Question

Badges and "scores"

17 replies
1332 views

Would anyone agree that the system of badges and all the rest of it that has been introduced with the revamped forum is actually a huge mistake? Now that I have started reading the forum a little again (largely because I am experiencing some difficulties that I would like to sort out) I have noticed that the new system seems to actually invite responses so users can "up" their totals and "score" new badges and such. As a consequence the actual responses themselves sometimes leave something to be desired.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to cause offence to any individuals and I am also well aware that forums like this one have a social dimension in addition to a primary function of being a "help center". My point and/or question is more that the introduction/elaboration of a scoring system can undercut this primary function.

Perhaps we would be better off if we dumped the badges and just stuck to "likes"? What do you think?

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T

The LHC

If you're referring to me, I'm not point scoring to win badges, I don't even know what they mean. They are pointless though, I agree with that, so NI wouldn't miss them at all. It wouldn't make any difference to how I post though I'm afraid.

E

Emile15Author

Please, I am raising a general structural and design issue and am NOT talking about specific individuals. If I wanted to name and shame I would have done so, but that is not the issue here.

ratty

You can of course suppress the display of your own baubles, as you seem to have done. To reduce visual clutter I instruct AdBlock Plus to remove everyone else's.

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Emile15Author

I did not know you could, and it is good to know but it doesn't address the issue of designing a forum in such a way that mere answers allow one to score.

jgatie

Believe me, the responses have nothing to do with "scoring" or "upping" anything. Most of us feel any badges or baubles we get to be more like targets painted on our backs.

PS - Didn't know about suppressing them. Going to do that now. Goodbye "Rock Star", hello just another poster!

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Emile15Author

You'll never be "just another" poster, at least not as long as you stick to the name!

Nice. Done!

Yeah, that's better!

Hey I just earned a badge! For completing my profile when I went in to suppress badges!

@Emile15 - glad you raised this but I hope and believe none of us is so sad as to give a **** about badges and the like.

Paulw123

Virtuoso

Oh no...no more rockstars..........i'll miss that grouping of the titans :8..it'll be that much harder to spot you all now ;)
I wear my enthusiast badge with pride 😳

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