Computer: Web: Identity
no names   (+1, -1)  [vote for, against]
a simple way to avoid elitism and favouritism on web forums

I've noticed on a lot of community based sites, that pretty soon elitism breaks out, or is at least allured to. I suggest that (using hb.com as an example - no insinuation intended) it should be impossible to see who made a post before voting; this way all posts would be voted for based on content, not who said it. EG:

[user clicks to display a post]
post is shown without a name
[if logged in, user votes, or chooses not to vote, and can never vote on this post]
[now post is shown with updated votes, and name is displayed]

Of course, after time, people usually start to recognise the writing style of members, but still, I think it would be a good feature for a lot of sites :)
-- user24, Feb 20 2004

That damn, [user24], always causing trouble! <grumble>
-- k_sra, Feb 20 2004


:p
-- user24, Feb 20 2004


Ever seen a B movie called The Transporter ? Guy makes his living racing around in a nice BMW delivering packages for criminals. His policy ? "No names".

We instituted this policy when gossiping about coworkers in public - you never know who in the world knows the people you're talking about. We refer to the person by their first initial.
-- normzone, Feb 20 2004


I thought the whole idea was to vote for or against an idea based on wether or not you agreed on said idea ,regardless who suggested it.
-- python, Feb 20 2004


Oh, you must mean the staying on-topic approach.
-- normzone, Feb 20 2004


and hey! changing your mind is so human! thanks jutta.
-- po, Feb 20 2004


....no pack drill
-- gnomethang, Feb 20 2004


Interesting way to really change the dynamic of a site.
-- RayfordSteele, Feb 20 2004


Voting is not important. Getting rid of that would solve your dilemma equally well, insofar as you perceive it to exist.
-- waugsqueke, Feb 21 2004


> Voting is not important. ?
-- pashute, May 13 2009


I never base a vote on who posted the idea because I can never remember if I like a certain user or not. Therefore I tend to treat all users the same.
-- simonj, May 13 2009


Amen, brother.
-- normzone, May 13 2009



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