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Karma

Lucille

Lucille

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I see some new people here on the site who I feel are extraordinary in their thoughtful posts and the way that they involve themselves helping others.
And of course I do recognize that there are many who have been here for years that have achieved a reputation for being helpful.

I realize that those who have a history of not being very helpful at all should also be addressed.

I just feel as if the positive people should not rest on their laurels, and the negative people should be given an incentive to recover and do better.

I'm just one person, a small voice here, but I think that it would be nice if the karma system was zeroed out and reset every January 1, and the new year bring a more current evaluation of those members both positive and negative who post here on the site.
 
I think it has been zeroed out at least four times already. I'm not opposed to your proposal but I don't think that it has been stagnate with those that have had negative karma. I've seen some improve dramatically without having to reset it.

I also don't think it hurts to shake things up every once in awhile and it may encourage some to post more. I don't think it is a bad idea but I don't know if every year would be necessary.
 
I'm not sure if everyone actually uses the karma option or uses it correctly anyway. I do try to use it to acknowledge a well written, helpful post just to let the submitter know it was appreciated but honestly I'm dont think the "karma ranking" isn't that big of a deal for people who are here for the right reasons. That's not to say they I dont serve some purpose. They definitely play a factor in my mind of who's advice I can put the greatest trust in. I found only takes a few weeks to see who is actually here for the love of animals & who is here to get a rise out of others.
 
If you think about it, Karma is really a useless feature, that many sites don't even have. Personally, I think they should get rid of it all together.
 
I'm not in favor of yearly resets - why wipe the slate clean so easily, and in such a programmed manner? For the most part, people earn their karma, whether it is good or bad. If somebody repeatedly earns negative karma, those red boxes serve as a sort of identifier about his tendencies. People use that information however it may suit them - whether it be choosing not to do business with him, or merely choosing not to engage when instigating posts are made. If a person chooses to change his ways, positive karma can easily overtake (and overturn) negative...let that be the incentive. On the other side of things, why strip a positive influence of his/her karma? What is the purpose - other than leveling the playing field?
I'll agree that the resetting of karma tends to trigger an increased use of karma; but I don't know that it would do that long term if there were scheduled resets. I rather think that it would increase the "karma doesn't matter" attitude. We know it doesn't matter, in the way that tangible things matter - it is largely a feel good measure...a way of making a friendly gesture toward another member (negative karma is a different animal, which is why its application is limited) - but I think too frequent zeroing might be self defeating...leading to a why bother attitude.

Does the karma feature actually add anything positive to the site? I believe that it does, in that it does promote a feel good, complimentary type interaction/feedback. Is it a big deal? No, I probably wouldn't think twice about it if it wasn't here...but friendly interaction between people, and an easy means of showing appreciation (or sharing a laugh) is invaluable, IMO.
 
brd7666 said:
If you think about it, Karma is really a useless feature, that many sites don't even have. Personally, I think they should get rid of it all together.
Click to expand...

Well heck, it seems to have a somewhat useful effect here. There are now five new posts made just about this feature to give people something to talk about that otherwise wouldn't be here......
 
Karma is so subjective that I feel it's not something to reliably judge a person's character from. For example, I got negative karma for posting something that one person disagreed with for personal reasons and I don't think I deserved it. I've collected enough positive karma since then to more than make up for that one red mark, but just because someone may take issue at something a person says doesn't mean they're a "bad" person. Each time I get positive karma I do feel better about myself though, and I wouldn't want that to be erased.
 
Subjective, without a doubt. It is intended to be peer feedback. I've gotten both positive and negative karma for the same post many times over the years; and a person giving you negative karma doesn't mean anything more than that person didn't like that post...the same person might give you positive karma for a different post.

Red boxes don't mean that somebody is a bad person, or even bad to do business with - it is a reflection of how their posts are received. It isn't an indicator that a person is to be avoided...but it can be a prompt to investigate the situation (relatively easy with a low post count, more difficult as the numbers get higher).
 
Bells said:
To me the karma system seems to be a popularity contest..
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. I think it behooves me to encourage people to make posts that are popular with the readers, and the karma system provides the feedback necessary to progress in that general direction.
 
When I first started posting I was quite concerned about my karma count. Now I am not as worried.

I have certain people that have left bad karma and explained why. I also have a guy that has left me bad karma a couple of times with stupid comments just because he doesn't like me.

On the other hand I have received good karma from people I respect and it does make you feel like you have contributed.
 
KORBIN5895 said:
I have certain people that have left bad karma and explained why. I also have a guy that has left me bad karma a couple of times with stupid comments just because he doesn't like me.
Click to expand...

In some twisted way, you could almost take it as a sign of acceptance or relevance. While it's highly unlikely that I haven't managed to piss off at least one person, I actually haven't received any negative karma since the last reset. I'm beginning to think that it's a passive-aggressive thing. That I simply don't rate high enough to be worth the effort it'd take to karma-bomb me.

Whatever the case may be, I like the karma system. It makes for a pleasant surprise when someone feels strongly enough about a post to go out of their way to leave feedback.
 
If someone with negative karma inquires about anything I have for sale, I check their posts. 9 times out of 10, I find a reason why I would not sell to that person. In that regard, karma is useful to me.

I'm of the opinion that anyone thinking it's just a matter of popularity is either jealous or jaded. There are many uses for a karma system in a setting like Fauna. If you cannot find those uses, I feel you are not looking hard enough.

I do not feel resetting the system every year would be beneficial. In fact, I would be quite annoyed by this. I may not be as active on the forums as I used to be, but I still watch posts and I add to them when I feel the need. I do not feel for that reason I should have my karma that I have rightfully earned taken away. I also feel that those who get negative karma have just as many chances to reverse it as others do. Giving them a "level field' when they themselves made it "unleveled" seems unfair to me.
 
ShadowAceD said:
If someone with negative karma inquires about anything I have for sale, I check their posts. 9 times out of 10, I find a reason why I would not sell to that person. In that regard, karma is useful to me.

I'm of the opinion that anyone thinking it's just a matter of popularity is either jealous or jaded. There are many uses for a karma system in a setting like Fauna. If you cannot find those uses, I feel you are not looking hard enough.

I do not feel resetting the system every year would be beneficial. In fact, I would be quite annoyed by this. I may not be as active on the forums as I used to be, but I still watch posts and I add to them when I feel the need. I do not feel for that reason I should have my karma that I have rightfully earned taken away. I also feel that those who get negative karma have just as many chances to reverse it as others do. Giving them a "level field' when they themselves made it "unleveled" seems unfair to me.
Click to expand...

:iagree::hurray:
 
I am fairly new here(newly registered anyway). In fact, Karma has only come into play with me one time since I have been a registered user.

However, I feel that resetting the Karma annually would be detrimental to the community. The people that just ENJOY causing havoc would, towards the end of the year, start trolling everyone. Not worried about looking bad - Why would they? A few months later and the slate will be reset.

I understand that Karma isn't nearly as important as the Trader Rating, but it does give some people something to be proud of. Something to make them look good.

Would I miss it? Most likely not.

Do I like it? Yes.

Do I feel it is important to this site? Important, no. Beneficial, yes.

I just do not believe that giving the people that have gotten bad rep(whether for good or bad reasons) a clean slate is fair nor reasonable to the rest of the community that works hard to be positive, helpful members.

:)
 
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