IPVM Comment Voting Stats + How Do You Want To Change Voting?

I am one of the few hundred who vote and enjoy not only being able to comment but having the additional step of voting. I think upping the reward for an informative comment is a great idea.

I tend to use agree and disagree the most with informative saved for the comments that provide me with good solid info, offers a direct reply to one of my questions or strikes me as particularly insightful and useful.  So I tend to use the informative vote rarely but looks like others use it quite abit.

Maybe offer the ability to sort view by number of votes by a certain type?  Now we show by latest comment or search. 

I like the way some sites (Reddit, HN, etc.) offer the ability to order posts by votes, including setting a threshold where comments below some value are not shown.

I think this can have the subtle effect of causing people to write comments with voting in mind, hopefully leading to more insightful comments written in the hopes of them percolating to the top. This is particularly useful in longer discussions, which are becoming more common, so that good comments don't get buried halfway down the page.

I like it generally as it is, but really like the Informative having more"weight".  Much like Ross I use Informative when when I think something is particularly on point or helpful with specifics.  Those post are generally likely to have been both an Agree and Informative vote from me.  So are they essentially getting more weight already since I voted twice on the comment?  Of course I almost always appreciate a good Funny as well!

Hi John - I agree with most of the comments on this thread. One thing especially with having Informative being more weighted than Agree to encourage and validate well thought out comments. 

So one thing I always have to remind myself and the groups that we represent is to not take some of the basic things for granted.  As you mentioned in the original question we have the 80/20 rule whereas 80% of the voting is done by 20% of the audience.  It may be a good idea to do one or some of the following to ensure everyone know's how to use the site:

1. Information bubbles when you hover over each of the buttons (Reply, Agree, Disagree, etc.)  Maybe to each of us that are reading this we take it for granted and you may say Dave are you kidding me?  That's too 101 but remember not everyone may understand the exact meaning of a vote it should be relatively easy code for your developer if you deem this a viable suggestion.

2. Create a tutorial(s) on how to use the site. Also, suggest how voting / engaging not only benefits you but it rewards the individual that took time of their day to share their wisdom. Alright, I must say that I appreciate much of the humor that I've come across on many of the threads and keep them coming!  :)  For example, (and I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I'll say it anyway), I don't know how to do this: 

How do you select copy from a previous commenters post like shown above?  If anyone can help me with this that would be greatly appreciated!

3. For the articles that are public, they should be highlighted/promoted moreso as to garner more attention / potential subscribers.

4. Last but not least and especially since I just conducted a session at ISC West on Referral Programs that work with Bob Ryan and Mike Dove, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention creating a formal referral program or some type of incentive for us as users to refer others to become members. I did just notice today that I can invite up to 3 individuals with a free month trial which I'll take advantage of for individuals who I feel would benefit in becoming a subscriber.

Didn't mean to get off topic here on the original question but hopefully there's value in what I shared.  Hopefully one day I'll crack the top 20 ;)

Cheers!

I am pretty sure 80% of the votes come from a few hundred people, far far lower than who is reading these posts. I'd like more people to vote. It takes almost no incremental time if you are already reading a comment and it helps reward your fellow members.

I'm sure you are right; most do not vote just out of habit, so totals tend to significantly understate the value provided.

Anyway, this is easily remedied by a statistical sampling correction; To account for the reticent 80%, simply multiply the vote totals by a factor of 5 accross the board...

Thanks!

;)

We have these two opposing views: Agree vs Disagree

And also two more opposing views:  Informative vs Unhelpful

I think it is clear (based on uniformity alone) that Funny should also have an opposing view:  Not Funny

It's only right...