Hi,
Although I'm getting a bit tired of this, by now useless rep system discussion, I have to say (again): The rep system is not meant to educate people (grammar, tags, dumb thread titles, etc), it should reflect the technical knowledge that a user has/shows!

I just noticed I got positive rep for my opinion (post #816): WTF!!! I like yellow and I get a pos rep, I like blue and I get a negative rep? They have got to be kidding me.......

1 members found this post helpful.

Exactly. I can think of a few members whose (often gruffly communicated) technical expertise and opinions I value enough that I would seriously consider incorporating their suggestions into my real work. I can also think of a number of very personable members whom I'd like to have a beer or tea with, but I wouldn't trust them with a crash-and-burn server on a segregated test network. (Sorry.)

Whose presence is important to LQ? Both, actually. Who is rewarded and explicitly told "you are wanted here" under the current system? Mostly the latter, actually.

1 members found this post helpful.

Yes, I do remember that you, I and Eric had a long discussion on this topic previously I shall also not rephrase whatever I said before in this thread WRT to the above quote

Hi,

If you care to get feedback then the use of the vbcode tags will allow cleaner therefore easier to read posts. Just consideration to others. Maybe it's not a big deal to you but when members are reading large posts or even multiple posts it's easier to diagnosis and understand when presented in a clean manner.

We don't ignore this case!

If it was a huge code I would have used Code tags for sure.

Well, everyone has different opinions, right?

Hi,

Not just long list or code. Things are cleaner and allow scrolling within the vbcode tagged data thus identifying type of data or quote.

It's called consideration! You have the right to choose as we have the right to ignore. Most communities work better when things are presented so others can read or understand in a clear manner. Since LQ is a world community, then to use a standard simplifies things.
Again courtesy!

Hi,
The question is not if we can/will ignore someone for whatever reason. The question is: Should the rep system be used to educate/punish people.

Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with you on the consideration/courtesy/being social part! But using the rep system to educate/punish people is just plain wrong as discussed many times in this thread already.

I think that the rep system should represent only technical knowledge and helpfulness/friendliness of replies.

I completely disagree with anyone receiving negative rep simply for using incorrect tags. Unfortunately, there is no way to automate the system until we get Skynet online, this means that all of us are at the mercy of human beings and their many foibles. If you do think you have lost points unfairly, drop Jeremy a line (contact details in his profile) and explain what has happened and why you want to challenge it. The system will receive tweaks as and when problems arise, but people who like to down vote based on niggles will always be a problem.

1 members found this post helpful.

Well I think, besides the technical knowledge it is the posting quality and polite behavior of members and mods which makes LQ different from other forums.

Stubborn members who tend to defend themselves despite knowing that they are wrong should be .... to maintain the forum quality.

I've downrepped 2 or 3 times and it was based on poor etiquette and flame baiting. I don't think it's right to down rep for a wrong answer based on good intentions, but everyone will make up their own mind. I was neither thanked or down repped, but simply reprimanded after I pointed out a member's error that was causing his problem, but not giving him the turnkey solution which no one but himself could actually do anyway. He was able to fix things with the information. I found that rude, but simply said "you're welcome." My point being that even if we are basing things off technical knowledge in a given instance, that's open to interpretation.

I'd down rep a well-intentioned post if it can do more harm than good and the person didn't point out that it can be harmful or he isn't sure.

I absolutely will not down-rep a member. If I don't like or can't use what they have to say, I will simply ignore it. I will give rep to a helpful post for a problem I'm having - or at least a push in the right direction. To me, its the same as giving thanks. I will also put that thanks in writing in the same thread.

Well, I have decided that harmful advice, especially with malevolent intent deserves a down rep. Useless offtopic advice, may also warrant one, but so far I have not down repped for this, I am more inclined to report it.

Even if they mess up someone's PC?