[Finless]

Originally Posted by KimH

I agree with Tom and Doug on this one.

I also feel that the reputation display on posts can be very misleading especially to new members. Some of the "big hitters" seem to have acquired their status either by posting reams of drivel or got them in an incestuous exchange of greenies between mates, which says nothing about their personal ability to offer sound advice.

That is a little harsh - if you only come onto YD to check out diving related topics fair enough. However (this has already been covered recently) there are always a number of amusing posts to join in with and have a laugh about - not of any interest to you then why bother going into the sections (eg Non Diving Posts) where the drivel occurs. Quite a large number of people (me included) treat YD as another dive club to which I am a member - I definitely have a laugh and a joke witht the members of my "real club" so I don't see why I/we should be any different on YD? IMO, yours is a bit of a Mary Whitehouse attitude - looking for the "dirty programs" so she could complain about them. I'm not sure about the incestuous green blobbing as you have to spread the blobs around and can't keep giving them to the same person. However, there is some validity to have blobs only related to diving subjects and good advice.

I generally tend to ignore it but there does seem to be a bit of an edge on the forum since this was introduced. I got a red blob a while ago anonymously after a genuine non-contentious posting where I was just trying to offer a helpful opinion. Had I been more sensitive it may well have put me off posting for a while which is not in keeping with the ethos of YD.

I suspect you are right. Having heard the various arguements thus far I think I will change my vote to say anonymous blobbing should be allowed ALTHOUGH it would be nice if a reason is given for the blob - even if it is "you drivel too much".