Posted on Dec 13, 2013
Do we really need a point system on RallyPoint?
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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.)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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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>
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SFC (Join to see)
<p>Let me start by saying "LOLOLOL"...... you SSG Burns, keep me in stitches. Now let me get serious before the RP Popo comes: The points don't matter to me either way, I'd still assist and help my Seniors, Peers, and Subordinates alike regardless if I got a point or not. </p><p>Perhaps a revamp of how the points are dispersed may help versus removing them completely. I forget which SSG brought up the endorsement comment a few weeks back, but perhaps you can make it to where you can only endorse those you ACTUALLY know and not give points to the endorser just the endorsee. Also perhaps put a cap on how many Vote up points 1 post can get, just some suggestions. </p>
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Exactly, MSG Quick,
I do think that SOMETIMES, the votes can help separate the wheat from the chaff in a thread, but more often they seem more like a judge of which comments have been around longer...
I do think that SOMETIMES, the votes can help separate the wheat from the chaff in a thread, but more often they seem more like a judge of which comments have been around longer...
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LTC Yinon Weiss
MSG Quick - We've observed similar things. We'll be introducing features next week to help curb the down side of what you described. Namely, users will have a limited number of votes (and endorsements) they can expend per day, thereby forcing people to be more selective in what they choose to vote for and who they choose to endorse.<div><br></div><div>We are always learning and observing. I do believe that with sufficient diligence, it is possible to build a system that minimizes abuse. We're always open to feedback.</div>
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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.
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