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James R. Davis
 Administrator
14935 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Honda
GoldWing 1500
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 Posted - 05/30/2008 : 2:21 PM
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If you receive a Peer Review vote it can be from an anonymous member or that member can sign it within the message. In any event, you will receive notice of that vote, including the message, if any, attached to it.
Please be aware that the notice is sent to you by the board via e-mail, and in order to do that it must have a 'sender'. My name is associated with such e-mails but that DOES NOT mean that I gave you the Peer Review vote.
I have received several responses to those notifications which suggests that the member believes that I had cast the vote, not just sent the notification.
When I use the Peer Review tool I sign my messages.
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Niebor
Ex-Member
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Posted - 05/30/2008 : 3:12 PM
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I've given quite a few positive peer reviews over the years, and always state why, and sign that review.
I would certainly do the same for a negative review, but then, i've never given a negative review. It seems our members and modertaors have a shorter fuse than I.  |
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John Henry
Moderator
535 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Harley-Davidson
2005 FLHRCI
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Posted - 05/31/2008 : 5:55 AM
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| To those who aren't familiar or who haven't used the peer review process, it may not be clear at first that they are anonymous unless you put your name on them. When I gave my first few, I didn't know that, but picked up on it and make sure I sign mine every time. If I am going to comment on someone's thread, I make sure they know it's me, good or bad. And they've been mostly (but not all) good. |
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SteveS
Advanced Member
1028 Posts
[Mentor]
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Harley-Davidson
FLHTCU '08 Ultra
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 5:42 PM
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News to me! Didn't know there was such thing as a POSITIVE ONE. Somebody send one sos I'll know what it looks like.  |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5262 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 8:35 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by SteveS
News to me! Didn't know there was such thing as a POSITIVE ONE. Somebody send one sos I'll know what it looks like.
Post something worthy of a positive review and I'll give you one.  This begging post isn't worthy though.  |
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gymnast
Moderator
2814 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, Idaho
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster Sport
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 9:11 PM
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| Steve you can have at least 4 negative peer reviews I got from a 19 year old slack jawed skate boarder a day or so ago after I took offense at his coming around here looking for guidance on how to present a mendacious (used car salesman techniques) argument to his mother so he could convince her to "allow him to buy a motorcycle". The boy apparently didn't know he was old enough to join the Marine Corps on his own, let alone sign his own papers to buy a motorcycle. I didn't get the impression that he was ready for either the motorcycle or the Marine Corps but he certainly demonstrated an affinity for mendacity. |
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Night Train
Moderator
1336 Posts
[Mentor]
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Canada
Harley-Davidson
03 Electra Glide Std
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 4:42 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by gymnast
Steve you can have at least 4 negative peer reviews I got from a 19 year old slack jawed skate boarder a day or so ago after I took offense at his coming around here looking for guidance on how to present a mendacious (used car salesman techniques) argument to his mother so he could convince her to "allow him to buy a motorcycle". The boy apparently didn't know he was old enough to join the Marine Corps on his own, let alone sign his own papers to buy a motorcycle. I didn't get the impression that he was ready for either the motorcycle or the Marine Corps but he certainly demonstrated an affinity for mendacity.
It seems somewhat ludicrous to ask for peoples advice or comments and then send negative peer reviews to the ones whose advice or comments you don't like. I haven't got a complete handle on the purpose of the peer reviews yet as I believe in a discussion forum, you can post your agreement or disagreement in the resepective forum. Do negative peer reviews adversely affect our membership in this group? |
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bxrdoc
Junior Member
59 Posts
White Plains, New York
USA
Harley-Davidson
Deluxe & Road Glide
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 5:42 AM
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Perhaps I'm missing the bigger picture, but why do we need peer reviews at all?  Presumably we're all adults here, entitled to differing opinions, and yes, attitudes. If anyone wishes to respond to any members' postings, either in the forum or personally, of course they should be permitted to do so; but what's with the grading/judging? I feel a little like I'm back in high school. The fact that we ride motorcycles at all would probably get us ALL negative peer reviews from society at large. Must we really care what others think? BTW for these reasons I have not checked "allow peer review" under "author choices". |
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Mark W
Standard Member
173 Posts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
USA
Yamaha
V-Star 650 Classic
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 6:50 AM
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I've also blocked peer review, mainly due to the anonymous nature of it. A lesser reason is not understanding the need for peer review at all, as bxrdoc states.
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shadowrider
Advanced Member
584 Posts
[Mentor]
Phoenix, Arizona
USA
Harley-Davidson
Ultra Classic
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 8:15 AM
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Doesn't bother me one way or another, but I don't see any harm in letting someone know you've helped them out a little more!
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Cash Anthony
 Administrator
1190 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, Texas
USA
Honda
Magna 750
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 10:18 AM
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When I send a positive peer review, it's because I think the post is exceptionally good and oftentimes sums up really important points in a discussion, or brings up something quite unexpected that needed to be said. And I always sign them.
That way, the thread isn't burdened with "ditto!" posts that don't add more information. I'm not saying all the 'attaboys' are bad in a forum, but they can pile up.
I can't remember whether or not I've actually sent a negative one -- if so, it's not because the content of the post is debated. If it's a rebuttal of facts, that belongs in the thread. The negative peer review would be because the poster was rude or obnoxious, or holds an attitude that concerns me.
I don't like insulting personal remarks and rejoinders, or wars over attitudes, to start dominating a forum (and it doesn't happen here, as most of the readers know). It gets nipped sooner or later.
Jim and I have both seen it happen -- we have watched many such disputes develop over the years in our involvements with the BBS world as well as on the 'Net, which is one reason he runs this site as he does. It's not hard to see the way a discussion is going and how it's starting to go bad, after observing them for some years.
To me, a negative peer review is a little more than a warning from a moderator, which is private. It also tells other readers that someone is watching and not much liking the way a thread is going, without having to debate why. It also tells the poster that it's not just the moderators who may have an issue with how he's expressing himself. The rest of the readers may have a say, too. 
For what it's worth....
Cash
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5262 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 10:39 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by bxrdoc
Perhaps I'm missing the bigger picture, but why do we need peer reviews at all?
Positive peer reviews help me feel that the time that I have spent typing up thoughtful posts or replies were worth the bother. It lets me know that someone else felt it was useful, so I'm more likely to make more posts like that.
Negative peer reviews can be discouraging at times, but they also provide guidance and let me know to not make posts like that again. I almost dread opening up the e-mail messages indicating that I got another peer review from this forum, because it might be a negative one. But the negative ones that I've received have pushed me to raise the quality of posts that I make and to completely stay out of some discussions.
I give peer review votes on occasion when I think a post is exceptional, either positive or negative. I feel that it is important to explain exactly why I'm giving the peer review to help guide the poster in the positive direction. I should probably try to give more positive peer reviews for good posts. So far, if you have gotten one from me, it's because I consider the post to be outstanding. And I usually sign them. |
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James R. Davis
Administrator
14935 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Honda
GoldWing 1500
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 11:06 AM
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Of the more than 64,000 messages posted on this board only 2,206 (3.5%) have been exceptional enough from the member's point of view (pro or con) to have received a Peer Review vote. Clearly the idea of 'exceptional' appears to have meaning.
Those 2,206 votes were cast by 222 of our 3,442 members (6.5%). Of these voting members, 195 cast more positive than negative PR votes while 20 cast more negative than positive PR votes.
What these PR votes have done is allowed members to generally assess the quality of messages posted on the board via the 'Board Karma' rating where a Board Karma greater than 0 is positive (now at 37)! And it allows postings by some members to be recognized as being of high regard because those members have received more than ten more positive than negative votes for all of their postings. These individuals are recognized with a 'High Karma' notice near their names to the left of each post. 35 of our members currently hold 'High Karma' status.
Finally, if any individual message receives more than 2 negative PR votes a notice is sent to me so that I can look more closely at the post in order to see if a problem of consequence is brewing.
All in all, the Peer Review function has been working exactly as I had hoped it would when I designed it. |
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vivid dadas
Senior Member
285 Posts
Columbus, OH
USA
Suzuki
V-Strom 650DL
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 8:08 PM
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It's a nice function, and one I haven't seen on other BB's. I really like the "board karma" feature.
I was screwing around here one morning clicking on stuff, and accidentally gave "biker34" a negative review. I sent a private message to James R. Davis asking him to please fix it, and sent another PM to "biker34" telling them I accidentally gigged them.
James R. Davis fixed the post, and "biker34" sent me back a nice message saying, "no big deal, who cares?"
The entire incident really gave this forum some instant credibility with me. |
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Texasphotographer
Advanced Member
827 Posts
[Mentor]
Copperas Cove, Texas
USA
Honda
2006 GL1800 Trike
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Posted - 06/02/2008 : 9:54 PM
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Although I am 69 years old, I still care what people I respect think of my posts.
Jim gave me a negative when I gave a friend advice. That stung a bit as I respect him for his knowledge and his giving. However, that also let me know his strong feelings for advising with little knowledge of the subject.
Since, I have received a few "attaboys."
Nearing 1700 miles since March 29th. One drop ouch. |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5262 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 11/04/2009 : 3:07 PM
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I feel that it's time to resurrect this old thread for the benefit of those who weren't around the first time it was discussed.
Most of the important things have already been said. The only thing I want to reiterate is that if you click on either of the peer review icons: or , it will pop up a little message window. If you don't type anything into that window it's not going to do much good to improve the forum. This is especially important if it's a negative peer review, because it might not be obvious to the person being reviewed what it is that you disagree with or don't like. But it also helps reinforce what's good about a post if you include a message for a positive peer review.
Personally, I quit giving negative peer reviews and state my objections publicly in a response explaining what I disagree with or don't like.
It's a separate issue whether or not you want to put your name on the peer review messages.
But this feature seems to have helped move the forum in a positive direction and has helped improve the overall quality. Use it with care. |
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Daddio
Senior Member
470 Posts
[Mentor]
Calera, AL
USA
Suzuki
Bandit 1250
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Posted - 11/04/2009 : 5:41 PM
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Just thinking out loud. Anonymous reviews should be directly thrown out. It just is not right to receive a negative vote without an explanation. If you want to send a -1, you should be required to explain what the offense was. I know Jim has the opportunity to remove unwarranted negative votes, but if you want to ding someone - sign your vote!
my .02 |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5262 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 11/04/2009 : 6:25 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Daddio
Anonymous reviews should be directly thrown out.
I see a difference between being anonymous and not writing anything at all in the message window.
On another forum that had "good and bad karma" they changed it from anonymous to always noting who sent it. And it was retroactive, so something that I thought I had sent anonymously suddenly was revealed to the recipient. The problem there was that people would go out of their way to "pay back" anyone giving them negative points. After about the third time of that I stopped using it completely. Eventually the moderators killed off the feature because of such abuse.
But I wouldn't mind a change requiring at least ten words of message on a peer review so that people at least say something that might be of value. |
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rayg50
Advanced Member
862 Posts
[Mentor]
NYC, NY
USA
Honda
Shadow Spirit 750DC
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Posted - 11/04/2009 : 8:42 PM
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I agree that a comment in a review is valuable. Some posts are long and may touch upon several things and it would be nice to know which portion(s) of it warranted the pat on the back.
I will sidetrack this thread to make 2 quick points.
The first is that I recently received an anonymous positive review for for a joke. While I truly appreciate the spirit in which it was given IMO a peer review in either direction should have meaning.
The second is a mea culpa to those members who have given me (and everyone else reading the post) some great advice / information that I failed to acknowledge by way of positive review. Months later, as I reread some threads, I am realizing the quality of some responses. A belated +1 to you. My only excuse is that I was young and foolish .
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radan2
Advanced Member
848 Posts
[Mentor]
Jacksonville, NC
USA
Moto Guzzi
2007 Breva V750 ie
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Posted - 11/04/2009 : 11:45 PM
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I participate in a number of other forums that do not concern motorcycles. I wish all of them had peer review ratings.
On this forum, we have two great advantages when we see a post:
1. We know that James Davis truly cares about the quality of advice given, and will quickly respond if that advice is bad. If a poster persists in giving bad or misleading advice, he will be admonished, then banned. Since James is a qualified expert on motorcycle safety, we can be sure that what we read here about riding will be high-quality advice, based on real expertise, not just opinion.
2. Through peer reviews, we can see what other readers of this forum think about the opinions and views expressed. This is very helpful, especially in non-safety-related subjects. When I see a post with a positive peer review, I know that someone else found that post to be useful and helpful enough to motivate them to take the effort to respond. In the same way, if I see a negative peer review, I know that someone strongly disagrees with the post, and I need to think carefully before I accept the views of the poster.
You may say, "Well, if you disagree, post your argument." In fact, many do--and I usually do. But one thing I have learned over time: the truly stupid are impervious to argument. Ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is permanent. In many cases, arguing is what a troll wants--it stirs up activity, but will not deflect him from his opinion--look at Holocaust deniers as an example. With peer review, we can demonstrate our disagreement without gratifying a troll with the attention he seeks.
In any case, I will always briefly explain the reason for my votes, even when I think it will make no difference. |
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