I wrote:
- Difficult to game -- it is NOT automated, so there's no way to
game the system by engaging in repetitive actions to score points.
Brion Vibber wrote:
On the contrary it's very easy to game: create a bunch of sock puppet accounts to give each other feedback. On E-Bay you'd have to go to the trouble of faking some auctions to yourself, but not here...
That's a good point, but I think there are easy ways to deal with it.
I do agree, absolutely, that for any proposed system, dealing with the prevention of gaming behavior is essential.
1. The giving of feedback could be reserved to those who have gotten at least 3 or 5 or whatever independent feedbacks. If you're so new that you haven't been noticed...
2. The giving of feedback could be reserved to those who have been around for more than X number of days, say 7, perhaps.
3. Roundabout systems can help to a degree -- if feedback from trusted users counts more than feedback from untrusted users, it makes it more difficult to get a 'sock puppet circle' off the ground.
But of course your point is well-taken. We absolutely don't want to encourage the creation of sockpuppet accounts. That's just stupid and annoying.
--Jimbo