Down Voting! Is it helpful?

LTC Bink Romanick - I don't have a problem with the down-vote (and I have received several), but I do think that a down-vote should require a comment to register as such.

Any time I get a down-vote, without a comment, I ask the voter to comment/share his/her opinion. Some do and some don't. I think it should be required.

LTC Bink Romanick I never use them and I never will. I think everyone is entitled to an opinion on this open forum. If I don't like it I usually don't respond or move on. I find it to be the polite way of communicating. Don't worry LTC Bink Romanick I won't every vote you down. Have a great RP Day!

LTC Bink Romanick
Like COL Jean (John) F. B., I feel that an explanation should be required for a down vote.

Then like SrA Edward Vong, I try to reserve my own down votes not for posts I disagree with but ones that show a complete lack of professionalism. I ALWAYS leave a comment when I down vote explaining why.

I try to only use down voting not for users who's post is something that I don't agree with. On the contrary sometimes if a post is explained well and displays professionalism, I'll up-vote them even if I disagree.

I down-vote for users whose post show a COMPLETE lack of professionalism, display hostility, personal insults, and antagonizing. I believe not all down votes deserve an explanation, one should be able to tell what they posted.

LTC Bink Romanick I think not... I think you can state your comments, good or bad, without the voting or the points. I particularly hate the "drive by vote down" where in someone votes you down and leaves not comment?

I never down vote, just a personal preference. I grew up with, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything" I think a down vote only has meaning if you explain why you are down voting. Up votes are easy - yes I agree with or dig what you have to say. But down votes not so much unless you know what it's for. Did I tick someone off, does some one not agree with me? This discussion as SGT Ben Keen points out has been going on since RP began and RP has put some pop-ups in place asking you to leave a comment if you down vote and insuring you are making the down vote willingly so the system has improved. Kudos to those who at least explain their down vote. COL Jean (John) F. B. is very good about it and very respectful when he has done it which helps keep you engaged in the discussion and lets you want to explain your points and differences of opinion.

I personally don't down vote. I may comment with a dissenting opinion with the intent of encouraging a different perspective though.

The discussion of Down Voting is one that has been around the community for a long time. The idea behind them continues to evolve. Personally, the only time I really look at using the Down Vote is when there is a comment that doesn't serve to continue the discussion in a meaningful and respectful way. I also will leave a comment explaining my down vote. The points here really don't matter to me. At one point I was within the Top 5 of all Veterans here on the site, now I'm in the 30s but continue to be active and try to be someone that the RallyPoint community can turn to for thoughts, ideas, and motivation.

RallyPoint is a great tool for those on active duty status as well as those of us that carry the title of Veteran and Retirees. We can engage in some meaningful and informative discussions that could really help someone today or tomorrow from having to go through the same struggles we faced.

So is down voting helpful? Sure, it can be but like with most things in life, it's only helpful if used the right way.

I have never down voted anyone, but have received two down votes from others that disagreed with my comments.

I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I am happy to discuss issues with anyone no matter what their position. I up-vote most people that engage me in discussions whether I agree with them or not, because I value their honest and professional input. A couple of times I have run out of up-votes when I really needed them for particularly thoughtful comments, so I try to be judicious.

When I run across people that attack others personally I just pass on by without comment. Life is too short to engage in needless acrimony.

I've received some down votes and it doesn't bother me. The thing that bothers me is, if you're going to down vote me then leave a comment as to why you disagree. I've voted up opinions I didn't necessarily agree with but I felt they were making a valid argument. We have to be open to the views of others, that's how we learn and grow intellectually.