*Slap!*

I like the idea of transferring points to somebody when you give them a star.

Isn't the opposite also true? Couldn't trolls group together and star a post that isn't worthy?

For example, how did this disgustingly racist post gather up 8 stars? Is this really a reflection of ATSer's thoughts?

It seems some sort of counterbalance is necessary.

I just want to co-sign on this thread, regardless of SO's stance. Not having a way to point out ridiculous threads is one of the gaping holes in this community.

I had to get that in before this thread gets closed, like so many others. And because I couldn't just star the OP.

Though I'm frequently in agreement with you, here I think you are mistaken.

Can you not think of a thread you could post that most would find 'ridiculous'?

Even if you meant 'ridiculous theories'; no difference.

I post on a 'niche' topic, like riding my bike. Do I want a bunch of negative input, guys who drive fast cars, nega-flagging it?

You post about wearing old hats. How ridiculous (not really, I lurve old hats).

I say keep it positive. If you must say something, you have to be creative, subtle, and funny. Believe me, it's not that hard to totally slam someone with the OP hardly realizing it; but why waste the time?

Um, since you brought it up, what are the -other- gaping holes?

Best not to even say, huh? They're much more insidious than a silly theory.

If we had to appease the nabobs of negativity, then let's have a Rant forum and really let people rant (without cursing, etc.).

Allow mild perjoratives: 'dumbarse, meathead, old fart'. Would that make people happy?

The "old fart" part would be art to my heart.....


Heh...

reply to post by Badge01

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We do have a RANT forum, it's on BTS.

Springer...

reply to post by scientist

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Negative threads and/or posts have their own special way of pointing themselves out. I, personally, have little trouble figuring out which is which, and there are a whole lot of members here in who are much smarter and quicker on the uptake than I am.

I do miss the WATS though...

You know I never did understand the British fascination with human methane expulsion



Its true though stars can be abused as well... I mean if one wanted to mess with people you could simply get your cabal to put a star on the most ridiculous posts... then have everyone wonder how the heck that stupid post got so many stars...

But I am sure the children would tire of that game in the end



So ummmm when will those points be useful for some REAL shopping

It strikes a note of hilarity here in Central Missouri too.

A note.....get it?

the problem is, everyone seems to say that good posts deserve stars, and bad / offensive / ignorant posts just deserve to be ignored and not-starred. well that means any comment that was valid, and perhaps informing, but may not have gotten starred, is now grouped in with the ignorant posts.

Dont mistake this for some strange ego-star thing, it simply means there is an awkward one-way bias of rating threads going on.

Perhaps this site is supposed to be more of a pat-on-the-back, buddy experience, and I'm just expecting more of a critical atmosphere due to the nature of topics discussed.

[edit on 13-3-2008 by scientist]

reply to post by scientist

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But can you agree that there are quite a few petty and immature people here who will run around giving 'red stars' to their foes for no real reason while giving blue stars to their buddies? Look at the MIMS example I gave above. Someone purposely went around rating all of his comments with 1 star just out of spite back when you could rate comments on a scale of 1-5. I think that is an incredibly stupid thing to do but unfortunately, as that experience shows, there are people like that on ATS. I guess I would rather see 'kindness' being abused (good stars) than 'slaps' being abused. That's my opinion.

reply to post by AshleyD

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I thinks there's good evidence that a lot of "buddy starring" goes on right now. And yes, people would red-star for petty reasons.

Maybe the solution is to limit the number of stars you can give per month. Or, another possibility is to take the anonyminity away from the stars. Simply mouse over a star to see who donated it; maybe that would stop the pettiness.

I completely agree and mentioned the same thing on a 'site suggestion' thread but never heard anything about it. It would be nice to see who actually gave the stars. I suggested having it as only the person who received the stars would be able to see who gave them but your idea sounds good, too.

It might not even be possible with the site programming but it would be nice for us nosy people.

reply to post by AshleyD

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It wouldn't surprise me if that info is already known to a "select few".

I'd also like to see the Posts feature come back!

Hey, that's a pretty good idea. And it probably wouldn't take any extra resources to code and parse, since there already is a stars database.

reply to post by AshleyD

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the best solution ive heard so far, is that giving a star/slap costs points, like 1-5 points each.

its unfair to allow pro-trolls to overwhelm a debate with favor to one side, and not allow anyone to retaliate in the same manner (clicking a star instead of posting a rant/rebuttal).

reply to post by jsobecky

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That's not a bad notion. That might indeed curtail a bit of the "buddy" starring that goes on around these parts. Make the points charge a bit more than that, though. Say 55-75 pts. Those whose sole purpose is to antagonize might be a bit less reluctant?

Here's another example of where the current star system is broken:

www.abovetopsecret.com...'

This OP has 24 stars plus 46 more, without a single word from the author.

If the stars are supposed to reward good posts, this doesn't prove it. It shows that the topic is being starred, and not the author.

If you want to see 'buddy-starring' head to the secret society forums.

The masons there absolutely power-drive every thread by starring eachothers posts Meanwhile there are a handful of real ATS'ers who try to squeeze in and are lucky to get a star... people just don't have the patience for it.

So yes, we might not need a negative star function but there is definite abuse of starring that goes on...

Um... I consider it an honor to hold hundreds more thumbs down then thumbs up. Maybe thats just me..

But it would show that I really got to someone, and thats all the gratitude I need.