Likes vs Rep

[Midgardsormr]

Has anyone else noticed that the use of the Rep button has declined since the Like button was introduced? Is that a feature or a bug?

We've currently got three different mechanisms for showing approval: Likes, Rep, and Ratings, and I think that they're causing fragmentation in the feedback. But maybe that's by design.

[waldronate]

It might be due to the relatively familiar (for Facebook users) "Like" and "Share" text at the bottom right of each posting, but the rep feature is an unfamiliar icon down on the row with the replay things, and the thread rating is nowhere near the posting at all. Users have this nasty habit of doing what's familiar and I think that Facebook has infected and damaged too many minds...

[Larb]

In my case I don't use facebook so I don't really use the like feature. I'm much more used to the rep function. I suppose the like feature is sorta useful if you like what someone has posted by don't really have much else to say, or don't have the time to do anything but give the forums a quick browse.

[Azélor]

I admit that it's confusing. The way I see it, repping someone is when you think he did something amazig and liking a post means that you agree and like what he did. Rep is for important things and like is for more mundane things, to show approval for example.

Rating is probably what I'm goign to do here because it's a good question.

[feanaaro]

Rating and likes could perhaps be unified. Rep should be kept separate in my opinion. Plus, in my, though limited, experience, getting repped is much easier than getting posts liked, so maybe not everyone is liking more than they are repping.

[Korash]

In my opinion, Rep represents ones ability to contribute to the community through your posting of quality maps, links to mapping sites and posts of an informative/constructive nature. Something that makes me say "Wow" for some reason or another.

Likes for me are for posts that say or illustrate something that I agree with. Be it map, post or link. It has happened that I have done both for the same post if it met both criteria.

Rating threads is a statement of how useful I have found the info in that thread, and how much I would recommend that people read it. I must confess that I have not been rating nearly as many threads as I should, but I know I keep on forgetting that that option is available because it is kinda hidden.

I think that all three are relevant,and separate, but that they should all be placed in the same area so people are more aware of the options.

[Ilanthar]

I'm really feeling like a noob... Not accustomed to this kind of systems (and allergic to facebook), I just used the likes because it was the easier to find...

So now, I've looked for and found the rep button and think that I'm gonna use it consequently !

[Jaxilon]

I'm with Korash in thinking about this. Although, I'll have to admit there have been times when I hit "Like" because it was quicker than Rep. Maybe Rep should be a single click event. Typing something into the text field also means I have to think of and have a reason to rep. Like, well, I can like anything and I don't have to even say why

I'm also, hate to admit it, kind of adverse to faceplant.

[vorropohaiah]

you can leave the text field when Repping empty

[Korash]

I like the comment area of the rep because it lets the person know WHY I am giving rep, and if it makes me say "Wow" I find it easy(ish) to say why. My "Liking" something means that I like what was said/shown or that I agree with the statement so as not to repeat it in my own post.

And Faceplant (nice term Jax) did not invent liking something....although they might have "popularized" it.....so that shouldn't stop people from actually liking what they see or read....