# Should this board have 'like' feature? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 9, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347 "2017-10-09T02:10:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/41 "2017-10-11T14:00:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’ve seen plenty of boards where they have features like like buttons and user icons. I don’t go there. > > Whether or not you think it will “dumb down” the boards, it will definitely change the boards, and not in a good way. > > . I believe it’s this boards charter mission that attracts the number of quality posters here. Not the lack of a like button. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/42 "2017-10-11T15:02:02Z")
Some relevant information: [Man who invented ‘Like’ button deletes Facebook app over addiction fears](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/facebook-like-inventor-deletes-app-iphone-justin-rosenstein-addiction-fears-a7986566.html#) > [@](#): > > The man who invented the Facebook “Like” button has removed the app from his mobile phone. > Justin Rosenstein was the engineer who created the “awesome” feature in 2007, but now fears the psychological effects apps are having on people around the world. > The 34-year-old is so concerned, he has blocked himself from Reddit and Snapchat, and imposed strict time-limits on his use of Facebook … > … > > As well as making users addicted and effecting their mental health, there is growing concern social media makes people more stupid. Known as “continuous partial attention”, it is feared apps limit the ability to focus and potentially lower IQ. > “Everyone is distracted. All of the time,” Mr Rosenstein says. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/43 "2017-10-11T15:11:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > vBulletin doesn’t have one as native programming, and there is no way to add one without completely buggering up everything else. This is really the most relevant post. We can natter on and on about it (and we will) but it’s really no more than farts in a windstorm. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/44 "2017-10-11T15:15:52Z")
The Facebook “like” button is not the same thing that we’re talking about. Facebook likes are non-anonymous and send up notifications across multiple users. They create these huge reinforcing feedback loops where everybody knows who’s been liked and who’s been liking and so on and on and on. A simple +1 button does none of those things. I don’t see how they’re equivalent. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > This is really the most relevant post. We can natter on and on about it (and we will) but it’s really no more than farts in a windstorm. I googled and found lots of hits for vBulletin ‘like’ buttons - though I won’t pretend to know enough about the software to comment on the ‘buggering up everything else’ bit. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/45 "2017-10-11T18:17:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > A simple +1 button does none of those things. I don’t see how they’re equivalent. And typling “+1” takes two keystrokes. We’d need a button for this, why? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Use your words. Like I used to have to tell the Firebug when he was younger. And that’s one thing I like about this place. We use our words. There are exceptions, of course, but on the whole we’re a very articulate group of people, capable of expressing ourselves quite well through the medium of words on a screen. There are occasional moments when all I want to do with someone else’s post is to indicate that I thought it was a particularly worthwhile post, without adding any additional commentary. But those moments aren’t frequent enough to warrant a button just for that. (I can always type ‘+1’ if I absolutely must.) > [@Czarcasm](#): > > The reason I go to this board above all others is that when I am right y’all tell me how I might be made even more right, and when I am wrong y’all tell me how wrong and in what way. What is a “like” button going to do that could possibly benefit me-convince me that I am right despite solid evidence to the contrary just because a bunch of people hit a button? Exactly. If my post was off the mark, I want people to tell me _where_ my reasoning broke down - and here, I can count on people to do just that. And if a post of mine resonated with some people, the most flattering thing from my POV is when they start with what I’ve posted, and take it a step or two further. I don’t need the too-easy (and inevitably too trivial) affirmation of a +1 button. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/46 "2017-10-11T18:29:40Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’m getting a BIG “Get off my lawn” vibe in this thread. > > Adding a thumbs up and thumbs down button wouldn’t “dumb down” the board. It would streamline it. And it’s not always to explain _why_ you like a post, because those reasons tend to be self evident in the post. _Streamline_? Saving one the time, effort, and difficulty of having to conceive and execute a sequence of a dozen keystrokes, mouse clicks, or screen taps? Sounds like dumbing down to me. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/47 "2017-10-11T19:08:44Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > And typling “+1” takes two keystrokes. We’d need a button for this, why? Again, I’m not arguing that we need it at all. I’m arguing **against** the notion that the button would be somehow damaging to the board. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/48 "2017-10-11T19:13:56Z")
Think about this: If there were a Like feature here, some bot program would be made to link the like to an ad that has dick all to do with the subject matter and spam you. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT??? ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/49 "2017-10-11T19:24:17Z")
Every time this comes up, we’re told that it’s impossible with vBulletin. And yet the board FAQ contains [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/faq.php?faq=vb3_user_profile#faq_vb3_reputation): > [@](#): > > What is reputation? > > Reputation is a way of rating users depending on the quality of their posts. If the administrators have enabled reputation, then the reputation icon will be visible in posts. > > Reputation may be positive Positive Reputation Icon , negative Negative Reputation Icon or neutral Neutral Reputation Icon. Negative reputation may only be given if the administrator has enabled this. Neutral reputation is only given when the person giving reputation does not meet the criteria set by the administrator to affect someone else’s reputation. > > How do I give reputation? > > To give reputation, click on the reputation icon in the relevant post. This will reveal a form to complete with the reputation type and the reason for giving the reputation. If negative reputation is disabled then it will not be displayed in this form. You may not give reputation for the same post twice. Okay, I realize that this isn’t quite the same thing as a “like” button, but it’s close. If it’s not natively supported in vBulletin, what is this boilerplate text doing in the FAQ? I hang out on a couple of boards that have a reputation system enabled, and I haven’t noticed any deleterious effects at all. Occasionally I notice that somebody “gave reputation” to a post of mine, and I think, “Oh, that’s nice” and go on with my life. I’m not sure that providing this would add much value to the SDMB, but I don’t think it wouldn’t be the end of the world either. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/50 "2017-10-11T19:27:11Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > _Streamline_? Saving one the time, effort, and difficulty of having to conceive and execute a sequence of a dozen keystrokes, mouse clicks, or screen taps? Sounds like dumbing down to me. Can’t a guy just agree with a poster and NOT have to write a 200 word thesis as to why he likes said post? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/51 "2017-10-11T19:27:39Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Luckily, it just **can’t be done.** vBulletin doesn’t have one as native programming, and there is no way to add one without completely buggering up everything else. > > So stop asking!! Can we make this the first(and only) response every time this subject comes up? Just a “Sorry-not an option at this time with the current build”, then lock it off. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/52 "2017-10-11T19:40:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Can we make this the first(and only) response every time this subject comes up? Just a “Sorry-not an option at this time with the current build”, then lock it off. People seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of explaining why they do or don’t want one. Why would you want to deprive them of the opportunity to have a discussion about it that you are in no way required or expected to read or participate in? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/53 "2017-10-11T19:43:45Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > People seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of explaining why they do or don’t want one. Why would you want to deprive them of the opportunity to have a discussion about it that you are in no way required or expected to read or participate in? +1 ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/54 "2017-10-11T19:45:50Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > +1 ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▀▀▀█░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▀░░░█░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▀░░░░█░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▀░░░░░█░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▀░░░░░░█░░░░░░░░░░ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄░░░▄█▀░░░░░░░▀▀▀▀▀▀█▄░░░ ░░░░░░██▄▄█▀░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ▄▄▄▄▄▄██░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████▄▄▄▄▄░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░ ████████░░░░░▀█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▀░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ Crazyhorse likes this ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/55 "2017-10-11T19:50:31Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > People seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of explaining why they do or don’t want one. Why would you want to deprive them of the opportunity to have a discussion about it that you are in no way required or expected to read or participate in? How about a compromise then-Make the first response a general “What you are asking for isn’t currently possible with this current build”, then let people post their “I don’t care if it is possible or not-I WANT it!” responses to their hearts content. O.K.? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/56 "2017-10-11T19:54:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How about a compromise then-Make the first response a general “What you are asking for isn’t currently possible with this current build”, then let people post their “I don’t care if it is possible or not-I WANT it!” responses to their hearts content. > O.K.? Uh, okay. Except, that is not at all the conversation that is taking place in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/57 "2017-10-11T19:56:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How about a compromise then-Make the first response a general “What you are asking for isn’t currently possible with this current build”, then let people post their “I don’t care if it is possible or not-I WANT it!” responses to their hearts content. > O.K.? If you’re the first to respond you can do that. But a compromise isn’t necessary. How about people post about things they want to discuss and if you don’t like it you don’t need to read it? O.K.? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/58 "2017-10-11T20:05:13Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > If you’re the first to respond you can do that. But a compromise isn’t necessary. How about people post about things they want to discuss and if you don’t like it you don’t need to read it? O.K.? I have posted in this thread(and so many others on the same subject) on why I disapprove of the idea, and I and others have talked about why it isn’t possible anyway. Which part is it you want to banish from these conversations? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/59 "2017-10-11T20:10:40Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I have posted in this thread(and so many others on the same subject) on why I disapprove of the idea, and I and others have talked about why it isn’t possible anyway. > Which part is it you want to banish from these conversations? The part where you suggest what others can and can’t talk about. Or more bluntly: The thread shitty parts. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/60 "2017-10-11T20:14:10Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > The part where you suggest what others can and can’t talk about. Or more bluntly: The thread shitty parts. Irony much? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347.md?page=4)