So I just posted a comment on one of the blog posts and all of a sudden I was informed that I now had 10 points! Sending a private message got me an extra point. I'm guessing this forum topic will get me some other points? How does that work? What are these points for? Is this a permanent feature or are you guys still testing it? I have questions!
Thanks :)
Submitted by
on November 15, 2007 - 4:02pm.
User Points Explained
Yes, this is a new feature, and here's how it works: You get points every time you contribute to the AfterEllen.com community, in the following order:
- 1 pt for sending a private message
- 2 points for moderating a comment (only available to moderators)
- 5 points for posting a comment
- 7 points for starting a new forum topic
- 10 points for writing a blog post (only available to AfterEllen bloggers)
The points are not retro-active, meaning everyone's points start now. To answer the question someone asked in another thread, no, you don't win Michelle Paradise or any other prizes by accumulating points, it's just a way for you to gauge how active a user is in the community.Saddened by this news
Thanks :)
Now I get it. I think it's an interesting system, but it would be a lot better if we did get prizes. Although if you could win Michelle Paradise, I bet people would start PM-ing complete strangers (and themselves) all day long, quadruple posting, and starting forum topics about what they had for lunch, and then complete chaos would ensue on AE :P
hm
Ahem,but what are these points for?
____________
"Can you tell me softly how you'll always haunt me..." t.A.T.u
Um...
What about Michelle P's tie that she wore at the Power Up Premiere? Can win that? Come on! You know lesbians are innately competitive! Give us a goal...
www.myspace.com/blasianbeatnik02
awwwww
I was all excited about the possibilty of winning Michelle Paradise, oh well maybe there are other ways jk!....or not
:)
"i don't suffer from insanity...i enjoy every minute of it"
Win MP at an auction
perhaps ?
"Do I hear 90 points .... 100 points over there ... 110 points, thank you ma´am ....
30000299 points and MP goes to ... Hearer." Yay !EDIT: there is a rumour about 300 points ...
I'm confused ...
...As to why we get minus points if we edit a post? For those of us with typo OCD, this is very unfortunate. And before anyone says anything, I DO read my posts before I post them, but what's in my head, and what gets typed can be two different things ... *sad smiley face icon*
...and she's called Henry and it’s a lot of explanation but don’t worry about it kids, Ok? Just tune in, turn off, drop out, drop in, switch off, switch on, and explode.
Double-posting
To add to this, someone had double-posted by mistake earlier and I deleted the duplicate post -- This ended up giving them -5 points which then left them with 0! So I guess double-posts are counted as one and any deleted takes away the points.
But hey, this is a great way to get people to just be patient and let the original post go through. :)
_________
Hawt video
Hooked on a Feeling
Do you get two points
for deleting a double-posting then, does that count as moderating ?
Do I get this right: I post once, get 5 points, post the same again, get another 5 points, you come along and delete one of the double posts, which means I have only 5 points and you have ... 2 ? For all this hard work of finding the double-posts and deleting them ?
Besides, what makes everybody think that peope will be more careful with the typing when they lose 5 points for editing ... this way, they will simply post their correction in a new post and get another 5 points, right ?
Geeks are us
Hearer, glad to see you're obsessing about this as much as me *grin*
Just curious about how these things work
- or are supposed to work, hehe (yes, we get one point for sending a PM to ourselves and we don´t lose that point if we delete the PM).
Besides, I can´t sleep. Didn´t have my caffeine dose for today. But will try now anyway.
No prizes? Damn...
So basically the points thing is exactly the same as the number of posts thing, only you now get extra credit for PMing.
Or put differently, if you are an obsessive PMer, it's no longer possible to keep it a secret ;-)
I was wondering about the points...
Are these like Frequent
Flyer MilesAfterEllen Miles? Then I'd better start earning some ;p_ _ _ _ _
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)
Hmmm
How can a user have 60 points without any comments ?
Points
Private messages
Buddy actions
My Content
It´s 100 points now for no comments ?
Just how is that possible ? Who is that user ?
Hmmm, perhaps I should have edited my previous post to see how the editing would be recorded under that "my points"-function.
This is almost as much fun as the new telecommunication law in Germany according to which all telecommunications, be it cell/mobile phone, emails or internet activity shall be recorded for six months. Just in case one of more than 80 million people was telecommunicating about commiting a crime or something.
AE is far more progressive by recording our activities for ever.
EDIT: whenever I edit one of my posts (I´m loving it !), a different user name is shown at the top, informing that this user earned 5 points while I lost 5 points. If only this were applicable to calories, I wouldn´t have had to go on the diet.
EDIT: yep, happened again, that "guy" is getting all my points ... for nothing. Here, have my calories, too.
That's the edit police
EDIT: whenever I edit one of my posts (I´m loving it !), a different user name is shown at the top, informing that this user earned 5 points while I lost 5 points. If only this were applicable to calories, I wouldn´t have had to go on the diet.
And if you wanted to be really cruel, you could even make someone else fat ;-)
Can I pick the person to make really fat ?
As fat as Bubbles DeVere ? You don´t know Bubbles ? Shall I post a photo of her ? Just ask and I´ll do it. Of course, it may be manipulated ...
Final points related comment for today
...I promise.
Please please please let's stick to the points, and do not give us all that crap they have on AfterElton.com.
I so do not want other people to rate the quality of my posts, or have people see how many women have turned down my Buddy requests etc.
Too late, look at this
First, the forced havatart-thing, now this ... why not ask for IDs ?
Personal Info
Invitation counts
Points
Private messages
Buddy actions
My Content
Oops, don´t forget to edit !
One more edit: too bad we cannot ask ourselves to become buddies. Me and I don´t get along too well anyway, this way I could have kept turning myself down over and over and over and boost my self-esteem.
At least this edit will reduce my points.
Invitation Counts = NOT cool
First, thanks to the AE people for working hard to update the site and create new features.
Second, I totally see why people might not like this User Points thing. I think they're kind of fun myself, although it's almost the same as the number of posts for each user that shows up right next to every post.
But I think Invitation Counts is just going too far. What's next? Other users rating us on various aspects or those post stars they have on AfterElton? The first time I saw that on AfterElton, I remember thinking that it was great we didn't have that here.
Sarah, please don't make the number of people that have turned us down known to the world :P
Thanks
Awe, I'll be your buddy.
one more comment on this!
I think it is a ridiculous system but hey, I'll cooporate. I'll just edit every comment I make and keep my "points" on a nice round number! :)
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
wait a second
well, I guess not
Much ado about points
I have to agree with you on this. If the 'point' of the points system is to gauge how active a user is then by taking away points (when someone edits) is having the opposite effect, isn't it?
Someone further up in the thread (who's name escapes me now) stated that they edit many posts due to typos, and we can say that there are more than one or two people who do this, right? So you post, get points, realise you've made a mistake, edit said post and lose points!
Also, how can you effectively gauge how active someone is when there is such a vast difference in the amount of points? Someone who posts 10 comments and edits say 5 of them gets fewer points than someone who makes 5 blogs. So the most active user is not the person with the most points.
Not that I'm that bothered by the points system, Gali has a good idea keeping it at zero :-P but I don't really think the system has been thought all the way through or will have the desired effect. I am also not complaining for the sake of it, just giving my thoughts on what is supposed to be a system to track the activity of users, but which does so ineffectively.
Anyhoo, that's my two pence worth.
"Today is the tomorrow you were worrying about yesterday"
Keeping it at zero!
Actually, I was all ready to blow my top ( ;)) But a cooler head suggested this solution!
But on the attempt to keep it at zero...why do the points you loose by editing go to Sarah?
Like I said already, not that I begrudge her the points. I love this site and thinks she deserves all the kudos in every which way! But just wondering why?
Is it in the hope that because people begrudge others to get their points they will put in a bigger effort not to edit? Or is that just my cynical mind thinking this?
As my final word on the user point system I'd like to say that Hearer said it best when she listed the reasons she doesn't like it and I agree with her but for me the biggest issue is the competition element introduced in AE! I feel there is just enough of that mentality going around without people introducing it into new areas!
And now I will attemt to shut up about this subject already! ;)
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
ding! -4!
“But on the attempt to keep it at zero...why do the points you loose by editing go to Sarah?”
Hahahaa! The points go to Sarah?! Now I picture her like Miss Pacman, running around, gobbling up our points as we edit.
And I just figured out your “keep it at zero,” thing, Gali. I’m all for maintaining my “negative” point status here (tho I don’t really need a point system for that – I hit that status months ago ;)
Ooops, almost forgot to edit! Good-bye, points...
....and bon appetit, Sarah!
Gali, I thought your post was yet another pointless post
*grins* (who knows, those "smilies" might have a comeback)
but now I understand what you meant by "Sarah gets your points". My points went to "winborn", he/she must be a real fatty by now. I said "went" because I don´t know if they still do as the ranking list is gone, at least temporarily.
Now I understand my own "Theories"-post much better re the worshipping of the top point owners, should the list ever come back we know who will be topping everybody.
But I really wish that there had been a voting system in place when this whole thing started, I don´t think I will ever get, what, three, four, thumbs ups again from you, Gali. *winks*
Well,
I believe in dreaming the impossible dream.
So don't give up! ;)
It could happen again!
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Goodbye points!
Good to see I'm not the only one cheerfully losing points for post-editing my.. er.. posts?
Ugh, that's terribly wrong sounding. Oh well, I can always edit it later! ;)
I don't need no stinking points!
curious too
Yea I'm curious too about what prompted this.
Theories
it´s meant to
- keep us entertained
- keep us under control
- allow everybody to stalk members even more
- monitor the activities or lack thereof of moderators
- provoke us to edit our posts so we lose points just to remain in stealth mode but still earn money for the website
- show us who really doesn´t have a life and should get one
- make us worship / bow to the ones at the top of the list
And I have another one but will not post it here (it has to do with the last theory I offered). At least not now.
And ... edited. Bye bye points, ´t was nice to have you.
What prompted this point system anyway?
Advertising.
'oh Toto' said Shadowbox 'you spend all your money
chasing bed women around the world'
(Kathleen Mary Fallon, Working Hot)
yep - user statistics
Like rotezora (aber hallo... ;-)) said - in the end it is all about advertising.
Advertising clients want as much reliable info on where their money goes as possible - i.e. how many frequent/heavy etc. users (mind you, there will be enough people who hold an account yet log-in only once per month while others are here on a daily basis for hours), also maybe measuring activities for certain day times etc..
As long as people are not logged-in, it is more complicated to "identify" them as 1 user (e.g. when they are using different computers etc.)... it is an online-marketing/netrating thing.
Plus yes, probably it is also an encouragement to be active and it works as a gratification system.
It is one more update and it makes the site even more professional.
DISCLAIMER: this post is not based on any indepth-knowledge about online-advertising/marketing/data management; it is purely based upon advertising/marketing etc. knowledge in general. No allegations whatsoever intended.
actio supra reactio // in vino veritas
good question
but maybe I'm just posting this for the 5 points. ;)
You are my center when I spin away.
Yay points or too Big Brotherish?
I totally love the points, I dont know why, but I do. Its a fun way to randomly have something to randomly talk about (I should have tried for another placement of randomly in there) And well anything Sarah does is wonderful... Im totally almost like a crazed fan or something. Plus I want to beat Natazzz and maybe one day we will be recognized for our points???
Um, yeah, by tomorrow Ill be bored of the points, lol but today it was fun. However it makes it quite easy to stalk people to see how they are getting points... Kinda 1984 Big Brotherish now that I think about it... hmmmm.
User Points
Pun?
I would ask what is the point exactly of, um, points? But if you look up the awesome 70's movie Oblio is told by the man in the Pointless Forest that you don't always have to have a point to have one. Yea. Gotta love trippy ish like that.
"I'm a pixie / I'm a paper doll, I'm a cartoon / I'm a chipper cheerful free for all / And I light up a room I'm the color me happy girl/Miss live and let live /And when they;re out for blo
Seriously, if you need hits to make ad money, just say so
Seriously, if you need hits to make ad money just say so. I know I speak for some others here that we are loving this site, and want it to grow and continue to be a forum for all of our diverse perspectives. We (I am hoping this doesn't come off as the elizabethan monarchist "we") would gladly do anything to help AE in its endeavours to bring us the best content that it can, and do well business wise. All ya have to do is ask us to comment, and then ask us to pretty please proof read our comments 3 times before posting, and click on the ads every now and then. I am guilty of editing posts for stuff I miss in my preview, and I am sorry if the multiple edits FUBAR the servers. But seriously, points? For nothing. Why? Don't make me go all rebel and strive for the most negative points (but you know I wouldn't do that), as I am now in the "shooing kids offa my lawn" stage in life. But hey, ya never know. I have been known to be a tad cantakerous. Just watch out, Michelle Paradise. I am coming to your neighborhood, with my boombox duct taped to my walker, just to disrupt your next vlog! ;) I am just kidding.
I just don't understand the mission behind introducing a point system that has only managed to squish posts all crazy from the variable shaped avatars.
this comment was previewed 246 times. Posted once. ;) Ok I just had to edit to get negative points. My goal is to be a zero. whoops, mission accomplished, many years ago. cheers y'all! Till the morrow.
nay, nay, nay I say
I’d like to give 2 ginormous ‘thumbs down’ on the new point system (which I’m sure surprises no one here).
It used to just feel like high school on this forum – now it’s like we’ve regressed to kindergarten.
In that spirit, I’d like to selflessly donate any and all points I “earn” here. Surely there are people... less fortunate out there - some poor, point-less girls who want them. Feel free to give mine away. Seriously.
I'm with you on this, Spotticus. I may feel compelled to start earning my points. And I do mean 'earn.' And I really don’t think anyone wants that.
(well, anyone other than me, that is...) :D
tho...
oh! will you deduct points for cursing?? (holy fucking shit, I hope so)!
and....
Maybe all these newfangled points done broke the board??
i suspect FUBAR has infiltrated
hahaha
.... I want my albums, dammit! My “acid-albums!"
Agreed
Lost
I feel a bit homeless without the Today's Active Posts option thingy. I mean, someone may have commented in a SMMWT from 2 months ago, but I'll never know.
*hugs pillow*
Where oh where....
Thank god I am not the only one who hates this!
It's annoying as hell, but I will continue to edit every post I make once and keep my big fat O!
Hearer...I <3 you for mentioning/comparing this with the phone/email records scheme!
Another theory...So that like by the buddy list, people feel validitated in their existence by empty "popularity"?
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"