First of all: Please don't get me wrong, I don't want this to sound like if I couldn't take any negative opinions about myself or my posts - I certainly can!

What I sometimes think, though, is that it might be helpful to give a reason when using the dislike button, because I think that this button can imply a lot, but doesn't specify at all:

-) Is it something I said, that made someone else dislike my post?

-) Is how I phrased it?

-) Is it because someone doesn't make a difference between dislike and disagree?

-) Is it something completely different?

I mean, I always feel somewhat disappointed when reading a post that got voted down (or, for that matter, receiving a downvote myself, but not because of the negative vote itself - as said above, I can very well live with that), but not knowing why. I think the rating system could be a great instrument for learning, what "behavior" is accepted/tolerated, and where the borderline between "good" and "bad" is. (I know that one difficulty of this, however, lies in personal taste and mood, as well as a possible language issue, which may make something sound entirely different than it was meant). However, in most cases people simply dislike a post, but do not respond to it in any way, so it's close to impossible to actually find out what the reason for the "dislike" is.

I don't know about how the rating systme actually works, how much resources it needs etc, but I would find it cool - particularly in order to learn from own mistakes or from those others have made - to know a reason. My idea would be a little "questionaire" one has to fill out when clicking the dislike button. This could include a few options one has to choose in order to be able to vote, e.g. "I don't like what the poster said", "I don't like how he said it", "Other (Please specify)" with a little box to leave some explanatory note.

 

I do not find this specification necessary for any other voting option, as it is pretty clear with the other options anyway: "Agree" and "Like" show that one has done everything right already, "Disagree" simply shows that others are not of the opinion expressed in the post.

Again, note that the reason I bring this up is that I would like to find out what is "wrong" with a post - I am mature enough to not need this kind of approval, but I always try to learn from criticism, and I would appreciate it very much if such a valuable and distinguishing voting system could be extended for "educational purposes".

 

Kind regards,

Flo

After using the system for some time I find the 'Disagree' button perfectly fine for quick reference and use.  If I choose this option I usually explain in a simple post in the thread.  If the answer is black and white a quick disagree is better than a long explanation.  Most people explain themselves if asked and one can either raise the question in the thread or send a PM to the member who disagreed.   

 

The only thing I could see as an option to address your issue is before the system let's you choose the option you are forced to explain why you disliked the post which is a little 'nanny state' in implementation when a person could simply ask a member what about their post they disagreed with.

I'm against all Karma systems because of this.

 

In my opinion, a Karma system only promotes the "politically correct" and the "main stream" thinking and opinions, it prevents people from speaking their minds when they know others will disagree with them. The fact is, without disagreement, what's the sense of a debate then?

 

Also, people who simply hit the "dislike" button are cowards. Why don't they quote the message they don't agree with and expose their reasons? That way we all win. Hitting a "dislike" button and then hiding like a little girl behind mommy's legs, that's what a Karma system promotes.

 

And don't tell me we have to protect ourselves from trolls and the-like, that's the moderator's job.

I'm against all Karma systems because of this.

 

In my opinion, a Karma system only promotes the "politically correct" and the "main stream" thinking and opinions, it prevents people from speaking their minds when they know others will disagree with them. The fact is, without disagreement, what's the sense of a debate then?

 

Also, people who simply hit the "dislike" button are cowards. Why don't they quote the message they don't agree with and expose their reasons? That way we all win. Hitting a "dislike" button and then hiding like a little girl behind mommy's legs, that's what a Karma system promotes.

 

And don't tell me we have to protect ourselves from trolls and the-like, that's the moderator's job.

 

 

I disagree.  The best example I can give is using this system in the screenshot forum.  A simple 'Like' vote goes along way in cutting down on the endless stream of 'Oooh those are cool shots Man' posts.  As far as politically correct I'm the furthest person from that class and happen to like the system.  I can post a comment about how crappy FSX is and get 20 down votes which let's me know in an instance most are not with me on the subject.  People who don't usually comment but are reading through a thread can quickly comment by a vote and move on.  Last but not least a quick scan of a thread can show the more useful comments being posted that's gotten peoples attention which makes scanning a thread that much more efficient.  Most that don't like the system don't like to see their point of view highly disliked to a point it's obvious.  A system like this means you can't bloviate thinking everyone is on your side as you can clearly see that's not the case.  It's embarrassing for some to see their comments are highly unfavorable.  To me it's a self regulating mechanism as many will back down from off the wall commenting when they see their on the loosing end of the debate.  This is better than a topic getting banned or covert reporting of the thread to the Admin Staff and the offending user never see's how publically wrong they were.  As a person who should hate this system I actually like it as it helps me form my posts as to FS9/FSX and P3D as I can better see where people are at.

Also, people who simply hit the "dislike" button are cowards. Why don't they quote the message they don't agree with and expose their reasons? That way we all win. Hitting a "dislike" button and then hiding like a little girl behind mommy's legs, that's what a Karma system promote

 

Dislike and disagree are the only two ratings I don't use.  If I dislike someone's post or disagree with them, I'll simply reply with words instead of using the ratings. Many times though I just won't reply.  I still like the old system better where you could give someone a like/reputation point and nothing else.

I still like the old system better where you could give someone a like/reputation point and nothing else.

 

 

But that's private and personal.  If I go by that I'm the most liked person since Barack Obama in 2008.  Post by post voting is good and it self regulates the discussion.

 

After using the system for some time I find the 'Disagree' button perfectly fine for quick reference and use.

That's exactly my thought - when it comes to a "yes or no" thing, it's cool to have butons to simply express your opinion on a post, be it the same or the opposite, and at the end of the day, this may save a lot of posts saying only that. Same for the "Like" button, as your screenshots example - I guess at least 300 of my posts are nothing more than saying cool shots, but since everyone can see who has voted, I hardly comment on screenshots anymore!

As for the PMing part, that is an idea I also had , but I have the feeling that those who hide behind the voting system (and in many cases don't even contribute to that thread) are not really mature enough to understand why someone might want to know a reason for the negative vote - they rather have a "Don't be such a baby, quit crying!" attitude, otherwise they would participate in the discussion, risking some negative comments or votes themselves.

In my opinion, there should be only positive votes, Like and Agree (and the rest). I totally agree with Alpha Floor, many will just hit the Dislike button without explaining why they did so because they are too scared to explain themselves. I've noticed a few individuals who just keep downvoting my posts but never explain why they did so (and it's always the same people).

 

If not removing both negative votes, at least remove the Dislike button. Everyone but the cowards will benefit.

As for the PMing part, that is an idea I also had , but I have the feeling that those who hide behind the voting system (and in many cases don't even contribute to that thread) are not really mature enough to understand why someone might want to know a reason for the negative vote - they rather have a "Don't be such a baby, quit crying!" attitude, otherwise they would participate in the discussion, risking some negative comments or votes themselves.

 

 

I've always PM'd people and gotten a response.  Most just don't feel like explaining the obvious.  An example would be "I hate P3D because it's like FSX".   We all know at this point P3D is not FSX especially after v2.2.  A simple dislike is all I have time for and if someone wants to know something further they can PM me.

In my opinion, there should be only positive votes, Like and Agree (and the rest). I totally agree with Alpha Floor, many will just hit the Dislike button without explaining why they did so because they are too scared to explain themselves. I've noticed a few individuals who just keep downvoting my posts but never explain why they did so (and it's always the same people).

 

If not removing both negative votes, at least remove the Dislike button. Everyone but the cowards will benefit.

 

 

Happy Happy Jolly world is not the way to go.  Having 'Agree' and 'Like' as the only options is not the real world that's totalitarianism.  Deal with a down vote and move on.  That's the problem with the world today people want everyone to agree with them with no opposition.  

Happy Happy Jolly world is not the way to go.  Having 'Agree' and 'Like' as the only options is not the real world that's totalitarianism.  Deal with a down vote and move on.  That's the problem with the world today people want everyone to agree with them with no opposition.  

 

I didn't say that I want everyone to agree with me. I agree with what FloG said in the original post, but I think that what he said applies to the Disagree vote too.

I didn't say that I want everyone to agree with me. I agree with what FloG said in the original post, but I think that what he said applies to the Disagree vote too.

 

 

With only two vote options (Agree and Like) what do you think your saying?  If someone disagrees with you why do you demand a reason?  PM the person in question and move on...

With only two vote options (Agree and Like) what do you think your saying?  If someone disagrees with you why do you demand a reason?  PM the person in question and move on...

 

Why wouldn't you want a reason if someone disagrees with you? You don't really have to explain anything if you agree with someone.

Why wouldn't you want a reason if someone disagrees with you? You don't really have to explain anything if you agree with someone.

 

 

People disagree with me all the time, I got sick of worrying about it.  Only if your not used to disagreements is this a problem for you.  It really depends on the subject and like I keep saying you can simply ask someone unless your afraid of the response.

 

 

like I keep saying you can simply ask someone unless your afraid of the response.

I guess people are a lot more mature here, then. I have had some similar issues a few years ago somewhere else, where people would only laugh at me when I asked them for their reasons - that's what made me stop, so in some way I was in fact afraid of the response. But you're comments here are so reassuring that I will try this here again. Thanks a lot, Dillon!

I haven't ever gotten a dislike or disagree that I didn't completely understand.

 

Hard for me to believe that it's really that much of a mystery for some of you.

 

____

 

A Dislike is something I use when I don't outright disagree with a post, but it is just worded/phrased in a way that is needlessly over the top, inflammatory, etc., for no good reason other than to incite a reaction.

 

Calling people cowards for not explaining their vote reasoning is an excellent example.

 

I am never going to be in any danger of Member of the Month, don't get me wrong, and I admit to not having a whole lot of patience with certain types of posting style, but even I have gotten exponentially more positive votes than negative. Not that it matters really, but I just can't see the problem with it.