The vote up/vote down option

Unfortunately the vote up and down option gives an all too clear indication of how well or not your contributions are valued, and from that how well you are regarded as a participant here.For all people here try to reassure me, there is solid proof that I'm not regarded very well here.  That's not exclusive to here. Historically I've never been truthfully regarded as a good forum participant - when it comes too over 95% of the online forums I've been a member of. It's just that I do comparatively less poorly online than I do IRL.

I tend to use the vote up as an "I agree" button, if someone said something I was also likely to have said, so I hit that button to show I agree and also instead of posting a similar reply.

I think those who have suggested a reaction system are onto something, being able to show appreciation and a specific like/agree/love/disagree "opinion "

Everyone here is valued in my opinion, we all have our own views and differences which I respect and believe are hugely important. They're also helpful, seeing things from many different perspectives is one of the things I feel is incredibly valuable too.

I would prefer something more like Facebook’s reaction system, so we could have like, love, hugs etc.

I wouldn’t want to have nothing at all. I often use upvoting to express that I like or agree with something but sometimes if i don’t have the energy to respond I use it simply as an acknowledgement.

You shouldn’t take upvotes, or the lack thereof, as any indication of how you personally are regarded though firemonkey. We would miss your contributions if you weren’t here.

'Reactions' were mooted, which I was rather keen on.

I'd often like to be able to say 'thankyou' and I'd often like to show that I care.

 Online Community 'reactions' poll 

I use the vote up option when theres a post I agree with that says what I want to say and I can't add anything better to it, or if it's a joke I've enjoyed. I use the vote dowm option rarely, to express my disagreement with the post without having to get into an argument.

I also HATE the "votes" thingy.....and am very unsure how it should be used......and I know this is common here.

I certainly don't use "votes" to express a sense of "worth" nor "value".....if nothing else, I don't feel worthy to do so.

I do often give a "+1" if I have nothing to add or respond with, but I want someone to know that I have read the comment.

I will not give a "+1" if I disagree with something within the post......even if a high percentage of it is wholly in accord with my feelings.

In short, firemonkey.....if you can.....I would recommend not viewing "votes" as a measure of your value or worth....because none of us here use it in a consistent and unified way.

On a very positive note, I am pleased that "-1" is a very rarely viewed phenomenon here - and this makes me happy.

And I see that nobody "likes" the fact that I dislike it ha ha!

I always try to "like" posts if they don't have any likes yet, in case they feel ignored or that people think their post is rubbish. I also have a problem if the post is about someone struggling with problems - if I "like" it - Does that mean I like it that they are struggling?

I really don't see the point of it on a forum where we're just trying to support each other. It's not a competition.

Honestly I’m very cautious about giving vote down, if I disagree or dislike some post I usually just leave. 

I also often haunt a few Reddit pages and they can be ruthless, it's very disheartening. 

I dislike it too.

As my daughter would say 'no problem' You hadn't annoyed or upset me. I just needed to explain things.

Yes, that’s bad. I was also bullied and myself feel inferior. I’m sorry if I triggered you, that was not my intention. I like your Posts and I’m happy that we all can “meet” here online. 

It's very much a bullying related trauma. effect. A stark reminder of being regarded as a lesser, more inferior, person than others.

Is it so important to see how much your or someone else’s contribution is valued? Our collective contribution is very important because together we build the community, exchange experience,, validate each other, I was surprised in the beginning when I found out I’m not the only “alien” in this world. And this is because of all people’s contribution, also yours. While I understand the need to feel valued, I think the down vote is ok, if someone doesn’t like some post, they have a right to express it. Maybe some sort of “medal” next to the avatar would be an option.