Modern Vespa

I have removed all the post ratings originating from three accounts, two of which were controlled by the same individual. The ability of all three accounts to rate posts has been suspended.

This has had a tangible effect on the karma ratings of a handful of individuals, mostly positive. A few people, including myself, will see a net loss of karma as a result of this action.

What a bummer that some people have to abuse the system. Eh. Takes all kinds, I suppose.

Thanks for keeping on top of things, Jess. You make this forum a lot nicer than a lot of others out there, which is why this place quickly became my #1 source for Vespa info. Karma or no.

It never surprises me the length some people will go to, criminals included. Just work hard and post normal and the world will take care of itself.
This is coming from someone who will probably never get a good or bad karma. Thank you for fixing it Jess!

Actually, I'll take the blame here for building a system that let them engage in abusive behavior. I'm working on some restrictions so that this won't happen in the future.

It appears I was one affected by those nefarious individuals.

Thank you Jess.

Oh dear!
That's a disturbing change in my karma
Guess I must have or have had nefarious friends

Well, there's always a little sociopathology out there in the mix to make the Bell Curve bell-shaped, ok, or just a couple folks with permanent Wild Bunnies up their Noses & a Life-List of Slights, Grudges, and Resentments. That's called "disruption." It's a hobby for some, a way of life, with hundreds of reasons why, but that can't be your problem.

Tolerance - to a point - notwithstanding, you can't be in the psychotherapy or points-keeping business and run the store or do anything else. The tragedy of unhappy and miserable personalities is a sad fact, but it is often true that they can and will suck you into the game. As they already have.

Maybe it is possible to automate a peer-review-driven system for mediation, but then you gotta sit down and invest time and energy in a technical project when you could be wrenching, riding, reviewing, chattin' up damsels, or just looking at pix of cool bikes on the 'net.

Whaddya do? Lamentably, there's something to be said for just permanently banning some people: simple, effective, little admin overhead, liberating.

After fair warning, not a complicated "due process." The standards are there, so - "Do that again and you're gone." One straightforward and direct remedy.

And not then letting them back in the door after a 'cooling-off period.' Cooling-off periods, issued-warning counts and the like require administration by Admins and Mods, devour resources, make for headaches. When the business of the site is scooters.

MV is a polite place, uncommonly so: few 'Net ninjas, very few f-bombs, no demagoguery or cant. Tart posts & acid humor welcome, but no mass-murders or atrocities. MV shows that the 'Net is not necessarily the moral, auditory, olfactory, or visual equivalent of the Holding Tank at LA County. It ain't a tea-party, but it ain't a porno-ridden, carny-staff debauch, either.

I wouldn't have posted again on the subject if it didn't look like this deal was beginning to cause a headache for the site owner that he really doesn't need. That ain't a suck-up, either: I read MV, and post little. Keeping my trap shut allows me to learn and to be entertained. I could log-off and lurk to do that.

But. It's been a pleasure to participate - to see that there are sites where no social pitfalls obtain or Internet pitbulls run free, biting here-and-there according to the wants of their illness and not to advance the subject at hand. It ain't about them: it's about scooters.


Selah.

This place is as civilized as it is because of the continuous hard work of the moderators. Unfortunately, managing this population is not as straightforward as "ban a few people and go out riding".

No argument. Maybe there could be less work.

One of the key differences between MV and lots of other online forums is that the scooter community is fairly small and also fairly meatspace-social. It's easy for an admin who never meets his audience in person to simply ban someone and move on. It's much harder to do when you run in the same circles, go to the same rallies, and generally interact with that community in person.

True dat. Admittedly never thought of it so. Not as great a scoot-oriented social scene on the mid-Right Coast. Makes it tough,"I love ya, Guy; don't be a Dick, ok?' is easier said than done.

i am by no means a peacefull wall flower

but i am also very aware of my faults and behavior.

this forum is a form education for me and honestly feel that a large percentage of it's members are intelligent if not bordering on genius.

i am always thankfull for mv on many levels.

i have friends here

jess, you are doing a great job

Thanks, Jimmy. I appreciate that.

I'll second that. I'm just sorry you have to waste your time doing damage control for a handful of folks. These guys need to get a hobby or something!

Jess, My thoughts were that this was initated to "help us" secure feedback on our posts...feedback is good...perhaps not pleasant at times...but good.

Attempts to circumvent to system gain points / ballots for the recognition...not good.

I know, that you know...a few do not necessarily represent the majority of MV'ers. Keep up the good work!

By way how did they do it...can you post a step by step and perhaps post in on Wiki????

+1, but I still like MVBot better... 8)

Sure, no problem.

Step 1: Spend all day in front of your computer
Step 2: Since you can only rate any given user once per hour, look up their post history on the hour, every hour, and find a post you haven't rated yet. Rate it negative.
Step 3: To hide your own negative bias, find someone who you can pile positive votes on. Look up their post history on the hour, every hour, and find a post of theirs you haven't rated yet. Rate it positive.
Step 4: To hide your own negative ratings given by others, create a phantom account. Look up the post history of your main account on the hour, every hour, and find a post of yours that your phantom account hasn't rated yet. Rate it positive.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 through 4, day in and day out.

That's...deranged.

That is really sad.

Step 6: Forget all the above and get a life.

Sorry Jess...you lost me after Step 1...oh well...thanks anyway!

Step 6: Have no life


Really, don't people have better things to do? Maybe go for a ride for example...

this is crazy. too much information to try and comprehend. votes, ballots ,bogus accounts just to get your personal rating up. wow.

Funny.

Oh well, whatever. Cant care too much about people doing weird things.

what about us users with multiple personalities including one with bipolar.









(mental illness is a serious affliction and you should consult your doctor or trusted friend etc)

Great attitude, really
8)

((Step 1: Spend all day in front of your computer))





step 1: my life is at an all time low and everybody elses life has become unmanagable.

I see "Neutral" or "Postitive" next to some posts.

does this mean someone has voted?

when it moves from neutral does that mean more people have voted in the same way?

Glad sad to see so many fellow 'Marvins'.

I think I am more of a 'Holly'

Yup,
I do believe that that's the way it works

There's a voting mania out there tonight

for the life of me I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

I just picked up my first half target. I was really surprised. I wouldn't have thought I was anywhere near getting one.

NIGHTWING that's because you haven't corrected anybody's spelling today:P You set yourself up for that one

Are people that petty? LOL!

Weird huh

Unfortunatly I already spend all day in front of a computer, so sad

MVbot has been very very bad!

Wow if somebody had the time to do this there is such a wonderful world out there to explore instead of this sick behavior. Go to a beach, go see a friend, go to a museum, take your kid to lunch, whatever !!

I feel as if I may of been on the 'hit list" because I keep it pretty positive around here and offer help whenever possible and in the last month my karma went from positive to negative with no obvious reason. Weird but as someone else basically said "whatever, who cares, we do what we can".

Thanks Jess as I have said so many times, Modern Vespa is an amazing world and family you created, you should be very very proud of yourself.

Best,
SDG

This is the first forum i have ever belonged to and from what i've read on other forums, if it wasn't for Jess keeping tabs on these yahoos, i probably would have been gone a long time ago.

I have learned so much on this site and am very greatful for all the help i've gotten. Thanks Jess.

Nightwing,

Hows my spelling?