I wish there hadn't been any rep system

[Erdy]

Seeing a rep (Reputation) system at NP has seriously dissapointed me. I hate these childish, typical low level teenage internet culture so much everytime I see somebody using the word "rep" I feel like I'm somewhere I shouldn't be.
Using the internet regularly has already its difficulties and you aren't making things easier.

 

[ahtum]

^^

and rep reflects also the member's trader rating ... before i make a deal i always look at rep ... if the users has a low ammount makes me very precocious

 

[-db-]

I hate these childish, typical low level teenage internet culture so much...

I understand your frustration, but that's a harsh and unfair generalization.

- Our Trader Rating system works well. It's a helpful tool serving a valuable purpose.

- The rep points are admittedly a more casual way of showing respect (or dislike) and we advise people to use TR (not rep points) when deciding to do business with somebody. But I don't see how having them puts us in the "childish, typical low level teenage" category.

 

[ExpertGuy]

Well most of the members here including me find this system helpful... if u don't like the rep system just ignore it!

 

[Peter]

I personally hardly ever use the rep system (i only give rep for some post i am extremely impressed by) and I never ask for rep (can't see the point of begging for it)

However I can't see an reason why it should be taken away it is not doing any harm.

 

[Kenny]

I personally hardly ever use the rep system (i only give rep for some post i am extremely impressed by) and I never ask for rep (can't see the point of begging for it)

However I can't see an reason why it should be taken away it is not doing any harm.

Agreed! Thank you Peter.

I was a member for 6 months before I even knew the system existed much less what it was for. I remember well the thread where I first became aware of the rep system, who added to my rep and why.

That was in fact the day I learned the difference between being a member of a forum and being a member of the community within the forum. I looked close at the character of those senior members prominent in NamePros and saw that they stood for something more than turning a quick buck and decided these were people I wanted to know and learn from and eventually do business with. I have never been disappointed by that decision.

There have been countless threads concerning the rep system. Whether it is a valid source of information, the potential for mis-use and the integrity of those that would ask for rep before helping out in a thread are all still questions unanswered, and I doubt they ever will be to the satisfaction of all.

In the same light as I view post count, I personally have never considered rep an indicator of a members value to the community, honesty as a trader or status as a human being.
For this information I will review a members prior postings. These are the measure of a members value, integrity, ethics and general character that can be seen and read by all.

Some of the most valuable members to NamePros have one or two bars even though members for years because they are not everyday posters, nor do they feel the need to comment in every thread they see. They post only where and when they feel it will contribute to the topic and often, if you dont know who they are, the valuable information offered is overlooked and thus unappreciated by those that might give rep.

It is quality posting and the willingness to offer help without expectation that determines a members value. Period.

Seeing a rep (Reputation) system at NP has seriously dissapointed me. I hate these childish, typical low level teenage internet culture so much everytime I see somebody using the word "rep" I feel like I'm somewhere I shouldn't be.
Using the internet regularly has already its difficulties and you aren't making things easier.

MarcelProust, this system was in place long before the youth movement into domaining and NamePros in particular. This is a commerce based forum and it's community efforts and aspirations are inclined the development of an active, safe and respected arena within which business may be conducted.

To this end I believe Admin has completly succeeded.

To sum up, most of us couldnt care less about green bars or post count.
We know who offers relevant information consistantly and pay attention to their comments in threads even though they have less than 1000 or 100 posts or one green bar or a dozen.

You will learn this as well, in time. :hehe:

Thanks for starting this completly valid thread as it serves as a reminder to all that it is not what is written on any surface or package that determines the contents within. For that you must look inside.

Peace,
Cyberian

 

[Peter]

some very good points there ~ Cyberian ~.

Unfortunately there are too many people that seem to think if they post a lot of threads or responses to threads that they will be highly respected. In the end all they do is saturate certain sections of the forum with rubbish posts. I have 1 particular member in mind but I will not name who I am referring too as the person on the whole is a good valued member they just seem to post a lot of rubbish as well.

 

[deleted984054565403]

When people are trying to do things ONLY to get their "rep" increased, then it becomes childish. When the system takes care of itself without requesting or asking for reputation points, then it is working as it was intended. I do not allow post counts or reputation bars influence any decisions I make (at least in a business sense) -- I let the TR take care of that.

If I were you, I'd ignore the rep system. Try to block it out as much as possible (no pun intended).

I personally only use the rep system to give "attaboys" to people who make great posts (such as Cyberian in this post). It's not intended to make someone gain a green bar. Likewise, I never have or never will ask for a rep point. If I get one, I probably made a post someone agreed with, which is great.

Personally I don't see the rep system as an issue of any controversy.

 

[dgridley]

I'm with you, DB... I've been having a similar conversation on another forum where they apparently feel the same way about a Rep system. I don't understand how anyone could feel it's "childish".. ??

But I don't see how having them puts us in the "childish, typical low level teenage" category.

Hey! I resemble that remark!! :yell: :lol:

some very good points there ~ Cyberian ~.

Unfortunately there are too many people that seem to think if they post a lot of threads or responses to threads that they will be highly respected. In the end all they do is saturate certain sections of the forum with rubbish posts. I have 1 particular member in mind but I will not name who I am referring too as the person on the whole is a good valued member they just seem to post a lot of rubbish as well.

 

[BrandonG]

Before this thread I wasn't sure what the green bars were. I saw reputation additions in my UserCP and I returned the favor, but I had no clue they effected the green bars. I don't see an issue with them either.

PS: According to them, I'm a glorious beacon of light!

 

[Erdy]

Hi all,

I will try to explain why I felt that way. Sorry for being too harsh previously. I hope I didn't hurt anybody.

I'm a 34 year old foreign language teacher. I'm not somebody who has grown with computers. I was 26 when I bought my first computer in 1998. Now, I consider myself a dense internet user. I spend a few hours on the internet almost every day. There are lots of things I like about the internet but there are also things I don't like. For instance I don't like mp3's, webcams, msn chat or youtube. I see those things as aimed for a certain lifestyle. I also very much dislike ipod's and mtv.

If you are a serious music listener and spend some quality time on your own listening music then a place for car stereo lovers is probably not your favorite place. Serious music listening and car stereos don't go well together. There are lots of things that don't go very well together. For instance a corrupted usage of langauge is not usually a sign of a sophisticated personality.

I should add the fact that if I hadn't seen the word "rep" being used in some warez forums by some kids then I wouldn't feel as much annoyed. Smillarly if a different word had been used at NP instead of "rep" then it would be less painful.

By the way, I think the small icons in chat section are not less childish than the rep system. Different and better designed icons or no icons at all would be a much better I think. I'm not very happy with the smilies either. About 10 of them are fine but the rest is just too childish.

 

[Mark]

Is there anything else we could possibly change ?

Chat Icons = Built in to the "Purchased" program for the members here to use for free.

If the "Rep" system was removed we would have thousands of people wanting it added - as compared to one that doesn't like it.



I don't mean to sound harsh - But these are all things long term members actually take for granted ....

 

[Dan]

I should add the fact that if I hadn't seen the word "rep" being used in some warez forums by some kids then I wouldn't feel as much annoyed.

.. and what were you doing at this warez forum?

Rep system FTW.

 

[BrandonG]

.. and what were you doing at this warez forum?

Rep system FTW.

Well warez are commonly used to avoid that 'fee'.

 

[Sabre]

To be honest with you, I can see where you are coming from, but not the arguments put forward.

The main issue I can see with the rep system is serious mis-usage, I've seen people give out rep for all kinds of things, ranging from simple appraisals to long, well thought out and detailed posts.

While the rep system is nice to have, I don't think you can rely on it to gauge the quality of a members' posting.

"It is quality posting and the willingness to offer help without expectation that determines a members value. Period."
- Kenny (Cyberian)

Exactly.

Just because someone has a large amount of posts and reputation, doesn't mean they are a particularly valuable member to the community.

I tend to use reputation sparingly, I've probably given it out 2 or 3 times in the last 6 months. I generally only give reputation when I see a series of posts I think deserve merit or a member has impressed me for long enough that I feel he/she deserves some recognition for their hard work.

If you want to put it in terms of domains;

Member 1 : has 5,000 domains, such as enginexyz123.com and squirrel94256.com
Member 2: owns 20 domains, including ajg.com and parrot.com

Which would you prefer to be?

Quality is more important than quantity, though of course sometimes they go together, which is great for the community

 

[Keral_Patel]

Well friend Mark said it....

If one says to remove it 1000 will say they want rep system back.

And talking about teenagers and other stuff. I also don't like teachers But what to do. I cannot direct it towards you. Plus when doing a business deal everyone sees Trader Ratings. and when discussing an issue on some thread people see Reputation.

Upon that the opinion of the member is weighed.

Plus you also don't like Chat icons.

Not over reacting but maybe in some weeks you will not like the color of the forum :D

We have to accept the things that life throws at us. Right. Maybe you are teaching this to the students also In your class. So why not accept this situation. You wil start loving your rep also when it shows 11 Green Blobs.

Peace. Enjoy. Have Fun. Do Some Business [Domaining], Or take a break in break room.

 

[Erdy]

Hey, I wasn't expecting so much reaction. Thank you all for your interest and thanks for those who took their time for writing some detailed messages. It has been a nice read.

Long time ago I was a regular in a forum where members had ranks according their post counts. These were ranks like Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and General. It was a forum about computer hardware and sound systems. I felt actually a little uncomfortable but I always ignored this feeling. Sometimes members were saying things like "thank you general" or "Sergeant, you will learn this with time". All these childish things were bothering me but I keept writing there. Later, after a long time I started regreting being there from the beginning on. Maybe I'm too skeptical on small signs now.

I always thought these small details (designs, icons, forum rankings etc) can affect the user profile of a forum or website. I mean, while the majority of a forum might have an affect on design, features, icons etc. at the same time the design, features and icons might affect the user profile as well. Well, since I represent only 1 in 1000 I guess this isn't so important anymore.

 

[Joseph]

I represent only 1 in 1000 I guess this isn't so important anymore.

1 in 42,375 :hehe:

 

[dgridley]

Marcel.. add a little more Bran to your diet and quit sweating the little things!

Most of us don't even notice the Rep tho it grows on you after awhile.. kinda nice to be noticed with a positive Rep point for a good post or transaction.

Hey, I wasn't expecting so much reaction. Thank you all for your interest and thanks for those who took their time for writing some detailed messages. It has been a nice read.

Long time ago I was a regular in a forum where members had ranks according their post counts. These were ranks like Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and General. It was a forum about computer hardware and sound systems. I felt actually a little uncomfortable but I always ignored this feeling. Sometimes members were saying things like "thank you general" or "Sergeant, you will learn this with time". All these childish things were bothering me but I keept writing there. Later, after a long time I started regreting being there from the beginning on. Maybe I'm too skeptical on small signs now.

I always thought these small details (designs, icons, forum rankings etc) can affect the user profile of a forum or website. I mean, while the majority of a forum might have an affect on design, features, icons etc. at the same time the design, features and icons might affect the user profile as well. Well, since I represent only 1 in 1000 I guess this isn't so important anymore.