Q: Feedback: The rating system

This is just the latest in a series of attempts to come up with a ratings/reputation system that works, that isn't easily gamed and can be used with the Jive software that runs the forum. It's very challenging but the Hosts are always working on it.

Someone did a back of the envelope calculation a while back that, if I recall, indicated about 20% of posts were marked solved. The recent "Recommended" indication is an attempt to help address some of that lack of marking things solved. However, unless people are forced to mark things solved, this is always boing to be an issue.

This might sound disingenuous coming from some one with a lot of points but, if you participate here just for the points, you're going to end up being annoyed and frustrated. Do it because you have fun, because you you learn things, because the people you interact with are interesting. Don't worry about the points.

I suspect our hosts are aware of these issues and do look at ways to encourage the original posters to provide feedback, You may also have seen posts that have been recommended after the fact when the OP doesn't. In the meantime I'll make sure this thread comes to their attention.

tt2

AustinJGibson wrote:

 

I do do it because I have fun with it, but I just feel like it would make it easier for end users to find the answers they were looking for if more things were correctly labeled solved and unresolved, you know?

Given that the problems with the Search engine in Support are legendary, I don't think that's the first thing that needs to be solved. Many people arrive at the forums through Google searches.

Also, how are you going to insure that the post the OP marks as solved is really a good answer? I can think of half a dozen threads in the last week where the OP marked the first post that answer as "Solved" and followed it with a post that said something to the effect of "Thanks for answering but that didn't solve my issue." Or, OPs mark their own posts as the answer. Or, they mark posts that are just plain wrong.

Again, it's something that's always being worked on. I'd suggest that you also put your original post from this thread into the Feedback page. And, keep helping out.

You've probably seen this, but if not, it may be helpful: Award points, level up, and earn new privileges

The reward for accumulating points is mostly personal satisfaction. The expression "virtue is its own reward" does not mean that virtue will be rewarded. It means the opposite - That the only reward will be how you feel about your virtuous act.

In ASC the first tangible rewards come at 150 points (ability to report posts). Others are in the link:

You'll notice there is nothing about level 6, but level 6 is the most valuable reward - the ability to interact in a private forum, and to communicate directly with hosts. And, if you live near a major world city, the chance to meet hosts and other high point users in person occasionally (Meg and I have met several times). But none of these rewards are tangible - it's really more for the satisfaction of being useful.

As you observed, many visitors don't mark problems as solved; they are more concerned with just fixing the problem. But there are a few ways to increase your chance of getting points: Focus on new posts, rather than long threads, and reply to initial posters; they are the only ones who can award points. And provide a polite response with specific advice. Even if the question sounds provocative or stupid. And if the OP wants to argue, don't waste your time with the thread.

Regarding the broken search, there's a way around it using Google: use Google's site-specific search capability by prefixing the search string with the site identifier, for example:

     site:discussions.apple.com how do you get points?

Lawrence Finch wrote:

 

And if the OP wants to argue, don't waste your time with the thread.

 

Excellent advice. I may even take it some day.

tt2

Lawrence Finch wrote:

 

Regarding the broken search, there's a way around it using Google: use Google's site-specific search capability by prefixing the search string with the site identifier, for example:

 

     site:discussions.apple.com how do you get points?

Yes, I make very good use of that. Thanks for re-posting it, though.

Partly because of all the points/thoughts by the previous posters and because some posters still try to ask for points even though it is not allowed (such as "hope this helps" or "hope this solved your problem" or "if it solved your problem, be sure to mark my answer"), I find the system extremely inaccurate and it will never be "fair" because you cannot compel anyone to award anything. More importantly, this is not what these communities should be about - they are about helping others. Since you can't rely on a 'solved' actually being the correct answer, it isn't effective at helping posters find the answer to their problems. I simply try to ignore the system. Many years ago, I got a 'nastygram' for saying "hope this solved your problem" and I have never again asked or hinted or mentioned anything about the system since unless the OP specifically asked about the system (see the ToU) - as it isn't reliable, I simply don't pay attention to it and do what I came to do: see if I can answer someone's question. I am much happier if someone posts back with "thank you" - that is a personal acknowledgement that you did something that helped and that made it worthwhile.

The main issue is that people can't tell people about the system because it's not allowed, and people don't bother to ask.

I don't see that as an issue because I am not here for points.

Addendum:

I just happened to come across one of your recent posts and this is what you had at the end of it:

Let me know if this solves your problem. I hope you found this information useful.

Best regards,

Austin

I hope you find this information useful.

Best regards,

Austin

You really had this covered. You did get your 10 points.

You will also endear yourself to other people if you make sure to thank them (in addition to any points you may award) for any threads of yours that they answer. And, because only the OP can award points, it's nice to thank people for advice that helps you in threads you didn't start.

Meg St._Clair wrote:

 

Lawrence Finch wrote:

 

And if the OP wants to argue, don't waste your time with the thread.

 

Excellent advice. I may even take it some day.

When you do, I'll follow your example

Apple's "subtlety" sometimes is a bit too much, methinks

When one signs up for the first time in ASC, one "lands" here > https://discussions.apple.com/welcome

the link takes you to > Tutorials - pretty much self explanatory - IF one bothers to "read the fine print" - which no one ever does!

I use this Google Site Search method exclusively...

my general hierarchy of tries:

1. search terms site:support.apple.com = HowTo and TroubleShooting articles (prefixes HT & TS)
2. search terms site:discussions.apple.com = self explanatory - when #1 yields no relevant results
3. search terms site:apple.com = all Apple.com - generally if I am looking for something in a "Store" such as an App's page for a "Support Link"
   BUT it is generally good for both #1 & #2 as well

The biggest trick is to supply a "brief" search term string - only the keywords - the keywords are the hardest part

I have seen Google results 2 minutes old using this method on 'discussions'

This Goggle method works on ANY website, BTW. It is searching the Google crawled database, not actually searching the site itself