[ScottGem]

I like the Comments feature very much. I propose the following guidelines for using the Comments feature.

Positive comments should be given under the following circumstances:
1) From the asker as a thank you
2) From other members to ratify the factual correctness of an answer
3) From other members to agree with the opinions expressed

Negative comments should be given under the following circumstances:
1) From another member when an answer is FACTUALLY wrong
2) From the asker if the advice turned out to be wrong

Negative comments should NOT be given when:
1) there is a difference of opinion not of fact
2) when a response has been added to the thread disagreeing with the opinion

These are the guidelines I follow when I use the comments feature. Opinions anyone?

Scott<>

Note: The operators of this site have agreed with and approved the guidelines so they are now official.

[Elisha Grey]

What's going on here. I say Curlyben's reply wasn't helpful and Scottgem takes out after me like a dog after a bone. Does anyone ekse out there think that my saying it wasn't helpful was like a slap in the face? If we're not supposed to be honest what's the use of these "rate this reply" line?

[Skell]

The comments function should be used when something is factually wrong. And what Curlyben said wasnt factually wrong. It was correct! Just because it may not have been the answer that you were looking for does not mean it wasnt helpful. Perhaps it is a lesson for you to completely explain yourself in your initial post as to exactly what you are asking and your prior knowledge so people dont give you 'unhelpful' answer.

To say Curlybens advice was unhelpful is as snotty nose as anything he has said to you.

I think it is just a bit of a misunderstanding as to how the comment feature works here. Stick around and you'll understand better. It isnt the first time it has happened and it wont be the last.

The disagree / unhelpful comment feature is usually reserved for factually wrong advice in topic areas such as your question, or downright dangerous and unhealthy posts in areas such as relationships, marriage, personal health etc.

An answer such as Curlybens response to your question wouldnt be what is considered unhelpful or factually wrong!

[Elisha Grey]

Then the "rate this reply" is completely meaningless except for dire circumstances.

The question it asks then should not be "was this reply helpful?" but "was this reply correct?", which of course is unanswerable by someone seeking a solution.

Good grief! What a lot of todo over such a minor matter!

[Skell]

No its not! You can thank someone for their helpful reply.

it is much easier and better for all if we are positive and open to people posts as opposed to negative, which seems to be your only attitude.

Never mind! Continue to argue!

[Elisha Grey]

"It is much easier and better for all if we are positive and open to people posts." Ah, yes.

And now I really am finished with this exchange.

[labman]

Ideally every thread would start with a complete question with all the details. Then an experienced, trained person would give an answer that solved the problem. Here in the real world, AMHD provides one of the best setups for give and take on complex problems. On some of the tougher questions, one expert can build on another's post until the problem is solved. The rate this answer pops up in every post except in the discussion forums like this that are mostly opinion, not fact. Other than the psychic forum, the rest of us are not mind readers. And sometimes experts forget to give details the OP needs.

[Morganite]

Originally Posted by Cgirl

I suppose I am guilty of this I guess I didn't understand the comments feature. I do feel that this website is about opinions, that is what it is made up of, and I am not here to make anyone else feel badly about theirs, even if it is different than my own. I think that thread you gave an example of where people (like myself) are doing this is a good example. I guess that is just such a sensitive subject for everyone and sometimes emotions get the best of us. For that I do apologise. I do agree, you should only give negative comments if the person's facts are wrong, not if it is just your opinion that they're wrong. Then you can put that in an answer, not a comment. Thanks for clarification, everyone.
Cgirl>humbled

Some 'facts' are mere opinions. In such circumstances it is impossinle to be certain that one's opinion is correct. However, I do not feel that that circumstance ought not to prevent a person from expressing an opinion or disagreeing with an answer posted.

When experts disagree, then watch out, but just because someone disagrees with an answer I give does not make them bad people and I do not feel that getting negative comments - even toe-curling slams from certain, parties and their sycophantic cliques - does me any personal harm. I am grown up and see dissent one very hand on almost all of life's important questions.

The cup iof human knowledge is far from being dfull, and on some matters opinions are all that are available. And, because each person's experience is different, then discrete opinions on the same subject must be counted as valid even when they disagree with out pet theories.

So, CGirl, my advice to you is not to let anyone cow you, or treat you as an inferior. None of us were bnorn knowing anything, and learning is a continuum, and diverse opinions are welcomed by the open minded because they add to the debate.

Had I time and space here I would list some of the important leaps forward in human progress that have been taken by earnest and insightful people even when the whole weight of academic and scientific opinion militated against them. In the face of ridicule, demotion, and loss of social standing they persisted and made the world a better place for us to live in.

Wars have been fought to guarantee individuals the right to hold wrong opinions. Do not lightly give up that right, nor flee the field and leave it to the enemy.

You go, Cgirl!



MRGANITE

[Emland]

I didn't notice that the radio button got switched to "disagree" on a post I agreed with. Is there anyway to undo that?

[Curlyben]

Emland, Nope once posted its done