The Karma System - trial phase

Yeah, same here..i got -25 for voicing my opinion...While i still haven't received any good karma for helping anyone.

There you go!!

I hate to say this, but maybe the Karma system isn`t such a good idea after all?

It seems it`s causing disruption and discontent amongst our membership and that`s not what it was designed to do.

I admit, I thought it was a good idea and deserved to be given a shot. However, judging by some of the complaints, some of which are quite valid in my opinion, maybe it`s time for a rethink?

I fully expected there`d be some teething problems, but nothing like this. Techspot did seem to function quite well without the Karma system.

Please note: This entirely my own opinion and doesn`t reflect Techspot policy in any way, shape or form.

Regards Howard

I totally agree Howard. How long has this site been going, like 10 years if you count the old site? Its really not that big a deal to me. I havent complained about it all I think. But I know of at least one good member of this site that it played a part in him leaving.

Keep it, or drop it....makes no difference what TS does to me.

A new twist in the drama develops! Who knows what will happen next.

Only Julio knows. I think the karma system is good. Especially now that the red block is gone.

Amen, wolfram.

I do think, however, that there should be no Karma in Introduce yourself and The Meeting 'spot', especially seeing how people are getting bad ratings in this thread. Perhaps some of the other forums, like Site Feedback & Suggestions, should have Karma turned off as well.

Karma system seems to be down right now (10:13 PM EST)...

Perhaps it should stay that way. Most people are complaining about it

I dont see where this rating is, I'm lost!

here's my 2¢...

the idea behind implementing the Karma system was very good, because post count alone does not indicate post quality or a member's know-how. I do believe that this forum needs some form of merit system to reward members who consistently give well thought-out, fully explained, good advice (as opposed to useless one-liner responses, or personal opinions stated-as-fact responses).

one major problem with the karma system is that only members with good/high karma are allowed to give karma; but for the most part, they are not the ones asking questions. new members ask most of the questions and need the most help. if you take time to help a new member figure out their problem, there is no way for them to give you positive karma as a "thank you" for helping them.

another issue is that the majority of negative karma seems to come from the non-technical forums. these forums have nothing to do with a members "technical credibility". but people are being penalized for stating their opinion on social issues, etc. karma should be disabled in those forums (and to be honest, I don't think post count should increase from posting in those forums either )

instead of a karma system, I think the forum should have a "thank you" system instead. when you have helped solve a problem, you can be "thanked" for your time and effort. in this type of system, there is only positive response, not bitter negatives. the colored blocks can still be used to reflect the number of "thank you's" a member has received.

just my 2¢... cheers :wave:

what a relief....

Well said, indeed, KingCody.

Nice, Julio. After thinking about it, I did agree with Howard's post earlier in this thread. Can you give more details about the "Thank You" system, Julio?

Julio, why not just 'KISS' the Karma thing - allow the original poster in a Tech problem thread to thank someone, no negative at all. Sure, not all problem solver/shelpers will be thanked, but enough probably will to get a flavor for who is helping (after all, it is the helping that counts isn't it?).

Well, I realised that I've posted in alot of threads in the Overclocking, Cooling and Modding section, and many of them mentioned that I was a great help.

But when I checked my Karma, nobody had bothered to give me any good karma.

I'm not complaining about it, I am not worried about my "virtual points". Or post count. I'm here because I have an interest in computers, and I get my help, and I help others.

But I'm bringing it up to show that its not used well enough. Idealistically, every post should be commented on, and given karma points. But here we are at the very opposite of the extreme, where karma points aren't awarded at all. In fact, if you checked my history, I've got a whole bunch of karma points for my overclocking guide at the start, and from there, its all from this part of the forum. A whole bunch of negatives, then a positive when I mention that people have been giving me negatives.

Obviously not being used as intended.



I reckon that a "thank you" thing should be good, where your points can only go up. And it should be VERY VERY obvious. www.overclock.net seems to have a good system, where it is immediately apparent whose posts are highly regarded, and how to "thank" the guy who helped you. A small green block is easily missed. the thumbs helped abit I assume, but if you didn't know there was a karma system in place, you wouldn't have any idea you should be rating someone's posts.

lol just read this post today, had to reply to your quote, yeah that's true, but usually the people that feel that way are the less popular! IMO you're kinda harsh in responses sometimes. I know we all would rather teach a man to fish than to fish for him, but not everyone that comes here wants to build computers, they are just looking for a quick answer and in the time you post your very same three lines...Did you read the FAQ, did you read the guides, etc etc, you could just as easily state what you know, because more than likely I think in terms of knowledge base on this site, you may be in the top 90 percentile. I saw that you didnt like your red line when the karma scores were being implimented. Did you ever thing that someone voted not in favor of your score because you seem to post something other than your favorite 3 lines only when its a non technical issue(it seems that way) such as this thread.

When I first came to this site I didnt know much. I asked a simple question about sound cards, You had the first response. I almost didnt return to this site again, until MetalX helped me. Sometimes my friend people just want help, not directions to where to get help

Well I guess it depends on what we consider advise, I dont consider sending people to other places way more than actually giving people helpful knowledge "advise" too much. I think the short time this was implemented it did show who is helpful. Its not for you to determine if you have been helpful. Its up to the person that's getting the help to decide how helpful you were. If you didnt like your rating for the short time that you had it and you want to complain you should try giving advise rather than redirecting people. If you're a good submarine sandwich maker and I ask you to make me one "please" dont send me to freaking subway.