leaving bad karma and karma doesn't go up.

It's just like the tagging feature (which is a GREAT search tool). That got taken away because a few butts can't act like adults. Why not temp-ban the abusers instead of punishing everyone?

Dave,
All I was doing was offering my perspective on one piece of this issue. My guess is that Rich felt that, at least for the time being, the easiest solution to the problems with the negative karma was to disable it. I don't know if that is a temporary measure, or if he plans to re-institute it at some point. By the same token, if it comes back, there may, or may not, be some sort of changes made to the system. Time will tell (or maybe Rich will, lol).

I don't necessarily view removal of the negative karma system as punishment for all, either...that seems to be a bit of a stretch. I liked having it, and used it periodically; but I shrugged off the shutdown pretty easily.

As for Scott's analogy

You can't be fired but can only get raises

firing and raises are determined by the company/institution or management.
Negative karma was more like a peer approaching you and saying That was a pretty stupid/offensive/whatever thing to say, or, depending on the message left, hauling off and smacking you across the face. Sometimes constructive criticism is a good thing...but that depends on the recipient's willingness to consider it, as well as the way it is presented.
Oh, and lots of people don't get raises...neither of my employers have offered raises for the past 2 years, and have already said that none are anticipated in 2010.

I definitely see where you're coming from, Harald, especially the part about trusting people to not change the link to point to whatever post they like. If people can abuse something, they most certainly will.

I wish the ignore function would work, even when posts are quoted. Dangit.

Originally Posted by Mooing Tricycle

I wish the ignore function would work, even when posts are quoted. Dangit.

I didn't even notice that was gone...I stopped using it on the forums back when I was a WS mod - figured I couldn't really do my job if I couldn't see people's posts.
When looking for it a few minutes ago, I (thankfully) found this option: Hide User Customizations. , Dave, those are some fugly colors you're using on your profile.

Originally Posted by hhmoore

When looking for it a few minutes ago, I (thankfully) found this option: Hide User Customizations. , Dave, those are some fugly colors you're using on your profile.

I could have done worse.

Originally Posted by hhmoore

When looking for it a few minutes ago, I (thankfully) found this option: Hide User Customizations. , Dave, those are some fugly colors you're using on your profile.

Oh no, its there, just, say when Dave quotes he who shall not be named, I see the posts. Otherwise, i dont see the posts made by said person. Get what im saying?

OTHERWISE. THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME ABOUT THIS FUNCTION!!!!

I am going to hide all that Colorful BS crap NOW! HAHA

Edit**
.... I dont have that option.

Originally Posted by Mooing Tricycle

.... I dont have that option.

It's good to be me, then
I found the Add to Ignore List, guess I didn't open enough stuff last time.

So let me see if I understand correctly... The bad Karma option was removed because people were retaliatory and abused it?

However retaliatory posts in the BOI are ok?

I may be wrong in thinking how screwed up this appears but before I really make that comment ( ) I thought I would make sure I understand correctly...

Originally Posted by Kingetula

So let me see if I understand correctly... The bad Karma option was removed because people were retaliatory and abused it?

However retaliatory posts in the BOI are ok?

I may be wrong in thinking how screwed up this appears but before I really make that comment ( ) I thought I would make sure I understand correctly...

I think that blatant retaliation posts usually get warned to stay on topic, points and if they do not stop, bannings.. etc.