Curiosity - what about the Rep Points that just appeared?

[MimiLee]

While reading all these posts the past few weeks regarding the release of 3.1, I noticed the Rep Power with a number following it and a colored square beneath that. Also some are registered user, frequent user, VIP etc.

What is the criterion for these identifiers?

[jdavia]

These seem to be a rating system where any user can add points to the reputation of another user by clicking on an icon resembling a scale just above. The little square lets you know that the person is a positive poster.
I've always noticed the bad post icon.
Registered users, Frequent users, VIP, ect., I think are earned by how many posts you have made. Every certain amount earns you another name.

While I am not an authority on this, it is how I read it.
Glad to see that I have some Rep Power. I suppose I made someone happy.

[MimiLee]

Thanks-never noticed those icons at all.

[admin]

It has just been activated, and is not yet fully functional. We need a wider point spread to make it more useful so "wanton" use by even visitors won't damage someone's "repuation power".

So, even though I'm tired, I'll try to set it up now.

[Party of one]

Wow, reputation power. Who makes the call on that. Seems like (if I'm getting this right) if you don't agree with MTU we are getting labeled with a bad rep. I can't believe you would or want to label your customers like that. Makes me wonder now if I say something that I believe is true I could be labled with a bad rep. To me this is sending the wrong message. I thought this message board was to help your customers not to put them down. I've always been behind most of what you do but this one take the cake. I believe you can tell the way people talk about your product how they feel. I believe you are opening up a can of worms here. I guess this will make my rep a -1.

[DJYale]

Originally Posted by Party of one

Wow, reputation power. Who makes the call on that. Seems like (if I'm getting this right) if you don't agree with MTU we are getting labeled with a bad rep. I can't believe you would or want to label your customers like that. Makes me wonder now if I say something that I believe is true I could be labled with a bad rep. To me this is sending the wrong message. I thought this message board was to help your customers not to put them down. I've always been behind most of what you do but this one take the cake. I believe you can tell the way people talk about your product how they feel. I believe you are opening up a can of worms here. I guess this will make my rep a -1.

Hey Party, it ain't all that bad, cause it's ALL the users who can vote on Rep Points ... not just MTU ... ... Gives the new people an idea of who they can trust by other users input and who is just blowin' smoke up the anatomy ...

[DJYale]

so "wanton" use by even visitors won't damage someone's "repuation power".

Is it possible to make this registered user only?

[Party of one]

It just seems to me like karaoke contest hurt feelings, not a good thing. I'm here to learn and be informed not to put others down. I can see where this could turn out to be a mess that's all. I'm not the brightest guy and I make honest mistakes. I take what i say to heart. Do we really have that many people blowing smoke I hope not. When I make a mistake I own up to it. I hope we are all pro's here. I feel like I'm back in school and waiting for my report card. I can see where different opinions from other people be payback. Like hey that guy didn't like what I said I won't like what he said. I can see A can of worms opening up. I have had a lot of respect for MTU in the past. I think we are working in a danger zone here that's all.

[DJYale]

I can see where you are comming from ... and I think, after consideration, that it would be agood idea where only MTU personel could add or subtract from a person's rep points....

I'm also giving MTU the benefit of the doubt here as far as not subtracting from a person's rep count just because someone disagrees with them ... but from all I've seen I don't forsee any trouble there ... all I have talk to seem to be fairly level-headed on that count...

[Beavis]

hey admin, how did you get that many rep points that quick ???? I think the fix is in !!!!

[gduns - with the Lord]

Guys,
I think they are trying to give users an indication as to what information to rely on as far as fixing problems. Anyone registered on line is able to post here, and some people will intentionally give bad advise.

Sometines this could lead to system problems, and even computer failure. I think When finished this should give you a better judgement in who to listen to.

For instance if someone told you to use a grounding eliminator to reduce, and he had a rep factor of -2 and someone else with a rep factor of +10 recommended a $50.00 piece of gear to do the same thing, and both works, who do you believe?

[Party of one]

What happens if the guy with a -2 happen to be right and the other guy wrong. Now you out $50. I'm sure my rep is very bad but I started a post about sweeping that MTU wasn't even aware of. MTU has a high Rep but it was one you that solved the problem. That's my point there. Do you think anyone would take me serious. Now if I have a problem people are not going to listen to my problems. I stayed with MTU cause my problems get solved mostly by you kind users here. We have a lot of smart people here. SO why put down the not so smart people by labeling them.
Just one party of one opinion

[jdavia]

I understand the reasons. and all is meant to be with good intentions. But as you can see there is resentment.
I think everyone tries their best when they to reply to posts, or even start a new thread, to be very honest. Even if wrong at times. That is why we have a forum to discus things. If all were right there would be no need for a forum.
But in a sense making someone feel less or more better than someone else for a single mistake in a post can be very hurting. Frioends can give other friends more Rep Power too. So it is not honest.
This forum program is used by many companies and it has options that each company can turn on or off. This is one option many shun from using for obvious reasons. It really doesn't add to the quality of posts.

A better option to open is the use of Avitars. where anyone can make themselves feel important by their own personal expressions in the Avitar.
The whole Karaoke thing is fun. So why not have some here too.

Showing that I edited my post is also an option. Can this one be turned off.

By the way, How did I earn 2 Rep Points?

[Party of one]

I beleive you are in tune with what I'm aiming at. Thank you. Yes you should have atleast 2 reps. Just the way you express yourself tells a lot.

[George]

I agree with you guys 100%.

I think think is a lot of baloney, but if it must be, since it's a new ball game then level the playing field. Everybody should start out with equal footing, all 0's, and MTU staff should not be ranked, or vote.

If this is a peer program, then confine it to us peers..

It is easy to see that some of you resent someone else having a higher rating and I wanted you to know my position on it.

I resent the higher rating...it is not equitable on a program just starting out, so if ADMIN won't or can't level us at the starting gate, then you guys have my blessings to hunt up my posts and vote against them to bring me in line.

George

[MTUSUPPORT]

I think this is a new feature of VBulletin, who is the software developer of the Forums. To tell you the truth, we may not have any control over it.

[MimiLee]

Ge-e-e-e I'm almost sorry I asked

[micbob4]

This doesn't make sense. As a consumer my main concern is the quality of the product and/or service being offered. If the rankings were solely based on the level of technical experience the provider has on the subject I could see the advantage to offering this tool. But, even then it is still hard to verify the individuals experience. I was under the impression that a forum was an imformative tool that allowed businesses and their customers to communicate product/service concerns and updates. Trying to control deter negative feedback only prevents positive gains in product that has unlimited potential. A forum is and should be subjective in content and if technical suggestions are given they should be posted to a seperate forum and screened. In a market that is growing and becoming very competitve, maintaining a good grasp of what consumers need and want in a service/product is key to the success of any organization. I feel this will only deter consumers from making any posting that is considered negative thus preventing a great product like Hoster from maintaining its reputation of being the best Karaoke software.

[micbob4]

I had posted my response prior to seeing Admin's latest posting if this is vbulletin I hope MTU can get with them to make this customer friendly. I new MTU wasn't behind this.

[George]

Originally Posted by MTUSUPPORT

I think this is a new feature of VBulletin, who is the software developer of the Forums. To tell you the truth, we may not have any control over it.

Not trying to be arguementative Bryan, but post number 4 seems to indicate a degree of control over it. Perhaps not, but it seems that way.

George