Without thumbs, which many were awarded entirely unknown to themselves (i.e. we cannot control who gives what thumbs), this site is a dead duck of sorts. Whilst allowing that there may have been misuse of thumbs down and TOU's, (again which no-one can control), I don't think the average fair-minded poster ever resorted to either!' I've had a computer crash and so just back on air. But reading posts is time consuming, and giving a thumbs up was our way of saying "well said", or "I agree", or "this is what I think of what you've said."
As it is now, almost all written intercourse is virtually dead, as who has the time to write a full reply to each and every post they agree or disagree with.
The only thing I abhhor is that people down thumb out of spite or nastiness sometimes, perhaps. But they also have the right to do so as a genuine indication that they strongly disagree, or object, to another's views.
NO poster has any control over thumbs given or taken away. But it does give the writer some idea of what other people think. I (and I'm sure others) put up a post - and have no control over the forum view of that post. Sometimes a seemingly trite post will get thumbs up, and other good ones don't get any.
It is good, though, when under other stresses, just to have the quick facility to give someone a quick thumbs up when they have gone to a lot of trouble to put up good info, or a well written post.
To suggest that there was some sort of thumbs "clique" is completely wrong as far as I know.
Politics, and religion, Two very difficult areas. But this is a very interesting forun, albeit it a difficult one for mods perhaps. And there's no denying that poliics do have an influence on finances.
Anyway, up to mods and admin. But that's my take on what I consider a very good and interesting forum which I saw as friendly i8n the main.
