File Library review/rating system?

[yellowdog]

I don't know if anyone would find this useful, or if the possibility even exists with the current forum software. But I was thinking that a rating or review system might be handy for items in the file library. Like an item (to include quality, ease of installation directions, etc)? Give it 5/5 stars. Don't like an item (the livery or model isn't accurate, the instructions don't make sense, etc)? Give it 2/5 stars. And maybe a free text box to offer people a limited amount of characters to justify their rationale. So other downloaders have some idea of what to expect before they download the item. Of course, this system could also be mis-used. So maybe some guardrails would also have to go up. But given that this is a common feature on other popular platforms, I think people could use it appropriately.

[adreid]

I think this would be a GREAT feature!

[oper190]

I think it will discourage potential uploaders from submitting their work. There are far to few new things being offered as it is, compared to only a few years ago.

Not all that long ago if you miss a week checking in, say away on a vacation and didn't have internet, you had upwards of a hundred new files to review when you got back on-line, and now we seem lucky to get but two or three a week.

[EvolutionMan]

I think it will discourage potential uploaders from submitting their work. There are far to few new things being offered as it is, compared to only a few years ago.

Seriously, I absolutely and fully agree with this. I honestly think that including such a feature will result in more discourse among the rest of the community, not to mention increasing the barrier of entry for content creators who want to contribute to the scene (myself included). In effect, it would actually be a step backwards. This place should not end up becoming the one it was over 20 years ago.

One of the reasons I joined this place was because this community was (generally) safe and respectful. A good online community is one that helps, encourages, and inspires.

Not all that long ago if you miss a week checking in, say away on a vacation and didn't have internet, you had upwards of a hundred new files to review when you got back on-line, and now we seem lucky to get but two or three a week.

To be fair, the primary reason that you would regularly see new add-ons appear was because the community was much larger at that point in time, compared to where we are now.

[eric]

I'm not opposed to the idea, but it would need to be done in an after the fact way. Until you've installed it, you really can't rate it.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[slipperman]

Sorry, fellas, but I'm against any sort of rating system for library items. Wherever you go these days, you're asked to give a rating for this, that and the other. It's probably OK for sites offering services but this is a file library! Members will only download and use something if they have some interest in it (except for those who download everything!) so a rating system would be meaningless. I could go on .......!!

Cheers,
Ged

[dcarleton]

I would just ignore it.

[CSRX]

I feel like this would just be another tool to discourage future uploaders. We are pretty limited as is with folks that upload their fine work..

[oper190]

To be fair, the primary reason that you would regularly see new add-ons appear was because the community was much larger at that point in time, compared to where we are now.

Won't disagree, other than to ask why? Very few new downloads are original works, merely reskins of payware, whereas they used to be plenty of original work, complete models, so why have all the modelers left, or not uploading anymore? Start rating other's work is only going to discourage uploading, given the time it can take to make a model, develop skins and put it all together. Routes can take years to make, test run and then upload. Gee and it only gets one or two stars? Well won't be uploading anything esle.

If an upload say needs better instructions, then that should be brought to Admin's attention, to reach out to the uploader requesting they resubmit them with clarifications., or simply PM them advising what you found wanting. By giving them one or two stars don't fix it, and may well discourage other's from downloading it, who might just find it was dandy.

[frliss]

If you really think about it the routes are already rated. For example, if you want to know the best OR route simply search the library. Select OR routes by number of downloads and highest to lowest. Do not specify a file name. You will get all OR routes listed by popularity. This method makes the assumption that people download the routes that they like.

Fred

[oper190]

You will get all OR routes listed by popularity.

Fine, agree to a point, but a newly uploaded route will always have low download numbers for sometime, yet might well be a better route.

For myself, I don't care what the numbers look like. I pick the routes for their location, and for fictional for the type of route. Yah I have quite a few I hardly ever run, but then every once in a while I'll take a spin on them. A few I'm considering updating with more and better scenery, to make them more enjoyable.

[frliss]

I don't care what the numbers look like. I pick the routes for their location, and for fictional for the type of route.

I’ve just realized there’s another issue with my system. Certain well‑known locations, such as Cajon Pass, Tehachapi Pass, or Marias Pass, end up receiving an unusually high number of selections.

Fred

[EvolutionMan]

Won't disagree, other than to ask why? Very few new downloads are original works, merely reskins of payware, whereas they used to be plenty of original work, complete models, so why have all the modelers left, or not uploading anymore?

In short, a larger user base proportionally means that a larger number of content creators were part of that group. As for why they left, perhaps we'll never know. Either life got in the way, or their interest in the hobby slowly waned as time went on. Maybe they didn't want to keep using tools they called "outdated", such as Train Sim Modeler, which made this part of it more accessible. Just my opinion, though, as events like this might always remain a mystery.