Already Have a Down Vote

Question

I have only been here 11 days and I already have a down vote. Is there a way to tell what I did wrong?

Comments

Don't stress Cheryl, I have one too, only saw it now. So sad that there is not an option for someone to comment on why they selected a down vote...this should be compulsory in my opinion, if you prepared to state the fact then be prepared to back it up with an explanation. Hang in there, one down vote is nothing compared to all the up votes and the positive feed back and appreciation that you have received.

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As others have said, could be a mistake, could be someone, um, misbehaving.  You'll never know for sure.  I've collected a few.  I think of them as badges of honor.  If I don't get a downvote now and then, I'm not irritating the right people. ;)

Answer 1

Cheryl,

Trust me - you have done nothing wrong!

• Some people give downvotes to any opinion they disagree with instead of adding a comment to state their opinion.
• Some people accidentally click on the arrow without even realizing they have done so.

There have been many posts about the vote system over the last 4 years that I have been here.  My impression is that it is almost universal that people want downvoting capability removed entirely.  Maybe someday something will be done about the system, but the main reason for leaving it seems to be that WikiTree uses a pre-existing program for G2G and either cannot or does not want to put in the effort to change it.

Comments

One way to avoid getting votes of any kind (among answers only) is not to answer, but to comment only. :-)

Questions? Well, that’s unavoidable. Oh well.

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Gaile, I agree that a downvote is also down-heartening. When you work very hard, several hours a day, and see a down vote, your mind-set is to automatically think "what did I do wrong".

That, in itself, wouldn't be bad, but if this is supposed to be a community of family, it would be nice to have constructive criticism for the newcomers, (or anyone for that matter) rather than just a down vote.

If one is to learn anything new by something they did wrong, they must first know what it is they did wrong.

Thank you for answering my post.

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but by only commenting, you would also avoid any up votes and spoil your enjoyment of the site. The best thing is carry on regardless of voting and not bother looking at the numbers at all.

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You are also right, Gillian. And to be adventurous, we must take risks.

Thank you!

Answer 2

I got one of those, too, Cheryl, and I have no idea. I do know that the buttons are small and it’s easy to click the wrong one and not catch it. I almost did that a couple of times and I did catch it.

Don’t worry about it. When you check your G2G profile, click on “members” at the top of the page. You’ll get a list of all participants from highest to lowest. Click on one of the top dogs (meant kindly!) and look at the number of “down” votes they’ve gotten. After you see that, you won’t worry about yours.

It’s the nature of the thing. It just happens, whether intended or not. Don’t let it bother you. Just keep on keeping on!

Comments

Thank you Pip.  I have been working hard on here the last 11 days, and I saw that, and got a little bummed.

You are very sweet.

Thanks again. :)

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Woof, woof!

(that's my arf of approval, in addition to the upvote I put here, Pip)

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Hahaha! Thank you most kindly, Gaile!

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Let's start a best answer war - yours is much better than mine, Pip.  By the way, that's another stupid thing that happens here occasionally.

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Agreed. When I see two good answers, I just don’t vote. I think we can get hung up on that. I do like complimenting folks, though. 

“An answer war”!!! ‘Bout spit my tea out! Lesson: don’t drink while Wikitreeing!

Answer 3

Properly a mistake Cheryl, it is very easy to press wrong, I have done that and then use days to make it right because I would never give down votes, everyone here are working hard with genealogy and comment so I dont think there should be down votes. But that is my opinion, it send out some negative like when you where naughty in school.

You certainly don’t deserve down votes you have done nothing wrong.

Don’t worry about it everybody gets them just ignore them, think of all the nice fit back you are getting please focus on that.

Comments

Thank you Susan. I was concerned that I might have offended someone. I am very careful how I answer questions, and try to use proper grammar.

Your vote of confidence is appreciated.

Answer 4

Upvote here for you, Cheryl!

Comments

Thank you for your upvote Maggie.  I appreciate that very much.

Answer 5

Only one! Heck  I have 273 and feel that that number is only going to go up. I am here to do good genealogy and hopefully help others to do the same. I am not worried that some may not like what I say because I answer the only way I know how, by speaking what I feel is the truth and giving my honest opinion so not everyone is going to agree with me. Those points mean very little to me personally but if you check my standing in the list It appears I am in a very select few.

Comments

Dale,

Love the spin you put on it, but then you are an astronaut. :)

Thanks for your vote of confidence.

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Cheryl, Just do your best and let the point total worry about itself and you will be amazed at how soon you reach the sky's yourself. Remember we all started on the bottom once.

Answer 6

Cheryl,

I joined WikiTree in 2015 but haven't been using  G2G very often; I've received two down votes.   I know exactly where they came from and they weren't   "fat finger" mistakes.    At first, since I'm probably too  "eager to please", I was sad that I could receive negative input in my retirement "hobby"..... but my down votes were because I was willing to express my opinions about ancestry.com links  as sole sources  (I can't see them because I don't pay the monthly fee).....  I decided it's important to be able to politely and diplomatically express an opinion.   

There is some comfort in knowing making a down vote costs points.

Comments

Thank you Peggy. Comforting to know I am not alone. Sad to hear that "family" can do that. We are alike. I do do this in my retirement. I love, love genealogy.

Thanks again!

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Hey Cheryl,

I failed to mention that for every down vote you receive,  you'll run across over a hundred people you absolutely love and admire.    

Hope you enjoy WikiTree as much as I do!