Thread: Expanding Introduction to include Rep Knowledge

I've been going through this site and looking at suggestions. What I've come to realize is that there is a huge issue with the rep system, especially in terms of its conflict with the like system. The fundamental issue seems to be that there is not enough rep going around. Those that understand the system have too much rep power, and those that don't use the like button much too often. Based on what I've read, I believe I have come up with a solution. The introduction system should include questions about repping and liking. When I did my introduction, the idea that trading is very bad was hammered home. Similarly, I think the introduction can be used to delineate between repping and liking and how to do each responsibly.

To accomplish this, I came up with a few questions to add to the introduction form:
What is the difference between repping and liking?
Give an example of when you should rep a post and when you should like one.
How do you rep a post?
What is rep power?

Any other ideas for questions? I think this solution is particularly elegant because it only requires changing the introduction form, unlike many other proposals that require changing the code or other fundamentals of the website.

I disagree.. the introduction system is there to evaluate potential members, not to clue them up in how the forum functions. It is up to that person to familiarise themselves with the forum rules and the FAQ. A link to the forum FAQ is included in the welcome message that they receive. Believe me they will soon figure out what rep is if they want to progress through the ranks and access those area's they are currently not permitted to see.

Besides, there are already a few that have a hard time figuring out the introduction, I dont feel the need to complicate it any further by adding in things they can read at their leisure.

Yet, by asking about trading and the secret password, it seems to me that understanding the rules of this website is already a critical part of writing a successful introduction. It seems to logical to me to expand that to this issue, which many current users clearly misunderstand. At the same time, I see what you mean when you say that it would make it more confusing.
A more subtle change we can make is changing the FAQ (Torrent-Invites FAQ) to reflect the differences between liking and repping. Currently it only states that liking has no effect on repping. Expanding that to a subsection titled something like "Difference Between a Rep and a Like" that has example posts and more detailed explanations about the differences could help as well.

The trading question is to ensure that applicants understand that we don't allow trading and the secret password is there to try and ensure that they actually read the damn rules (which they don't in most cases but that's besides the point). There is a detailed list of what people should rep for in the FAQ (its a bit further down and was created by Ethicks).

The problem is that those with a high rep power will NOT rep a post unless they think its worthy, so even educating people about the differences is not going to make a great deal of difference. Until a workaround can be conjured up, we are going to have this problem for a while - perhaps we should be looking at a different way to promote, changing the requirements (instead of using rep).

Yes, I saw that but it didn't address the issue of rep vs. like. And, I see your point about about those the high rep power. I was hoping this would allow for a simple fix for all new members, but I guess you're right that it will require a broader change to the system. Unfortunately, it seems that this forum was not built for such a fine-grained level of customization.

Thing is, the system we have is not built for thanks. In order to get something to work we have to adapt, and its finding that mod/system that fits the bill. I appreciate that its frustrating not being able to level up because of the lack of rep points being chucked about, but the staff are working on trying to get a system in place that everyone benefits from.

In the meantime I'm sorry, but I think its just a case of sit back and wait until something gets implemented :)

here's my 2 cents, i really dont care about leveling up or ranking up on this site. IM a noob's noob when it come to computer related situations, so i would really be no help to anyone in that regard. i joined TI for 2 reasons.
1. to aquire invites to some great private trackers
2. to gain knowledge with torrent related issues.
So far its working out for me. ive aquired 2 invites to prvt. trackers that i wanted, and im learning. slowly, yet surely. And when i am gifted with invites, i will give them away here. im my opinion, this whole leveling up thing is taken way to seriously. And i really dont think its needed. There is one thing that everymember on this site has in common, every single one of us. We love torrents!!! thats why we are here in the first place. So you can keep your Vip's, your 10, 30, and 55%'s your reps. i dont care. we should'nt be here for that. To me, that all about "prestige". And the only prestiging i do is on Blk. Ops.
TI to me is a means to an end. no disrespect intented, just being honest

The problem is that the best private tracker invites are usually reserved for the 33% or 55% giveaways. Reaching 55% shows that you have contributed to this site. It gives the inviter confidence that the invitee will not abuse the account or cheat. Even if it is a means to an end for you, you will find that this "prestige" you talk about is an integral part of T-I. Even outside of Area 51, those with more "prestige" are taken more seriously than say a 10% like you or me. This isn't to say that rank and prestige are everything, but they certainly have a role.

to me random, thats the problem. its very simple, on any tracker, pub or prvt. we all do one thing....download. hopefully, most of us upload back. the most important thing shoulld be, ratio. Do you take more then you give back. now these invites for these great pvt trackers should be based on your ratio. if i dont have access to some trackers because im only a 10%, then fine. but here is my question...would you want a noob like me, with a 6+ ratio....or would you want that great vip with a wealth of knowledge, but has a neg. ratio. Thats rep to me. i want the guy who gives more back.