I posted this yesterday in a comment thread, forgive the laziness in copy/pasting it. When MY questions ask for opinion, which are the majority anyway, I think I've downrated 2 or 3 of those, tops. Those were not opinions by the way, they were ignorant and offensive remarks. Opinions I don't like but are reasonable still get points from me. Opinions I don't share and have nothing backing them up, get none.

Against what Many ABer's seem to think, I don't care about downrating opinons. I think it's an easy way to sort popular opinon from unpopular opinon. People don't seem to get upset if the same answer get points given. Sometimes I go to answer an opinon question and (just about word for word) somebody has already said whet I wanted to say, so I just give them points to show support. It would be easier if we could all just give the amount of points we wanted, then it would show a fairer display of popular versus unpopular, but I don't care enough about points to take offense.

I can only speak for myself, but I dont downrate if I can help it. Never for disagreeing with an opinion, but I may leave a comment. If an answer is wrong, again I leave a comment. I only downrate if an answer or question is offensive.

My personal opinion on the matter: Answers that state a valid opinion, whether or not I agree with that opinion, get points. Answers that are offensive, insulting or rude get negative points. Anything in between get nothing.

I am glad you asked this. If someone is asking a genuine question or even making a genuine comment I think it does not deserve to be down rated just because the asker did not use the correct format or the person viewing the question does not agree with the question. To me if you are going to ask an offensive question that is different. Now if somebody just pisses you off by all means that is your perrogative to down rate but to down rate just because it was not in the correct format or they left off a ? mark????? I mean there are people that are new to AB every day and I think it is our responsibility as older ABers to teach them the in and outs not put them down for their AB etiquette. Now if someone wants to down rate ME for disagreeing with my answer by all means go negative : )

I see no general OPINION on this. I certainly don't speak for anyone else, but heres how I see it: The ratings system is your way to vote. If you see an extremely large amount of down-rates in a row without comments, contact AB with the feedback link.

We are all different ages from different Countries , Backgrounds, Educations and Religions. We all approach a subject from a different position. Consequently we all have and are entitled to have different opinions. Personally I think we are on AB to learn from the communities different opinions on subjects and life in general. Though I may vehemently disagree with some of the opinions given. That does not mean that my opinion is the right one or the better one. Therefore I think it is NOT right to DOWNRATE opinions. I will leave a comment to say I disagree but will not D R. I will say my piece and then move on, I do not feel I have the right to remove points that other members have seen fit to bestow.

i dont really do it unless someone is being rude to me and hurtful in an answer. Then I would downrate them but I dont typically bother with that.

If it is Offensive or being just plain nasty to other AB users then yes.

if i'm entitled to say mine, then they're entitled to disagree, even if it seems stupid. i do it when somebody's being an idiot or completely unnecessary, but usually i'd rather just flag it.

I think it is something that should be reserved and used lightly. I also think that when downrated, it should be taken lightly. Like life, there are people that will berate you for any reason, don't let it bother you. Instead, turn it around in an intelligent way and spin it back on them.

I have never down rated anyone on here. And if I were to then I would leave a comment explaining why I did so.

Mostly it's done out of spite and jealousy. It doesn't really measure "unhelpfulness."

It is part of AB rating system.

1/ I don't usually do it..unless I have been really deliberately insulted... 2/ It makes me think less of the people who do it... 3/ I don't really pay much attention to it if it is done to me---(Consider the source). 4/ I don't understand how you can DR an answer on a question that asks for an opinion--every opinion is valid (whether I agree with it or not)

I posted this a previous question about downrating. Since then I have turned my ratings off, become not so addicted to AB, and haven't voiced this opinion for a while... even though I still believe in it. "I think the downrate button serves no beneficial purpose on AB. Really... what is the purpose of downrating somebody's answer or question? If it is offensive or nonsense, then flag it. If you just don't like it, then skip over it and give positive ratings to the questions you find worthy of answering and the answers that you do like or agree with. The better answers and questions will still rise to the top using this method. Even downrating an offensive member or troll does not do any good. They don't really care if their percentages are affected negatively. Avid members do care though and it just doesn't seem fair for somebody to get downrated and their percentages adversely affected when all they are trying to do is share their knowlege and voice their thoughts and opinions. Get rid of the percentages. Replace them with a method that automatically calculates points per questions or points per answers. These are really the numbers that should matter. It will distinquish those who post valid contributions and those who post "fluff". Too many people are abusing their downrating ability. There are no benefits for the downrate button. All it does is promote trolling and hurt the feelings of those who take their contributions seriously."

I think downrating ,like uprating, is all part of the intermittent rewards that makes AB addictive. Just like slot machines...people winning...want more and people losing want to "catch up". Personally, I don't care except to use those lovely red - signs as proof that I have sunk someone's battleship with an accurate if unwelcome truth.

Its alright in moderation. I get so irritated when people downrate because they dont agree with me. I mean, If you think what i said is offensive. than by all means, downrate. But just because you have a different opinion. Nah. People need to grow up. !+!

.... Potentially entertaining, I suppose....

Sux when abused yo...

http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2650836

In the case of AB Opinion Questions, down-rating might sometimes make sense if (say) the Question contains very offensive statements, or if the wording is absolutely nonsensical. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here's an example of one of my own Opinion Questions: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1400813 down-rated at least twice for no known reason.