Anonymous Reputation

[nate0123]

I am starting to see anonymous reputation can be a problem. For one, it allows people to sign other peoples' names to negative comments / flames, in order to make that person look like an ass.

Example #1: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109131

And that's just one person who said something to me about it. Who knows how many more negative comments have been passed out on my behalf?

I propose (if this is possible with the vBulletin software) that a column be added to reputation to show the actual user name the reputation was sent from.

This would also solve the problem of the random flames. Such as this one:

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY id=collapseobj_usercp_reputation><TR><TD class=alt2>

</TD><TD class=alt1Active id=p1715436 width="50%">Official WOMP Superchar...</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>05-18-2005 02:56 AM</TD><TD class=alt1 width="50%">***</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Another thread prompted by someone's misuse of the reputation, most likely used by someone trying to make WOMP supporters look bad:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108979

Anyway, this is my humble suggestion. If such a change is possible, I hope you would at least consider it. Thanks!

 

[RallyeRedSi]

It should show who gave it to you, then some people whould be alot scared to post bulls*** negative reputation points

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

for rizzle my bizzle...I hate having to type my name every time

 

[Focus]

It is very easy to do. Just append the user name to the text field. Antoine or Enry if you need help doing it I can show you how.

 

[Focus]

Background: The existing vB Reputation System is anonymous, which is fine in a perfect world, but here on earth this can lead to problems: Some users abuse the system by reputation "sniping," and others could potentially abuse its anonymity by "signing" a different username to their negative reps and stir up even more trouble.

With that in mind, here is an ultra simple hack that removes the anonymity of reputation by "signing" reputation comments with the username.

One code modification to reputation.php. Installation & test time is under five minutes.

Right before this bit near line 192:

Code:

$DB_site->query("
INSERT INTO " . TABLE_PREFIX . "reputation (postid, reputation, userid, whoadded, reason, dateline)
VALUES ($postid, $score, $userid, $bbuserinfo[userid], '" . addslashes(fetch_censored_text($reason)) . "','" . TIMENOW . "')
");

Insert this
Code:

 	$reason.=" ({$vbphrase[leftby]} {$bbuserinfo[username]})";

Notes:
1. Screenshot? See attachment (the first reputation was left before I found the right phrase. The circled one is how it comes out.
2. You might also want to add something to your reputationbit template and/or your FAQ to let people know that the reputation system is not anonymous. This could go somewhere like this (new part in italics
Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset ;"> Originally Posted by reputationbit template
[your_comments_on_this_post]:

NOTE: Your username will be automatically signed!


</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

3. A more involved hack might display something akin to what the admin can see by viewing reputation - seeing the sender's clickable username in a column of its own. The main reason I can't do that is I don't want to reveal the senders of past reps made under the anonymous system, but I'd agree it is the "right way."

 

[CasopoliS]

Then people will be bouncing back and forth.... retaliating. Someone gives you negative... then you give them negative, or put a hate post in the thread... etc etc etc.
If anyone can give rep points, that is the problem. Only members should give rep points, and they should be limited to how many they can give so there is no spamming of rep points.

 

[Focus]

It is limited right now. Problem is I can sign rep as you if I wanted to.

Then people will be bouncing back and forth.... retaliating. Someone gives you negative... then you give them negative, or put a hate post in the thread... etc etc etc.
If anyone can give rep points, that is the problem. Only members should give rep points, and they should be limited to how many they can give so there is no spamming of rep points.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

and how exactly do i go about doing this?

Background: The existing vB Reputation System is anonymous, which is fine in a perfect world, but here on earth this can lead to problems: Some users abuse the system by reputation "sniping," and others could potentially abuse its anonymity by "signing" a different username to their negative reps and stir up even more trouble.

With that in mind, here is an ultra simple hack that removes the anonymity of reputation by "signing" reputation comments with the username.

One code modification to reputation.php. Installation & test time is under five minutes.

Right before this bit near line 192:

Code:

$DB_site->query("
INSERT INTO " . TABLE_PREFIX . "reputation (postid, reputation, userid, whoadded, reason, dateline)
VALUES ($postid, $score, $userid, $bbuserinfo[userid], '" . addslashes(fetch_censored_text($reason)) . "','" . TIMENOW . "')
");

Insert this
Code:

 	$reason.=" ({$vbphrase[leftby]} {$bbuserinfo[username]})";

Notes:
1. Screenshot? See attachment (the first reputation was left before I found the right phrase. The circled one is how it comes out.
2. You might also want to add something to your reputationbit template and/or your FAQ to let people know that the reputation system is not anonymous. This could go somewhere like this (new part in italics
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by reputationbit template

[your_comments_on_this_post]:

NOTE: Your username will be automatically signed!



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

3. A more involved hack might display something akin to what the admin can see by viewing reputation - seeing the sender's clickable username in a column of its own. The main reason I can't do that is I don't want to reveal the senders of past reps made under the anonymous system, but I'd agree it is the "right way."

 

[nate0123]

There already is a limitation. You have to "spread" reputation around to a number of people before you can come back and give to that same person again. I'd estimate it's about 20 or so others.

In addition, you can only give a certain number in a 24-hour period. Probably about 7 or 8 in a 24-hour period.

 

[MiaTurbo]

Reputation points are just for fun now. they don't mean anything anymore now due to the 'rep' thread. No one should be taking it seriously...

 

[jersey_emt]

It's a good suggestion, and it's an easy thing to implement. I'm going to bring this up in the staff forum and see what the admins think.

 

[nate0123]

It's a good suggestion, and it's an easy thing to implement. I'm going to bring this up in the staff forum and see what the admins think.

thanks! (wiggle)

 

[CasopoliS]

Some people have a few hundred posts, and somehow have a few hundred rep. points. I don't know if that person is just really sweet, or if people just 'spam' with positives. I don't care too much about rep. points... I am always helping people out (when I can) and I only have two boxes... so I don't think these boxes always reflect much about the user.

 

[CasopoliS]

Reputation points are just for fun now. they don't mean anything anymore now due to the 'rep' thread. No one should be taking it seriously...

exactly.....

 

[nate0123]

but it still can be used to make others look bad, which isn't cool

you don't take them seriously, but others might see the comments (signed by "me" for example) and think I'm a jackass... for something I don't even know about

 

[Matthew]

i got a better idea.

get rid of the stupid system altogether and delete tht dumb rep point thread.

 

[nate0123]

i got a better idea.

get rid of the stupid system altogether and delete tht dumb rep point thread.

(kiss)

that is another possibility, but if such an easy fix already exists, then why throw out the system?

 

[CasopoliS]

(kiss)

that is another possibility, but if such an easy fix already exists, then why throw out the system?

Because the rep. points don't mean anything anyway. Just because someone has a ton of green boxes does not make me think.... "wow this person is great, I should listen to what they have to say". Now on the flip-side, I have gotten some really good advice and had some good conversations with people who have tons of red boxes. On more than 1 occasion, I have walked out to my car with a camera to help someone with an install... and I have aided as many people as I can over PM.... I've got few points. I asked for help once (from a person with many boxes), and got shot down. Point is.... THE BOXES MEAN NOTHING.

And I agree.... any thread about points should be closed.

 

[nate0123]

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY id=collapseobj_usercp_reputation><TR><TD class=alt2>

</TD><TD class=alt1Active id=p1718548 width="50%">Anonymous Reputation</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>05-19-2005 10:18 AM</TD><TD class=alt1 width="50%">Is that Aaron carter or Jesse Mccarthy, i don't know - [Screen name removed]</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt2>

</TD><TD class=alt1Active id=p1718601 width="50%">Anonymous Reputation</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>05-19-2005 10:17 AM</TD><TD class=alt1 width="50%">stop bitching who cares! i can see why your gay!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
It's Jesse McCartney

And to the second person, you're helping prove my point. thanks.

 

[nate0123]

Because the rep. points don't mean anything anyway. Just because someone has a ton of green boxes does not make me think.... "wow this person is great, I should listen to what they have to say". Now on the flip-side, I have gotten some really good advice and had some good conversations with people who have tons of red boxes. On more than 1 occasion, I have walked out to my car with a camera to help someone with an install... and I have aided as many people as I can over PM.... I got 2 boxes. I asked for help once (from a person with many boxes), and got shot down. Point is.... THE BOXES MEAN NOTHING.

And I agree.... any thread about points should be closed.

To answer your question, read this post:

but it still can be used to make others look bad, which isn't cool

you don't take them seriously, but others might see the comments (signed by "me" for example) and think I'm a jackass... for something I don't even know about