Here we go again.

I remember coming across such a script ages ago, but I never bothered to grab it, and a quick search now hasn't brought it to light. It is likely out there somewhere though ... possibly more than one version.

That said, GOG would likely define that as manipulating REP, which is against their rules.

My recollection of that script, is that it also had an exceptions list for user names or maybe profile IDs. So that you could avoid, where possible giving positive REP to those who are habitually racist or sexist or who just behave like a bully or are very obnoxious.

Anyway, such a script, if GOG allowed it, would no doubt work wonders here at the forum. It would make both negative and positive REP meaningless, but I am guessing you could still Hide a post and or Report it.

Actually, bothering with an exceptions list is probably pointless anyway, if REP overall is meaningless.

It certainly wouldn't take many regular folk using such a script to counter the downvoters, bots or otherwise. Perhaps 30 members using it would be enough ... folk who generally check out most threads. I am guessing it would work like some of the other scripts, so be web page based ... as in it only takes effect on a web page in a thread that the user visits, not other non visited pages or threads.

It is rather ridiculous though that we have to even be thinking about such things. GOG should be doing all they can about this issue, and by my estimation they aren't, and I am not alone in thinking that. The buck really does stop with them and their promises, and they are currently letting us all down.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The premise of what TheDcoder is providing or suggesting here in this thread is good but flawed, too flawed in my opinion.

Its not like the rep system has any actual meaning apart from maybe activity on the site (the higher the absolute value of the number, the more active you have been on the site).

There are just topic threads where you get downvoted no matter what you say within the thread. For example, post in a thread discussing CyberPunk 2077 and you get downvoted no matter if you are writing in support of the game or are critical of it.

Then again, is there any online forum that as implemented a "rep" system well and results in rep having value?

A better rep system is one that nobody but you and the mods can see (if you so choose), that doesn't affect if you can or can't post links.

Should just have a report feature if it's that much of a problem and block the account for dodgy links.

Not a forum, but, What do you think about Stack Overflow?

If your question is legitimate, you may find this 2 blog entries interesting:
Are about Stack Overflow story.
And yeah, reputation is mentioned (the 2nd post)

joelonsoftware.com/2018/04/06/the-stack-overflow-age/
joelonsoftware.com/2018/04/13/gamification/

Incredible results may happen when thinking and work are applied to concerns no matter if simple/mundane. Don't you agree?

If allowed, I'd like to highlight this portion:

"The entrepreneurs who succeed do so
because it is incredibly important to them
a thing exist in the world,
and it does not exist,
so they work like crazy until it does"

I hope you like the reading

Not all. Sometimes it's just another day in cyberspace and this has sadly become the norm, and sometimes it's best to leave on a high-note. :D

But yes, it's GOG who's the problem here - not the community. Thinking it's the community who's the root here is being naive at best...

Down-vote harassment is cowardly and childish... and IMO the complete antithesis of a discussion board / forum. But this behavior has slowly become ubiquitous at GOG. First it seemed to come for those who liked to "stir the pot" (not an endorsement... just an observation) and then it spilled over onto anyone who might disagree with some keyboard commando.

Having spoken to GOG about down-vote harassment on the forum -- that is BTW contrary to GOG's TOS -- I was informed that the GOG forum software has no way of tracking individual down-votes and therefore there is no way of enforcing the TOS in that regard.

This wouldn't be the first time the forum software lacked functionality (although usually I tend to default to the faulty idea that forum functionality lacks on the user end alone), but in this regard it would seem to directly impact TOS enforcement... and what are rules / TOS if you cannot enforce them?

There will always be a few childish, cowardly, and vindictive forum users... but enabling them to exploit a GOG forum system, break the TOS, and harass other users is beyond the pale.

And TBH I'm baffled by what I perceive as GOG's seeming lack of enthusiasm for fixing the issue. While not knowing exactly what systems interact under-the-hood of the forum's software, it would seem -- from a layman's perspective -- relatively easy to remedy this situation.

I didnt know about stack overflow since im not a programmer so its an interesting read thanks.

I do think there are some challenges that differentiate stack overflow from GOG though that make the system difficult.

Since stack overflow is a troubleshooting website where users go to seek expert help, the reputation system has a strong value in showing that so-and-so user is an expert as determined by the community given the fact that the user in question has provided feedback that many members on the community have rated highly. Users are also incentivized to have a high rep since having a high rep shows that they are skilled/knowledgable in programming and that could also help them get a job in one of those advertisements on the site.

On the other hand, GOG is just a community for gamers with limited ability for users to actively interact/affect the site so rep and maintaining a high rep have no intrinsic value or signalling power.

If GOG just added community building aspects into the site such as a place for users to submit videos, walkthroughs, pictures, etc and have stuff like community content competitions and such, you can start to differentiate users by their specific interests and the rep system will have more value.

For example, if you are stuck in a particular game and get advice from two users, the user who has badges with completed walkthroughs in the game likely provides better advice for the user to follow than the other one who doesnt. Its not perfect but its still an indicator to identify useful answers.

GOG's current rep system doesnt provide any value to us users because we cant do much on this website anyway. Since rep here is really only used as a means to gauge user engagement and as a means to mass downvote answers some community members dont like, its kind of useless.

I would prefer GOG spruce up their forum and give us users the opportunity to actually engage in the community (and get rewarded in some way for doing so) but thats not the case here unfortunately.

So they seemingly cant be bothered to act to enforce certain rules but other rules which they should of overlooked (gaming deals thread) they clamp down on. And the forum software not allowing it is not an excuse when the forum is a buggy, broken mess and people have been asking them to sort it out for years and its easy enough to replace.

It baffles me as well more so when it effects people actually using the forum, the whole point of a forum is to encourage people to use it not to push them away which is what GOG seems to be doing. I've toned my replies down due to this and the bug with notifications.

While I don't think that they should get rid of it altogether, it might help if they change the rep system. Instead of it being connected to posting links etc just have it sort of by iteself.

It's good to see that you are speaking up for your friend (and other people) having problems with the rep system and bullying. At the same time it's only a number and I hope it doesn't bother your friend too much. <3. It's sad but bullying is a part of alot of people's lives but they can move on and get stronger from said bullying as well.

The problem is not the abuse of the rep system.

The problem is when many naive people on gog believe that high rep or low rep accurately represents the person on gog.

The rep system will not be fixed. People have been complaining about it since 2017.

Hm well said, and I agree with your point.

Forum functionality is chained to reputation.

Awhile back a fellow forum member detailed the functionality that came with differing levels of positive reputation.

Therefore IMO the problem IS both that there are rep system abusers / harassers... and... GOG is not enforcing their TOS.

The rep system won't ever be removed because it's designed to silence opposing opinions. Reddit works the same way which is why there's so many left wing nutjobs on the discussion boards and in the gog moderation staff. They get off to this kind of censorship and circle-jerking.

More so over the weekend, where it seems to be a free for all where nothing seems to get locked or anything. What is it the moderators do exactly? Why does it take a staff member to step in and take action on a thread? (Not this thread.)