Your Reputation System Feedback

[inzone]

I didn't say it as a solution to the problem but for now as a temporary solution until a better system is devised.

The whole purpose of separating threads between question and discussion is to have a person ask a question for a problem and receive a solution where the discussion is to have a group of members discuss and event or new technology , there usually are not answers in a discussion just statements.

We do need is to have threads set to question by default, I see countless threads in all sections as a discussion where the OP is asking for help with an issue or asking for advice on a component.

 

[jpishgar]

Threads are questions by default in subcategories where they should be. In more discussion-y areas, they are set automatically as discussions.

 

[mactronix]

@ jpishgar

Any comment on my first post in this thread ?

Mactronix

 

[jpishgar]

A form of recognition along the lines of a hammer is certainly doable, I would imagine.
What would be the requirements of such a thing? Let's hear your suggestions.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Maybe something like at least a year (maybe two) and a couple of hundred Best Answers? Or maybe 3+ level 3 badges or something, to show that you're a general all-rounder.

 

[manofchalk]

Maybe be in top 50 posters for 3 months, whether straight or not I'm not sure on.
You could even have tiers with that, Bronze for 3 months, Silver for 6, Gold for 9 and Platinum for 12.

 

[Reynod]

Some good ideas here ... keep it coming guys.

We like the constructive feedback.

 

[inzone]

Some of the conditions that signify a veteran member is how long they have been a registered member, what is their total number of best answers and badges. Sadly a high post count can be manipulated by somebody with a lot of time just sitting there giving short sentence or even a few worded posts. In a matter of 6 months they can rack up thousands of posts. So if you want to include the post count then it should be combined with the best answers in a percentage and a ratio of 8% to 10% of best answers to posts.

There is also something to be said for quality of posts where a member is recognized by his/her peers for providing quality answers even though they did not get selected for the solution, it's easy to see when someone posts an answer if they took the time to research the question or just typed what came to mind.
The thumbs up, thumbs down was a good feature that was added to every post.

 

[Saga Lout]

Does anyone who has a Sticky in, for example, Wireless Networking which has had over 70,000 reads get pushed up the ladder just a bit? 😀 😀

 

[manofchalk]

Those who contribute too or create stickies could get some kind of award (I think there is a badge?)
After all, the guys that are making the in-progress monitor guide (stickied in the Peripherals forum) I think deserve a bit of recognition 😀.

Also, not related to the topic at hand, what about a Meta-Sticky?
A sticky that is right on the overall forum hub, that references to all the other stickies and is organized by category. Slap a good title on it (The Tom's Knowledge Hub?) and I bet it would go some ways to fix the issue of people not reading stickies or not knowing there their entirely, leading to a reduction of simple as questions.

 

[ssddx]

i agree with having recognition based on..

-minimum post count.
-minimum best answers
-minimum length of time being a member

not sure about...

-number of badges.

dont like the idea of...

-needing to be in the top 50. i answer more than my fair share of posts yet i'm hardly ever in the top 50 since i answer alot of discussion threads which should be question threads and receive no credit. not saying i mind not being in the top 50 just that it doesnt affect recognition.

-ratio of best answers to posts. what about those posts where you post about 20 times or more in a discussion thread and get no best answer? while i'm within that range YMMV..

 

[Someone Somewhere]

You could fix the short posts issue using something like a minimum of 50chars to count.

I think any sort of overall award should require you to be good at a variety of things - you may be the expert on diagnosing USB issues, but know nothing about cooling a GPU.

Maybe best answers : question threads posted on?

 

[mactronix]

A form of recognition along the lines of a hammer is certainly doable, I would imagine.
What would be the requirements of such a thing? Let's hear your suggestions.

Some good Ideas however I would like to reiterate the purpose of the initial request.

Would it be possible to grant veteran users like myself some form of default recognition on our Avatars ?
Similar to the way you guys have the Toms Team Star ?
I just feel that people like myself deserve some special recognition that new posters simply can not achieve.

The bold is the important bit. So in this context being top for a number of months would be moot.
The only realistic way I can see this working (as its designed to recognize achievements in the old forum) would be to have it based on the old system.
My suggestion would be a Bronze hammer for any members who were Addict status on the old forum. Silver for Expert users and Gold for Master users.
Of course because its my suggestion I should get a Platinum Hammer and Joe should have a Platinum and Jewel encrusted one for being Community Manager 😀

Mactronix

 

[Someone Somewhere]

That doesn't work long term though(no one extra will ever gain it) - but I'd like to see it count the details from before the switch too.

 

[ssddx]

agree..... everyone should be able to get the status once they become a forum vet AND is routinely very helpful

 

[jpishgar]

So far, I'm hearing recommendations for metrics:

• Length of time
• Number of Best Answers total
• Number of posts
• Sticky count
• Status in previous forum version (currently indicated by Legacy badges)

Benefits:
• Exclusive forum category access
• Hammer icon

Any other reputation metrics or benefits?

 

[manofchalk]

Metrics
- Question threads posted in to BA ratio?
Would remove the issue of a high post count decimating the ratio, and wouldn't promote cut and run tactics in answering questions.

- Post count could work, but I think the posts themselves would have to be ranked in some way, so posts in certain sections are "worth" more than in other sections. Though the greatest difficulty with that would be figuring out a fair ranking, and making sure it isn't too unfair or beneficial to those who stick within certain niche's. Main idea behind this is so that the posters who predominately reside in say, "Beyond the Keyboard" forums don't end up with a badge that would imply deep tech knowledge.
Probably a terrible idea though 😛.

- Combinations of badges unlocking other badges.
Getting an "Expert" badge in each of the Hardware forums gets you a "Jack of all Trades" badge or something, with higher ranks of that.
Great chance to get some humour in the badge scheme as well, take Networking for example.
Expert - " A series of Tubes"
Authority - "More than a series of Tubes"
Master - "Far more than a series of Tubes"

Benefits
- Hammer Icon.

Spoiler

I can see why this would be good, but also how it can be quite bad depending on the requirement for it. If we do it as Mactronix is suggesting (I think, could be wrong) then having it based off the old forum ranks would be great... for us. It would exclude anyone who's joined the forum since and could lead to a perception that only the older members have any weight on these forums, especially if only we get this recognition.
We could have the old ranks take form as another Legacy badge, but so far as to have a permanent icon next to our names (similar to the Team stars) I think would be too much. It would imply far more than it actually represents, which effectively was a post count with the old forum.

For something like that a hammer next to our name, it would have to be big achievement not just based off numbers to earn that.

 

[Onus]

I like the idea of a "Jack of all trades" badge, based on the number of other badges held, and their ranks.
The other badges would account for requisite "Best Answers," and would not allow post count to interfere. Badges in non-technical areas would not count toward a JOT badge.

 

[ssddx]

just for shits and giggles..... is this the hammer icon everyone wants

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

haha.... a little big and gaudy though 😀

perhaps a giant GOLD hammer icon would be less gaudy (sarcasm)

no... not a gold MC hammer (more sarcasm)

-------------------------

realistically...

not sure sticky status or old forum badges should appy. the one is a rare occurance and the other is impossible for new users. we want this to be attainable for anyone provided they have the right experience.

perhaps this hammer can be a badge you can attain and will show up in the badge area and be the same size. this would be the easiest to implement.

a few ideas for powers

-change discussion thread to answer thread (perhaps with mod approval)
-link to flag a post for either sticky status or for moving to a different forum (which the mods would have to approve)
-ability to put text below our avatars. like manofchalk, someonesomewhere or jpishgar except have it be our own quote. like we used to have.

just enough power to be more usefull but not enough to cause problems.

 

[inzone]

In the old forum with regard to the Hammer there were actually levels and once the Hammer appeared next to your name it was a Brass one. As you acquired silver badges when you got 5 of them the Hammer then turned silver, when you got 5 gold badges the Hammer then turned Gold.
So there could be several levels with the Hammer if we went with that scenario and represent several levels of veteran status.
Start with a normal wooden hammer, then Brass, Silver, Gold and even one more with say a Diamond in the handle or at the top.

I may be beating a dead horse here as I have mentioned this several times now and this will be another opportunity to do so again. If we're talking about perks or benefits for veterans then the Best Answer or Solution selection would be another that can be considered for those veterans that have achieved a certain veteran status. I would be more comfortable with established veterans selecting a Best Answer then with someone that has 5 Best Answers.

If it can be done without too much trouble the percentage idea of Best Answer to posts can represent a veteran status. Someone who is getting a best answer every 10 to 15 posts is giving good quality answers consistently.

I like the idea of mastering a section and the hardware section badge could be Hardware Master, then you can have Software Master, Wireless Master and so on.

 

[rolli59]

You could fix the short posts issue using something like a minimum of 50chars to count.

I think any sort of overall award should require you to be good at a variety of things - you may be the expert on diagnosing USB issues, but know nothing about cooling a GPU.

Maybe best answers : question threads posted on?

According to the new system I have 2286 BA's.
Some are obtained by several postings/conversations with OP in the same thread, some from a single posting. I have even gotten best answers for answering Yes or No but those have been mostly a straight answer to a question from OP after several postings. When you get that kind of question where the only answer is yes or no is the reason not to put a character limit on posts. It would be even more annoying than have to put 3 words in a thread title.

Back to topic, currently the requirements to become a veteran is way to low, I have gotten more than 5 BA's in a day in the past. Member time, post count and BA's should all count in before that status is rewarded.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

I wasn't talking about best answers - just towards the post count. Still not sure it's a good idea though.

I think the "jack of all trades" idea would do well for the hammer badge - if it takes long enough to get, it's effectively a limit on time anyway. Plus you eradicate the issue of those who signed up years ago but never did anything seeming credible.

Is it possible to put back some of the features that were lost in the new forums before trying to add more stuff? Such as the ability to see other posts from the same person?

 

[mactronix]

That doesn't work long term though(no one extra will ever gain it) - but I'd like to see it count the details from before the switch too.

Yes that is the whole point of what I am asking for.
I am not suggesting no one else can ever gain any extra accreditation. I am asking for something specific for those who made certain achievements on the old forum system.
It was a lot and I mean a lot harder to gain reputation on the old system due to the way it was scored.
The new system allows for rapid growth of reputation based on posts (which we seem to agree can be gamed to some extent) and Best answers.
This ease of accumulation on the new system allows for a new poster to very quickly achieve the same counts as someone who has been at this for many many years using the old system.
All I am asking for is some one off recognition of that fact, Obviously to redress the balance it would necessitate that others couldn't gain the same award after the fact.

Mac

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Personally, I'd say it has to give equal ratings - i.e. 100 BAs before counts just as much as 100 BAs after. Otherwise, no one will get the prestigious badges.

My main recommendation is think what it will mean 5 years on. If we say that the Golden Hammer (or whatever) required 1000 BAs on the old system, then any new talent will be ignored. If we say 1500 BAs total, it would have a similar effect now, but much better in 5 years.

 

[Saga Lout]

I'm not trying to dampen anyone's spirits here but when new posters are looking to see if the person who just advised them has been around the block, would they know at that stage that not all hammers are gold?