Voting Mechanism for Threads/Messages

I have received complaints about the quality of some of the threads and messages posted to the forum these days.

If I see a thread that is out of control, I can and do mark it as Read-Only. This effectively shuts down the thread. However, I just don't see a majority of the rogue threads.

So, my question is, should we try to inhibit the noise and improve the quality of the responses in some way? For example,

  • We could institute a weighted voting system of some kind to limit the noise. Threads with too many negative votes would be closed (read-only). Messages with too many negative votes would be removed.
  • We could require forum users to login to reply to message threads. I would only want to do this if we can make it painless for legitimate users.

Let me know your thoughts and feelings on this.

Jon

Parents
  • Yes there appears to be a problem with this. I can see more than the occasional rogue post, however asking for code and schematics for a project (thinking of an elevator request) is way out of line. The first thing may be to put a list of before you post rules in the message (IE force them to read and or think).

    I believe a major part of this is a torrent of people who are from a very different cultural background posting, add the difference in language and nuances of said languages might be leading to what one may think be 'perfectly acceptable', appear to be denigrating, demanding, overbearing, rudeness to those fluent in the lingua franca of the forum (aka English) or even those who aren't. Add to that youth and ignorance things can get out of hand.

    Bottom line is yes something to reduce the quantity of odd posts would be helpful. Logging in may work, and if people wish to post anon (IE without identification) then they get there TCP address flagged for those who moderate.

    Voting could help, although initially it might be a bit difficult.

    Stephen

Reply
  • Yes there appears to be a problem with this. I can see more than the occasional rogue post, however asking for code and schematics for a project (thinking of an elevator request) is way out of line. The first thing may be to put a list of before you post rules in the message (IE force them to read and or think).

    I believe a major part of this is a torrent of people who are from a very different cultural background posting, add the difference in language and nuances of said languages might be leading to what one may think be 'perfectly acceptable', appear to be denigrating, demanding, overbearing, rudeness to those fluent in the lingua franca of the forum (aka English) or even those who aren't. Add to that youth and ignorance things can get out of hand.

    Bottom line is yes something to reduce the quantity of odd posts would be helpful. Logging in may work, and if people wish to post anon (IE without identification) then they get there TCP address flagged for those who moderate.

    Voting could help, although initially it might be a bit difficult.

    Stephen

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