Bring Back the "-1" rating

[Pooky 3,829]

I suggest the best way to keep the behaviour reasonable is to have the +/- function work the same way as a public poll. That way, anyone can see who cast votes and which way they voted. Voters will then have to weigh in their own minds how they will be viewed by the rest of VJ.

The other benefit is that it will give everyone an "open and transparent" review of whether the function is working fairly, being messed with a little, or being seriously misused.

Then, when it comes to reviewing how the trial has gone, you'll get a lot more feedback, too.

Edited July 2, 2010 by Pooky

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I suggest the best way to keep the behaviour reasonable is to have the +/- function work the same way as a public poll. That way, anyone can see who cast votes and which way they voted. Voters will then have to weigh in their own minds how they will be viewed by the rest of VJ.

The other benefit is that it will give everyone an "open and transparent" review of whether the function is working fairly, being messed with a little, or being seriously misused.

Then, when it comes to reviewing how the trial has gone, you'll get a lot more feedback, too.

This is an interesting idea. I'm not 100% sure I support it, but I think it's a clever idea nonetheless.

[Pooky 3,829]

This is an interesting idea. I'm not 100% sure I support it, but I think it's a clever idea nonetheless.

Make the whole thing open and transparent. Much of the criticism of the moderators I see is because there is a governmental lack of transparency in how they do what they do, in that the average non-admin VJ member (like me) gets to see the results of their actions, but not the process. Putting names to the votes will give an idea of who is using the system and who might be systematically abusing the system, who gives everyone who's interested the full story about whether the +1/-1 system can work properly.

I'd also recommend that, if the system is set up and kept, it gets reviewed every 6 months, or so, just to keep the inveterate dweebs of VJ (that's an inclusive term) in line.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Make the whole thing open and transparent. Much of the criticism of the moderators I see is because there is a governmental lack of transparency in how they do what they do, in that the average non-admin VJ member (like me) gets to see the results of their actions, but not the process. Putting names to the votes will give an idea of who is using the system and who might be systematically abusing the system, who gives everyone who's interested the full story about whether the +1/-1 system can work properly.

I'd also recommend that, if the system is set up and kept, it gets reviewed every 6 months, or so, just to keep the inveterate dweebs of VJ (that's an inclusive term) in line.

That's an interesting suggestion and might provide a workable solution (although creating a lot more work for administration and moderators at the same time tracking who is abusing the system - and even then there would still have to be some sort of subjective decision made on what is abuse and what isn't). I'm not sure if the hosting software would accommodate such an option, though.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

If it were possible, it could be something that organisers could help the mods with. If we were each given a forum (or a couple of the low traffic ones) to monitor regularly we could share the load. And regular old busybody members could keep an eye on things too, and let the team know when something looked like it was being singled out for scorn for no real reason. The organisers could be a real aid to the mods in this way, considering the sheer number of upper forums we have now. This is of course assuming that the software can be configured to allow openly identifying who was giving things a -1.

[Pooky 3,829]

If it were possible, it could be something that organisers could help the mods with. If we were each given a forum (or a couple of the low traffic ones) to monitor regularly we could share the load. And regular old busybody members could keep an eye on things too, and let the team know when something looked like it was being singled out for scorn for no real reason. The organisers could be a real aid to the mods in this way, considering the sheer number of upper forums we have now. This is of course assuming that the software can be configured to allow openly identifying who was giving things a -1.

If it can be done for voting in the Poll forum, surely there must be a way to replicate it for the +1/-1 function?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

If it were possible, it could be something that organisers could help the mods with. If we were each given a forum (or a couple of the low traffic ones) to monitor regularly we could share the load. And regular old busybody members could keep an eye on things too, and let the team know when something looked like it was being singled out for scorn for no real reason. The organisers could be a real aid to the mods in this way, considering the sheer number of upper forums we have now. This is of course assuming that the software can be configured to allow openly identifying who was giving things a -1.

OMG! Watchdogs for separate forums! What an idea!

Seriously Maven, I love the idea. How many times has it been suggested before though? It'd almost be too much like life on other message boards....................

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If it can be done for voting in the Poll forum, surely there must be a way to replicate it for the +1/-1 function?

Understood. The "view" function is something that is pre-programmed into the software system for the Polls forum. I don't know if the -1/+1 option has the same function pre-programmed in or if something would need to be written specifically to allow it. There are functions in this new software system that we no longer have that we did have in the old system and would like to have in this new system, but it is apparently proving difficult to try and restore them. Adding new programming code or modifying code within a packaged programme by end-users is usually pretty restricted to certain options - and I don't know if allowing a 'view' option of the -1/+1 vote is programmed into the software as an existing option or not. That is what I meant.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

OMG! Watchdogs for separate forums! What an idea!

Seriously Maven, I love the idea. How many times has it been suggested before though? It'd almost be too much like life on other message boards....................

I'm just sayin'... I know this is a totally different topic, but I feel the organisers are really underutilised in general here. It has been mentioned before, but it would be great if they could split/merge topics, for example. However, if this meant I needed to stop being such a sarky, thread-derailing little madam, perhaps I may bow out.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'm just sayin'... I know this is a totally different topic, but I feel the organisers are really underutilised in general here. It has been mentioned before, but it would be great if they could split/merge topics, for example. However, if this meant I needed to stop being such a sarky, thread-derailing little madam, perhaps I may bow out.

Actually, adding that exact function to some of the Organizer's abilities was discussed at the last Moderator's meeting. We agree that it would be a great idea to have some 'Super Organizers' added to the mix. Not all organizers would be able to split and merge but some of them would be, so, that is actually 'in process' - although I am not sure at what stage of the process it is .

[Darnell 8,479]

However, if this meant I needed to stop being such a sarky, thread-derailing little madam, perhaps I may bow out.

oh.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

oh.

You sound disappointed, Darnell. Is it bowing out of organising you fear may pass, or an end to my high-spirited japes?

[Darnell 8,479]

perhaps better suited to some OT fodder ? I feel strange making longish reply about 'it' in this topic, this forum.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Fair enough. But if you do have an issue with my organising style, feel free to bring it to the Organiser's Forum.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

As long as the Phil Collin's superthread doesn't receive negative points, I'm all for it.