Pet Peeve

Huh? We're supposed to rate each other? Where does it say that? How do I do that? Sorry, but this is news to me. Gee, and I've been here a while too.

I don't think it's a matter of rating each other, but it never hurts to acknowledge someone who has taken time to help.

What I'd love to see is a trimming of the snark that is prevalent in forums. It's simply irritating.

What are rep points? I must be missing something.

Rep points are given (for either approving or disapproving a post) by clicking on the little tree-shaped thing next to the green light under your name/location. It's a private way of saying howdy.

Geez, I feel like a complete clod. I never noticed that!

Does the site display our reputation somewhere, based on these clicky things?

stldenise said:

Geez, I feel like a complete clod. I never noticed that!

Does the site display our reputation somewhere, based on these clicky things?

Click to expand...

Don't feel bad. It took me awhile to find them as well. In fact it wasn't until I found all the nice comments/reps I rec'd that I knew what they were.

On the tool bar above you'll see a User CP. That's where you'll find any comments sent your way.

And they are rather arbitrary. I used to give my kids' *brownie points" as a way to acknowledge good/kind behavior. I see rep points the same way.

EM

Honestly, I usually just ignore rep myself. I do always try to thank people for answering a question I've asked, though I think everyone forgets from time to time.

Yeah, it took me a while to realise how to rep people too. I'd get these nice comments from people in my User CP, and I had no idea how to do it back.
Once I worked it out, it also took me a while to realise (I'm a slow learner) that it's sort of etiquette to "rep" critters for their critiques, or if they have given you a nice comment, or whatever.
When I figured that out, I felt guilty, so I went back and repped pretty much everyone who critiqued my Share Your Works. It was quite the rep-point fiesta
Now I rep whoever takes the time to crit my work, anyone who writes a comment that makes me laugh, or just when I feel someone is making an effort to create a positive forum.

I don't expect people to always rep me when I critique their work (it's not why we do it, after all), but like you guys have said, I do expect some acknowledgement - even just a "thanks" post is fine.

Thanks for the reminder, Nancy-I'll be sure to keep thanking people for all the advice they give me as I try to make this whole affair work out.

Nancy said:

My original point was that I feel it's important to recognize in some way that someone has taken the time to respond to your post.

Click to expand...

Yes, and it was a fair point. I think it's a shame if people are discouraged from contributing to forums such as the "Share Your Work" or advice areas, because others don't take the time to acknowledge their help. This is especially the case when the person has taken the time to write a well thought-out, meaningful reply, or - in the case of critiques - has done a line-by-line critique.
For my part, I've always found the people in my forums to be really helpful and responsive come visit us in the Historical writing, Nancy!

Nancy,
I hope I didn't change the topic of your post - but I never knew about these rep points. I'm glad to find out!
And I wanted to add that I agree, it is nice to hear back once you've taken the time to explain something or offer advice. I often wonder how things turned out. Perhaps your post will bring all this to light.

stldenise said:

Does the site display our reputation somewhere, based on these clicky things?

Click to expand...

You used to be able to hover over the tree-thing and see a caption saying things based on the number of rep points you'd earned like, "this member is so great we're run out of appropriate compliments" but I can't get it to work now, so it may have been updated (or removed). Other than that, no one sees how many rep points you have.

Wyntermoon, that place is just below the "P" in "Posts" by your posts. There's nothing there to indicate its there, but just hover your mouse just below the "P," and the caption should show up.

Thanks! I was wiggling that mouse all over the box and never landed on it!

Nancy said:

I used the rep example just as one device to acknowledge when we've done helpful things for each other on the forum.

My original point was that I feel it's important to recognize in some way that someone has taken the time to respond to your post.

Click to expand...

You are right, of course and I do make the effort to respond to people who've been kind enough to respond to something I've posted...but sometimes it's months between my visits to AW depending on where I am and if I have internet access. If people don't respond to me, I don't take it personnally; especcially since this is such a busy site. It's easy to get lost in all the chatter.

It all just comes down to good manners. But it helps if we make sure everybody knows how to work the bells and whistles. Thanks, Nancy for reminding us, and to Wyntermoon for clarification.

Wynter--I wish you much luck with your "mouse wiggling."

Amy,
Who is back from the beach and still hears the roar of the waves in her head (or the wind whistling through her ears).

A rep is a great way to say "thanks." It took me about a year before I realized there were reps. Then I realized it's nice to add some words to the rep, like "thanks." It's kind of like a mini-PM or tweet.

Took me a year, at least, before I discovered "reps" and quite by accident. And honestly, I have no idea how to give them. I guess I've always figured that the best way to give back to this forum is by simply sharing your advice, experiences, et cetera--honestly, with empathy and without snarkiness. As with anything, you'll attract the most bees with honey! Or in this case, equal amounts advice, experiences, et cetera.

NeverEndingStory--just find the person you want to rep, then click on the little white scale under their avatar. Add a few words.

Thanks, Stormie. Apparently, it's been far too long since I've been on the boards. I did as you said, and voila--I totally recognized doing the same thing in the past. I guess I have given out some reps! Good to be back in the game.