I think it's OK to vote a post down, but be careful if several others have voted a particular post down because after five negatives, that post becomes hidden by default. I've noticed that most members give only positive votes, and that's OK, too. It keeps the atmosphere friendly and encourages thoughtful or witty posts.
On the other hand, a few negative votes can even the balance, kind of like a bank account. This person generally posts messages that are positively regarded (therefore, positive balance). This person's a troll (therefore, negative balance), with the majority at zero. It's simply a matter of how the community as a whole decides to use it. I spent a lot of time on Digg, where members could dig a post up or down, and the balance indicates how the readers in general thought about an article or comment.
I haven't done any kind of overall survey, but I did stumble upon the revelation that one poster (possibly others?) gives only negative feedback.
My own ratio of positive to negative feedback given is 10:1.
On the other hand, a few negative votes can even the balance, kind of like a bank account. This person generally posts messages that are positively regarded (therefore, positive balance). This person's a troll (therefore, negative balance), with the majority at zero. It's simply a matter of how the community as a whole decides to use it. I spent a lot of time on Digg, where members could dig a post up or down, and the balance indicates how the readers in general thought about an article or comment.
I haven't done any kind of overall survey, but I did stumble upon the revelation that one poster (possibly others?) gives only negative feedback.
My own ratio of positive to negative feedback given is 10:1.