Why are member ratings disabled?

[CosmoNut]

Just curious. It's an interesting feature, and I noticed in the FAQ that even if it's enabled, individual users can opt to shut it off for themselves.

Sounds like the perfect scenario, but obviously you all don't think so. Why not?

BTW, this is neither a vote for or against the ratings, but an honest inquiry. :)

[applenut]

member ratings are dumb and not appropriate for appleinsider. we all know each other here. why should we have to "rate" each other". personally, I don't understand why any forum would use it.

[Anders]

[quote]Originally posted by applenut:
<strong>member ratings are dumb and not appropriate for appleinsider. we all know each other here. why should we have to "rate" each other". personally, I don't understand why any forum would use it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Because of the general negative post and your use of the word dumb I give you a rating of one BigMac out of five. But on the other hand you at least didn´t use the :rolleyes: so I also give you two Apple Pies and a Whopper Junior. Feel free to display them if you want.

[Crusader]

Because I would get a rating of -2. No matter what message board I go to, I always get a negative rating. (its not me)

But seriously ratings are pointless. Except in cases of idiots.

[Logan Cale]

Ratings are bad because it leads to competition and something else that I can't think of a word to describe right now.

Hey, I haven't had much sleep, OK? ;)

[CosmoNut]

Any of the admins want to reply?

And Applenut, I'd argue that we DON'T all know each other around here. :rolleyes:

[applenut]

great, so explain to me how ratings would help anything? what benefits do they have?

[CosmoNut]

You know honestly, I probably would share the same views on ratings as you do, but I started the thread to ask the ADMINS about their reasoning behind disabling them. Especially since individual users can disable them if they so choose.

[applenut]

and I'm asking you what benefit do you think they provide that makes you bring them up. obviously you want them for some reason

[EmAn]

I agree with applenut. There's no reason for them here. I think this is the most community like Mac forum around and for the most part we know each other and know each other's personalitys and things like that well.

[Nick]

Are we talking about ratings like on the NN forums or ratings where people vote?

[Brad]

Nick:
They're referring to "voting" on one's ratings. MacNN briefly had this feature when they upgraded the boards a few months ago.

I agree that it is rediculous. What point does it serve? Can't you tell how "good" (can't think of a better word :p ) a person is by the content of their posts??

"Oooh... that guy has a 5-star user rating... I'd better pay attention to what he has to say; he must be pretty important..."

"Ugh! That one has a negative rating! I better keep away from him!!"

:rolleyes:

[CosmoNut]

Amazingly enough, sometimes I ask a questions just for CURIOSITY'S SAKE. I saw the disabled member ratings thing in the my profile settings page, and looked into it at the FAQ to see if there was some obvious thing written there explaining why they're disabled on AI. When I didn't find anything there, I created this thread.

Understand something about me: If something has a potential feature, but it's disabled, I have to wonder why. That's just how my brain works. :p

[Paul]

[quote]Originally posted by CosmoNut:
<strong>Amazingly enough, sometimes I ask a questions just for CURIOSITY'S SAKE.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Funny, you still haven't gotten an answer...
I'm pretty curious as well...
Why arn't they being used?
I don't see anything wrong with them. And if you got a negative rating that you feel isn't justified, you could just turn them off for you. Not a big deal I would say. But I dono, it is not my call...

-Paul

[Mark]

I've never liked members ratings-type systems. They're mostly meaningless and invariably become a flashpoint for obsession. More trouble than they're worth, really.

More importantly...

Do they still sell Apple pies at McDonald's in Europe? I haven't seen one here in ages (perhaps they've shrunk a bit - like all things Mickey-Dees. :D )


Cheers,

Mark.

[Mac The Fork]

McDonalds serves them up hot in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

[CosmoNut]

[quote]Originally posted by psantora:
<strong>

Funny, you still haven't gotten an answer...
</strong><hr></blockquote>

No....I haven't. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> Care to explain or answer, Gorgonzola?

[Jonathan]

mmmm, apple pies...

oh, right. on the topic of the member ratings:

I think it is the view of the administration as a whole that these things are pretty useless and/or basically dumb. What does one rate another member on? Mark hit the nail on the head- More trouble than it's worth. You should be judged by the quality of your posts, not the number of them or the arbitrary opinions of your peers.


So, in short, Member Ratings are {off} and shall remain that way until a significant majority of the AI community deems that they are necessary.

Just as a guide- we basically wanted to keep the feel of the boards equal to those of old-times... things like avatars, image signatures, member ratings- they all detract from the post content, which is what is truly paramount here.

[peperone]

[quote]Originally posted by Jonathan:
<strong>Just as a guide- we basically wanted to keep the feel of the boards equal to those of old-times... things like avatars, image signatures, member ratings- they all detract from the post content, which is what is truly paramount here.</strong><hr></blockquote>

http://www.quake3world.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

[gorgonzola]

Also, MacNN's UBB had this for a few weeks, but it was just totally useless and misleading for all new members. The admins all had like 5 stars, everyone who posted a lot and 5 stars, stuff like that.

Better for someone to think themselves before reading my post "Oh, that's gorgonzola, he's an idiot" and move on, rather than move on because someone gave a bad rating because they were pissed off or something.

In short, I disabled them because they can't be beneficial, but they can be detrimental. Useless feature. :)