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1. F Scott Wilson
   Member

   Reputation:168

    

   I like the reputation points system, but I want to see if someone can clarify things for me on how they are used.

   I have a certain number of points accrued for questions and answers within the forum, and this went up by one when I answered someone else's posts. It looks like it went back down by a point when I added a point to someone else. Is that how the points are supposed to work, like a sort of opinion currency?

   Second, that suggests an upper limit to the number of points someone can give to someone else, based upon how many they've earned. Is that the limit, or is it something else, for instance a maximum of five or ten points?

   Thanks in advance.

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. Christine
   Member

   Reputation:96

    

   Test

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. Christine
   Member

   Reputation:96

    

   Okay, I added a point to yours Scott, and my points stayed the same.

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. Dina Amadril
   Key Master

   Reputation:65

    

   Here is how I understand it. You gain points for posting and replying. Other community members can also add point to your rep and submit the reason why.

   The reputation points are consistently reevaluated considering all the active community posters - Kind of like grading on a bell curve. So your points could go down if someone else on the curve goes up.

   I found out more in the code:

   You get one point per post, and two points for starting a topic.
   It is set to award the points you give to others from your balance of points.

   Dina Amadril, Director of Marketing
   Credit Management Association

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. F Scott Wilson
   Member

   Reputation:168

    

   Dina--

   From your description, then, it does "cost" points to give points to someone else, but it didn't appear to affect Christine's totals.

   Everything else makes sense.

   Thanks.

   --Scott

   Posted 1 year ago #

6. Dina Amadril
   Key Master

   Reputation:65

    

   I think her points did not change because she had responded to a post (1 point) and gave away one point so close together.

   Posted 1 year ago #

7. Guy Nishida
   Member

   Reputation:53

    

   Dina,

   I found several of your remarks intriguing. You noted that the points are "consistently reevaluated". Who is doing the reevaluating, under what guidelines, and for what purpose? You also mentioned that there are two points given for starting a topic but only one point for responding. While I understand that points might be awarded as an incentive for using the Community forum, I don't understand why one would get more for starting a topic than responding.

   There is no benefit to starting a post if no one replies. So, if not more important, it is equally important to reward the replies. The member who started a topic is asking for assistance. They have a reason to ask a question. Those responding are taking time from their day to aid a fellow member. To me, that is more valuable and because it is more voluntary should be rewarded in like or greater manner.

   I see several members who consistently answer queries but according to your formula, one could ask half as many questions and accrue the same number of points and only because they need help while the responder has to assist two times to gain the same number of points. I don't understand how that encourages the more experienced and expert members to respond nor how it rewards them for doing so. It is their insights and advice that makes the site worthwhile. And because of their expertise, there are not as likely to ask a question.

   But while I try to reconcile my questions regarding how the points are awarded, quite frankly, I have no idea what the purpose of these "points" are. Are these points like my using my Albertson's/CVS card? It is supposed to be good for something but heck if I can figure out what that is. I think I get some sort of discount but my purchases never seem to qualify.

   If it is strictly for reputation points, perhaps this is how the points will be "consistently reevaluated". If a responder was willing to reply to all posts with input, they would have a high reputation count (read:expert) but in actuality it is conceivable they may have contributed very little of truth or value. Yet CMA has legitimized the importance of their statements based only on numbers. If their replies are being graded, that's a panel on which I would not relish being a member.

   But, again, it follows that although I may need the CMA Community to answer all my questions, I will actually appear as an expert with a high number of reputation points even though gained from questions and not answers.

   Finally, I'm not certain how one adds points to another member's profile? From what I can tell, I can add a point to another if I have points. But, if I am strictly using the Community as an instruction tool, I have no points to give even if I wanted to reward a member for providing some useful information. On the other hand, since points seem to have value, why would a member choose to give a point away? Perhaps the review panel can award points to members on it's own accord. Please elaborate on the points aspect of the CMA Community.

   Posted 1 year ago #

8. F Scott Wilson
   Member

   Reputation:168

    

   I'm very interested in tracking the most active members, and the ones with the most credit background. I do, however, have to agree with Guy that it's not balanced that someone contributing to the understanding of credit has to do twice as much work, or at least twice the number of posts, to match someone asking questions regardless of the responses, or even whether the posts have any relevance to the community's interest in credit and collections issues.

   When one "pays" reputation points, it creates a disadvantage for the person who thinks to grant them, by lowering their own reputations. Other posters who like the answer could simply ignore the granting of points, so they don't "lose" points or reputation. I'm not really interested in turning the forums into a Facebook for credit, and the earlier plan, which rewarded responses only, at one point apiece, seems to be more appropriate. Also, why would (or should) additional points be granted, above and beyond what's granted for participation?

   Maybe a separate system entirely, for instance flagging posts "thumbs up" or "thumbs down", relating to comments/responses *only*, would be better for that purpose. Someone seeing the comment can see whether other credit professionals considered the reply appropriate, or a bad idea, and evaluate it that way.

   I'm definitely in favor of some sort of reputation system, ranking responders and their responses, but Guy has some excellent points himself about the system.

   Posted 1 year ago #

9. Guy Nishida
   Member

   Reputation:53

    

   F. Scott Wilson,

   This is an experiment to determine whether I can increase my point count by responding again to the same topic. I might also test to see whether I can increase my points simply by responding to the 40 or so listed topics with a "Thanks for the info" short reply and thereby add 40 points to my total. Then I'd wave so long as I passed you and your 39 point total. (Just kidding)

   Posted 1 year ago #

10. Guy Nishida
    Member

    Reputation:53

     

    F. Scott Wilson,

    Guess what? I added a point to my total. I expect this post will give me one more. This could be much easier than having to expend time to add a post of any substance. But it does seem to illustrate the perceived flaw in how points are gained. If I get another point for this, don't be angry; I'm just the messenger.

    Posted 1 year ago #

11. Dina Amadril
    Key Master

    Reputation:65

     

    Talking with the software designer of the Reputation plug in that we are using the "continuous evaluation" has been removed from the plug in and the reputation count is built strictly on posts, replies, and points awarded.

    We can control how many points a post and a reply are given - and I think Guy's point about a reply having as much if not more value that a post is very valid.

    Since every reply (even in the same post) awards points that is probably why they valued them less in the programming.

    The overall value of the Reputation system to the Community user is the knowledge of the activity level of the people responding or posting.

    We can also control the setting for awarding points - where they either come from your amount or they do not.

    Posted 1 year ago #

12. Guy Nishida
    Member

    Reputation:53

     

    Dina,

    While your response affirms some of the points previously made, it does not indicate any action plan. You can control how many points a post and reply are given, but you do not indicate whether a change is contemplated.

    You also note that you can control where the points come from but do not disclose how and under what circumstances that would occur.

    Quite honestly, this topic is not a major issue to me. But I truly sympathize with members who spend an inordinate amount of time giving of their time to assist other members with their only reward being the accumulation of points. I see a limited number of members who are extremely active where some form of gratitude is not unreasonable.

    I believe it is important to reward contributions so the momentum does not diminish over time as the same volunteers tire of the effort. They are adding value to the site and to the value of CMA membership. In some respects, they are uncompensated employees of CMA. At the same time, you want to encourage other contributors. What happens to this forum if the core contributors slow the number of their responses? Will other members step forward or will there be a many 2-point posts with no 1-point replies?

    And, I am still unaware of any value beyond qualifying the members' "activity level". I do not see any award program where a member who passes a certain activity level number is awarded a Starbucks coffee card, discounted membership, plaque/pin or anything of that nature. Members who actually provide useful information should have a designation that means more than merely a sign of their activity level.

    To a degree, the existing title "Reputation" attempts to address this but my point has been that the meaning is muddied and diluted when anyone can ask a question or give frivolous (but true) answers as I have above and still gain points. How special should your contributing members feel when they are lumped with everyone else?

    If I read the small print on some of the previous posts on this topic, the contributors see value in their ranking; they desire credit for the number of posts they made prior to the change-over in the site. It is obviously and justifiably important to them and I believe they earned credit for those posts because they put in time to create them. It cannot be that difficult to retrieve the data. What other recognition device does CMA offer?

    It is actually a better strategy for me to have started a new post with the same topic, thereby gaining 2 points and then I should wait for a reply and post a thank you for another point.

    Under the existing formula, perhaps it would be better to re-name the post totals as "Activity Level" and save the "Reputation" heading when a more meaningful measuring stick can be applied to show gratitude for the experts who do contribute with reasoned responses.

    Posted 1 year ago #

13. Christine
    Member

    Reputation:96

     

    The only thing I need from posting to this great community is to have reciprocation when I need assistance.

    I have had many questions answered without having put in a lot of time researching problems, or going to our attorney over the years.

    This is award enough for me.

    I think the only reason the points were brought into play was because on our other site, the members had labels such as "member", "gold member" or "super mentor".

    Posted 1 year ago #

14. Guy Nishida
    Member

    Reputation:53

     

    Christine,

    You get "reciprocation when I need assistance" because it has saved you time and money. You are rewarded with helpful information. But, those experts answering the questions may likely be inputting much more than than gain in that area. I am only suggesting that one way to ensure the continuance of the useful input is by acknowledging the contributions of the members who respond in a manner that is both appropriate and attractive. When those contributors were given titles such as gold member or super mentor, I believe that was a valued designator and, in fact, some members seek ways for their prior "ratings" to be brought forward in the new site because they saw those ratings as a badge of distinction. The present activity level indicator and how the points are awarded does not distinguish contributors assisting with answers.

    My own experience belonging to several hobby clubs is that the same few club members are always the ones contributing. In some cases they are chosen Member-Of-The-Year or are presented a Lifetime Achievement Award. But over the years, this group has shrunk and life/work or reduced energy/enthusiasm interferes where they no longer contribute as much, if at all. Who can blame them since they have done their part. I see this same phenomenon in other on-line forums. But I do not see replacements stepping forward. How do you encourage others to contribute? I am concerned that this natural cycle of activity and silence could visit CMA as well. Maybe not today; maybe not tomorrow. I do see it as food for thought, especially now since the reputation points system does not appear to be set in stone.

    I suppose if such a cycle were to occur, CMA would simply assign one of their staff to research and answer the questions with or without a charge. As these hobby clubs have lost volunteer contributors of articles and help at functions, they have had no choice but to charge club members more in fees.

    On the CMA site, I also see a core membership that can typically be counted on to post. When you are receiving assistance, has it been essentially from the same group or are you getting fresh viewpoints from an unknown member more cases than not? My non-scientific survey of the replies doesn't support that position.

    Posted 1 year ago #

15. Christine
    Member

    Reputation:96

     

    I may be mistaken, but I think we have members of our other site who are not a part of this new one, such as Michael Dennis.

    I don't see how offering up an award for being an active member (via the points) would achieve the goal of attracting more seasoned Credit Professionals to our site.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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