Would you rather keep the points based leaderboard style or transition to a badge/ribbon based merit system and eliminate the leaderboard ?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:39:10 -0400

The current points based system does not allow individuals who provide genuine answers to Soldier/Veteran/Retired/Civilians seeking answers to their questions to compete with individuals who tag upwards of 40 individuals in their 15 posts an hour. (We call these individuals point chasers)

There is a subgroup on Rallypoint that is only concerned about keeping their “Top Influencer” status (which isn’t what this site is intended for) and continue to tag hundreds of individuals in a post.

As an Admin, I would like to know if you currently like the system in place, or would like to transition to a merit based badge/ribbon system that eliminates to “influence points” and ranking system.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jun 25 at 2020 12:54 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:54:39 -0400

What exactly is the purpose of the ‘points’ if they are easily obtained by ‘tagging’ 40 + people at once?
Is it really necessary to ‘keep score’?
...just my two cents...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2020 2:25 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 02:25:07 -0400

My incentive was not to be number one but to inform, ask or jest.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 25 at 2020 6:59 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 06:59:09 -0400

Unfortunately I have no clue how all of the point processes work. I tag no one, simply respond to persons with questions. I sometimes get a like and or a comment. I read the comment and answer if it warrants a response. On occasion, a hand full, I have asked a question, not at all sure if I did it correctly or not, as I usually do not get a response.

All this was to say that, at least for me, it is not about any sort of point system, rather I respond thinking I can bring clarity, provide some insight for resolution or on occasion be critical. All in an effort to assist where I can. I enjoy most things on rally point, being tagged can be annoying, but I am here to contribute in any small way I can, not to obtain points. RP members provide great contributions to many in need of guidance, the rest is anecdotal for me. Thank you,

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2020 10:36 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:36:11 -0400

If the original intent of the points was to inform if a member's answer or discussion carried more weight or value relative to the member population, then yes, the proliferation of tagging has skewed that beyond relevance.
But since checking that weight or value requires going to the profile and leader board if one is curious, then badges for "answers" and "discussion" would be more helpful than the leader board, and also a time saver if they appeared next to the verified SM, R or V block in each post.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jun 25 at 2020 11:34 AM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 11:34:09 -0400

It's kinda like the old Drew Carey show, "The don't matter anyway."

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 25 at 2020 11:54 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 11:54:22 -0400

Honestly, I don't give a hoot.
I hoined to help others. I have accumulated a fair share of points doing so. I have accumulated a few points being tagged by others. The point system does NOT matter to me. The badges for good answer matter to me only VERY slightly. Helping others is important.

I would guess, knowing what I know about paychology, that for those who CARE about points, changing the system will be a big deal. For everyone else (I believe the "silent majority" here), you can do whatever you want with the "ranking" system.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jun 25 at 2020 4:50 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 16:50:02 -0400

That's an interesting thought!

+3 points for each mention, right? Maybe reduce it retroactively to +1 with a max of 10 per day and 50 per week. That would cost certain people an awful lot of points and might help overall.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jun 25 at 2020 6:40 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 18:40:41 -0400

Points haven't meant much to me; if I'm looking as to if someone is 'trustworthy' I look at what they write in their discussions & responses then decide if they seem to know what they're talking about or not.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 28 at 2020 12:19 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:19:49 -0400

As most others have said, it really just doesn't matter. I try to post where I think I can add value.
When looking at other's posts, I don't think I really pay attention to either someone's "points" or their leaderboard position. If I do, it's only to see "have they been active here for a while?" But I can't remember the last time I cared to do that. There are certain trusted names whose opinions I tend to value more highly that others after several years on the platform. For everyone else, I will base my opinions on the content (and TBH, sometimes the style) of their posts.

As a rule, I would consider anything the encourages gamification of the site to be bad. To the extent that "points" do that, maybe consider getting rid of them, or severely limiting. Badges DO do that. I think it would be an error which would over time lower the signal to noise ratio.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2020 11:12 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:12:33 -0400

If ever a system was broken, one need only turn to the nearest Oxford Dictionary and look up "Insanely Broken And Totally Worthless Points System," and you will see the logo for RallyPoint right beside it!!!

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2020 5:54 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:54:51 -0400

I am rather indifferent to the points, SSG Private RallyPoint Member. As you can tell from my massive amount of points garnered of the course 5 years, it is not a big deal to me.

I am listing in the massive point mining scheme and from time to time I respond to one of them, but most go unacknowledged.

I would like to return the professional forum that it once was, it is hard to weed through the chaff (music videos, cat photos, YouTube shares and crazy mistaggings) to find the real issues that people need help with. I have learned alot about the Army and Air Force on this site, as I was not exposed to them during my brief career.

I remember when SFC Mark Merino was the man with his massive 2 million points, now he isn't even in the top 25 and unfortunately no longer active on the sight.

I guess it is what it is, the site has evolved, but in my opinion, not for the better.

Semper Fi, boys and girls. The sun will still rise in the morning, but my logins will continue to become less and less frequent.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2020 8:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 20:19:01 -0400

Point chasers on this site are honestly very annoying. They will respond to the post just to get said points. Making comments like, “I hope you find your answer” or “I’m not sure, but” then they add something that has nothing to do with the question at all.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 9:53 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:53:59 -0400

I don't care about points or badges or whatever. I come here to read opinions, give advice, and sometimes even learn something new. It's interesting (at most) to see where my irregular posting habits place me, in relation to others of my rank. But it's nothing I worry about, and certainly don't post *just* to get points or a badge.

I always laugh and shake my head at all the people who post "Thanks for sharing that" on every new post, apparently *just* to rack up points on here. If your life is centered on getting points on here, you should likely find a more healthy/productive hobby.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 6 at 2022 11:33 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 11:33:04 -0500

Honestly, if it wasn't for those point chasers, this site wouldn't see new content for days at a time.