Concerns about reputation management...

Pete Howlett

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This is an open question to moderators. I've never looked at this aspect of the forum until now and note that because of my very forthright views that 'disgreements' with those have been logged as quite insulting comments in my reputation dialogue. This needs sorting out - all of the negatives were actually the result of emotional respones to quite technical, factually accurate and verifiable posts. The problem is I cannot identify who has insulted me or praised me and I cannot, apart from disabling this service, challenge the person who has posted the rep.

Please guys, explain to me the value of this completely pointless 'tool' on the forum. It is unhelpful and totally meaningless.

PS-please move this to the appropriate section since I don't know where to put it...
 
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It's an odd feature, and I'm not really clear about what it's for. I do sometimes give rep to people for kind or helpful posts, but it's not a feature I often think about. It certainly doesn't worry me.

Other than being visible to the member through his/her control panel, is a user's reputation visible to other members at all? If not, then I wouldn't worry about it. I suppose it could be a useful way to get feedback on how one is perceived by other members...

Come to think of it, is a member's rep visible to mods? I suppose that could be useful in terms of identifying people who might be suitable candidates as moderators, or for identifying people who might benefit from guidance in their use of the board.
 
According to the FAQ section moderators should have an input... What concerns me is that you can be privately insulted through this feature without any recourse to challenge the person who has insulted you.
 
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I wouldn't worry Pete. I don't think anyone even looks at it. I certainly never have, nor have I ever heard anyone discuss it. I knew it was there only cos once (and once only) I got positive rep points for posting something helpful - I forget what.
 
Hey Pete...I still love you, if that helps at all?

I voted this thread as EXCELLENT if that helps?

I couldn't find the "reputation dialogue" thingy?

Though there is a wee green square on my profile that, when I hover over it says "is on a distinguisged road" ?
 
Other than being visible to the member through his/her control panel, is a user's reputation visible to other members at all? If not, then I wouldn't worry about it. I suppose it could be a useful way to get feedback on how one is perceived by other members...

Your rep and your negative feedback should no be visible to anyone else but you.
 
To be honest Pete, I'd be more concerned about the effect that your own conduct on the boards might have on your reputation.

I understand that you're an expert in your field and that if anyone has earned the right to a little impatience for less knowledgeable enthusiasts, it's you. But, and this is a big but, the way you write online comes across much harsher than you probably intend it to. Much, much harsher. This, I suspect, is what might be provoking underhanded retaliatory snipes.

Like I say, I understand you're an expert, your knowledge is an asset to almost any technical discussion, but the way that you present that knowledge suggests an arrogance and argumentativeness normally only encountered on forums about videogames or politics. In the real 3-D world, the attitude conveyed by your writing might suggest a destructive personality disorder - it is that far beyond the normal boundaries of polite conversation.

I'd be very surprised if your writing style reflects your real personality, and if as I suspect, it does not, I would urge you to catch your breath before hitting 'submit' in the future and to think about softening your tone, even if that feels like a compromise too far.

Just to belabour the point a little further - I've worked in some organisations where if an employee had conducted their in-house email correspondence in the way that you seem to use the forum, that employee would have subject to disciplinary procedure.

Please try not to take my criticisms as an attack - they are not. If you feel able to, take some time to reflect on my comments and perhaps speak to a trusted contact with whom you've had extensive written contact. It's very hard for the individual concerned to be objective about these things.

If I've caused any hurt feelings or bruised ego, I sincerely apologise. You would be quite right to point out that I am in fact hiding behind an online handle whilst you are not. (As an aside, my real-word name is almost unique and I work in a highly specialised field - I cannot afford to 'come out' online for professional reasons).
 
I always forget about it, until somebody brings it up
 
OK so let's read what my post says - I don't mind about the feature right? It is, that the rep is anonymous - anyone can slag you off in private without recourse to being challenged. Despite having the hide of a rhino it is still somewhat disconcerterting to be called an 'ass muncher' without knowing who has said this.

And I will defend my right to be forthright and say it as it is and put my name to it. You will note however that I refrain from posting negative comments about fellow builders work whether they are professional or not.

What I do take strong sisue with is unfounded ideas, unsupported claims backed by no empirical research or academic study, urban myths and guitar making practices that are irrelevent to the ukulele. And I always read, listen and modify where I feel I have been wrong or out of line - my climb downs and public apologies are here to see if you look for them.

You also have a very valid point. The internet is a terse medium....
 
Should have done a search - thanks for pointing this out... I also note that only one moderator addressed the issue but didn't really clarify the purpose of it. This thread went into 3 pages with only a few approvals. If moderators are reading the content of this then hopefully a further discussion about its relevance may ensue at 'board' level.
 
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[...] You also have a very valid point. The internet is a terse medium....

I would respectfully disagree, Pete. The medium has no intrinsic character, terse or otherwise. Each person who posts messages on the Internet has the choice of how they phrase their communication. They also, very often, have access to emoticons/smileys which, far from being useless, puerile cartoons, are valuable tools with which to clarify or moderate one's tone.

There are some people whom I associate with an unfailingly courteous and considerate style of message. Some people I associate with other styles.

If terse, abrupt debate brings unwanted, anonymous abuse then I can see at least a couple of options open: 1) ignore your rep and don't read the comments; 2) Make an effort to disagree tactfully, and in such a way that people won't be humiliated into retaliatory attacks.

If someone posts, in good faith and with helpful intent, something that contains errors, then a diplomatic correction is probably a good way to go. If the poster is berated and made to look stupid in front of their UU siblings then a degree of bitterness is possibly not surprising. Some might think that a cross word offered in private is not a disproportionate response to a public embarrassment.

I'm just musing "aloud". Most of these points are made generally, not specifically aimed at Pete's situation, as I am not familiar with the exchanges to which he refers.
 
This is an open question to moderators. I've never looked at this aspect of the forum until now and note that because of my very forthright views that 'disgreements' with those have been logged as quite insulting comments in my reputation dialogue. This needs sorting out - all of the negatives were actually the result of emotional respones to quite technical, factually accurate and verifiable posts. The problem is I cannot identify who has insulted me or praised me and I cannot, apart from disabling this service, challenge the person who has posted the rep.

Please guys, explain to me the value of this completely pointless 'tool' on the forum. It is unhelpful and totally meaningless.

PS-please move this to the appropriate section since I don't know where to put it...

You reap what you sow I'm afraid...
 
I'll throw my one cent in. I don't mind the reputation feature. Pete I did notice that when one hovers over your green thingy it says something other than "on a distinguished road". While it would be nice to know who comments on your reputation is it really that big of a deal? If no one really looks at it who cares. I enjoy your post (the ones I've read) and I wouldn't let this destroy your day. I'm sure you have an idea who slammed you right? Ignore that person. Whenever my students are called stupid or ugly by their peers they come to me to complain and I ask them if they are. Once they tell me they aren't, I then ask them if I call someone something they ain't who is the smart one. It always works.
 
Pete, this issue of rep points/comments will rear it's ugly head from time to time. From my understanding, the rep feature is a tool incorporated into the site and admin can either turn the feature on or off. As Ryan mentioned, your rep is only visible to you. Because of it's anonymity factor, any member can give positive or negative feedback to include unfavorable or unruly comments. Unfortunately, we (Mods) have no way access it, much less control it's content. Pete, AFAIC, you are a valuable member to UU. Don't judge the actions of one individual to that of the entire community.
 
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People have the individual choice to spread negativity or create an atmosphere of positive interaction. The 'add negative feedback' option just encourages bad karma. I don't use this feature. 'Cuz its stupid.:cheers:
 
Whenever I give rep points to anyone (so far only positive) I always put my name to it. But, since it already upset Pete and Ahnko Honu, maybe we should turn it off then. If you want to give positive/negative feedback you can do that by replying to the post or sending out a PM.

just my opinion.
 
Buddhu has some great points. I've hung around here enough to discern some things about certain members personalities thru their postings.
Pete's style can be gruff at times, but he is a great asset to this forum.

Someone called me a "moron" on YT the other day and I was bemused at myself for being a little miffed about it. Why should anyone care what an anonymous stranger thinks about them, especially if you do not have any bad intentions.

One thing I've noticed about rep points is this. If you click under community, then under member list, then click the thingy at the top of the repuatation button. It shows members reps in + order. If you click it again, it shows reverse order.
 
I guess I still qualify as a newby so I should probably refrain from comment. That, however, would be out of style for me.

Pete, your reputation is one of the first things I picked up on when I joined - especially around the Luthier's Lounge. I've seen the words abrasive, gruff, knowledgeable, and expert (among others) used to describe you. To me, that sounds like the kind of guy I'd like to get to know.

The issue of anonymous reputation postings is a bit different. IMHO, if someone has a negative comment to make I believe he or she should make it to the accused person and not by way of an anonymous posting.

Honestly, I never noticed the reputation feature before this thread - I wonder if I can post comments on my own reputation. I've always wanted to be a curmudgeon.
 
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