Update on New Voting System

Hey Askvillers,

Thanks to all who have given feedback on our proposed new voting system!  We've taken all the feedback you've given into consideration and as a result, we have modified our plan on how we will change the voting system.  The most important change is that we will *not* open questions up for others to vote.  At least not yet ;o).  Although we believe we could develop algorithms and heuristics that would lower the weighting of "fly by night" voters, we also feel that we can accomplish some of our goals (one of which is to reduce/eliminate the likelihood of the "default okay") without making this change.  In fact, the new voting system will only have slight modifications.  These include:

1. Switching to a 5-star rating system and eliminate the current 5-tier voting scale (Awful, Weak, Okay, Good, Great).
2. We will average all votes submitted and answers will get fractional scores (e.g. 4.25 stars).  This will reduce the likelihood of ties.
3. Best Answer ribbons will still go to the highest rated answer that is greater than 3.5 stars.  If there still is a tie with this new rating system, then no Best Answer ribbon will be given. 
4. Any answerer will have the option of "appealing" their final rating.  This will result in a random selection of other Askvillers to rate your answer.  We will give preference to Askvillers who have expertise in one of the topics that were tagged with the question.  Those votes will be added to all existing votes and the final rating of that answer will be recalculated.   
5. We will be removing the Voting Superpower since we will be replacing this with the new "appeal" process.  Users who purchased the Voting Superpower will get a coin refund.
6. We will remove the thumbs down option - i.e. 3rd party users can only give a thumbs up to an answer.
7. If no one votes on your answer you will get a default 3-star rating.

Elements of the voting system that will not change are:

• Asker's vote still counts for two (2) votes.
• Only Asker and Answerer can vote on questions (unless an answerer decides to "appeal" their final rating).
• Voting period lasts for 3 days although the Asker and all Answerers can vote as soon as other answers are submitted. 
• All votes are hidden (i.e. no one knows who voted for whom).
• There still will be negative coins and experience points associated with 1 star  (previously "awful") and 2 star (previously "weak") answers.

We believe this addresses most of the concerns that were raised by the community.  We realize that some of you may still disagree with some of the changes above.  However, we ask that you give it a chance and see how the changes improve or degrade your overall experience on Askville.  That said, we will continue to solicit feedback and make changes to the voting system if need be.  There are no "sacred cows".  Thanks again for your feedback and please give us more if you have any!

Thanks,
The Askville Team

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