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!
One thing the new feature might do is pop a few “judgy bubbles”… and this might be pretty unpleasant for anyone whose bubble gets poked.
If you find yourself checking the meter I wouldn’t be alarmed, it’s new, so I think it’s normal to be curious, I certainly am. If you see points on a regular basis then maybe there’s an issue. If you don’t then after awhile you’ll probably stop looking at it. It’s not an issue to post about what happens in the news. The problem comes from voicing things that are against the rules. if you feel this is an infringement then it’s more than likely that what you wanted to say shouldn’t be said here. I think a like button unnecessary. It should be assumed that we are already nice. If you want to thank someone especially then just post or pm your gratitude, no need to do it all the time but it will get noticed. I should do more of this myself as this place is loaded with really great people. I think we should keep the rudeness button well past the time it loses interest as only then will we begin to see the normal affect it will have. I think the only response to an uptick should be “Oops, sorry folks” and no more. Let it go and it will go away, keep bringing it up and it won’t.
This.
(By way of affirmation as well as example.)
Why do some people seem pretty obsessed about their rude meter? I don’t even log in to BLF unless I need to post. So sometimes I won’t even see my rude meter for the entire day. Even when I’m logged in, I don’t seek it out. First world problem.
Stranded in the dark without flashlight… Now that’s a third world problem
nightmare material :smiling_imp:
I think a "Thanks" meter should be implemented. It shows which members are really helping the most and encourages others to do the same. It works, it really seems to make people focus on good constructive participation. Pulls the best out of the worst and helps the best encourage the worst. Works everytime. Positive re-enforcement is nothing new to correcting abnormal behavioral issues.
Some (probably ‘most’) of us already do think — a lot more than just twice — about what we post.
Well, except for this one.
