Sabotaging the ratings

[SlidingInSilk]

Hey,
Just wanted to toss this out and rant a little.

Over the last few days, I've noticed that several of the stories in the top 25 monthly list (mine included) have taken huge falls in ratings. Some low enough to actually be removed from the list all together. For example one of the stories I've added a thread to went from the number 1 slot with a 4.63 rating to fifteen minutes later being lower than the 25th slot (4.21). Now I understand the idea of not pleasing everyone but that's not even enough time to read the sum 15 +threads that are in the particular story. And to drop that low that quickly someone is just rating 1's.

I have to say in my time that I have given out a few 1's but I always add a why in the comments box so that the author can choose to fix the (really bad) problems. Today I came on and looked at the list only to find that the highest rating this month is a 4.46 and just last evening it was a 4.72. Has anyone else noticed this?

My thoughts? If being rated number 1 is so important to you, spend your time working on your stories instead of unfairly rating someone else's. We are all here because we like to share our stories. If it becomes an all out ratings war, no one is really having fun and some good writers may get rather discouraged and maybe even leave Chyoo.

Okay, I'm done spanking hands for now! Be good little writers or Momma Silk will have to take out her trusty paddle and whip you into shape!

 

[android1966]

Hey,

Okay, I'm done spanking hands for now! Be good little writers or Momma Silk will have to take out her trusty paddle and whip you into shape!

If that's the punishment then I want to be a bad little writer,

 

[margo_x_x]

If I like it, I give it a five. Not so hot, a four. Hate it or think it was a waste of my time, I go to another story. I could never bring myself to give someone a one. I should probably develop a thicker skin, but I'm totally crushed when one of my stories crashes and burns. I can't imagine doing that to someone else. Okay, so I'd make a lousy judge. So sue me.

 

[SlidingInSilk]

If I like it, I give it a five. Not so hot, a four. Hate it or think it was a waste of my time, I go to another story. I could never bring myself to give someone a one. I should probably develop a thicker skin, but I'm totally crushed when one of my stories crashes and burns. I can't imagine doing that to someone else. Okay, so I'd make a lousy judge. So sue me.

LOL
believe me the times I've handed out 1's I could barely get through the page because of massive amounts of spelling errors and no puncuation or the story did a sudden nonsensical jump. Most of the stories I read here get 3's or better, but to get a five from me you have to suck me in and hold me until I run out of threads to read.

Everyone likes the idea that their story lives and breaths for their readers and so it's hurts to get ones. But it's awful when someone just rates you a one because your story holds a place on a rating list ahead of theirs.

 

[archer15]

Sabotage

I have noticed the same thing about the ratings. I had a new story that I added a lot of threads to and it was ranked number one. Granted it probably wouldn't have stayed there but the story provides a good example of the sabotage. Someone went through and rated every single thread a one (I could tell as there were no previous votes on most threads and now each had a 1 vote on it). I don't know if this person is trying to sabotage the top stories to raise one of there's or is they are just an ass, but I would say it is intentional. I don't really care about the ratings but they should at least be fair. I hope the problem can be fixed (I have no idea if the system tracks the users who give ratings) but if not I'm sure chyoo will continue without a problem.

 

[gystex]

A thought...

I had a thought on this business. I've been getting hit with ones as well, and they are for threads that, if I may say so myself, simply didn't warrant that kind of mark - I'm not saying my stuff is perfect, but the ones getting hit with low scores are what I considered to be my better threads. I suggest that someone may simply be doing it backwards, and under the impression that a one is a high score, not a low one.

Meanwhile, since there's no way of removing the low mark or alerting the perpetrator to his error, it sucks to be us.