Low Comments/Ratings Percentage on STEX Needs To Stop

[ancientsociety 26]

I've been a member of Simtropolis for awhile now. At first, I downloaded a lot of stuff from the STEX without really paying attention to the comments/rating system. After starting my own BATs though, I grew more interested in the ratio of downloads to comments/ratings. Going back over the lots I had previously downloaded and rating them, I noticed that the ratio is abyssmal.

An average ratio of downloads to comments/ratings is about 4:1 (downloads to ratings is even more pathetic, something like 4:0.8!). Even the top performers on STEX (Simgoober, for example) have a ratio of about 3:1. That means that out of 10 people who download, 6-7 never post a comment or rating.

 

As a member, I think it's a disservice to this great site that so few people bother to take the 5 extra minutes to rate the stuff they download. As a BATter, it's extremely frustrating and annoying because I can't find out what people like or don't like about my creations and I can't really increase the quality of my future work. It upsets me because there are A LOT of talented people on this site who get few (if any) feedback, even if their files are popular, and I'm sure it hurts their urge to produce future work.

 

So first, I'd like to say that if you download it, RATE IT. Even if you don't like it, constructive criticism is a much stronger impetus to improve the creator's future work then silence.

 

Also, I know Dirk and the Admins work very hard keeping this site up and running (Thanks Dirk! Thanks Admins!), but I feel we should institute some sort of download/rating tracking system. I know on a lot of torrent sites, your ratio of leeching to seeding is tracked and, if it falls below a certain point, you aren't able to download more until you seed enough. (For those unfamiliar with tech, basically the system tracks how much you take vs. how much you share). Perhaps a system that tracks the user's downloads, ratings/comments, and uploads?? You start at a fixed percentage and then each download you make decreases that percentage, whereas each comment/rating/upload you make increases it. Would it be possible to implement such a feature without causing too much extra work for everyone??

 

PS The point of my comments isn't to attack anyone but to increase the quality of this site and provide more incentive for users to post their creations.

[Tolomar 5]

the ratings system on the STEX has been a bit corupted by some ppl playing mind games or using it to finish or start fight way to often. (same as the top poster menu that use to be on the homepage)

 

I personelly won't rate a lot til I used in my game,as rating by only the pic isn't a good idea, personel opion, more often than not I forget to go back and find the lots, cuz the time lapse between downloading and using can vary, and find the lots can be time consuming

 

personel I just scan the lots..using the pic provided as a guide, then use a sandbox region to make it grow or plop it there...check it out personelly and judge for myself if the lot is something I wish to use

 

think fixing the STEX rating system may be to much of an effort, also the ones whom perverted it in the past will find ways to do it again in the future

 

remenber, a good lot in your game is what you consider a good lot...not anyone else...when it comes down to it...it's your region, use your own judgement...

[DuskTrooper 316]

This has been discussed soo many times. The best thing to do is just turn the other cheek, and ignore those useless, and spiteful comments.

[delboysim 1]

Well well well - as one one thread is closed for causing a flame war - another opens ......................... on exactly the same explosive controversial subject.

 

I warned the moderator who closed the other thread that this would happen - so ring the bell - pull up yer chairs, this is round 127 in the championship fight ............

 

But be warned - punching below the belt will get you banned - and this isnt WWF so dont throw your chairs at the competitors ..............

 

 

Does my sarcasm ring loud ???? GOOD its supposed to !!!!

[+Guest]

I never pay no mind to those flashy stars.When I download the first I check is who is the designers and then read the comments to see if there are any problems.

  BSC,CSX and a few other designers will always get a 10 without even checking out the lot.

[ten1902 4]

when i see a lot that i like i download and track it...i might or might not leave a comment when i first download it(depends on my mood and if i have something constructive to say), however 9 times outta 10 i will comeback and leave a comment and a rating based on how well the lot performs ingame...to ask everyone to leave a comment and a rating at the time of download would just lead to a whole lot of nice lot, good job, looks great comments and those arent beneficial to anyone(except maybe to stroke the BATers ego)...personally i feel it best to test the lot and if you have something constructive to say, say it, and if not, just move on about your day

[Tolomar 5]

close the thread..please

 

yea...one of the mods wanna bury this deadhorse before the gang decides to get out the clubs and beat the poor battered thing a little bit more

 

get the feelin the topic is Jason from Friday the 13th...

 

let the topic RIP

[Nomad1 53]

I ask you this:  What is the purpose of the rating system on the STEX for exactly?  Is it a tool for members to help them make a decision on downloading?  Is it a competitive ranking scale that shows who's the best at Lot-making, BAT, Modding etc..?  Is it for feedback and support for the creators?   

If your looking for feedback, constructive critisism, and input, you're better off getting it from the BAT forums than from the STEX. 

[jgrahl 0]

I have 2 reasons I would give a comment or rating.  1, I liked it very much or 2 I hated it.  Now imagine if I download 10 things, I'll have to remember what they are named, I'll have to get them to actually develop in my city, how much I liked each one, and I have to come back to this slow site to rate them individually.  Even more, I would have to scrutinize each one with an hour of testing to actually decide if it is balanced.

That's what I would do, but since I'm lazy I don't.  Another reason I play computer games... laziness.

[ancientsociety 26]

Please don't turn this into a thread about the merits of the ratings system, as my point was that those who do not rate that which they download consistently, then they should face some type of consequence. It's equivalent to leeching torrents without sharing, stealing bandwidth, or any other selfish type of internet abuse.

 

ten1902: That's why I recommended a tracking system, so that not only could admins track your usage, but you as well could go back and see the lots you've downloaded. I agree that downloaders should playtest the lot before commenting or rating.

[Tolomar 5]

kill the thread...it's the same thing differnt package...ppl are required to rate the lots?

 

thats just silly...kill the thread

[JustinHayward 10]

You are wasting your time buddy - its a pointless and well thrashed out topic already - as Tolomar said - let it rest in peace

You will NOT change peoples attitudes, and you will NOT prevent people from posting aggressive comments (positive OR negative) and anyway - would you like to live in a police state where you are TOLD what to say and what to do ????

[storms991 0]

kill

[Cjah 15]

SWEET...

I'm very happy to see this still very much alive and I hope we can continue this....

 

but yeah I need to lay off DEV because he isn't the only person who contributes in such unwanted and uneeded ways....

 

Ok now it seems the topic has shifted to a topic about how if someone doesn't rate or comment they must be punished....

 

OKAY...that is just plain stupid....

 

what if you do not speak english?

 

what if you never heard of such a rule in the first place?

 

what if you posted a comment once in a while?

 

I'm just saying these what ifs are what would be asked a ton if the system you recommend was put into place...

 

Why punish the ignorant that can't comment....

 

Why MAKE everyone comment?

 

its not gonna help anyone and probably hurt everyones time here....

 

But yeah the STEX was made for people who join ST....so I suppose you MUST know english to join,but I've joined tons of places just for whats free....I never spoke or knew jack about the site....I just stole from it....

 

Well not stealing,but you'd probably call it that....

 

Anyone can be forced to post,but whats next...we start charging the people to download.... is that is whats next for ST?

 

I SAY NO!!!!!

 

The moment you must start paying is the moment you see this poor man leave...

 

(watch DEV support charging everyone now that I said I'd leave...)

[dev 47]

Date: 1/19/2006 2:23:38 PM
Author: jgrahl

I have 2 reasons I would give a comment or rating. 1, I liked it very much or 2 I hated it. Now imagine if I download 10 things, I'll have to remember what they are named, I'll have to get them to actually develop in my city, how much I liked each one, and I have to come back to this slow site to rate them individually. Even more, I would have to scrutinize each one with an hour of testing to actually decide if it is balanced.

That's what I would do, but since I'm lazy I don't. Another reason I play computer games... laziness.

quote>

Indeed. Well Said. I will rate something if it is REALLY GOOD, or something my opinions agree with whole heartedly. OR the exact opposite. Or sometimes if I am asked to. I don't have time to rate everything, nor does anyone else...

And I see more personal attacks towards me...it is indeed another normal day on SimTropolis.

[delboysim 1]

*Throws 10 bucks in the get rid of cjah collection jar*

 

 

dear oh dear oh dear - where is this all gonna end ??????

 

 

I dunno if any of you noticed it earlier - but Dirk himself was in earlier doing some testing on the STEX and Forums (according to his nice little message when trying to access) so maybe - just maybe, there are gonna be some changes to the way we all kick the living daylights out of each other .....................

[Meg 368]

okay, guys.  We have already closed one thread on this topic today.  Enough already.

Just so it's clear:  people who continue to kick the living daylights out of this topic will find themselves banned.