Karma has returned.

[Susan]

The new version of SMF fixes the issues I had installing modules on the forums. Thus the karma description mod is working once more. As such I have re-enabled Karma on the forums. Karma should be given to reward helpful posts, great topics, and posts which contribute to the topic at hand. Negative smites should not be used unless a post clearly violates the rules, policies of the site, or the spirit of our community. All karma is reviewed, and karma which was given for inappropriate reasons will be removed.  Inappropriate smites will result in penalties being given.

[Barbara Ann]

I just finished posting a question about this before I read your announcement, Susan. When the server came back up, it seems that many members had high karma counts, while some, like me, have none (sniff,sniff)? How were these beginning counts determined. Just curious-
-Barb

[Susan]

I just finished posting a question about this before I read your announcement, Susan. When the server came back up, it seems that many members had high karma counts, while some, like me, have none (sniff,sniff)? How were these beginning counts determined. Just curious-
-Barb

Karma was enabled for years before a bug in either Php 5.2 or the forum software stopped me from being able to install certain addon modules which allow me to prevent abuse of the system. We try to keep the karma/reputation system a positive thing instead of allowing it to become a tool of character assassination.  As such I disabled the karma option until the problem was fixed, which was today. So once the problem was resolved I re-enabled it. People who had positive karma before it was disabled kept it, people who registered after karma was disabled have not been given any yet, but it will come. Just make good posts and the community will give you the recognition you deserve!

[Laura Eva B]

I hate the concept    !!!!

So we all try to be popular to get some "belonging" brownie points.

Sounds so much like the school and workplace cliques I have always so much hated ! And the snobbery and judgmentalism that goes with them  .

So some posters become "better than others"   ?

Big brother giving us popularity gradings  !

Horrid idea, really really really horrid idea ....

Please lets all be equals in our worth until we're judged in the minds of others. But not a forum mark (aka. school grade for being a good girl).  Please ?

Laura x

[Susan]

I prefer you don't try to get karma. I perfer it be given to you by other users spontaneously. That being said anything that encourages people to write better posts, I am all for.

The karma system is a part of these forums and will remain so.

[rhonda13000]

.

[Barbara Ann]

Thanks, Susan, for your prompt reply. I appreciate the explanation.
Barb-

[Susan]

Let me put it in a way you two can understand. This site's reputation is a feedback system. If you get applauded people feel you are doing something right, if you get smited you are doing something wrong. Reputation is here to stay. If you seriously have a problem with it then it might be time for you to look for another forum that better serves your needs. If you stay with that attitude you will have lots of smites in your future. If you get smited enough and you don't change the course you are on, you may end up losing your access to this site.

Have a nice day.

Thanks, Susan, for your prompt reply. I appreciate the explanation.
Barb-

You are most welcome Barbara Ann.

[NatalieC]

Let me put it in a way you two can understand. This site's reputation is a feedback system. If you get applauded people feel you are doing something right, if you get smited you are doing something wrong. Reputation is here to stay. If you seriously have a problem with it then it might be time for you to look for another forum that better serves your needs. If you stay with that attitude you will have lots of smites in your future. If you get smited enough and you don't change the course you are on, you may end up losing your access to this site.

Hey Susan! I like this karma system it seems appropriate enough. I was just wondering though!?! If you get enough applauds do you get rewarded? Or is there just punishment for having too many smites?

[rhonda13000]

Let me put it in a way you two can understand. This site's reputation is a feedback system. If you get applauded people feel you are doing something right, if you get smited you are doing something wrong. Reputation is here to stay. If you seriously have a problem with it then it might be time for you to look for another forum that better serves your needs. If you stay with that attitude you will have lots of smites in your future. If you get smited enough and you don't change the course you are on, you may end up losing your access to this site.

Have a nice day.

Thanks, Susan, for your prompt reply. I appreciate the explanation.
Barb-

You are most welcome Barbara Ann.

Ahhhhh, so these are subjectively based upon the whim of the 'smiter'. Hypothetically then, if your posts are indeed of merit but people just don't like you, they can 'smite you into oblivion' and banishment.

I have far more grievous things to worry about.

[Susan]

You didn't read my initial post on this topic did you?

...Karma should be given to reward helpful posts, great topics, and posts which contribute to the topic at hand. Negative smites should not be used unless a post clearly violates the rules, policies of the site, or the spirit of our community. All karma is reviewed, and karma which was given for inappropriate reasons will be removed.  Inappropriate smites will result in penalties being given.

We are very strict on abuse of the reputation system. I have removed people's ability to give reputation forever for abuse in the past.

[tinkerbell]

Thank you for re-installing it, Susan.

tink

[Susan]

Hey Susan! I like this karma system it seems appropriate enough. I was just wondering though!?! If you get enough applauds do you get rewarded? Or is there just punishment for having too many smites?

No rewards persay, just the good feeling that you can get from knowning that the community values your contributions. I also may give reptuation some consideration when hiring new staff members. But it's not a deciding factor by far.

[rhonda13000]

You didn't read my initial post on this topic did you?

...Karma should be given to reward helpful posts, great topics, and posts which contribute to the topic at hand. Negative smites should not be used unless a post clearly violates the rules, policies of the site, or the spirit of our community. All karma is reviewed, and karma which was given for inappropriate reasons will be removed.  Inappropriate smites will result in penalties being given.

We are very strict on abuse of the reputation system. I have removed people's ability to give reputation forever for abuse in the past.

You have demonstrated that you are an honorable woman with integrity.

And in that knowledge I find reassurance.

[Kimberly]

So some posters become "better than others"   ?

The way I see it is if this methodology is used by someone and karma is not available then post counts will be used for such determinations. I.e. Karma is not the concept at fault.

This said, I have never much cared for the concept on a poster basis but do like it on a post basis but ^*shrug* all in all, ignore it exists and everything works just fine so we all end up happy

You have demonstrated that you are an honorable woman with integrity.

If she was not I would not be here ... A comment that you may find more meaningful than others here but of no less value.

But to expound on this for the sake of others.  Simply put, I TRUST Susan. I have found ALL of her dealings fair if perhaps humanly slanted at times. Simply put, she is a rather wonderful leader in this. To be blunt, you have nothing to fear unless you earn her wrath.

Just my thoughts... sand in the wind.

[rhonda13000]

Hey Susan! I like this karma system it seems appropriate enough. I was just wondering though!?! If you get enough applauds do you get rewarded? Or is there just punishment for having too many smites?

No rewards persay, just the good feeling that you can get from knowning that the community values your contributions. I also may give reptuation some consideration when hiring new staff members. But it's not a deciding factor by far.

Not even 'S & H Green Stamps" ?

Uhhhh, never mind; I'm going now.......


___________________________________________

Posted on: June 28, 2007, 01:47:11 AM

So some posters become "better than others"   ?

The way I see it is if this methodology is used by someone and karma is not available then post counts will be used for such determinations. I.e. Karma is not the concept at fault.

This said, I have never much cared for the concept on a poster basis but do like it on a post basis but ^*shrug* all in all, ignore it exists and everything works just fine so we all end up happy

You have demonstrated that you are an honorable woman with integrity.

If she was not I would not be here ... A comment that you may find more meaningful than others here but of no less value.

But to expound on this for the sake of others.  Simply put, I TRUST Susan. I have found ALL of her dealings fair if perhaps humanly slanted at times. Simply put, she is a rather wonderful leader in this. To be blunt, you have nothing to fear unless you earn her wrath.

Just my thoughts... sand in the wind.

Hmm.....the simplistically minded will equate or gauge quality on the basis of quantity in this instance, not that it means anything, given that such a notion is solely a function of puerile subjective interpretation of that which they possess no power to influence, but not so with a rating system which they do possess power to influence.

That system can be manipulated, for both the positive or the negative.

I think that I will go have some burnt popcorn; would you like some, Kimberly? 

[rhonda13000]

Hmm.....the simplistically minded will equate or gauge quality on the basis of quantity in this instance, not that it means anything, given that such a notion is solely a function of puerile subjective interpretation of that which they possess no power to influence, but not so with a rating system which they do possess power to influence.

Rhonda, can you translate please?

Susan, glad to see back in good working order. Karma, among other mods, is meant to be fun and is a very handy way to comment/compliment somebody with a very short note instead of extra post. Can you replace your arrows with my "thumbs" easily enough? (This is a test as requires postbit change)

Ever hear of "Tachy Goes to Coventry"? Standard on VBulletin. Very cruel indeed!

It's all just a conspiracy between Susan, the voices in my head and extraterrestrial sea slug like entities who wear dead flowers in their hair and who recently had their Volvos repossessed....

I think.

Permit me to consult my astrolologererer, before I commit to this explanation....or be committed.  >

[Lori]

the karma description mod is working once more. As such I have re-enabled Karma on the forums.

Oh snap!

[Barbara Ann]

I've thought about this karma thing overnight; and I really don't see where it would be a help in promoting the kind of exchange I have loved here at Susan's. We have counts of posts, staff titles, stars; and now we have a metric that gages our "reputation." I just wanted to have honest, transparent, compassionate exchanges here; and I have always strived to do just that. Now, in spite of my best intentions to carry through with genuine communication and yes, love, with my kindered sisters, I feel that any dialog from here forward will be tainted with a "reputation" marker; but no marker can quantify my heart-felt feelings for those of our group.
I have a suggestion that I feel will promote honest communication. Make it a requirement that all Susan's staff members post their own picture instead of a ficticious avatar. Let them lead by example. Also, you might want to consider zeroing out everyone's reputation - start out on equal footing, as it were. Let the past stay in the past.
My love goes out to all you girls who are transparent - it really comes through in your posts. They ring with truth and compassion. To me, that is the hallmark of a good woman - the kind I want to be. I'm sure that I will get a chance to meet some of you at events or in other forums. Many of you have become very dear to me.

Please withdraw my membership. Like Martin Luther said: "...since it is neither safe nor honourable to act against conscience."
-Barbara Ann

[BeverlyAnn]

I have a suggestion that I feel will promote honest communication. Make it a requirement that all Susan's staff members post their own picture instead of a ficticious avatar. Let them lead by example.

I have my actual pic on here, albeit one before I "found" some extra weight.  I have it here because, personally, I don't care what people know or think about me.  However, there are staff members here that, for a multitude of reasons such as personal life, job security, etc., cannot or will not post a pic that could be seen by the public in general.  To require a staff member to post an actual pic (and I think most of us do anyway) would be limiting the talent (not that I have any) available to Susan to help manage her site.

Beverly