by Kathryn E.
Member since:
January 15, 2006

Points in the New Gather: More Points, Less Points, Or, About the Same?

July 21, 2006 06:11 AM EDT (Updated: July 21, 2006 06:14 AM EDT)
views: 364 | rating: 8.8/10 (31 votes) | comments: 61
I'm curious.  Gather seems to have changed something about the way  it calculates points.

I'm not certain what  has changed, but  something has.  It may be that  our  points are now calculated on  number of  hits to our namespace,  (unique views), rather than total hits, as was the case before the upgrade.

Are you getting the same number of points now as you were before the upgrade? More points? Fewer points? Or, about the same?

If you are publishing the same number of articles as before and getting about the same number of comments as before the upgrade, are you getting as many points?

I've asked Gather this question, but I think they are swamped, right now, and I have not heard back, yet.   I am just curious what the Gather community has to say about this.
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Comments: 61 ( 3 removed by Kathryn E. )

Good evening, Kathryn.

I can't rightly say about the points - I really don't know.

But it is most certainly much easier to find new or little known writers and their articles.

I'm still a bit lost navigating the new Gather - is unique views listed somewhere to show how many people have visited the home page?

Magi
Meryl Johnson Jul 21, 2006, 8:03am EDT
That's a very good question and I've been wondering about that. I don't publish all that often, but I comment a lot and seemed to get a lot of points for that in the past, and I've published an article when the new gather opened and two just before, while my point count hasn't moved up much.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:06am EDT
Magi, it is certainly easier to find the new writers with the upgrade. You can look at views of articles or people by clicking on Articles/Most Read. That will give you the number of people who've read the top 100 articles.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:07am EDT
Meryl, I think a lot of people are noticing the same thing.
Rich Sadowsky Jul 21, 2006, 8:24am EDT
My take is we are getting much less points for the same activities since the update. But I don't know what changed about it
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:42am EDT
Rich, that's my take, also. I don't know how or why the update changed things. But I think it has affected a lot of people.
Jason W. Jul 21, 2006, 9:13am EDT
Isn't it all just kind of "pointless"? :: Dr. Evil pinky! :: Sorry, couldn't resist...
Cheryl W. Jul 21, 2006, 10:24am EDT
Good question, Kathryn. And the answer is that I don't know. Ever since I switched to the cash reward program, it no longer shows how many points I have. It only keeps a tally on what I am earning. I wish it would show the point calculation as well, however.
Laurie White Jul 21, 2006, 11:09am EDT
Kathryn, I haven't noticed about the points either, sorry to say. It is easier to find new people and I'm starting to get used to the new format. As far as # of comments, it seems to differ depending on content and time of publishing. It was less when the format first changed but is getting back to speed again it seems.
Nancy S. Jul 21, 2006, 11:47am EDT
I don't care about points, and don't pay attention to them. I only cash them in every now and then for gift cards, and then I consider them a bonus. I'm not here for the points.
I also converted to cash.. I earn about 3 dollars a day this way. Woo-hoo! ;-(
Webduck * Jul 21, 2006, 1:31pm EDT
It is possible that the folks at Gather might have done what they do on www.pogo.com. They list a new game, it pays off royally in the beginning to induce you to keep playing it, then after a while they 'tighten up' the game, or in this case points, just a wee bit, hoping that no one notices. I don't post enough to make any money at it, so I am still on points.
Stephen Schneider Jul 21, 2006, 2:20pm EDT
I earn less points/money than before because the readership is more spread out. New people are getting more readership, established writers are getting less. Gather has much more control now.
Dolphi D. Jul 21, 2006, 3:23pm EDT
I have done mostly commenting; not much publishing. Since new Gather I have not been keeping a watch on the scoreboard, which appears only on "My Gather" page, not on other pages. My assumption from general observation is one point for every log-in and two points for every comment. This may have changed lately. I too am curious to know how the points are awarded for various activities on Gather. If you can find it out, Kathryn, I would like to be enlightened.
Leah Christensen Jul 21, 2006, 3:48pm EDT
Points were hard to come by at first, but once i got rolling on here they just started pouring in. I think it's the more people know about you, the more they read you the more they reply, the more people you get to know, the more you read, the more you comment, and so on and so forth.
Carol Roach Jul 21, 2006, 5:12pm EDT
the points from what I understand from support is different all the time, depending upon demand or something like that what ever that means.
Dani Nordin Jul 21, 2006, 6:14pm EDT
I'm not really sure. I've been too busy with work and birthday stuff to pay too much attention to Gather the past couple of weeks; I did, however, cash in most of my points about two weeks ago, and I've gotten about 200 points since then, for doing almost nothing other than commenting on a couple of articles.

Overall, I like the new system. It's much easier to find new articles from my connections, which makes it easier to read them.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jul 21, 2006, 6:25pm EDT
I haven't noticed a change in points. Kathryn, above you mention finding articles through the 'most read' section. I the 'general' article space would be the more likely place to find new or seldom read members. Looking at the most read and most commented on sections is like going back to the old system, where the same names always pop up.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:35pm EDT
Jason, I might have to get you back for your pointy remark. Oh, you meant PINKY. Never mindddd.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:36pm EDT
Cheryl, I recently switched to cash. I am able to calculate how much I was earning under points under the Old Gather and how much that is equivalenet to under the New Gather. I is not the same.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:46pm EDT
Laurie, I'm glad things are working out for you.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:47pm EDT
Nancy, I'm glad things are working out for you.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:49pm EDT
CC, I'm glad you have found things improved. I'm not sure what the algorithm is based on, I don't know if it is based on namespace views or exactly, what. ...points are earned for publishing, commenting and views, but I have no idea about the ocmplicated algorithm. I mentioned namespace views because that is a theory going around.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:50pm EDT
Woo hoo, Mandi - that is really good !!!
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:52pm EDT
Carol, I really doubt that Gather did any deliberate tightening of the ponts system. I don't know what their reason was, but Ithink the lower points for many is a by product of some other reason. Tom Gerace menioned in an article recently that the point value would be going up at some point in the future, based on increased advertising revenue, for example. It was quite a shock to see this recent development. Many people have emailed me privately in response to this article that their points, too are MUCH lower with the New Gather.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:54pm EDT
Stephen, I understand your line of reasoning and I definitely think that that is a part of it. But I know people who are getting the same number of views, same number of comments, same number of articles published and who have a lot fewer points than before. That does not make sense.

Many people emailed me privately to say that their points are lower with the New Gather.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 7:57pm EDT
CC, see my comment to Carol, above. I agree, that Gather did not deliberately LOWER the piont value or points awarded. Whatever happened I think was a by product of some other decision. You are right that Gather has stated that the bigger Gather becomes (or the greater the advertising revenue, or something...) the greater the points value for Gatherers.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:00pm EDT
Dolphi, all I know is that points are not simple. Tom Gerace mentioned in his live article in April? about the algorithm for points....It is definitely an algorithm and I don't think anything like 1 point for such and such, 1 point for such and such...I've never been able to track any activity of mine with the point going up for that activity. Meaning, when I made a comment on someone's article, my point ticker did not go up. My point ticker went up at some time after that, but that could have had to do with other people reading my articles and so on...

Check Tom Gerace's article I think it was Arpil, around April 17...Perhpas mid-May,but I think April...."Live with the CEO Today from 1-2 p.m.) Tom does one of those articles every month, mid-month.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:02pm EDT
Leah, that is basically the way it works. Yep. Glad it works for you.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:03pm EDT
Carol, I think that means depending on how many people are reading the author.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:04pm EDT
Dani, it is much easier to find new people and that is a good thing. Many people emailed me privately about this article and said that their points are lower with the New Gather.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:06pm EDT
Sandy, I was replying to Magi's question about how to look for 'views' of an article. I agree with you about the general or recent articles - it is a great place to look for new people and new articles. I go there every day.
Kathryn E. Jul 21, 2006, 8:07pm EDT
Many people emailed me privately that their points are LOWER under the New Gather.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jul 21, 2006, 8:09pm EDT
I think it is a wise decision to keep the algorithm under cover. We alread see far too many 'unnecessary' articles published, people connecting without discretion, repeated comments on our own articles, I'm assuming much for the purpose of running up points. If we knew exactly what 'counted most', I believe we'd see a big shift in that direction. I suggest quality and enjoyment be the goals. Read what you enjoy, comment when it's fun, and strive to publish quality articles and offer a fair amount of quailty comments on what others publish. I truly believe quality has weight.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jul 21, 2006, 8:11pm EDT
Interesting that people emailed that information instead of sharing it with the group. Does anyone think their point status is a personal reflection?
Madame Donna C. Jul 21, 2006, 8:16pm EDT
I don't have any idea what I even get points for and I don't keep track. I just know when I can order a gift certificate and call it a day.
Enoch Allen Jul 22, 2006, 12:03am EDT
Hi, Kathryn, colleague.

Funny enough. I'm still trying to find Gather's virtual donation buckets. Wanna drop a few points in there for some needy guys!

It really does seem like, y'know, the more people read & rate an article, the more points an article gets. It's weird, but I'm gonna have to side with Sandy on this one--my lips are as sealed as Neo's (that scene in The Matrix, interrogation room sequence, he opens his mouth. . .or tries. . .).
Kathryn E. Jul 22, 2006, 12:15am EDT
I'm sure Gather never would publish the algorithm, Sandy. Even if it did, I'm also sure it would make precious little sense to anybody. I agree with you, moreover, that reading what you enjoy and commenting when you want to should be and is the goal of Gather.

Tom did say I think in April that a point was worth about 1.6 cents.
Kathryn E. Jul 22, 2006, 12:16am EDT
Sandy, some members want to remain private, that is all. I'm sure everybody gets email from people relating to articles they have done, with private comments.
Laurie White Jul 22, 2006, 1:06am EDT
Enoch!!!! Where have you been???? Eating twinkies I suppose, or was it cupcakes?
Leah Christensen Jul 22, 2006, 1:12am EDT
It seems that EVERYTHING works that way. It's tough in the beginning, but once you get rolling nothing can stop you.
Kathryn E. Jul 22, 2006, 1:15am EDT
Leah, you certainly are active on Gather. I'm impressed with everything you do. You're a bit like a steam roller, once going nothing can stop you. Great going !!!
La Lady Lisa Westerfield Jul 23, 2006, 4:02pm EDT
The only thing I notice point wise, is that you have to have connections to earn points. I also think you earn more points commenting on articles published by people you are connected with than those you aren't. For instance, my father is a member but isn't connected to anyone (not even me) and he has ratings on some of his images (fantastic astronomy pictures, I may add) but no points. He also hasn't published any articles.
Clair D. Jul 23, 2006, 6:59pm EDT
my understanding is publishing "outstanding" content is supposed to earn points. And high ratings indicate outstanding content . . . I was barely on gather before the whole system morphed like a transformer, but I noticed that I earned points faster at first, but it's slowed. The only real difference is that I'm not putting out as much stuff-- and I'm not getting as many ratings (though I'm getting a few more comments).
Kathryn E. Jul 24, 2006, 1:02am EDT
CC, I doubt any points are awarded for an email. I don't know for a fact, but I've always assumed not. The Gather pages state you get points for publising, reading, commenting, inviting, joining groups.
Kathryn E. Jul 24, 2006, 1:05am EDT
Lisa, the pages on Gather (somewhere, not sure where) do state that one earns points by publishing, commenting, inviting and I think joining. By not having connections or not publishing, he wouldn't earn many points. Or any, it looks like. Maybe if he connects to some and publishes even one article, if that makes a difference...?
Kathryn E. Jul 24, 2006, 1:10am EDT
Clair D.,. yes the higher rated articles in theory make more points. I've never noticed anything about that, and a number of people, including myself get hit by unabombers. I think page hits count for points and so do connections. Comments received count, too. But something has changed and I'm not sure what it is.

I emailed David Cooperstein (Editor-in-Chief) today to ask what has changed about the point system. He replied he was not aware that anything has changed.

A number of people have noticed that they are getting points slower than before.

I've emailed Ben Stephens, Member Services Manager, about this and am awaiting word. David Cooperstein also forwarded my message on to Ben.

I am wondering if the page hits changed from total hits to unique views. I don't really know.

It is more difficult to keep track of views on all our articles that are being commented on, because the system only tracks the top 100. An article we publish one day may be out of the top 100 in a day or 2.
ann c. Apr 11, 2008, 10:48am EDT
Kathryn, don't care about points. I do not like the "new Gather". Too confusing. I arranged my friends, as suggested before the update. The titles are there but no names are in them. I like that you could use the "articles for me" option. I don't care what my friends have commented on, just what they have written!!
Jodie P. May 2, 2008, 10:35am EDT
I do not know yet!
JoAnne D. Jun 14, 2008, 12:48pm EDT
I think it's hard, I comment alot, if my machine ran faster I would be able o do more but sometimes the pages load so slowly and the same when I close them. Oh well, it's fun.
Apryl Just Apryl Jun 14, 2008, 12:54pm EDT
I haven't noticed anything because I haven't been here nearly as much since the last up-grade
I am getting less points by 2/3 than I was two weeks ago and I'm not doing anything differently.
wendy c. Aug 30, 2008, 7:07pm EDT
Hmmm... I don't know. Haven't noticed anything.
Parker S. Jan 4, 2009, 11:45am EST
Hmmm... I don't know.
c.l.m. 180˚ Jan 30, 2009, 5:40pm EST
Here is a link to read more about Gather points!
B.B. B. Feb 15, 2009, 8:15pm EST
hm i dont know, my points were moving so slow the past 3 weeks, even though i have been viewing like crazy, but not really posting anything, since i am "shared out"... but the last 2 days my points were going faster then usual, so i am confused... i wish i would know how those points work
B.B. B. Feb 15, 2009, 8:15pm EST
well this post is 2 years old..... guess i am late here.....
Marilyn M. Feb 15, 2009, 8:22pm EST
Yes, I have definitely noticed a difference in points. Lower. But I also know that some of my connections stay away after an upgrade. And I know that many of us had not been getting notifications or having friend/group/interest feeds update.
Dorothy H. Feb 15, 2009, 8:31pm EST
What is a unique view???

My points are coming more quickly, but that's only because I've got DSL now.
Jacob Mielke Jun 9, 2009, 12:52pm EDT

I hope they haven't made it harder to get points!
susan j. Aug 10, 2009, 12:22am EDT
I have commented on about 15 articles and photos; my points haven't even moved by one! Do they upgrade points on a particular day? They have changed and I don't like it! It's not worth my time, if I am not getting any points.

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