MyBB

Submitted by tmhai, 5th March 2007, 11:27:41 AM

Rather than using the 'collect-all-different-ratings-and-display-the-average' method that MyBB uses now, It would be more appropriate if there was a more professionalised version which showed a more accurate rating compared to other threads and posts on the forum.

For Example: There could be two different groups, the registered 'normal' users, and every other user (ie. moderators, admin etc.). Registered members would be able to control 20% of the ratings, where the other 80% would be determined by the higher class. It would be more fair because average users would not be able to abuse the system, and more trusted people, such as the administrators, would be able to properly sway the votes.

You could also use another complex method, where the more slang used in a thread, in which the forum would pick up, would punish the rating of the thread. This would also work the other way. The amount of proper English and good grammar (in which a system would obviously have to be sought out and implemented) would elevate the threads rating.

Also if a rating was not provided (Users are too lazy), the forum would be able to pick up the amount of views the thread was receiving compared to the amount of replies the thread received and then rate on an educated basis. (For X views and Y replies provides a Z rating).

The more amount of text which a thread has, the elevated the rating would be. Which would mean that threads with one word replies would be poorly rated.

If none of these can be implemented, use a scaled aggregate to estimate the 'correct' average rating of a thread. For Example: A thread is rated (out of 5) 1,4, 5, 5, 4, 3, 5, 5. The aggregate of this thread is 5 because a) 5 is the most reoccurring rating b) The majority of the ratings are above 4 and c) because only 1 is on the other end of the scale it is considered 'individual', and thus is not part of the 'majority'. This aggregate could also be used to show a forum rating.

In the end I hope that the user ratings system is phased out completely to the 'registered users' group, and that only administrators or those with status can vote. I would then like the system to pick up the amount of proper words and grammar used, the amount of views and replies and THEN come to a conclusion as to what the rating of the thread should be. This would obviously be dynamic, as more threads and views are sought out.

Finally (the red cherry conclusion), I want threads with a higher rating than others be rewarded. For Example: Threads that are highly rated, should be automatically bumped up to the middle of the first page, where threads with a lower rating are moved quickly to next pages. If a thread reaches a certain substantial level of ratings it may be Stickied for a period of time.

The methods specified should be looked into. Forum software is not about small friendly get-togethers, talking about junk and spamming any more. It's about finding information, learning something new, and meeting an occasional new person or friend. It's also about serious sociality. People want to talk politics, gaming, programming and the likes. They don't want to waste their time searching through thousands of threads to find a good conversation, they want to know that they are going to find some good material and make an educated comment. They want others to comment, they don't want their reply to be lost. By using a newer, 'smarter' ratings system would further improve the sociality of forum software, definitely, for the better. And not to mention, this could also replace the ratings system that MyBB has now on users. (A real quick i.e. The more good ratings a thread receives, that author of the thread is awarded and vice versa.).

PS. I know this idea is really long (I think its necessary) but ratings can be negative too - not everything is positive.