[clanter]

Moderator 1... where is that thumbs up down for your post?

[saje]

OK, to those who don't like the thumbs, would it make your day better to have people post "I think you're an ass" instead? Or, as I said before, the rollyeyes guy or a "whatever" or the inevitable "ditto" or "This".

None of those are actually discourse either.

And I really don't think it's going to be the end of discussion on the boards. It might in fact prevent some of the pile-ons that everybody hates.

I also find that they draw me back to a post I've made and forgotten, which can be interesting.

[Shine]

Why is there an option (thumbs up/down) for this thread - counter productive at the very least.

[Bluey]

I think if you're going to get so worked up about a simple mouse click from some internet strangers that maybe you need to find something more constructive to do with your time.

Exactly, those that don't like the thumbing at all may not be here to vote.
Maybe they already did, when they quit posting.

[saje]

I don't think they can turn it off for just one thread or poster. It's either ther or it isn't.

[I wear horse hair]

I hate the thumbs, but I just choose not to use them and don't mind if others want to thumb away. I do wonder if, since some say the thumbs just indicate agreement or disagreement and some think the thumbs indicate a personal pox on their house and all that live there, we can just get a "this" and a "not this" button and end all the drama. Wait, COTH without drama? Forget it, keep the thumbs AND add the middlle finger!!

[Beentheredonethat]

I hate the thumbs, the notifications, and REALLY don't like that it says "good" and "bad."

I'm OK with what some people said to have something like "agree," but I don't think we even need that.

[Chief2]

I voted to nix it all because I'm just not into the thumbs up or down business. However, if you decide to keep it, then please attach the voter's screen name to each up and down they post so they are responsible for what they do here.

[vxf111]

I like the thumbs. It gives me a grin to get green ones, and I don't care when I get bad ones.

I think it beats having umpteen posts saying "I agree" and "I disagree". Because there are times that I do disagree with someone but I'm either not in a place to type up my reasons, or it's really just not worth the argument (slaughter, for instance) because I know I'm not going to change the person's mind.

I think they can be taken constructively, if you have an open mind.

I'm sorry but this is all a straw man argument. I keep seeing people say the thumbs prevent piling on and one-word "agree" replies.

That is empirically disproven. Since the advent of thumbs I've witnesses two gigantic pile ons on the board and no more/fewer short answer replies.

People are thumbing because either they're juvenile, lazy, or want to be anonymous. I don't think any of these is an impulse to be encouraged.

[saje]

I'll give you two out of three. I'm neither lazy nor juvenile, though sometimes it is more politic to be anonymous.


As for empirically disproven, have you or anyone else actually done a comparison? A real count? I doubt it, since the old board is gone and we didn't know about the thumbs til the new format. It may appear that there's no difference, and it may be true. Personally I'd like to see how it all pans out once the newness has worn off.

[vxf111]

I haven't been keeping specific track... but I have been anecdotally watching and I see no decrease in piling on or short answers. In fact, the same people are piling on are thumbing-- I'd wager.

What I have seen an increase in-- people lashing out at BEING neg thumbed. And that's not exactly productive but what are you to do since it's anonymous and damn annoying?!

[MunchingonHay]

thumbs are important, you need them to open jars, turn keys, hitchhike, jab it in some one's eye if they assault you,......

Hate everything about thumbs.

[vxf111]

thumbs are important, you need them to open jars, turn keys, hitchhike, jab it in some one's eye if they assault you,......

Hee hee... the other digits have their uses too the thumbs make my middle finger want to get in on the action...

[MunchingonHay]

I like the thumbs up, could I live without them sure. I am not a fan of the thumbs down I do not feel it contributes to the conversation, which is the point of this whole BB, a dialogue between horse people to learn and share experiences.

[Beverley]

I can live without the thumbs up/down option (do like the ones attached to my hands)- but I am okay with retaining thumbs up since I've noticed folks have asked for such an option in recent times.

But I don't thing the 'thumbs down' serves any useful purpose- could be disagreement with what is posted or just someone with not enough to do making mischief. Disagreeing with a post and classifying it as a 'bad' post as implied by the rating system are not at all the same thing.

Edited to add- the 'notifications' really don't do a thing for me- at least make it easy to clear them out.

[MunchingonHay]

and the thumb helps hold down the pointer finger while giving the middle finger . Yet another important use for the thumb!

Hee hee... the other digits have their uses too the thumbs make my middle finger want to get in on the action...

[mbm]

Hee hee... the other digits have their uses too the thumbs make my middle finger want to get in on the action...

i sooooo want to give this the salute - but i have stopped all thumbing due to the idea that it is being used to collect data....

i will say that the few times i have given someone the red thumb of death, it did want to make me go "neener neerner"

[Cindyg]

For whatever reason, Facebook's simple "like" button seems better to me than the "appreciate" thumbs. Somehow "appreciate" is not the same as "like."

I've often wished for a "don't like" button (in Facebook); but through it, I've wanted to say "I don't like the horrible story you posted about" rather than "I don't like you!" Somehow, these red thumbs seem to be saying, "You're a jerk. Only an idiot would hold that position."

Whatever you choose for the forum, I think it should have names attached -- again, like Facebook's "like" button. I think that would cut out some of the junior-high mean-girls feel that the current system has.

[FlashGordon]

I think it is generally annoying, but heck at least make it so it's not anonymous. If you want to thumbs down me, go for it, but at least tell me who you are.

I didn't realize I was a controversial poster until I started collecting as many red thumbs as green ones, lol. In that regard it has been enlightening I guess. I kind of liked Alagirl's idea of turning it into a drinking game. Perhaps I will give that a try some night when I'm really bored.

[jetsmom]

I can't believe people even pay attention to the thumbs... So some people agree with someone's post and some people disagree...And this is surprising, how???

If the thumbs are bothering you that much, you may be too sensitive to safely use a BB, if your self esteem/self confidence is shaken by a red thumb.