[3.0.7 to 3.0.3] De-anonymizing Reputation

Background: The existing vB Reputation System is anonymous, which is fine in a perfect world, but here on earth this can lead to problems: Some users abuse the system by reputation "sniping," and others could potentially abuse its anonymity by "signing" a different username to their negative reps and stir up even more trouble.

With that in mind, here is an ultra simple hack that removes the anonymity of reputation by "signing" reputation comments with the username.

One code modification to reputation.php. Installation & test time is under five minutes.

Right before this bit near line 192:

$DB_site->query("
INSERT INTO " . TABLE_PREFIX . "reputation (postid, reputation, userid, whoadded, reason, dateline)
VALUES ($postid, $score, $userid, $bbuserinfo[userid], '" . addslashes(fetch_censored_text($reason)) . "','" . TIMENOW . "')
");

Insert this

	$reason.=" ({$vbphrase[leftby]} {$bbuserinfo[username]})";

Now send a rep to a test account and check it out through the existing admincp tool: User Reputation ->View Reputation Comments (BTW - I always have to set the end date a day forward to catch all of today's reps on that query tool. I think it had a bug at one time)


Notes:
1. Screenshot? See attachment (the first reputation was left before I found the right phrase. The circled one is how it comes out.
2. You might also want to add something to your reputationbit template and/or your FAQ to let people know that the reputation system is not anonymous. This could go somewhere like this (new part in italics

Originally Posted by reputationbit template

[your_comments_on_this_post]:<br />
NOTE: Your username will be automatically signed!<br />

3. A more involved hack might display something akin to what the admin can see by viewing reputation - seeing the sender's clickable username in a column of its own. The main reason I can't do that is I don't want to reveal the senders of past reps made under the anonymous system, but I'd agree it is the "right way."

Regards,

Matt

P.S. The attachments below are different colors 'cause they came from two different templates!

[Corriewf]

Originally Posted by deathemperor

lol is this a vb3 hack ? if yes then why it's in a beta of vb2 hacks ?!?

I would like a mod that would insert a smart remark when I do this <insert a smart remark> .......

[memobug]

Sorry.

1. I can't blithely TURN ON the reputation display feature because we have a mature board with 100s of "anonymous" reputation comments. If I turn that on now it would start a range war.

2. I posted a request on this about four months ago but no one said anything. So maybe this hack will be useful for someone. Maybe not.

3. But I do agree it should be moved to the right section (Vb3 beta hacks or trash!) in locating the hack I noticed that the picklist let me select vb3.0.7 so I thought I was in the right forum.

If this isn't of any use please delete it. Given this response i think my first hack will be my last.

bye,

Matt

[Corriewf]

Awww cmon.... What about my request?

[kall]

Originally Posted by memobug

3. But I do agree it should be moved to the right section (Vb3 beta hacks or trash!) in locating the hack I noticed that the picklist let me select vb3.0.7 so I thought I was in the right forum.

If this isn't of any use please delete it. Given this response i think my first hack will be my last.

"Releasing" a feature that is standard to all versions post 3.0.4 as a "hack" and saying it is for 3.0.7 is a little pointless, that's all.