Description
Karma feature is an idea to calculate and indicate users' activity within Wikidot and visually distinguish high-activity users from low-activity users. In the first implementation karma will be based solely on the activity.
Details
Karma calculation and levels
Internally karma is represented by points. Users can get points for various activities that include (but is not limited to):
- creating and editing wiki pages
- creating forum threads and posts
- being wiki administrator/moderator/member
- inviting other people to join Wikidot
- having contacts
- using AdSense on their wikis
Points are not show publicly and we are not going to publish the exact algorithm how we are calculating them. (The open-source version includes framework for karma calculation with simple example rules).
Based on the distribution of points among users system is calculating karma levels — ranging from 0 to 5 with verbal counterparts:
0 - none
1 - low
2 - medium
3 - high
4 - very high
5 - guru
Karma will be calculated once per day. The general idea is that it should be quite easy to get medium karma, but the higher level the more activity it would require. The guru level should be available only to a few percent of the most active users.
Visual indication of karma levels
All avatars (user icons) will be accompanied by an extra icon showing "bars" — number of bars will be equal to the karma level. This way, just by looking at user entry (anywhere it appears) one will be able to see his/her karma level.
Karma level will be also visible in the user profile and user info popup.
Benefits from having high karma
- Since karma levels are displayed next to the user icon it means people can instantly see highly active users.
- Karma = respect (sociological).
- Some extra features from the pro-accounts (e.g. forum signatures). This is unconfirmed.
The feature is very nice. It got great feedback from people in our team. Their points for improvement were:
Great stuff, it's going to be useful IMO especially when we can start to filter comments by karma.
Portfolio
Dears, I respect your free choice, but the word karma is a bit sensitive issue for some including me. WHen you substitute a meaning into your new meaning - can cause some distortion. Indeed karma is a negative subject - means it could be negative or null. Same time you use some notions as guru and avatar. It is like to call an item - Apostol or Pope or Bible. As far as your karma rises you better be anything then guru. These words became international notions describing very important issues. So look deeper into the notions you use. If someone will start to absorb a notion not from its origin but from web lingua - this will cause a mess in their vacabulary when they will face the real meanings. If you experience shortage in terms - feel free to ask my help. It will be a pleasure for me. We actually do not want someone to think that God is a button, karma is a measure of activity rising with the extent of activity, and Bible is a say contact information, dont we? Best regards Victor
While you are right to point out that Karma has religious connotations, Wikidot is an Internet platform rather than a place for acts of worship. The term "karma" has widespread use in online forums and discussion sites. One typical definition from http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=11829:
You can search on Google: "definition karma forum".
So while you are welcome to your definition of the word, we will happily stick with ours.
Thanks,
Wikidot
Portfolio
Dears, could not refrain to provide you with the definition of karma to make your choise easier. Karma now - is an action which violate someone free will. Very soon the definition will be - the word, thought or action motivated else but by the Love.You see the difference. BR Victor
The word "karma", "guru" and others are just good. They are used with success on different forums. The terms are familiar to most Internet users. Why should we name it differently?
Piotr Gabryjeluk, Wikidot Inc.
visit my blog
Broz, try to imagine when some important words for you - what are they? - used in opposite meaning. Say some site in another culture will name a picture with user's foto - Jesus. Or stop list of rule violators - Bible. Then you will see that the original meaning distorted and diluted. We have different notions in different cultures globally - no need to chose one which some heard of but never grasped a meaning but would like to use the combination of sounds. Given the wiki is global - you actually act not very wise. It ofcourse up to you - but I regret on your choice.
Please calm down. The world "bible" is used in many senses, like "The bible of something" — meaning: the full book covering some topic. In can be even "The bible of stealing".
It's not our problem that you have special feeling to one of the generic words. Also note, that there is good and bad Karma in religion.
And please have more distance. No one but you criticized the chosen word from its beginning on Wikidot. And it's been months!
Piotr Gabryjeluk, Wikidot Inc.
visit my blog