Fencer Archive
Thread: FAQ: What is a 1-Star General
FAQ: What is a 1-Star General?
In real life, a 1-Star General is one of the highest officer ranks. They command thousands of troops, and have large and/or critical areas of responsibility. Usually they worked long and hard to achieve where they have gotten, and have years of experience.
That’s not the 1-Star General we are referring to here.
There is a tool available to these forums allows a browser on the forum to have an idea of how informative or helpful a post is, or to attract attention to an important topic. A 3-Star rating is meant to be “average.” 4 or 5 Stars and the post should be considered more informative or helpful. 1 or 2 Stars and the information in the post should be considered potentially harmful or misleading. This might come as a shock to some in learning that there are options other than 5 stars or 1 star.
On these boards a 1-Star General is a person that has trouble grasping the concept of the true intent of this Star Rating system. It is beyond their ability to comprehend that this tool is in place to help guide others. For the 1-Star General, the Rating system is a tool for petty vengeance, or the prepubescent game of “gotcha last.” Out of frustration for not being able to adequately present their ideas (or counter-ideas) in an adult and professional manner they lash out with the only attack they can cowardly hide behind… giving a 1-Star rating to a perceived enemy or group of enemies. Some children don’t even have to have a vengeful purpose… they just go down through the posts 1-Starring anything they disagree with rather than even attempting a conversation.
What they fail to understand is that this doesn’t hurt the person they 1-Starred in the slightest. Anyone that has some sense to them will more than likely ignore the Rating system anyhow and address the post regardless of the Rating. Therefore the post will still get any attention it requires. The only person they are hurting is the person that expects the Rating system to be used for its intended purpose, and avoids the information in a 1-Star post. It may take them some time to realize that a few very pathetic and pitiful souls elect to abuse the system for their own bruised ego.
The 1-Star General does not deserve your anger, but rather your pity. You know it has to be sad and frustrating to lack the necessary vocabulary to express yourself adequately, and/or the courage to post it if you do. 
How can you combat the 1-Star General?
This is extremely easy. You simply remove the impact they think they have. Do what I do, what the Developers do, and what most of the people that use the boards on a regular basis for what they were meant for… we turn it off. It’s a simple thing to do. Just go to the top of the forum where it says “My Profile,” then go into “Preferences.” Scroll down the page a bit and you will find an option called “Rating Style.” Click on the radio button called “None,” and Save your preferences. Now you will no longer even see the Star-rating a post has. Poof, you have successfully disarmed the only weapon the 1-Star General knows how to use.
The only recourse the 1-Star General has left is to actually type out real words to express why they agree or disagree with the subject matter. This is ok, as everyone should learn how to do this at some point in time. You’ll be doing them a favor by encouraging them to mature a bit faster.
i don't like this post- ONE STAR FOR U RAPH
lol- just kidding, once again, great thoughts- Maybe i'll give u a two star on this one 
Hehe, great topic. Although I think you may need to add one thing: when you go into your preferences to turn off "Rating Style", you should also set the "Rating Quality Filter" to 1. Ifthis is left at the default of 2, enough one-star generals can make a post disappear for you.
I'm not positive that's needed if you turn the ratings off alltogether, but when it comes to possible software problems I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy.
Raphayl wrote:
On these boards a 1-Star General is a person that has trouble grasping the concept of the true intent of this Star Rating system. It is beyond their ability to comprehend that this tool is in place to help guide others. For the 1-Star General, the Rating system is a tool for petty vengeance, or the prepubescent game of “gotcha last.” Out of frustration for not being able to adequately present their ideas (or counter-ideas) in an adult and professional manner they lash out with the only attack they can cowardly hide behind… giving a 1-Star rating to a perceived enemy or group of enemies. Some children don’t even have to have a vengeful purpose… they just go down through the posts 1-Starring anything they disagree with rather than even attempting a conversation.
I've seen "one star" ratings get used with mixed intent. I've seen fanbois use it when someone complains. I've seen malcontents use it when someone compliments. I've seen good ideas get bad reviews, and vice versa. The point is... ...there is a point system. People will then use it as "they" see fit. That is the purpose of a voting system. Besides, there is already a problem with the rating system. If one person gets a five star rating in one post, then makes 50 other posts that get no star or rating, then you bring up the profile for that person, it shows them as having one star. The method being used to calculate the average rating of any given poster does not exclude the posts where no rating was given. As a result, the overall approval curve is skewed.
I've seen posts where the original author prepared an intelligent and articulate post that pointed to a bug or problem with the game. It wasn't a rant, or whining, or a scream for a nerf. I believe the actual issue was over the amount of quest activity there is in the game. Someone gave him a "one star" rating.
In another post, I read a non-stop rant and whine-fest over a Rebel player that wanted to seethe AT-ST get nerfed. This wasn't carefully thought out and worded. It was blind rage and a complete lack of composure that was pounding on the keys. This person got a "one star" rating.
Did either of these people deserve a one star rating? Well, I suppose that would depend on which side of the issue you were on. If you agreed with the person that wanted to see more quests, then you would think someone was being a jerk. If you agreed with the person that wanted the AT-ST to get nerfed, then you would think it was an angry Imperial that passed on the low review.
The main reason for the "1-star general" is the fact that these boards are steeped in diversity and opposites. Players come to these boards and are usually standing firmly on one side of an issue or another. You have Imperials and Rebels coming here to present their issues and ideas. You have players that are upset and want to be heard. You have players that don't like other players. In short, you have a melting pot of extremes. As a result, you get one star ratings. It would be nice to dream of a world where everyone will be able to sit calmly and discuss issues in an intelligent and respectful manner, but this isn't that world.
Even RL forums seldom follow this ideology. Have you ever watched Parliament or the U.S. Congress try to cover an issue? It can get to the point that you could close your eyes and imagine you are at an elementary school playground.
The only way you will have open forums where everyone will be open-minded and respectful of each other is when the forum contains only people that are all standing on the same side of the fence. However, in this instant, is the rating system still working? Are all of the people involved being really fair to any given issue, or are they all in agreement because there is no real opposition?
I would go so far as to say that the rating system can only work if there is opposition. The instant that differences are brought into the equation,a validsystem of checks and balances results. Plausibility of a viable and effective rating system can only come to fruition when all sides are weighed.
I think the real issue you are trying to wrestle is not the rating system, but the maturity level of those that use it. Essentially, you are asking people to stop being immature and asking others to be aware that immature people are using the rating system. I don't think either is a big mystery.
Raphayl wrote:
What they fail to understand is that this doesn’t hurt the person they 1-Starred in the slightest. Anyone that has some sense to them will more than likely ignore the Rating system anyhow and address the post regardless of the Rating. Therefore the post will still get any attention it requires. The only person they are hurting is the person that expects the Rating system to be used for its intended purpose, and avoids the information in a 1-Star post. It may take them some time to realize that a few very pathetic and pitiful souls elect to abuse the system for their own bruised ego.
I think the real purpose of the rating system is still being represented in a post with a one star rating. If I am on the general discussion board and see a post with a one star rating, then I can count on one of two things. Either, the post is going to present an extremists view of one side of an issue, or it will be a post that is completely without purpose and/or should not be on these forums. If it is an extremist post, then I may want to read it for no other reason than to see where both sides stand and then determine if I fall on either side. If it is a pointless post that reflects boredom or idiocy of the part of the original author, then I move on and exclaim to myself, "Please don't let this person ever grow up and fill a role that I will depend upon."
Conversely, if I seea five star rated post in the Fencer section, then that too, may be wrought with an unbalanced approval curve. If the post lists ways to make Fencer better, then of course it will be met with overwhelming approval. If some of these ideas involve changes that will adversely affect other classes, then it is safe from opposition simply because it is not being presented to the opposing classes.
The rating system needs to rated by those that rely on it. If the intelligent people that use it are, in fact, intelligent, then they will be able to view it correctly and extrapolate the reason for a post getting a particular rating.
Raphayl wrote:
The 1-Star General does not deserve your anger, but rather your pity. You know it has to be sad and frustrating to lack the necessary vocabulary to express yourself adequately, and/or the courage to post it if you do.
I'm not really sure how to comment on this point. If they are, as you say, incapable of being articulate or composed, then that may not be their fault. There are many that can not reach this level of composure. That does not necessarily mean they lack courage. They are expressing themselves in the only manner they can. For some, the issue may be a lack of "seasoning" that comes with age. For others, they may not have been afforded theopportunities to better themselves. Point is, these are forums that revolve around a game. This isn't a venue for the discussion of the betterment of mankind. If you are intelligent, then realize that coming to these forums means you will encounter all types of people with varying levels of communication styles and skills.
Raphayl wrote:
How can you combat the 1-Star General?
This is extremely easy. You simply remove the impact they think they have. Do what I do, what the Developers do, and what most of the people that use the boards on a regular basis for what they were meant for… we turn it off. It’s a simple thing to do. Just go to the top of the forum where it says “My Profile,” then go into “Preferences.” Scroll down the page a bit and you will find an option called “Rating Style.” Click on the radio button called “None,” and Save your preferences. Now you will no longer even see the Star-rating a post has. Poof, you have successfully disarmed the only weapon the 1-Star General knows how to use.
Taking away free elections because you disapprove of the outcome of the votes doesn't make the problem go away. It only stifles opinion and closes off avenues of expression. Does this system get abused? Absolutely. Is there a way to still cull purpose from it? I believe so. I sincerely hope the developers do not turn off the rating system. If they are, then they are not looking beyond the obvious and seeing the real purpose. These forums are fertile ground for "ne'er do wells" and trolls. They are also the voice of a portion of the games players. Are all the players coming to these boards? No, but the ones that are should be taken more seriously than I believe they are. By coming here, they are already exhibiting a heightened involvement in the game. Their presence here should alert the development team that these particular players are more involved than the casual game. If these players are vocal here, then it stands to reason that they are vocal in the game. The will influence the casual gamers in many ways. Whether by hearsay, or direct contact.
One star ratings, if ignored, do not deal with an issue. It sweeps it under the carpet. The problem is still there, however. You may have found a method to squelch discontent, but it will present itself in other areas.
Raphayl wrote:
The only recourse the 1-Star General has left is to actually type out real words to express why they agree or disagree with the subject matter. This is ok, as everyone should learn how to do this at some point in time. You’ll be doing them a favor by encouraging them to mature a bit faster.
Force Majeure? I'm not sure one can force another to become intelligent. If someone is incapable of presenting themselves in a higher fashion, then conditional response and reactionary recourse may be instructed, but higher thinking? They may salivate if you ring the bell, but will they really understand what just happened? Or is the main point that they just need to wag their tails in unison?
...
You, Raphayl, are by far one of the best correspondents on these forums. Your involvement and willingness to listen are exceedingly superior to many other correspondents. The time and energy you invest for the Fencer class should be the role model for all others of your kind. I just think you strayed off topic with this particular post and got too personal. Are there people with sub-par intellect posting on these boards? Certainly; but it is par for the course. If I go to the zoo, I expect to see monkeys. Closing my eyes and pretending they are not there doesn't make them go away. Rather, it cripples me from being more aware of my surroundings.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to bash you or post jest at your intent, but if logic and reason are the focal point, then I think the focal point is not being applied to the intent.