Re^2: What's wrong with -1?

It's quite magical. At the very least, say you've provided a solution to someone's question, it's helpful to know how your solution is received by other members of the community. To someone seeking solutions, the node's votes can help that person decide which solution is the most favoured (but not necessarily the best).

I got most of my XP's from asking questions, not providing answers. So to your questions about whether someone with more XP is more experienced or knows better, the answer is NO.

I think if you see the X in XP as standing for Involvement rather than Experience, then you'll be less likely to equate higher XP with more experience (knowing more).

Hm...can't delete this node. Was meant as a reply to Mr. Lee's node.

Comment on Re^2: What's wrong with -1?

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Re^3: What's wrong with -1? by ihb (Deacon) on Dec 13, 2004 at 14:26 UTC
the node's votes can help that person decide which solution is the most favoured (but not necessarily the best) The only problem is that you have to make up your mind whether you think it's a good or bad solution (cast a vote) before you get to see what people voted before you... Sometimes I see two nodes on a subject in which I have no or very little competence and can't judge which other people with presumably more knowledge has considered the better answer. I resists to upvote/downvote as I just don't know if they're good or bad. I could mindlessly just upvote both, but that doesn't seem satisfactory. I'd like it if there was a way to see how people voted on a node. I assume there are good reasons for not displaying the reputation of a status before voting, I can guess a few myself. But what if the null vote really was a vote so that you voted but didn't change the reputation (and would have no chance of getting more XP from casting it)? The vote wouldn't even have to "cost" exactly one vote either. `ihb` See perltoc if you don't know which perldoc to read! Read argumentation in its context!	[reply]
Re^4: What's wrong with -1? by disciple (Pilgrim) on Dec 13, 2004 at 15:07 UTC
I second that. If XP's primary purpose is to rate content then it does not serve its purpose well. If, on the other hand, XP's primary purpose is to rank monks in the community then it's fine and we should leave it alone, or redefine its purpose.	[reply]
Re^5: What's wrong with -1? by theorbtwo (Prior) on Dec 14, 2004 at 03:15 UTC
Ah, the primary purpose of XP is neither of those; those are mearly the tools it uses to do it's real and subtle job: feedback -- reward and punishment. XP is the site's way of rewarding good behavior, and punishing bad behaviour. Warning: Unless otherwise stated, code is untested. Do not use without understanding. Code is posted in the hopes it is useful, but without warranty. All copyrights are relinquished into the public domain unless otherwise stated. I am not an angel. I am capable of error, and err on a fairly regular basis. If I made a mistake, please let me know (such as by replying to this node).	[reply]