Hi,
This question is not whether you like the ratings system, but rather, how do you use it?

ScottGem and SESaskDFC use "disapproval" ratings, to show their concern over either a bad answer, incorrect answer, or their opinion on an answer.

I have observed that most members here at this site are very polite, and act in that manner. If they disagree with an answer, they do a post, stating why they disagree, not using a "disapproval" rating. Some of us even give an "approval" rating, using comments to say why we disagree.

In your opinion, which method do you prefer? Either the ScottGem and SESaskDFC method, or the other method?

I much rather prefer the polite method. Now there may be times where someone needs to disapprove me straight out. But to do it just because I have a different opinion than them is hogwash.

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Originally Posted by fredg

In your opinion, which method do you prefer? Either the ScottGem and SESaskDFC method, or the more polite method?

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The wording of your question somewhat leads the reader don't you think?
A Disapproval should indeed warn the asker of a bad answer that may lead the asker astray in his/her search for an answer. Of course it can be done politely. Differing opinions can be expressed as add-on posts to the thread. I also view a Disapproval rating as correct when the answer is immoral, unethical, or offensive.

Thank you for your comments.

This is difficult - once again it's a matter of opinion and everyone has their own way of doing things.

Ok I myself would like to think that if I am being out of order or wrong then people would point it out in a polite manner - but if they did use the rep system then I would not really be too bothered; because I am here to try and help people the best way I can with my experience not to win points or compete with others.

No one is obliged to take my advice or even like my advice - but if they do and it helps them, then it brings a smile to my face.

Thank you, NeedKarma, for your comments. Got the "pass around reputation..." when trying to give "approval".

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Originally Posted by fredg

ScottGem and SESaskDFC use "disapproval" ratings, to show their concern over either a bad answer, incorrect answer, or their opinion on an answer.

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I feel that is totally acceptable and how it should be.

Let's take some very basic examples shall we.

Example 1
Joe Bloggs has a problem and posts on the board.
Mr XYZ comes back and says "pour water into your PC to clean it out".
Mr ABC writes a post disagreeing.

Problem: Joe Bloggs could just read this one post and stop to go try it - ignoring further posts. If this happens well he's just gone and electrocuted himself and we have a possible murder on our hands.

Example 2
Joe Bloggs has a problem and posts on the board.
Mr XYZ comes back and says "pour water into your PC to clean it out".
Mr ABC writes a disagree comment, posting his suggestion in his own post.

This time Joe Bloggs can't help but seeing that the suggestion he was about to follow has been doubted.


Also, posts can get buried and lost at time. A person trying to disagree could be posting at the same time as 5 other people. His disagreement would get totally buried and might even not make sense with 5 posts in between it and the one it was answering.


So I say use dissaproval comments. They are a good idea. I'm sorry it takes down your reputation but that is an extremely useful guide for readers.


Also Fred, I'd like to turn this around. You sometimes post comments on threads that I wouldn't call agreement or disagreement comments. Posting "Thank you for you comments" is neither an aggrement or disagreement. You can say thanks but still disagree. At least Scott's comments are actual disagreements.

Guys this is really silly - no one wants to see world war 3 break out! Can we all not just live by the: agree to disagree rule.

Ignore H, I say...

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!

Just kidding. This "bickering" isn't that constructive.

I think the whole problem here is how (as Scott has mentioned in other posts) the rating system and the reputation system are linked. We should be able to disagree with a post but it would probably be best if it did not affect your reputation (although if this got implemented, what would affects your reputation?)

Silly, rabbits. Caint we all jest git along little doggie?

Hi,
An "approval" rating of "Thank you for your comments" means just that; thank you for taking the time to read all this, and add your comment!
Nothing more, nothing less.

Exactly my feelings. Well stated!

Very good points. A leading question indeed!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fredg

Hi,
This question is not whether you like the ratings system, but rather, how do you use it?

ScottGem and SESaskDFC use "disapproval" ratings, to show their concern over either a bad answer, incorrect answer, or their opinion on an answer.

I have observed that most members here at this site are very polite, and act in that manner. If they disagree with an answer, they do a post, stating why they disagree, not using a "disapproval" rating. Some of us even give an "approval" rating, using comments to say why we disagree.

In your opinion, which method do you prefer? Either the ScottGem and SESaskDFC method, or the more polite method?

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The one drawback to your post here is why are they mutually exclusive? Why is a disapproval rating automatically impolite? Following is the disapproval I gave you about the DMCA:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scottgem

ScottGem disagrees: You should read the links provided by others before you pass along erroneous info.

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Was this impolite? It may have been harsh but I don't think it impolite.

The real answer was provided by LT. The value of adding a rating is that it appears within the note itself. This way the asker can't miss it. Adding a note later on on the thread, might be missed by the asker. So your question should have been,

Which is better, adding a comment within the answer or adding a comment later in the thread?

I've already given my answer to that question. I dispute that using disapproval ratings is, by nature, impolite. I also resent the implication that I am not a polite person. Generally I post answers in response to someone's post. If their post was polite, I am polite in return. If they are rude, I may react rudely.

I agree. Something --> HERE <-- is easy to see, take in and take action on

Guys - you are both going round in circles - can you not just accept you both have different opinions (which are both entitled to) and perhaps accept there may be a bit of a personality clash here.

It's great to see you both standing up for what you believe in and it's also great to see that you both have different ideas - just remember that everyone is different and this what makes us all unique and so interesting. If we all shared the same views and were the same life would be so plain and boring.

It's all about compromise.

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Originally Posted by DJ 'H'

Guys - you are both going round in cicles - can you not just accept you both have different opinions (which are both entitled to) and perhaps accept there may be a bit of a personality clash here.

It's great to see you both standing up for what you believe in and it's also great to see that you both have different ideas - just remember that everyone is different and this what makes us all unique and so interesting. If we all shared the same views and were the same life would be so plain and boring.

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Great answer!!
You are absolutely right, we both are completely different personalities, with different views on most everything.
Your post is a great place to end this. Thank you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DJ 'H'

Guys - you are both going round in cicles - can you not just accept you both have different opinions (which are both entitled to) and perhaps accept there may be a bit of a personality clash here.

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Hi DJ,
Unfortunately this has been going on for several years now over several sites. There is clearly a personality clash here. But if it was just a personality clash it probably would have ended long ago.

I have always respected that other people can have different opinions. But I deal in the technical areas where there are right and wrong answers. If I post an incorrect answer, I want it corrected. To me its more important that the asker get the correct answer. I will thank the person making the correction (assuming it's a valid correction). However, when I have had to correct Fred's erroneous answers, I have been attacked and vilified for it by him. I don't want to dredge up the past again, but I would be willing to supply details privately if you are interested.

Scott<>

Hasn't this already been covered Here ?

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Originally Posted by fredg

"It's not what happens to me today; It's all in how I react to it"..... .

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Interesting signature quote. So what happened to you yesterday was I disapproved of an answer you posted. So how did you react? You looked for an answer of mine you could disagree with.

I'm just wondering what how you think that reflects on you.

I just want to reiterate that I have tried to end this several times. But that you always revive it by reacting badly to my correcting a mistake you make.

Scott<>

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Originally Posted by Curlyben

Hasn't this already been covered Here ??

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I think comments out in the open are a lot more legitimate, therefore preventing people from stating things like 'dumb', 'stupid' etc in the background without anyone else seeing it. This also tends to make people give a valid reason for their disapproval. Again, it's not what you way, but how you say it. And there will always be a few who have their differences, as in every family. Even siblings have their disputes without killing each other. As a matter of fact, I will honestly state that I did retaliate once towards one of labman's belligerent remarks and don't regret it at all - if you would have read it in the open you would have objected too, because I did state to violette at the time that I was no MAC expert but thought the basic idea of transferring/mailing from one email to another to transfer your favorites was the same. My gosh, I showed that I was a human and prone to err now and then.

I agree with you on this 100%

Yep, the ScottGem and SESaskDFC way is the way to do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fredg

Hi,
This question is not whether you like the ratings system, but rather, how do you use it?

ScottGem and SESaskDFC use "disapproval" ratings, to show their concern over either a bad answer, incorrect answer, or their opinion on an answer.

I have observed that most members here at this site are very polite, and act in that manner. If they disagree with an answer, they do a post, stating why they disagree, not using a "disapproval" rating. Some of us even give an "approval" rating, using comments to say why we disagree.

In your opinion, which method do you prefer? Either the ScottGem and SESaskDFC method, or the other method?

---

I agree with you, Fred. If one disagrees with another poster's comments, it is better to post their own reply and address the issues with which they disagree or send the poster a private message. I don't feel that it's necessary or very kind to just give a 'disapproval' rating when you disagree with something. The most active topics on this forum are also the most opinionated ones and touch on subjects that people are going to feel very strongly about. However, regardless of how strongly one may feel about a certain topic, someone is bound to have a different opinion and their's is just as valid for them as your's is for you. That's not to say that your's is right or wrong or that the other person's is right or wrong. Nor is it something to take personally when someone disagrees with you. The important thing is to disagree without being disagreeable and that's something that I feel very strongly about.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by s_cianci

I agree with you, Fred. If one disagrees with another poster's comments, it is better to post their own reply and address the issues with which they disagree or send the poster a private message. I don't feel that it's necessary or very kind to just give a 'disapproval' rating when you disagree with something. The most active topics on this forum are also the most opinionated ones and touch on subjects that people are going to feel very strongly about. However, regardless of how strongly one may feel about a certain topic, someone is bound to have a different opinion and their's is just as valid for them as your's is for you. That's not to say that your's is right or wrong or that the other person's is right or wrong. Nor is it something to take personally when someone disagrees with you. The important thing is to disagree without being disagreeable and that's something that I feel very strongly about.

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I'm afraid I have to disagree with you ;) Seriously, I do agree with you to a point. As you point out the most active topics are the ones where the topics are one of opinions. In many of those topics there is no right or wrong answer, just different approaches and opinions. In such a topic it would be wrong to give a disapproval rating. Such topics are really discussions and its better to offer your own views in another post.

But not every topic is like that. There are technical topics where there are black and white, right and wrong answers. In cases like that, its important to help the asker by letting them know right in the answer that the answer is bad. To make sure they don't follow erroneous advice.

Just as it would be wrong of me to apply this standard to opinion topics, it would be wrong to apply your standard to technical topics. The only time I disapprove of an answer is when the answer is clearly wrong from a technical standpoint. That's one of the reasons I objected to the retaliatory rating mentioned in another thread. While there might have been a better answer, the answer I gave wasn't wrong.

Scott<>

Yes, certainly when it comes to a technical topic there are definite right and wrong answers and if a well-meaning poster gives an erroneous answer in such a case then it should be corrected. In my own personal experience I haven't observed very many threads posted in those categories that would be considered technical with objective right and wrong answers. For some reason people who need advice on such topics don't use this forum very often ; I guess they use other forums such as Ask Jeeves.

I am sorry Chery, but I think your answer on the Macintosh is a classic example of somebody that knows so little about what she is talking about, that she has no business trying to give advice in that area. I have let slam after slam go by and I am sick of it. It that case, retaliating against me was pure troll. Didn't it occur to you there might be some reason why nobody else was giving that advice? Do you think you know more about computers than Fred, Scott, Need Karma, etc.

Do the rules on no personal attacks not apply to your continual attacks on me?

Hi,
Chery, you are absolutely right in saying something to the effect that "my answer may not be totally correct, but here is something to think about", or similar words.
Some take objection to posting ANYTHING in any category, unless the answer is complete, precise, correct, and "they" agree with it! Not going to happen! With the "agree with" it part. Some rarely agree with anything.

Fact is, the rules for this site does not specify what category one cannot post in. There is no "moderator choice" for anyone who wants to post. In other words, all posts or answers are not first "reviewed" for correctness by a moderator, then "released" to the general public. This does happen in some "private" groups or clubs at Yahoo, or many other sites, where public posting to the group is the moderator's choice. Review then realease.
So, anyone can post anything they wish in any category, as long as it follows the Forum Rules, and doesn't degrade someone, etc, etc.
There will definitely be those who continue posting replies, as that is the right of anyone who is a member here.
All of us are "prone to error". Some like to ridicule more than others.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by s_cianci

Yes, certainly when it comes to a technical topic there are definite right and wrong answers and if a well-meaning poster gives an erroneous answer in such a case then it should be corrected. In my own personal experience I haven't observed very many threads posted in those categories that would be considered technical with objective right and wrong answers. For some reason people who need advice on such topics don't use this forum very often ; I guess they use other forums such as Ask Jeeves.

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The Technology boards here are fairly active. I don't know much about other areas. But it is clear that "entertainment" and discussion forums are more popular.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fredg

Hi,
Chery, you are absolutely right in saying something to the effect that "my answer may not be totally correct, but here is something to think about", or similar words.
Some take objection to posting ANYTHING in any category, unless the answer is complete, precise, correct, and "they" agree with it! Not gonna happen! With the "agree with" it part. Some rarely agree with anything.

Fact is, the rules for this site does not specify what category one cannot post in. There is no "moderator choice" for anyone who wants to post. In other words, all posts or answers are not first "reviewed" for correctness by a moderator, then "released" to the general public. This does happen in some "private" groups or clubs at Yahoo, or many other sites, where public posting to the group is the moderator's choice. Review then realease.
So, anyone can post anything they wish in any category, as long as it follows the Forum Rules, and doesn't degrade someone, etc, etc.
There will definitely be those who continue posting replies, as that is the right of anyone who is a member here.
All of us are "prone to error". Some like to ridicule more than others.

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This is not directed at Chery. She makes it clear that her knowledge is limited and generally, her answers do add something to a thread. There have been a few times when I think she should have held off posting but not that many.

You are correct that answers here are not moderated by the operators for accuracy, correctness etc. That anyone is open to adding their answers. But that doesn't mean that anyone SHOULD do so. That people come to these places looking for advice from people with greater knowledge and experience. Granted they should remember that caveat emptor applies. But people should NOT be answering questions unless those answers are valid. Of course that won't stop people from giving wrong advice either out of a lack of knowledge, carelessness, or mistake. But that's where ratings and peer review comes into play.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fredg

So, anyone can post anything they wish in any category, as long as it follows the Forum Rules, and doesn't degrade someone, etc, etc.
There will definitely be those who continue posting replies, as that is the right of anyone who is a member here.

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I must admit, I truly enjoy your postings in the threads dealing with pregnancy and periods.:)

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Originally Posted by labman

I am sorry Chery, but I think your answer on the Macintosh is a classic example of somebody that knows so little about what she is talking about, that she has no business trying to give advice in that area. I have let slam after slam go by and I am sick of it. It that case, retaliating against me was pure troll. Didn't it occur to you there might be some reason why nobody else was giving that advice? Do you think you know more about computers than Fred, Scott, Need Karma, etc.?

Do the rules on no personal attacks not apply to your continual attacks on me?

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I did not start the personal attack, you did. And anyone attacked has a right to defend themselves, especially after having to digest such language. Again, I stated in the post that I did not know anything about MACs, and a few might have had a nice giggle at my expense, but your language alone was the reason that drove me to retaliate only once - and in the open, and I was at least polite enough not to use the language that you apparently are used to using without a second thought as there was no 'slam after slam' just a natural desire to retaliate after being attacked - and you have to admit that your insinuations afterwords when using the word 'troll' and more were again attacks which deserved the answers you got. Being born and raised in the military, I do know a variety of blatant phrases, however, if I don't know someone personally, I make it a point to be civil and I just felt that you had no right to not be civil also. So, for me, this subject is over with, unless you'd love to dwell on it further, which would be a waste of both our time, don't you think? Fredg, ScottGem , NeedKarma, and several more computer experts here know exactly what they are talking about, and even they know how to keep a civil tongue even when disputing with each other, just in case you missed out on those few issues. So, I respectfully ask you to drop the subject as of now and I will do the same, thanks.