We all know the Rep system is broken. Oh yes, so very broken. A new user can't really affect anyone's Rep significantly and a Rep powerhouse like waterproofbob can instantly propel a new user to lofty heights. The system is rife with hyper-inflation. It's about time the Rep bubble burst. 
Originally, the system was enabled to allow users to, after a fashion, moderate each other; a positive hit to say "hey, that's good, more of that" and a negative hit to say "that sucked, no more of that". Practically, though, a huge number of positive hits were handed out with comments that read "lol" and I get PMed for practically every negative hit handed out with a complain about how it wasn't justified. For this community, user-to-user moderation dunnae work, cap'n.
All this has been clear for months, but it's only recently that we've realised we can make a fairly simple change and the system can still be useful and even fun.
We've a three step plan. It goes something like this...
Step 1: Stop, Save, Rewind
With insane Rep comes insane Rep Power, leading to even more insane Rep. The system isn't worthless but it is mad. Time to cut our losses.
The Rep that people have is valid but needs archiving off to a separate box where it will forever stay for posterity.
So, we disable the system, archive off existing Rep to a special field, then we reset everyone's Rep to zero.
Step 2: Bring on the Cookies
Where ever possible, Rep is renamed to Cookies. Everyone loves cookies. The little balance icon that is used to give Rep is replaced by a cookie. The green pips are replaced by cookies. More cookies.
After the cookie conversion, the system is reconfigured so it can't run rampant again.
Specifically, everyone is allowed to give two and only two cookies per day to whoever they choose, even two to the same person. Imagine you've got two huge cookies, one for each hand. Each cookie is just one cookie. Maybe Admins or Mods might give more cookies out at a time (after all, he who controls the cookies control the universe) but we've not decided on that yet.
It doesn't matter how long you've been here, how many posts you've made or how many cookies have been given to you; you can only give two cookies per day. No cookie inflation. Just cookie acquisition. Mmm, cookies.
There are no negative cookies. Cookies are all good. Because they're all good, they automatically come in a little box with your name on it; yes, the person you give your cookie to will know that it was you.
Step 3: Have Cookies, Have Fun
Armed with your pair of cookies each day, you can spread the cookie love to whoever you feel deserves it on that day. I'd suggest you give your cookies out to causes you want to promote but I guess that'll regulate itself over time.
But we hope that people will have more fun with cookies and that they'll act as a little thank you that is easy to give, largely free of restrictions, just there to be appreciated and show your appreciation.
... then you're going to ask "so when is all this happening?" and I'll answer "right around the time we've got the boards running in a more complete configuration". Maybe in the next week? Probably next week, especially if I get some time off work then.
Originally, the system was enabled to allow users to, after a fashion, moderate each other; a positive hit to say "hey, that's good, more of that" and a negative hit to say "that sucked, no more of that". Practically, though, a huge number of positive hits were handed out with comments that read "lol" and I get PMed for practically every negative hit handed out with a complain about how it wasn't justified. For this community, user-to-user moderation dunnae work, cap'n.
All this has been clear for months, but it's only recently that we've realised we can make a fairly simple change and the system can still be useful and even fun.
We've a three step plan. It goes something like this...
Step 1: Stop, Save, Rewind
With insane Rep comes insane Rep Power, leading to even more insane Rep. The system isn't worthless but it is mad. Time to cut our losses.
The Rep that people have is valid but needs archiving off to a separate box where it will forever stay for posterity.
So, we disable the system, archive off existing Rep to a special field, then we reset everyone's Rep to zero.
Step 2: Bring on the Cookies
Where ever possible, Rep is renamed to Cookies. Everyone loves cookies. The little balance icon that is used to give Rep is replaced by a cookie. The green pips are replaced by cookies. More cookies.
After the cookie conversion, the system is reconfigured so it can't run rampant again.
Specifically, everyone is allowed to give two and only two cookies per day to whoever they choose, even two to the same person. Imagine you've got two huge cookies, one for each hand. Each cookie is just one cookie. Maybe Admins or Mods might give more cookies out at a time (after all, he who controls the cookies control the universe) but we've not decided on that yet.
It doesn't matter how long you've been here, how many posts you've made or how many cookies have been given to you; you can only give two cookies per day. No cookie inflation. Just cookie acquisition. Mmm, cookies.
There are no negative cookies. Cookies are all good. Because they're all good, they automatically come in a little box with your name on it; yes, the person you give your cookie to will know that it was you.
Step 3: Have Cookies, Have Fun
Armed with your pair of cookies each day, you can spread the cookie love to whoever you feel deserves it on that day. I'd suggest you give your cookies out to causes you want to promote but I guess that'll regulate itself over time.
But we hope that people will have more fun with cookies and that they'll act as a little thank you that is easy to give, largely free of restrictions, just there to be appreciated and show your appreciation.
... then you're going to ask "so when is all this happening?" and I'll answer "right around the time we've got the boards running in a more complete configuration". Maybe in the next week? Probably next week, especially if I get some time off work then.
