Posted on Dec 26, 2013
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So while reading the discussion linked below, I saw that people were wondering why certain comments were voted down/up. That got me thinking as to why people on here decide to vote they way they do on these forums. While I look at social media and forums like this as a place to share to ideas and expand my knowledge; it's interesting to see what discussions get a lot of Up Votes and others that get Down Votes. <div><br></div><div>Do you base your decision on if you agree/disagree with what the person is posting? Does it have to do with your feelings toward the subject matter? Are you more willing to vote a discussion up if it appears to be helpful to the general public here on RP? Do you vote something down if you think the discussion is pointless? If you vote something down, do you feel the need to share why? Would you share if asked to?</div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="https://www.rallypoint.com/assets/fb_share_logo.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rallypoint.com/questions/26679-new-tattoo-policy">New tattoo policy</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">While briefing some young leaders about the direction the Army is going with tattoo's, an NCO yells out that's why I'm going to fully tattoo both arms in hopes to be grandfathered in. Is that a sign ...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
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Voting
RallyPoint Voting
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 12
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<p>Well, here is my take on voting up or down...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>1. Vote Up: I generally vote a question/post/comment up for a few reasons...this is not an all-inclusive list. I vote up for good questions, answers that obviously took some thought before posting, factual, and to be quite honest, if I like it or not. I generally "vote up" answers to questions that I post. Again, that is not an all-inclusive list...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>2. Vote Down: I will only vote down for a few reasons...again, not all inclusive. If it is an obvious personal attack (name calling, meant to incite negativity), if it lacks thought or is just rambling that does not have anything to do with the original post/question.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Also, If I do vote down something, I will leave a comment so that person knows why I did it. I would expect the same courtesy in return. Also, I do not vote down a comment/post/question because I do not "like it" or disagree with it. I believe that disagreeing with a point of view can be a healthy thing and it can be used to grow a knowledge base or assist with looking at an issue from a different point of view.</p>
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CSM (Join to see)
I couldn't agree with you more MSG Stankovich about disagreeing being a healthy thing. It supports creative thinking and reminds us that we are all indeed different and have different points of view; good or bad.
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree as well MSG Stankovich. I don't vote down if I only disagree with another's opinion, but if a comment is steeped in ignorance or ill will there is no excuse.
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I will never vote down and I do not plan to start. I can disagree but do that while replying. Again respectfully.
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SGT Ben Keen
I think what MSG Stankovich said really rings true and your statement adds a nice point as well. This is social media, people will not ever totally agree with your point. Heck, they might think this discussion topic is pointless and to them it might be but as you said, you can disagree with me, but do so respectfully. And if you are going to down vote someone, consider saying why.
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Good points all around. We decided to capture the community's sentiment and post it as formal guidance for future members. Please see the links below:
Guidance on UP voting:
Guidance on DOWN voting:
What is voting down?
Voting down, or "down voting", is how the community that a member's post is not hel...
Voting down, or "down voting", is how the community that a member's post is not hel...
What is up voting?
Voting up, or "up voting", is a way the community provides feedback that a member's p...
Voting up, or "up voting", is a way the community provides feedback that a member's p...
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I vote up often, but I don't think I have ever voted anything down. It is a good deterrent to prevent people from flaming though.
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I voted you up on this thread because while I don't vote down, I always vote up. If I disagree with something I might as well state it, then vote someone down and have 30 points deducted from the overall score for that member.
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SGT Ben Keen
I really don't mind if a member is deducted points for being down voted. While the point of this site is not to be the person with the most points, it is to develop a solid network you can turn to for help. If someone is new to the site and they come across a profile with the blue ribbon and points, they will hopefully know that they can turn to that person for help. If someone is on here wasting time or giving out bad advice that results in a lot of down votes, the easiest way to tell is by their lack of points.
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use the little thumbs you see in the picture. They are below the persons actual profile pic where they posted. If your browser does not show the thumbs the option is still there you just have to get in the same vicinity as shown in the pic
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LTC Yinon Weiss
We've heard that some older versions of IE block the display of the icons, but we haven't been able to replicate it. If anybody else is having a problem like this, please let us know at [login to see] and what kind of system you are on. Thanks.
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There are little thumbs up and thumbs down icons under to the poster's image. You click on one of up or down thumbs to vote up or down.
Also, welcome to RallyPoint!
Also, welcome to RallyPoint!
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SPC (Join to see)
im on a gov. computer so it doesnt load them, thats why i couldnt see them, thank you.
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You can only up vote 50 times per day though so use them carefully.
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For the most part, up/down voting as it exists here is nearly pointless. There are so many ways to earn points and game the system that the points from up/down votes don't really make an impact - as far as I can tell.
With that said:
UPVOTE:
* Humor - I laughed, snickered, etc
* Politics - There was input into the discussion
* Military - Marine Corps! Oohrah! jk. Again, there was input into the discussion.
* Music - I personally like the song and/or group
DOWNVOTE:
* Name calling
* Straw man argument
* Refusing to engage in the discussion - usually with derogatory or back handed insults
If my vote history was ever looked up I am pretty sure it would show 1 downvote for every 300 or 400 upvotes. I usually do not vote on "Nice post" or "Thanks for the share" comments - which seem to nab most of the Trail Blazer points from my posts.
With that said:
UPVOTE:
* Humor - I laughed, snickered, etc
* Politics - There was input into the discussion
* Military - Marine Corps! Oohrah! jk. Again, there was input into the discussion.
* Music - I personally like the song and/or group
DOWNVOTE:
* Name calling
* Straw man argument
* Refusing to engage in the discussion - usually with derogatory or back handed insults
If my vote history was ever looked up I am pretty sure it would show 1 downvote for every 300 or 400 upvotes. I usually do not vote on "Nice post" or "Thanks for the share" comments - which seem to nab most of the Trail Blazer points from my posts.
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