NationStates Jolt Archive

What say you folks?

It seems, especially given the more recent string of someone feeling the need to rate every stinking thread on at least one forum I've seen, and usually, seemingly for no reason low just to be a jerk, that they have become even more pointless than before. It's something that several people have commented on as an annoyance and such, so ... here we go.

I mean seriously, folks. It isn't as though rp threads or the like have much in the way of 'helpful' or 'informative' or such things. It's all a matter of taste and perspective. We have enough divisiveness between groups and alliances and rp styles and nation types and political stance and every other sort of difference that can be imagined here. I'm not sure I see the point of these things past ego-boosting or deflation, petty snarkiness on some folk's parts and the like.

If you appreciate someone's work, tg them. If they don't mind it in thread, make a comment. Support or comment on their proposals, issues, or ability to hold their own in a discussion. Get with them on IRC, or Yahoo, or ICQ, or IM or what have you, and let them know you think they rock. There's all sorts of ways to get in touch with folks and tell them what great debaters, storefront-runners, issue-submitters, proposal-makers, or rp'ers you think they are - publicly or otherwise.

Ratings just can't accomplish what a few good words can - or admittedly, negative ones, if you feel the need. I can't help but think they're rather useless.

Anyone else who has comments on it, and would either like to see them removed or kept, lets hear it. See what the NS community thinks of it, and then see if the admins can or are willing to make a change if folks want it.

--Nathi's Player

(And no, for those who may be thinking it, I'm not offended by some lame ratings thing, nor have gotten my feathers ruffled over it. I myself don't take them seriously, but I know there are plenty who do. I just happen to think they're pointless overall, and don't see why we need another point of contention here.)

Seconded. We don't allow people to barge into threads saying they suck, we shouldn't have a little button to do the same thing.

Elequently said. Nothing further to add, other than my agreement.


-- Kaenei's Player.

I'm all for it. Some of us work very hard on what we do, and it's insulting when someone pops up and immediately gives it a "Terrible" just for their jollies. Also, it's not like anyone actually looks at the ratings anymore because of that.

-- The single player behind various endeavours

I concurr. Wasn't sure why the rating thing existed in the first place.

Never seen anyone do that myself, but if they're being abused, chop them.

I vote for removal.

I've never been in favour of them from the moment I saw them.

I find this an exellent topic :p

Way to be useful, Carinthe.

No more ratings...

All threads are equal under God

I never really noticed the ratings. I don't think they matter and if you don't like them, ignore them. I've noticed that some of the lowest 'rated' threads are among the most active, so it obviously doesen't stop players from posting or getting involved.

If it's not broke, don't fix it. I haven't been sensitive about receiving or not receiving gold stars since kindergarden and it seems pointless to even worry about it one way or the other.

By the way, I gave this thread only an 'average rating'.

Well I-V, that's kind of the point isn't it? If they're so useless, why bother even having them at all? The fact that you or I aren't bothered by someone ranking us is neither here nor there. Things that create pointless contention ought to have no place in the game. Like GMC said - we frown on flamers and folks invading threads just to be snotty. Providing them with an anonymous way of wordlessly doing the same seems wrong.

Granted, this isn't to say everyone acts in such a petty manner, hence my opening statements, but there you have it.

ps - by the way, I'm crushed. Crushed, I tell you, that you only gave me an average rating. Truly, my morning has now been ruined. ;)

Well I-V, that's kind of the point isn't it? If they're so useless, why bother even having them at all? The fact that you or I aren't bothered by someone ranking us is neither here nor there. Things that create pointless contention ought to have no place in the game. Like GMC said - we frown on flamers and folks invading threads just to be snotty. Providing them with an anonymous way of wordlessly doing the same seems wrong.

Granted, this isn't to say everyone acts in such a petty manner, hence my opening statements, but there you have it.

ps - by the way, I'm crushed. Crushed, I tell you, that you only gave me an average rating. Truly, my morning has now been ruined. ;)

Problem is that in all likelihood, it would have to be a complete forum-wide change. Meaning the rest of Jolt is affected as well.

What Myrth said, looking at the other Jolt Forums they appear to have ratings too. I'm all in favour of anything that doesen't cause forum issues.

I'm sorry I ruined your morning, I didn't realize that anyone cared that much about my opinion? ;)

I agree that the rating of threads has become an open door to "back-channel flame", as I shall dub it. I would love to see it go away in NS, but I wonder if (as Myrth noted) it would have to be forum-wide, which would negatively effect the broad world of Jolt (including many places where ratings are helpful).

So, my vote is: yes, if possible.
Even if this isn't actually a democracy.

Since a removal of ratings isn't going to happen, I thought I'd just throw in my opinion on how I deal with the situation.

Typically, I only rate threads of merit, usually between Technical, The United Nations, and VERY, VERY rarely General.

Otherwise, I just ignore it; I typically only go for threads which titles intrigue me in the role-playing forums and in General.

The only way I rate in the forums is when I participate in a thread -- my presence should indicate my interest level, and what I write, what I think of the topic at hand.

;) For ratings to mean anything, I'd have to 1) know who gave what rate and 2) give a rat's behind about the particular poster's point of view.


So, I don't consider the ratings in the least.

BTW, Nathi, I give you a ten.

*ducks*

BTW, Nathi, I give you a ten.

*ducks*

lol. :D I love moderators with a sense of humor!

*tears up, grinning joyfully.*

You love me, you really love me!

:-D

Just to add my voice to it, I'm sure I speak for many of the sports RPers that we'd like to see it gone, it isnt nice to put so much work into the RPing and actually running whole tournaments only to see it being rated a 1.

Do away with it, Jolt.

PS I used to mod on another vB forum, I think it is possible to set it such that ratings are on for some forums, but not all. Not sure though.

EDIT: Oh, and I gave this thread a 4.

Just to add my voice to it, I'm sure I speak for many of the sports RPers that we'd like to see it gone, it isnt nice to put so much work into the RPing and actually running whole tournaments only to see it being rad a 1.

Do away with it, Jolt.

PS I used to mod on another vB forum, I think it is possible to set it such that ratings are for some forum, but not all. Not sure though.

EDIT: Oh, and I gave this thread a 4.

I have mixed feelings. I do use the ratings, but I do so based on what I feel the effort of work is involved. This is a judgement, but there is one judge for every player in the game. :/

I don't feel the ratings have changed much, but I was disheartened a bit when some UN posts and resolutions I worked on for some time would score under your OMG COMMUNISTS posts.

I've been giving sports RP threads 5 to cancel out those idiots.

Scrappy-dappy-do.

I just find the hordes of yellow and black stars irritating.

'You' don't think a thread I'm posting in is worth 5 Stars? Fine, tough titty, I don't need to know about it, or see it in front of me.

I now change my vote from 'willfully unconcerned about ratings and stars' to 'Let's keep the stars! They give me a warm fuzzy feeling of acceptance'

Like most americans I don't care until it affects me , and I have just had it brought to my attention that my narrative thread (viewed here: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=352395) has been rated with FOUR stars. That's one more star than three and just one short of five .

I feel that this rating means that I am finally accepted by the NS community, they LIKE me! They REALLY LIKE me!

Of course should my rating drop then I will take the opposite position and ask for the removal of the rating system!

Or, this could be just sarcasm. I am so sarcastic so often that even I can't tell anymore ;)

lets let this thread rest in peace :)