As many have noticed, we removed the ability for our members to rank posts based on a 1-5 score. We decided to do this for three reasons.

  1. Very few members used it.
  2. Not effective due to lack of use.
  3. Confusing. (is 1 best, or is 5 best)

Instead of a 5 point scoring system, we are moving to a one point scoring system.  Press the "Share" button, and that's a "1"... don't press it, and it's a "0".

The "Share" button does the following:

  1. Give's the post a "thumbs up" rating.
  2. Saves the post to your <publicly viewable> "shared folder".
  3. Adds your name to the list of people who give the post a "thumbs up".  Others can access this list via a link on the post itself.

Please note that we are working on refreshing the look of AR as a whole and this new "shared" rating system is a part of the overall site redesign.  We are expecting the site redesign to be complete by the end of November. The new shared rating system will be launched at the same time as the site redesign goes live.

 

blog page redesign preview

 

 

72 Comments on Old ratings are gone. New rating system to come!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
20
2007
1,417,263 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
The redesign looks very cool and much more streamlined! Looking forward to all of the new things the AR Team has in the works.
11:59pm • #53
OCT
21
2007
406,245 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

So if you want to post a "member's only" blog and someone hit's share - it goes public???

I'm a little confused.
9:12am • #54
404,039 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog
My main problem with this is that it is just as easy to game the system. Will AR turn its attention to those gamers or just let them do their thing again?
9:18am • #55

Jonathan:

Thanks for the info.
10:23am • #56
4 Featured Posts

Jonathan,

Change is always good and I look forward to seeing these and how they come into play.

Ft. Smith Real Estate
10:53am • #57
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

While any try at improving the site is a good thing, this is still nothing but a rating system.

How long will it be before the first Member adds a pathetic 'Please Share Me' button to their posts?

ActiveRain needs to direct it's efforts towards important things such as the huge plagiarism problem.
11:34am • #58
165,482 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, Member's only posts will remain private.

Simon, In theory it will be tougher to game the system with this new approach because there will be much greater levels of participation. But with that said, we will still watch for gaming. We have a few tricks up our sleeves to make the gamers ineffective!

Marc, Yes it is still a ratings system.  "Please share me" buttons might come across as a little too desperate. We are bringing in a full time editor to help Nicole manage the plagiarism problem.  We also have some upgrades coming to our flagging interface. 

 
12:05pm • #59
131,091 Points 24 Featured Posts
Jonathan.. I'm really happy to see this positive response from AR.  The new system looks interesting... I hope it manages to stop some of the previous problems that seem to come with growth in any system.
12:16pm • #60
882,832 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
It will be nice for the better posts to be rewarded more than the lame posts again.  Of course, the real reward is having prospects read the blog...  I know, I know
12:32pm • #61
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Jonathan-

THAT'S great news - the flagging system was great, but it obviously got overwhelmed quickly.  The extra help will be good.
12:51pm • #62
258,193 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jonathan, Will be interesting to watch how it develops.

Question, Will there be a grading system in place to evaluate post that are "thumbs upped". or is it a numbers game?

EG: Someone who already has a large following, and always attracts a lot of readers to their posts they will nost likely get a lot of comments and a large number of thumbs up. Someone new or undiscovered may have a small number of comments but a  high % of thumbs up..... is this calibrated??

Ginger
1:15pm • #63
283,710 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I like the thumbs up, but think there should be three categories.  thumbs up, thumbs down, no comment.  I don't think no comment should equal a thumbs down.

I very much like the idea of being able to track who seems to like what.  Though the continued problem of best for consumer may not be most appreciated by fellow Rainers, will continue to be an inhibiting factor for those whose primary goal is to blog for consumers vs. peers.
2:54pm • #64
120,416 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I like the changes all around being made to active rain. The more I stumble around the community. Keep up the good work and thanks for keeping AR free.
4:14pm • #65

If I understand this "Share" button properly, then when I assign a Share to a given post, it will then show up on my profile as a blog I am recommending the public to read.

If that's correct, then I will be selecting interesting or informative Localism posts.

That would seem to encourage people to write good articles that rainers are willing to share with their potential clients, since it will reflect on us as to what we are recommending. Am I interpreting this Share button correctly?

As Ardell said, I support a thumbs down. It's needed to counter the cut & pasters and gamers.
8:25pm • #66
Jonathan, It looks good. While I see a flag option, I also see the word flagged with a number next to it. Is this going to tell how many times it has been flagged? and who flagged it? Just curious. I also agree with you on no thumbs down since it will become use by the gamers and also a place for those who have odd issues with us to down-rate us as "retribution" There are many people like this here from what I have read and even personally experienced myself. Also, is it still going to be so easy to browse the blogs and the groups? I know lots of questions, I'll check back later for more comments and answers.
11:38pm • #67
OCT
22
2007
299,146 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

This sounds like a great way to forge ahead of the pack and keep AR moving into the future!  I am anticipating a BETTER AR.

Thanks
3:24am • #68
OCT
23
2007
10 Featured Posts
Much better.  I'm not a fan of a mandatory rating or a mandatory comment as some have suggested.  This seems to cover the need though....
9:12pm • #69
104,198 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp
I'm new here so the gaming was news to me but it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
9:16pm • #70
406,245 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

What are the qualifications for a Featured post? How does it work? and How do people get featured without any comments?  I am trying to understand this.

Karen
9:43pm • #71
OCT
25
2007
873,435 Points 167 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Hey Jonathan - I am excited about the new system.  I spoke with Bob today and I think this is a big step in the right direction.  Kudos to you guys for developing something that should solve lots of headaches.
1:40am • #72

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