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Why can't I rate threads?

Discussion in 'Site Suggestions and Questions' started by MonstBlitz, Sep 22, 2009.

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  1. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    I seem to have lost the ability to rate threads. Is there a new way of doing it that I'm not aware of? Is there some kind of limit that I've exceeded?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Celtkin likes this.
  2. unluckyluciano

    unluckyluciano For My Hero JetsSuck

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    they took it away because people abused it. which sucks because I could really use it right now ....
     
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  3. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    Took it away from who? Obviously some people are still rating threads because I saw some threads that were made after I noticed I couldn't rate them that now have ratings.

    There are some good and bad threads today that definitely deserve ratings.
     
  4. unluckyluciano

    unluckyluciano For My Hero JetsSuck

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    not sure who exactly, but I don't have the ability. maybe just the mods still do? who knows.
     
  5. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    Well that pretty much sucks. How were people abusing it? If you don't want threads getting rated and feelings getting hurt then don't have the ability to rate threads period. Why let some rate threads and not others?
     
  6. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    We won't get into who did what, the staff has respect for the privacy of those members. But when folks are abusing a feature on this site that is meant to be helpful, we have to remove it so those members can't continue to misuse it. It sucks that folks can't just enjoy the site.
     
  7. Big E

    Big E Plus sized porn star

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    neg rep......oh...wait...
     
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  8. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    Are you saying this was done on a case by case basis? Or the feature was removed for everyone except mods?
     
  9. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    Close....you're almost there...."funny" is just within your grasp.....


    .....but you fail

    :tongue2:
     
  10. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    I think that it was removed from the forums in which it was being abused, an admin will have a more definitive answer on that. :up:
     
  11. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    That wouldn't explain why some threads are getting ratings in forums that I can't rate them. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if I did something wrong to have the feature removed. If so, I can't figure out what it might have been.
     
  12. Celtkin

    Celtkin <B>Webmaster</b> Luxury Box

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    We have had multiple incidents of perfectly good threads that were given one star with no comment in the thread. If a person feels strongly enough to give another member's thread one star, they should feel strongly enough to leave a comment in the thread.

    The rating system is being used by a a very small handful of people as a weapon and since we can't take away an individual's ability to rate posts, we have to take away the privilege from entire user groups, and that is what we were forced to do.

    To the 99% of our members who use the feature as it was intended -- to rate the content of a thread in which they had already made their opinion known, we regret that you had to suffer for the 1% who used the feature in an anonymous hit-and-run way of lashing out at individuals who started the thread.

    That said, as soon as we are able to find a hack that allows us to see who rated a thread so that we can address potential problems with the individual rather than with a group, we will restore the rating system.
     
  13. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    I guess I could see the problem with that, but how do you know if that was actually the user's intent? I almost always leave a comment in a thread I rate, but I can admit there are probably times on both ends of the spectrum that I've rated a thread either good or bad but not commented, usually because someone else already stated my thoughts on the matter and to repeat would be piling on or unnecessary gushing. But maybe you guys have some other information on this that proves users intent.

    I guess I just don't understand taking the feature away from club members. I would think that for the small percentage of people doing this, most people on this board are big enough to handle someone holding a petty grudge and giving threads poor ratings. But I guess I can live without rating threads, just thought it was odd.

    For the record, I'll miss more the ability to give good threads their respect, than giving poor threads bad ratings.
     
  14. Muck

    Muck Throwback Uniform Crusader Retired Administrator

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    We know because we've seen it.

    There are people who will give a poor rating out of spite, because they dislike the OP, they dislike the team being talked about, etc.

    Club members have been guilty as well.
     
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  15. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    With all due respect, isn't that making a pretty big assumption? How do you know that a person doesn't like someone because they give a 1 star rating? How can you infer that from one vote in a thread? Are you basing this on a pattern of behavior? Wouldn't it be much easier to warn that person about the behavior than taking a board feature away? And what's the problem with rating a thread poorly because you don't like the team being discussed? I've personally never done that, but to me that's more an attack of a team than the poster.

    Isn't it also an assumption that a certain group, luxury members / moderators and whoever else is still allowed to rate threads are never engaging in these kinds of actions?

    Arguing about this is probably kind of pointless but taking away a feature from most while allowing a select few to have it, IMO, is a bit cliquey and doesn't really give me that welcome feeling that I've grown accustomed to receiving here.
     
  16. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    It's simple, the staff has the ability to see who rates a thread. When you see 2 people arguing in a thread, and then one of them goes around to threads started by the other person and one star bombs it for no reason, that's an abuse of the system.

    The rating system isn't necessarily supposed to be used to rate a thread poorly just because you disagree with it, there are alot of diverse opinions here and we'll never all agree on any topic. The thread rating system (IMO) is more for rating the quality of the thread, if you see a thread that the OP didn't put any effort into and is jumping to wild conclusions and/or calling people and players out, it's a one star thread. But when you see a quality thread with good discussion and good information being one starred by the same people over and over again, it's an abuse of the system. It's a pattern.

    As Mal said earlier, once there is a hack to better control who can and who can't use the system, it will be back. Until then this step needed to be taken.
     
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  17. unluckyluciano

    unluckyluciano For My Hero JetsSuck

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    is it cool if i start my own rating system?
    if its a bad thread, you sir deserve a death star

    [​IMG]

    if I have no idea what you are saying you deserve a rap star

    [​IMG]
    just so I can say OOOOOOOOKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

    and finally if your thread is awesome you deserve a dancing star

    [​IMG]
    shine on good buddy shine on
     
  18. Muck

    Muck Throwback Uniform Crusader Retired Administrator

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    Nobody should have the ability to rate threads.

    I'm trying to track down the conflict, but the intent was to strip it from everyone. Or maybe just you and this is an episode of Punk'd. :shifty:

    Regarding teams, wouldn't you have a problem with someone 1-starring Con's (7,000 word) Key's to the Game thread, or Boomer's Lowering the Boom, before the first reply was made? Simply because they don't like the Dolphins? Or they don't like him? We've seen it in multiple forums unfortunately, and not just Dolphins topics.

    That's not what the rating system was made for. And frankly I'm disappointed that we've had to take it away. But after running forums for nearly a decade, this isn't the first time I've had this problem with the rating system.

    Like anything, it's an ebb and flow. It'll be back at some point. In the meantime, you can increase the poster's rep or give thank you's. Who doesn't like to hear how great they are? :)
     
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  19. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    Fair enough. I have a much better understanding now. Thanks for the explanation. I was mainly bummed today that I couldn't 5 star some thoughtful threads after a tough loss. Also, I maybe felt a little guilty because I 1 starred some threads that I thought were lacking quality and thought last week after the first tough loss and thought I might have been partly to blame. But now I see that there were some clear abuses. I didn't know people were 1 starring threads about our Dolphins. I thought maybe just threads about the Jets and Patriots which is A OK by me! :up:
     
  20. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    I recall that at the previous incarnation, we had no ratings system and no rep system because people will tend to abuse it on a personal, rather than contextual, basis.

    At least we still have rep; but note that it has been adjusted so it can't be used as a club, either.

    Good on the staff. :up:
     
  21. cnc66

    cnc66 wiley veteran, bad spelur Luxury Box

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    some threads deserve a one star rating. I disagree with anonymous abuse, but my personal policy is to speak up and take responsibility for my rating. There are currently a half dozen threads going that, IMO, deserve a single star rating.
     
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  22. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Man I was just about to ask this question, because after commenting I was going to 2 star a thread for sure.
     
  23. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I don't even understand the rep thing man.
     
  24. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    That's all well and good; but I'd like to see how you would feel if you went to the trouble of posting a substantive, well-written thread and then see it rated one star by anywhere from 6-10 people, just because they didn't like the message - or simply didn't like YOU, lumping you in with all the "___ sux" threads, based only on their petty little agendas.

    There are about >dozen spiteful souls on this site who would like to see nothing posted except what THEY agree with, and who go around downgrading threads with substance alongside with threads with no substance, regardless of the work that went into a good thread that they simply don't like.

    They're small and mean and contribute little to NOTHING of their own, yet enjoy sitting in judgment of the good work of others; the rating system gave them a power they DON'T deserve, that of possibly influencing others with their petty poison.

    I'm glad it's gone; no one promised that you or anyone else should have the right to hold a hammer over anyone else in such a cowardly, anonymous way.

    You have something to say? Say it in the thread.
     
  25. cnc66

    cnc66 wiley veteran, bad spelur Luxury Box

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    When 6 or 8 people in Club rate a thread with one star, I think it is because they think it stinks, not because they are in a hate conspiracy... if someone goes off the deep end with knee jerk reactions and creates a thread along those lines, imo, they get exactly what they deserve. A peer review that reflects their peers opinion.

    If I made threads that got a one star rating I would probably try and improve my thread quality rather than blame it on spite and hate. I think I would realize the problem was with the thread, not the raters.. unless we are talking about pofo.. that place is rough, all bets are off there. I don't have much use for anonymous one star cowards either, especially the ones that don't even post a comment, but if they are willing to take responsibility for the one star, then I think it is fair.

    I really hope that George and Malcolm find a way to "see' who rates what so it can be returned. I think it is a useful tool for raising the thread quality to where it "should" be by putting pressure on the thread starters to create a quality thread. In my opinion thread quality speaks volumes about what the site is about, and being reviewed by ones peers is a way to keep that quality high. Like I said, excepting pofo, if someone continually gets low ratings I think they should look at themselves rather than pointing fingers at the raters.. this is just "my" personal opinion, nothing more.
     
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  26. Lt Dan

    Lt Dan Season Ticket Holder

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    how do you abuse it?
     
  27. SICK

    SICK Lounge Moderator

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    soooooo once a way is found to find these bastard 1-star-givers. then what? we plaster wanted pictures throughout the forum so everyone 1-stars their posts as retaliation? they get pm'ed by someone threatening to break their thumbs enless they explain why they gave such a horrific rating to a thread?!? imo....this whole situation is petty. its a message board. no ones being paid to make threads. miami herald doesnt block comments because journalists get bombed like crazy on them. no one takes it personal. i think everyone will live.

    we have people posting about losing their jobs and everyones up in arms about a thread rating system? wow.

    probably more important things to worry about......

    us posters got it nice here....i mean real good....go to any other board and even admins will bash posts......and imo thats awesome. if its a crappy thread, it deserves a crap rating. hell ill link you to a few threads i started that i now regret and i would 1 star if possible :lol:

    and guess what? ill be ok. really. i think i will be.....lets lighten up everyone
     
  28. GISH

    GISH ~mUST wARN oTHERS~

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    you mean you dont put your avg thread rating on your resume?
     
  29. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    Easy for you to say, since it remains an abstract concept for you.

    Again, like I said: you have something to say, say it in a post; let your voice be your rating, rather than letting a cowardly anonymous rating be your voice.
     
  30. cnc66

    cnc66 wiley veteran, bad spelur Luxury Box

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    why would it be an abstract concept to me? I make a thread now and again.. I try to make sure they are worthy.. apparently that works.
     
  31. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    And again: IT IS A MESSAGE BOARD, not a goddamn top-ten site.

    You have an opinion about someone else's work? REPLY IN THE THREAD.

    The rating system is at cross-purposes with the site's bread and butter; the way it is being used will DISCOURAGE discussion, not encourage it.

    Don't like someone's opinion? Discuss it...see? WIN! The site is doing what it lives for. Not using an anonymous hammer to hit people with for whatever reason will make our community a better place.
     
  32. SICK

    SICK Lounge Moderator

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    i highly doubt people who are about to make a thread seriously consider not doing it cause it might get 1-starred. jesus christ........this is ridiculous

    its a rating for a thread on a football message board.
     
  33. Big E

    Big E Plus sized porn star

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    I....highly doubt this thread serves anymore real purpose.....
     
  34. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    Sick, your whole argument is based on the fact that you think we shouldn't care, when it's clear that those of us that do are here to discuss the matter.
     
  35. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Honestly, I never realized how many people rate threads. I figured it was a couple and that's it. I don't think I've rated more than like ten threads but I could be wrong on that since my memory is crappy. If someone puts together a long post, stating why they think a player is this or that and one disagrees with it, I think it's a bit unfair to rate it a one star thread but maybe my opinion is wrong there. I just dislike when people come up with something so off the wall and don't back it up. They'll post like four sentences and two of those make up some lazy posting by just saying so and so is "garbage and we need a better player". If you put effort into your post and back up your thoughts instead of just throwing stuff out there then I respect it even though I may not agree with it. I do post my thoughts in the thread and why I disagree with it - I think my post count indicates that, which is rather embarrassing lol.
     
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  36. NaboCane

    NaboCane Banned

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    And that's the way that, ideally, the system would be used.

    But the anonymous nature of the system allows individuals with an agenda to weakly attempt to "mute" those who express an opinion they find distasteful, regardless of merit, with no repercussions to them whatsoever.

    So, you make a thoughtful point and back it up with your reasoning, and they get to simply bash it without saying a word!

    That would be like posting in the thread in question, "shut up!" Or "You're stupid!"...how long do you think those posts would last before a Mod removed them?

    Yet a one-star rating does exactly the same thing, except the offender would not have to suffer any consequences...consequences they WOULD face if they repeatedly posted insulting, one-line responses to serious topics.

    It's bull****, and I know from observation, Marty's protestations to the contrary, that there are members in Club who do this routinely to threads by members that they simply don't like.
     
  37. dolphindebby

    dolphindebby Season Ticket Holder Luxury Box

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    I never rated any that I can recall.
    I know my first post here, or over there, got a one star. I didn't even know what it was for at the time. When I found out it kind of hurt since I I was new. but now I'd probably laugh it off or vent. LOL
     
  38. Celtkin

    Celtkin <B>Webmaster</b> Luxury Box

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    Ok, we've had our say. I am going to close this thread. If another concern arises, please feel free to raise that as a separate issue.
     
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