Reputation - Should both sides be treated equally?

[Richie]

This has been argued allot in the past but this time I thought I'd make it a little different and add a poll. I'm curious to know if I'm the only one who has a strong opinion about this. This could blow up in my face but at the same time this isn't about me, I will however, always hold the same strong opinion.


Two of the main arguments for not allowing -rep to be treated as fairly as +Rep:


If they allow the public to see when another user gets -rep users would jump on the wagon and -rep the same person pointlessly. If that's the case then why allow the public to see +rep? in a sense its contradicting. If that point is valid then wouldn't people feel more inclined to jump onto the wagon and +rep people pointlessly? not to mention it's against the rep rules. I don't find that entirely fair.




They don't want the forum to look negative. I suppose this is a fair point but at the same time you need to allow the rep system to be balanced otherwise it's pointless. This makes me think of those fake people in reality who claim they're happy all the time when honestly that isn't very sane, everyone gets upset at some stage in their life.




I'm not bringing this up just to be an annoyance. I've always made comments in other feedback threads that weren't exactly related to this topic which at times I got in trouble for, for going off topic (I'm sure oli can quote me on this because I'm always the one arguing to him about it).


My point is the rep system should be balanced. If you don't want the public to see a post that receives -rep you shouldn't allow them to see who got +rep either. It's only fair.



Should the rep system be balanced out? Why / Why not?

[Chippiewill]

If they allow the public to see when another user gets -rep users would jump on the wagon and -rep the same person pointlessly. If that's the case then why allow the public to see +rep? in a sense its contradicting. If that point is valid then wouldn't people feel more inclined to jump onto the wagon and +rep people pointlessly? not to mention it's against the rep rules. I don't find that entirely fair.

If it's +rep then it'll prompt/remind people that they can +rep, if it's -rep then it can become group bullying.

[Conservative,]

If it's +rep then it'll prompt/remind people that they can +rep, if it's -rep then it can become group bullying.

This basically. Although you can ask for -rep to be removed, if someone -reps with a valid point and then a load of their mates -rep for the same point (although they're just following the crowd) it turns into group bullying and I suspect a lot of users would leave.

[Recursion]

I think it's fine how it is now, what I dislike is the fact that they use reputation points as an incentive to enter competitions :/

[Samantha]

I think it's fine how it is now, what I dislike is the fact that they use reputation points as an incentive to enter competitions :/

I remember talking about Competition Prizes many moons ago, I feel using rep as prizes is better for people who don't use Habbo as they can swap the credits for rep.

However, I think rep should be treated equally in a sense, also why must you leave a comment on a -rep but not on a +rep?

I'd prefer knowing if I had received a -rep but yes people may jump on the band wagon.

[Aidenn]

Personally i see no need in both reps being displayed.

When rep is added it should be between the issuer and the reciever (not the whole forum which was another reason i believe the thread; 'Report Reputation' was turned into a private forum), Maybe forum management if it happens to be a -rep, or even +rep in that case.

But displaying when someone got '-rep' i think would be bizzare, as people have pretty much stated it may cause groups to -rep a certain individual, however i would hope that isnt the case, as it would be abusing the reputation system.

[Mr-Trainor]

When rep is added it should be between the issuer and the reciever (not the whole forum.

Could you not then say the same about +rep though?

[Red]

I don't even like the idea of seeing plus rep on the postbit but I think I would rather just have it as it is, without display negative reps.

[Catzsy]

I voted no mainly because it could cause a 'Lord of the Flies' effect and the reputation bar is to show positive achievement. It's negative and It would be a bit like allowing other members to see the wanrings and infractions of other users. I don't feel the forum should highlight anything negative against the member.

[Hecktix]

However, I think rep should be treated equally in a sense, also why must you leave a comment on a -rep but not on a +rep?

You do have to, all +rep has to be valid and if when Forum Management check a -rep you report the T&C clearly state that they can remove any pointless +reps, people wouldn't report those now would they ;)

[lairy]

You do have to, all +rep has to be valid and if when Forum Management check a -rep you report the T&C clearly state that they can remove any pointless +reps, people wouldn't report those now would they ;)

Which is why you can wrongly or rightly -rep certain people knowing for sure they won't report it in fear of losing all their pointless +rep. Didn't Joe (Alkaz) lose like 1000 rep points or something?

[Inseriousity.]

I think it's fine how it is now, what I dislike is the fact that they use reputation points as an incentive to enter competitions :/

I think there's a lot of myth surrounding rep in competitions. If the rep given out is diluted down enough (ie shared between so many people) then it becomes worthless.

For example, in March 2011, the person who got the highest amount of rep given out by the Competitions Department got a 17% share of the total amount of rep given out that month. That means the other 83% is shared between everyone else, bearing in mind that it has to always remain lower than 17. And if you're wondering why I have these figures, I'm not sad, I didn't do it for fun, I've already had this argument :P

It's often said in the spam forum that "it'd be easier for me to rep you" but I don't really see that as a bad thing tbh. As long as managers are sensible, I see no problem with giving out rep in competitions. :)

edit: as for the actual topic of the thread, I don't think we should treat them equally. I always think we should promote the use of +rep as much as possible but also allow the option to -rep if needed. The current system helps keep that balance (not perfect maybe that's up to debate).

[FlyingJesus]

I'd suggest that -rep ought to be displayed in the same way +rep currently is on the post itself, certainly. To suggest that it would encourage group bullying is daft as it would only be actual "bullying" if it was all pointless rep with reasons that have nothing to do with the post itself, and if people really want to attack someone they can do it without a counter on each post.

As a compromise (and one that's been mentioned before plenty of times) there ought to at least be a negative effect on any +reps that a post shows if the same post is -repped by others, as currently there are cases of posts being +repped by a few and -repped or disputed heavily by a number of people, yet it will still be displayed as something that people like - essentially showing that we as a community have ideals and viewpoints that aren't actually shared by the vast majority

[Eoin247]

I agree with Fj. Last time this was discussed i asked for this. Unless it's impossible to implement it ''technically'', then i see no reason why not to introduce it.