User reputations

[opps]

From time to time, I have the misfortune of coming across, let's call them, combative members whom refuse to accept any responses that highlight errors in their replies to new forum members.

All too often the threads become a complete mess and probably leave the OP questioning which is the correct reply, and why they bothered joining DIYNOT in the first place.

I am thinking aloud here... but.... the current "reputation" mark doesn't necessarily mean much. A person with a high reputation that received those "likes" in the general forum, and then who replies to a post in the electrics forum, isn't necessarily more knowledgeable about electrics than someone that has a lower reputation but earned the majority of those likes in the electrics forum.

How difficult would it be to show both the total reputation and the reputation in the particular sub forum that the person is currently answering in?

My thinking is that, a new forum member is more likely to be confident that advice from a fellow forum member that has a proven track record of thanks in relevant sub forum is more likely to be posting valid advice.

I appreciate that it isn't a perfect science though. For example, plucking names out of the air (of fellow members that I have utmost respect for)- @Lucid seems to stay in the AV sub forum and I would guess that his high reputation score is almost exclusively down to the advice that he offers in the said sub forum, whereas someone like @JobAndKnock, I would guess that the majority of his would be spread across the carpentry and tools sub forums.

I am happy to be shot down, provided that counter arguments make sense....

 

[just pumps]

I was "talking" to a member yesterday who posted about the size of a pipe. He started off sounding like a plumber but at the end sounded like a customer. I didnt engage further and left the thread confused.

 

[Lucid]

I am thinking aloud here... but.... the current "reputation" mark doesn't necessarily mean much. A person with a high reputation that received those "likes" in the general forum, and then who replies to a post in the electrics forum, isn't necessarily more knowledgeable about electrics than someone that has a lower reputation but earned the majority of those likes in the electrics forum.

It's a valid point.

I have a decent amount of knowledge in my specialist area (but always willing to learn more), and passable knowledge across a wider range of subjects. But in those other areas I'd defer to more experienced members.

I suppose just reading through a forum would provide some insight into the more knowledgeable FMs, but that can take some time and may not always be an accurate reflection.

Much like you, I have encountered those who drop into a forum to ask a question, but are then rude to the FMs who take the time and trouble to respond because the answers aren't what the OP wants to 'hear'.

 

[Notch7]

am thinking aloud here... but.... the current "reputation" mark doesn't necessarily mean much. A person with a high reputation that received those "likes" in the general forum, and then who replies to a post in the electrics forum

Im not sure it’s much of an issue, most of the pros on here tend to stay mostly in their field of expertise.

, I have the misfortune of coming across, let's call them, combative members whom refuse to accept any responses that highlight errors in their replies to new forum members

IME problem members like that actually tend to be mostly pros who stay in the forum section of their field. I can think of one in the electrical forum.

 

[Mottie]

How difficult would it be to show both the total reputation and the reputation in the particular sub forum that the person is currently answering in?

But then we'd need sections on politics, virology, international trade, immigration, pensions, high finance, savings and investments, the NHS and many many more to find the true experts in those fields.

 

[Odds]

It's an interesting proposition, although i'm not sure how such accreditation could be marked.

Perhaps a coloured star could be appointed if the tradesman can provide moderators with proof of their expertise in a particular area, or simply make a sufficient number of posts on a certain topic, say 100, to receive a star: red, for painters, green for gardeners, blue for mechanics, et al...

After a while you get to find out who can be trusted for particular advice, such as J&K for all things wooden, or the Man from MOT for things that go 'beep' in the night. But it'd help people who just sign-in for advice, so it's up to 'The Management', really.

 

[blup]

You misunderstand diynot if you think the purpose is for posters to give professionally accurate and complete advice. At most it's a snapshot based on limited information without the benefit of a site inspection. Posters rely on "advice" completely at their own risk, giving likes or thanks on a purely subjective basis. I'm sure some of the pro posters are contacted for either wok or professional advice, but that is different. Many (most?) posts end unresolved because incomplete information is given by the OP or those responding don't follow up. Many others become debates on side issues, or an opportunity for rival posters to continue a feud.

Blup

 

[Agile]

That is somewhat true.

Today I was reading on a Nextdoor about this lady with a jammed washing machine door.

She received so much "good advice" but most of that was irrelevant because of the limited facilities her model had.

A lady I know had the same problem with a WMC and her lodger who was a plumber just forced it open and damaged it.

She had to but a new machine.

I had looked in the relevant manual and there was no provision for opening it if the usual things to do did not work.

End cycle and pump out. Disconnect power for several hours. Clean drain filter. Respin etc.

Even though it was a Bosch it seemed it had been designed to fail closed and could only be opened by brute force which would damage it.

 

[ericmark]

I have looked at @opps and it says very little, @Lucid does say what his trade is, and @Agile is so open it even shows his phone number, never really bothered looking before, @blup profile says nothing, @Mottie hides his or hers, and @Notch7 I see comes from the Southern Uplands where ever that is, @just pumps is same as @Mottie

So looking at information given, I would as a new comer trust @Agile and @Lucid but the others on this thread I would take with a pinch of salt, but as a regular user I know @Mottie has given good advice, I hope my "About" shows others some thing about me, I don't publish my phone number, but I think it shows a reasonable amount about me so members can assess my skills.

But seems odd that the person who started the thread only says he/she is from London.

 

[just pumps]

I dont think new posters with problems go to these measures to "check out" who replies, instead they expect others to call out rubbish posts.

 

[blup]

It's a community that relies on others commenting on advice given, as well giving their own views. The idea that the site admin can award semi anonymous posters status on the basis of some prior approval can't work and is open to abuse. As with any internet forum, the risk is with the poster as to whether he/she relies on what is said.

Blup

 

[conny]

Most new posters are often told by a lot of people, myself included, if they are not 'experienced' in the field the poster is asking about but we will give an opinion. If there is ever a safety issue, or potential safety issue, I will always tell them to seek professional advice but if it's how to unblock a sink/shower etc then I will try to give sensible advice.
I think what annoys me most is posters who come on with a problem, get lots of similar advice and then don't give feedback as to if any of it worked.

 

[Mottie]

Perhaps if everyone took the time to introduce themselves when joining forums, people would know them better instead of remaining mystery men? Some won't even admit to their area of 'expertise' or even what industry they work in when asked. Here’s my very first post:

Hello

Just signed up to this forum as I'm looking for an answer to my central heating problem. I see there's a car section on here so as per my user name would suggest, I'm a registered MOT tester so if you have any questions on MOT's, I'll be glad to give advice. Steve

www.diynot.com

 

[opps]

But seems odd that the person who started the thread only says he/she is from London.

Fair call.

TBH, I had never even noticed the "about" section on profile pages. I am not sure that new members would instinctively know either.

 

[opps]

It's a community that relies on others commenting on advice given, as well giving their own views. The idea that the site admin can award semi anonymous posters status on the basis of some prior approval can't work and is open to abuse. As with any internet forum, the risk is with the poster as to whether he/she relies on what is said.

Blup

I think you misunderstand what I was proposing.

A given member may have, for example, 10 "thanks". 5 from a given sub-forum (let's say plumbing) and the other 5 from other sub-forums.

When posting in the plumbing forum, their total "thanks" for the plumbing sub forum is shown as 5, next to it will be their aggregate "thanks" score. Equally when posting in other sub-forums, the "thanks" relevant to that sub-forum are shown first.