There has been some discussion as of late about the idea of adding a disagree button to MAP to contrast the thanks button. I thought we should just take a vote and see if most of the folks on the forum want one.
At least this thread has a disagree button. Anyone who does disagree should realize that they are affirming the necessity of such a button.
If a disagree button is implemented I would hope that either the thanks button was replaced by an agree button, or that a separate agree button is added in addition to the thanks button. I hope a disagree button wouldn't dissuade people from being controversial, I would hate more blandness to creep into MAP discussions.
Nope, terrible idea IMO. Firstly, MAP is a discussion board. We're hear to generate discussion about MA, not truncate it to, "Disagree" with no reasons specified. Secondly, Like and Dislike can get used for, "Like the poster" and "Dislike the poster." Posts should not be popularity contests. The "Like" function has already degenerated too far in this direction IMO. Thirdly, an unpopular poster would just get summarily dismissed without any reasoned argument. Their history should not result in a simple dismissal if they happen to make a good point. Just my thoughts Mitch
I'm on one of those two. Everyone ignores it until someone asks about it, then they drown in red feedback Mitch
I agree with everything but the bolded. Well, I do agree with the bolded, but I also think that it has just as many benefits to outweigh the 'popularity contest' side-effect. I know I have quite a few thanks for some one liners that didn't contribute anything to a thread. I also know I put a hell of a lot of time in some posts with a good amount of information that have received 'thanks' as well! I see that trend with a lot of people with high 'thank' counts too. I also make a judgment on new material I'm reading about some part of MA on the board by looking at posters 'thank' counts as well. If it's high, I'll make the extra effort to research and find out if it's true, or ask questions. If their 'thanks' are little to none, then it helps me put what they are saying in perspective a little better. Overall it helps me navigate what information I should consider and disregard to some degree. That is only part of the equation I look at when reading new information on MAP from a poster though. There are plenty of people with lots of 'thanks' that are excellent in one area, and then complete crap opinions or knowledge in others (myself included!). It isn't a solve all for me if somebody has a lot of 'thanks' to their posts, but its certainly helpful for me to navigate through information. There are plenty of flaws with it, but I think the 'thanks' button is arguable and defendable in many ways as well. I think there are more benefits then downfalls to it. I don't feel the same way about a 'dislike' button. Maybe a 'suspect information' button would be better : P
Things would seem to be going in the direction of no disagree button. I can understand the reasoning. I'm glad I did this poll, previously I figured the vote would go the other way.
No. I have clearly said that I expect this to be instated forthwith. I did not vote, I don't like yes/no options.
Perhaps another poll should go up asking not whether "we SHOULD" have a dislike button, but whether people would care either way.
I voted "no" and I liked Mitch's rationale about this being a discussion site. If you disagree, tell someone why. If you don't feel like writing a response, don't bother (or pick someone's view you like and say you agree with them).
I personally wouldn't like MAP to have it. Echoing Mitch, MAP is a discussion forum...if you disagree with a certain post, then post your reason as to why and it rolls on from there. (with ToS and taste) I press the thanks button when I agree/like the post and basically when I can't add any more info to it. In a way, it cuts down on unecessary postings, such as or Which is evident from very early MAP, where "post whoring" was an issue. Single posts like Won't cut it with me, as I'll be then asking "why and explain" Dislike/No Thanks/Don't Agree button can also be used as "Troll tool" , also when we have the fresh faced, posting shy members finally plucking up the courage to post something, it can be disheartening when they see a post with so much negativity underneath it. Reminds me of the "dislike" button arguments for FB. The Thanks button is still quite young on MAP and has developed well, give it a while longer and see how things go. Minds may be changed etc...
