Problem with that is popularity contests. Not everyone agrees with everyone.

I've made some comments on here about some decals that just plain looked bad after numerous other members had patted the person on the back saying how good they were. If that feature was on this site my comments would have been removed because people are too wussy to take criticism.

The original post suggested a button for just thanks.
Could that be considered?

I don't think a ranking system or like/dislike button would
be good here.

Sue2

I'll see what can be done about a thanks button, as I agree, pages and pages of  are unnecessary.  As far as weighting posts based on voting up or down, that rarely works out well, and just harbors clique-like behavior, hurt feelings, etc. No one ever claimed to be a democracy. It's an open forum, you're free to come and go, and post your feelings good or bad. This place was started that way and it will stay that way.

I agree with that.  I feel like we have enough outspoken people here to call someone out for being an unhelpful ass, as opposed to offering constructive criticism, which is my main reason for leaving things as is.  There's always the "report a post" option if you feel things get out of hand for the given subject. But trust me, I agree with what you're saying here.

By "Troll" in an earlier post, are you referring to the people who set up an account, ask two or three questions, then are never heard from again?  ...Or were you referring to Jeff?... (oops!    did I say that out loud? )  Any way, I hesitate to call out people, because "you never know."  9 x out of 10, they need to be called out.  The ONE time I would do that, it would be because of sickness or death...  We can't fix human nature.  I want to help the new peeps (or be helped when I'm new), but when someone creates an account and asks some questions and then is totally inactive for weeks - then never comments as to whether the responses were helpful or not - well, that sort of chaps my smiley face.  So maybe a  button would entice those people to at least let you know when you've been helpful.  May be should also provide a :thumbsdown: button for my posts! 

  This may be a little long but it's something that really interests me about the nature of Internet communities and our natural instinct in the physical/flesh world to coexist in a heircal structure.

By troll, I was referring to somebody (usually male) that for their own reasons like low self esteem, low position in society or in their relationships in the physical/flesh world who belong to Internet forums or opinion based webcommunities and may indeed have an intrest in, or relation to, the topics. But really just look forward to making their marks (so to speak) in these Internet communities by being verbal and opinionated in a place where they feel safe from their social, mental or physical limitations. They continually post harsher than necessary opinions or pose very strong and abusive responses to topics discussed in threads due the nature of the distance community the Internet provides. On occasion, they resort to an insulting personal attack when met with objection. Sometimes they disappear periodically and then reemerge whenever they need validation. Don't get me wrong, some are truly valid opinions and observations but the troll chooses to use hurtfull or insulting adjectives rather than civil ones. Often times when called out about their choice of words within the forum they respond "I just always speak my mind and prefer to be honest" which to some is an acceptable excuse for their crass or brutal language however, the troll was just looking for the ability to put this statement in writing for all to see that he/she is an Alpha member of his/her flesh community whom has no fear. That's what I consider a troll. As for the drive by gleaners, they don't bother me any more than somebody who would watch me putting up a sign and not say a word. We're also a curious species.

To the reader, If you are a troll, thank you for your Patience. If you don't know wether or not you are a troll, Check your post history and ask yourself if you would make the same choice of words if you were standing in the same room as the person or persons who are the Alpha in your flesh life, or just dear ol' mom and dad.

....Just whistling as I walk quietly down the alley....