The content free "+<insert number here>" posts will not go away via having a like/enhancement button-reporting the post to the forum's moderators will make the "content-free" posts go away

What makes you say that?

Well for one, some people do like to post pad. Also, some people probably want their agreements public.

As I posted earlier in this thread, I'm against any sort of a like button or like score on FT, although I'm still somewhat open to the possibility of being convinced otherwise.

My impression is that the "likes" system on MilePoint has been seriously detrimental. It's ridiculous when someone posts "hi" and that post immediately receives at least a dozen likes. It's much worse than meaningless as it's resulted in the development of cliques that tend to drive others away from MP. It was fun at first when people were simply positive and encouraging, but then it got out of hand. The problem continued even after Randy Petersen asked folks to stop.

After reading all the feedback I have scaled this proposal back to a very limited trial run. Here's my current working draft:

TalkBoard recommends trial of a per-post reader feedback button labeled "I found this post helpful ^" in the Trip Reports forum in order to give readers a quick way to say "thank you" other than cluttering the forum with a "+1" post.

At this time TalkBoard makes no recommendation for wider use of this or any other positive feedback buttons.

Subject to implementation constraints, TalkBoard would prefer that: (a) only logged in members have the capability to provide feedback, (b) feedback totals be visible to all readers without further clicking, and (c) the handles of the individual voters become visible to all readers via a further click or mouse hovering.

TalkBoard recommends AGAINST implementing any new negative feedback feature anywhere on FlyerTalk.

I'm against the scaled back proposal as well, for the reasons given in this & the other thread. I'm starting to think this is a solution in search of a problem.

I'm also a bit perplexed why TB (although it sounds more like nsx than TB in general) are pushing for something when approximately 50% of the FTers posting are against the idea in both threads.

Implementing this would require a major change to the site according to IB. I'm not sure they'd be interested in a making a major change to the site for a trial run. TB doesn't normally create forums on a trial run capacity; I'm not sure why they would start trial runs with something like this.

Cheers.

It seems like there isn't a strong demand for any implementation, so why insist on this at all?

I agree. Based on what I've read to date, I continue to be against this in any form.

I've actually made this exact point. However, in the spirit of openmindedness (something I've been accused of lacking a lot), I'm willing to see how it would work on a trial run. Maybe it will be incredibly popular and useful to FT as a whole.

I for one am not against someone posting how he or she feels in response to what someone else posted — even if it is a only a ^, a :td:, or a +1.

In my opinion, feedback is a gift. If someone is willing to take the time and effort to post something — whether it is in agreement or in opposition in response to content which was posted by a fellow FlyerTalk member — I find that far more valuable than a “like”; and the person can also express himself or herself in virtually any way he or she chooses.

In viewing the “like” system over at Milepoint — which has been in place for almost four years now — the amount of “likes” the content receives does not sway my opinion about the content of what was “liked”; so I find it to have little value.

After giving this proposal some thought, while I am open to trying out this idea on FlyerTalk and giving it a chance — I could be wrong, after all; and it would not be the first time that has happened — I am not in favor of it for the reason I cited.

^ Agreed

^ Agreed on all points!

Bolding mine: Why did you choose the Trip Reports forum and did you ask the moderators of that forum what they think about the idea? (don't know if the latter is relevant or not but I figured I'd ask anyway)

I actually think the Trip Report forum was a stroke of genius on his choice. It's got a decent, though not overwhelming amount of traffic, and it's a "safe", not controversial choice.

If (n.b. if) there was to be a test forum, I personally would like to see a forum with a heavy amount of traffic as by taking the safe way out, with a forum with a lower amount of traffic you might/might not get a fair and balanced result

In that case, do you have an alternate forum suggestion?

Perhaps one of the airline, hotel forums? Or maybe even the Mileage Run Deals or one of the Travel Safety & Security Forums?