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FAQ rating system active

Crazyreyn (36) | Board List | Topic List | Post New Message | Track Topic

SBAllen | Posted 9/5/2007 10:34:30 PM | message detail

Just a note to let everyone know that FAQ rating is now up and functioning. At the top of each FAQ is a small link to click on to let people know you liked the review. After a few weeks of data collecting, the highest rated complete FAQs per game will be bumped up to the top of the sorting list in their category and have a little icon beside them to signify that they are among the most popular FAQs for the game. In-depth FAQs that are popular will also get a mark beside them but the sorting will remain the same. This will be chosen based by a set percentage, not just a hard-coded number of votes. This will be updated daily and the necessary changes made to the sorting order once the sorting begins. Feel free to ask any questions about the new system in this topic.

Also of note to FAQ writers, in the Site Settings for a user, the user now has the ability to load up FAQs in 50kb chunks in case they have slow internet connections. This feature is off by default.
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Um, not to criticize science or anything, but wouldn't it be easier just to call it "the pink one"?

HyperSiIence | Posted 9/5/2007 10:35:05 PM | message detail

I hope users can't rate their own FAQs like before.
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SBAllen | Posted 9/5/2007 10:35:17 PM | message detail

And by "liked the review" I meant "liked the FAQ" of course. Silly me for copy/pasting and editing. :)
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Um, not to criticize science or anything, but wouldn't it be easier just to call it "the pink one"?

Super Slash | Posted 9/5/2007 10:39:21 PM | message detail

Wow, nice feature. However, this might make more of the unpopular FAQs ignored a lot more often.
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Current Amount of FAQs: 21 (5866 Total KB)
Current KB FAQ Rank: KB Jack

Mr Jason | Posted 9/5/2007 10:51:16 PM | message detail

To be honest, I don't like the sound of it. It pretty much means that any new complete FAQ for a game that already has a couple of FAQs will have a harder time to get people to read it and rate it. On the other hand, it does promote quality (That is, if we don't have any issues with it).
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Thank you, St. Peter. I look forward to hearing your response to the following: ( | ) This is your ass. It is very fat.-seanbaby

Crazyreyn | Posted 9/5/2007 10:53:59 PM | message detail

Mr Jason | Posted 9/5/2007 10:57:52 PM | message detail

So... FAQs are rated, and the highest rated ones are then put to the top of the list? What's to stop mass rating in order to simply boost a guide up the list? I think there could be some abuse with this.

I agree with Crazyreyn. How are people allowed to vote? Do they need a Gamefaqs account, or can it be any IP address? If people or the authors download a IP changer if it is the second scenario, then they could vote multiple times. Not to mention some people may go as far as promoting their guide on other boards, or have those "fake link" sites like those stupid online games have for recruitment.
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Thank you, St. Peter. I look forward to hearing your response to the following: ( | ) This is your ass. It is very fat.-seanbaby

Crazyreyn | Posted 9/5/2007 11:00:08 PM | message detail

Also initially, people will still be selecting via alphabetical or KB size, meaning others won't get looked at and rated. When the lists come in, surely that'll demote them further down the list once more.

In theory... I'd still like to see how this pans out however.
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55/85 Full Circle | Y.T.W.S.R. |
FCB History - http://www.crazyreyn.com/fcbhistory/

Super Slash | Posted 9/5/2007 11:00:14 PM | message detail

Yes, this could easily be abused.
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Current Amount of FAQs: 21 (5866 Total KB)
Current KB FAQ Rank: KB Jack

SBAllen | Posted 9/5/2007 11:05:19 PM | message detail

Abuse will be easy enough to spot if people are silly enough to do it. Minor cases of abuse can and will obviously slip by, but not enough to make a huge difference.
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Um, not to criticize science or anything, but wouldn't it be easier just to call it "the pink one"?

Shotgunnova | Posted 9/5/2007 11:22:56 PM | message detail

Sounds swiz, 'specially since it's emphasizing the positive.

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Take me down from the ridge where the summer ends
And watch the city spread out just like a jet's flame

snkupo | Posted 9/5/2007 11:42:30 PM | message detail

In my opinion, this is great. Nice with ratings, SBAllen!
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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/49145.html

Kratos15354 | Posted 9/5/2007 11:47:40 PM | message detail

Will any of this be visible other than the recommend link and final order by rankings?
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Want a second opinion before contesting that moderation? Go to Hellhole: http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs9/gentopic.php?board=573081

PeTeRL90 | Posted 9/5/2007 11:53:42 PM | message detail

The idea sounds good on paper, but as Matt already pointed out, there's a good chance people will only vote based on KB Size and/or the first guide listed on the page.

But I as well would like to wait and see how it unfolds after awhile, but I do think there's going to be a lot of favortism here, and not in a good way (such as more known FAQ writers getting their work voted when a lesser known writer has a just as good guide as the well known writer will get theirs ignored)
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Total Files/Complete FAQs: 49/35
http://club.ign.com/b/list/custom?&lid=100018&owner=PeTeRL90&mode=vown

snkupo | Posted 9/5/2007 11:56:24 PM | message detail

^

Isn't that how the whole world works in general?

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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/49145.html

RockMFR 5 | Posted 9/6/2007 12:04:34 AM | message detail

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

RockMFR 5 | Posted 9/6/2007 12:06:44 AM | message detail

The file id number in the "recommend" url sometimes does not appear. For example, on this FAQ:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/apple2/file/565583/13525

...the vote link will sometimes be...

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/apple2/file/565583/?rec=xxxxxxxxx

...instead of...

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/apple2/file/565583/13525?rec=xxxxxxxxx
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Save the cheerleader, save the world. o_0
The Ohio State University: We are so much better than m*ch!g@n.

Lion Rocker | Posted 9/6/2007 12:57:57 AM | message detail

I keep getting a 404 error when trying to recommend an FAQ (marshmallow's excellent Meroid Prime FAQ).
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Board 548: The Zelda Social Board

LavaLord | Posted 9/6/2007 1:43:53 AM | message detail

I keep getting 404'd trying to recommend Split Infinity's FFXII faq.
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()_()~Bunn!e~Hardcore™ - We'll probably be modded for this...
(='.'=)~LavaLord~

TripleJumpMB | Posted 9/6/2007 2:15:42 AM | message detail

Just so you know, I accidentaly clicked on my own while trying to go for PeTeRL's ToS FAQ (I always accidentaly click mine while going for others) and reccomended it, so can you ignore that?
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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/38449.html

TripleJumpMB | Posted 9/6/2007 2:18:34 AM | message detail

Also: I think this is a partially good idea. For one, it's nice to have a rating that will actually make a difference (unlike before, where it was more criticism) and it will certainly increase quality when people start to pump out better guides in hopes of getting one like that.

On the bad point, some FAQs will go virtually unnoticed and it'll probably start stupid topics like "Recommend my FAQ please!".
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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/38449.html

Space Medafighter X | Posted 9/6/2007 2:48:33 AM | message detail

At the top of each FAQ is a small link to click on to let people know you liked the review.

:O

In any case, will there be anything to show up in Contributor's Central showing us the amount of recommendations each FAQ has? As well, anything to block a person from rating his/her own FAQs (I tried it with one of my FAQs just to see if it would work, and it did).
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We apologize for the inconvenience.

kirbyroks | Posted 9/6/2007 2:50:02 AM | message detail

Yeah, will "Recommend my FAQ" topics be modded? I can honestly see people doing that in the future.

Is this feature limited only to complete FAQs/Walkthroughs and in depth guides or can people still recommend incomplete FAQ/Walkthroughs?
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The killer, karmic©, charismatic, cryptastic©, clever Kirby!
FAQs: 24 (2003KB) | CRP: 43180 | Images: 6

PeTeRL90 | Posted 9/6/2007 4:24:21 AM | message detail

Haha. I appreciate it, Triple, but looking back, I believe ToS to be one of my worst pieces of work since it was my first real walkthrough 3 years ago.
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Total Files/Complete FAQs: 51/35
http://club.ign.com/b/list/custom?&lid=100018&owner=PeTeRL90&mode=vown

TripleJumpMB | Posted 9/6/2007 4:29:49 AM | message detail

It was very useful during my first playthrough!
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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/38449.html

odino | Posted 9/6/2007 5:55:04 AM | message detail

I don't like the sound of the "highlight" feature but I'll have to see how it really looks first.

_Lagoona_ | Posted 9/6/2007 8:40:45 AM | message detail

.My thoughts were exactly the same as odino's.
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.Nobody is perfect , I'm nobody. :-Þ

TheGoldenState | Posted 9/6/2007 3:45:34 PM | message detail

So how do you know which one got the most?

PD Ghost Buster | Posted 9/6/2007 3:49:30 PM | message detail

I definitely would like to see this information in Contributor Central.
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I am afraid I will have to mark you for trolling in my topic if you dispute the word of the Ultimate Destructor

blackmage 200 | Posted 9/6/2007 4:14:05 PM | message detail

I can see a few issues with online games, as FAQs can become out of date, thus FAQs at the top of the list could become out of date...

Perhaps a positive rating could last a set amount of time before expiring to fix this? Unless the "necessary changes made to the sorting order once the sorting begins." covers this...
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something witty- Electricstorm00
I'd do anything to get in blackmage's sig...- LAPD Ducky

snkupo | Posted 9/6/2007 6:54:27 PM | message detail

There is already an issue with a lot of walkthroughs for online games being outdated. I can't see how ratings would make the problem any worse.
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http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/49145.html

blackmage 200 | Posted 9/6/2007 8:20:10 PM | message detail

Ok an example then.

With the new system the up-to-date and relevant guides are rated to the top.

A major change/patch is implemented, or things just gradually change over time.

These now out-of-date guides are still at the top, whilst newer relevant ones are lower down and, depending on a games popularity changes, could never get enough recommendations to replace the out-dated guides at the top.

I know the issue is poor at the moment, but with this new system people will probably just pick the FAQs at the top of the list, thus in time this could be a problem. But as I say, this could already be intended with the bit I quoted last post.
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something witty- Electricstorm00
I'd do anything to get in blackmage's sig...- LAPD Ducky

Super Slash | Posted 9/6/2007 9:48:31 PM | message detail

So when will we see results of this thing?
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Current Amount of FAQs: 21 (5866 Total KB)
Current KB FAQ Rank: KB Jack

GhostOfLegault | Posted 9/6/2007 10:01:11 PM | message detail

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

SBAllen | Posted 9/6/2007 10:24:10 PM | message detail

If something goes out-of-date logically one would assume people would stop voting for it and start voting for a not out-of-date FAQ, thus automagically handling that problem. Things that this are being taken into consideration, don't worry.
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Um, not to criticize science or anything, but wouldn't it be easier just to call it "the pink one"?

siasat9077 | Posted 9/7/2007 10:20:03 AM | message detail

my faq was rejected without any reason
www.freewebs.com/Pugonomiks/
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I am very............ sorry for....for......um........wasting seconds of your life in reading this signature.

Sashanan | Posted 9/7/2007 10:27:04 AM | message detail

Kindly stop crossposting. You already made two topics for the same thing yesterday, and now you're dropping posts about your issue in topics that don't have anything to do with them.

The one topic will do fine. Reposting the same problem all over the place will not draw more attention to it. Rather, fix that link so we can see your FAQ.

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The miracle never happen.

PeTeRL90 | Posted 9/7/2007 9:38:48 PM | message detail

I hope that you can't recommend a FAQ/Review more than once.
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Total Files/Complete FAQs: 51/35
http://club.ign.com/b/list/custom?&lid=100018&owner=PeTeRL90&mode=vown

Super Slash | Posted 9/8/2007 3:50:23 AM | message detail

^I agree. That would be for the better.
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Current Amount of FAQs: 21 (5866 Total KB)
Current KB FAQ Rank: KB Jack

assassin17 | Posted 9/8/2007 10:58:08 AM | message detail

What if I want to recommend it to two different people?

Super Slash | Posted 9/8/2007 11:06:37 AM | message detail

You and your jokes, assassin. =P
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Current Amount of FAQs: 21 (5866 Total KB)
Current KB FAQ Rank: KB Jack

threetimes | Posted 9/8/2007 1:38:07 PM | message detail

It would be easy enough to forget which of many FAQs and reviews you had already recommended and do so a second time. At present it seems you can recommend more than once, though there is no way to know whether or not this is recorded as a separate rating...>_>
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"Chop the tree from the inside out" Keerg's Fables

The Admiral | Posted 9/8/2007 6:20:44 PM | message detail

I think this idea is great. There are some avenues for abuse, but overall that shouldn't stop an otherwise great addition. A few things I think might be useful add to help ensure a minimum amount of abuse:

1. Only one voter per usermap should be counted to eliminate any issue of the 50+ account user here doing any vote stuffing

2. It might be useful if there was some level restriction on voting to make sure accounts aren't ever created just to vote stuff. Nothing extreme, maybe level 20 or 25. Just high enough that it would be inconvenient to create numerous "voting" accounts.

3. As mentioned earlier, any topics specifically created asking for FAQ votes should be modded for spamming. I don't think this will ever really be an issue, but this policy can help prevent annoyances before they begin.

Otherwise, can't wait to see this in action.
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- The Admiral

UltimaterializerX | Posted 9/8/2007 7:56:44 PM | message detail

At the top of each FAQ is a small link to click on to let people know you liked the review.

Wait wut?

Also of note to FAQ writers, in the Site Settings for a user, the user now has the ability to load up FAQs in 50kb chunks in case they have slow internet connections.

People still use dialup? <_<

~*ST*~
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Petition for a system notification when a contribution is removed: http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=7&topic=37308859

snkupo | Posted 9/8/2007 8:10:39 PM | message detail

Ever considered the fact that at some places, old 56k modems are the best you get?

jelly soup | Posted 9/9/2007 1:09:59 AM | message detail

I hope that you can't recommend a FAQ/Review more than once.

From the sister topic on RC:

SBAllen Posted 9/6/2007 2:21:17 PM message detail
You CAN vote for something twice in a row, or 243 times in a row, but it only counts once (or not at all if you spam it).

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The more you learn, man, the less you know." - Pascal, AC:WW
Super Mario Wiki - www.mariowiki.com

Sashanan | Posted 9/10/2007 9:53:50 AM | message detail

Probably going to use the same measures that have already been created and finetuned in years of running the character contest, then :)

People still use dialup? <_<

I think the issue is not so much PCs with a dial up connection (though that still exists more than you'd think), but wireless internet devices. I've never tried (for instance) the DS internet browser, but I hear it's pretty slow. I imagine that if I was checking a FAQ with that, getting a little chunk at a time would be a nice option.

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The miracle never happen.

assassin17 | Posted 9/10/2007 10:10:31 AM | message detail

ah, good point. i've encountered at least one snotty cellphone user who brushed off FAQ linkage as an answer to his very obvious question. "Ahem, i'm on my cell, and while it can down airplanes, summon dragons, and dice up potatoes, it can't handle plain text. and i can't be bothered to visit a computer before i play the game again. i think i'm important; now wait on me hand and foot. blah blah". that guy was a turd. i hope that guy died in a car crash.

Mr Jason | Posted 9/11/2007 5:15:13 AM | message detail

I think the issue is not so much PCs with a dial up connection (though that still exists more than you'd think), but wireless internet devices. I've never tried (for instance) the DS internet browser, but I hear it's pretty slow. I imagine that if I was checking a FAQ with that, getting a little chunk at a time would be a nice option.

I tried to access FAQs while on my PS3 and PSP, (Moderate size ones, about 100 KB), and they were pretty slow to load and the formatting was out of place and such. You know what is funnier? My wireless laptop and desktop can load FAQ's faster then my cable connection.
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Thank you, St. Peter. I look forward to hearing your response to the following: ( | ) This is your ass. It is very fat.-seanbaby