FarmerOak said:.... but the only thing keeping me at distance from SD is their inadequate thumbs up thumbs down system.
Couldn't agree more!

Bring back BOOST!

Thanks!! Green, Stars, Boost, WHATEVER!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
It seems, while I was writing the below message in one of the threads on the 2nd newest rating system, the thread became locked (as I was writing). Then, when I went to investigate why, much to my delight, I found that the old system will be essentially restored. That's great! I also agree that the Not Interested function seems like it can be useful, if it works right. Now, because I do love FW so much, I decided to go ahead and post below my text that I was going to post, (when I still thought that the old rating system would never be restored). Perhaps, (after some sleep, twinkies, and R&R for the programmers), they could read it and understand better what makes FW such a HOT DEAL, (and what could potentially lead FW away from its primary purpose. Again - Thank you. It is good to be humble.

I thank Tim and all FW mods (and members) for their help, work, and info. But... I HATE Boost, stars, and anything materially different than the old system. Especially, the use of all green, whether it be in bars, stars, or green beans! I like things simple, easy, and obvious. My 13-year old son, who is an A student and heavy gamer, big Internet user and smart consumer, would be decieved by your last 2 systems, as would any new user, (and even some regular FWers, if they miss this weeks system changes and events, and fail to do some investigation into the changes).

TIM - Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I, like some other people, am suspicious that taking out the red based system FW had, is not due to abuse by FW members, but is likely due to pressure by an advertiser or other outside financial influence. (Does FW receive funds from vendors and advertisers??) IF so, I can surely understand their concern with red next to their store and the products they sell. BUT, (IF this is what's happenned), by ignoring the FW community's rating preferences, and bending to the will of the companies', FW went from an excellent place to find actual good deals, based on actual consumer preferences and experiences, to a mediocre site, based more on the advertising gimmicks of companies who sell the products. The FW members are the consumers, and without us, neither the companies nor the FW website would exist. So, while you are right that you don't absolutely HAVE to maintain the popular and preferred website rating system, if you do not, the FW members (the smart ones anyway), will actually go elsewhere for a more unbiased deal website. Again, I strongly suggest that IF this is about money, that you charge a small annual fee to FW members, (say perhaps $12 yr.), and maybe do away with the Cash Back feature, instead of getting the necessary money from the companies involved. Even if I'm completely wrong, and FW doesn't operate from ad money, that would be a great fact to post, to earn people's trust in the unbiased aspect of this website. I, like most FW members, want the really great deals, AS DEFINED BY THE CONSUMERS, not "great deals" as defined by the companies selling the products. Maximum PC magazine is a great example of how you can have both unbiased information, AND advertising revenue. Thank you!

Just made my Day!

BullishDad said:I was beginning to think a star system could be beneficial.

This is what I was thinking:
User rates from Zero to 3 Stars. (Important to be able to rate as Zero)
The average rating gets color coded.

0-1 Red
1.1-2.4 Amber
2.5-3.0 Green

Then, next to the colored stars would be the total number of votes. This would make it easy to see the "volume".

I must admit I didn't have a problem with the old system, except for the abusers. The advantage of the three star system is that you could differentiate between warm (2 stars) and hot (3 stars) better, and bad deals would still be Red.

I think most people agree the old system still much better, as some people already said, the star system work almost like what it was before, only instead of 21 levels of granularity (-10 to +10) we have five (-2 to +2). And where is the value in that change?
We know before if it is +10, then definitely hot deal. So what if it is +2 ( 5 stars) in star system? How many votes need to make it 5 stars? I believe only one vote (or few votes) is needed to make it 5 stars when we were trying it last night.
Still prefer the old system. Thanks again

great news. and i'm VERY excited about the "not interested" feature

...now could you bring back the grocery coupon forum? (hey, i tried!!)

Thank you.

The last 24 hrs was painful to say the least.
Many of the Hot Deals were not hot and certainly not deals, I understood and participated in showing our frustration in the new rating system (or lack there of).

Glad to know FW listens to the ppl and willing to restore to the old and better way.
Why was it changed in the first place? What's the reasoning behind that?

Eventho I'm happy to see the -/+ rating system, but I sure hope the "mysterious" rating power will be removed.

thank you. Happy Happy Day!