Alternative Member Ranking System

[willmtaylor]

Obviously there are ranks according to sheer number of posts on MR, but what if, instead of simply basing rank on number, rank was either/also based on "helpfulness/thoughtfulness" votes?

Perhaps this could be a secondary/alternative ranking system or simply incorporated into the current one.

Just a thought as there are so many helpful people who are willing to go above & beyond, and conversely there are people who just leech to stir up controversy. I'm not proposing a downvote or anything of the like, however; just a way to recognize/reward those who routinely assist others.

Just a thought,
WMT

 

[Comeagain?]

How would we measure/record someones "Helpfulness"?

 

[willmtaylor]

Perhaps a similar way to the upvote, but it would be tallied, so as one gets helpful/insightful votes, their rank/status would increase; thus (hopefully) encouraging more helpful responses.

 

[MacDawg]

A "reputation" system has been proposed several times here on MR, but has never gained much traction

 

[willmtaylor]

A "reputation" system has been proposed several times here on MR, but has never gained much traction

That's a shame, as I think those who genuinely seek to improve the forum ought to be recognized, while so many posts don't really add much to the discussion. As someone who routinely seeks out advice on the forums, it would also be an easier way to recognize who is giving more legit advice (in the eyes of others, of course) and who is not.

 

[MacNut]

That's a shame, as I think those who genuinely seek to improve the forum ought to be recognized, while so many posts don't really add much to the discussion. As someone who routinely seeks out advice on the forums, it would also be an easier way to recognize who is giving more legit advice (in the eyes of others, of course) and who is not.

With so much noise on this site now the best solution would be to start a spin off site that justs provides help.

 

[MacDawg]

That's a shame, as I think those who genuinely seek to improve the forum ought to be recognized, while so many posts don't really add much to the discussion. As someone who routinely seeks out advice on the forums, it would also be an easier way to recognize who is giving more legit advice (in the eyes of others, of course) and who is not.

It is a very subjective measurement and creates a lot of opportunity for abuse (as seen in the up vote/down vote scenarios)

Unfortunately, one man's champion is another man's troll and it becomes a meaningless popularity contest between factions

There isn't a consensus on the board about anything, operating systems, phone screen sizes, matte or glossy, etc. so there would certainly not be any valuable consensus on who is helpful and who is not

*This is my opinion only and not an official stance of MR

 

[annk]

That's a shame, as I think those who genuinely seek to improve the forum ought to be recognized, while so many posts don't really add much to the discussion. As someone who routinely seeks out advice on the forums, it would also be an easier way to recognize who is giving more legit advice (in the eyes of others, of course) and who is not.

I think this actually happens, just in a more organic way. I'm guessing that if you followed a specific forum for a while, reading threads, you'd start to notice which members often give good advice.

I know I developed a feeling for which members I felt were contributing the most useful info during my first year or so.

 

[willmtaylor]

I think this actually happens, just in a more organic way. I'm guessing that if you followed a specific forum for a while, reading threads, you'd start to notice which members often give good advice.

I know I developed a feeling for which members I felt were contributing the most useful info during my first year or so.

I completely agree, I just thought it could be a faster and more efficient way of seeing whether there was (at least the distinct possibility of) merit to someone's advice, than searching through their entire post history.

Oh well.