As you have probably noticed, we have expanded the Reputation System to include the negative rating button again. If you are unfamiliar with this, at the bottom right of every post, you will find this:

 

 

• The GREEN UP button when clicked, will give a positive 1 point to the rating of the user's post.
• The RED DOWN button when clicked, will give a negative 1 point to the rating of the user's post.
• The action of the two are cumulative; that is, 4 positive up votes combined with 2 negative down votes will result in a net of 2 positive votes.
• All votes are tabulated in the User's profile.
• The Reputation System is used through out the AVSIM system. Galley owners, contributors to the Video Gallery, Comments to article, reviews and news items, all can be rated by the full membership here.
• You can only vote once. Once you have voted, the RED / GREEN arrow will disappear and you will not be allowed to vote on that topic or message again.
• Admins, moderators and senior staff cannot be voted on.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

 

We have brought this system back with the down vote enabled to more fairly rate the contributions of a user by his / her fellow members. One liner nonsensical responses, topic hijacking, off topic posts, mean spirited participation and so on, all are justifications for using the down vote.

 

However, we have also experienced "piling on" and "score keeping", agendas at play, competitive motives, etc. Administrators and moderators can see who has voted what. Abuse will result in removal of forum access if necessary, or complete removal of voting rights entirely. Use the voting function with common sense and without agenda. It is there to improve the quality of the forums, not to seek revenge, tit for tat petty differences, etc.

Thanks for bringing this system back.

One idea, though I really have no clue whether that is actually possible within the forum software: What about some feedback to the one who is voted up/down, so we can learn what actually is the reason for a vote? That could possible help avoiding useless/rude/whatever else unwanted behavior and further increase the helpful post.  E.g. just receiving a "-1" has IMHO no educational purpose for me, since I will not have any clue what I did wrong (unless it's obvious that I was offensive/rude), and hence can not change.

Abuse has started to spread with those topics the community likes to argue about: PMDG, P3D, and more.

 

The downvotes won't last long, as projected even by AVSIM staff members.

 

Currently I'm using my upvotes to compensate forum members affected by those abusive downvotes. Not exactly a zero-sum game, but it gets close ...

Since the downvotes were re-introduced, the whole voting system seems to have gotten a bit wild and speculative.  Case in point - I posted a very narrow question in the new, official P3D questions thread.  First, it got three downvotes.  Then, even more surprisingly, it got eight upvotes.  To me, the upvotes seem even less justified than the downvotes (honestly, it wasn't that exciting a question).  In the old system, with upvotes only, I don't think anyone would have bothered to vote.  It feels like members are running rampant and voting on everything in sight.  I can see that there might be value in a two-way voting system, but right now, I agree with Florian that there isn't much educational value here.

Abuse has started to spread with those topics the community likes to argue about: PMDG, P3D, and more.

 

 

 

The downvotes won't last long, as projected even by AVSIM staff members.

 

 

 

Currently I'm using my upvotes to compensate forum members affected by those abusive downvotes. Not exactly a zero-sum game, but it gets close ...

 

+1

The new voting system is only gonna make this forum even a more hostile enviroment. People downvote just for no reason and also take revenge with votes. My RP scale has gone up and down like a jojo the last 24 hours and it all started with one post that got me "enemies" and now it seems to get used even on posts I made that's not even offencive in any way. 

And I've seen alot of people voting down post because they clearly lack humor or don't sense irony...People is just to "trigger happy"

 

I was even tempted myself to take revenge(and admit I abused the "power" with 2 downvotes but stopped quickly because it's just childish), but retought and calmed down. I'm considering stop using the downvote at all, and do the same as Olli and upvote unfair downvotes....  Bottom line I personally think the downvoting system is ridicilous. -_-

 

And why are you staff members immune against the system? Why can't you take the "heat" like the rest of us?

Aerosoft has the same system but atleast we can downvote admins too. :huh:

I can't figure why there is voting either way. All a tad unnecessary in my book. :rolleyes:

Well expressed Ron, . . . . plus one from me.

 

Mel

Well expressed Ron, . . . . plus one from me.

 

Mel

Oh dear! You gave me a Brownie point! :lol: But thank you anyway. :biggrin:

 

 

I can't figure why there is voting either way. All a tad unnecessary in my book.

 

That could even be the best solution :rolleyes: I'll give you one more brownie

Satirical reality:

 

http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?/topic/67360-axe-forums/?p=479487

That could even be the best solution :rolleyes: I'll give you one more brownie

STOP IT! :mad:

 

 

:lol: (Just in case you think I'm really angry)

Give it a chance I say.

 

After a month or two the novelty may have worn off and people may be more constructive with their voting. Especially if Tom and the mods start smacking people for abusing the system.

 

If, after that time, people are still abusing the system then I'm sure the mods will get together and re-evaluate it's effectiveness.

Give it a chance I say.

 

After a month or two the novelty may have worn off and people may be more constructive with their voting. Especially if Tom and the mods start smacking people for abusing the system.

 

If, after that time, people are still abusing the system then I'm sure the mods will get together and re-evaluate it's effectiveness.

 

And indeed we will. For the time being, we are letting it stretch its legs, but abusers beware; we will do a full body smack down if we find anyone abusing it.

Not sure if this is a good idea... I have already seen some "vote down for nothing".  :unsure:

Not sure if this is a good idea... I have already seen some "vote down for nothing".  :unsure:

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence there Diego! Give it month or so, and we'll take it from there.