FEEL THE CONTRADDICTION

Friday, December 03, 2004

Anonymous ratings on Blogexplosion - A recipe for disaster
Some talk has gone around on Blogexplosion of making Blog ratings permanently anonymous.

See, I'm fairly new to BE - been exploding for about a week and a half. Because of this new-ness to my account, I've been able to identify individually the ratings I've received (all nine of them). Mind you, I don't know who gave me the ratings except in a couple of cases (where the person also left a positive comment). I accomplished this by tracking the average rating on my Blog stats every time it changed and then backing into the newest rating. I'm an accountant: I can't help it.

Of the whopping nine ratings I've received, seven out of ten gave me a rating of "7" or higher - for an average of 8.9. The other two both game me a "1". Eight point niner vs. One. WTF.

Therein lies the problem of anonymous rankings. Maybe they gave my blog a "1" because they thought it was hideously designed or my writing was way below average (or both). Maybe they hated the game Contra (seriously, I doubt that one - I mean, we're talking about quite possibly the greatest NES game without Mario). I think the more plausible answer is that they disagree with what I've written.

Anonymous ratings allow people to spam bad ratings on blogs they find disagreeable. Instead of just hitting the "next" button, adding the blog to the "do not view" list, or leaving a comment about their disagreement, they cowardly ding you with a ONE. They are accountable to no one.

So here is my solution. Allow us to turn on/off anonymous ratings for our blog. If it's turned "off", no one can just slap a bad rating on you without you knowing about it. Hell, you could even make it so you could turn ratings off completely if you don't want them.

To sum up: if someone is going to act like a child and start a rating war or ding you with a ONE simply because they disagree with what you say, everyone (and particularly the writer of the blog receiving the feedback) should be able to see them doing it.

- posted by autodogmatic.com @ 5:49 PM 21 comments

Comments:

Great post. I want to be able to see who rated me as well -- I go from top three blog to off the list (three times) because some goofball(s) zaps me with ones to make sure I don't stay in top three.

I'd like to send a nice box of cat poop to my haters, you know? I'm not one to go around giving revenge scores, so poop is most reasonable, I believe.

I'm classy like that.

# posted by

Ms. Lori : December 3, 2004 4:43 PM

I totally agree. Anonymity makes people feel like they can just give a horrible rating to whoever they disagree with. It's total BS.

http://www.teeterss.net/thoughtpad

# posted by

Me : December 3, 2004 4:53 PM

i completely agree with you here. if people can turn off anonymous posting on their comments, why can't we turn off anonymous rating. if you really think someone's blog sucks and that they deserve a 1, then stand up behind your rating.

i think rating sucks in the first place. it's a popularity contest. get rid of the whole damned thing. or if not, instead of 1-10, have a pre-set list of suggestions that people can click. constructive criticism is better than a meaningless rating.

# posted by

lefty : December 3, 2004 8:24 PM

I agree completely! I hatehatehate that the ratings are anonymous. People complained that they were worried that people would give them a bad rating back *rolls eyes*. Well that seems to be a good reason not to give crap ratings based on 30 seconds then wouldn't it. Stupid people.

# posted by

noodge : December 3, 2004 11:32 PM

honestly, i believe there are just many "haters" on BE, and they ding EVERYONE with 1's when they surf. i've heard about a few bad seeds. it's truly annoying.

but great post, i agree with you.

# posted by

Cisdesir : December 4, 2004 10:54 AM

HEY!! This is Sofyst, I posted under anonymous since everyone was arguing about anonymous posting and rating...what can I say, I'm a punk.

I do agree with you, to some extent. However, notice the hostility that you feel towards those who ping you horridly? That is the major reason for anonymous rating. Therefore, I would suggest to do away with it, as a previous poster has suggested. Or let us all just be kind to one another and never give less than a five or six, unless of course someone has a completely hedious site with idiot comments, then you can give them a two or three...LOL, trying to please everyone!

# posted by

Anonymous : December 4, 2004 10:32 PM

It's also hard to be genuinely interesting and get a good rating. Look at the blogs that get the highest ratings. They're as sugary and family friendly as a PAX network show.

# posted by

Saint Nate : December 5, 2004 4:33 PM

Yeah, I got about six 1's before they made it anonymous. I was pretty ticked off because, I know my blog isn't a 1. No one deserves a 1 unless you want to poke your eyes out with a fork because it is written in bright yellow 4pt font on an orange checkered background.

# posted by

annette : December 5, 2004 5:21 PM

Just in case anyone was wondering if I touched a nerve with this post, I've gotten five more ratings since it was put up - two have been ones.

# posted by

autodogmatic.com : December 5, 2004 5:30 PM

My two cents' worth...I'm not too concerned about the ratings people give because honestly, if they don't like my blog, they're not going to return. I'd rather have ten readers who love my blog than a hundred who think it's mediocre at best. Then again, six months ago when I first started blogging it was really important to me that I appeal to everyone...now, not so much. :)

# posted by

Stacy : December 5, 2004 5:32 PM

I read over your blog, and i found it inquisitive, you may find My Blog interesting. My blog is just about my day to day life, as a park ranger. So please Click Here To Read My Blog

http://www.juicyfruiter.blogspot.com

# posted by

davidgonzo2635 : January 12, 2006 3:38 AM

nice information

# posted by

fast cash loan : January 15, 2006 12:43 AM

Just dropped in to read your blog. We are reading what others have to say and are introducing ourselves as well. We are intoducing The new Holy Bibles King James Versions and New Living Translations and especially The New Children's Bibles on DVD and invite you to stop by and visit us at: **BibleMediaDvd.Com**

We hope you don't mind our comment on your site and do so repectfully.
Thank you and God Bless.

# posted by

answer-man : March 19, 2006 10:52 PM

Do you want free porn? Contact my AIM SN 'A BUNNY IN PINK' just say 'give me some pics now!'.

No age verification required, totally free! Just send an instant message to AIM screen name "A BUNNY IN PINK".

Any message you send is fine!

AIM abuse can be reported here.

# posted by

joeerickson06005252 : March 25, 2006 12:55 PM

Get any Desired College Degree, In less then 2 weeks.

Call this number now 24 hours a day 7 days a week (413) 208-3069

Get these Degrees NOW!!!

"BA", "BSc", "MA", "MSc", "MBA", "PHD",

Get everything within 2 weeks.
100% verifiable, this is a real deal

Act now you owe it to your future.

(413) 208-3069 call now 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

# posted by

eddyingals0688133269 : May 13, 2006 7:28 AM

NSU - 4efer, 5210 - rulez

# posted by

Anonymous : February 23, 2007 3:55 AM

Hello I just entered before I have to leave to the airport, it's been very nice to meet you, if you want here is the site I told you about where I type some stuff and make good money (I work from home): here it is

# posted by

barb michelen : February 2, 2008 12:11 AM

good afternoon bros. I'm actually into shoes and I was looking for the sake of that particular brand. The prices as regards the boots were approximately 310 dollars on every site. But completely I set this location selling them for half price. I exceptionally like those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]prada sneakers[/url]. I will definetly order these. what do you think?

# posted by

Anonymous : February 26, 2010 6:06 PM

good day everyone. I'm actually into shoes and I had been searching allowing for regarding that meticulous brand. The prices seeking the velcros were all over 210 dollars on every page. But completely I found this site selling them someone is concerned half price. I absolutely love those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]prada sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely buy them. what do you think?

# posted by

Anonymous : February 26, 2010 7:05 PM

good afternoon fellas. I'm actually into shoes and I was digging allowing for regarding that singular model. The prices seeking the shoes are around 190 pounds on every page. But completely I set this area selling them as a remedy for half price. I absolutely love those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will probably order those. what can you tell me about these?

# posted by

Anonymous : March 17, 2010 9:17 PM

good morning everyone. I'm actually into shoes and I had been digging allowing for regarding that singular model. The prices seeking the boots are about 200 dollars on every site. But for all I found this location selling them for the benefit of half price. I really want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely order those. what can you tell me about these?

# posted by

Anonymous : March 18, 2010 2:17 AM

About Me