Ratings "Oh no , not again"

Saturday, July 19, 2003 by Keila | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

I have to agree for the most part the rating system is nice. It gives you some sense of what people think of your work other than the comments alone. Although the comments are of the utmost importance in my opinion. I have noticed though with many other skinners work that you will have a very nicely designed and working skin that ends up with a well deserved rating. As it should be yes? Then you find a little while later the comments have not gone up but the skins rating has gone down quite a bit. This leads me to believe that people are rating skins without even trying them, just looking at the preview and rating it. Or, worse than that purposely giving someone a lower rating because they do not like them for some reason or another. This is when the rating system does not work. Unfortunately, some people have their preferences set that they do not see a skin below a certain rating and because someone came along and did this to your work your skin will not even be viewed by some people. This itself is not fair to the skinner and all the hours of work they put into their skin. So I guess in closing, I just want to say to anyone who has done this to someone please try to remember that there is a real person with real feelings behind the skin you just gave a bad rating just for the short term pleasure you took in doing so.
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Green Armani
Reply #41 Tuesday, July 22, 2003 11:29 PM
This site is stuck on moderation and the need to rate submissions..................if you remove moderation you can allow people the option to rate the wall, or logon, or whatever else and leave it at that. I'm tired of everyone dancing around the issue on this. As you can see many people are pulling their work from your site. Something needs to be done before you loose your comtributing base of members. If you are worried about the shear number of submissions which will either look sub par, low-grade, or like a newbie made it then that may be the trade off. I'm primarily talking of the wallpaper library.

You will not satisfy anyone by having the walls moderated sharply or being more leniantly (spell check). I'm starting to sound like a broken record but I'll say it again..........humans are competitive by nature and when you have ratings and who ranked number one for the day, people will strive for that and along the way peoples feelings will get hurt, accusations will be thrown all over the place or the sense of not being treated equally.

One more thing, I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way (others have told me already anyway), but it seems that the "pepole" in charge here come off as arrogant and when someone comments negatively about things they are bashed. Not a good way of handling complaints or the like by making someone feel stupid.....and NO, I won't accept your reason if it's "They deserved it" or "They were asking for it". This place is starting to suck!
MadIce
Reply #42 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:02 AM
Green Armani: There is a small amount of people that bring the issues up you mention. That group is very well known and will not accept any answer or reason. If something sucks then that is it.
Jafo
Reply #43 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:15 AM

There are only a few people who have taken it upon themselves to depart....most are wallpaper artists, not skinners....and some of those have been catered for ad nauseum only to have them leave.....really says a lot for appreciating efforts, their true colours, and whether a person will actually be 'missed' as a valid contributor or just a pain in the butt.

Talk to those who have been particularly acerbic in their condemnation of all and sundry and ask them whether or not they were genuinely treated with a lot of patience and mature discussion.

Moderation and or ratings are here to stay in one form or another....if you, if anyone cannot stomach them then perhaps another site is for you, assuming you find one without some form of restriction of upload or standard of rating.

If you cannot find one, feel free to create one.

The horrible reality is that Wincustomize.com is, in spite of moderation and ratings, a quite successful and popular site.  Clearly something is actually being done 'right'.

What frustrates is the apparent belief that although a site is not 'good enough' to host a person's work, he believes the site is obliged to change its functioning to accomodate him.

Is this arrogance or is it not?

Jafo
Reply #44 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:27 AM

I won't name names but some of those departed really annoy me.....why should we waste our time on ingrates when there are others more deserving/appreciative of help/response?

Some return after restoration of reason, restoring their library and continue to be valued members of the community....others just desire to be a noise to be reckoned with.

This message board is only a tiny part of Wincustomize....and its loudest voices are trying to monopolise the Admins'/Moderators' time inequitably, claiming the sky is falling due to 'Conspiracies R Us' or some such.

The will of the many does not always get altered by the voices of the few.....perhaps only if the voice is of reason, intelligence and common sense...

Green Armani
Reply #45 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:42 AM
My reason for mentioning this is more of an outside looking in. I was a contributor of this site and I could not complain that I was being moderated unjustly nor that I was not getting feedback to let me know why one of my walls wasn't accepted. I simply couldn't stand the way people treated each other here. I guess for me it is better that I have an outlet where my humble work could be seen and need not worry about one person's opinion dictating that. I am not here to say that what I believe is what the majority believe because you are right in that majority of contributors are quit content with the state things are. If you feel that the state of things now is status quo then that's your poragative and nothing that anyone says will change that.....reagradless of the complaints you are getting.
Keila
Reply #46 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 6:57 AM
I am sorry I started this thread now.

This was never intended to turn into an Admin/Moderator bashing.

My opening statement has nothing at all to do with the rating that a piece of work starts with.
Jafo
Reply #47 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 7:04 AM
Keila....don't feel guilty of anything.....you'll notice there are more than one thread on this similar topic currently....if yours wasn't here another would be in its place anyway...
hashonboat
Reply #48 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 7:50 AM
Chances are that you don't like my comments when I rate you a 4. I would have to hurt your feelings.

Madlce: Why would you have to hurt their feelings? You couldn't offer some friendly advice on technique or content instead ?

hashonboat, if you looked real close, you have a rating of 3 and only 1 rating, that means thats what it was moderated at. So the A-hole is a moderator. It's not something I would download. Kind of think you were lucky it made it.

WOM: How am I supposed to know submissions are given an initial rating before they are posted ? Mental Telepathy? I've have submitted other things which were accepted> I just checked and they still don't have ratings but they are up. Did I miss that somewhere or was i just supposed to know it. You think I was lucky to get a 3 ? Why?

Not your style: Don't care! Everyone has different tastes in style as evident if you look around here.

Too simple: Duh! My omly comment was that it was my first one. You think my first one is going to be the Mona Lisa? Was your first work brilliant artistry?

Too young: I have a 13 yr old daughter. She uses this computert too. In fact her 2 favorite skins are "Rainbow" & "Toon XP" So is young supposed to be a bad thing on this site? Are you a moderator? I did a search & couldn't find any work from you, but I am a know-nothing newbie so maybe I didn't do it correctly when I clicked on the link that says " click to view author's skins".

hashonboat....I assume you're referring to the 'My Computer' logon.....it has one rating, a '3', by the moderator who 'approved' it....if you wish I can critique it for you....give good reason why I consider the '3' quite generous...but it may be better [for you] handled privately...

JAFO: Why privately? Would your comments be nasty? Not to be seen and learned from by the general public here? Do you think I'm too weak & lowly to handle some friendly advice & encouragement>

Maybe the preceding commenters have no intention of helping people improve their skills. It sounds to me that if they don't personally care for your work they deem it appropriate and necessary to negatively criticize it instead of nurturing people's talents
#1: I did a search for the preceding commenters skins to get an idea of what they consider good and could not find ANY work posted at all this year.
Maybe 'yall are out of touch. Maybe you should get down off your appointed thrones and actually do something other than critique.
#2: I don't care if you do this for free or not. You are adults and if you assume the reponsibility to take it on free of charge that is your decision. Don't cry about it.
#3: The only reason this site exists is because it has made MONEY by selling subscriptions, suites and the like. So remember that the moderators, (all the way from the volunteer up to the owner) are not some gods from on high but really servants to the customer base.

My point being: To ALL would be raters. If you don't care for someones style, remember there exist an infinite number of tastes amongst people who visit this site. If you are knowledge enough to offer advice on technique, content or whatever, please do so. There are most likely many would-be aspiring, worthwhile future authors in the wings who would welcome such advice. And lastly, If you feel yourself wanting to just criticize negatively; GET YOUR HAND OFF THE MOUSE AND GO TAKE A CHILL PILL!

'nuff said. anyone wanting to bash me for my comments (publicly or privately)go for it! You know where to find me, and my e-mail is published. I'll even give you my home phone number if you would like.


Have a nice day, I gotta go.
Chef Garry
Reply #49 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:14 AM
For heaven's sake take a darned pill. You created something and you like it. Good! Someone didn't like it as much as you think they should. Tough. >

This is really getting to be an annoying topic. At the risk of offending any number of people here, many of whom I consider friends, if you don't like the game, play elsewhere! There are things here I don't use because they don't suit me however well done. There are other things I don't use because I think they're poorly done.

There's even a couple of poorly done things I use because I made them. If anything the moderators are too easy - at least if how they rated my few offerings are any indication.



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Stumpy
Reply #50 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:51 AM
All this ratings stuff reminds me of "American Psycho" and their business cards rubbish

Ratings should not matter, if someone likes a skin then that's fine, if they don't then that's fine also



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MadIce
Reply #51 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:55 AM
Madlce: Why would you have to hurt their feelings? You couldn't offer some friendly advice on technique or content instead ?

Did you ever read my comments? I am alwaays friendly and always give advice. Often about technique. Sometimes I even mail people about it. But you never read my comments, did you?

Feelings? Let me tell you what feelings I have encountered when I read this thread.

Then, there are the dreaded politics, that plague the rating system.

What politics? Again intentional misconduct? Yeah! Feelings!

[...] and to the a-hole who rated my first skin so low at least step up into the light and offer some reason or are you just a coward hiding in the shadows playing games ?

What if the skin was a piece of junk. The rater would give his name and you would have punished him for his honesty?

"Elite" , "hiding in the shadows playing games", "maliciousness", I just love your choice of words.

Nice feelings!

Or are the Admins and moderators enjoying their power to squash creativity by putting their own ratings on everything. And, don't tell me politics doesn't play a part in this. Politics, meaning how popular the artist is. How you feel about the work based on your own artistic prowess. Or just, how you feel about it personally. That is all politics.

Intentional misconduct! Let's hurt the feelings of the admins and the bad people on this site!

This way the artist can hopefully get constructive feedback.

How about the people that did give feedback? Are those not constructive. Or is it constructive to tell a skin is great and needs a 10? Because, maybe we would hurt their feelings.

but it seems that the "pepole" in charge here come off as arrogant and when someone comments negatively about things they are bashed.

Everyone who does not agree may have feelings too. Those in charge do not need to defend themselves for the millionth time, just because someone again suspects intentional misconduct. I am glad I am not in charge, because I would sure like to bash you for this remark. Why? Because you don't show any feelings at all. You keep on kicking.

My point being: To ALL would be raters. If you don't care for someones style, remember there exist an infinite number of tastes amongst people who visit this site. If you are knowledge enough to offer advice on technique, content or whatever, please do so. There are most likely many would-be aspiring, worthwhile future authors in the wings who would welcome such advice. And lastly, If you feel yourself wanting to just criticize negatively; GET YOUR HAND OFF THE MOUSE AND GO TAKE A CHILL PILL!

Look at how you respond to WOM: WOM is giving his opnion. That would be fun if he gave his honest opnion on one of your skins. What should he do after giving his opnion? Move to another state because you don't agree? How is that for feelings?
c242
Reply #52 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:58 AM
I look through all newer skins (going back some days) here on a daily basis and I seldom found a skin that was rated too low. On the other hand I quite often found skins or walls that I personally considered to be rated too high (even my own ones). Just my honest 2 cents.

And there are quit a lot of 'wallpapers' in the library that are nice art, but I would never use them because I would not find any space to place my icons.



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DavidK
Reply #53 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:58 AM
hashonboat - Your first comment regarding the rating of your piece was filled with insults and accusations thrown at the site and the admins. You were filled with anger and made it clear that you felt we were a bunch of jerks. You made ridiculous accusations and tried very hard to make your jabs hurt. Perhaps you should take a little personal responsibility for the tone of the responses you got.
MadDeez
Reply #54 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:23 AM
Well, yes, he did spell all the words correctly. But he used the wrong word. In "I GUESS SOME PEOPLE HERE WERE BORN GREAT SKINNERS AND THEIR THE ELITE", the proper word to use is "they're". Sorry, but I had ot point that out. No disrespect intended.
Koasati
Reply #55 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:30 AM

#48  by Citizen hashonboat - 7/23/2003 7:50:19 AM

I've have submitted other things which were accepted> I just checked and they still don't have ratings but they are up

 

......... if you had uploads that had no ratings, NO ONE would be able to see them. If a moderator didn't rate a skin when approving it, it would still have a rating, but that rating would be "0" and no one can view skins rated below "1".

Everything in your library has a rating.





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DaWebMassa
Reply #56 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:35 AM
I wasn't born a great skinner... I've been working at it on and off for four years and I still feel that I am only mediocre. Some people ARE born with talents in certain areas and some can never hope to be creative no matter how hard they try. Sometimes lifes lessons are hard to live with.

As much as I used to take ratings seriously, I think it's too easy for someone who doesn't like you personally to trash your rating thus I don't really pay much attention anymore. Comments from the community and my own satisfaction are far more gratifying to me at this point.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #57 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:24 AM
Somebody gave me a low rating...

I WANT MY MOMMY
hashonboat
Reply #58 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:26 AM
Chances are that you don't like my comments when I rate you a 4. I would have to hurt your feelings.


I stand by my position! If you are going to rate something with a low rating so the general public (the majority) won't see it, at least offer some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. If you feel you must rate a skin that low and can only offer hurtful comments then don't rate, because as I have just learned, ratings can severely impact who sees it. If you're a moderator & it's not good enough, JUST REJECT IT!

I would rather have my humble work rejected (because i know you get no explanation with rejections) than to have it accepted for a limited audience who have no constructive criticism at all, or just
" Not my style. Too simple. Too young"
What the hell is that supposed to mean? How do I interpret that when I'm trying again on another work? I don't have a clue on what direction to go in for another work from comments like that.

Myself as 1 paying customer who decided to try & get into this community have cruised this message board long enough now to find it is NOT a community dedicated to the elevation and exploration of others talents but a community comprised of clique's, ill-will, pettiness, nastiness, jealousy and hurt feelings.
The reponsibilty for that lies at the top for not directing the community in a more nurturing direction and leading by example.
To Brad Wardell in particular as CEO/Founder or whatever the title (no disrespect intended), I think it is up to you to make this a place people want to come to. It's your baby, your responsibility, this from a paying customer.

I for one started checking out this board as a newbie thinking I would get valuable tips, an occasional laugh, interesting discussions but alas it was not all good and I too have been drawn into the fray.

If I were in a position of authority here, I would promptly make it known that all threads of this nature and mischief in general that causes discontent and strife would not be allowed and promptly delete this and all similar threads, mischievious surfers, etc...

I have seen many threads re: people leaving in anger and removing their work and seen some saying good 'riddins. Is that the way it really had to go? Did the moderators think these people were so invaluable as a contributor and revenue source that they could not quash the source or their angst before it got to that point?

I can't remember seeing any threads re: people saying Hey, glad to be here, I've received so much encouragement and help. I see i've come to the right place.

And for those who would say if I don't like it then leave. TOO BAD! I paid my money, I'm here. I have an opinion as valid as any other and I'll let it be known as long as permitted to.

Confucios say:

When a dog comes up to you wagging his tail, he is looking to be petted or to play or something.
If you ignore him, he'll eventually go to another person to play with.
If you kick him, he'll become a mean dog

Maybe that's a bad analogy. Just my opinion

If anyone can offer some constructive criticism regarding my work, please look it up & do so. That's what I'm looking for.

If you don't have anything constructive to say about my work SHUT UP
DavidK
Reply #59 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:33 AM
yeah I feel real motivated to give you some helpful criticism.  
hashonboat
Reply #60 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:36 AM
Well, yes, he did spell all the words correctly. But he used the wrong word. In "I GUESS SOME PEOPLE HERE WERE BORN GREAT SKINNERS AND THEIR THE ELITE", the proper word to use is "they're". Sorry, but I had ot point that out. No disrespect intended.



Yeah, I know, I saw that. I need to use spell check since I can't type.
......... if you had uploads that had no ratings, NO ONE would be able to see them. If a moderator didn't rate a skin when approving it, it would still have a rating, but that rating would be "0" and no one can view skins rated below "1".Everything in your library has a rating.



My bad. I was looking at the comments column.

By the way the ONLY reason it ticked me off to have gotten such a low rating ( i have other low ones too) is when I found out that not very many people would see it and that some people occasionally run around maliciously giving low ratings and no constructive explanation was afforded it, well I don't like sneaky, malicious you know whats.
And I don't believe this board is moderated in such a manner as to encourage positive discussion and constructive advice.

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