Isn't the star system easy to abuse?

I notice that some threads I think are great examples of this forum's thinking to be hit with a one star, for unknown reasons.

If I then give the thread five stars it averages this out to 3 stars or so. Doesn't this seem like a system that is way too easily abused?

Maybe we should have a rule that you need to be a member in good standing to rate threads, whatever "good standing" would mean? Or that a thread's rating should only be shown after, say, 10 ratings have been submitted?

[Laird]

Good points and questions.

I'd forgotten about the rating system because it seems that it's not visible on the Roundo theme, which I use.

It is possible to disable entirely via the admin control panel.

I'd be quite happy to do that, but won't make a unilateral decision.

I am generally opposed to forum rating system where you can give negative reviews like say 1 star or down voting like on reddit. If one person has an opinion then everyone else has to vote or that one person will have disproportional influence. And a few organized activists can have undue influence over what people feel comfortable posting.

In general I think it's bad to hold people's opinions up to a vote. People should not have to fear being publicly condemned by group think or a few organized opponents to their views. People should feel free to express their views. 

Particularly if the forum software sorts based on *'s or hides content with negative votes.

I'm not that active on this forum but I would say it's a good idea to disable the * system.

I am in favor of "likes", it's an easy way to note approval without the thread getting clogged with posts just saying people liked something. And lack of likes is not the same as active disapproval, it could be indifference. That ambiguity makes a big difference in my opinoin.

Good points and questions.

I'd forgotten about the rating system because it seems that it's not visible on the Roundo theme, which I use.

I don't think I've ever really noticed the stars at all. I've a feeling a couple of times over the years I may have actually given a rating to something, but in effect I never use it.

Though  @Sciborg_S_Patel's observations in the OP make sense, if it isn't something which we all remember to use - at least occasionally - then the ratings will tend to be at the level of meaningless noise as much as anything.

[Laird]

There seem to be a few possibilities suggested or implicit so far:

1. Leave the ratings system as is, potentially modifying the Roundo theme so that ratings are visible there too.
   
2. Keep the ratings system (potentially adding it to the Roundo theme as above), but also introduce criteria for either raters (must be in "good standing") or ratings (must be at least 10 before shown), as suggested by Sci.
   
3. Disable the ratings system entirely.
   

I've looked at the ratings-related MyBB core code, and a plugin to implement #2 is feasible, assuming we can all agree on appropriate criteria.

That said, I personally prefer #3, because most of us don't seem to use nor even pay much if any attention to the ratings system, and, as Sci points out, that leaves the few occasions on which it is used open to abuse. It's also very simple - the toggling of a single setting - to implement, which saves the need for coding a new plugin.

We could put this to a vote (potentially after coming up with other options), but maybe that's not necessary, and we can simply find consensus in this discussion thread.

I like @Jim_Smith 's points about the rating system being unnecessary.

I for one am fine with removing it, really if no one dissents I think it's fine to take out...

I am happy with the star system but I can live without it too.

[Laird]

I for one am fine with removing it, really if no one dissents I think it's fine to take out...

I've just done that, but if there are any dissenters, please feel free to dissent; the setting can easily be toggled back on.