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Proofreader Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,110 Points:928,045 Joined:Sep 2002	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:21:38 AM Ignore Proofreader Report Abuse I`ve only been back here a few days and have obviously missed the introduction of many terrific upgrades. I used to gain quick points when I was in a hurry or too tired to do otherwise by occasionally participating in those mindless questions requiring only one word/number replies. Apparently, the practice hasn`t disappeared. What irritates me is that the stakes have risen considerably, while the ways to earn points have not. The variety and value of the prizes now should require the responder to expend more than two or three clicks to earn twenty points. I wonder how many people would stop doing it if our Fearless Moderators stopped giving points for the aforementioned type of reply? At least the originator had to use a few brain cells in order to type and post the question. I"m not advocating their removal; just ranting a bit about what seems to be a far too easy way to accumulate points and "tickets" for the prize giveaways. [Edited by: Proofreader at 11/7/2012 10:24:01 AM EST]

Proofreader

Champion Author
Ontario

Posts:7,110
Points:928,045
Joined:Sep 2002

Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:21:38 AM

Ignore Proofreader Report Abuse

I`ve only been back here a few days and have obviously missed the introduction of many terrific upgrades.

I used to gain quick points when I was in a hurry or too tired to do otherwise by occasionally participating in those mindless questions requiring only one word/number replies. Apparently, the practice hasn`t disappeared.

What irritates me is that the stakes have risen considerably, while the ways to earn points have not. The variety and value of the prizes now should require the responder to expend more than two or three clicks to earn twenty points. I wonder how many people would stop doing it if our Fearless Moderators stopped giving points for the aforementioned type of reply? At least the originator had to use a few brain cells in order to type and post the question.

I"m not advocating their removal; just ranting a bit about what seems to be a far too easy way to accumulate points and "tickets" for the prize giveaways.

[Edited by: Proofreader at 11/7/2012 10:24:01 AM EST]

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

GM Moderator	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 5:14:51 PM Ignore GM Report Abuse >Proofreader Sorry for the delayed response, I saw this topic a few days ago but I was sure I posted in it. There is a lot of good discussion going on in this topic. I will try to address everything but if I miss something please let me know. "No changes to the point structure, and not likely to happen anytime either." True. The point structure is not going to change anytime soon. "That said, I still think that if points were awarded only to posts in JFF, the quality of discussion in the non-JFF forums would improve." This is a double edged sword. Yes the members who already participate in discussions would still be posting but what about new members? If they only get points for posting in JFF they might not even look in other categories. "The points-for-posts as well as the points-for-news exist in order to generate page clicks and enhance ad revenue for the site." That's simply not true. We award points for almost every feature of GasBuddy, excluding a few things. If we just wanted page clicks we would offer points for viewing a gas station or opening the MSL. "lifeRX, when you see that sort of post outside of JFF, please use the Report Abuse button." If you could, that would be excellent. We do check the abuse every few hours and we usually run through DNAD about once a day to try to get rid of the "fluff" posts. As we have said we are doing the best we can to get things cleaned up. "I've noticed that several people just keep posting to the same site. What's with that?" Can you elaborate? "Gas_buddy..are you a moderator here? Just wondering!" No he is not. Sorry for the long posts and again if I left any questions unanswered please let myself or the other mods know. - Ryan (RD)
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,964 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 2:04:56 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse I responded separately.
kwzh Champion Author San Jose Posts:20,645 Points:3,681,655 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 8:55:51 AM Ignore kwzh Report Abuse Gas_Buddy is not a moderator, just a member who chose a fairly generic user name.
GB4321 Sophomore Author Victoria Posts:144 Points:28,875 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 7:17:36 PM Ignore GB4321 Report Abuse Gas_buddy..are you a moderator here? Just wondering!
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,964 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 5:30:24 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse Snowchoux : "I've noticed that several people just keep posting to the same site. What's with that?" You mean to the same site, as they post to Gas Buddy and not to other sites you take part in? Or do you mean they post to the same topics multiple times? If that's the question, part of the answer is because some members are interested enough in a topic or an issue to come back to it and add further insight, rather than just respond once and then never return to see what anyone thinks about their post. Some topics are more than a "post once and that's all you need to say". However, just because they may post several times or regularly to the same topic doesn't necessarily mean they don't participate in other topics.
Snowchoux Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,003 Points:145,635 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 4:40:31 PM Ignore Snowchoux Report Abuse I've noticed that several people just keep posting to the same site. What's with that?
Proofreader Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,110 Points:928,045 Joined:Sep 2002	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 9:34:15 PM Ignore Proofreader Report Abuse You guys are right, SUVfan - and I've climbed off my high horse, too. Maybe I should give the one-worders the benefit of the doubt, since I'm constantly finding new stuff here myself that didn't exist 5 - 6 years ago. It shouldn't take too many active brain cells to follow the thread of a serious discussion though - and I may spend some time over the winter "ignoring" GBMs who waste space writing "ok" to everything under the sun. Hmmm...I've walked right into an obvious reply to this, haven't I? (grin) Good to see you, Zimmer - thanks for the WB. It's nice to be home. :-D
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,149 Points:306,535 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 1:39:22 PM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse I've noticed a lot of posters using one word replies to any and all posts. If the question is a yes/no I can understand but most posts deserve an answer which involves some thought.
SUVFan Champion Author Columbus Posts:13,909 Points:1,632,600 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 11:38:29 AM Ignore SUVFan Report Abuse Zim and kwzh nailed it. Proofreader, recently in threads I don't have time to dig for now, the mods have waded in and explained that they believe a lot of users that post to news stories don't realize the jff forums exist. The mods advise that they are doing what they can with the limited time and resources they can devote to the issue and encourage us to put the repetitive one word posters on ignore if we are bothered by them.
kwzh Champion Author San Jose Posts:20,645 Points:3,681,655 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 3:49:15 AM Ignore kwzh Report Abuse lifeRX, when you see that sort of post outside of JFF, please use the Report Abuse button. You can choose "Posting to wrong forum" as the reason, and use the free-form area to clarify. I usually say something like "fluff post in non-fluff category".
lifeRX Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:11 Points:4,530 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 4:33:24 PM Ignore lifeRX Report Abuse It is a bit annoying. I am new and have already seen quite a few of these on the discussion boards. Just yesterday, I saw two posts in a row by the same person that read "x". Come on now. That is ridiculous. Some of us really care about these topics and are struggling because of fuel prices and the state of the economy. It's fine with me that the point system stands as is as long as these people put those silly posts in the JFF section.
CelticHeart Champion Author Detroit Posts:138,554 Points:3,164,450 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 1:30:45 PM Ignore CelticHeart Report Abuse Hi, Proofreader! Was wondering what happened to you. Hope all is well! :)
kwzh Champion Author San Jose Posts:20,645 Points:3,681,655 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 4:41:27 AM Ignore kwzh Report Abuse I agree that one-word fluff posts are much better than multi-word fluff posts. I disagree with the proposal to only award points to JFF posts. As things stand, I have an incentive to find at least five messages that are worth commenting on; I only go to JFF on the rare occasion that this fails. Under the changed system, if I still want to max out, I'd have to waste time posting five fluff messages, and then decide whether I want to spend any time with real posting, for no points at all.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,847 Points:1,612,025 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 12:29:34 AM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse The points-for-posts as well as the points-for-news exist in order to generate page clicks and enhance ad revenue for the site. I would prefer to see no points for posts but the Mods have made it clear that there will be no changes to the points system. Scrap’s proposal would be a decent compromise but that ain’t gonna happen either.
Scrapheap Champion Author Virginia Posts:14,541 Points:2,357,555 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 5:23:03 PM Ignore Scrapheap Report Abuse I would prefer one word posts that add nothing to a discussion but are only being made to earn points to long winded posts that add nothing to a discussion but are only being made to earn points. It takes less time to realize that the poster has nothing to say. That said, I still think that if points were awarded only to posts in JFF, the quality of discussion in the non-JFF forums would improve.
Zimcity Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:65,384 Points:3,691,050 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 2:11:32 PM Ignore Zimcity Report Abuse Welcome back Proof. No changes to the point structure, and not likely to happen anytime either. Not sure that an extra 100 easy points/day makes that big a difference in the grand scheme of a random drawing. All the rules apply to everyone, so it's fair.