Do we really need a point system on RallyPoint?

Capt Frank McClung — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:56:03 -0500

I'm beginning to feel like a hamster on a wheel with the RallyPoint point system--leaderboards, badges, blue ribbons, top #%, discussion points, thought badges, etc. Yes, I know the site is called Rally-POINT, but the awarding, tracking and racking up of points seems a bit childish when we're supposed to be having adult conversations.

Can we talk, help, connect, etc. without a point system? I suspect that in the long run the point system is going to be counterproductive to RallyPoint's mission and growth. Less meaningful questions posed, quick responses given, likes thrown around as if they were candy, endorsements for people you don't know, etc. all in the name of more points. This will erode the legitimacy of the service and create point inflation. It also creates an environment of competition not conversation.

What are your thoughts?

(NOTE: Sorry for those of you that responded to the original post. It had to be deleted because a bunch of code got into the post.)

Response by SPC Russell Wilson made Dec 13 at 2013 4:58 PM

SPC Russell Wilson — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:58:35 -0500

Agree 100%. I was hoping this was going to be a veterans based version of LinkedIn... but it's appearing more and more to just be a PITA.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 5:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:26:00 -0500

I also agree... even though I have really blazed up the charts on points, I feel like it's becoming a "game" to some extent... I really do enjoy the conversations, and I feel like I'm learning something, but the current system encourages you to "connect" with people simply for the points, not because either one of you has anything to offer the other...

Response by SPC Russell Wilson made Dec 13 at 2013 5:30 PM

SPC Russell Wilson — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:30:04 -0500

I joined more out of curiosity than anything else. Also to offer possible employment / guidance to fellow vets in the Denver area.

Response by SPC Russell Wilson made Dec 13 at 2013 5:31 PM

SPC Russell Wilson — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:31:48 -0500

No more concerned about "points" here than I was about rank while on active duty.. ;)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 5:33 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:33:09 -0500

I think the intent was right by getting people more involved with the downside being childish responses to opinions.   I do not care either way but I do like the commentary because being out for 30 years,  it is good to catch up.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 13 at 2013 10:05 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:05:12 -0500

The reputation system (aka, point system), if used correctly, can serve a purpose.  You'll see who is engaged with intelligent, relevant conversation and who truly cares about the adding to the conversation.  But like any other system, it can be abused.<br><br>If you're not providing positive conversations to all concerned, what's the point?<br><br>I do not agree with rewarding 'first-responders' (Trail Blazers) if they are just responding to questions/conversation simply to accumulate 'points', but in RallyPoint's defense, it keeps some(one) engaged at all times.<br><br>Also, simply casting votes to every response (or response to response) is self-serving.  Votes should be reserved for relevant information or mentorship throughout the site.  The 'Votes' are quickly finding there way to irrelevancy.<br><br>Keeping users engaged is one thing, but over-rewarding those for just being on the site all the time does not serve a quantifiable purpose.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 13 at 2013 10:50 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:50:33 -0500

Two things I think the points are good for.<div>1.  It insentivises feedback.  I think it encourages some folk to give constructive input on topics and think a little more carefully about what they say.  I also think its obvious when people are point/badge collecting.</div><div>2.  I think it helps promote more current or relevant discussions so that more people can benefit from them.  </div><div>A game? You think this is a game???</div>

Response by SSgt Christopher R. made Dec 14 at 2013 12:44 AM

SSgt Christopher R. — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 00:44:39 -0500

While your arguments opposing such a system are certainly valid, I would say the point system can also be a very good metric for the strength of the community.

For instance, have you noticed how many 'Top 1%' there are currently? More surprisingly is how little community involvement it takes to reach the 'Top 1%'. One then can only conclude that the community involvement is very little compared to the number of members.

With such a one-sided distribution curve, I would look at that and say that too detracts greatly from the quality and diversity of the conversations and mentoring.

Your argument that a point system will be counterproductive is a fair assessment, and maybe a point system is not right for this environment, but if the goal is to have more minds collaborating to strengthen the community of knowledge, then maybe it just a means to an end. Or means to encourage and uplift others to become more involved, if only for the points at first, but then find a chance and provide valuable feedback while recognized among their peers as credible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2013 12:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 00:42:14 -0500

The point system doesn't really matter to me. I enjoy the conversations. I do think it motivates some people to respond and get involved in the discussion. But the system, like all similar systems can be abused. I would think that the point system would only become a distraction if you let it become one though. If one doesn't really care how many points or what ranking they are then it doesn't really distract that person is my thinking.

Response by TSgt Marcial Guajardo made Dec 15 at 2013 3:08 PM

TSgt Marcial Guajardo — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 15:08:15 -0500

Humans turn everything into competition and so much devolves into what is essentially a popularity contest where numbers transcend substance. It doesn't have to be that way but usually is.

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Dec 16 at 2013 9:00 AM

SPC David Wyckoff — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:00:17 -0500

Is it bad I didn't even know there were points? I know there is a percent gizmo...but honestly I don't see how in the heck I can be in the top 1% when I have two contacts and no endorsements. That seems like someone is grading on the curve.
I do check in. Comment when I have something to say, which isn't a lot.

If I get a lot of points, can I trade them in for air miles and get a free ticket? j/k

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Jan 9 at 2014 10:01 AM

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:01:34 -0500

It's scary how the same can be said about many aspects of the promotion point system (Army).

Response by Capt Richard Desmond made Jul 15 at 2014 2:51 PM

Capt Richard Desmond — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 14:51:33 -0400

It's like achievement points on X-Box or PlayStation, they really just raise my self esteem for a little bit...

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Sep 15 at 2014 7:56 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:56:59 -0400

It's like anything else you run across in life ... to some it's important, to others it holds little significance, and to a few they could care less. If you fixate on the points have some urgency to "keep up with the Jones" then have at it. I've worked to pay more attention to content in order to help the most by supplying information that is useful & pay no attention to where the points go or come.

One thing I will say is that as your point total rises there appears to be more exposure to your responses, more members see those responses, and some of the time you have increased interaction because of the exposure. There is a bunch of good nature fun in the discussions - we've seen a few threads just take off that truly garner a phenomenal amount of points, but those are the anomalies not the norm.

I would say participate at your comfort level & worry about the rest later.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 11:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:58:56 -0400

I feel like there must be something broken in the points system...

I spent every waking minute on RP for about a month, and rose to the top of the E-5 heap. Since January, I've probably spent an average of 15 minutes a MONTH on RP, but I'm still #2!!!

I find it hard to believe that so many of my efforts from 9 months ago are still getting responses and likes that I'm still coasting this close to the top...

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 22 at 2015 11:27 AM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 11:27:46 -0500

I kind of enjoy the surprises from the point system. Suddenly, I discover, I have this blue ribbon thing that I hadn't paid much attention to before.

It is easy to see how one could be diverted from the site's mission to the simple racking up of points, but in my recollection there were ways of doing something analogous while on active duty, sometimes to the direct detriment of the mission.

Response by MSgt Stephanie McCalister made Feb 25 at 2015 12:06 PM

MSgt Stephanie McCalister — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:06:34 -0500

It seems to me that the RP 'point' system is a great way to help kickstart new members to interact within the RP environment, as well as keep some users interested & active, so they develop their posting and blogging skills, as well as expose all to a broad spectrum of discussions and information. Many of us may already have these skills, but it may help newer members see what's trending and aid them in interacting and connecting with other members. A vast amount of experience, knowledge, and general comradery is available here on RP, and the point system is a way to encourage more interaction amongst younger or newer members. As we become more in sync with the RP environment, the points tend to matter less, and we evolve into being an integral part of the community, with the 'points' being a non-issue.