This blogging platform has been particularly trying, compared to Type Pad, Blogger and Wordpress.org/com--all of which I've used. For all its flaws (limited rich-text tools, no saving option and slow speed) the most controversial in my couple days of experience has been the rating system. In my second post I rated myself five stars out of five, an admittedly unethical move, because I was curious if the system would actually allow it. Is it that wrong though?
I know that blogging here relies heavily on the rating system, as a couple people have reminded me already, but does I don't think it is that big of a deal. One reader questioned me for rating that particular post--I don't really blame him but I wouldn't personally take the time to worry over it--and apparently it was an unethical move. One reader argued that he rates his post reasonably by never giving a 5 star rating for something that deserves a 2 but has found it a good way to lead people to his blog. While I'm all for competitive strategy and bending the "rules" to advance, this is a bit of a manipulation on Progessive's platform because it can significantly boost your readership by making your post the top-rated. There's a sure conflict of interest in this, but I don't think it is a incorrigible lapse in judgment. I won't do it in the future, but I won't take issue with others for doing it. Seems a personal decision and making a big deal of another person's doing it could be seen as equally self-interested by bringing down the reputation of a fellow blogger and portraying yourself as a moral authority.
What do you all think on this issue? Admittedly it pales in importance compared to the big issues discussed on other blogs, I'll label this post the "seinfeld post" as it deals exclusively with nothing.
Editor's note: This blog post is not meant to really criticize any person for either complaining of the self-rating action of another, or doing the self-rating. Just a dialogue.
http://www.progressiveu.org/node/37592
I'd like to point out that it specifically states, "You can only rate each blog once, and you cannot rate your own blogs." Now, there is no safeguard against this in place, and I don't know how to program one or if it is even possible on this platform, so it is on the honor system.
But if everyone rates every blog they read, it won't matter if people rate their own blogs, because there will be so many other votes giving a more accurate average rating. It only takes a second, so RATE THOSE BLOGS!
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Uh... I'd like to point out that that guide was written before you could rate yourself. Now you can, and it will save, but we don't give points for rating (at least, I don't think we do... the userpoints thing is messing me up).
But, since it takes 5 ratings to get on the highest rated list (which is why there is only one blog listed there now), it won't make much difference if you rate yourself or not. You still need 4 good votes to get up on that list (just four additional votes now... they don't necessarily have to be good).
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
I think it's interesting to rate yourself.
On some scales I think we all should do it more often, how many of us are shallow or lash out at others only because we have so little confidence in ourselves? On the other hand, if a politician were to rate themself--depending on how they do it--they can end up looking like a real heel.
Anyway, It's a thoughtful topic to be sure!