Off Topics section - changes

[Made2Fade]

Hi guys...

In order to keep the reputation system more accurate and to keep things more in line with the front page we would like to implement the following.

* All happy birthday threads to be placed in the off topics section please
* Reputation system to change slightly (off topics only)

Currently you will find that the thanks button does not appear in the off topics section of the forum. This will be replaced shortly as a small piece of code needs to be written due to a slight change. When the button re-appears, hitting it will show your appreciation but will not equate to reputation points.

There are a number of reasons for the change. The first 2 mentioned in the opening line of this post. Another is so that the off topics section cannot be used to deliberatly receive reputation in order to gain access to the For Sale/Wanted/Swaps forums.
Im sure most people will agree that any reputation system should be accurate. If a person has high reputation then this should be a good sign that they are (a) trustworthy (b) a long standing member (c) they have helped many people overcome issues and generally contributed greatly to the forum.

We can refine the details further if anyone has any good suggestions.
Many thanks.

[Mike Sanders]

Sounds sensible.

[Planehazza]

I hit the thanks button on your post, I'm such a rebel...

[Made2Fade]

You may have noticed that i am not showing my reputation or have been for some time now Harry so it dont matter to me . And my reputation is good, i aint not showing it because its rubbish lol
I think the reputation has been inaccurate for some time now and this is why we decided to change it. If the system is more accurate then it should help with the for sale section also. Having a reputation used to stand for something back in the day... Its not all about whos online all the time, its about whos helping who and what contribution they are making and putting good information to use on the forum.

[waveydavey]

I think the reputation has been inaccurate for some time now and this is why we decided to change it. If the system is more accurate then it should help with the for sale section also. Having a reputation used to stand for something back in the day... Its not all about whos online all the time, its about whos helping who and what contribution they are making and putting good information to use on the forum.

Not sure if I completely agree with your assessment Lee. You will only receive reputation from those that consider your posts to be helpful. Whether that includes off topic or not I'm not bothered either way but that's the only place you are considering changing the rules.

Why and how is it inaccurate, what measures did you use to come to this conclusion, by the nature of being online all the time you are more likely to respond to questions or pleas for help, by being online you will become more knowledgeable and able to pass this on. I am a self confessed HA and spend rather more time than I should logged on and I do have a good reputation like yourself and many others. This reputation is based on response from other members for useful posts not from pointless ones about nowt, I don't do that.

Some may consider that the Happy Birthday Posts were an attempt to up my reputation, where in fact they were an attempt to include others that sit in the shadows posting infrequently in the hope that the inclusion helps them post more and increase the traffic and heli related threads.

Personally I would consider dumping the reputation altogether, what does it mean, prove or otherwise. Sort something out for access to the For Sale section and Bobs your uncle, who needs to be a 'shining light'. Everybody's input is valued whether it's helpful or not, you don't need a points system to display it. By all means leave the thanks but take away the daft levels. Just my tuppence worth

[Planehazza]

You may have noticed that i am not showing my reputation or have been for some time now Harry so it dont matter to me . And my reputation is good, i aint not showing it because its rubbish lol
I think the reputation has been inaccurate for some time now and this is why we decided to change it. If the system is more accurate then it should help with the for sale section also. Having a reputation used to stand for something back in the day... Its not all about whos online all the time, its about whos helping who and what contribution they are making and putting good information to use on the forum.

Just being daft mate. Yeah I agree. Too many rep points are given out for "the joke of day" type threads etc IMO

[Made2Fade]

Dave dont take this the wrong way (its most certainly not intended) but the reputation system has been around since HA first started. We certainly are not going to get rid of it. Its more about making it a little more accurate as well as helping improve the for sale/wanted/swaps forums. Tbh ive explained the reasons why in the first post. Your certainly entitled to your opinion, and i value it. You dont necessarily have to agree with my assesment either. This is not something thats just happened, i have watched this carefully for quite some time now. Regardless... it still does not get away from the fact that some new members (most definately not all) post rubbish in off topics merely to boost their reputation for one goal only. Also this is not something aimed at happy birthday posts only.

[Made2Fade]

Just being daft mate. Yeah I agree. Too many rep points are given out for "the joke of day" type threads etc IMO

Yeh i know mate lol i just wanted to point out that reputation or thanks for admin type notices dont bother me (although appreciated). This is simply because i dont do admin just to receive thanks. I hope that dont sound bloody ungrateful haha.