Encouraging quality

Every now and then i think of some cool suggestions. Here's my latest...

What if we had sort of a rating system for threads. I'm not talking rating every single thread out of 10 or whatever. But ocassionally we get a really good thread. What if we popped a little 5 star rating next to it?

Now i know what you're thinking, "But nick, who am i judge what threads are better than the others, when i'm a person who will pull my pants down in public to watch people's reactions?" You're right, who ARE you to judge them. Fucker. But it's not a big deal. And if people get pissed off about their thread not being rated then SMIGHT THEM. Those people are attention seeking cum guzzlers anyway..

All we need is one (active) person. Perhaps Andrew or Cyanide?

The key to this system being a success is not just handing out 5 stars willie nillie. If you rate every 4 threads or whatever a 5 star thread, then it defeats the purpose of having it in the first place. Only the threads that really seperate from the rest by being insightful, funny, helpful or simply provoking a mass of discussion should be rated. I'm talking 1 in every 30 may deserve the icon.

If you could picture it like i can, i think it will encourage some quality threads popping up more often.

Here are some examples of the system in use:
- http://drummerworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
- http://drummerworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4
- http://drummerworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8
- http://drummerworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14
- http://drummerworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25

yeah I think it would be a good idea, since a lot of new posters think it's cool to have a high post count and don't see the fact that most good posters have a high count due to being here so long.
I think it's interesting that posters might strive to make good threads as opposed to a lot of bad threads just to bolster the post count.
Nick, I think you might have found the best solution to the age-old NLSC issue of the post count.

It's a cool idea. I've seen those at civfanatics.com and it makes it easier to find threads. I'm all for it, but that also depends on if this forum can have that feature implemented.

I've seen it used a couple of times before too. I'm not sure if there's a mod for phpBB but we can certainly look for one.

Now i know what you're thinking, "But nick, who am i judge what threads are better than the others, when i'm a person who will pull my pants down in public to watch people's reactions?" You're right, who ARE you to judge them. Fucker.

Insulting hypothetical people always makes me chuckle.

I've seen other forums where posters themselves get rated, but i think this is a much better way to go. Otherwise ratings would get too personal, and it would lead to more flaming and arguments.

I'm not a huge fan of the poster "karma" ratings and other such mods either. If we're going to have any ratings, threads would be the way to go.

Hmmmmm....have no real argument for or against the addition. If it does go into effect I dont really see the need for 5 stars since 1 star right beside the name (or like a stamp of approval) should be enough. If its only one guy rating them and its like one in thirty threads chances are the other 4 stars will never get any action.

Looks like a cool idea, if we're able to do it. Nice idea, Nick.

I'd love to see this implemented, and while it might encourage some 'spam', it would at least be spam attempting to be worthwhile.

I'm not a huge fan of the poster "karma" ratings and other such mods either

I agree. Internet karma should be shot 20 times, set on fire, and have spikes set through it.

Closest: http://www.phpbbhacks.com/download/3747

Benji, I have a question. What's the level that the negative karma goes to infinate?

most good posters have a high count due to being here so long.

I like the idea. Might make me create threads.

Appreciate the link Ben, I'll check it out.

Well I think nick brought up a good idea. It may lead to less topics posted about the same topic as threads with a high rating last longer than normal ones. I would also suggest to add a feature for rating users.

As I said before, I'm not a fan of rating users. Good posters can easily be identified by their contributions, spammers and troublemakers likewise so it's really not necessary.

I would really like to see Nick's idea implemented It would do a lot of good especially in the patching sections, so newbies and others not so active browsers can identify threads that have a significant effect on their game. And on general issues too, especially closer to releases, it could have reduced CPU DONT SUBB threads a while back.

Not a bad idea...im all for it.