Reputation Points.

[eJM]

Originally Posted by pam

Life is too darn short to spend worrying about rep points on an internet chat forum, in my opinion. We need to be outside, in the fresh air, riding our Segways.

In one respect, we're definitely a microcosm of the macrocosm. Just as in real life, if you're concerned about accruing negative rep points, then I would suggest that you treat the other forum members with civility and review your posts before you post.

Pam

The Internet, and community forums in particular, are advanced and important communications mediums. It's difficult to have respect for those who treat message boards with little more regard than the cartoons on TV the kids watch after school when they should be outside playing. It's even more disconcerting when it's an administrator of a popular forum with that attitude.

SegwayChat.com is important in that it provides many of us with information regarding the safe and efficient operation of our Segways. It helps to bring people of varying socio-economic backgrounds and widely ranging geographical regions together. It gives a great many people common ground to stand on and offers them the ability to reach more people than they could otherwise to share their expertise, guidance and friendship.

It's an unfortunate fact that some people will abuse the reputation system. It hardly bothers the staff because few people complain to them about it and their own reputation is artificially higher than just about anyone else. But to say in one sentence that reputation doesn't mean anything (or very little) and in another sentence say you will allow the abuses to continue and members should walk on egg shells to avoid any appearance of controversy to anyone in particular, is less than appreciative of the gravity of this to those who hold Segway Chat at a higher value than you do.

My experience tells me that one or more people will regard my opinion and demeanor as deserving of bad reputation points. It may also illicit the comment, "if you don't like it here, find another forum (or build your own, etc.)." I am sorry if my personal opinions rile others, but I have them to share. On my own forums, I do not hold myself above reproach and have been "called on the carpet" more than once (those who know I have a flooring forum can snicker if you got 'em). So, I usually say what's on my mind and try not to have a reason to apologize (although I have been known to have to grovel before - I'm not exempt).

Jim

[Desert_Seg]

As with anything in life, the reputation point system will be barely used by some, used properly by many, and possibly abused by a few. Nothing will change this.

If you got a negative rep point....and you did nothing wrong, why should you care? Yes, it might bother you that somebody didn't like what you posted but that is their right. And if they don't want to post their name, that is, again, their right.

Let's not get too caught up in this and, therefore, not worry about a negative remark or two.

Steven

[KSagal]

For me this was not about reputations.

I have said, I lable all my entries...

I have said, I don't believe a differing opinion is a reason for a bad reputation. A deception is. I don't recall giving any negative points, but maybe I have. If I did, I must have thought they were justified at the time, but, again, I include my name in the posts...

What this is about is fairness. You have to sign in to post on this forum, and if you say something, almost anything, someone will hold you to account.

If you do the same thing in the reputation area, you can do it without any accountablility...

For a moderator, who tells us exactly who left her rep points, the exact knowledge we are asking for ourselves, that it is unimportant is to miss the point... Then to tell us that the unfairness does not matter, while demonstrating that she is not subject to that unfairness shows a disconnect.

I note that John Grohol does not have the max rep points. If he says they do not matter, I believe him, as he can max his points and did not. IF Pam or Sal says the same thing, they may mean it just as much, but they are displaying a different rule for themselves than for the rest of us... IF the rep points really don't mean anything, why did we get an analysis of the ones left here or there?

For me, I really don't care what shallow people say. I don't care if a person is so petty as to flame and run. But double standards annoy me, and cheap shots do too...

THe consensus is very clear here, from every person who does not have the ability to manipulate their own points, the points of others, and to have a 1000% advantage to start... This whole situation smells of the people saying they have no bread... And the moderators here telling us to eat cake... Well, guess what? You guys only allow yourselves the keys to the cake box...

All I suggested was fairness. I still think it makes the most sense.

You still will be the only ones with the keys to the cake box. You still will have the ultimate control. The only thing that will change, is that if someone flames and runs, we will know who. Just like you do now. Of course we will not be able to do anything about it, that will still be reserved for the moderators...

[Sal]

John and Pam have stated their opinions regarding the matter, as have I.

I think for the time being, this matter is closed: the reputation points will stay as they have been.

Thank you.