Reputation

In the BDI network, a reputation system within a BDI Association is integral for assessing the trustworthiness of visitors or outsiders : members of another BDI Association.  

Two viable methods currently exist for evaluating continuously the trustworthiness of visitors or outsiders: the 5-star model, as seen in platforms like Uber or online marketplaces, and the thumbs up/down system employed by Steam. 

The Steam model’s simplicity aligns well with the BDI’s automated data-sharing processes. Ratings can be easily automated, and the resulting ratio should offer sufficient information for providers to make judgments on consumer reputation. It’s important to note that trust verification encompasses various aspects beyond reputation, including other agreement systems and the usage of specific trust schemes. Reputation, in this context, serves as an additional tool to assess trust levels, particularly crucial for facilitating cross-association data exchange. 

While the 5-star rating system offers detailed insights into the user experience with a data consumer, such granularity might prove unnecessary within the BDI framework. The process of data sharing in BDI is inherently straightforward, with outcomes generally falling into the categories of success or failure.  

Questions to be answered: 

• How many times can a member review a visitor or outsider? 
• How can we automate ratings? 
• Is the rating system for data exchange with one BDI Association only or is it shared ?