Understanding 'rep points' question.

[ned L]

I started visiting here regularly about four months ago now & just caught on to what the 'rep points' are, and was surprised to see that I am at a -5. When I looked to find out why I was equally surprised to see that I was given negative points for suggesting that a new member might find a more knowledge and comprehensive answer on a different web site. (In the two and a half weeks since then there have been only three other replies to that person’s question, and none of the replies answered his question, so I still believer that my referral was good advise.)
I have to say that I don't really understand the logic for a negative hit when good direction to other helpful references is given. Is it a policy of this site not to refer people to other places even if the answer cannot be found here? Just wondering.

[alan white]

The rep points are given or taken by individuals, and not any policy. Watch. I'll fix you right up.

[Frosty]

Hmmmm well Ille give you a tip, usually you dont know who dun it but if you were hit by 15 points then its some one with a reasonable amount of points them self. The more you have the more you have clout power

Its a very un popular system and is hated by all but the admin. It has caused all sorts of problems but to date as I know of cured none.

Ive sent you a few. You did the right thing.

[whoosh]

I made up my mind NEVER EVER TO GIVE neg points, and as these two say it is really unpopular, and often has little to do with your skills advice or knowledge. there is a lot of poor advice given but the drill is ignore it and IF someone still posts drivel, just put im on ignore

[masalai]

ned L, It seems that the "gutless cretin" has struck again (or are they breeding in hyperspace)... My policy is to post affirmative ONLY and give, as a way of saying "thank You" in a constructive way.... Negative points just show the petulant immaturity of the "taker" and their sad mental state as it is usually done anonymously - one has to insert (type in) your "avatar name", as it is not automatic as in open posts and PM's.

I hope you grow to enjoy participation in your areas of interest as there is ample space for all topics - just keep the subject thread in the appropriate grouping as some seem to object to forms of piracy and cross polination :D:D:D

[ned L]

Thanks for the replies, I guess these 'rep points' are a bit of a hot button & I now understand why. I just thought it quite odd to be in negative numbers for directing someone to a good source for their answer. (I was also a bit surprised at who I think did it (looking @ the time stamp) as, based on his replies, he does know what he is talking about).
I won't be doing a lot of posting here as I generally comment only on what I know & don't see a need to duplicate answers to much. However, if anyone needs to know anything about the boats and boatbuilding on the New Jersey shore (esp. lapstrake) I'll be here (There is a hundred+ year history of probably more pleasure boat builders there than in just about any other equally sized area in the country.)

[Frosty]

Ned dont be put off by some negative cretin, we have all had to put up with this admin decision, as said no one likes it.

It is hard however to soldier forward under fire for free but we are for some strange reason expected to do so. ( some comments on that one I expect)

Just write what you want and to hell with it.

It has infact had the opposite effect to what was thought to be the result. In other words I think people have become careless in there replies expecting deduction were non was called for or was necessary due to mis understanding of the system as was yourself.

Some seem to think that disagreement is cause for deduction, usually beginers. It is however for inappropriate behavour and certainly not disagreement which is normal in every day discussion

[kach22i]

Just ignore the point system, your number will grow over time.

I don't play the game myself, if I like something I might send a PM, or mention it in the thread.

That's just me though.

[safewalrus]

'tis a totally rediclious system that drives some to distraction, best left to itself, it does cause some problems at times when a certain well know unmarked gutless wonder - actually the main one got banned but he's back, but at the moment is being clever (or as clever as he thinks he can be) started giving negative points out to many people - it proved one thing tho' (it wasn't intended to) that the system didn't work!!

ignore it - if you can - Kach is right

[hansp77]

666 rep points for the walrus- are you sure those aren't upside down horns mate:p

[masalai]

another option is to "vent your spleen" in a thread created for that purpose.... see - - - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/grumpy-old-bathplug-raves-21157-74.html in particular, post 1103 and 1104 where some noxious weed gave me some ANONYMOUS negative from a post of about 18 months ago in a long dead thread???? so what the F did I say wrong?

[whoosh]

another option is to "vent your spleen" in a thread created for that purpose.... see - - - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/grumpy-old-bathplug-raves-21157-74.html in particular, post 1103 and 1104 where some noxious weed gave me some ANONYMOUS negative from a post of about 18 months ago in a long dead thread???? so what the F did I say wrong?
you are SUPRISED?just your being here rattles a lot of us, because in 5500 posts you have NOTHING to cintribute abt boating, and I would be suprised if you had ever owned a stock or a business, yet you continue copy, past, rave, day after day, so there you are. You have me on IGGY, great, bet you read this though:))

[masalai]

ned L, I see donations have been flooding in, this has to be a record, 20 posts and 105 rep points :D:D:D:D well done... - - - That demonstrates the way things should happen, support if you like it and sit quietly if you dont - this world could do with less antagonism towards others.... and more support, sympathy, understanding and friendly attitude....

Whoosh, behave.....

[whoosh]

ned L, I see donations have been flooding in, this has to be a record, 20 posts and 105 rep points :D:D:D:D well done... - - - That demonstrates the way things should happen, support if you like it and sit quietly if you dont - this world could do with less antagonism towards others.... and more support, sympathy, understanding and friendly attitude....

Whoosh, behave.....

also it shud reflect upon knowledge of boats and this FORUM NOT THINGS LIKE THE FINANCIAL STATE OF the world, not racism, just boats, knowledge of them, knowledge of weather, knowledge of skills --- so lets all push a real master, sailer, engineer, mariner thru the 1000 Guillermo

[masalai]

There are 24,468 threads and only a few not specifically and directly related to boats - if you don't like it read something else or better still go back to Europe and build your canal barge (oops sorry that was Lazy Jacks and you saw him buried?) you seem to have an Australian internet address the same as LJ's how come?

[westlawn5554X]

Mmm... Interesting, anyone can read the forum suggestion and complain area and get hold of how all this began. It just another can of worm... I am happy with my point anyway... No newbie but yet no expert, just a normal boat lover... VIVA boat design Internatioanael... :D:D:D

[whoosh]

There are 24,468 threads and only a few not specifically and directly related to boats - if you don't like it read something else or better still go back to Europe and build your canal barge (oops sorry that was Lazy Jacks and you saw him buried?) you seem to have an Australian internet address the same as LJ's how come?
because i have never ever hidden, what the hell is the photo for? abt 15 people on here write to me as stu, no secret, but keep it up somebody will notice I spose
the folk who hate me do so because I firstly objected to one calling all muslims under 5 killers(he should have been banned) and instead of ticking him off for this, I should have just flagged the post. The self same person purported to be a tug officer,and when I asked for his past employers and his number, he refused i picked him as a fraud from day one, when I posted a thread abt navigation the old way, and he knew nothing
Well Mike the bike, Safe Walriz I can tell you that even today a DAYS Work is in the officer syllabus, and you can not be a mate without knowing that and many other navigational methods, that are used without modern aids So please if you are going to mouth off then first prove yourself. And I can promise you the only neg points I have given are to Masalai, M read the other thread before you kick off here please

[safewalrus]

Prove yourself Lazy dog!

[ancient kayaker]

Like most others it seems, I too dislike the idea of negative rep points. I think it violates the intended (positive) spirit of this forum, let the negative folk vent their splenetic mental bile in a post. Lots do anyway! God bless the Ignore facility!

[westlawn5554X]

I think you all missed my point here... I was refering that I would gladly not use the rep system. Due to fact that in any forum a few elitis (mention in other similarthread) people like and probarly huggle in groups... Due to their country, race and other sort of preference... I know I shouldn't say that as I understand this forum is quiet professional in the past when I first join in. I could be a part of this folly crew without myself realizing.
I just like to point out this is an old issue that had been heated debate and name bashing in the past. These guys still here it seem... I found that somehow they grew weary and change their character. I for one found they talk boat more now then they use to... Anybody is welcome to give me a neg point anyday as I come to seek knowledge not point. .

[masalai]

Westie, The guilt of one of the loud "anti" neg poster advocates, may reside with me, but my objection is that it gives NO feedback when done without reasonable comment except spite and not knowing who, then the negative poster shows true cowardice and childish petulance not becoming of the spirit of this forum, from which I have learnt heaps, and still continue to find valuable information, so usually now in PM's...
The points are not the issue... The reason for, and a reasoned objection should be posted in normal reply in the thread so further explanation and understanding can be developed....

[Frosty]

The admin feels that it stops people from misbehaving. He appears to be the only one that thinks so.

You could start a vote!!! if you wanted.

Dont know if it will do any good.

[masalai]

Like your "do you carry" thread? Are you a big enough person to decide for yourself? :D:D:D:D

[Jeff]

The Post Feedback / Rep point system has definitely been a focus of some frustration since it was introduced in 2006. (but before that date there was more frustration expressed about the things the rep system helped to reduce, e.g. disagreements boiling over in the public forum and distracting from the thread at hand or at the opposite side of the spectrum, nothing being said until a lot of animosity built and people said "I'm leaving the forum because of what "that guy" has posted when "that guy" was never given an indication that he was offending a number of people.) It is certainly not perfect, and in cases like this, mistakes do happen which have caused unnecessary hurt feelings and frustration. (I appreciate the community rectifying the situation in this case and I apologize that I did not see this thread until now.)

However as a whole, it does give the community a way to help moderate itself, to give me feedback and one additional small tool to help moderate the forum. It provides a tool to give feedback to a poster without cluttering up a thread with off-topic arguments. It allows subtle feedback to be given before things boil over. And even though a number never tells a full story at all, it gives me a quick indication as I (and others) read the forums how people feel about a given poster, whether a given post is representative or atypical of that poster, etc.

If I could find a perfect system, I would take it.

[masalai]

Jeff, could we trial where the poster is identified in "rep points" by their avatar? - That would remove the "petulant attack" and maybe induce some relevant comment relating to the post instead of something inane like "you deserve this" - - - Generally the differing view is done in open thread response, and the etiquette could be easily explained to any newbie, as the poster would be known and not anonymous.... I would even accept anonymous post if praise (in rep) but hit the neg button and the posters avatar is sent to the recipient of the bad rep so they have an opportunity to respond.... and explain themselves...

Thanks Jeff - I understand your position and appreciate your role....