Use of star ratings.

[Ian M]

Hello. I hope that you are all having fun and enjoying the day, even if you are at work!

Some of you may have noticed a whole stripe of stars appear in Completed build threads.

I hope that they can solve the issue of awarding rewards to builds. NOTE for some weird reason they are not showing on all of the completed builds.

They should only appear in the first post of the thread and once you have rated it they will disappear and only the stars awarded will show.

Can we now take a moment to consider the use of them. Let me state that I am as guilty as the next man on this, however, there are five ratings and I think that we are all being kind and dosh out five stars left right and centre. I think we need to think more about this.

I have just given a tank a five star gong and went off to look at another. The second one was clearly much better than the first one. Now Five stars did not seem fair.

We are all growed up and I am sure that if some one got a three or four star rating along with a why I am sure that they will accept it with out having a tantrum. Yes it's nice to get five but if you get a five for everything how are you going to know there are things that need improving.

Lets hear your thoughts on this and I hope that we can all re-learn to use them proper like!

Ian M

[Dave W]

I don't think I'm a good enough modeller to rate other people's work.So I tend not to give points out of five and just say ow good I think it is.If someone wants to award me only three stars say,I won't get upset.Mind you,if I don't get any stars I will sulk!

[spanner570]

That's what has happened to me...some have star awards on completed threads, some don't...I'm sure it will be sorted.

On the subject of 5*s, I too am guilty as charged. You make good and valid points, Ian....The trouble is, in the past I haven't had the balls to give anything other than 5* or instead just write it's a great build and leave it at that...Whereas, in certain circumstances - as you rightly point out - We should be writing "I would love to have given it 5* but have awarded it 4*, because......."

That way the modeller will take in the reason for the down mark and remember for the next build.

But I would feel such a heel writing such stuff, and to be honest I would be wondering what other members would think seeing my lesser award.

Perhaps it's best not to award any stars, but give constructive comments or possibly just award the great build 'medal'....

Just some random thoughts for the discussion.....

[Guest]

I agree with Dave, Ian. I look with envy at everyone's work and it's true I can tell that some models are less good in certain aspects than others but it's very subjective at the end of the day. My second thought is this: is anyone going to award a single star or a double star? I know I could never do that? If I were awarded a low score like that it would devastate me, even though I know deep down that it's not good work, although it may be the best I can do (low self esteem?). My third point may be very contentious - why have a star rating at all? Why not just give us all the opportunity to say 'well done that's great 'mate' (not that I would ever call anyone 'mate')?

Just a few thoughts.

[Ian M]

I can understand your comments and for my tu'pence worth I will add that I to have difficulty with lower ratings, well giving them any way.

Ian M

[Guest]

I've used the star rating feature basically because it was there but I don't think ill continue, ill just comment as usual.

My reason ... had a think about it and in my opinion it just boils down to being at school and handing your homework in for marking .. i personally dont post work on here to be marked, the odd "have 5 stars from me" is a nice confidence booster ill admit though. This rating system will be viewed by some as a competition and this hobby should not be competitive as we'll end up not enjoying it as we should do.

Being a bit negative here but I hope all comments will be welcomed as usual

[spanner570]

Just reading the couple of early replies, it seems to me we should scrub the star rating, 'cos I reckon there is no one who will be seen to give anything less than 5*

I've never seen any 4* or less since I joined S.M. in 2009!

So let's get rid of the lot, medals and all......and just write compliments and / or encouraging comments.

[Guest]

There's a "great build" doodab ..... ill be using that (somewhat hesitantly) if needed from now on.

Edit ....

Meant to add ... the more buttons we have to press to give opinions means the art of conversation is bound to suffer.

[spanner570]

Colin, they are nice to get, but is that still introducing the competition element you mentioned in your previous post?

I don't see a lot of difference between *s and gongs....They both smack of visual league tables in a way..

Would not the written word suffice?

What say you good buddy?

[John]

I've removed the stars, either someone will get 5 stars or none at all, the "great build" doodab should be fine

[Dave W]

I'm happy to just say how good I think a model is and will continue to do so.

[Guest]

Can see your point good sir.

As I see it the great build gong doesn't have a rating and if only use it if them were the rules and the only option.

I'd rather comment on stuff as you like to .... I can probably count on one hand the amount of times ive used a like button (ignoring any I've hit by accident on a touch screen and not noticed )

Now i've explained this I've just realised I could have just pressed the thumbs up button and saved me fingers .... he he he

[Guest]

Our leader has spoken ..... thanks john.

[Alan 45]

Ill accept a single star for anything above that has me going giddy lol , I personaly think everyone on here is better than me and see that some are better than others but if there better than me then obviously I award five stars to the best of them but give a good praise for others , I look at some of the builds on here and see how much effort has gone into it so I may give a star for that.

On the sudject of giving advice or why I only gave it a sertain star rating I'm not comfortable with ,

how can I give someone advice when in building terms I'm a novice ? I can accept advice for any build I produce but I don't know if others can so I'm not going to be critical of anyone's build so as not to upset them.

[Alan 45]

I've removed the stars, either someone will get 5 stars or none at all, the "great build" doodab should be fine

That's a better way I think ,