Suggestion: Do not allow new users to post links to github(or any links even) until they hit the 20 post threshold.

jh80 wrote on 2026-10-13, 09:34:

What you're describing doesn't actually happen on similar forums that use a like system. […]
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analog_programmer wrote on 2026-10-13, 08:52:

No, it is not the right way. This way is only for pumping some fake "likes" (upvote). If there will be "like" function, there should be also a "dislike" option, so everyone could see, if the downvote ("dislikes") is more than collected "likes" for the particular post. And there should be also list which user "liked" and "disliked" the post, so nothing to be hidden, because we will not play on some false democracy here, if such "like-dislike" functions will be implemented.

In general, I'm against such rating systems, because, as I already mentioned, they lead to more and more counter-constructive consequences:

What you're describing doesn't actually happen on similar forums that use a like system.

It's a minor feature that most people don't even notice - just a small thing on the bottom of a post like in Keropi's screenshot. Its sole use is to tell the poster if people are interested in what they're doing. It isn't used for anything else and it can't be gamed because it simply doesn't matter for anything.

I consider it a must-have feature for a forum where people are posting a lot of creative projects, because it lets people show appreciation and encouragement.

My post with the suggestion about some personal/user's "valuable posts bookmark/list" option was used from some users to rise again this questionable rating system. I DISLIKE this.

As I wrote, I LIKE the current situation - without any "like-dislike" rating systems. And yes, "likes" without or with hidden "dislikes" is a total false, simply because some post may gather 100 visible "likes" and also "500" hidden dislikes, and users will see it as something "valuable", which will be untrue. Who needs this?

megatog615 wrote on 2026-10-13, 10:34:

Suggestion: Do not allow new users to post links to github(or any links even) until they hit the 20 post threshold.

This is a good suggestion. And may prevent part of those one-shot promotional posts with "ai slop" software github repos.

Boohyaka wrote on 2026-10-13, 06:48:

There *is* a "benefit" on reddit: giving accounts some legitimacy and credibility, whatever the end goal is (misinformation, ads, guerilla marketing...).

Reddit's a poor poor example, there's high karma accounts that are frequently poor behavior. There was a point when a lot of good people left reddit after spez announced ai training from all the posts/comments and then dumping the old reddit interface by default (gating it to a registered user option).
and I don't think Vogons should have likes either.

leileilol wrote on 2026-10-14, 02:30:

Reddit's a poor poor example, there's high karma accounts that are frequently poor behavior. There was a point when a lot of good people left reddit after spez announced ai training from all the posts/comments and then dumping the old reddit interface by default (gating it to a registered user option).
and I don't think Vogons should have likes either.

I think we're somewhat in alignment and there's a misunderstanding: I wasn't using Reddit as a positive example, it's a train wreck for many reasons, including "karma". The system is completely taken over and abused by bad actors. I was replying to a previous poster that used Reddit as an example, because people over there were farming karma for no benefit. I was merely explaining that there was a benefit of high positive karma accounts on Reddit, and that such accounts would sell well on the black market. But that is specific to Reddit, still in the top 10 of most visited websites...we're nowhere near comparable level of user base and attraction for that to become a problem imo.

leileilol wrote on 2026-10-14, 02:30:

Boohyaka wrote on 2026-10-13, 06:48:

There *is* a "benefit" on reddit: giving accounts some legitimacy and credibility, whatever the end goal is (misinformation, ads, guerilla marketing...).

Reddit's a poor poor example, there's high karma accounts that are frequently poor behavior. There was a point when a lot of good people left reddit after spez announced ai training from all the posts/comments and then dumping the old reddit interface by default (gating it to a registered user option).
and I don't think Vogons should have likes either.

Reddit is a great example of how not to do a merit system. Youtube is another example. People want to be loved there, they are less discussion forums than Vogons. Stop trying to make this like those, we don't want it.

ldeveraux wrote on 2026-10-14, 17:28:

leileilol wrote on 2026-10-14, 02:30:

Boohyaka wrote on 2026-10-13, 06:48:

There *is* a "benefit" on reddit: giving accounts some legitimacy and credibility, whatever the end goal is (misinformation, ads, guerilla marketing...).

Reddit's a poor poor example, there's high karma accounts that are frequently poor behavior. There was a point when a lot of good people left reddit after spez announced ai training from all the posts/comments and then dumping the old reddit interface by default (gating it to a registered user option).
and I don't think Vogons should have likes either.

Reddit is a great example of how not to do a merit system. Youtube is another example. People want to be loved there, they are less discussion forums than Vogons. Stop trying to make this like those, we don't want it.

Speak for yourself, dude!
I have not given you any permission to speak for me.

yet STILL no way to block you

analog_programmer wrote on 2026-10-12, 14:33:

I have a suggestion for a new forum's functionality.

What about something like "favorite posts" bookmarking function? There's a tons of useful info in the forum, which is hard to be found later, when some of the threads became enormous. It will be very convenient, if every user could mark/flag "favorite posts" in his own personal list.

The old forum software had this and I had a ton of bookmarked threads. When the new software came about, I lost all those and asked to have all those bookmarks converted into watched threads and that was done.

Not nearly as good of a system but it does work.

cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 15:24:

analog_programmer wrote on 2026-10-12, 14:33:

I have a suggestion for a new forum's functionality.

What about something like "favorite posts" bookmarking function? There's a tons of useful info in the forum, which is hard to be found later, when some of the threads became enormous. It will be very convenient, if every user could mark/flag "favorite posts" in his own personal list.

The old forum software had this and I had a ton of bookmarked threads. When the new software came about, I lost all those and asked to have all those bookmarks converted into watched threads and that was done.

Not nearly as good of a system but it does work.

This is sad. "Watch topic" functionality is too broad and far from exact post bookmarking 🙁