What's with the 'Rating' and downvote options?

I've just had a look under the hood to some extent (anyone can using F12, Devtools to inspect page elements and long running network calls). I can immediately see a large problem: they're using jQuery (and that's without looking at their API backend). I mean, unless you're living in a cave, no one really uses that anymore. It's dated, horrid to maintain when compared to modern web frameworks and more importantly, likely swamped in technical debt. My take on this is would be it's too time consuming to uplift this forum to a new tech stack and enrich the features. Either that, or the software devs there aren't sure how to without breaking something important - I bet it is like a house of cards. I wish I could actually see the code to give a more detailed evaluation. 

Summary: this forum uses dated web technology that is either too costly to upgrade or too problematic to. Likely both.

JB33 said:

I'd happily redesign and build a better forum myself.... for free

One member did offer to do so around a year ago, but I don't know if they contacted NAS:

 RE: Build a better forum 

Arise 

I'd happily redesign and build a better forum myself.... for free

JB33 said:

We should start a small army ... :D

This thread isn't about the ratings although that's been discussed here before:

 RE: List of forum faults part 2 

Don't try to go to newest as it hangs.

The thing is that many of us have tried to improve the forum and failed.

We were asked about emoticons and reactions and which type we would like, gave feedback and the old voting system remained.

We were asked once about what improvements could be made to the forum generally as a new one was being rolled out, and lots of suggestions were given, but we got back an almost identical forum with more faults.

 RE: New forum? Really? 

There have been suggestions too of changing to a different, more modern type of forum but I don't think there is the will or the funds from the people running this one to effect change.

I've come to the conclusion that we are stuck with it and that eventually, hopefully, faults will be remedied.

It's old and clanky but it's what we've got.

Yeh, can totally understand that. Worrying about what they're going to do to ruin you. I've felt that terribly at times - I think you have the right approach, just stay clear of conflict if you can. 

I think mine comes from my mother. She loves conflict and it is impossible to convince her she is wrong about anything. My brain absolutely shuts down when I need to defend my position, but she is able to stand her ground. I think that’s why I’m so meek and tend to just disappear when conflict arises.

JB33 said:

but do you ever wonder if the reason you're so afraid of it is that if you start, you just won't stop until you feel like justice has been served?

Weirdly it’s the opposite for me; I am afraid that once a debate happens it won’t stop until the other person gets “justice” over me.

I hate conflict too - but do you ever wonder if the reason you're so afraid of it is that if you start, you just won't stop until you feel like justice has been served? I tend to avoid confrontation at all costs, but I have seen me get involved as feel so strongly about an injustice (workplace bullying) and end up so invested and go to the ends of the earth to prove my point before mentally collapsing from all the stress, sleepless nights and worry  ... my brain is then like 'nope ... we aint doing that again'  

Yeah I’m deathly afraid of conflict, but even so you’re right, downvoting is probably not the best way about it.

Ohhh if that's happening then that's extremely poor design. I think the problem is the fact the rating system exists at all. We should start a small army ... :D

Yeh, I was being sarcastic with that comment. I think leaving a comment sometimes feel you're exposing yourself for potential conflict too, waiting on them turning into keyboard warriors and the anxiety that comes with that. Oddly, I can see why some people may use the downvote option now, but still think it has more of a negative impact overall. 

Oh yeh, I can relate, at times, I sometimes try to zoom in on my phone to see who the voters are .. and then end up downvoting by mistake ... then try to fix it by upvoting again ... but the number is not now what it started out at ... spiral commences lol 

Good point.

Yeah but you could also just leave a comment tellng the person they are wrong, so it's no loss if it was removed. 

I think it is cruel to have it there as an option, especially if you are trying to click plus but miss when you're on a a phone?

It's also I think very easy to accidentally click on the rating, and then it won't let you change it which is a terrible system flaw too.

Or not even realised you've clicked on it? I've been wondering if that is a problem?

downvote justified ... maybe there's a place for it after all 

Agreed. I like the upvote because that lets me know if something I said was well received, but downvoting and rating? I don’t get that.

Though admittedly I think I have downvoted someone for saying RFK Jr is a savior?