I think it would be nice to have a clean clear discussion about Voting with your Karma.

Here are my thoughts. Hope not to step on any toes.

There have been some tiffs here and there, some questions about members, their status in the Plime community, people letting anger change the way they vote, and people letting popularity change the way they vote.

I look at Karma like this:

Its a tool, you have the number (in my case 20) because you have worked hard and you have earned it. Not in many cases, but a few the Karma bug can change wether a post gets to the popular page, or a member gets to the next level. So I think its important for us all to evaluate how we vote.

I dont have a problem at all with Downvoting, in fact I use it occasionally for things here and there, but maybe a total of 5-10 times during my entire stay here (About 4 months). When ever I do downvote I like to at least explain the reason why I did, be it a dupe, or being inappropriate, I try my hand at communicating as best as possible. I think its very important.

One thing I try not to do is Downvote with a grudge. There are users on here that may have pushed my buttons in the past, and likely will push them in the future, and I have to take that in stride and look at Plime as a community that feeds off each other. Hostility leads to more Hostility. Personally the reason I stick around here so much is there because of the kindness and good spirited people who make this their home. Go to Digg and say some of the things you say here and watch as you are torn apart by a bunch of self loving pricks. Not my kind of place.

And finally on Downvoting I would like to hope you all look at the Link from the perspective that the user who posted it didnt write it, so if you have issues with the article or link, dont take it out on the user, instead voice your opinion on the comments page, its a great way to express how you feel and maybe spark an interesting discussion, its done every day. Just remember dont go maliciously downvoting because you disagree that Moby shouldn't be on the List of Sucky Singers, or that Cheese is obviously not as cool as we are led to think.

Think before you DV.

With upvoting its a different story, but you can look at it just like you do Downvoting, people use it because they think it might help their popularity, people do it in attempt to gain respect, and people do it because they follow the herd, and try to make sure their favorite poster gets their credit, despite what kind of garbage or great post they made.

Keep in mind that you should upvote things you like, not things you think will make you look like a better person or have you be loved by this guy or that girl.

Think before you UV.

I love this site, its fantastic, great community, awesome people, nice layout, funny b*****ds on the forums, we can all giggle, laugh, hug, cry, support, and share. Thats what makes us special, but at the same time lets try to make the experience open to other people, from all over the world, keep in mind that the person you are arguing with in the forum may not be able to fully communicate with you, hence making him seem harsh. Think before you bash, or rage out.

Im almost 89.3% sure that roughly 97.23% of the members here arent here to argue, they are here to enjoy themselves. But if you are here to argue, we will still love you, we will just put a sound proof bucket over your head.

And thats what I think about that.

Well said, MM. I totally agree. I'm becoming a bit more wise with the way I vote, whether it be up or down. Most of my downvotes go to spammers, as I tend to not downvote things I disagree with. If you make a good point, I'll upvote it. If I completely disagree, and think you make no sense, I simply won't vote. If you're being a troll, or having troll-like tendencies, then I'll downvote you.

As for upvotes, I tend to upvote points that are well made, things that make me think, laugh, and things of that nature. I've rarely run into problems with site members, and as for grudges, who needs them? What's the point?

I've said this many times before, and I'll say it many more times: I love you guys. I love this site. I love the members most of all. We really are like a family, and we're a genuine community. That's what makes us so radically different from other sites. We may bicker, and sometimes, family members will have a falling out, (i.e. Dangerman and FriedBrains) but that doesn't mean that we ousted them for having different opinions, they just became trolls after a while.

That being said, I love Plime and wouldn't change a thing. Good post, MM.

Goos post, Indeed.

Lmao

And valid point made below.

I'd also like to add downvoting dupes and upvoting the edits on those posts. That way the user (particularly newbies) aren't out those karma points.

Damn....


Umm....Upvotes, and such.

I'm sure I have plenty of grammar mistakes. lol. No worries.

Hugs.

*Referencing Below* - Smart ass. lol

I'm sure I have plenty of grammar mistakes.

:)

MM, I wish I could upvote you again for your edit.

I rarely downvote. I don't downvote links just because I don't like them (they'd have to be pretty foul for that). I downvote spam. On a rare occasion I'll downvote a comment that's rude or out of line. If it's a comment I don't like I'll just not upvote. If it's a link I don't like, I'll just not upvote it.

I have a thick skin, I better since I've obviously pissed off a few people (judging from the downvotes). I find it weak. You have something to say back to me, rebut. I've locked horns with several people on this site, some on a regular basis. Yet, I'll upvote those people and I know they upvote me too when they or I post something that we agree on. I don't think any of them downvote me on comments they don't like. I'm not positive, but I also don't care.

If someone downvotes me, so what? If it happens on a post I want to know why (dupe, or whatever) but if it's on a comment I make, well, I sure don't hold myself back from the fray so I'm bound to take a few hits but I don't really care...if that's the best rebuttal you can come back with.... C'est la vie.

Plz do so here. Thank you... COME AGAIN! lol

My pleasure, sir.

As I've grown in Karma I've developed my own way of upvoting/downvoting.

I view it like handing out money. I don't have to give money away, but I like to. Occasionally, I have to take money away.

If I thought about it that way, i'd downvote like crazy =p. In all seriousness though, I think users genuinely trying to contribute should not be punished except on SPECIFIC comments or links where they deserve it.

Since day one the upvotes/ down votes have been every plimates voice on this site. Granted some members have much larger voices than others. The basis for Plime as far as I knew it was completely experimental and self-governing. If you try to aim the way anyone uses their vote you are silencing their voice, and as far as I am concerned that is not the way this site is supposed to operate.

I really really dislike the fact that people upvote just inspite of upvoting; no names have to be mentioned you all know who I'm talking about.

I haven't downvote until just a week ago and only downvoted because they deserved it for the comment they made.

I allow everyone to their right to express themselves and to do that I don't downvote someone based on their opinons and morals -- even if you're neo-nazi, if you contribute something to the thread and it has nothing to do with you're own personal objective, I'm all for it.

P.S. whenever i make a thread and you post in it i upvote you

I agree. But we can have some ground rules, or at least courtesies you extend to other that you'd like extended to you.

Vote however you choose, but remember to 'do unto others.'

This thread has happened way too many times. There are no guidelines. Vote as you please and see how the community reacts. We're all just a big experiment anyway - being looked upon by an omnipotent higher power (I'm talking about Jax here).

I think syko said it best.

There are no rules; only guidelines. And the guidelines don't really have to be adhered to at all.

I would hope that everyone developes a voting policy that is responsible; but there is no way to police it and there are no rules to check on anyway.

My personal approach to downvoting (aside from the obvious dupe/spam) is to downvote anyone who is being blatantly offensive. I could give two s**ts about whether I agree with you or not, but if you're rude about it (and not just jabbing, but outrigt rude) I will downvote you. I will also comment on it so that you know who downvoted you and why.

I don't upvote on just anyone who happens to enter a thread I started, because that's just an upvote orgy. I upvote intelligent comments and witty comments. (of course a lot of you are intelligent and witty and it may sometimes appear that I am upvoting everyone) As for the links, if I clicked on it and actually found it interesting, I upvote it. Simple as that.

I wasn't intending to make a guideline, I was just opening the discussion, I wanted to know what you guys though, and I wanted to share my thoughts.

Love you guys! And I agree with sykeo56, its all in your own personal taste.

haha, WWDEPUV?

Ok, that's it. I've stayed out of this for a reason but this is really starting to get to me.

We all know when we should upvote and downvote already and some are choosing to ignore that and go ahead on a ridiculous downvote/upvote war against eachother. QUIT IT. grab your f**king balls, get over it and stop it.

This is f**king ridiculous guys, this website is going to be ruined if this continues. We all know better and this has to stop.

STOP IT.

There. Let this, those threads, and the issue, die already.

I'll upvote you on Friday night! Look, you got a 69 before we ever met.