I disagree with how the forum Reputation system works.

[shawnk1994]

No one asked you to be an English professor, just try. Thats all that anyone expects. Most of us have lousy grammar, but we try.

I was bad rep'd twice and am now neg 21 because my grammar wasn't perfect so if i'm not perfect trust me another person will neg rep me, and then ill never be able to sell on here.

 

[psi seeker 34]

I don't see the current rep system as being off balanced at all because if a newbe adds or subtracts someone's reputation said newbe is approving or disapproving of something said user said or did. If it is an approval then said newbie is standing behind and thus supporting the actions of said user. If said user gives rep to another person said user is putting his/her title on the line by recommending this other person thus said user is using his own word (thus his honor) and the good word of the newbe who recommended him in the first place. This third person now receives the equivalent of 2 recommendations and thus gains what could be considered an "educated recommendation" and two people standing behind and approving of him. Now if a user with a very high rep power subtracts someone's reputation it is treated as though half of the (perhaps hundreds of) people behind him also disapprove of said someone because they respect and trust that said user wouldn't subtract a person's rep without good cause. Those with a bad reputation only have it because (A) they are disapproved of directly by the majority of those who have worked with said person or (B) the word of a trusted user. (this is democracy at it's finest and is the basis for the United States Government system) . Don't you love democracy? (threatens you to say "yes" ---> :gun

 

[hakzaw1]

http://laserpointerforums.com/f59/basics-rep-system-40221.html

When you +rep someone they get the full amount of your rep power

When you -rep someone they only loose half your rep power

Right now if I +rep someone they get 351 rep points.
If I -rep them they only loose 175 rep points

Are you sure that you want those to be equal?

In the old system, they lost the full 351 rep

Peace,
dave

**EDIT** -- Also you give and get rep points, NOT rep power. I have 30,492 rep points, but only 351 rep power. Would you like me to wield 30,492 rep power?

Note to self-
send birthday cards to Dave, Jerry, niko, wayne, larry, mario, diachi, Ben, Jay, FPyro,TJ, Kev,BRTAMAN,E-F-Steve-etc etc,.......et al.:san:

 

[Tech_Junkie]

I was bad rep'd twice and am now neg 21 because my grammar wasn't perfect so if i'm not perfect trust me another person will neg rep me, and then ill never be able to sell on here.

You read, but you dont understand. As of right now you have under 50 posts, and have been here under a month. No one will trust you yet if you had -1000 or +100. You cleaned up your grammar so you dont have to worry about that anymore. As said, if you help people your rep will go up in time. You have to put the same faith in us, as you want us with you. If you're a positive part of this community your points will rise. -21 is not that bad.

Now go play.

 

[shawnk1994]

Ok well i guess ill just try to be a help.

 

[Crazy Jay]

Ok well i guess ill just try to be a help.

Thats all. Stay away from fights too. Those never do any good anyway.

I boosted your rep to give you a chance.

Being 15 is between child and adult and I'm sure everyone understands that.

 

[shawnk1994]

lol ya i've stayed away from fights and although i'm 15 I do have a very big interest in this hobby so i plan to keep cool here and keep my account. Btw thank u very much for the rep boost.

 

[Eidetic]

I think many are misunderstanding the OP. His beef seems to me to be with the unfair weight of negative rep from one person of high regard being able to wipe out all the "lightweight" positive rep from lots of people. I agree with him. It's totally unfair.

While I don't think the opinions of a 14 year old who's never touched a laser should carry the weight of an electrical engineer who's been here helping people for years, a real veteran photonics technician, with good standing at many other internet forums but only here for a short time or occasionally should NOT be treated like the former. They will never attain "post count veteran" status because posting here's just not that important to them. They could make lots of positive rep amongst newcomers and have it all wiped out by one neg from a member of the "elite". That's just not right. If they truly deserve having it all wiped out, certainly many members of high regard would join their admonition and get to the same result. THAT would be fair.

I'm just talking about the neg rep. And we know the rep system isn't fair because it's had to be adjusted in the past because of unfair accumulation of positive rep. Another adjustment was recently proposed. Newbie steps on any of a large number of land mines here (for example by saying the wrong word, asking their question with the wrong phrasing, or responding to the snide remark of a comfortable clown) and a couple of tea-totling zealots (my opinion) are on 'em like stink on shit. Gone. Probably wanting to give the finger to all those recommending using handheld lasers responsibly.

There's got to be a better way.

 

[Crazy Jay]

I think many are misunderstanding the OP. His beef seems to me to be with the unfair weight of negative rep from one person of high regard being able to wipe out all the "lightweight" positive rep from lots of people. I agree with him. It's totally unfair.

While I don't think the opinions of a 14 year old who's never touched a laser should carry the weight of an electrical engineer who's been here helping people for years, a real veteran photonics technician, with good standing at many other internet forums but only here for a short time or occasionally should NOT be treated like the former. They will never attain "post count veteran" status because posting here's just not that important to them. They could make lots of positive rep amongst newcomers and have it all wiped out by one neg from a member of the "elite". That's just not right. If they truly deserve having it all wiped out, certainly many members of high regard would join their admonition and get to the same result. THAT would be fair.

I'm just talking about the neg rep. And we know the rep system isn't fair because it's had to be adjusted in the past because of unfair accumulation of positive rep. Another adjustment was recently proposed. Newbie steps on any of a large number of land mines here (for example by saying the wrong word, asking their question with the wrong phrasing, or responding to the snide remark of a comfortable clown) and a couple of tea-totling zealots (my opinion) are on 'em like stink on shit. Gone. Probably wanting to give the finger to all those recommending using handheld lasers responsibly.

There's got to be a better way.

Its not the rep system thats the problem then. Its dealing with forums and any website that allows user comments. Its just something to get used to... the new guy has to prove him or herself.

 

[Eidetic]

Prove themselves to an "elite" who admittedly "bait" them with trolling comments and remarks to see if they're going to be a problem or not?

And I don't accept the "it's just the internet" excuse for trashing people. It's time, and time is money. But more important is it's time. People invest their time writing what they do on sites like this. In this case, it's about something they want to do for fun and the pursuit of happiness.

I just wish those here wouldn't be so enthusiastic about exclusion. For many, "just the internet" is their only opportunity to share their interest. They shouldn't be immediately shoved out the door by a group who just likes to hang out by the door, and has been for long enough to be accepted by the bouncer.

 

[Crazy Jay]

Prove themselves to an "elite" who admittedly "bait" them with trolling comments and remarks to see if they're going to be a problem or not?

And I don't accept the "it's just the internet" excuse for trashing people. It's time, and time is money. But more important is it's time. People invest their time writing what they do on sites like this. In this case, it's about something they want to do for fun and the pursuit of happiness.

I just wish those here wouldn't be so enthusiastic about exclusion. For many, "just the internet" is their only opportunity to share their interest. They shouldn't be immediately shoved out the door by a group who just likes to hang out by the door, and has been for long enough to be accepted by the bouncer.

I'm not saying its ok for needless bashing ... I'm just saying, prepare for it cause its going to happen.
How you handle it is seen by others.
If you have certain problems with members then I suggest to use the ignore option so you don't see those comments that piss you off so.

Time is money but not in the sense you're using. I had to learn to cool off myself. I took everything seriously. I do a better job at dealing with it now and I made a few friends in the process.

 

[Eidetic]

"Needless bashing" shouldn't be tolerated as it's against the terms of use. But it is and that's a big part of the problem discussed here. And I don't believe in burying my head in the sand. That neither changes nor solves anything.

My comments here aren't about me or anyone in particular. I'm only supporting the OP and offering examples of why his point should be considered seriously.

 

[Morgan]

I think the rep system works in the best way any flawed system can. It may not be nice to see a red square, (or squares), under your Avatar, or feel put upon by disagreement, but it reflects someone's opinion. If it is then important for someone to know why this rep status is shown, for instance if a member has something for sale, then go check the reputation section to find out who repped and why. This is what I do as I cannot be sure from simply looking at the numbers.

Eidetic brings up the point about a photonic technician having limited post count but much to contribute. This is recognised already and rep is apportioned accordingly. (I actually think at 5 rep points for only just over 100 posts your rep count is reflective of that Eidetic.) Take LRSFAQ for instance; low post count but his contribution and knowledge is measured by a proportionally higher rep count.

To neg rep someone in a petty flame war is just throwing weight around IMO but, again, this is all in the reputation section for all to see and interpret, although I think you should be obliged to leave a comment, not just leave a blank. A, "Heavy Hitter", in my experience as a spectator only uses their neg rep power, (or pos rep for that matter), after consideration and, as they are aware of the destructive nature and sentimental attachment to rep, keep an eye for the future and will reverse a neg rep when appropriate. I have seen TJ do this several times to the good of the member.

Booting someone out for misdemeanours would happen with, or without a rep system. It would just leave admin to answer the calls instead of openly showing a community based opinion of conduct.

Removing the system entirely would be the only other alternative as someone, no matter what you do to it, will find fault. If removed you are back to reading all of a person's posts and seeing their post count to gain a feel for their personality. I'd prefer the abridged and more selective route of using the reputation section to assess a members worth.

In meeting some, 'other', forum members face-to-face, I can say that the, "It's just the internet", argument is totally valid. Absolutely no use measuring a real life human being in front of you on what is basically gossip.

M

 

[lasersbee]

The LPF rep system is not perfect.... but it has saved countless
new members being scammed by some members in the past
who took the time to read the seller's Rep Comments before
doing any transaction...

The rep system also seems to balance it's self out with time...
Just look at shawnk1994's rep when he started this Thread....
(-21)

Now... since he read what was posted he has made an effort to
correct what caused the neg reps and is now at (+123)...

I think the Non-Perfect LPF Rep System works just fine....IMO..

@ C0ld.... I almost left you a Neg just to prove your Point...:evil:


Jerry

 

[Things]

Rep systems will never be perfect. They involve people's opinions, and no ones opinion is going to be the same.

I just ignore the rep system. If you are going to buy from someone, read thru their posts. If it's clear they are just here to troll etc, then don't buy from them, but if they are trying to contribute then chances are they want to do stuff right.

Only way to get the rep system back to normal is to wipe everyones and start again, but that would cause many more problems in itself.

 

[diachi]

The rep system only serves a decent purpose when you are taking someones advice or purchasing something from someone. Other than that, as has been said, it's just little green (or red) boxes on a web page - nothing to get upset over.

If those little green (or red) boxes mean SO MUCH to you, then perhaps you should go see someone about your grip on reality.