Tallying Karma Points

[sun surfer]

When I give karma, I like to give a number that somehow rounds the poster's karma to a "good" number. However, I quickly noticed that, for some reason, whatever karma I give, it deducts one point. So, for instance, if their karma is already 88 and I give 12 to try and make it 100, it will instead give them 11 and make their karma 99.

I thought I had figured it out until a few weeks ago when I gave karma with the "deduct one" in mind but then it gave them the entire karma I gave them! So, for example say they had 88 and I gave them 13 to make 100, it instead made it 101!

So, just now I gave someone karma and it reverted back to the "deduct one" way. The person had 101000 and I wanted to give 101 to make their karama 101101, so I gave exactly 101 and lol it made their karma 101100.

What gives? Others must've noticed this before.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I noticed that the other day too. I wonder if it's related to rounding/truncation.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Boom. 16 would have given you 53,300. So I gave you 17 and got 53,300. What are the odds? 50/50?

[montsnmags]

You're right, it has been noticed before. It's a little wrinkle in whatever calculation is used that seems to insist on odd numbers of karma being given...or even...or something...I can never remember. I'd go looking for the details of the idiosyncrasy, but it looks like you all might enjoy trying to figure it out again. Let us know when you do. It's not likely going to change, but at least we'll have rediscovered something about MR KarmaMaths (or KarmaMath for my US friends).

Cheers,
Marc (To the square root of -1 and beyond!)

[HomeInMyShoes]

Haha, tried to give three it gave two.

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

It's a little wrinkle in whatever calculation is used that seems to insist on oddeven numbers of karma being given...

Straight from the Boss' mouth...

I've confirmed it!

[pdurrant]

In a quick check, it seems that moderators always have odd karma, and ordinary members always have even karma.

Are the ones I've seen just a coincidence, or is the low bit being used as a moderator flag?

[sun surfer]

Thanks for all the comments. So it seems we are only able to give even karma, yet moderators have odd karma. And, in a check around, I have noticed some other non-moderators who also have odd karma.

So that leaves us with the existential question - If we are only allowed to give even karma, then where does odd karma come from?

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

In a quick check, it seems that moderators always have odd karma, and ordinary members always have even karma.

Are the ones I've seen just a coincidence, or is the low bit being used as a moderator flag?

Purely coincidence with those you've seen (see poobear, pilotbob, Alex, natch). It's true I am odd, but that's totally unrelated.

Originally Posted by nrapallo

Straight from the Boss' mouth...

I've confirmed it!

The MathsMan, SuperStats himself, has arrived! I humbly prostrate myself before MR's statistical guru, the only man who has ever been so willing to enter the dense dimensional labyrinth of MRMaths and come out with answers that achieve practical probabilities approaching pragmatic principles. I'm not surprised, though I am tickled, to see you turn up.

Cheers,
Marc

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by lornfate

Hi everyone,

I enjoyed reading your nice conversations here. But I am still newbie to this community and is unable to grasp everything out.

What is the purpose of karma?

Ahh, the Karma rabbit hole. It's probably best answered with a link to another thread:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=104757

Enjoy, and give good karma.

Cheers,
Marc

[dreams]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

In a quick check, it seems that moderators always have odd karma, and ordinary members always have even karma.

Are the ones I've seen just a coincidence, or is the low bit being used as a moderator flag?

Originally Posted by montsnmags

Purely coincidence with those you've seen (see poobear, pilotbob, Alex, natch). It's true I am odd, but that's totally unrelated.

Must be coincidence, as Marc says. Some of the moderators (I think, I saw HarryT) have even and some of the members have odd numbers.

I have noted my change from odd to even depending on newbie karma givers. When I've helped a very, very newbie, either on forum or through PM, they will find a post of mine and give karma thanks. This seems to happen only with the very, very new members. Once they have more posts, it doesn't happen. Humm, I may have to check if this really is the reason. I just had noticed it and thought that was the reason.

Originally Posted by montsnmags

The MathsMan, SuperStats himself, has arrived! I humbly prostrate myself before MR's statistical guru, the only man who has ever been so willing to enter the dense dimensional labyrinth of MRMaths and come out with answers that achieve practical probabilities approaching pragmatic principles. I'm not surprised, though I am tickled, to see you turn up.

Cheers,
Marc

on the bow.

Hi, nrapallo!

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by dreams

Hi, nrapallo!

Hi!!!!

I'm stilllll heerrrreeeeee...

I will never leave this place...

[David Marseilles]

Originally Posted by sun surfer

I thought I had figured it out until a few weeks ago when I gave karma with the "deduct one" in mind but then it gave them the entire karma I gave them! So, for example say they had 88 and I gave them 13 to make 100, it instead made it 101!

I've had it go both ways before too. I'm all about nice round numbers. Got one rounded just right today. I guess it's like an OCD lottery. You never know what will happen.

[lestatar]

Originally Posted by lornfate

Hi everyone,

I enjoyed reading your nice conversations here. But I am still newbie to this community and is unable to grasp everything out.

What is the purpose of karma?

Heya. I am kinda new here too. Here on MR, "karma" [or reputation or charm or any of a zillion other things on other forums online I believe] is at the core, simply a way for forum members to express their appreciation for the posts of others.

Perhaps someone posts a solution to a problem you are having. Give them karma!

Maybe someone posts something that brightens your day and makes you laugh. Give them karma.

Or, as is often in my case, I give karma when people here on MR posts something so funny or outrageous that I end up spitting coffee or water on my laptop screen.

<note to self: get more wetnap wipes from the store>

Pretty much it as far as I can tell here on MR. I mean, its not like you can trade in karma points for a Nook Color or a top-of-the-line Sony Reader or tablet.

....right?

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by sun surfer

Thanks for all the comments. So it seems we are only able to give even karma, yet moderators have odd karma. And, in a check around, I have noticed some other non-moderators who also have odd karma.

So that leaves us with the existential question - If we are only allowed to give even karma, then where does odd karma come from?

Some old timers got odd Karma before the change but now they will always have odd Karma. Originally the change was to prevent giving 1 point which was seen as chintzy but the change came out different.