Why is there points?
I think the point system should be removed. If you followed everyone but yourself (there is currently 16,637 ANA members minus one for yourself so that would be 16,636 and you get five points for following someone so 16,636 X 5 is 83,180) you could get 83,180 points and that would put you to "rank 2" and that's without doing anything else. One could easily get to the single digit "ranks" from activity with the sole purpose of ranking up, and it messes up users when trying to see how active a user is. There could be a system that says if a member is "occasionally active" "regularly active" "active daily" or "dedicated" and that could be factored with only worthy blogs and such things.
Comments
Mike
Level 7
Don't write blogs or comment on others research and indormation. Let's we how much you will have for the auction.. Points show activity. I don't like them that's my opinion. But if the the think they don't mean anything how are you going to learn that's why we're all here. It's that simple.
Lord Error
Level 2
GET RID OF THEM!
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
Another interesting thing with points; if you "unfollow" everybody you followed, then wait a while(probably a couple of weeks), you can re-follow them and earn those points all over again. I noticed this happened because when a user I had unfollowed due to inactivity became active again, I had followed that user again, and the little notice pop-up notified me of earning five points, and when I checked my point total and "recent activity" to see what was up, it showed that I had indeed earned points for following a user again. Amusing, right?
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
Some things, yes, like comments and blogs, but at least before this recent update thing, not following, as long as it's timed right. Though I don't if that got fixed or not
Prodigy Coins
Level 4
I was pretty sure it removed points if you deleted or undid an action.
Mokie
Level 6
Yup, points are meaningless for us seniors, they are only for the YNs. Also, you can only follow someone if they have been active on the site, the vast majority of our members have never been active on the blogs or forums, in fact, if the members visit the site at all, it is to read the Numismatist (if they do not get a mailed copy) or to maybe check what is available at the Library. I bet, more than half our members do not visit the site at all. I have seen some YNs with over a thousand followers, they mostly follow each other and just add to each others points. I follow 37 currently and purge occasionally for people I know are not active.
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
In what way are they for YN's specifically, as opposed to other users?
PastorK7354
Level 4
Does not really matter to me, one way or the other. The point system is for our young up and coming numismatists. and the auctions. Just leave it as is for them and get along.
Prodigy Coins
Level 4
Points have nothing to do with YN dollars or auctions.
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
as I said below, points have no relation to YN dollars or YN auctions.
Mike
Level 7
I ment in my first line I'm not a fan of them meaning points . Sorry but it wouldn't let me edit it
PastorK7354
Level 4
That's how I took it. Seems to help our young collectors out with their auction.
Kepi
Level 6
Interesting thoughts and great math... ; ) haha Personally I like the point system as I think in general we as humans are competitive. That being said though it does leave a door open for abuse. Those of us who have been here awhile know who "use" the site to gain points. Just go with the flow and have fun. Thanks!
Mike
Level 7
Points is simply a way of showing your activity. I have worked very very hard. I don't like them . I wrote blogs about them. If these people want to follow 6500 the ANA knows were his points came from. They know we're all your points come from. All they do is look at your site and they know abuse when they see it. Maybe the new disclaimer has something to do with it. It's important to the kids and the auction. To us old timers who have been here I don't bother. I write my blogs. I comment on blogs. And that's how I learn. Still learning thanks to those who comment. I just go about writing and commenting. It takes work. Many have read what I have said. That's always been my opinion. And always will be. The pointers out there they know who they are. I enjoy the research and history. You will always have a few in any organization. Thanks for the question I hope I helped.
Longstrider
Level 6
I couldn't agree with you more. Most REAL active members have been saying this for years. I get that the YN's get their dollars that way but it is abused so much.. Thanks..
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
actually, YN's do not receive YN dollars in any connected way to points, unless you count earning YN dollars for posting blogs and book reviews on the website. Granted, they may have several years ago, but as long as I have been an ANA member YN's do not earn any dollars for points.
"SUN"
Level 5
Some one tried a few years by following as many as members as possible. Later, he said he was sorry he did it.
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
I read that blog.... I think he has become entirely inactive on the site, though I am not sure.....
Liberty Walking Half
Level 5
None of us regular users like points. Problem is, from what I've heard, it would be very hard to change that part of the website, and costly. Best solution for now is too ignore them. Also, one can check a user's "recent activity", so that helps a bit.