I voted for it to go away. I do like to use it when I don't really have a comment but can see that some don't like it/ abuse it. If we could set it up so it only allows voting at the end of a comment I would vote to Keep it.

Ratings
 

Please see the earlier threads regarding this poll. I would like to confirm that the removal of the ratings system is NOT because other people have different tastes. The removal is simply because the ratings system is widely open to abuse and continues to be used by someone else to downgrade photos for their own agenda.
Most of the vets have choosed to ignore this, hoping that whoever took the time to register a dummy account and go about downgrading photos would stop it and get a life... obviously that plan is now scrapped.

The bottom line is if everyone was willing to post up what they thought of the photo after rating it badly.. we wouldnt be at this stage.

I could rate a photo 1* if I didnt like it.. but i choose not to.. infact If I dont like something because of the style or choice of figures I simply wont comment on it but thats just me... commenting on a picture... out of focus, poor figure selection or posing... and giving constructive criticism is obviously what we are looking for.

Similarly if i posted what i thought was a good photo and someone rated it 1* because they didnt like it.. but commented 'i dont like this character and the angle is bad' I'd have to accept it was their taste.. hey everyone has different tastes.

We're trying to create an open community where by people can share their pictures and work. If it was simply a case of people thinking your picture was bad and stating it.. we again wouldnt be having this poll.
Our best interests are at the community as a whole and more particularly the newer fanbase questioning why the ratings system is so out of consistency with better pictures and/or being abused.



I completely disagree. Abuse of ratings has gone on for some time now.
As you'll see above its not down to people not accepting the ratings on the photos simply because they 'think it deserves better' it comes down to people downgrading great pictures without saying why... ;)

BINGO!

Could someone post links to examples of rating abuse?

In all honesty I’m not seeing the malicious behavior people are talking about. I’ve been coming to JoeDios for over a year now and I find the members to be very positive and helpful. I don’t recall ever seeing a 1 or 2 rating (though I haven’t looked at every photo). Guiltridden set a Terror Drome on fire and still got a 3 (average) rating.

Admin question: How can I check the individual rating votes on my photos? I can’t figure it out, I’d like to see if I got any votes from the “one point bomber”.

This is my most recent: http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/sho...&imageuser=1753
It was sitting at 4 votes with a 5.00 rating, some one just rated it a 2 (bad) which brought it down to 4.40 (5+5+5+5+2=22/5=4.40). Why is this a bad photo, please let me know!

It could be because some one doesn't like the Resolute look, or they hate Duke, or they don't like you, etc. The list could really go on and on like that.

I think a lot of people really neglect all the effort that goes into this aspect of the hobby. There's settings, set ups, figures, accessorizing, lighting, possibly construction, time, lots of patientce, and that doesn't even include the actuall photography aspect. Then someone comes along and rates it a two or three because you used Snake Eyes v3 and they hate him. :rolleyes:

Malicious Ratings
 

"Just because you don't see the malicious behaviour, doesn't mean to say it doesn't happen"

The fact is alot of it has been covered up well by the veterans here. We've tried to shield it in the last few years... why? because sometimes we've had 5 Star pictures of good quality go down to 2 stars because of it and its been called into question by members such as yourself that don't know any better and want an explanation.
Do we really have to go right back to examples of malicious behaviour to prove it? do we have to call out certain people who lurk behind the community and not own up to their obvious agenda.... We shouldn't want to bring up a darker side of the community, mainly because like Craig said.. it would put potential newer contributors off knowing this kind of stuff happens... infact i think we've lost a few people in the last 2 years because of the same issue.

We've removed the junk from the drawer and syphoned off the people with nothing but evil to bring to the forum. I think we are one step away from making this place a fun contributory place where criticisms can be accepted by people who value your contributions.. not by inconsiderate a$$hats who don't have the guts to post up. That's what we want.. we want you to post shots that you've put time and effort in.. and we want you to enjoy doing it and we want this to be the place you call your 'second home'

We could leave up the ratings system, but i have a horrible feeling it will come back and bite this community hard if we dont do something about it. I really do feel that now is the time for us to step it up a notch and rid us of the 'one shot bandit' and ratings abuse... if people care enough about the hours you put into your ideas... they will post up a comment and leave you feedback, and by care.. that also includes critique. I'll be one of the first to admit my shots could do with alot of improvement not just in focus but sometimes with setbuilding and surrounding.. I want to be better and i want this place to be the best.

when questioning the darker side of the community please stem to mind it can harm the solidarity and positivity we have spent the last few months creating. Without that the place wouldnt be as enjoyable, i'm happy to call each and everyone of you 'friend' and know that if ever we need help with something we can pm or email each other for help on projects, so not only do we get inspiration we offer support.

I'm pretty certain most of the vets.. and some of the new people agree. Theres still a good while left to run on this poll. I'm hoping that everyone who knows the experiences i'm talking about will see sense.

Secret rating it's a stupid thing here, I prefer public comment: rate'd be a weapon in the hands of envious/jealous guys (not vets). What do You think about it?

Open votes now!
 

Insted of an average rating I think it would be beneficial that ratings are at the end or beginning of the post of those who comment. That way we can see who rated what. Open votes now!

I'm not really sure, the ratings don't bug me at all, but I do think they're not a very good judge.

If they stay I won't care and if they leave I won't miss 'em