Chekov

Even though I usually ignore our experience points structure, especially when I lose 30 points for what I thought was a positive and helpful post this week, I feel somewhat abused. I also have noted other members being awarded points for humdrum and redundant posts ,e.g., “^^ haha I agree ” or other such post whoring gibberish that seems to be contrary to what the point system is trying to achieve.

In that regard, I have a few suggestions to improve the system:

1. First, the name “Experience Points” should be replaced with something else. After all, either a member has experience in a related topic or not. Nobody ever loses his or her experience or knowledge that they’ve gained through the years, other than through senility (I know some of you think I’ve already achieved that). Anyway, I believe we should change it to something like “Contribution Points.” That name better reflects the system’s intent in a positive way.

2. If #1 above is implemented, then there should follow through with no negative points. Punishing or scolding members regarding an inappropriate post should come from another source. If the post in question is not really helpful nor contributes to the thread then no points should be awarded at all.

3. The rules for assigning these points should be clearly spelled out and published in a sticky. I know the original announcement listed categories that entered into the calculations, but it still seems quite vague. To me, the current system seems to assign points at random with no clear reasoning behind it.

4. The Activity bar should be redesigned to display a red or yellow bar area for excessive posting. For example if someone (other than a moderator) posts 5 times a day or more their bar should be yellow. For 7 times a day it can be red.

5. I would also like to see the Awards section defined. Perhaps I missed it, but I still don’t know what most of those small icons under a member’s name are for, such as “Master Planner,” or “Second Guesser,” and what the awards are for in the Awards Showcase. The icon entitled “Captain” or “Thread Shredder” doesn’t tell me much.

I know I often hold a minority opinion, but at the risk of losing some “experience” points yourself, does anybody out there agree with some of this?

G37Sam

I think you're taking the experience system way too serious

It fluctuates a lot I agree, I believe it's still being tested (beta), hopefully Robb can chime in about it. It is no indication of how experienced you are though don't worry

harbin9er

what privileges do the points system actually get u?
heck i just want to get over 100 posts so that i can post in the classifieds to sell my OEM stuff

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

cliffs chekov? I've stopped tracking why I lose points and I think it's generally vague so no one "games" the system. It's not built to take into account useful posts etc. it's a statistics counter as I see it

Chekov

If what you say is true, then the system is virtually useless and needs amending, which was my point.

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

I did not right the book, it's just my thoughts on it. It's fun for what it is, but yeah losing point for no apparent reason (or known reason) I can see as
I just don't take it too seriously

G37Sam

Anyone here experiencing issues with the Experience System?

CaptainObvious

No, not now that I've discovered a way? to eliminate it from showing up...

(I may have to periodically re-erase it, we'll see)

Hopefully this one post doesn't make it show up again!

GraphiteG37S

iTrader: (29)

Why don't we have a "Thanking System" like on G35 Driver? I think it could be a nice feature for people who create helpful posts/threads.

Chekov

I believe we first need to fix the problems with the experience point system. Currently, there seems to be no rationale to the points it assigns, nor is there any published guideline that would explain why experience points are earned or lost for particular posts. Furthermore IMO losing one’s “experience” via negative points defies logic as well as the meaning of the word. It sort of says, “You had a certain level of experience yesterday, but today you must have lost a few brain cells so you’re no longer as experienced.”

Some suggest it’s no big deal so we should just ignore it. Well, if that’s the case, why have it at all?

GraphiteG37S

iTrader: (29)

^ That's true... I never really understood the point of it. I'd rather have "thanks" or "usefulness" and "Trader score" is very important to me.

I would like to see progression titles ... for example:

1. Noob
2. Apprentice
3. Expert
4. Master
5.....etc.

[^ those are just examples]

G37Sam

Thing with Thanking is that while useful, it can also be abused, friends would thank each other for the most useless of posts etc..

It would require a ton of moderation

Doggy

iTrader: (12)

That's a good idea. Or a logo to represent that.

TVPostSound

iTrader: (9)

I lost 62 points for a legitimate answer, gained 12 for a dumb *** answer!!

Chekov

Welcome to the club. I too have lost points many times while trying to be helpful or supportive, and I’ve gained points while being a horse’s a$$. There’s no published rules for points, and it seems to be a mindless crapshoot. (I’ll probably lose a bunch for this post.)