Would it be hard to implement or an outlandish idea to have a rating system for replies to threads like /. and osnews handle this and get rid of the newbie/godoflinux/masteoftheuniverse titles?

Since this another thread about the same sorts of topics, (crashmeister- have you not been following LQSF for the last little while?) perhaps a new feature could be the option to hide post number titles (obviously not mods). Perhaps this could be a contributing member perk.

I think the titles are fine, even useful in some cases, but whatever.

TG

Don't know about LQSF - actually I don't even know what it is

Just thought that a rating system for the posts might be helful to find more relevant information.

IMO, ratings systems create weird incentives. It sometimes turns into mob rule, where "clever" comments of questionable value frequently get voted up while unpopular (but potentially helpful) opinions get voted into oblivion. I don't see how this would help anything on a primarily technical forum where users are trying to get assistance.

Example:
user1: How do I secure sshd?
user2: Move it to port 5599. (Comment gets a net score +50)
user3: No, that's bad advice. Follow the steps identified in the wiki. (Comment get a net score of -1.)

From this exchange, a stupid but popular comment appears to be better.

There is currently a system to rate threads, although very few members use it. We have tossed the idea of a karma system around in the past, put have decided against it. A quick search should turn up the conversations.

--jeremy

LQSF: Linux Questions Suggestions and Feedback. This sub forum.

TG