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| Just before the Midterm... - Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 12:05 p.m. |
Just like we did for assignment two with our new medium of choice, I've decided to compare a few sites that uses the karma threaded forum system.
I've decided to look over the following sites:
-vbullentin.nl
-kuro5shin.org
-slashdot.org
-SE
vbullentin.nl
This site provides a forum in which vbullentin fans can post about whatever they like. It is essentially just a regular forum, but with karma regulating posts instead of moderators. From the looks of it, the system seems effective as there is no spams or flames, etc. Registration to the forum is free, but a valid email is required. Non-restrictive emails such as hotmail or yahoo are banned and thus, users must use a more permanent email, a gurantee that they will have to make that account count. This leaves little room for random spam attacks and makes the karma system even more effective. Finally, vbullentin.nl make is possible for users to get negative karma. Thus, good posters and bad posters can be clearly differentiated. Overall, an excellent application of the karma system. The forum is well laid out, but restricts one from freely posting about anything they like. Also, good posters gain no special privileges. In fact, they still have the same privileges as the bad posters, giving no real incentive, other than reputation, to make quality posts.
kuro5hin.org
kuro5hin allows more freedom in postings as anything that does not fit under one of their 11 categories can be filed under the "diary" section. Also, there is the added benefit of the front page, which allows one to see all the postings on the site, arranged by currency. However, the site seems to cater primarily to the more "geeky" subculture and variety in postings suffer as a result. Also, the karma system here is invisible, and there is no real requirement to make good posts.
Slashdot.org
While posting on the main site is restricted here, karma plays a larger role than it does in the previous two sites. Those with higher scores will have their comments place in priority, meaning that more people will see their comments. This is especially true since people browsing the site can filter out posts based on scores. Users with higher karma scores will also have more influence when participating in Slashdot's moderation and meta moderation system. The only major complaint is the limitation in ability to make posts.
SE
SE combines elements of kuro5hin and slashdot to create a site that allows users to post about anything (and gurantee that it will be seen by all) while being regulated by the karma system. Again, there is a filtering option in place and those with higher scores will have a better chance of having their post seen. On SE, not only is the comments regulated by karma, but so is the posts! One can immediately see whether a link is worth pursing by looking at the posts own karma score. Again, those with higher personal karma gain more influence in their moderating of others. Finally, the freedom in posting produces a site where one can find practically anything. Many interesting posts and links are noted daily as the site is very competetive. There are also near instant news updates (that are worthwhile reading) and community bonding activities (such as AskSE). The only complaint I have is that SE lacks the security that vbullentin.nl demostrated. Anyone with any email may register. Also, there are no negative individual scores; which means that it is hard to tell the difference between a new user and a poor poster. Other than that, SE utilizes karma the best.
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Cheers,
MrScaryMuffin |
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