I think you're conflating "was better" with either "I liked it better" or "it fit into my belief system better". It was demonstrably not better in the long term for LQ for reasons I already pointed out. It detracted from members actually saying thanks, it significantly reduced the usage of the helpful system (which provides useful data we can use to highlight quality answers, among other things), it had little to no qualitative meaning and it actually fostered negative behaviors in some cases.

--jeremy

1 members found this post helpful.

Jeremy said: and: I not only think it would help, I think it is absolutely necessary. Folks keep saying "earlier in this thread," or "elsewhere someone said," or "I already pointed out." A FAQ is a better repository for this info than some nebulous "elsewhere."

Tremendous help though a FAQ would be, I still think I have little use for the reputation system. I don't want it, haven't earned it, and don't consult it to determine the value of answers.

I'd just like to point out, I think its great \o/

Often something good is not shouted about by those who like it, and those who dont make loud noises showing so causing the general feeling of everything to be negitive. *(Not that this is the fault of any one person, and I believe you should all be allowed to express how you feel, but rather its a human trait to moan when not happy)*

So I'd just like to point out that I like the rep system - it makes me go and rep up posts I concider helpful, which I might not of replied to before simply because I dont belong in the thread (many programming threads I wont understand apart from a random post), or because its so old, and you get 'modded' for res'ing old threads. Instead I can leave thanks when people help me, and rep up anyone who gives valid and helpful infomation and ideas easily.

Also it allows me to easily see what posts I've made have been concidered helpful, and helps me foster a sense of community, I look out for other people who have helped me, and attempt to help them. But I also look out for noobies, as its easier (you could use other signs previously) to see who is new, and who is "trying" to be helpful.

I think a FAQ entry that explained the system nuts and bolts would be a great idea.

This thread is interesting but rather tough to find specific information in.

Most folks are not going to want to hunt around for information on how you use it, how you figure out your own rep and how it came to be, what it actually means and so forth.

FWIW, there already is a FAQ entry that explains how the system works (http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...vb3_reputation). What I was talking about was an entry that outline what we are trying to accomplish with the system as far as when rep should be used and when it should not be used. Also, if anything feels the current FAQ entry could be improved, I'm open to specific suggestions.

--jeremy

@ Jeremy, so are you going to fix that reputation issue mentioned by anishakaul.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...4/#post4112112

You said to report any violation of the system, and it is here. I suppose I could solve it with one positive rep and one negative rep, but only if you can't fix it.

I agree:Well, I certainly "liked it better" (in the sense of "strongly preferred it"):
But I think the main issue is that some things just aren't as "quantifiable" as we might like them to be.

IMHO .. PSM

Yes, I found it after posting. Have no idea how I missed it before.

Perhaps it is just a case of having a "senior moment".

An entry such as you are suggesting would be a good idea.

While we will actively remove any abuses or egregious violations in the system, before we have guidelines in place I have no plans to arbitrarily remove reps that some members simply may not agree with.

--jeremy

Let's get together a solid list of reasons for leaving negative rep and come to some kind of consensus then. From there I'll post the FAQ, leave a notice for Senior Members and we'll start enforcing it. I'm less worried about a FAQ entry for leaving positive rep, but if a sufficient number of members think it would be beneficial we can look into it. Thanks again all for the continued feedback.

--jeremy

First, I do not agree that answering a question with "Google it" deserves negative rep. If someone actually posts a question for which the correct answer is "Google it", then it's that person who deserves to be punished, not the person who points it out.

I would also not leave negative rep for "harmful advice." Instead, I would assume that the poster was acting in good faith and just point out why the advice was wrong. EDIT: unless, of course, I have good reason to believe that the poster should have already known.

I would consider leaving negative rep for:

• continuing to write posts in instant messaging shorthand after being asked not to
• posting more than one question that's obviously homework, with no evidence of having done any work to solve it
• posting a homework question and then being abusive or sarcastic when asked to attempt it first
• posting an obvious troll for which a constructive response is neither possible nor apparently desired
• repeatedly questioning the credentials or motives of thread participants they disagree with, or otherwise posting what amount to ad hominem attacks.

could you make it so that if a good / bad review is given that later readers can see it. It might help to be able to see the post / response which aided the most for a given issue.

Thanks

sorry,

To be clear about it: In my user panel I see when I get reviewed / rated. Why not let others see the same info FROM the question / answer post within the thread.

WOW, I agree with everyone of those. Particularly the first.

I am a native speaker of American Agriculture. I have some trouble with the damned leet speak. How anyone that is not a native English speaker is supposed to understand that lazy crap is beyond me. It is just plain rude.

I have no trouble with heated debate (polite) or differing opinions. Folks need to feel free to express them selves. All forums on the "net" are open to the world. English, for good or ill, is the language used by most non local forums. Folks using it are expected to use English. If we expect non native speakers to use it the least we as native speakers can do is use it too.

Reasons I see for negative rep:

Obvious flame bait
Potentially malicious code being posted
Obvious malicious intent in posting

While these may also call for a report and possibly a ban, I definitely agree with down repping here.

Reasons I don't agree with negative rep:

Pointing to google
wrong answers that don't match the above criteria
thick skull syndrome