Disable the Topic Rating Feature?

[JohnCh]

The forum software comes with a topic rating feature at the top right of each thread that allows a viewer to rate the thread on a scale of 1-5 stars.  A quick count of the last 60 posts in the General and Technical Forums, shows only 3 threads have a rating.  Because it is used so infrequently, it's likely true that those threads with ratings are based on input from a very small group of users.  This means a single low rating, whether intentional or inadvertent, will dramatically effect the rating.  Also, the sample size is too small to have any real value. 

 

Personally I don't see the benefit of a rating system in a forum like ours which only has a handful of new threads each day, so my preference is to turn it off, but before I do, I thought I'd let folks weigh in via the polling option.

 

-John

[panamericano]

Had not even noticed the feature until your other post on "new guy..."  Cannot imagine it would be much missed.  Maybe a handful of the comrades really love it and feel strongly?

 

[Vovchandr]

4 minutes ago, panamericano said:

Had not even noticed the feature until your other post on "new guy..."  Cannot imagine it would be much missed.  Maybe a handful of the comrades really love it and feel strongly?

 

 

 

Counter argument.

 

GIFs are also used by few but give benefit to the many.

 

The rating on vBulletin used to be a lot more prevalent and useful because it showed in the general forum and it allowed new users have their curiosity piqued as to what threads are the highlights at a quick glance, especially on a busy forum.

 

 

I don't believe the rating shows here in the general forum where the threads are listed so it doesn't serve much function

 

 

[Vovchandr]

Why can't I rate this topic? 

[panamericano]

Why can't I rate this topic? 

 

You're right.  Tis post has no stars, but probably not "no interest."

[JohnCh]

I don't follow the gif argument since it is intended as a single user feature.  A rating feature only has value if a number of people are supplying the ratings.  If only two people rate a topic and both have an issue with it or the thread starter, and give it a 2, does that mean it's a bad thread and people should skip it?  Unfortunately, the forum software only shows the rating average, not the number of ratings supporting the number.  It's a poor implementation for decision making.  The reason this question is even being raised is because your thread on your engine issues only had a 3.5 star rating even though the consensus from posts in the thread is that's it's been worthwhile reading.  

 

There may be a sub forum setting for the rating feature that isn't turned on for the help section.  

 

-John

[Vovchandr]

3 minutes ago, JohnCh said:

I don't follow the gif argument since it is intended as a single user feature. 

 

It was a bad argument. I changed the course of the post by the time I got to the end. I was under impression that the rating would show in the thread listing under the general category like it did on other forums, alas this was not the case. 

 

In the end I don't think it's hurting anybody. It's like the old laws on the books where it's illegal to eat ice cream on a Sunday while walking backwards in front of the capital. There are what maybe 5 members that use it and out of those 5 I was the 90th percentile for use?

 

You're right, it's not particularly helpful or useful, but it's also not really hurtful (except for the aforementioned my sublime Oscar winning thread having such a poor underserved rating)

[Croc]

OK Britney.  Shouldn't you be fixing your engine?  

[panamericano]

"OK Britney. ..."

 

That was truly inspired.  Hope you are safe from her fans here, Karen.

 

[Chopd65]

I don't really care about the ratings but I rated this one a 5, thanks to Britney and Karen.

[Vovchandr]

5 hours ago, Croc said:

OK Britney.  Shouldn't you be fixing your engine?  

 

My broken toys, historically, don't have a quick turnaround time

[SENC]

5 hours ago, Croc said:

OK Britney.  Shouldn't you be fixing your engine?  

5 star worthy, right there.

[JohnCh]

4 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

My broken toys, historically, don't have a quick turnaround time

 

Look at the bright side.  You may not excel at fixing cars quickly, but you are very good at breaking them  

 

 

-John

[wemtd]

I gave Vlad 5 ⭐️ out of pity