Should/Can we install a ratings based listing in showcase?

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<t>In the showcase area I would like to see all forums listed by votes on a ranking system</t>

YES
8
62%
NO
5
38%
 
Total votes: 13
urbanfarm
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:50 am

Ragnarok wrote:The "engineering landmark" idea is fine. The problem is, people will see it as a "How good is this cannon" system.

Perhaps this idea can be processed into something for the Spudwiki, a page of cannons that are good technical example of various traits, and articles that are worth the read.

In fact, I've just spent a long time starting just that:
http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... 6_articles
Well Thankyou I like what you have done with that and respect your work, and it achieves my original goals however these things fall behind times if not maintained hence why I am making alternate proposals.

With any system I don't think we will ever quite not require the search function but any step towards that is a good step

I was also thinking alternately could the listing order be set for number of views, highest being top and the less viewed trailing of, however that is a topic for another poll
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Ragnarok
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:00 am

urbanfarm wrote:Well Thankyou I like what you have done with that and respect your work, and it achieves my original goals however these things fall behind times if not maintained hence why I am making alternate proposals.
Obviously, anything will fall behind time if not maintained, but it's next to no work to maintain it - seriously, it'd take half a moment to add something that should be on there.

It doesn't have the problems of putting a "definite" number on anything, which will create unwanted competition; doesn't force making a rating on one person, but isn't prone to people suddenly rating something top (or bottom) marks when it really doesn't deserve it - which if it's subjected to an open vote, will happen; and does exactly what it says on the tin, and is hard to misunderstand.

And importantly, requires no extra forum effects, something that is impractical to add.

That list, as it stands at the moment, has 30 cannons on it (I added the Oxymortar), which represent cannons which come to mind first if I'm looking for examples of things done well, and I'd probably be right in saying most long term members know of them.
At present, there are over two and a quarter thousand showcase threads, so even allowing for another half as much again, we're talking inside 2% of cannons, a relatively small list for people to take in.

Put a rating system in that everyone can access, and you will see literally hundreds of cannons with 5 star ratings... because people WILL misunderstand the system (or not even read the information it it), and rate on "Cool" rather than "Ingenuity".
The really worthwhile topics will fast get drowned out, and we're back to square one again.

Limit it to just a few pre-chosen "judges", and not only do those judges not have the time to assess each cannon, they'll get angry PMs from people that say: "hay why is my canoon only rated 2 star i hate you", probably with more rude words.

The spudwiki page gathers it all together into one place, doesn't force a rating on the less interesting cannons, and gives people a short cut to knowing spudding as it is.
Does exactly what you wanted it to do, but with less effort, fewer drawbacks, and nobody complaining about a poor ranking, because it doesn't offer a poor ranking.
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MrCrowley
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:37 pm

Just adding to Rag's thoughts, most senior members, or members who have been here long enough, will notice that in a quite a few cases, the best cannons will get the least views and comments. Whereas some cheap, gehtto cannon will draw in a lot of comments and therefore views.

Though, it would be nice to be able to order the showcase section by views, posts, alphabetically, chronologically etc just for the hell of it.
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:02 pm

Reputation systems are tough to keep working properly. About every forum that I've seen them in gets rid of the Rep system because of the work required to keep them going.
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jitup
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:04 pm

I like spudfiles as it is. Sure at first it is VERY hard to find things, but after a little bit of time you become aware of the places you can find things.

@Rag
good job on the wiki! I wish that would have been up several weeks ago!

I think there should be four catagories.
listed in order

Pneumatics
Combustions
Hybrids
BB and Airsoft
if you live in Ohio join the Ohio Spud Gun and BBMG Association at http://www.ohiosga.webs.com
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ALIHISGREAT
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:07 pm

What about, instead of a rep system, we have a cannon of the month, or cannon of the year?
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Ragnarok
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:14 pm

MrCrowley wrote:Most senior members, or members who have been here long enough, will notice that in a quite a few cases, the best cannons will get the least views and comments.
Indeed.

Usually simply because those that see it don't like commenting only to say "Awesome" or "Wow" - they like to have a suggestion or question to go with it. If someone has a very good cannon and a post that answers most questions, then that means they may not get as many answers as a newbie that's used DWV or made some mistake which people want to tell them about.

For example, the very well done RevoSemi has only 29 replies (I think), which means it would probably be ignored by any "view" or "post" sort, but it shows a heap of ingenuity.

@Jitup: I had already sorted things into categories based on that order.
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:18 pm

To be perfectly honest,

Rag said:
Usually simply because those that see it don't like commenting only to say "Awesome" or "Wow" - they like to have a suggestion or question to go with it. If someone has a very good cannon and a post that answers most questions, then that means they may not get as many answers as a newbie that's used DWV or made some mistake which people want to tell them about.
Says alot!
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john bunsenburner
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:35 pm

Spudfiles is great the way it is, this shown by this thread if you ask me: In the average forum no one would, as a fairly new member, even have the(excuse my language) nuts to ask somehting like:
"In the showcase area I would like to see all forums listed by votes on a ranking system"
this shows that by the way we act new members seem to quickly feel comfortable with spudfiles, that is very rare from all what i know. I think a rating system would end in chaos and would just waste time. I like the way we do int now: A contest here and there and the best cannons on a wiki-page. Spudding is not a hobby that has to do with contests atleast it should not be based around them. For me personally spudding is an alternative to real fire arms and it provides me with alot of physics knowlage that i woudl not ussually learn until IB level of school... A rating system would totally change the whole concept behind spudding and I(and i can safely say i am not alone) really like the concept right now, its great and unique. The wiki page is really useful and I really see no point to include a rating system, if some one makes a good cannon people notice and chances are it will be put on the wiki and really most long term and serious members here are not interested about how awsome, cool or wicked a gun is but more how it works and if the way it works is interesting, unique or special in any way. Looks do not make people nor do they make cannons. sorry i could not resist chucking my two cents in here
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MrCrowley
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:38 pm

I've just added 4.2" Mortar and Gort's Golf Bag to the pneumatic cannons on the Wiki page. :)

Edit: and a bunch of helpful topics too
Last edited by MrCrowley on Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:30 pm

FYI, SpudFiles used to have exactly what you are asking for. No one used it, in the year(s) it was there there were maybe 10 ratings cast total so I removed it.
Yes, I am the guy that owns & operates SpudFiles (along with our extremely helpful moderators).
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Ragnarok
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:01 pm

While I'm on a bit of a SpudWiki roll, I've created this page to answer the occasional rules questions that come up:

http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... _the_rules
Does that thing kinda look like a big cat to you?
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MrCrowley
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:13 pm

Favourited. Thanks :)
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Sticky_Tape
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:25 pm

I read the whole think great job rag.
You can tell how awesome a cannon is by the pressure used.
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/high-pr ... 12803.html
xnt rnm ne z ahtbg
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Ragnarok
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Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:13 pm

MrCrowley wrote:Favourited. Thanks.
No problem. I try to make myself useful on occasion (scarce though those occasions are. :tongue3:)

I partly did it to save me typing it out every time someone comes along with the idea. I've spent long enough being a moderator on other site, and that doesn't always switch off when I change forums, so I've done my "explaining the rules" act a few times on SF.

Should save some time. It's linked to from the Cannons & Articles page (which is itself linked on the main page), in the "General Forum" section, so it can be found without too much trouble.
Does that thing kinda look like a big cat to you?
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