+1,000,000,000,000,000 
Exactly an hour before you posted this, I suggested some might consider it rude for (one member) to dog about his points for days after he clearly violated some rules. I immediately got my first and only ‘rude’ point. So yea, I know where that came from. But it doesn’t bother me. It will be gone tomorrow. Yet he keeps racking them up by the fistful.
You needn’t worry about the ‘dislike’ hits. SB has already noted that such is abuse of the system, and will be handled. So, those who click RUDE! for no good reason may find themselves dis-membered, I mean un-membered, I mean, not a BLF member any more. 
Also, this is still a self-moderated forum. The new RUDE! button is mostly meant to be used as a gentle reminder, and secondly a way for sb to track consistently rude behavior and deal with it, since he isn’t here all the time and can’t simply take the time to read every post. And it is hidden, sorta. You are the only one (other than sb himself) who can see your meter.
I’m aware of that, i meant hidden from the member himself, to avoid additional drama.
OK. That has been suggested by others as well. But, I think it would hinder one of the purposes of the meter - to help us members see when we might need to tone things down a bit.
Judging by this thread it just seems to antagonise people even more.
I ain’t smart but I like this new gadget just as it is. Adding a “nice” button will just turn this place into a popularity contest instead of a flashlight forum.
I control my keyboard and I have no right to be rude to you. I am responsible for what I type. You are responsible for what you type no matter what I’ve posted before that, and vice-versa. If you can’t control yourself then log off until you can, it is that easy to do.
I noticed that one particular member who was rude, crude, abrasive, spiteful, arrogant, and abusive to anybody who disagreed with them suddenly cleaned up their act when the “rude” button was implemented. Their posts are much more restrained now and the threads they are involved in are now a lot more pleasant. I was not alone in highly disliking this person- several people clearly felt as I did. I figured that this person was about to see themselves banned :laughing: I think they saw that too, so they changed for the better, and if they can make that huge of a change then anyone can. Had they not done this I’d have used the button as intended on them.
Much calmness has returned as if by magic. It’s not universal here but whatever. I haven’t felt the need to hit “rude” yet and I hope I don’t have to, but just it’s presence has chased away a lot of the previous rudeness so it is working as intended and doesn’t need any ‘fixing’.
Good Job SB :+1:
Phil
I agree, i sometimes want a thanks button, but then getting thanks points becomes a game 
Well, it is my opinion that anybody who feels threatened by the existence of the RUDE! button and/or meter, either doesn’t understand sb’s intent, or has a less-than-honorable intent himself. In the first case, that person should read the OP again, as well as the BLF Rules. If that doesn’t help, they can PM sb for better details, I’m sure. One thing to remember is that this forum is different from others that are more heavy handed in their moderation. I don’t think sb will be going on any member-deleting joyrides through BLF. It’s not what he does.
In the case of someone who has no intention of following the rules, they are probably right to feel threatened, because the RUDE! button can and will be used against them as needed. And, since sb can track all the RUDE! button activity, it helps him to catch situations that he might have otherwise missed. I see that as a good thing.
I also believe TK is right about the psychological effect of the ‘new’ tool. I’m expecting things to settle down in a while. It might take longer for some than others. But I think it will all be okay in a week or two for most.
DavidEF, it seems we don’t understand each other.
I never questioned the rude button, i only have praise for the rude button, the meter on the other hand just seems to add conflict:
1) For the members who are Consciously rude or trolling , the button is enough of a deterent.
2) For the members who are not aware of their perceived rudeness, if they meter doesn’t reach the level at wich our respected admin will step in, that mean that they are not considered rude by the majority and they will feel (like has been reported in this thread) shamed for their opinions or targeted by other members.
I can’t find any merit to the rudeness meter in any circumstance.
Yea, one problem I see is that you can no longer strongly disagree with someone. If you do, the person with whom you are disagreeing with and whoever shares their opinion are likely to "Rude" you. So I suggest going with the flow or risk the potential ill received side affects.
OK, hopefully I’m understanding you better now. Your #2 situation is the part that I think will settle down once people are accustomed to the button and the meter being there. Remember that sb is tracking the use of the button and abuses will be handled. With that in mind, I would never worry about my rudeness meter. If I see it bump up, I may look back at some of my recent posts. I think that’s the main purpose of it being there. But, unless I know I’ve been rude, I have no reason to feel bad. Only if I hear from sb will I be worried.
If someone hits the RUDE! button on me just because they disagree with me, they are putting themselves in danger with sb for abuse. I’m fine with that. 
It was actually the other way around, read it again.
“Sorry, but I strongly disagree with you” then go on to say why, using no name calling, abuse, rudeness or offensive language.
Easy isn’t it
A few “rude” scores against you is nothing, and will disappear in time.
This whole thread brings a couple of sayings to my mind,
A storm in a tea cup
A mountain out of a molehill
Lighten up and party on
Cheers David
YaHoooo!!!
Sorry, had to Rude you for that...
Yes, I agree with this observation, and the “rude” button is working. It may not be perfect, but it’s an effective first step.
Somewhat i doubt SB will review each and every rude point for the same reason he doesn’t read the forum, and if someone takes offense and goes to SB with a rude point he consider isn’t deserved or malicious that would be a sad loss of time and energy considering the giver of the point might feel righteous given the subjective nature of rudeness i wrote about earlier, i can’t see SB wasting his time with this pointless arguing, and entering minute phylosophical arguments to decide where to put the blame.
And this trouble would only be created by the rude meter wich i still can’t find any merit to.
You can still disagree every bit as strongly a before, but you’ll have to be focused on debating the ideas and not the person unless you want to risk being “ruded”. I’ve been in courtrooms listening to some lawyers who could debase the Pope without being directly rude or abusive. It’s something of an art which I wish I were good at. The only ones at risk here are those intentionally being rude and those too stupid to understand the value of eloquence and respect for others in a civil and public setting. 98% of us are safe, the remaining 2% won’t last long, and that is pretty darn good if you ask me.
Debate the message, not the messenger
Phil
Here here!