Would RallyPoint be better if it required an explanation when a member down votes?

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 20:31:07 -0500

That is all.  ;-)  Also feel free to thumbs up this comment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 9:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 21:21:29 -0500

I strongly agree if you believe strongly enough to vote something down. You should feel strongly enough to make a statement about what you perceive is wrong or inappropriate.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 1 at 2013 9:29 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 21:29:24 -0500

I don't know. The people who are passionate enough to down vote, but too lazy or dull to reply aren't generally the ones you really want chiming in on a conversation...

Still, I agree with this on principle.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 9:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 21:47:32 -0500

I think many people giving thumbs down don't know the impact of them because it's called a "vote".

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Dec 1 at 2013 10:13 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:13:56 -0500

SSG Burns - that's an interesting idea. At least now you know who gives you a thumbs down, since you get notified via email.<div><br></div><div>It seems like there may be a desire to get an "explanation" for a thumbs down, like it would contribute to some sort of closure or understanding. I would suggest that 1) perhaps the comments they would be forced to provide wouldn't actually achieve this goal, and 2) maybe one can just assume that a thumbs down is a de facto "I disagree with you." -- Would reading those 4 words actually add that much value, if that is what they chose to put down?</div><div><br></div><div>I think an assumption in your goal is that if somebody is forced to provide comments, then they will make a self-contained rational argument against your own comments, and you could then achieve some greater level of enlightenment. I do not think this would actually happen. Some people just disagree or dislike what they see sometimes.</div><div><br></div><div>However, we always listen to the RallyPoint community. Let's see how many votes up this question gets!</div><div><br></div><div>P.S An alternative we have plans for is to create a minimum influence score requirement before one can vote anything down... to avoid new members from creating trouble before really understanding the community.</div>

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 10:45 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:45:39 -0500

I agree. If you want to thumbs down somebody's comment, you need to have an explanation why. This is not a "social media" site.... we should not be thumbs downing people for silly, childish reasons.

For the record, I thumbs upped several previous comments on this thread..... for the purpose that I agree with each of their valid points. :D

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Dec 1 at 2013 11:04 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 23:04:31 -0500

Fully agree - just voting thumbs up or down in snot much of a commitment. If forced to make a choice and then defend it, many will rethink their first impulse. Often vote the same, but rethink just the same.

Response by SSG Ronald Limbaugh made Dec 2 at 2013 3:17 AM

SSG Ronald Limbaugh — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 03:17:44 -0500

Great suggestion, brother... Wait a minute, what's with the "thumbs down" sensitivity? j/k, figured I'd hearken back to a similar comment you sent me a while ago.
Actually, Great Idea... I also think that a thumbs down should require a comment, justifying why someone feels you should be voted down, whether it is just because they don't agree with your beliefs or if they feel that the logic behind your statement is invalid. I'm thoroughly behind this as an addition to RallyPoint.

Response by SFC Rocky Gannon made Dec 2 at 2013 3:09 PM

SFC Rocky Gannon — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:09:33 -0500

SSG Burns I agree, give some kind of feedback on what you don't like. This will allow you or me or whoever to reply and maybe give a point that someone would like or understand.

Response by SFC Rocky Gannon made Dec 2 at 2013 3:09 PM

SFC Rocky Gannon — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:09:35 -0500

SSG Burns I agree, give some kind of feedback on what you don't like. This will allow you or me or whoever to reply and maybe give a point that someone would like or understand.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Dec 2 at 2013 7:50 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:50:26 -0500

<p>I think that a thumbs down is an app that should be removed totally, this will make the person who disagrees with no choice but to comment.</p><p>It also keeps anyone from giving a thumbs down and run with out a real cause.</p><p>( a hit and run).</p><p>I seen people whom are not knew actually give a thumbs down but post no comments as to why.</p><p>On the other hand I seen many members post comments with out a thumbs up or down.</p><p><br></p><p>Why create an app that forces some one to do something, when eliminating it resolves all this easily.</p><p><br></p>

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 7:26 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:26:05 -0500

There. thumbs down vote. Why, It was there to do.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 7:28 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:28:35 -0500

thumbs down vote

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Feb 4 at 2014 7:40 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:40:56 -0500

Hmmm...how do you respectfully tell a SFC to keep sippin' that haterade? This will do :)

Response by 1SG Johnny Carter made Feb 4 at 2014 9:48 PM

1SG Johnny Carter — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 21:48:50 -0500

Boooo!! Fight the power!! Lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 12:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:48:07 -0500

I seriously voted down on this just to see if it was true.....neglecting to realize this thread was created two months ago. Grrrrrr

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 9:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:09:00 -0500

I think getting an idea of who made the thumbs down is good enough for me, everyone has the right to disagree, but there is a level of....I dont want to say accountability, but maybe....Im not sure how to even word this, but everyone should be adult enough to be responsible for the comments, and likes dislikes.

On a side note....whos been downvoting everyone, lol. I dont think I have ever seen so many red numbers.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 20 at 2014 11:45 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 23:45:10 -0400

The only thumbs down I have given to date came with an explaining comment.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 12:16 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 00:16:35 -0400

I need an open palm icon to slap a fool once in a while!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 21 at 2014 9:05 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:05:02 -0400

I have been voted down, and to be quite honest with you, I have wondered why. This is a great idea, as long it is done with respect and doesn't make the person being voted down feel like an idiot for speaking their mind about a topic that they are passionate about. My opinions may not be popular, but it would be nice to know why someone doesn't like to hear what I have said. I can take being voted down, I have been cut down by the best the Army has to offer.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 22 at 2014 7:09 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 19:09:03 -0400

Snotty attitude..lol...had to do it :-D

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2014 12:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 00:20:48 -0400

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Too much importance is placed on thumbs on this site, especially down thumbs. People have no problem thumbing up a post without adding a corroborating explanation, so why should a down thumb be any different?

By my experience those that take offense to down thumbs are generally not very receptive to any disagreeing constructive feedback. Hell, I've had one individual tell me that a down thumb was in and of itself a direct form of disrespect.

In my opinion people here on RP should be less afraid of using the down vote button, otherwise this site will turn into a giant "yes men" circle jerk.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 23 at 2014 11:36 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:36:59 -0400

MSG Cunningham you can! oops sorry missed the sarcasum.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2014 10:40 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:40:41 -0400

I believe (and may be wrong) the thumbs up is because we like what someone said, not necessarily agree, but like. So is the thumbs down because we don't like or agree with what someone posted/responded? If so is it fair to penalize a person because someone doesn't like or agree with what someone said with no explanation? should the thumbs down be better defined if it will count against you. If so will it discourage one from RESPECTFULLY speaking their mind and inhibit the ideas of RP?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 5 at 2014 10:45 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:45:20 -0400

It would be nice to know why they voted you down.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 5 at 2014 10:49 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:49:00 -0400

It is okay to disagree as long as respect and professionalism is in order.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 3:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:35:28 -0400

How about a multi-tiered thumbs system... we could have the normal "Thumbs Up", we could have a thumb at a 45º angle up (to either side - doesn't matter) to say "I agree with you but your post has some issues", a thumb going to the side to say "I don't agree with you, but your post is valid", a thumb going down at a 45º angle to say "I don't agree with you, but your post has some validity/relevance" and a straight down thumb to say "I disagree with you, hate you, and your post sucks!" We could also have a "closed fist" for "I want to punch your lights out" and a pistol for a "Drive by" dislike of the post!

Also, from now on, we can refer to Thumbs Up as "TU", Thumbs Down as "TD", Thumbs to the side as "TS", and Thumbs at 45º angles as "TA-DO" or "TA-TU"!

;Þ

Just kidding. I think, overall the thumbs down/up is fine. I do believe that there are some people who are doing drive-by TDs without either bothering to explain or give their point of view. I think that sucks. But it isn't like everyone does that, and for the most part, I do try to leave a comment when I TD you. If I TU you, I may or may not leave a comment, but if I agree with your statement in general, then all I should need to do is TU you...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 17 at 2015 12:58 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:58:41 -0500

Actually I'll take it a step farther, id prefer to see a required comment for either a vote up or vote down.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 1:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 01:00:21 -0500

In my opinion it would be nice if the person down voting gave an explanation as to why they down voted a post. I don't often down vote posts but when I do I TRY to give an explanation as to why I did. I think it's common courtesy (which seems to be lacking in society these days). It's some what like having a face to face discussion.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Feb 6 at 2015 4:19 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:19:11 -0500

Yes it would, I get an occasional coward who feels they are all mighty by down voting my stupid comments I make and have no gonads to say why.I see the original thread received 6 down votes, which tells me those 6 feel they dont have to be polite to others...karma is a bitch.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 25 at 2015 3:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 15:11:38 -0400

I firmly believe there should be dialogue with the up vote and down vote. There is nothing like writing a lengthy answer to help an individual and getting an up vote. Yes thank you, here is my thumb. What does the up vote or down vote mean? I can throw chicken bones and get the same interpretation.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 25 at 2015 3:48 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 15:48:04 -0400

I don't believe this kind of fine tuning is necessary. Just think about the unintended consequences. I'm a devious Seabee and thought of a few already. That said, I've explained myself when taking the less popular side of an issue. I'm still sorting out my criteria on the thumbs thing. Like Facebook, I don't use them as they're impersonal. You like something, you say why. People appreciate it.

Through my years I've used a "Give-A-Shit Ometer". They are pretty useful devices. For RP, there are discussions I ignore regardless of the viewpoints because the needle isn't moving much. If it hits middle, I'll read comments. 70% or above, I'll chip in.

In the old days the GASOM was a heavy ashtray on my desk. Everyone knew I didn't smoke but sure knew what it meant to have me lift it an inch vs. a foot off the desk. Many times I'd ask how high I should raise it. That's when you learn how important something is to someone else.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 19 at 2015 11:33 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:33:09 -0500

I have received one thumbs down so far and I actually could see who did it. I didn't take it personal and that person is entitled to their own opinion. I still stand by what I said and even posted a comment to his reason for giving me the thumbs down. Didn't hear from him after that.