Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 12:25:09 PM

Title: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 12:25:09 PM
As you may have noticed I'm experimenting with the Karma (renamed to Thanked: (thanks)). I'd like for users who get help on the forums be able to help the user who helped them. This is not set in stone but is enabled while I'm experimenting with some things.

I believe that many of the issues from when this was originally enabled were caused by the ability to smite someone. So I'm keeping that disabled, simply only allowing users to thank someone.

Feel free to comment on this, since I know it's always been a really controversial topic.

p.s. Those who were around when the new forums got moved over from the old forums and got Karma will still have their values.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Calum on March 10, 2009, 12:36:16 PM
I still vote against this system, although disabling smiting is a nice touch.
Still, I'm not going to stand in the way of progress, and I'm quite prepared to change my mind.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: kpac on March 10, 2009, 01:19:45 PM
I think it might be a nice idea. I have never really used/experimented with it so I can't really say.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Techno on March 10, 2009, 02:13:14 PM
Update:

I've made it so the link to thank a user for their post is posted in the bottom right hand of the post and added some customization so it says the users name, e.g. "Thank admin for their post". I think most new users would find it easier to see this link in this spot and allow it to sound more personalized. While modifying this section I also changed "Report to moderator" to "Report abuse", and removed the IP icon (didn't do anything).

Using alt account to make sure everything looks ok and works. :)
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: computeruler on March 10, 2009, 02:16:20 PM
So if someone helps me I help them? I like that thanked thing!
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: kpac on March 10, 2009, 02:58:39 PM
Any way of a mod which allows the user to see who thanked them in the Profile Settings etc.?
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Glitch on March 10, 2009, 03:22:12 PM
Is this the same as Karma...or a different mod, altogether?
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 03:26:21 PM
Any way of a mod which allows the user to see who thanked them in the Profile Settings etc.?

As far as what I can see on the Mod page for this version of SMF it's not possible. However, there appears to be many other additional features in 2.0. So maybe something to look forward to in the future.

Is this the same as Karma...or a different mod, altogether?

Just something custom I'm doing. It's actually the same Karma, but I've made it appear different and what I hope to be more accepted and user friendly.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Broni on March 10, 2009, 03:32:49 PM
Just to be clear, how it works...
Someone will be able to click only once on that link in one particular thread, correct?
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 03:35:10 PM
Actually they could click multiple times. But someone can only thank a member (the same member) every one hour. So, it's not likely that someone would thank another person multiple times on the same link.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Glitch on March 10, 2009, 03:37:33 PM
However, this is possible, though...correct?

Giving the same user multiple thanks, I mean?
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 03:38:57 PM
Yes this would be possible. If done after a one hour interval.

Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 03:54:09 PM
Computer Hope forum stats (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?action=stats) now show top thanked.

Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: kpac on March 10, 2009, 04:00:24 PM
May I ask howcome some users haven't been online for quite a while, but still users have thanked them? Does the database store the thanks from previous enabling/disabling?
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 04:03:45 PM
Yes. All thanks for the life of the forum are stored.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Broni on March 10, 2009, 04:19:13 PM
kpac...say thank you to me.....LOL.....just kidding...
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Zylstra on March 10, 2009, 07:01:13 PM
Didnt read the entire topic...

But, heres my thoughts;
Pro's:
Karma isnt associated with ranks, so, it would be hard for someone to use it as a cheating system... thats just a thing I had pondered, not sure if that makes sense to anyone.
Karma does issue credit to people who do help out quite a bit.

Cons:
It can be abused, however, true, SMF 2.0 does have more options for Karma...
It can be misleading at times, just like post count
People may just attribute Karma to people without valid reason

I'm kind of neutral, but, it can be fun.

If we do use this system, can we change the name "Karma" to something else, like, "Helpfulness"? Or some derivative that actually describes what we try and use it for? Karma sounds a bit funky...
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 07:08:25 PM
Quote
If we do use this system, can we change the name "Karma" to something else, like, "Helpfulness"? Or some derivative that actually describes what we try and use it for? Karma sounds a bit funky...

Karma is actually not mentioned anywhere, it's being referred to as "thanks" / "thanked". You should see this in your profile and in the left portion of each of the boards. I just mentioned karma on this thread to let everyone know what it is, since many of you are familiar with the old karma system.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: patio on March 10, 2009, 07:31:54 PM
Quote
Press the thank button if I helped!

Here we go again.... ::)
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: computeruler on March 10, 2009, 07:38:55 PM
Some people might not see it  ::)
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: GlitchPC on March 10, 2009, 07:41:07 PM
Some people might not see it  ::)

That deserved a Thank you... ;)
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 07:44:17 PM
Here we go again.... ::)

Heh, I'm open to ideas on way's to make it more visible if needed. But I don't think adding it to the signature is going to make it much clearer.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: patio on March 10, 2009, 07:53:20 PM
My point is people sitting around waiting to get Thanked for what we do here completely defeats the purpose of what CH is all about...

I don't look for it nor do i expect it. I spend time here to help and only that...if i did it for recognition i would have left here a long time ago.

Last comments on this matter.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Broni on March 10, 2009, 07:55:27 PM
I don't like this idea, either.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 08:07:44 PM
I agree Patio/Zylstra. I'm not wanting the "thanks" to become some type of measuring contest and I too could care less about recognition. My hope with the idea of potentially re-implementing this was to offer those looking for help to give some form of appreciation. That being said, this is definately not set in stone and after some additional tweaking / experimenting if it just becomes another contest and/or seems to cause community grief I'll just simply disable it again.

Give me some additional time to experiment and get some additional feedback from any other members who haven't chimed in yet and then we'll go from there.

Just one additional thought to throw out there. What if we were to disable the "Thanks" from the left profile section on the message boards, but kept the link to allow users to thank someone?

Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: computeruler on March 10, 2009, 08:09:17 PM
I guess i will remove my sig
Im confused about this though
I agree Patio/Zylstra. I'm not wanting the "thanks" to become some type of measuring contest and I too could care about recognition.
you agree with them but you care about recognition? that was a typo right
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 08:14:52 PM
I guess i will remove my sig
Im confused about this though you agree with them but you care about recognition? that was a typo right

Yeah typo. Thanks.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: evilfantasy on March 10, 2009, 08:26:49 PM
I have never seen a forum so conflicted over the karma system (http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/1.gif)

Just the mention of it brings up issues (http://bestsmileys.com/angry1/22.gif)
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: BC_Programmer on March 10, 2009, 08:35:36 PM
As long as there is no way to "demerit" members- IE- "dethank"; I believe that is the major weakness of the basic karma system, trouble-makers could easily spam the link just to cause trouble.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 10, 2009, 08:36:22 PM
I'd imagine most of it stems from when the forums were new after moving from the old forum system and it caused a lot of grief. Which is why I was a little hesitant at giving it another shot. I had some ideas that I believe will be beneficial, which is why I'm trying it again, still haven't realized all of those ideas yet though.

Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: evilfantasy on March 10, 2009, 08:41:29 PM
Usually from what I've seen, once implemented, within a few weeks it's pretty much forgotten about. Maybe the personalities here are too big to let it work spontaneously like it is supposed to though.
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: patio on March 11, 2009, 01:16:45 PM
I guess i'll have to work on toning down my personality...
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: computeruler on March 11, 2009, 01:18:08 PM
I like it.  I was accually going to suggest something like this when I first joined. Never got around to it though
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: evilfantasy on March 11, 2009, 03:32:52 PM
Maybe I should say ego's... :P
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: paudashlake on March 11, 2009, 05:37:54 PM
Well, what if we feel a little put down because someone has many more thanks then we do?  I mean isn't it kinda of a way to brag????   I'm sad now :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Broni on March 11, 2009, 08:48:01 PM
Quote
I guess i'll have to work on toning down my personality...
I'm sending you couple of cases right away ;D
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on March 12, 2009, 12:00:26 AM
Haven't read the entire topic after Zyltra's post but:
Quote
p.s. Those who were around when the new forums got moved over from the old forums and got Karma will still have their values.
It appears I only had 1 point transfered over. :(

Lol
Title: Re: Possible return of Karma?
Post by: Calum on March 12, 2009, 02:40:56 AM
Well, what if we feel a little put down because someone has many more thanks then we do?  I mean isn't it kinda of a way to brag????   I'm sad now :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
In the same way that some people feel post count is important, yes.
In other words, it means nothing unless you need it to support your fragile sense of self.
Well ... just my opinion.