Suggestion: Dual icon system to help recognize who's worth listening to

[shanen]

As it works now, my (optional) avatar and name are linked to the information I provided, basically a representation of myself as I am willing to be viewed in public. However this does not really provide sufficient basis to assess my reputation.

I think it would be more helpful if there were two icons for each person. One should be the self-representation, and the other should be a reflection of public reputation. The self-icon is basically what DU has now (and would link (as now) to the same data), but the other-icon would be a standardized representation of how other people see me (or you), mostly based on their reactions to the public comments. The link from the other-icon would lead to the detailed analysis of the numbers and also to links to the actual data. By analyzing the actual data it would be possible to detect such problems as circles of sock puppets trying to raise each other's reputation.

The underlying reason for this suggestion is really to save time. It should be possible to quickly and easily figure out whose comments are most worth reading. I actually think there are many dimensions of public reputation and people should be able to filter or favor various dimensions, but let me use an extremely simple dimension as an example: Age. The older an account is, the more likely that it is not a fresh sock puppet, and therefore I would like the option to say that any excessively young accounts will not be visible to me.

This can be coupled with a system to help the trolls discredit themselves. Again I confess that my objective is to save my own time. I think that some of the trolls are actually paid to use their time to waste mine. Lots more details of this suggestion available upon polite request, though I'm not expecting many such requests (and even though I'd be willing to chip in some money to help implement such features).

Another and broader suggestion would be related to funding based on helping to solve various problems. However, right now I think Democratic Underground isn't worth the efforts of typing up that suggestion. Part of that assessment is related to the troll problems my main suggestion is intended to help address.

[member12]

1. So you want us to wear more pieces of flare?

Just thinking back to Office Space...

[shanen]

2. Unable to interpret that as a polite request for details

Actually unable to interpret it at all. Care to clarify yourself?

The only wild guesses I can come up with are that "Office Space" might be some kind of movie or game, and flare might be some kind of marker. Perhaps claiming to be a troll and offering to wear a flag?

[GeorgeGist]

3. Something to divide us ...

brilliant!