Rating the newbies - good or bad favor?
By Suggar
@Suggar (3606)
Bulgaria
January 27, 2011 7:44am CST
Hello everyone,
lately i see newbies with great rating, members with little over than 100 posts jump around with yellow or red star and i'm thinking right now how nice motivation is that for them. When i started, i started from purple star and i reached red really hard with many responses and a lot of thinking. I feel proud with my moving up, even if lately my star is going to red and high to blue again, it's a pleasure for me and i feel appreciated for my efforts from the others.
But motivation is one of the sides of that newbies rating coin. You know, every coin has two sides and now i'm thinking more for the other side ... Don't we motivate them too much with giving them that many pluses for their work, that soon after reaching over 100 posts they has same rating as some older (by membership) members here, who worked very hard to reach their reputation giving their best?
That's not a discussion for who deserve high rating, that's discussion about isn't it bad favor if we help the newbies to feel strong enough as people, who has 20 000 responses and still red star? We can see by ourselves that most of them don't know the FAQs, we can see that most of them has not read guidelines, we can see that some of them post many discussions in row without answering to their responders, we can see that they are looking a way to earn, but still keep following wrong way for their earnings? So that's the point ...
Isn't the colored star helping them to feel good, as they has reached some success here and they know enough so they don't need to at least read FAQs and guidelines?
I guess my rating will go down tomorrow, but i don't care so much about that. I care more about what we do with the new members here - if we give them wrong self evaluation for their membership here, we make them really bad favor in my opinion 
What do you think?
What do you think?5 people like this
13 responses
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
27 Jan 11
If a certain post, response or comment deserves a plus then regrdless of whether it is by a new user or an olod one, I will pluss it.
As for new users starting off with a high star and maybe not deserving it.... have you thought about the fact that they then after to maintain it?
Getting it one thing - keeping it is another
You seem to be under the impression too that those with a blue star, old or new, are fully aware of the Guidelines and FAQs. Oh how i wish that was true! I have just reported a user with a blue star for plagiarising 
You seem to be under the impression too that those with a blue star, old or new, are fully aware of the Guidelines and FAQs. Oh how i wish that was true! I have just reported a user with a blue star for plagiarising 3 people like this
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
27 Jan 11
Hello hun and thanks for joining - we always make interesting conversations together.
What i wanted to say is that sometimes people get proud of what they did and when they are proud with the way they were doing something, they keep doing it, but not in 100% of the cases they've done the things right (as things has to be).
How that topic came in my mind? I saw many discussions without answers to our responds lately. Strange is that even old members here are doing that, but i've seen mostly members with low number of posts. So they want to earn, we go in their discussions, we write there (we earn with our writing) and instead of answering to us, who participate in their discussions - they start a new discussion. 
I checked some of them - new members.
I checked some of them - new members.1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
27 Jan 11
I won't be commenting as to whether members deserve or do not deserve star colors and or ratings. I am going to remain neutral on that one. As I go up and down every day but what I can't figure out is that I was the same person the day before as I am today. So the rating system for me really does not mean much, outside of wonder why the changes.
I am big on positive rating as I believe that members who take the time to read my discussions and apply their wisdom is a great feeling, which also includes opposite responses. I have not yet to encounter abuse, but we all know where the (!) is located if that is the case.
This whole rating deal is out of control but the I am only a member so I try to do my best, with no less and if I may say so myself far and beyond the call of duty. Best of luck with everyone.
2 people like this
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
1 Feb 11
Well, I guess at the end it boils down to character? Haha!~
Definitely initially it will be an encouragement to anyone, but what the person does with that afterwards is what matters. If they continue with the attitude of not reading guidelines & just for the sake of earning by typing a few lines & all that, they will definitely NOT last longOn the other hand, for those who have a good learning attitude, they'll always progress. Well, as for old members, I guess we're not THAT bothered anymore with our ratings right? Like you said & the way you put it, it's more of the community spirit here
Definitely initially it will be an encouragement to anyone, but what the person does with that afterwards is what matters. If they continue with the attitude of not reading guidelines & just for the sake of earning by typing a few lines & all that, they will definitely NOT last longOn the other hand, for those who have a good learning attitude, they'll always progress. Well, as for old members, I guess we're not THAT bothered anymore with our ratings right? Like you said & the way you put it, it's more of the community spirit here
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
2 Feb 11
That's true Zweeb, what goes around, turns around. For the newbies. I had that kind of situation, someone just added me for a friend and sent me thank you mail as pm, then his referral link 
That kind of things can be avoid easy - if they just read.
For the newbies. I had that kind of situation, someone just added me for a friend and sent me thank you mail as pm, then his referral link That kind of things can be avoid easy - if they just read.1 person likes this
@marguicha (216082)
• Chile
27 Jan 11
I agree with you. And I don´t give + ratings to everyone that is passing by. I will not give good ratings out of pity of just because they are newbies. I don´t even think it´s a good idea that star rating for small children ( what happens to the ones who don´t get the star?) or to give money to our kids to do their chores.
Rating is either for excellency (+) or rudeness of other bad behaviour(-).
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216082)
• Chile
27 Jan 11
Even newbies with one or two good posts get into my ol´ nerves sometimes
.
They write 50 new posts under the same interest (some reasonable good, some very bad)and the other mylotters drown under so much writing. Then, if you answer, you will never get a comment. THAT is not a good post because they did not know how to create a discusion.
.
They write 50 new posts under the same interest (some reasonable good, some very bad)and the other mylotters drown under so much writing. Then, if you answer, you will never get a comment. THAT is not a good post because they did not know how to create a discusion.1 person likes this
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
27 Jan 11
Thank you for sharing Marguicha, i feel in the right direction now. Earlier i thought my topic sounds like i blame someone for something. I got no one to blame, time ago i something like plus for motivation when the people are new. That's great, but still i think that something more than plus is if we help them with their participating.
1 person likes this
@Revan2009 (469)
•
27 Jan 11
Well, we're all here to earn money - truthfully. It's because of this, I rarely rate a poster down. But it's good to see how much newbies are progressing in this awesome website.
I simply have nothing bad to say about them or you. I wish you all success.
2 people like this
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
27 Jan 11
Rating newbies? Good! It encourages them! (or discourages them. It depends) Well, at least when I was a newbie, it encouraged me to see a high rating star next to my user name. I pretty much rate most of the users in a discussion that I know, no matter if they're a newbie or not. A lot of the times, I'm lazy though and don't rate at all. I know, silly me.
It encourages them! (or discourages them. It depends) Well, at least when I was a newbie, it encouraged me to see a high rating star next to my user name. I pretty much rate most of the users in a discussion that I know, no matter if they're a newbie or not. A lot of the times, I'm lazy though and don't rate at all. I know, silly me. 1 person likes this
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
27 Jan 11
That's normal if you forget to rate sometimes. After two months away of Mylot when i get back, i forgot what is BR at all and i thought that rating actually is best response. It was not too hard for me to realize it again, i was away of here 2 months, but totally forgot nearly everything.
It was not too hard for me to realize it again, i was away of here 2 months, but totally forgot nearly everything. 1 person likes this
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
27 Jan 11
The thing is, I rarely rate. 
I really should, but I just don't. I do occasionally though, when I see a really information response or a really abusive one though.
By the way, I had to make cinnamon toast because I didn't have anymore rye bread left. Go figure.
I really should, but I just don't. I do occasionally though, when I see a really information response or a really abusive one though.
By the way, I had to make cinnamon toast because I didn't have anymore rye bread left. Go figure.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
27 Jan 11
Hello Suggar.
Keep in mind that there are some people who's english language is the native language, and the manage like that, and there are other people that have a pretty bad language skill when it comes to english, and they are trying but i am SURE that some members rate them negative just because they don't understand what they are saying.
On the other hand many don't read or forget about the posting and photo uploading guidelines and break them, and in that case they should be rated accordingly, or commented upon if one is up for a good deed.
I started with a green, 5 star here, although i made no fatal mistake in the beginning, but i soon climbed up to a red one, which i had for many months before finally achieving the blue (10) one.
The start is not essential here at mylot, but it may show some reputation of a member, be it good or bad.
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
27 Jan 11
True Elitess, never thought about that side of the point - the bad english skills. My english is not good too, but i hope it's not a reason for someone to rate negative, because it doesn't look so serious problem for me.
I was with red star months and months, now sometimes i go down too. Nothing bad in that, just i feel that may be we give to some members nice start without pointing them some useful things here, who will help them to feel better and will complete their membership.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jan 11
I think rating discussions or responses if deserving, is a good thing. It is a good motivation for the myLot population to strive harder in making good quality posts.
But I don't think the number rating has anything to do with this. New or old, deserving users should get the same rating criteria.
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
27 Jan 11
It is not a favor but it really depends on the post or comments they made.That's for me.i do not know how the other members feel about it.We may assume that some of them will just simply rate them positive for every comment they gave.Anyway will the rating gives us any effects?I am not sure of it.Perhaps I should look the guidelines once again.
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
28 Jan 11
Positive rating is always a nice thing... But my life helped me to have experience with people, who are so proud of their efforts that they start to forget simple and important things as relations between them and people around and so on simple laws which are needed for good relations with the others.
Thanks for sharing your opinion STHanum
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
27 Jan 11
Hello Suggar,
Newbies with a high star are to become good myLotters. They must have post quality responses to start with a good star.
Personally I don't rate negatively the newbies who keep asking questions from the FAQs. Neither I rate them positively unless they bring something valuable to the discussion. It is more likely to feel neuter about their activity and, in such cases I don't rate them at all, as myLot advices us. Of course, I do the same with older users, too.
Wrong rating of others activity may affect our earnings too. If money go to the wrong direction (responses without quality but which were rated positively), less money will be directed to true quality responses.
Personally I don't rate negatively the newbies who keep asking questions from the FAQs. Neither I rate them positively unless they bring something valuable to the discussion. It is more likely to feel neuter about their activity and, in such cases I don't rate them at all, as myLot advices us. Of course, I do the same with older users, too.
Wrong rating of others activity may affect our earnings too. If money go to the wrong direction (responses without quality but which were rated positively), less money will be directed to true quality responses.
1 person likes this
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
28 Jan 11
That's true - negative rating is something senseless for me and i rate negative once or two times in a month. Doesn't matter how different are we, if it's about money we need to think more.
I like it also when new members ask for some misunderstanding about the FAQs and if i have knowledge or experience about their topic, i'll join for sure to help.
Thanks for sharing Inu.
@sameer786 (832)
•
28 Jan 11
Well, i am more or less agree with you because i saw many new member, although i am also new but still at 6th level, but yesterday i start a disucussion and a mylot member response to my discussion whose post are 125 are he has 10 level of reputattion, i really wonder how he get blue star at just 125 post, i think it is just unfair with senior members whose posts are in thousands.
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
28 Jan 11
I can tell you a part of the reason of the slow moving rating. As example i can give you my own experience. I moved to 10 soon, may be month or so ago, before that i was long time with red star. I found my explanation, may be it's not for everyone, but for me is true - it was not important for me to reach levels. I was trying to respond as much as possible, trying to write my real opinions for the topics, trying to express my own feelings and experience (but may be i was not reaching the deepness of the discussions, the points). I'm sure that i could work more hard for my rating earlier, but it was not important for me to do it - i was not trying to give best responses, i was not trying to look everything from different sides.
Soon, few months ago my experience here learned me to be more polite and open minded and i think that's the reason my rating got up now - because my thinking changed and it doesn't have doors now, i'm ready to accept every kind of thinking, even if it's different than mine. Of course always there are people who rate negative. I know people from here, who got over 10 000 posts and their reputation is not 100 from 100, for me that's senseless, because i can see that they are giving their best to be nice, helpful and kind with the others, as return they often receive negative rating. That's still strange for me and it will be that way for long ahead ... So i'm ready to let my star out of my profile and nobody to feel neglected on that line ... But i'm not ready to accept rude and arrogant attitude, also i'm not ready to accept the mistakes, which can be changed with some more reading.
1 person likes this
@sameer786 (832)
•
28 Jan 11
Same here, i also not so much care about reputation and try to explain my own feelings in response and also i dont answer the discussion in which i have not any knowledge, but when i see blue star at just some post so i feel sad that i am not good.
1 person likes this
@Milkypink26 (324)
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
Hi Sugar!
I'm not really sure how this ratings goes though I have read the guidelines about it.
I just wanted to say that if a mylotter post a comment to a discussion worth reading for, why not give him/her a positive rate whether he/she is new member or an old one.
I would feel bad if I really tried my best to work on my response and I get nothing from it because I'm a newbie. I would say that positively rating a member should always depend on the quality of their posts and not because of their length of stay.
I think each member should learn how to utilize the positive/negative button on each of responses. Of course, if i were in your place who worked hard to be on top I would feel bad about it too seeing others easily get up to the top with no quality posts but yet it would take a lot of hard work to let others learn about the utilization of the positive/negative button.
However, this discussion of yours would help mylotters learn more about it.
Thanks for sharing!
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
28 Jan 11
Hun, believe me i was not working hard for that rating. I was just sharing what i wanted to say for the topics - nothing special as efforts to try to change the opinion of the others for myself (in positive way).
It's a normal way we walk on here.
You are one nice person, who joined here. And i'm more than happy when i see people with low number of posts reacting so intelligent and kind. My wish was not to insult someone, but to ask what is the opinion of the others.
If i have to be honest for my thinking about the rating system - i don't like it. The way others got the right to low your rating is not so good, because nobody knows why they are doing it - for some it's because of their own standards of quality, for others it can be personal attitude specially for some other member, for third it can be just a way of "living" here - i saw one girl time ago was calling the last ones trolls and i liked that nickname Actually even the admin doesn't know why some people rate negative (it can have rightly reason or unfounded reasons).
Actually even the admin doesn't know why some people rate negative (it can have rightly reason or unfounded reasons).1 person likes this
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
29 Jan 11
No misunderstanding, you were an example for a person who read the discussion and didn't felt insulted, that's more than joy for me and i'll pick you for best response right now.
Because of your positive spirit. Sad, that not so much new members joined to explain their thinking.
1 person likes this
@Milkypink26 (324)
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
Sorry I might have misunderstood you about the rating thingy.
Nothing's wrong with what you want share with this discussion.
From your response, I've understand more what you're telling. I was reading your post this morning and I was really sleepy so I might have slipped some info there.
You are totally right with what you are saying about negative rating for no profound reason. Changing the rating system would be a great idea however it would also be a lot of work. For me, change should start with us mylotter. As I have said proper utilization of those buttons that might be helpful and would acquire less work than changing the whole rating system. I was thinking of providing a comment field whenever you tag a response positive/negative and you can state your reason why and admin can just check if its acceptable or not (that is just a suggestion). :)
1 person likes this
