Reputation System

jeremy · 01-04-2006, 12:59 PM

aneroid, that's a bit too complicated and restrictive. I'd like something simple. Also, I can see a lot of complaints being generated by members not being able to edit their posts. Is someone removing information enough of a problem (and a frequent enough of an occurrence) that it needs to be addressed? That needs to be the first question we answer.

--jeremy

aneroid · 01-04-2006, 02:17 PM

well, i don't see it happen very often. so far the edits i've come across were all done before the next message was posted.

so that'd be a "no".

(and usually quoting sections of someone's original message would take care of those rare situations where ppl remove their questions/problems...something i haven't come accross).

anirudh

linmix · 01-04-2006, 04:48 PM

To be frank, I don't see why a first post should be edited to included a 'solved' message. I thought we were trying to encourage people to post back whether or not a problem is solved by simply adding to the conversation.

The only posts that would need updates are
- Howtos
- Stickies
- posts with outdated links (maybe, because updates could also be appended)

Since the number is extremely limited it wouldn't be a big burden on the mods if users were to ask permission for editing.

edit: not the perfect place for the question, but how come the headser for this thread is different from any other therad I've seen? - no 'quick links', but a 'new posts' entry etc.?

that was untill I edited it and it became 'normal' again???

phil.d.g · 01-04-2006, 05:05 PM

On the "marking threads solved" issue, I've seen a system that, for the op a checkbox is placed at the bottom of the page with words to the effect: the problem is solved, when that checkbox was marked "SOLVED: " was prefixed to the thread title - I quite liked that idea

linmix · 01-04-2006, 05:33 PM

And who should have access to that box? Anyway, something similar was proposed some way back in this thread and thought to be impractical because many users don't bother to acknowledge their problem has been solved.

(BTW it appears my problem may have been due to a personal css setting. Sorry to have bothered you guys)

KimVette · 01-04-2006, 06:01 PM

[QUOTE=linmix]To be frank, I don't see why a first post should be edited to included a 'solved' message. I thought we were trying to encourage people to post back whether or not a problem is solved by simply adding to the conversation./QUOTE]

Go back and re-read.

What I stated was that SOME users go back and delete the contents of their original posts, replacing the text with "nevermind, I solved my problem" or "thanks that fixed it" - rather than doing as you suggest and posting a separate followup.

I was not suggesting that users should go back and update their original posts and remove the question - that is precisely what I am saying users should NOT do.

titanium_geek · 01-04-2006, 09:28 PM

problem aneroid:

you say: I'm having problems with my knoooix box (you missed the p's - instead typed o's)
another: what's knoooix
you: sorry- knoppix
wouldn't it be better to edit the first post?

When we talk about editing the first post, we mean ADDING "solved" so that people can activley pay attention to the thread if the problem is solved- without having to go to the end to find out. oooh- idea: what if you are encouraged to post at the end of the thread: "solved" and then there is a little bot for LQ that puts a message at the top of the screen- "this question has been solved"
But this would need to be coded well, because someone posting "is it solved yet?" would make it show up as solved.

titanium_geek

ctkroeker · 01-05-2006, 06:38 AM

titanium_geek, if it was that way, anybody could write "solved" and then what? it would have to be so that only the guy that started the thread could do that, which makes it complicated and I don't think jeremy likes comlicated...

phil.d.g · 01-05-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmix

And who should have access to that box?

Like I said: the original poster.

The other suggestion was to edit the first post.

Having a checkbox like this brings the idea of conveying the message that the problem has been solved to the rest of the forum to the original poster's attention, rather than expecting a reply saying the problem has been solved because a few ideas about this were bounced around in a thread thats gone off topic. A little checkbox is also easier that writing a whole new reply.

In fact, this system is used in the forums at phpbuilder. I haven't visited those forums in a long time, and the system doesn't seem to be as well used as it once was

This system also sorts out the problems thrown up by titanium_geek's ideas

aneroid · 01-05-2006, 03:03 PM

if the "solved" type situation is going to be automated in any way, the checkbox idea to mark the thread as solved is the way to go. which only the original poster and mods can do. i am all for this idea coz it's the least flawed and easy for anyone to adapt to.

editing the first post seems silly (for this situation). maybe editing the subject line. (checkbox still preferred).

or even better, extremely convenient and full of holes...many holes: use the "thumbs up" icon for the post to indicate solved. (does a thread take on the last post's icon? did it with this post to see the effect...the edit will be the result.) ofcourse, it would take us back to the original issue of "who can do it?" and in this case, that's everybody. a complete no-no.

@titanium_geek: and i did say allow the last post to be edited (for 24hrs)...so the rule applies to the 1st post of a 0-reply thread. if the poster realises the typo he/she can change it. if they haven't realised the error in 24 hrs, well, they'll have to leave it as is and post anew (and possibly contact a mod about it). i think a member with 0-reply thread older than 24 hrs and a typo that _needs_ to be changed will probably wanna re-post to bump it up again and it continues as a 0-replyT. if someone's already replied by then or he doesn't realise it, he'd have to clarify it in his/her 2nd post anyway.

another thing a thread starter could "may be allowed to do" is edit the first post's subject i.e. the thread's subject. once again, for non-typo and "mark: solved" purposes, the checkbox works better.

dunno how the db is structured but the checkbox logic could be

Code:

if (oldpost.parent = 0                // first post       (or = null)
and newpost.poster = oldpost.poster   // thread starter   (or thread.starter = newpost.poster)
and oldpost.id = newpost.parent       // same thread
and isset($_POST['solved'])) {        // "solved" checkbox
   oldpost.subject = '(SOLVED) '. oldpost.subject;
// or
   oldpost.subject .= ' (SOLVED)';
// or
   oldpost.solved = true              // and apply whatever display change, like the subject, when it's read
// or
   thread.solved = true where thread.id = oldpost.thread
                                      // u get the idea
}

anirudh

edit: the thread icon hasn't changed.

titanium_geek · 01-05-2006, 03:14 PM

This has been trialled before- the somesort of "solved" thing, but is was only trialled in website suggestions and feedback. Can we have a sitewide trial next time please Jeremy?

titanium_geek

linmix · 01-05-2006, 03:30 PM

[QUOTE=KimVette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmix

To be frank, I don't see why a first post should be edited to included a 'solved' message. I thought we were trying to encourage people to post back whether or not a problem is solved by simply adding to the conversation./QUOTE]

Go back and re-read.

What I stated was that SOME users go back and delete the contents of their original posts, replacing the text with "nevermind, I solved my problem" or "thanks that fixed it" - rather than doing as you suggest and posting a separate followup.

I was not suggesting that users should go back and update their original posts and remove the question - that is precisely what I am saying users should NOT do.

I'll take your word for it

It was too late and I couldn't sleep... probably read a couple of DO's instead of DON'Ts

phil.d.g · 01-05-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanium_geek

This has been trialled before- the somesort of "solved" thing, but is was only trialled in website suggestions and feedback. Can we have a sitewide trial next time please Jeremy?

titanium_geek

oh, I didn't know, I guess that's a disadvantage of being a junior member. I suppose if there was a trial before then there are good reasons as to why it wasn't implemented permanently

titanium_geek · 01-05-2006, 08:10 PM

The reason was- it wasn't used. However I always felt that this was because it was in WSF which doesn't really have questions with definitive answers.

It was in force until recently- was it early 2005 that it was phased out? I don't remember.

Anyway.

titanium_geek

Pcghost · 01-06-2006, 05:26 PM

I agree with JW, this has big problems written all over it. Reputation systems are good for what exactly? A good answer can come from any member new or old school. Besides that is what Affero was supposed to accomplish wasn't it. If I think someone gave a spot on answer, I can click the affero link and support a good cause in their name. That to me is the coolest rep system every designed. I never liked the superiority complexes involved in reputation systems in the forums, hense I am an LQ Addict, not a senior member or what have you.

Whoa, I have been gone for a bit, where is the affero button post upgrade??? I still don't like rep systems like slashdots though.