Turning Off Reputation Stars Or Reviewing Members?
By DCLehnsherr
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
August 30, 2009 5:21am CST
Sorry about the mass of text. I think this could probably be turned into two separate topics but they are linked and I don't want to spam the board so I have put them together in a monster new discussion, apologies :)
I have just recently gained the star next to my name, and while the ratings I have so far had are good, I find that I have grown to dislike seeing it. Having it there is almost an invitation calling stress to me. I mean I really do care about what people think of me, so when I got the 10 rating yesterday I really go worried. I mean I was happy it was there as it meant something I had done caused someone to like me, but at the same time I see it almost as a magnet screaming 'rate me negatively and get rid of this 10!' So when the rating went back down again today I was both sad and a little relieved as I knew it would happen.
But I don't want to do this all the time I post something. There is almost a pressure from it to make sure that everything is 'perfect' and somehow is free of anything that could offend people, and then there is that unknowing factor. 'Why was I rated highly, why was I rated lowly, how can I maintain it?' things like that just stress me out and I think could really hamper my time here.
But this did set me to wondering, what if I could know why someone rated me down or up, I think that I would like that. I mean I know it has a Pandora's box aspect to it because as soon as you allow people to review members you are asking for trouble, especially since I would want it to be anonymous as I don't think people would be honest otherwise! But I think it could be watched enough to ensure that members never abused the system, and that there would be tough penalties if they did.
I would just like to be able to know that my star went down. Like whether it was because someone didn't like the way I spoke, or perhaps it was because the way I commented was naff (which is why I think it went down). I don't know how much I would change what I do in accordance with those lines, but I would like to know on some level as the not knowing is the killer!
Ideally though I think I would remove the reputation star, or hide it in the profile where I don't have to see it each time I do something, but where other members can look if they are curious!
So yea: [I]If you had the chance to either turn off your reputation star (the star next to your name after 100 posts) or move it into the profile instead would you?
And if you chose to keep it would you want to have a review system so that you could find out why someone had rated your highly or lowly, or do you think that would only have negative repercussions in the long run?
And maybe, did you feel like this when you first got your star rating?[/I]
Many thanks for the responses and listening to my paranoid ramblings :)
Dranz
2 people like this
7 responses
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
30 Aug 09
Hello, Dranz. The ratng system was recently adjusted because, although Mylot said it could never happen, some people were getting unfairly downgraded, because someone who took a dislike to them for some reason could do serious damage to their reputation by organising a group of others to give consistent negative rating. This is not just petty, it affects earnings, so after a campaign organised by some of the long established members, a change was brought in that new members had to reach a certain level before being allowed to rate. If Mike or Lamb are around this morning, I'm sure they'll tell you more about it.
I don't think this goes far enough. Several of us think that you should only be able to rate discussions you have been active in. As it stands now, if I decided I didn't like you, I could go to your profile, find your activity and negatively rate every post you made. If I was really annoyed with you, I could get my friends to do the same, and your star would plummet. This couldn't happen if I was only allowed to rate you on discussions I'd taken part in.
As for reviewing, I did suggest once that people should have to provide a reason for their ratings, as it's also possible to give someone an undeserved top rating using the system I just described. Wiser people than me pointed out that this would put people off rating, as it would take too long.
Personally, I think the ideal solution would be that the star is hidden from everyone but the member concerned. You would still have your interest rankings, which would reassure people that you know what you're talking about - or not, as the case may be - but mischief makers would not be able to see the result of their activity and would probably stop.
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
30 Aug 09
Hi Sandra & Mike,
I caught a little bit about that vendetta that members used to have against some in a discussion I came across before, though I wasn't aware that it caused a campaign to get things changed afterwards. I look forward to hearing more about that later. In fact the more I find out about the part of mylot, the more I want to hear even more lol!
I do like your idea that people could only rate the discussions they were active in. I had forgotten that they could go and rate everything down (though that does sound like an awful lot of effort to go to), it just seem really illogical that which I guess is why I forgot all about it lol!
I toyed with the idea of having to give a reason for ratings but decided it would be to much effort, especially with the + ratings, I would be constantly going 'liked their response' or something lol. That was why I adapted it to reviews because they are more in depth about a person, so if someone finds something I do annoying then they have a chance to tell me maybe, especially if they are responsible for the change of a star rating lol!
Many many thanks for your response. I feel I always learn something now when you are around :)
Dranz
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
1 Sep 09
Thanks for putting me right on that, Lamb. You're probably too modest to say it, but it's you we have to thank for that. Our own walking Mylot encyclopaedia and knight in shining armour, all rolled into one Lamb!
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Hello my wonderful friend 
HMMMM, so it went down, I can't see it this is my first response for the day, maybe this is something mylot does considering we both had the 10 for the same length of time, I don't know makes me wonder, I think its a good thing having this start next to our name, when I first lost mine I was felling self concious like now I am really being watched, after reading your post I think we think too much, we put too much emphasis on things, although I agree with you I see myself in the post so much its not funny, we read into everything wonder why this why that, yes I would like to know what happened to the darn star then I will know what happened to mine but maybe others don't see it this way, I don't want you to feel like you don't want to be here because of this, 
its weird because its like what the heck do you say to someone with your exact thoughts only difference I got over it and did not share my feelings about the matter, you will as well, I am sure you will get the ten again, just continue to post the exact way you have posted you will have it back I am sure, I really think since you lost yours that this is something that has to do with mylot, I really do.
No worries my friend, have a good day, what time are going out today?
HMMMM, so it went down, I can't see it this is my first response for the day, maybe this is something mylot does considering we both had the 10 for the same length of time, I don't know makes me wonder, I think its a good thing having this start next to our name, when I first lost mine I was felling self concious like now I am really being watched, after reading your post I think we think too much, we put too much emphasis on things, although I agree with you I see myself in the post so much its not funny, we read into everything wonder why this why that, yes I would like to know what happened to the darn star then I will know what happened to mine but maybe others don't see it this way, I don't want you to feel like you don't want to be here because of this,
its weird because its like what the heck do you say to someone with your exact thoughts only difference I got over it and did not share my feelings about the matter, you will as well, I am sure you will get the ten again, just continue to post the exact way you have posted you will have it back I am sure, I really think since you lost yours that this is something that has to do with mylot, I really do.
No worries my friend, have a good day, what time are going out today?1 person likes this
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
31 Aug 09
Hello mike
No I was blue like 3 or 4 days ago it came just as fast as it left just like our friend that started the discussion, this is why I thought mylot had something to do with it, any way I am down to 92 how do you get this number?
I will get it back I am sure,
next time I will keep it.
No I was blue like 3 or 4 days ago it came just as fast as it left just like our friend that started the discussion, this is why I thought mylot had something to do with it, any way I am down to 92 how do you get this number?
I will get it back I am sure, next time I will keep it.@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
1 Sep 09
Hi Kitty,
It appears that we both have our stars back now, though I wonder how long that will last lol. Actually I am curious too as to whether we will lose them at the same time again, that could be interesting and would soften the blow maybe in the sense that we can lament their losses together. That said I do hope you get to keep yours though, it really does suit you :)
Mike I hope you get a 10 star sometime you really deserve to have one!!
All the best both of you :)
Dranz
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
31 Aug 09
To be honest, the ratings star is, to me, a curiosity. I have been a '9' for a long time (and many of my friends say that that is iniquitous and that I should be a '10' or an '11', even ... well, it's nice to have friends who think a lot of one! 
It doesn't, honestly, bother me a lot. Sometimes I can be outspoken, especially when people are making silly a$$es of themselves ... and, in the immortal words of Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones in 'Dad's Army', "They don't like it up 'em!" ... so I guess I have lost credit ratings for that on occasion. I tend to say what I believe at the time (and occasionally regret it) and let people think what they want.
I have my own rating (which has for a long time resided at a '9' or around 87/100) and other people have theirs. I tend to wonder about their reputation (and will sometimes look at their profile for confirmation) if they are around a '5' or lower but mostly I see star ratings less than '10' as being people, like myself, who can be outspoken at times and may not be altogether popular with some elements here. I think that's their problem, not mine!
It doesn't, honestly, bother me a lot. Sometimes I can be outspoken, especially when people are making silly a$$es of themselves ... and, in the immortal words of Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones in 'Dad's Army', "They don't like it up 'em!" ... so I guess I have lost credit ratings for that on occasion. I tend to say what I believe at the time (and occasionally regret it) and let people think what they want.
I have my own rating (which has for a long time resided at a '9' or around 87/100) and other people have theirs. I tend to wonder about their reputation (and will sometimes look at their profile for confirmation) if they are around a '5' or lower but mostly I see star ratings less than '10' as being people, like myself, who can be outspoken at times and may not be altogether popular with some elements here. I think that's their problem, not mine!1 person likes this
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
31 Aug 09
It's also MyLot's problem that I am not allowed to use a common and biblical term to describe donkeys and need to resort to 'alternative' spelling!
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
2 Sep 09
You crease me, Lamb! I notice that you had to insert a '/' between the two words 
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
1 Sep 09
Hi Owlwings,
Wow you do have nice friends who recommend the 11 star rating. You have helped me a lot since I have been here so I do agree with you deserving a 10 star. I really like how you explained why you don't have one. It does seem to be a theme that the members who speak their minds don't have 10 stars, no mater how amazingly helpful they may otherwise be. When I lose this one again (I am sure I shall) I will remember what you said about 9 stars being people who speak their mind. I tend to do it (albeit in a guarded way) which is probably what cost me the star last time, but now I won't care so much the next time round lol.
Many thanks for the response (and especially the comment which I found oddly hilarious lol)
Dranz
@prashanthalva (2272)
• India
31 Aug 09
Even I Faced A Similar Problem When My Rating Was A 9 Star .. I Commented On Some Political Discussion And My Rating Just Fell Down .. My Advice to you is 'Stay Away From Discussions which Have a War Going on' .. I Mean to Say avoid Discussions Where There Is A Conflict In the Opinions Of the Thread Starter And The Responders .. I Think I Am Clear .. Thanks .
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
1 Sep 09
Hi prashanthalva,
Don't worry about that, I hate conflict so if I get a whiff of such things from a topic I stay away (that and I know nothing about politics so won't stay into that section I don't think lol).
Thanks for the advice and the response though :)
Dranz
@WindWhisked (147)
• United States
31 Aug 09
Congratulations on the star, and I agree that I would feel a little self-conscious about it as well. I honestly don't know how to rate people but I can see why you're appreciated - because you have well-thought out discussions and appeal with your honesty about topics other people have overlooked. :) I hope that you feel better about it over time or MyLot changes their ways!
1 person likes this
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
1 Sep 09
Hi WindWhisked (fantastic name),
You rate people using the +-! thing you see near their responses and comments. The + is for when you like that they have said and/or found it helpful. The - is for when you think the response is, I think, against the rules and maybe completely unrelated to your topics, I am not sure about that though the FAQ will mention more. The ! is for comments/responses that go against the mylot rules and are harassing and it reports the post to the mylot moderators so they can deal with it. I haven't had to use that yet and hope neither of us ever will :)
Many thanks for your lovely response and I hope that when you get the star you don't feel self conscious about it (yours will appear when you hit the 100 mark). I am learning to ignore mine now so hopefully the change in status won't bother me too much. At least I know what to expect now if nothing else lol!
All the best :)
Dranz
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
To be honest, i didn't care either during my old days as the green eagle. but after some negative thoughts and impact due to my non-stop rambling rambling that may have hurt some users, i decided that it was a mistake because the star resembles what people think of you. you can't turn it off or see the people who rates you because it's part of mylot secrecy as our name and real profile is a secrecy. gotta get used to it and keep having the reputation there. don't make comments or discussions that will insult the other. the blue star is worth reputtion to keep. so, take care of it. have a great day1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
the only possible people that can hurt your star is either a troll or a loose cannon mylotter. for now, you're doing fine. so, don't be afraid. unfortunately, you wouldn't really know if some one is offended...some prefer to keep it to themselves..
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
30 Aug 09
Hey Letran,
How do you know what is going to offend people though? I mean since I joined I have been really careful (I thought) about not being offensive or controversial and I definitely haven't tried to insult people! I hate conflict so avoid it like the plague, but despite that the rating still went back down again lol!
I do understand why the star is there, and the purpose it serves, but I would like to know why someone thinks something about me is offensive/controversial or something else. I wouldn't ever want to know names, I made a mention of anonymity in the content because otherwise people wouldn't bother reviewing, I know I wouldn't! But sometimes it just seems like it would be nice to know what I did to someone to annoy them so much to make sure I avoid it in the future.
Oh well, I guess this is something I will learn to zone out after more reputation changes!
Thanks for the response,
Dranz :)
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
30 Aug 09
Hi Letran,
I keep hearing mentions of these troll members, are they ones that deliberately go around marking people down, or are they something else?
Dranz
1 person likes this
@shantha_45 (332)
• India
31 Aug 09
Hello after going through your feelings regarding
the stars and the pressure due it I feel it is similar
to the circumstances where we reach a certain level in life
and we struggle to maintain that. But I have not yet got a star.
Still I simply do not bother either. I go through the
discussions and respond only if feel it is nice.
That is what we write and feel very good may not be felt in
the same way by someone else.
So dont bother. Simply enjoy your time in mylot participating
in discussions.That is what I am doing
Happy mylotting
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
1 Sep 09
Hi Shantha,
I think I am learning now to just take the changes in my stride. I am one of those people who is easily effected by small things and has a tendency to over react. After some time away, and after reading the responses of wonderful members like yourself, I have learnt to just not care. So though seeing the star go down again probably won't be easy, I am not going to let it drive me away :)
I want to thank your for your kind words, and now that you have the star I hope it has not effected your time here :)
Dranz
