What do you make of the INGO reputation system?

[Fenway]

I'm curious to get members thoughts on the INGO reputation system. When the board first started it was a nice way to say thanks for a great post. It is still used in that manner by many but unfortunately these days it is also widely abused.

Discuss

 

[Clay]

I could take it, or leave it. I rarely use it unless someone really helped me out, or had a really good post.

Ordinary posts wont get anything from me, and I dont think Ive ever given out a neg rep.

 

[eldirector]

I like it. Let's me know if I'm contributing in a way that folks like. Also lets me see who the big contributors are. Much better than looking at post count.

How is is being abused? The "I'll rep you if you rep me" love-fests are about all I've heard of.

 

[esrice]

It, along with post count, used to be a somewhat effective way to get a feel for someone's online persona. Not perfect, mind you, but it gave you something to go on, especially when using the classifieds.

Its still a quick and easy way to drop someone a quick note like "excellent idea" or "thanks for your answer", but its been so widely perverted that the system as a whole no longer stands for anything.

 

[MarkM]

Some people still use it for good reasons and some do abuse. I will admit that I am guilty of it a little bit. But I still do use it to let people know when they give good advice or good info. But I could take it or leave it.

 

[VUPDblue]

This is the only forum I've ever been on that utilizes it. When it (the rep system) is pure, it is a useful tool. When it gets perverted by rep whores, it is meaningless. I'd rather see the Ebay-style feedback add-on that I know VBulletin is capable of using be put to use here instead of the reputation system.

 

[Eddie]

Positive rep isn't all that meaningful. It is a nice way to say thanks or good post but I don't think it gets used for that. Negative rep is more useful. If someone is being offensive enough for folks to neg rep then I like to know about it.

What about just re-setting the rep and making it harder to rep the same person over and over again?

 

[MTC]

While reading the FAQ before joining, it struck me as frivolous and unnecessary, possibly open to abuse or mischief.
Made a personal rule to never give neg rep, since IMO it stifles free speech.
Use it often to say thank you to a poster for extremely useful and educational posts, or for articulating strongly held beliefs I was having trouble expressing in writing.

 

[snapping turtle]

W
Made a personal rule to never give neg rep, since IMO it stifles free speech.

Me to I have never given out neg rep.

 

[Vince49]

This is the only forum I've ever been on that utilizes it. When it (the rep system) is pure, it is a useful tool. When it gets perverted by rep whores, it is meaningless. I'd rather see the Ebay-style feedback add-on that I know VBulletin is capable of using be put to use here instead of the reputation system.

This.

 

[shawkpilot]

If you give 2 bunnies and unicorns about being neg repped...

You might be an INGOer.


Did this have anything to do with the start of this thread? Apparently, I am one of those guys who takes every chance I can to complain about this site, yet logs on every chance I get. Some of the mods could use a break.


Just saying......

 

[Lobo]

I frequent a number of other sites, both gun-related and non-gun, and this is the only one that has the "rep" system. Personally, I think it's kind of silly and unnecessary, not really serving a purpose other than to make it easy to attack somebody "behind the scenes," instead of posting an idea in the forum. I kinda laughed when I saw the term "rep whore."

 

[ATF Consumer]

Means absolutely nothing, but some take it so darn personal...it's funny, like as if you personally punched them or something.

 

[bwframe]

Sore subject with me. I have never cared for the "popularity" system.

 

[jlm223]

I have wondered about this don't know so I will ask, can you see other persons User CP? who posted the Rep? do members Rep them selves? will they go blind? " I have never done this buy the way." Thanks in advance.

 

[snapping turtle]

Does anyone have anything but a reputation beyond repute.

 

[caddywhompus]

I like it. Let's me know if I'm contributing in a way that folks like. Also lets me see who the big contributors are. Much better than looking at post count.

I'll second this. I find it useful and it's part of the INGO culture. Is it necessary? Probably not. Are their other things out their working better or worse? Sure. The only thing I would say about changing things like the rep system and group buys etc., is that care needs to be taken to avoid changes which would drastically effect the culture of the site, which is what brought most of us here in the first place. I'm not saying either of those changes would damage it, just throwing it out their to be considered.

 

[360]

There is no equality to it. Some members can give more powerful rep than others.
Rep is rep. A point is a point. It should count the same no matter who reps who.

You take it away, and you have essentially created a dress code at INGO where everyone wears the same outfit when they come in.

It likely means nothing to the members who spend the most time here, but it might be useful for new members when they have posts that are replied to. Then again, maybe not.

Do what you will.

 

[johnb62]

I'll second this. I find it useful and it's part of the INGO culture. Is it necessary? Probably not. Are their other things out their working better or worse? Sure. The only thing I would say about changing things like the rep system and group buys etc., is that care needs to be taken to avoid changes which would drastically effect the culture of the site, which is what brought most of us here in the first place. I'm not saying either of those changes would damage it, just throwing it out their to be considered.

+1. It is a part of the INGO culture. Does it get some abuse? Sure it does. It also adds some fun to the daily interactions and probably keeps people coming back. INGO is about the only gun forum I now spend any appreciable time on. I say keep it!

 

[RelicHound]

I could take it or leave it...its nothing more than a game anymore.