Negative Karma Disabled

[Dave]

The staff have thought long and hard about this. And after many an argument, some wet noodle lashings, and a couple heavily bruised super mods, we have decided to disable the ability to give negative Karma. The reason? Because we like to be transparent in our decisions, I'm going to tell you: There's really no point to it. The only thing giving negative Karma results in is drama. It doesn't solve any problems and it only causes hard feelings. And we don't want everyone fighting with each other, do we? Of course not!


With that being said, let me make a few points regarding this change.

New members -- members with less than 25 posts and less than 10 Karma points (but this second one doesn't apply anymore since everyone starts with 10 points, and there's no more negative Karma) -- still give out neutral Karma. Keep in mind: neutral Karma is not bad. It doesn't affect your account, nor does it hurt you. Basically, the member wanted to give you Karma points, but they're still a newb so they're not allowed. :P
For those of you who used negative Karma to punish rule breakers, I encourage you to use the report button (looks something like this, depending on which style you're using: http://talkbudgies.com/images/buttons/report.gif). It's located at the top of every post. If you report a post, the staff will be notified and we'll report to the war room to debate over your report. (Or we might sigh a little, "ugh, (s)he reported another post?".)
If someone deserves it, a deduction of points might still be made by me, Kim, or John. These points will in turn be donated to Cliff, who is, by popular decision, everyone's favorite member. :cool:
If you ever have a problem with another member, please contact a moderator or use the Contact the Staff forum to inform us all in one shot. Some disputes can be settled over PM, but if you feel things are getting out of control, just let a staff member know and we'll help out.
To clear up the ever-lasting confusion, rep power is the number of Karma points you give out each time you do it. So right now I have rep power of 9, so I give out 9 points every time I use the Karma system (which isn't often).
I hope this change brings more positive vibes to the community and gets rid of some drama and bad feelings. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hestiate to let me know! If you don't like these changes, don't bother trying to give me one last dose of negative Karma, because it's already gone! :D

[AngelWings]

Darn! I was just going to give you some negative karma :p

[Dave]

Just re-read that announcement. I'm not sure why I made this so dramatic. :S :P

[michiyoLove]

I'm really happy about this :D I got negative karma twice for no real reason, or there was a reason but I was too hurt to read it :/ Just kidding about the hurt part xD I think this will be a TON better with just POSITIVE karma ^-^

[AngelWings]

Aww! I got negative karma from a troll once but since she was new it showed up as neutral karma, her comment made me laugh :p

[helloyo53]

Just re-read that announcement. I'm not sure why I made this so dramatic. :S :P

Oh well, a little over-dramatization never hurt anyone. :p

[Dave]

Aww! I got negative karma from a troll once but since she was new it showed up as neutral karma, her comment made me laugh :p
Which is why new members can't give "real" points. ;)

[CaptainCarebear]

Yay! No more negative Karma! :D It was a bad thing, and people used it not as sparingly as they should have sometimes.

[trellie]

smart move Dave!.. thank you ! So Dave if you gave me Karma I would get 9 points from you ??? ohhhh DAAAAVEEEEEE how do we get karma from you???????
trellie

[Dave]

smart move Dave!.. thank you ! So Dave if you gave me Karma I would get 9 points from you ??? ohhhh DAAAAVEEEEEE how do we get karma from you???????
trellie
You'd have to make a really amazing post. In the four and a half years I've been here, I've only given karma 11 times, most of which was in 2006. Once in 2007, none in 2008, twice in 2009, and once this year. :eek:

[teasha]

You'd have to make a really amazing post. In the four and a half years I've been here, I've only given karma 11 times, most of which was in 2006. Once in 2007, none in 2008, twice in 2009, and once this year. :eek:

Stingy! :laughing:

[trellie]

amazing huh...... :budgie:

and I thought that post I did on my budgie playland I made all by myself was amazing....:rolleyes:...........
trellie.....

[trellie]

Hey and Barrie has done some pretty amazing posting too!!! and did you see Debbies amazing posting ??? of her sweet chicks??? and .... hey... we have a lot of amazing posting going on !!!!....
( of course this is just my opinion Dave );)
trellie....

[teasha]

Hey and Barrie has done some pretty amazing posting too!!! and did you see Debbies amazing posting ??? of her sweet chicks??? and .... hey... we have a lot of amazing posting going on !!!!....
( of course this is just my opinion Dave );)
trellie....

:laughing:

[Zeena]

This is a great move Dave :) I think it will make things a lot smoother around here in terms of the karma system and its usage.

[enicol6]

I think that is a good choice. We certainly do not need Drama and hurt feelings. Of course it has always started with Dave and his endless judgemental posts.:p Is that really why you got rid of negative Karma ;) LOL

[teasha]

I think it is a good idea too, but I never realized people used it that much :S

[Kassidy]

This makes sense, although I never resieved any negative Karma, I wouldn't be too happy if I did. ;) Good decision! :)

[trellie]

Dave Judgemental??????:eek:
trelie

[enicol6]

I have never given negative karma either and received it once. I like to give positive reinforcement not negative. If there was something I really felt that I needed to say I said it directly but respectfully. I see no point in tearing people down.

[enicol6]

Dave Judgemental??????:eek:
trelie

I was completely teasing him. Dave has never been anything but respectful and helpful. Not to mention he gave us all the gift of TB. I must remember my jokes are lost in print. Not that they are that funny in person either ;)

[louara]

Yay! No more negative karma :) Glad you made this decision Dave, karma for you!

[Robo Hip]

I think the right decision has been made. I have never given and have also been very lucky not to receive, but I have seen some posts and messages where it has happened. I agree that it can be very upsetting and confusing for those that are on the receiving end.

I think the decision to remove the negative karma system is a great one. This is a forum and opions can be shared and they also have to be appreciated, for me if you don't agree with a post - provide your views in a reply with your own rationale, or don't read it.

I love this site, you can learn so much and share so much, but ultimately we should respect peoples views and advice . Which from what I have seen and the people I have interacted with - that happens. I'm very fortunate that everyone I have 'brushed wings' with here is so lovely and I feel very priviledged to be a part of it.

Off the soap box and back to browsing :)

[Bethany]

I think thats a good decision :)

[clifff123]

Nice to see the negative karma is gone Dave, great idea.
I also like If someone deserves it, a deduction of points might still be made by me, Kim, or John. These points will in turn be donated to Cliff
I need all the help I can get to keep up with Kim.;)

[Budgiekin]

Nice announcement Dave. I have to say that the wet noodle lashings were my favourite part of this whole process. :p

And just so you know, people should be sucking up to me since I give out way more karma than Dave! :p I can also be bribed with chocolate, budgie toys....and lots of other stuff too! :p

On a more serious note though, I hope everyone is excited about this change to our karma system. It had been under discussion many a time and I think this is a step in a very positive direction. ;)

[BeckiC]

Great decision!

And Kim, your chocolate is in the post now! :D

[shaz128blue]

great call guys - its a lovely friendly place here no need for bad vibes :)

[trellie]

ohhhhhhh Kimmmmmmmmmm:rolleyes:
:D
lol...... I just love this place!! enicol6 I knew you were kidding !! so was I .. I have the greatest respect for you and for Dave!
trellie!

[Abby]

I really have no comments on this...I guess it could be better...I've never really used the negative karma before, though...

[Budgerigarluv]

Good karma for getting rid of the negative karma, is coming your way, Dave! ;)

[Dave]

Good karma for getting rid of the negative karma, is coming your way, Dave! ;)
Yay! I like it. :twothumbs:

[riotfox]

lol i was just about to ask this :p. not that i was going to give negative karma but i just happened to notice that the option wasnt there. good choice i reckon, ive never given negative karma and have only recieved it once. ;)