The thread rating feature...

[Maddy McCall]

Does anyone really take it seriously? Are you rating threads?

IMHO, the feature gives people with vendettas against other DUers (and freeptrolls) an avenue to lash out anonymously. I wish the mods would do away with it. Any value it has, even in LBN or GDF, is lost when the rating of DUers who rate judiciously can be corrupted by some twirp who votes just for payback value.

What do I think about ratings on my thread? I'll take anything from a 1 to a 5, simply because the person who rated it took the time to give a damn, for whatever reason.

So, are you rating threads? If so, why? If not, why not?

[Rick Myers]

1. I guess it could be a handy tool

But I'm not using it yet... Maybe as we get used to the new system...

[Wonk]

2. If more people used it more often

then it'd tend to reflect the quality of the threads better (whether it's a "must read" or a "don't bother") which is what it's for, instead of reflecting any personal vendettas. If more DUers use it on a regular basis it'd also make any attempt to freep ratings less productive.

At least that's how I see it.

[Maddy McCall]

True...freepers and vindictive people will eventually get tired

of using it...Look at this thread...already rated by 6 or 7 people.

It was first rated a 1, then had a 4 rating, then a 2.16, then a 2.33, and now it is down to a 2. That is so funny to me! Like I said, whether people are voting judiciously or not, I am glad I moved them enough just to click on the little "Rate IT" bar.

Thanks for your input, Wonk.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. It might work, but I don't like it.

I greatly dislike the idea of ratings for threads. First of all, the only people who should be rating the threads are the people who read them. However, a low thread rating based on personal animousity or freeping might turn people away (and if it doesn't, what use is it?). That curbs participation and "accurate ratings."If everyone used the rating system, it would be a fairly good sample, but not everyone reads every thread.

If the threads were for personal use, people would be able to rate and view threads according to their desires. However, the public rating is nonsense.

[rbnyc]

4. I think it's great for...

...GD flame-fests. Just rate it a 1 and get out. Eases temptation to contribute to the nonsense.

:)

[Maeve]

5. Yes, in part to counter jerks

If I see a thread with a 1 and it doesn't deserve it, I rate it higher than I might have...a single idjit pretending he's Simon from "American Idol" shouldn't be taken seriously and if the rating immediately goes to a 3, I know that's all it was.

Wonk is right--the more of us who use it, the better a system it becomes (and the less power the jerks have to pull anyone's chain!)

[youngred]

6. I'm not

because I'm basically too lazy and its a waste of perusal time to rate something.

[RememberJohn]

7. It is being used as a control item...

...sad to see liberals doing that.

For example, the thread: Is it wrong to have a one night stand?

Someone rated it "1" Did it offend someone's morality here?

[Wonk]

8. Well, if you think that's a great thread to have on DU then rate it a 5.

Seems pretty democratic (lower case d) to me. :shrug: