Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. A debate: making votes non-anonymous

A debate: making votes non-anonymous

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
questiondiscussion
104 Posts 51 Posters 2 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • C Chris Maunder

    When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

    cheers Chris Maunder

    N Offline
    N Offline
    Nueman
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    I do not have a problem exposing my vote(s). On the other hand, I don't give much thought to who up/down votes me. In fact, I prefer not to know. The change to eliminate down voting has made the Lounge a rather moribund place. It may be best to leave well enough alone.

    What we got here is a failure to communicate

    C 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • C Chris Maunder

      When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

      cheers Chris Maunder

      D Offline
      D Offline
      dan sh
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      I would like votes to be anonymous and here are the reasons: 1. People may or may not voice their true opinions if their identities are revealed. 2. Even if we make putting an explanation mandatory, there will be instances where people would post unrelated or inappropriate comments like, "I don't like you". This could well lead to YouTube like comment trails. 3. Yes, there will be people who will put relevant comments, but if someone really wants to share the view, they any ways do it.

      M 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • C Chris Maunder

        When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

        cheers Chris Maunder

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jacquers
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        I upvoted you :) Other forums I visit shows who up / down voted you. I think it will eliminate a lot of issues. It will of course introduce some others, but I think it's worth a try. Anonymity gives people a sense of power and allows them do things they otherwise wouldn't. People are brave on the internet.

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • C Chris Maunder

          When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

          cheers Chris Maunder

          M Offline
          M Offline
          Mycroft Holmes
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          I like piebalds idea of allowing the user to choose. I think he will be surprised by the result. As an additional bit, add the weighting applied to the vote, this is something I do take note of. If some low rep dweeb feels the need to downvote I am happy to let it go, a high rep I might engage for an explanation/advice.

          Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • C Chris Maunder

            When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

            cheers Chris Maunder

            J Offline
            J Offline
            Jorgen Andersson
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            Personally I don't mind revealing how I vote, and I don't mind knowing who votes me up or down, but this isn't about me is it? What do you want the vote to measure, quality or popularity? If you show who's voting the downvotes will disappear and the rating will lose all meaning, just like it did for the articles. And just like it is for the Lounge. Is it just me that thinks the Lounge was a lot more interesting in the old times before it was filled with daily whatever, or is it my memory that's playing tricks on me.

            Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

            C 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • C Chris Maunder

              When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

              cheers Chris Maunder

              J Offline
              J Offline
              Johnny J
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              Much as I swear about people downvoting my posts and would like to know who did it - and why, I don't think revealing that is a good idea. Not without some sort of control, that is. Some people can handle it in a mature way. Others can't - heck they can't even with anonymous votes and go on a witch hunt against the person they THINK downvoted them. Imagine what those people will do if they know for sure... So IF the anonymity is removed, there would need to be some constriction on how many of another person's posts one person can downvote. Another thing: There is (or there should be) a difference between downvoting something and voting it as abuse/spam. Right now, in the forums where downvoting has been disabled, some people take to the abuse/spam vote instead merely because they might not like another person - or so is my general impression anyway. That kinda undermines the meaning of abuse/spam. I say: Bring back anonymous downvoting in all forums (perhaps with the above mentioned restriction) - and make the abuse/spam votes non-anonymous. They're much more serious, and people should be able to see/judge if someone is abusing that system. My 5 cents, for what they're worth Everything said: If the anonymity is completely removed, I wouldn't have a problem with that either. It's good if people (myself included) are forced to stand by their opinions.

              Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
              Anonymous
              -----
              The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
              Winston Churchill, 1944
              -----
              I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
              Me, all the time

              J 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • C Chris Maunder

                When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                cheers Chris Maunder

                A Offline
                A Offline
                Abhinav S
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                An age old proverb - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

                Mobile Apps - Sound Meter | Color Analyzer | SMBC | Football Doodles

                J 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • A Abhinav S

                  An age old proverb - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

                  Mobile Apps - Sound Meter | Color Analyzer | SMBC | Football Doodles

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  Johnny J
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  Ah, but maybe it IS broke! Who gets to decide that? ;)

                  Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                  Anonymous
                  -----
                  The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                  Winston Churchill, 1944
                  -----
                  I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                  Me, all the time

                  D 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • C Chris Maunder

                    When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                    cheers Chris Maunder

                    J Offline
                    J Offline
                    Johnny J
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    Chris, an idea: I respect that you want to have opinions as well, but why not make this a yes/no option poll and have people opinionate in the comments? Just to get an overall idea... :cool: Just out of curiosity: What suddenly made you take up this debate again? anything happen? :confused:

                    Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                    Anonymous
                    -----
                    The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                    Winston Churchill, 1944
                    -----
                    I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                    Me, all the time

                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • J Johnny J

                      Much as I swear about people downvoting my posts and would like to know who did it - and why, I don't think revealing that is a good idea. Not without some sort of control, that is. Some people can handle it in a mature way. Others can't - heck they can't even with anonymous votes and go on a witch hunt against the person they THINK downvoted them. Imagine what those people will do if they know for sure... So IF the anonymity is removed, there would need to be some constriction on how many of another person's posts one person can downvote. Another thing: There is (or there should be) a difference between downvoting something and voting it as abuse/spam. Right now, in the forums where downvoting has been disabled, some people take to the abuse/spam vote instead merely because they might not like another person - or so is my general impression anyway. That kinda undermines the meaning of abuse/spam. I say: Bring back anonymous downvoting in all forums (perhaps with the above mentioned restriction) - and make the abuse/spam votes non-anonymous. They're much more serious, and people should be able to see/judge if someone is abusing that system. My 5 cents, for what they're worth Everything said: If the anonymity is completely removed, I wouldn't have a problem with that either. It's good if people (myself included) are forced to stand by their opinions.

                      Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                      Anonymous
                      -----
                      The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                      Winston Churchill, 1944
                      -----
                      I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                      Me, all the time

                      J Offline
                      J Offline
                      Jorgen Andersson
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      Johnny J. wrote:

                      say: Bring back anonymous downvoting in all forums (perhaps with the above mentioned restriction) - and make the abuse/spam votes non-anonymous.

                      Agreed. Oh, by the way, I upvoted this.

                      Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • C Chris Maunder

                        When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                        cheers Chris Maunder

                        Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
                        Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
                        Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        I think the real question is: Are we mature enough (all 10+ million)? Sorry to say, but IMHO: No! If we were we had no problem to reveal the voter's personality, but we had no need anymore... (Idea: You may set a property on the profile page and check after a few months how many choose to be known)

                        Skipper: We'll fix it. Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this? Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.

                        "It never ceases to amaze me that a spacecraft launched in 1977 can be fixed remotely from Earth." ― Brian Cox

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • C Chris Maunder

                          When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                          cheers Chris Maunder

                          D Offline
                          D Offline
                          Duncan Edwards Jones
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          Against - would degenerate into tit-for-tat up or down votes based on the person not the article. (I say this as a barely functional psychopath myself and imagine I'm not alone in that)

                          C T 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • C Chris Maunder

                            When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                            cheers Chris Maunder

                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander Rossel
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            We can already be non-anonymous by leaving a comment, right? I think if people wanted to be non-anonymous they'd leave a comment...

                            Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.

                            Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra

                            Regards, Sander

                            C P C 3 Replies Last reply
                            0
                            • C Chris Maunder

                              When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                              cheers Chris Maunder

                              S Offline
                              S Offline
                              Slacker007
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              I am FOR showing the names of down-voters. If they truly feel the article or topic warrants a down-vote, then they should be able to stand behind their decision, publicly. A side-effect of this that will most likely be a benefit, is that people will be more careful about publicly down-voting an article or topic, then before, because now, we all know who did it, and they better have a good reason. Most of us are professionals here, and down-voting, when done correctly, is a form of constructive criticism. Showing the names of down-voters, helps the process be done correctly. The only con for this, that comes to my mind, is "tit for tat", childish arguments, that may ensue for a brief period of time. You may see an increase in tattle-telling in the Bugs & Sugs, but that should die down after a while.

                              T 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • C Chris Maunder

                                When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                                cheers Chris Maunder

                                D Offline
                                D Offline
                                den2k88
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                I'd say no. There are pretty nasty people, event between those with high reputation, that are perfectly capable of downvoting each and every message, article and whatsoever for a single downvote. Of course that would count as abuse I hope and expose this adorable guys. Maybe putting in again the downvote on the lounge...

                                Geek code v 3.12 {      GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- r++>+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X } If you think 'goto' is evil, try writing an Assembly program without JMP. -- TNCaver

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • P PIEBALDconsult

                                  No. Look at it this way; everyone who wants non-anonymous votes always seems to want it on other people's votes, but they never seem to say they want their own votes to be non-anonymous. How's about an experiment -- allow members to make their own votes non-anonymous and see how many actually do. I am against non-anonymous votes. I'd stop voting. This isn't Facebook.

                                  S Offline
                                  S Offline
                                  Slacker007
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                  I'd stop voting.

                                  Exactly. If your down votes had any merit, and you could back them up, then you would still down-vote. That is the whole point. You should not be able to down-vote unless you can publicly back it up.

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

                                    We can already be non-anonymous by leaving a comment, right? I think if people wanted to be non-anonymous they'd leave a comment...

                                    Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.

                                    Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra

                                    Regards, Sander

                                    C Offline
                                    C Offline
                                    CPallini
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #20

                                    Exactly. :thumbsup: I've upvoted you.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • C Chris Maunder

                                      When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                                      cheers Chris Maunder

                                      G Offline
                                      G Offline
                                      GuyThiebaut
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #21

                                      I think basing a decision, that affects the majority, on the behaviour of a small minority is never a good move. There will always be outliers in terms of acceptable behaviour and even in this case if non-anonymous voting is bought in - all that will happen is that those people with a downvoting agenda will merely create anonymous user accounts again and again in order to perpetuate their campaign of downvoting. Leave things as they are and the majority of upvoters, where justified, will drown the voice of the sociopathic downvoters where they exist.

                                      “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                                      ― Christopher Hitchens

                                      C 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • C Chris Maunder

                                        When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                                        cheers Chris Maunder

                                        V Offline
                                        V Offline
                                        V 0
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #22

                                        Aaaah the long-lost debate. I used to be in favor for knowing who voted what. Nowadays I care less, but it is useful to know why someone up/downvoted something. That said, perhaps another mechanism can be put in place. Especially for downvotes, you get a "downvote reputation", the higher that "reputation", the less the downvote is weighed (and is counted as minus on your reputation). Upvotes counter the downvote reputation. That way univoters can downvote what they like, it won't be counted anymore after a while. A similar thing could "show" the name of the downvoter when the "downvote reputation" reaches a treshold and of course you can see that reputation on the profile at any time. Just an idea. :-)

                                        V.
                                        (MQOTD rules and previous solutions)

                                        D C 2 Replies Last reply
                                        0
                                        • C Chris Maunder

                                          When someone upvotes a message or article I wrote it's nice seeing who it was how voted. Really nice. Conversely when someone downvotes you there's often a "who on Earth would downvote that?" We've talked about this a lot and so I bring this up as something that's already been brought up, but times change as do opinions. So onto the debate: Whereas knowing your admirers and foes brings either a warm fuzzy feeling or concrete contact to discuss improvements, be it resolved that showing names next to votes is a Good Thing. Those debating for the motion please state their case, and those debating against provide their counter-arguments.

                                          cheers Chris Maunder

                                          W Offline
                                          W Offline
                                          Wastedtalent
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #23

                                          This could lead to 'revenge' downvoting?

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups