Suggestions to redo the rating system

Lol, ok, but to me, originality isn't new elements and new heights etc.

Originality is whether the ride has individuality and is not merely a clone of something else. That is, in my opinion what the originality rating is for, and why i think it should stay. I can understand the frustration however, because you often see rates such as "It was quite original, but also the same 7", for example. I guess there wouldn't be much choice to remove it, although i feel it is an important part of design.

[hyyyper]

i think we need are mory categories to give a rating for

Originally posted by hyyyper

i think we need are mory categories to give a rating for

I disagree. If there are more than one 1 categories, then that means however many categories there are is what your restricted to when rating. Its forcing you to follow the system. What if I don't want to rate on originality? Am I being forced to? Of course, when theres an originality category then thats exactly what its doing -- forcing me to follow the rating system and banning me to rate on what I want to rate the ride on.

Rating systems like these, and what this site is currently using, does not give you freedom to rate with your own criteria.

My method: If a user gets a certain amount of rating reports (taht result in the rating deleted) in a certain time period, he loses points, and eventually is no longer able to rate or DL (ouch)

Keep the current rating system. It's perfect, I like rating in different catergories, it makes it more accurate IMO.

I don't understand whats with everyone and points. Do you honestly thinking taking points away from a user is going to stop them from downrating tracks?

Face it people, the points are just a stupid little add on to the site thats there for a bit more fun. People who take them seriously need to see what this sites really about.


EDIT - You have got to be kidding me, coasteragent99... whats the point of taking away the right to download a track? If a user is a bad rater that continues his/her sprees just needs their rating priveleges taken away. This site isn't a fascist government goddammit!

Originally posted by Carlosio

Lol, ok, but to me, originality isn't new elements and new heights etc.

Originality is whether the ride has individuality and is not merely a clone of something else. That is, in my opinion what the originality rating is for, and why i think it should stay. I can understand the frustration however, because you often see rates such as "It was quite original, but also the same 7", for example. I guess there wouldn't be much choice to remove it, although i feel it is an important part of design.

That is part of the building technique to me. If the ride has its own character and individuality, thats part of the technique used to build it. Every ride has its own individuality because of the technique used to build it. The way I rate, Originality is useless and I end up just using the BT and A and making the O score match the 2 of them.

Alright, here's my 2 cents:

The three categories of Technique, Adrenaline, and Originality are a good idea still, but there needs to be rules set as to how raters use these categories to rate a ride. The technique category should be based solely on building technique; an example rating would be:

"T - There was not enough banking in the turns which caused this coaster to have high g-forces. Also, you need to work on smoothing the track as there were quite a few bumps throughout the ride."

The Adrenaline category is based on the thrill factor and by no means should any technical comments be listed. Example:

"A - The ride had a fast pace to it and there were some moments of good airtime."

Originality should be based on layout and theming/prop placement. Example:

"O - The design of your ride was quite intricate. I enjoyed seeing the multiple trains and they interacted well with each other. The landscaping was also done very well."

These three categories to my recollection came from the old Ultimate Ride Coaster Exchange (the now defunct URG.com), from which alot of people who now use games other than the UR series came from (myself, WWS, Steve Benham, etc.) They were put in place to get people to explain their rates better. The problem is not the categories themselves but how they are used. I feel that people should be required to put their comments in a three paragraph format; one for each category and only discuss that category for which the paragraph is for. I have been guilty of not doing this myself but I think if this is enforced more here you will see clearer ratings and people will not complain as much. Comments that just say "Wow, that was great!" that offer no explanation should be deleted as they do not give the builder any idea of what was great about their coaster or what they need to improve on. I do like the addition of the "Comment Only, not rated" part because that gives people the option of giving the builder suggestions without the obligation of rating.

[Dirk_Ermen]

what about being able to upload your ride in 2 different categories. The tooled rides and non-tooled rides. IMO, it's not really fair that allmost always the people with tools can get all the medals. Some people can't use tools or don't want to use them and they should also be able to earn a medal. If you can upload them in 2 different categories, tooled and not tooled, they also have a change to win one. And then it would be nice if there was for both categories a set of medals. Like for the tooled people they could get a medal with a golden, silver and bronze, with something that has to do with tooled rides. And for the hand-builders (so no tools). They can get a gold, silver or bronze medal with a logo that shows something that has to do with hand-building...

Also for example if tooled people upload their ride as non-tooled they could get a punishment like -500 points. Same way as the opposite, so non-toolers upload as tooled get also a punishment.

What do you guys think about that?

Originally posted by Carlosio

Lol, ok, but to me, originality isn't new elements and new heights etc. Originality is whether the ride has individuality and is not merely a clone of something else. That is, in my opinion what the originality rating is for, and why i think it should stay. I can understand the frustration however, because you often see rates such as "It was quite original, but also the same 7", for example. I guess there wouldn't be much choice to remove it, although i feel it is an important part of design.

See, this is how I view this as well. Webster defines the word 'original' as;

- preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed;
- not secondhand or by way of something intermediary; "his work is based on only original, not secondary, sources"
- master: an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
- being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of; "a truly original approach"; "with original music"; "an original mind"
- an original model on which something is patterned

So, this would have no impact on technical -- unless the technical stuff was so bad that the originality was just horrible. They are all inter-twined IMO, but each is certainly different when I rate.

Originally posted by Dirk_Ermen

what about being able to upload your ride in 2 different categories. The tooled rides and non-tooled rides. IMO, it's not really fair that allmost always the people with tools can get all the medals. Some people can't use tools or don't want to use them and they should also be able to earn a medal. If you can upload them in 2 different categories, tooled and not tooled, they also have a change to win one. And then it would be nice if there was for both categories a set of medals. Like for the tooled people they could get a medal with a golden, silver and bronze, with something that has to do with tooled rides. And for the hand-builders (so no tools). They can get a gold, silver or bronze medal with a logo that shows something that has to do with hand-building...

Also for example if tooled people upload their ride as non-tooled they could get a punishment like -500 points. Same way as the opposite, so non-toolers upload as tooled get also a punishment.

What do you guys think about that?

First of all, the seperate categories for tooled and non-tooled rides is a terrible idea. If you can't build coasters as good as other people who use tools, don't expect sympathy from it. If your coaster isn't as good as a tooled ride thats very good, and your upset about it, then go and work on your NoLimits skills until you can create a better track than them.

By the way, just because a track is made with tools, does NOT mean that its going to win a medal. I've seen many tooled rides that I would rate very low, and hand built that tracks that I would rate much higher. A track exchange division is not needed.

Second of all, about the point punishment, that would mean every single coaster uploaded would have to be downloaded and moderated by staff. Thats asking a bit much.

[hyyyper]

then why don't we assign members to be a "track-moderater", i'm pretty sure there'll be some members with a bit spare time

and i think we should put a limited-rating time, like a few months, cause most old coasters a forgotten

Originally posted by hyyyper

then why don't we assign members to be a "track-moderater", i'm pretty sure there'll be some members with a bit spare time

That could work, but still, the track exchange division is a bad idea.

Originally posted by TConwell

Originally posted by Carlosio

Lol, ok, but to me, originality isn't new elements and new heights etc. Originality is whether the ride has individuality and is not merely a clone of something else. That is, in my opinion what the originality rating is for, and why i think it should stay. I can understand the frustration however, because you often see rates such as "It was quite original, but also the same 7", for example. I guess there wouldn't be much choice to remove it, although i feel it is an important part of design.

See, this is how I view this as well. Webster defines the word 'original' as;

- preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed;
- not secondhand or by way of something intermediary; "his work is based on only original, not secondary, sources"
- master: an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
- being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of; "a truly original approach"; "with original music"; "an original mind"
- an original model on which something is patterned

So, this would have no impact on technical -- unless the technical stuff was so bad that the originality was just horrible. They are all inter-twined IMO, but each is certainly different when I rate.

However, the WAY you build a ride can be original. The way it flows, the way its laid out. Anyone can throw down an original layout but if its not done correctly or with the proper BT then its crap. To me the 2 intertwine too much to be seperated. I not only look at the originalness of a track or element but how well it was presented and both the BT and AD play into that score. I cant just give out huge marks for a ride thats original if its not pulled off correctly.

Well then, there you have it folks.
Real and I stating BOTH sides of the exact same spectrum. I think this can stop now.

---> (Dang I need an eye roll here)

dirk:

you are forgetting something. the AHG and smoother does not turn water into wine, it turns it into a pee looking color. with the tools, if you put in bronze material, it will come out gold. it makes great tracks into excellant tracks.

there ya go

LOL, atleast i finally learned it, now we need to start converting everyone else

Originally posted by IntaminFan397

I don't understand whats with everyone and points. Do you honestly thinking taking points away from a user is going to stop them from downrating tracks?

Face it people, the points are just a stupid little add on to the site thats there for a bit more fun. People who take them seriously need to see what this sites really about.


EDIT - You have got to be kidding me, coasteragent99... whats the point of taking away the right to download a track? If a user is a bad rater that continues his/her sprees just needs their rating priveleges taken away. This site isn't a fascist government goddammit!

Someone earlier else did suggest banning as a result of poor rating. For points, taking them away is just a small thing I added, no need to get so worked up over it.

Originally posted by Real



there ya go

Heh ... well now, where did THAT come from? [lol][lol]

[Dirk_Ermen]

Originally posted by ragan

dirk:

you are forgetting something. the AHG and smoother does not turn water into wine, it turns it into a pee looking color. with the tools, if you put in bronze material, it will come out gold. it makes great tracks into excellant tracks.

I meant that you can see the rides that are created with the elementary and purg. example: tyler, all his rides are 100% tooled with elementary and purg, you can see that clearly on the trackfile, allmost all trackpieces the same distance and alot of nodes used...

Except for the smoother, tools are generally hard to use and take alot of time to figure out. It's not like it's any easier to use them than it is to had smooth every node.