Just a note on the lack of points

More evidence is that Mark W. posted yesterday that they are aware of the problem and are looking into it, leading me to assume it's a system glitch that does not reflect Apple's intentions.

I could almost give you a touche' on that Tuttle, but we're not exactly comparing apples-to-apples here.

Back in the day, a single post could conceivably have earned the OP thousands and thousands of points. It would have been as if The Babe had faced only me his whole career.

Good to see you as always!

Joe

joeuu wrote:
Back in the day, a single post could conceivably have earned the OP thousands and thousands of points.

That's very true Joe. Unlikely, but I agree, conceivable. However, back in the day, a single post could also have lost thousands and thousands of points. Again, unlikely, but conceivable.

Here's something from memory lane:

The points system: A post can gain or lose points in the following ways:

User vote (either + or -). A user may vote as many times as they wish as long as they have the votes (see the chart below).
A user may only vote up to 5 times per day on any one individual's posts.
After a post has accumulated 6 votes, the post will show a ratio of the positive votes to total number of votes.

A user can gain or lose points in the following ways:

Each new post gives one point to the author. If the post is later deleted, that one point is lost. If a post is directly removed as a result of violating the Terms of Use, 25 points may be deducted from the author's total.
Any suspension of posting privileges for violation of the Terms of Use may result in the loss of enough points to reduce the user up to 2 full levels.
20% chance to gain 1 point every time you cast a vote for someone else's post - whether that vote be positive or negative.
A chance of an author gaining or losing one point if the author's post is voted up or down by another user.

Kryten

A points-to-posts ratio, of course would have been the best solution, when it was still possible before the Nov. 2005 change.

Anyway that's very much how we were "feeling" our fellow regular posters, as well as those who posted only rarely but were getting big good bluebars at each of their posts.
That's how it was subtly "felt", because the points count was HIDDEN anyway. It was personal. Nothing like this "Top Users List" we have to stare at since almost two years now.

The bluebar times were also the "one post one point" times, and to me it was so very much less a harmful system than the present one.
It's only a few very obvious cases, who were playing with it and were soon fired by the Mods. Less than ten people at most, not at all a widespread problem. And the trolling serious issue (L) was from a smart enough crazy person who could've tricked any system.

The current system (only OP can award points),
is far far more damaging, so much more harmful, IMO, as it is insidiously that it's taken away almost all the constructive spirit, replacing it with these machine-posters, shotgun replyers, repetitive copy-pasters...
Far worse because it's so much more difficult to analyse and name and take too seriously how it turns our way to handle knowledge and a spirited relation between us Mac lovers.

So many old L3s are gone that were so much smarter, nicer AND more able to intelligently (not mecanically) approach technical questions and issues.
These will never reach next level anyway, since the "robots" are here now to copy-paste faster...

A points-to-posts ratio, alas, would be close to impossible to recalculate now, after two years of "robot posting" while the constructive had been pushed away.
It's not as if the same was ruling everyone: what makes it even more insidious, is that there are also a few who cope equally well in both the smart and the fake systems, so it would be unfair ALSO to depreciate them.

🙂 häh
I thought I was done with this kind of <points-rant>, guess it's because I was happy to see "the JDee-kind" is still around sometimes?

This has happened to me more times than I can count.

Technical forums, whether or not they have 'reputation' systems in place, are all the same in that regard.

The current system (only OP can award points),
is far far more damaging, so much more harmful, IMO, as it is insidiously that it's taken away almost all the constructive spirit, replacing it with these machine-posters, shotgun replyers, repetitive copy-pasters...

Yes, the same question/problem often gets the same answer.

I have several times 'copy-posted' certain solutions I have formulated to specific but oft-recurring problems, and have several times received the kind of response I received today:

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Following your clear instructions I now have video as well as audio on all my mp4 movies.
What a relief!!!! Phew.
Thanks again.

That kind of positive feedback, which may also assist others in locating a solution to their problem, is worth much more than mere points, and is surely what motivates many of us to 'carry on'.

But a few points along the way is not a bad thing either!

This post is not directed to anyone in particular...just adding my unlimited supply of 2¢ 😉

To me, helpful service to others is a great gift. Glad I'm able to contribute in this fashion.

Regarding how points are/were accumulated, I don't have any experience with the old system as I entered AD just as the switch-over was made. At first, I didn't realize points were accumulating in my account. Didn't really become aware of the implications of point levels until someone mentioned I was close to becoming a Level 3. Woohoo! 🙂

From the outset, I have joined a thread if I feel I have something helpful to contribute to an issue. I usually stay away from threads adequately addressed by others. This hasn't changed for me in the 22 months I've been posting.

For the past few days I've taken a "breather" from posting. First time in 22 months! Nice to take a step back and review, reflect and regenerate. The "breather" comes at a good time because I was feeling a bit stale and uninspired with my recent posts. Part of me wanted to say "enough" and end my time with AD, another part said "breathe". So I'm following the latter advice, ironically learning "not to breathe" via Free Diving lessons (diving 50 - 75 feet below the surface - is there a metaphor here?).

I've posted in other technical forums in the past. I happen to like AD. I enjoy the perspective offered by other members, I like there is a point system in place (helps me to readily get a sense of a person's ability). And I find it a great place to get technical answers. With any system, change is an important component. While the changes around here over the past few months have not been easy ones, I think in the long term the forum will be stronger because of it.

Rachel - new avatar???? Now that's what I call "change". 😉

LOL

Personally speaking, I think Mark W. or Eric broke the system intentionally as I was getting too close to entering the sacred Lounge.

I was thinking of stopping after 20 more points as, like Groucho, I would never join a club that would have me as a member.

If I could, I would give you the stars to get you over the top, I suspect you're correct and it's all a right wing plot!

Yes, but to some extent I do think you might be missing the point I was hoping to make here.
What I was suggesting, in effect, is that if the whole points / reputation system were scrapped altogether then folks can post cr4p to their hearts content ... +except they wouldn't bother+ because there would be nothing whatsoever to be gained by it.

The only people attracted to the boards would be those looking for answers to questions, experienced users who enjoyed exercising their knowledge by answering those questions, and the vast numbers who hang out to learn from the experience of others.

I do see the value of a reputation system in that it weights certain users answers with more credibilty. but it also tends to introduce a level of arrogance and elitism amongst those who covet their reputation ( and yes, Im as guilty as the next person)

You're right of course, in that there is no perfect solution. But my feeling is that the current solution is far less perfect than it could be or should be. Helpful posts and answers go unrewarded more often than not (so much for the post/points ratio) due in most part to the limitations of the current system.

Of course, I'll readily admit I prefered the old system, where posters could vote for (and against) each others posts .... open to abuse obviously, but nothing that could not be pretty easily moderated... as flawed in its way as the current system, but at least it was a whole lot more fun ⚠ and in many ways a more realistic reflection of a users reputation.

Anyhoo....

Thanks, appreciate the stars.

But I believe you are off a bit, it is a LEFT wing plot!

NEVER!

I would like to see a system that averages number of posts against total points given. That way the user rating would be relative to the number of posts. "Quality of advice" would be another way to describe it.

There are people out there now that have more points than their number of posts. I would rather see their nmes in the sidebar as thay have consistently given out helpful advice without a lot of verbosity. As others pointed out, this system would allow knowledgable newcomers to compete fairly with long-time users.

To me, that would be a great system.

I suspect you're correct and it's all a right wing plot!

But I believe you are off a bit, it is a LEFT wing plot!

I say it is a "pointless" plot. 😉