Why Ratings Are Not Objective.

I understand that the numbers are a user-friendly, easy way to put in some sort of rating system. So my thoughts here may be too in-depth for what you want the rating system to be. If that's the case, just ignore me.But... it could be done without numbers entirely, and not have any of the negative affects of "being spammed" as well. But, it seems like it may be rather in-depth and perhaps not so user-friendly... and maybe also bog down the database. Here's the basics:For rating individual message:
Instead of a rating system (1-5 or 1-3 or whatever), it could just be an agree/disagree or for/against system. You could list the total numbers of all those who are for and against each post where the Message Rating number is now. But, if you click on this area, it opens a wee pop-up box (like the one used for suspensions and such) that lists all user names that voted for or against. I think listing the user names is important so that no one can vote anonymously. The internet itself is already anonymous enough, and this adds some semblance of accountability.For rating member profiles:
Staying with the above system, each member would have a list of "for" and "against" for all those who have rated their messages. Members would be under either "for" or "against" according to the last-rated message they did for that profile.Example (for ease of display, I'm assuming all messages are being rated before the next message is posted, but this need not be the case at all):
Percy posts 3 messages: Message 1
Message Rating: 3 For, 2 Against
If you click you get a little box saying:
For: Moose, Nosy, Stile
Against: Asgara, PD Percy's Profile After Message 1
Member Rating: 3 For, 2 Against
For: Moose (1F-0A), Nosy (1F-0A), Stile (1F-0A)
Against: Asgara (0F-1A), PD (0F-1A) Message 2
Message Rating: 1 For, 2 Against
If you click you get a little box saying:
For: Stile
Against: Asgara, PD Percy's Profile After Message 2
Member Rating: 3 For, 2 Against
For: Moose (1F-0A), Nosy (1F-0A), Stile (2F-0A)
Against: Asgara (0F-2A), PD (0F-2A) Message 3
Message Rating: 1 For, 0 Against
If you click you get a little box saying:
For: Asgara
Against: --- Percy's Profile After Message 3
Member Rating: 4 For, 1 Against
For: Asgara (1F-2A), Moose (1F-0A), Nosy (1F-0A), Stile (2F-0A)
Against: PD (0F-2A)This way you get a few things:
-if someone goes insane and gives negative marks for all posts on some particular member... it only acts as "1 Against" on that member, and that memeber's profile will show "0F-24A" from that insane user and it's obvious to all who the baby is.
-members ratings will constantly be updated as to how people are liking their latest messages
-you'll be able to identify if someone rates someone good most of the time, and then just happens to rate them bad once or twice
-if you want to get really nifty, you could also link the "Stile (2F-0A)" part on Percy's member profile back to the post for Stile's latest rating on Percy...Bad things:
-server and database heavy, not sure how many requests would need to be made, perhaps too intensive? Each message would also need to store For and Against member IDs. All profile information and counts could be retrieved through seaches of the message database, though (I think).Also, I'd suggest implementing an Admin Tool of something like "nullify user's ratings" if an admin perhaps identifies an insane member, and the admin decides it would be best for the board (for whatever reason) if their insane ratings were "forgotten."Edited by Stile, : Just added a few things for clarity. Not that it helped much... I feel like this idea isn't even too clear in my own head right now...Edited by Stile, : "anonomous" is funny looking... and rightfully so

No problem at all. Just wanted to get an idea out of my head. But it sounds like you're already working on a bigger-and-better system. I'll save my criticism for the next round, then... whenever it is. Meh, I don't pay attention to ratings much anyway. I can just appreciate that you're making the software for a more... common and general audience. Anyway, good luck with all the new features you're planning on still editing/adding.