How hard would it be to implement a Digg-like system, where users can give a thumbs up or down to each post and each topic? The number of thread "diggs" could be listed next to each thread, and the number of post "diggs" could be listed at the top of each post in the corner.
I assume thread ratings are on a 1 - 10 scale or something of that sort? it sounds good and it would certainly be better than nothing, but my only concern is that ratings take a lot more time (in the long run) to think about than giving a simple plus or minus to a thread/post. there's always the debate "is this a 6 or a 7? or maybe an 8?"
I apologies, for I am Farley new here but I think this is a good idea. Being new I find myself wondering aimlessly thru threads and it would be nice if at a glance I could tell if the thread is really worth my time.
Yeah, it seems to me that it would work best if there were a small thumbs up icon and a small thumbs down icon next to each topic title, with the respective numbers next to each icon.
I would think that users should have to give their thumbs up or down from inside the topic to ensure that they've at least looked at it... those buttons could go next to the quote button in each post, and the number of ups and downs for each topic can be taken from the number of ups and downs the first post receives. I don't know what the programming limits are.. if any of these ideas can actually be implemented, it would be cool
the only problem I see with a system like this is in the Bin and between users arguing in socialize.
In the bin, you can have a good response, but if it isn't funny, then your going to get nicked for doing what? Nothing.
Between people arguing/debating about a topic, the two fighting would simply keep giving each other a thumbs down, thus hurting their status for a pointless reason.
It works well with sites like youtube and ytmnd but as E4T mentioned forums are a different matter. Being funny or popular is just one aspect of a message board community, it also revolves around making new connections and understanding perspectives in a different way. Overall it could work for a specfic subforum but not for the entire forum.