Reach for the stars - not the thanks button

**Magnus** · March 5th, 2011, 7:06 AM

Originally Posted by akirk

I know some forums where people write posts trying to get thanks (for some bizarre reason - almost as though they can trade them in for cash at some point!

Not to detract from this thread, but I see forums where people say in their signature, "Please say 'thanks' to keep this topic alive!". Warez forum posters do this as it keeps people downloading the files from the files-storage they uploaded them to.

Every time someone posts to say 'thanks', the thread they started hits the top of the forum again, and like the snowball effect, more people see it, download the files and thank the thread starter.

And yes, you guessed it, they get paid for people downloading these files.

Maybe that's the forums you see; I hope those are the forums you see! - if not, then are they actually just wanting the "thanks"??

**crabfoot** · March 5th, 2011, 7:41 AM

Some forums use the reputation system as an indicator of integrity - if people "disapprove" of posts sufficiently, the bars go red (ie negative) and people with "red rep" get disqualified from doing things - somehow, I can't see that happening here.

**Kay** · March 5th, 2011, 8:03 AM

Currently this forum is very well modded, but when it grows huge then there may be more need to rely on community modding using the various, rep and abuse reporting functions.

Until then, as Slowdive says, a thanks is like a pat on the back. Maybe I'm a sad case but I do like a "thanks".

**Clinton** · March 5th, 2011, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by Kay

I would like to see "reputation" being awarded for behaving honourably, such as helping others or doing a good deal. So, yes, please do tweak the system and make some rules and guidelines for its use.

I don't know about rules and guidelines. How can you legislate for the reasons behind people's actions?

In vBulletin I have a few controls. I can regulate how fast rep points are added to a member's account based on the age of the account, the number of posts made and who is repping them. Reps from someone with a high reputation awards more points than reps from a new comer with no history here.

There's no button or setting for "honourable behaviour".

@Magnus: Having the thanks button does reduce/remove people posting just to say thanks. As Alasdair says.

Originally Posted by Slowdive

I am always a fan of thanks and rep systems. Everyone likes a pat on the back (thanks) and reputation usually over time lets new members spot the quality contributors quickly.

Good point. I like it but didn't want others to know I like it so I gave you rep instead of thanks

**Kay** · March 5th, 2011, 8:27 AM

@Clinton crabfoot said it better than I did:

Some forums use the reputation system as an indicator of integrity - if people "disapprove" of posts sufficiently, the bars go red (ie negative) and people with "red rep" get disqualified from doing things

(My bold)

Sure you can't legislate for people's every action, but rep can be a handy indicator of a person's integrity and whether you would trust them enough to do business with them. As I'm sure you know, some forums have a trader rating thingy. If you do a good deal, buy/sell promptly, you give/receive a trader point as a good buyer/seller. Then other people coming along afterwards can know that the person has a rep for honest dealings.

It not absolutely necessary, of course. There have been times when I've transferred ownership of something before receiving payment just because of the person's standing on EP. I guess it's just like Brownie points. Some of us are childish enough to get a warm fuzzy glow when we 'win' them.

**grynge** · March 5th, 2011, 9:44 AM

The rep on here I can't work out kay and clinton both have a higher rep power than me but in the list I come up higher than both of them? Shouldn't I be below kay and clinton?

**grynge** · March 5th, 2011, 9:46 AM

Actually looking at it Rep Power and Reputation seem to be completely different.

**Kay** · March 5th, 2011, 9:59 AM

It doesn't make any sense to me either. But Clinton has said that he'll tweak the system, so perhaps all will become clear then.

I had originally thought that rep had something to do with post count. I'm sure hooperman said something about that ages ago. It's funny how I'm equal with Clinton, though. LOL! And apparently Andy is higher still.

**akirk** · March 5th, 2011, 2:39 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus

Not to detract from this thread, but I see forums where people say in their signature, "Please say 'thanks' to keep this topic alive!". Warez forum posters do this as it keeps people downloading the files from the files-storage they uploaded them to.

Every time someone posts to say 'thanks', the thread they started hits the top of the forum again, and like the snowball effect, more people see it, download the files and thank the thread starter.

And yes, you guessed it, they get paid for people downloading these files.

Maybe that's the forums you see; I hope those are the forums you see! - if not, then are they actually just wanting the "thanks"??

No

not my type of forum - I think it is probably lonely people who want to be liked

Alasdair