The Question and Answer Board

[jaxstraw]

There is not much about IHUB that I would like to see changed ............

I'm going to amend that statement on another issue that has been seemingly abused as of late, and I'm going to touch on a few points about it.

It is the process by which IHUB is assigning 'followers' to individual posters. ( The old Person Mark system).

I'm assuming that by using the term 'follower', it is in theory supposed to be bestowed upon a poster for advancing ideas, due diligence, positive results, and the like for active members to gain from their contributions to the IHUB community. A great idea and valuable to both members who would like to commend another, and not so active members to check to see how much 'faith' they might want to give to another view point.

I recently observed a campaign on certain boards to bestow 'follower' marks upon one individual in order to propel said person up in status on the follower ratings page. This is what got me thinking about abuses to the system and how it might affect the member who is unsure of their investment, and by using the rating assigned is led to believe a member of high 'follower' count is some person of worth.

Obviously the system has been seen as a process to be 'gamed' to sway how a particular member is going to be perceived in the IHUB community.

It is a tricky dilemma in my opinion. While IHUB makes it quite clear that members are responsible for their individual investment actions and take very clear policy of stating so, by installing a system that posts a 'rating' for members, it has set up a scale of 'merit' that has little to no oversight.

By direct, or indirect, consequence this system has now become a bellwether for members to check on another members credibility. And the system has seen systemic abuse as of late in much greater proportion than the past IMO.

What I'm trying to get at in this long winded diatribe is this, since in my opinion rewarding 'follower' marks is a system that in theory is based upon credibility, but the system is being gamed by an individual or group to advance their agenda or sway other members perception, maybe it is time to rethink how it is presented to the IHUB community.

What I'd like to see is Admin consider either one of two things ( and any other suggestions are very welcome). The list of top 'follower marks' has become a way to achieve status either deserved or undeserved in the IHUB community. By removing the numeric scale grading system to view it removes how that member is 'rated' in relation to all other members.
This does not make IHUB intrusive into the process of whether the 'follower' mark is worthy, and marks are still bestowed that are seen in the profile of a member, but protects the new member, or less informed member, from using that #1 to infinity scale as a judgment tool.

The other process I have contemplated is that if the system has been set up to reward a member for actions that will sway investment decisions ( like I said, a consequence that must be taken into account since it is in direct conflict with the policy of this site), than a system would need to be installed as an opposing view. A 'black mark' per se.

The second system is prone to abuses too in my view and less desirable. But an argument can be made if a member is allowed to be awarded a positive mark, then a system should be in place to be awarded a less than positive mark also. And just putting them on ignore is not a counterbalance when one is visible to see by the community and the other is not. A numeric rating system for ignores is not available.

I'd like to point out this old post that I read recently ( by Matt/Admin) is what got me finally writing about this, it has been bothering me for a while...

This board is the most shameless pump board I've seen in a long time -- maybe ever.

You guys are posting absolutely garbage posts, clearly to promote the stock. It also "looks" like there's several of you that are being paid in some way but aren't disclosing.

All of you need to take a step back for a day or two and read the nonsense you're writing.

You should all believe what you're writing to be true and make sure what you're posting to the board isn't nonsense to hit the top of some active list/etc. Most of you have been on this site for a very long time and have earned major points (peoplemarks) for the valuable contributions you've made over the years.

I'm in shock to see the shameless touting and senseless babble some of you old time iHubbers are posting here. This is not what iHub is for -- nor what any of you have acted like over the last 9 years. iHub should be about friends/investors sharing DD - positive or negative - for the benefit of each other. This is absolutely not what is going on here.

I'm shutting down the board to think this through.

http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=37119848

I'm interested in others opinions on the subject because by this very post it makes me believe 'follower' marks should be based on 'valuable contributions' not a popularity contest.