Abuse of Thanks button by friends of a member

andy88_2

On 16 June, I noticed that MSE Andrea was displaced from the list of most thanked members that appears at the bottom of the Index page.

Nothing particularly odd about that, you would say, except that the replacement had had a very sudden increase in Thanks himself, ie by an increase of 400 or more. I searched this person's thanked posts, and to begin with, saw nothing special - several of the most recent posts had been thanked by one person in particular, but it would not explain hundreds. The earliest of these thanked posts go back to December, which is several months before the Thanks system was introduced.

I spent longer on this on Saturday. I discovered that 6 new usernames had joined on 16 June and, in company with one other, had set off on a spree of thanking this one user, with 183 thanks on one particular thread (I haven't been back yet to check - it may have increased).

Coincidentally, another member had started a thread in the Arms about the subject of alter-egos on the site, in other words having more than one identity. I posted some rather cryptic remarks that hinted so vaguely at my discoveries that nobody knew what I was talking about. Indeed, I received a number of PMs or responses on the thread from people I'd count as friends here, asking me what I meant and wondering if I was getting at them.

That thread was started to show concern that some 'new' members seemed to be very familiar with the forum, and perhaps had come with a new ID for rather anti-social reasons, maybe argument. This issue of multi-IDs probably occurs most in the Arms, where it is almost always for fun and leads to amusing exchanges of banter, etc.

Then, two more new usernames joined yesterday morning and started thanking the same user, with a smaller number being applied to one other. The Thanks total increased by about another 200.

I made some posts of rather less cryptic nature, with links to a couple of thanked threads. There were one or two remaks about detective skills .......

I understand that somebody who also noticed the issue, discussed this last night with the person who is receiving these Thanks. Apparently, he thinks the system is f***infg stoopid (his words). He vehemently denied that it was him, but his friends; but then proceeded to explain why he was doing this. He has personal issues with one or two people round here.

Fine, but so might anybody. For most people, this could be permanent or transitory. There is no reason to take this action against all members, including starting a thread to the effect that the inhabitants of the Arms are Muppets. They took it in good spirit, but I think it a response to the hints that his/their actions had been discovered.

Several people have remarked that this person can be very aggressive; indeed it can only be seen as black comedy that his vehement attacks on some Board Guides, site policy and the general uselessness of the Arms have now been extensively thanked by his ever-increasing circle of friends.

I am sorry that this subject will be highly embarrassing to all of us, but it is time to confront this. This user's thanks count has increased even while I'm typing this. His vehement attack on and attempted subversion of the ethos of the forum needs to be more widely realised.



I have deliberately mentioned no names here, but for those that wish to look further, here is a list of some of the threads, made at the weekend, so the thanks count shown will have increased since then.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=18818 183
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=26682 18
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=27083 26
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=33442 11
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=33452 14 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=33741 28
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=34054 36
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=43481 18

jo_b_2

I can see why you are upset about this. Personally, I think the thanks system is a nice idea. It is a nice way to acknowledge somebody's post without having to make a reply, just saying 'thanks.'

Some people view the whole 'thanks' system as a popularity contest, though. It is a bit 'sad' I suppose, but whatever makes you happy! If people want to make up new usernames so that they can go around thanking their own posts, they really need to get out more!

sarahlouise210

jo_b wrote:

I can see why you are upset about this. Personally, I think the thanks system is a nice idea. It is a nice way to acknowledge somebody's post without having to make a reply, just saying 'thanks.'

Some people view the whole 'thanks' system as a popularity contest, though. It is a bit 'sad' I suppose, but whatever makes you happy! If people want to make up new usernames so that they can go around thanking their own posts, they really need to get out more!

totally agree! When the Thanks system came in I thought it was a great idea and I still do. When a comment is posted that obviously is not worthy of any thanks it is blatantly obvious the system is being abused. Saddo `s ! It is very rewarding to be thanked for your comments - the system should remain for those of us who like to thank others for their advice and those that appreciate advice given. As has been proven here.. we are not stupid!!! We can see through these scams!

andy88_2

I agree with you both.

I wouldn't say I'm upset so much about the fact of it, as I'm not that bothered about thanks totals myself (I'm aware that the fact I noticed this to begin with this will belie that statement) but that a unknown personal issue about something with one or two has been magnified into a subverted attack on many and the way the site runs.

If one person thinks the Thanks button stupid, they should ignore it, not start a vendetta against it.

gravitytolls

indeed i too like thx. It's just nice to know someone has appreciated your wisdom....or wit as the case may be.

Nile

sarahlouise210 wrote:

totally agree! When the Thanks system came in I thought it was a great idea and I still do. When a comment is posted that obviously is not worthy of any thanks it is blatantly obvious the system is being abused. Saddo `s ! It is very rewarding to be thanked for your comments - the system should remain for those of us who like to thank others for their advice and those that appreciate advice given. As has been proven here.. we are not stupid!!! We can see through these scams!

Well said sarahlouise210.

The thanks button is a useful tool and I hope it stays.

The count for the quanity of thanks can be as misleading as the count for posts and stars etc. It doesn't always follow that members with a high post count and star rating are here to find or share money saving tips.

For example, if you have a look in The Arms and select someone with a high post count and star rating.........you can search on their posts history and view the content.

You may find that some of their posts contain swearing, sexual inuendo and personal attacks. You may also struggle to find many (any?) useful money saving tips or help and advice for other members.

Not all members are here to save money and help others.

andy88_2

well I hope that a way to phone most of the world's phones for 1p a minute would be useful, but maybe I won't bother, as it probably won't last

using a mobile in many countries for 6p or 7p a minute didn't seem to raise much interest either



nb - the first paragraph is about an operator's mistake, whereas the second is permanent (or as much as these things can be)

trafalgar_2

Nile wrote:

Not all members are here to save money and help others.

that's quite true, not everyone is,as you say just check their post content

trafalgar_2

andy88 wrote:

well I hope that a way to phone most of the world's phones for 1p a minute would be useful, but maybe I won't bother, as it probably won't last

using a mobile in many countries for 6p or 7p a minute didn't seem to raise much interest either

ah but just because people don't post comments on others help ...............doesn't mean they haven't helped:D

sarahlouise210

Nile wrote:

You may find that some of their posts contain swearing, sexual inuendo and personal attacks. You may also struggle to find many (any?) useful money saving tips or help and advice for other members.

Not all members are here to save money and help others.

ditto! the thanks system here is not like Ebay feedback! Good job as some would have quite a few negatives! I totally agree that if there is someone with issues over the thanks button just ignore it.. some people get so het up over the smallest thing. I think it was right for andy to post this thread - hopefully this bad feeling can be nipped in the bud.

M.E.2-2

Nile wrote:

Well said sarahlouise210.

The thanks button is a useful tool and I hope it stays.

The count for the quanity of thanks can be as misleading as the count for posts and stars etc. It doesn't always follow that members with a high post count and star rating are here to find or share money saving tips.

For example, if you have a look in The Arms and select someone with a high post count and star rating.........you can search on their posts history and view the content.

You may find that some of their posts contain swearing, sexual inuendo and personal attacks. You may also struggle to find many (any?) useful money saving tips or help and advice for other members.

Not all members are here to save money and help others.

Hi Nile,
Yes,you are right in what you say but I would like to point out that there are days when I am feeling so ill and depression sets in that a visit to "The Arms" is a boost and there are times when I have sat here with tears rolling down my cheeks-not something the GP can give me.I think everyone contributes something except perhaps the guests. I look forward to your posts about the remedial class as they usually start the day off with a gentle chuckle--exactly what is wanted by me.
Thank You