We should stop arguing about the best way to use the website. We already know that some of us are competitive and some more "relaxed". This is not the problem, maybe it's a good topic for a discussion on the facebook group. Here we are talking about a basic policy of this website: we ALL have to check ONLY movies we have seen, that's it. Doesn't matter if we care or don't care about the top users list and how we want to use the website.
I totally see why this is a big issue for some people. I don't see how you can ever stop people cheating - anything that has a competitive edge will induce someone to cheat. It makes them pretty sad that they are willing to cheat simply in order to get a little trophy. From a personal point of view it doesn't bother me that much. Firstly, because the percentage of people who are lame enough to cheat must be so small that it can't have a huge effect. And secondly because I focus on my own lists and work through my personal viewing challenges. But all credit to those that want to prevent it.
Let's open a mudslinging thread, that'd be fun to watch. I have a strong suspicion that one of the top users of the site is a cheater, but ultimately I find it utterly irrelevant and hilarious that Wymer et al are so concerned about the whole thing. If you actually let cheaters get your blood pressure up you're as ridiculous about the importance of this whole thing as they are.
We have too many members for questioning so algorithms would definitely work for obvious cheaters but nothing written would be able to stand against organic, sneaky human mind. And those talking about "unavailable movies" there is no such a thing as unavailable.
But the suspicious movies are precisely the ones we don't know enough about to ask spoiler questions or anything else of that form.
I don't think there's any automatic way to recognize cheaters, you can have algorithms that flag some behaviour for further inspection and you can spot them by the way they complete certain lists but otherwise it's mostly a "know it when you see it" thing. I think tagging any individual movie or list as uncompletable is not a good idea since nearly everything is viewable in some way, even if it's resource intensive or the luck of being in a city that has a screening.
I'm glad you guys are on the lookout for it, but as a user I've long ago stopped worrying about it. Lists are a tool to broaden my movie watching, but not really an end goal in and of themselves. Other than occasional re-prioritizing when I get close to completion or something new pops up I don't think about where I rank on particular lists. It's nice to know where I rank, but the possibility that I could be a couple of places ahead without cheaters doesn't really affect what I've gotten out of the films I've seen.
This is funny discussion, up here at the top 50 users we don't suffer much from cheaters. We know each others watching habits very well.
I was only suspicious about people that did check "The Art Of Vision", but then someone explained that he contacted the University Of Colorado at Boulder to watch it. It sounded ok for me...
I think no algorithm can detect cheaters in this site.
How about asking some spoiler questions for suspicious movies? If we answer wrongly, don't accept the check. Just a suggestion.
But I got to tell you. You guys doing amazing work here. I'm a newbie here. This site really motivated me to see more critically acclaimed movies. In last 2 days I've seen Wrestler, Downfall, Big Lebowski.. Thanks guys.. :-)
I haven't checked Titanic yet and had seen it several times, years ago. Those who check movies without actually watching them are either little kids or sick people with mental issues inside in need of treatment. Seriously, it's just like lying, hurts your self-respect and confidence. Anyway, go watch http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262981/ and try skinny-dipping.
lesvan
That's ridiculous. Too bad certain people think only movies that came before certain year are considered classics. To me, Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption, Se7en are all classics - Modern Classics to be precise.
On topic
Yeah, cheating is inevitable. It is due to the misconception that the higher the number of checks, the greater the love for movies! Nothing can change this. The people, themselves, will have to change and use this beautiful site (an innovative offering - in business parlance) for constructive purpose and not for showing-off.
Cheaters are going to cheat, that's inevitable. Admirable to try and stop them though. Good move, guys. I've kind of lost interest in the competitive side of the site and am just checking things when I get a chance to sit down and see a film (which is more and more rare of late), but good for you to try and keep that feature relevant.
the real cheats are the people who have seen every important and classic movie and still put fight club, the dark night, and anchorman as their favorite films.
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Comments 46 - 60 of 77
Stefanaki
We should stop arguing about the best way to use the website. We already know that some of us are competitive and some more "relaxed". This is not the problem, maybe it's a good topic for a discussion on the facebook group. Here we are talking about a basic policy of this website: we ALL have to check ONLY movies we have seen, that's it. Doesn't matter if we care or don't care about the top users list and how we want to use the website.Scottathon
As someone who watches films for purely competitive reasons, I am glad that this is being addressed.chloecat
I totally see why this is a big issue for some people. I don't see how you can ever stop people cheating - anything that has a competitive edge will induce someone to cheat. It makes them pretty sad that they are willing to cheat simply in order to get a little trophy. From a personal point of view it doesn't bother me that much. Firstly, because the percentage of people who are lame enough to cheat must be so small that it can't have a huge effect. And secondly because I focus on my own lists and work through my personal viewing challenges. But all credit to those that want to prevent it.MrCarmady
Let's open a mudslinging thread, that'd be fun to watch. I have a strong suspicion that one of the top users of the site is a cheater, but ultimately I find it utterly irrelevant and hilarious that Wymer et al are so concerned about the whole thing. If you actually let cheaters get your blood pressure up you're as ridiculous about the importance of this whole thing as they are.bencemil
We have too many members for questioning so algorithms would definitely work for obvious cheaters but nothing written would be able to stand against organic, sneaky human mind. And those talking about "unavailable movies" there is no such a thing as unavailable.PeacefulAnarchy
But the suspicious movies are precisely the ones we don't know enough about to ask spoiler questions or anything else of that form.I don't think there's any automatic way to recognize cheaters, you can have algorithms that flag some behaviour for further inspection and you can spot them by the way they complete certain lists but otherwise it's mostly a "know it when you see it" thing. I think tagging any individual movie or list as uncompletable is not a good idea since nearly everything is viewable in some way, even if it's resource intensive or the luck of being in a city that has a screening.
I'm glad you guys are on the lookout for it, but as a user I've long ago stopped worrying about it. Lists are a tool to broaden my movie watching, but not really an end goal in and of themselves. Other than occasional re-prioritizing when I get close to completion or something new pops up I don't think about where I rank on particular lists. It's nice to know where I rank, but the possibility that I could be a couple of places ahead without cheaters doesn't really affect what I've gotten out of the films I've seen.
jarmel
This is funny discussion, up here at the top 50 users we don't suffer much from cheaters. We know each others watching habits very well.I was only suspicious about people that did check "The Art Of Vision", but then someone explained that he contacted the University Of Colorado at Boulder to watch it. It sounded ok for me...
I think no algorithm can detect cheaters in this site.
@alfredo90: I watched Satantango twice
tommy_leazaq
How about asking some spoiler questions for suspicious movies? If we answer wrongly, don't accept the check. Just a suggestion.But I got to tell you. You guys doing amazing work here. I'm a newbie here. This site really motivated me to see more critically acclaimed movies. In last 2 days I've seen Wrestler, Downfall, Big Lebowski.. Thanks guys.. :-)
MartinTeller
@alfredo90 -- I own Satantango :)allisoncm
Sometimes old people saw a movie when it was available and it is not available anymore.I am all for getting rid of obvious cheaters or putting a fake movie on a list just to make sure that no one checks it.
bencemil
I haven't checked Titanic yet and had seen it several times, years ago. Those who check movies without actually watching them are either little kids or sick people with mental issues inside in need of treatment. Seriously, it's just like lying, hurts your self-respect and confidence. Anyway, go watch http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262981/ and try skinny-dipping.iCheckFilms
lesvanThat's ridiculous. Too bad certain people think only movies that came before certain year are considered classics. To me, Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption, Se7en are all classics - Modern Classics to be precise.
On topic
Yeah, cheating is inevitable. It is due to the misconception that the higher the number of checks, the greater the love for movies! Nothing can change this. The people, themselves, will have to change and use this beautiful site (an innovative offering - in business parlance) for constructive purpose and not for showing-off.
frankqb
Cheaters are going to cheat, that's inevitable. Admirable to try and stop them though. Good move, guys. I've kind of lost interest in the competitive side of the site and am just checking things when I get a chance to sit down and see a film (which is more and more rare of late), but good for you to try and keep that feature relevant.jktomas
lesvanSo you don't believe that people make good films nowadays? Fight club is in my list too. I think it's as good as the classics.
But yeah, I hate when people cheat. What's the point in doing that anyway?
lesvan
the real cheats are the people who have seen every important and classic movie and still put fight club, the dark night, and anchorman as their favorite films.Showing items 46 – 60 of 77