Reputation Redux

[Mithalwen]

to feel the need to bump this up but it seem there is a need for the reminder.

The reputation system is not for punishing people who have different beliefs or opinions to your own.

Also a reminder that many Downers are not posting in their first language and may not always use the most felicitous form of words. And some words may have different significance in different countries even where English is the first language.

If you have a problem with something someone has said why not try a PM -or at least sign your rep? Often people post something (knowing exactly what they mean) not realising that someone realising that someone can read it with a completely different "tone of voice".

For example, I once was neg repped for posting something on the lines of :
"well at least I got something right" . I had made some factual error in part of a previous post and had posted it meaning "at least I got SOMETHING right" to express relief that I hadn't been completely wrong. Only after the anonymous (of course) neg rep did I realise it could be read as "at least I got something right" and seeming to express superiority over another poster. With that perspective the neg rep was just and to be taken on the chin but if I had known whom I had upset at least I could have explained that I had intended to self-deprecate not to sneer...

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Also a reminder that many Downers are not posting in their first language and may not always use the most felicitous form of words. And some words may have different significance in different countries even where English is the first language.

I couldn't agree more with this. I've myself found this a most annoying problem. Add to that the fact that online one can't accompany what one says with all the bodylanguage and facial expressions one can when talking to someone in a real situation.

So let's just be easy around here.

[The Might]

I definitely agree.
I remember receiving a neg rep on one of my first posts here because I didn't read the rules of Crazy Captions with enough attention and thought I could post a line to an older caption as well and not only to the latest one.
Then again, I don't really mind negative reps that much, only bit annoying.
Actually I haven't gotten one of those in quite some time.

[davem]

Never having handed out negative rep I suppose I get a bit irked when I get some. That said, I don't think I've had more than three or four lots. Mostly though I feel guilty for not handing out more positive rep.....and even when I do it tends to just consist of 'Good one ....davem'. The odd thing is getting a pm from someone thanking you for giving them positive rep - it brings home to you how significant it is: if someone will go to the trouble of writing to thank you for positive rep you get an inkling of how much it must hurt them to get negative rep - the main reason I've always avoided doing so.

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

I agree with davem. I have never neg-repped anyone, perhaps because I know how I'd feel if someone neg-repped me. I may not agree with everything people say, but I don't see that as reason to mark someone down. If I really want to disagree, I'll remark in the thread, but generally I don't even bother with that. Seems better (and easier!) to just get along with everyone.

On the subject of some Downers not using their first languages, I feel compelled to say that I think everyone here communicates extremely well, no matter where they're from.

[alatar]

With the infraction system in place, not sure why we need the negative rep anymore.

And even a short note let's you know that someone at least read your post. A longer note, which I'm guilty of rarely adding, really can make my day.

Note to davem: my research shows that if you want to get rep, seemingly you have to give it (not that you should lack ).

[Bêthberry]

A timely, reminder, Mithalwen that the rep system is intended to reflect the quality (or lack of it) in discussion rather than agreement or disagreement. Even people with whom we disagree might still, because of the nature of human conversation, enable us to see something new, something interesting, something well done, something that lifts us out of the mundane and ordinary.

I've always thought that neg reps were to be used in cases where posters have, repeatedly and obstinately, after polite requests and several warnings, refused to follow the Downs' rules about courtesy and respect in online discussion--flames, personal attacks, spam. Maybe add to that overbearing insistence upon stating , restating, and restating again one's position ad infinitum, without ever listening to other points of view, and possibly baiting people with the apparent intent to ridicule. Really,with the option of posting to refute or using PM, what's the point of anonymous negative reps?

Originally Posted by davem

The odd thing is getting a pm from someone thanking you for giving them positive rep - it brings home to you how significant it is: if someone will go to the trouble of writing to thank you for positive rep you get an inkling of how much it must hurt them to get negative rep - the main reason I've always avoided doing so.

I suspect people have any number of reasons why they send thank you PMs to people for positive reps. For some, it could simply be a matter of courtesy and politeness, an acknowledge of kindess. For others, it could be a means to open up further areas of discussion. There could be as many possible motivations as there are people. I don't think it's necessarily odd at all.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Since I'm new here, this is obviously just me tossing in a general opinion/observation of my own. I've been a participant on a lot of boards that use a rating/rep/mod system, and it seems that on all of them, sooner or later, it becomes an issue (usually not for the better. Actually, I can't recall a single site where, when it DID become an issue, it wasn't in a negative way). I'm given to understand that this feature is used as means to allow the active members of the board to have input into moderation, but sometimes, I have to wonder if it's more trouble than it's worth.

Now, that said, from what I've seen here, both during my lurking phase and as a participant, this is one of the most well-behaved, mature boards I've ever seen. I don't know what's going right in the Downs (stability of membership, perhaps?), but it's a pleasure to see. And a commendation to site owner, the moderators, and the members all. Bravo (and brava)!

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I suspect people have any number of reasons why they send thank you PMs to people for positive reps. For some, it could simply be a matter of courtesy and politeness, an acknowledge of kindess. For others, it could be a means to open up further areas of discussion. There could be as many possible motivations as there are people. I don't think it's necessarily odd at all.

I should thank people more for the positive rep I get - sadly I'm always seem to be too busy particularly at the moment (well, the reason I'm busy isn't sad, but....you know what I mean). My biggest fault at the moment is taking ages, or even forgetting, to respond to PM's! Talk about 'One thing drives out another.' - try becoming a father for the first time at 47

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I suspect people have any number of reasons why they send thank you PMs to people for positive reps. For some, it could simply be a matter of courtesy and politeness, an acknowledge of kindess. For others, it could be a means to open up further areas of discussion. There could be as many possible motivations as there are people. I don't think it's necessarily odd at all.

I think that there is a lot of truth in this - and in Alatar's suggestion that it is a way of forming community links.

Given that "social discourse" has usually been stamped on pretty hard, a rep is a way in to PM communication on a topic. Most of my friendships and acquaintanceships here have started through such conversations. Since I am now so used to the place it is hard for me to judge if the Downs is as daunting as it was when I joined (with the Canonicity debate in full steam) and despite not being in the first flush of youth and having many years of Tolkien reading (and a Literature degree) behind me it took me quite some time to dare to post in "Books". Receiving rep was very encoouraging and saying thank you was a way of meeting people you might not have pm'ed on spec.

This may seem a bit demented to people who are more confident..(or not British !) but I seldom bother to visit another board anymore because all serious discussions are dominated by two old timers who seem to delight in smacking down newcomers. Either what you say is wrong or what they have said already....