Rating Threads

[Stewart]

Darren,

When you get a chance can you change the icon for thread ratings to something more visible; it's currently white squares on a white background. Stars would be nice.

Also, if possible, it would be nice if you could edit the code - or get someone to do it - so that people can't rate their own threads. One just has to look at the Writers' Showcase forum to see this malpractice in action.

 

[Halo]

I have to say that I have never been a fan of the thread rating feature at all.

As Stewart says, people post their own stories in Writers' Showcase and award themselves five stars, and other people use the rating system as a kind of personal vendetta against those members they dislike, awarding all their threads the lowest rating.

You can tell which threads are popular (for whatever reason) by looking at the number of replies, so I've never really understood the reason for the rating system. But that's probably just me...

 

[Stewart]

I've never really understood the reason for the rating system. But that's probably just me...

Because the first of the vBulletin forums was for vBulletin itself and the content of much of that forum is technical as regards the skinning, modding, etc. of the forum software. Thus, when a great bit of advice or an easy to follow tutorial arose it was considered good etiquette to rate the thread so that the overall rating would indicate its quality.

But when people post tripe and then think it worthy of five stars, they need a good kick up the bum. Maybe another for good measure.

 

[steffee]

This is probably a completely pointless post since forums have different features, but...

On another forum I frequent there is a system whereby certain posts can be rated (only once), not threads, and these ratings accumulate and are displayed in the index of the forum, at the thread, like they are here.

That means a five star thread has had five different members rate it, which minimises the "malpractice" of the ratings system.

I explained that badly, but it's a better feature than the current ratings system on this forum.

EDIT:

But when people post tripe and then think it worthy of five stars, they need a good kick up the bum. Maybe another for good measure.

Is that you being perverse again?

 

[Ronny]

I have to say that I have never been a fan of the thread rating feature at all.

As Stewart says, people post their own stories in Writers' Showcase and award themselves five stars, and other people use the rating system as a kind of personal vendetta against those members they dislike, awarding all their threads the lowest rating.

You can tell which threads are popular (for whatever reason) by looking at the number of replies, so I've never really understood the reason for the rating system. But that's probably just me...

I have never understood the point either. I actually don't really pay attention to the ratings at all and never give them, because the basis of the rating is so loose. Why the person rated the thread the way they did could be for any number of personal reasons that don't apply to me or how I'd find the thread, so I ignore them.

 

[Halo]

Because the first of the vBulletin forums was for vBulletin itself and the content of much of that forum is technical as regards the skinning, modding, etc. of the forum software. Thus, when a great bit of advice or an easy to follow tutorial arose it was considered good etiquette to rate the thread so that the overall rating would indicate its quality.

Ah, I see. .......

 

[mehastings]

Unfortunately, I think the rating feature is pointless as it is. I agree with all of you guys. People rate threads for different reasons. They do it to draw attention to their own work and they do it to make people they don't like look stupid. Steffee brings up a good point in that it would be nice to be able to give a thumbs up to specific posts. Sort of like yahoo's message boards let you do. As it is, I wasn't bothered by the new ratings icons because I totally ignore thread ratings because they give no indication of whether the thread is worth reading.

 

[Darren]

Good ideas Stewart. I'm surprised vBulletin doesn't have that feature as standard to prevent this kind of abuse. I'll see if someone has written a mod to prevent users rating their own threads.

At the moment, only threads in the Writers' Showcase should be able to be rated (I think). If not, let me know.

 

[mehastings]

At the moment, only threads in the Writers' Showcase should be able to be rated (I think). If not, let me know.

I just rated this one.

 

[Darren]

OK, I've edited the forums so that Writers' Showcase is now the only forum where threads can be rated.

Also, I've edited the forum code so that people can't rate threads that they started.

 

[Halo]

I think that's a really good compromise. Thanks Darren.