Since this is Only Reputation Points week, I wanted to start a thread about why I feel this feature should be kept:

1. I was originally against the feature. My objection was anonymity.

2. Now that anonymity is no longer an objection, I see no reason to disable the feature.

3. The feature obviously adds a great deal to the FT experience for a great number of members.

4. If someone is not in favor of the feature they have the option to disable it.

5. I think it is a great tool to give feedback.

6. It would appear that a very small minority of members is against the feature. It would be a shame to deprive the majority over the loud objections of the minority.

Randy,

Please keep this feature.

CameraGuy

P.S.

Thanks for hosting FT and for all of the hard work and dedication that went into the conversion!

So will you turn it on again?

I am unsure at this point. I made the decision to disable it at the very beginning and have seen no reason to enable it.

The beauty of the system is that I have that option.

I turned it on just to be able to see who blinged/dinged me and I guess I'll keep it on for a while, as long as it is there...without anonymity and with people only being able to dish it out twice a day, I don't see it as much of a potential problem. BTW, Camera Guy, only if you turn it on briefly you can immediately see who blinged/dinged you.

The fuss over the reputation feature -- and in particular about what happened when Mr. Petersen turned anonymity off, allowing everyone to see who really blinged and dinged them -- reminds me of a scene in Arthur C. Clarke's book Childhood's End. Karellen, who apparently disliked bullfighting but didn't want to say so, caused the spectators at a bullfight to feel the bull's pain, with each strike from the picadors. And bullfighting stopped. Similarly Mr. Petersen, rather than condemn pseudonymous dinging, simply took the wraps off and is letting the dingers squirm about it.

How perfectly karmic! (Interesting that Mr. Clarke chose Sri Lanka in which to set up shop and, not coincidentally, I suppose, that the predominant religion on Sri Lanka incorporates the idea of karma in its teachings.)

Which is what I said before, that the dings should be karmic, and for every point you take away from someone else, you should take away from yourself, as well.

Let's keep it on. Members seem to be nicer in their posts and we have a whole new thing to compete for, green cubes.

I too am in support of the reputation feature.

While it apparently caused problems for some folks in the beginning, those same types of problems (anonymous dings) can no longer happen. And those who don't like it can turn it off. So what's the fuss about?

Since the rep feature started I've actually gotten to know via email several FTers much better. The rep feature allows me to write a brief kudo or comment that I generally wouldn't otherwise post to a thread. As a result, they've led to some conversations with FTers that I've very much enjoyed and that otherwise wouldn't have happened. For me, and I suspect for the vast majority of FTers, the rep feature has enriched the community all the more.

Well posted, I could not agree more. I support this new reputation system and hope that it is here to stay... ^

Ditto... very well said.

Randy I agree Reputation SHOULD be retained.

If you agree the following "features" benefit FT in ANY way:

Fake names such as mine being widely used to ding others.

A bunch of yahoos, including at least 3 Moderators it appears gang-attacking in a secret cabal another poster SINCE you "turned on the lights" on Monday. Accusing him to other family members of leaving dings for them, and naming him. Without one SHRED of evidence that I have seen posted.

These are low and cowardly acts. IMHO.

A misguided system that has generated lover 1000 posts here and nearly 25,000 page views to this Forum.

Created enemies, bitterness, division, animosity and much angst.

These are not what the goal ands mission statement of FlyerTalk used to be?

And sadly, not earned anyone ONE mile or point.

Not sure about the rest, but I think with anonymity turned off, this cannot happen anymore...

Beautiful sentiment, letiole,YGBling. For, as the Good Book says, �Bling Thy Neighbor.�

And, Yea though I post in the Valley of Darkness (Omni)...I will fear no Dings for Thy Miles and Thy Upgrades are Thy True Power and Thy True Glory. Amen.

This feature has sure made this site fun. It's always had great information, but just reading this forum for the last couple of weeks has been a blast! Hightly entertaining.

I haven't been dinged by anyone whom I respect (one gets respect by making a positive contribution to the site; and of course, the person actually has to exist, not be a fake handle for a "family member"). But I have had many blings from outstanding contributors to this site. Of course, by blinging me, they show remarkable intelligence and taste. I have blinged many of the same people, showing my own intelligence and taste.

I think someone should conjugate these new verbs, I'll try the present tense:

I bling.
You bling.
He, she or it blings.
We bling.
You bling.
They bling.

The past tenses should be fun (blinged? blung? Have been blinging?).

I could not agree more about the community-building aspect of the "reputation" system, and the opportunity to forge new and more personal and respectful connections.

Sure, we all have to "earn" our reputations the old-fashioned way, by the quality of our most recent post on points and miles.

But this personalized feedback addressed solely to the poster is a value-added feature that is likely to increase the Flyer Talker retention rate.