should feel the need to rate someone.  To me, it's equivalent to talking behind one's back. 

Agree! seems like a immature option to rate other posters.
 
If a person can't respond to a post in an adult manner, they should go back to etiquette school. From most everyone's comments; the rating system is more problematic than helpful. Why keep it? Why keep flogging a dead horse if it can no longer make it to the finish line?
 
I also respect the fact, that forum management has the right to any content and the right to manage a forum as they see fit. They do make mistakes and it is nothing wrong with correcting mistakes; unless of course, they enjoy hearing grown people cry.
 
Solutions to problems are usually simple. People make them difficult.

Doug, that's a profundaty. I like it!

There is a very famous backgammon, and poker player, known as "quack quack". He likes being called that. He is also known as X22.
Joe

PapaJoe8


Doug, that's a profundaty. I like it!

There is a very famous backgammon, and poker player, known as "quack quack". He likes being called that. He is also known as X22.
Joe

Hey, Papa Joe,
I think we've got a "six degrees of separation"  here!
I believe you are talking about Paul Magriel, who is also a poker player!
I used to deal to him a lot in Vegas back in the 80's.
Good guy, including his quirky personality...

I see that I'm only worth half as much as I used to be a few months ago!   I dropped by half , just like I did in the stock market.

The only other time I checked, I was a 57, and now I'm a 31.
Uh, oh....
(guess I must've snuck over to that fast food forum a few too many times. That can make anyone real unpopular real quick.
LOL)

ellen4641


I(guess I must've snuck over to that fast food forum a few too many times. That can make anyone real unpopular real quick.
LOL)

Ellen I also became unpopular in the fast food forum! Those post raters seem to love to hate that forum.

ellen4641


I see that I'm only worth half as much as I used to be a few months ago!   I dropped by half , just like I did in the stock market.

The only other time I checked, I was a 57, and now I'm a 31.
Uh, oh....
(guess I must've snuck over to that fast food forum a few too many times. That can make anyone real unpopular real quick.
LOL)

Jeeez, Ellen, if we were talking age or weight here, you'd be pleased!  LOL (You're still a 5-star poster and a 10 in all of our hearts, no matter what the dumb computer says!)

DougS


Agree! seems like a immature option to rate other posters.
 
If a person can't respond to a post in an adult manner, they should go back to etiquette school. From most everyone's comments; the rating system is more problematic than helpful. Why keep it? Why keep flogging a dead horse if it can no longer make it to the finish line?
 
I also respect the fact, that forum management has the right to any content and the right to manage a forum as they see fit. They do make mistakes and it is nothing wrong with correcting mistakes; unless of course, they enjoy hearing grown people cry.
 
Solutions to problems are usually simple. People make them difficult.

Just a couple of comments....not aimed at you DougS...you just happened to repeat a couple of things that have been written a few times here and elsewhere.

Please note, these are my opinions only, not an official view on the topic...

1. The system is intended to rate posts, not people. I agree that rating people is silly, but when prompted to rate something it clearly says "rate post". 

2. You ask "Why keep flogging a dead horse if it can no longer make it to the finish line?", however, the problem isn't with the horse, but with the jockey(s). The failure of this system to work is a people problem, not a programming problem. The "horse" worked fine, it was the jockey who made a wrong turn and wound up far afield. If or when the plug gets pulled it will be because people couldn't deal with the system like adults.

3. You wrote "From most everyone's comments; the rating system is more problematic than helpful.", but are basing this on a very small percentage of members who have voiced negative opinions. They may be very representative of what others think, or they may not. Neither of us really know. I can tell you that from the very start I have gotten messages of complaints, but also some from quieter members who like the system as a non-confrontational way to tell others they are not a fan of what they posted or that they really like a certain type of posts and would like to encorage more.

4. Lastly, you write about making mistakes. I had no say in this rating system appearing, nor will I have a say if it disappears, I have just spent a lot of time hearing complaints and untangling messes it has created...but if you ask me, the only mistake made was over estimating the capacity of some to act politely and responsibly. That said, it must be made clear that it has actually been a very, very small number of people who have abused this system and created a world of bad and hurt feelings.

"That said, it must be made clear that it has actually been a very, very small number of people who have abused this system and created a world of bad and hurt feelings. "

And a few of those have flat out lied about not using the system. This will no longer be tolerated. You have been warned.

Hello All,
I never understood how to rate, where to even see who or what was
rated, and...in other words, I am ignorant of it all.  Rather,
I have just been reading what has been posted in the threads.
It is simply natural to assume this would cause problems because
no one likes negative responses to a topic we would post or to
ourselves as individuals.  It would feel like a cyber-assault against us.
What is the purpose of the rating system?  To steer me away from a
topic?  Actually, where can I view the ratings?
I think I tried once to rate something and am not sure I did or didn't.
I also once sent a private message to someone and am not sure if
they received it. 
Oh, well, I'll just keep reading what is in the threads and be
cautious as to what I post.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

MikeS.


"That said, it must be made clear that it has actually been a very, very small number of people who have abused this system and created a world of bad and hurt feelings. "

Then "zap" them and let's move on.

Tony Bad

The "horse" worked fine, it was the jockey who made a wrong turn and wound up far afield.

 
And this is coming from a Guy with a "String of Poloponies"
 


 

Ellen, yep it's Paul who is sometimes known as "quack quack". The x22 comes from a backgammon tournament he played w/ himself x 100. # 22 won the tourney. Yes, he is a nice, and real smart guy. Oh, ahhh to be 31 again!

Field, please post as you like and don't worry about the ratings.

When I first noticed the rating thing I said to myself that this will be a problem.

How about a poll to see who wants it to stay or go away? I have a prediction as to how the poll would turn out.

I would vote "go away" as it bothers some folks. I don't even look at my rating.
Joe
Joe

MikeS.




And a few of those have flat out lied about not using the system. This will no longer be tolerated. You have been warned.

 

joerogo

Tony Bad

The "horse" worked fine, it was the jockey who made a wrong turn and wound up far afield.

 
And this is coming from a Guy with a "String of Poloponies"
 
    

Don't start rumors Joe...for the record,  I do not possess a villa in France, a yacht, or a string of poloponies!

 

 I cant believe I was not given a 5 star rating for my contribution above ......... oh well back to the drawing board, looks like I'll always be a negative -4

FT, you're one of the good guys. Post as you wish and throw caution to the winds! I always appreciate your comments!

Put me down as someone squarely against a rating system.Now-what and where is this rating system?