Reputation System - How It Works

[Volvi]

I have now switched off the reputation system. DJ recognised we had a problem and sought to alleviate it with that system by getting peer involvment and for the group in general to have a say in the matter by getting theyre opinions on a member thru the rep system. He tried. But the system failed dismally. Instead of destructive posters getting negatives to hilight their behaviour and perhaps attempt to quieten them down, it had the opposite effect. They were awarded medals for theyre behaviour. And some of the guilty ones awarded negatives to those they simply wanted to piss off. So the system failed and is now switched off. Ok well all it did was prove that the general public cannot be trusted to partake in decision making. Fair enough, dont say you didnt have your chance to.

Now I am faced with 2 choices:

1. Allow the free for all to continue in the name of "free speech" which we all hold dear but obviously abused by some. Or -

2. Initiate some rules to preserve the integrity of the board.

If No.1 were to continue this board will continue with its ups and downs sometimes to the slums. Its obvious that self policing wont work with some characters who obviously cant help themselves. So I am left with no choice if I want to protect this board and not for myself I might add, but for its future as a valuable source of information and exchange of ideas with members who share a common interest.

I am left with no alternative but to issue some rules of ettiquete and behaviour. I personally loath rules but its obvious it has become necessary. So over the next week or so I will be consulting with admins and others in looking to formulate such a set and will ask our admins to enforce them when necessary. I will try to make them easy and not hard and so the great majority of posters will have no difficulty with them, however should curtail the destructive elements. I hope that I will have your support in this and for those of you that dont, to bad! I have a responsibility to all the members here and would be derilect in my duty if I do nothing.