Talk to Tom : What's the Point? – 4/2 @ 1pm ET

This is going to be an interesting chat.

I agree... This should be interesting. I'll try to make it.

I hope I'll be here for this, it will be an interesting discussion! I think the points and cash are a huge benefit of Gather members and if they are taken away there will be so many unhappy people and people will leave becasue of it!

Gather is fun but the extra incentive of points is what many members need! So many people use that cash and gift cards to help with things around the house!

Hi Pam,
First things first now -- hugs to the babies

I need to think about it, and get back to youl

Articles like this make me want to cash in my points immediately. I have to think that Gather is in the process of revamping the system or a staff member would not have posted this.

I like the point system. As with any system, there are people who abuse it. Does it annoy me that some people's sole objective is to accumulate points? Absolutely. Some people are more annoyed with the one word posts and other trivia on here, but I am more bothered by every other article being about points themselves.

I don't know if I'd come to Gather as often without the point system, since some of the people I like would not. Although these are not people obsessed with points like some, I do think that they value them enough that if there were no such compensation, they'd leave, or be here much less frequently.

It's difficult to recreate something for which the method of creation is not known, so I can't give you any ideas about how this might be improved. I certainly don't think you should reveal the method. We'd then have people who are obsessed with points doing only those things that would accrue them. I think there's plenty of that going on already, without the full disclosure.

Personally, I'm really satisfied with the point system. You really can't do much about its abuse, unless you were to make new rules, such as posts of word games beginning with... were declared UNPOINTABLE.

I do have one question. If you were to discontinue points in the future, would you honor the points members have already received to date?

Thanks, Pam.

Thanks Lady Nalita!!!! I'll do that!

And thanks to the rest of you for getting the points conversation started.

I will try to make it. Its going to be late for me as I have a long trip the next morning. But with that said. I urge all to think of the old saying, if its not broken dont fix it. I love the points as its incentive. And when you use the term white noise that may be offensive to those who believe they are sharing something important to them. Some of my comments are short and others involved and time consuming requiring a lot of thought. It depends on the post. But these are people who regardless of what they post are sharing a part of themselves. I agree with Bridget. The pints are just a part of Gather but for many they are what allows us to get things done around the house. Example my Energy Star light bulbs. That was possible for me on a fixed income only because of the points system. Recreate the points system back to my first statement its not broken dont fix it please. its a challenge that keeps me participating here and if you dont think its a lot of thoughtful work dream on. I seldom post more than 2 articles a day. But I have made friends here and their posts are not white noise.

A change in the points system would mean I would spend much less time here as now its about 6 hours a day and there are somedays where its much more.

Need I mention the word Censorship. Who is to decide what is worthy and what is not

I am homebound and if you changed the points system I would lose friends here

Hi Sue -
I'm bummed you're feeling like you have to cash in your points immediately due to my article. That was not the intent at all. During Tom's last live chat on March 11th there were many questions from the community about Gather Points - so he promised to host a follow-up chat focusing only on points. This chat is following up on that promise. I hope that helps ease your fears.

Also - to answer your question at the end of your post... if Gather were to discontinue points the company would ABSOLUTELY honor the points members have already earned by allowing people to "cash out".

Thanks Pam, I came to gather to make mature friends, the points were a bonus that brought me here. If it were not for them I probably would have just a close circle of friends and make no more. That ways I would miss out on meeting some wonderful people and reading some great articles. That is why I left myspace, to get away from the nothing worth it but saying hello to my group of friends now and then.

Lydon my love i didnt know you cared lol

thats why I dont go to myspace.com anymore. Gather is a grownup mypace. Donald hit it wtg Donald

Thank you, Pam. I really haven't finished deciding what to do with them, so this is great news. Yes, I did read through some of that, and there were, seemingly, an inordinate number of points questions. I guess they need to be addressed, yet again.
I didn't mean to make you feel bummed out. Sorry about that!

Dont be bummed Pam. Youre just trying to figure out what motivates us to post and comment and most of all stay with Gather over the others like Boomertown.

We love all of you in New England lol

Let me add that I think Gather, with all of its glitches and real or imagined shortcomings is the best site on the Web. I've expressed disappointment with it mostly because I see some of the upgrades to be geared toward making it more like a MySpace or Facebook, or even a BoomerTown. Those sites exist for people who want that. I like Gather's unique personality, and I hope we don't ever lose it.

Thanks Sue and Carol - I am no longer bummed!

Sue - I love to hear more about what you think makes Gather different and special in comparison to MySpace/Facebook and the rest...

Hello Pam - tough choices here:
"Do they inspire you to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions or do they degrade the experience by spreading white noise across our community?"

It's Both! I mean chats, games and contests may be recreation for some, but mostly they seem like blatant "point gleaners" And while that in itself may be fine, it detracts from the content and the serious posters. (I like to think of myself as more of the latter than the former. It's a conceit I indulge - sorry.) But I don't have an answer. I still refer to Gather the way it was first promoted to me, as "a website for people who listen to NPR". Yet, I know many more recent members think of it as a social site to milk for points. Perhaps I need to realign my expectations - I mean, "Who am I to expect quality content all the time?" I can adjust.
So, my comment to Tom is:
There's no need to change anything just for me. I'll go with the majority and adjust my expectations accordingly. Now, what are we going to do to achieve world peace?

You know, Pam, I've been thinking about what to write next, and although I have several ideas, they're all political articles. It might be a nice break to get away from that and develop some of my ideas about Gather's unique qualities. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll write one and dedicate it to you.

Oh, my gosh, I just read Richard's comment. "a website for people who listen to NPR" I never knew that. hmmmmmmmmmmm

Sue... I'm blushing.. but honored!

This is going to be a very interesting chat! Thank you for offering this to all of us.

Have a nice day!

gather gets me out of the me and into the we. Posts i would have just deleted I look at and read now. its not so much about the post itself but perosn who posted it. Get my drift?

This will certainly be an interesting discussion, I'm sure. The points are a nice incentive, but there is a lot of abuse that happens - a lot of the garden variety 'help me get to 3,000 points' articles. I don't mind a few of them, but there seem to be more and more every day, and they really do make it harder to find good content. That said, I'd be here much less often if the points were eliminated.

I don't envy y'all having to figure out how to handle this particular issue. It's very hard to make everyone happy. On one hand, you'll have the 'anything that's not top-notch lit is junk' crowd, and on the other, you'll have the 'we should be able to post whatever we want because it's no one else's right to determine what makes up 'good' content' folks. And of course, those who fall somewhere in the middle.

I won't be able to make the chat unfortunately. Right at that time, I'll be loading up my 3 grandkids for a 300 mile trip to visit their cousin. By the time I can check it that evening, the article will probably have 150 comments and take forever to download on my laptop!!

If the points were gone, I would be here but not nearly as much. I'd check in with my small group of close friends but wouldn't stay around to read and look at images as I do now. I greatly appreciate the reassurance that if there WERE changes, Gather would honor the current point accumulations as I have over 10,000.

Hi, Pam.

I started coming to Gather for the writing contests, to read and to submit, and soon became enamored of the point system. This was before complaints arose about abuse of the point system and abuse of the critique system. Now that I'm aware of all the complaints, I've decided I don't care if the points and the contests are being abused. I like the points. I like buying books with the points I earn. If people want to play alphabet games to earn points, big deal. Those who don't like that don't have to play. If people don't like getting e-mails asking them to read chapters or poems, well, they don't have to read those e-mails, they don't have to belong to groups that annoy them or be friends with folks they don't like. Just block out everyone if you want. That's what I do when I'm in that kind of mood.

Anyhow, without points on Gather, reward points, I don't think I'd stay.

Thanks for asking.

The points don't affect my participation in Gather at all, in fact I rarely look at that figure. I'd be here (and was back in the beginning when there were NO rewards for those points) anyway. The only abuse I see is when the "cash option" came into play, and articles became mindless point accumulation games.

That would be interesting....I'd stay without points, but I do spend more time here because of the pts.

For me getting points I can exchange for gift cards or to use as donations are just a bonus. I was first invited to Gather by Borders Books. I knew nothing about it---I never heard it was a website for people who listen to NPR---but because of the invitation I received, I came to check it out. At the time I really needed a way to connect with other people and a space where I could write (mainly about my life) and be responded to. I don't know if I knew about the point system or not when I joined.
If Gather eliminated the point system and did not implement some other kind of incentive for the people who come here who depend on points, I think Gather stands to lose a lot of members. I have continued on at Gather through lots of bumpy times when some friends left, so I imagine I would continue on at Gather even if the point system was eliminated.

Just to springboard off of Arlene's thoughts a little: The problem with the endless games and one-word posts is that they skew the distribution of points, and make it harder for those who don't post tons of games and quotes and the like to actually accrue points. Gather (I'm guessing, anyway) doesn't have an *endless* supply of points to hand out - I assume they're divided among members based on participation. After all, they don't print cash in the basement and ad revenue only goes so far. So if someone spends an hour writing a story or creating a photo essay and winds up with 10 pageviews and 10 comments and someone else posts 10 one-word answer games and 6 jokes in that time and accrues 100 pageviews and 90 comments, it seems like the latter person would accrue more points. BUT are they really adding more quality to the community? Or does it even matter anymore? What does Gather itself want the community's aim to be? Or do we as community members make those determinations? How many games are too many? How many C&P quotes are too many? Jokes? Who determines 'value'? From where I sit, the points discussion is far more complicated than just determining whether or not there should be points....

Pam, please do correct me if I'm wrong on this! It just seems like common sense to me, based on other businesses I've worked with in the past.

HI Pam, thanks so much for the update. I will definitely try and join Tom on Wednesday. However as I am in new zealand it is often difficult to join in on the livechats. So I will type my perspective here as well :

When I first joined Gather, I was not aware of the points. I wanted to be a part of the place where I could share my ideas, communicate and connect with people and basically have some feedback on my writing. I found all of this in Gather even without the points. Also, since I am an overseas member, points at this stage, does not mean much to me.

But I feel having points or some sort of reward for contributors is a positive thing. I understand a lot of members Gather treat the points as an extra source of income. There is nothing wrong with that either as long as it does not affect the quality of outputs.

I feel the point system currently is not the best. There should be modifications to include overseas members and more emphasis should be given on good quality content.

Luna's last two paragraphs - yes. I'm in the US so it doesn't affect me, but it does seem unfair that Gather has been saying that changes allowing international members to cash in would be coming 'soon' for over a year and a half now. I realize it's a complicated issue, but it does feel a little like those not in the US have been strung along for a while now, hoping that maybe next month they'd be able to make use of their points.

Honestly, without the point incentive, my time here would be very limited here. I have some friends that I would want to keep in touch with and read what they publish, but that's about it. I don't even think many of my friends would be publishing much if there were no incentive.

In response to "Do they inspire you to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions or do they degrade the experience by spreading white noise across our community?":

I wouldn't be here in the first place, most likely, without the point system. I heard about Gather through bzzagent at a time I was looking for places to help me break through the rust and dust on my writing skills, and it was the points for participation factor that tipped the balance in favor of Gather over other sites.

Since joining Gather and getting to know a lot of great people here, I've looked at several other pay for participation sites and heard of even more, but haven't been interested because I'm happy enough here. I've come to value Gather's special blend of formal and casual writing, so that I feel comfortable posting what and how I wish, and the fantastic community here and the wonderful friends and acquaintances I've made among them. The style and community would keep me here even without the incentives, but I would be more inclined to look at other sites offering them. I'm sure I would also not be here as much, or as often.

I don't publish or comment just for points, waiting to publish until I have something I feel needs said or that I want to share, and only commenting when I have something to say or to show support for the person who posted.

So, in summary, for me the answer to the first part of the question is Yes - the points inspire me to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions.

In response to "Is there a better way for Gather to compensate members?
If you could recreate the points system, what would you recommend?":

I like the system as you have it.

In response to "How do points affect your experience on the site?":

I have no doubt that I have viewers who wouldn't come by if there weren't points in it. Some of them really read, and post thoughtful responses. Some started out that way but have become friends. We all need to be read and to feel like what we say matters to people, and Gather's point system sparks that participation and interaction to a greater degree than we could have had on your random message board or someplace like myspace.

The following is taken from your information pages regarding points;

Our algorithms will change over time. Our compensation will evolve as the Gather community does. One thing's for sure: the bigger we get, the more you'll earn.

I think with a statement like that, the notion of removing points altogether is wrong.

I'd just like to know fer sure how it WORKS!

Sure, I'd love to know exactly how the algorithm works. ;) But I sincerely hope that they NEVER tell us! I mean, come on - let's say they tell us that rating an image gets you 1/2 point, viewing without rating gets you 1/4 point, and watching a video gets you a full point. Can't you just see 100 people sitting around 24/7 in 'earn mode' clicking on as many videos as is humanly possibly strictly to accrue points? And I'd guess that that kind of behavior would mean less points for everyone else....

Good question, But when you're asking about "points" are you excluding the people on the cash payout?

Honestly, I probably wouldn't spend as much time and effort posting on Gather if you take my $ away.

Would you still come to Gather if there were no points? Why or why not?
No, honestly I probably would not. I would devote my time to other sites that have a point system of some kind.

I think gather is fine how it is. Points (well cash for me now) do motivate me to stop in here often (several times a day). Sure some people go a bit over board with their posts (the point checks. . . the games. . . ) but if gather were to ban the point check articles, and make a section for games only, I think the problem would improve. But you're always going to have people who abuse the system.

Instead of worrying about who's posting games that are 'white noise' maybe gather should focus on the people who post stolen photos from the internet, which is a clear violation of the TOS and a very clear sign that that person is just trying to get points. If a person is posting lots of their own pictures, that is one thing, but someone who floods the recent images section with pictures they have ganked off of a "free use"(which often times. . aren't) site, is something that gather needs to wake up to and do something about.

I am no longer on the point system, however:

Gather Points; do you love 'em or hate 'em? LOVE 'em!

Do they inspire you to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions or do they degrade the experience by spreading white noise across our community? They inspire me to visit and contribute every day.

Is there a better way for Gather to compensate members? It would nice to have a point breakdown like Boomertowne does.

If you could recreate the points system, what would you recommend? The only thing I would change is requiring a name with a rating. It would virtually eliminate the DB's.

Would you still come to Gather if there were no points? Why or why not? NO. While I enjoy the friends I have made, I would not come here if I wasn't paid to do so. I could still be in contact with the friends I've made through IM or email. And I wouldn't have to put up with the "trolls" that give low ratings because they don't like you.

How do points affect your experience on the site? It makes me more willing to post content on a daily basis.

Thanks to Luna for directing me here!

I don't get points anymore, either, but I assume that since points are the foundation for cash, this discussion involves both forms of payment.

While I don't dwell on points, many people here who write articles that intrigue and engage me DO care about points. That is a reality I have come to see. That makes ME care about points. I like a diverse community. If there aren't enough people on Gather (and I do think you'll see a much smaller number without points), how will Gather stay in business?

When I first came to Gather, I asked experienced members how THEY felt about points and got a diversity of opinions. Some hated them, some loved them. Time is money to people and getting some perks mattered to many. In some cases, I read accounts of people who'd gotten their Christmas gifts from Gather. They couldn't manage without that. Some are disabled, unable to work and every bit helps.

I have to ask: How would Gather be financially sound without the point system? Doesn't the site depend on people seeing and reading ads, buying books and other products that are featured and discussed, etc? I'm no business expert but it just seems to me that both go together. I hope someone enlightens me about this.

At the same time, I don't focus on points. Mine build up as they will and I don't watch them with an eagle eye. I come here to play, to write serious as well as humorous articles and to communicate. I've never seen the point system as being lucrative enough to be my motivation for being on Gather.

OK I admit it - I'm addicted to points! BUT...I don't post (any longer, that I know of) to "post anything" types of groups and I only play "games" once n a while. Over the last decade I have written for sites that pay, sites that don't and sites I've paid to post. It is far better to get paid than to pay :)

Gather points are a nice bonus. I'm more interested in reading and skaring stories, poems, etc.

I mean sharing stories, poems, photos, etc. I've met some teriffic people on Gather and that is priceless to me.

I will not be able to make the chat (since I will be at work at that time), but I will drop by to read the transcript. As for the points, I would like to know how they are figured. I am not sure how the point system works. I do like the idea of a reward system and that makes me want to be more active on here. I agree with much of Shannon W's comment above, including the statement about the rating system.

Whenever there is a question regarding points, I always find more people who like the bonus points compare to few who don't. But There is still the same question again & again, somehow. Why?

For me, it's sounds like a question about do you like your credit card to give you cash rewards on purchases? Some people like it some don't for the fear of unneccessary purchase or whatever reason. Will you still use your credit card if there is no reward on it? Maybe yes, but only when the merchant doesn't accept my other credit cards with rewards plan.

I agree with Sue who said that articles like these make her think you are thinking of getting rid of the points.

Frankly I love the points for a few reasons. It gives me a good reason to be here, to spend time here. I am making money to help contribute to our family (which is a one income family as I stay at home with our son) It gives me an incentive to spend more time here and to make my content thoughtful and the best I can provide.

Without the points I would be here far less (there's not any incentive to stay here as often if I'm not making something to help with the house funds)... and I'd have to take the time I was here and seek out other means to make cash.

I would still be here without the points, but I would publish content that was not as high of a quality. Why? Well, due to the recent theft issues we are risking our work by sharing it here. I do share my work out of pride, but that point incentive keeps me sharing it in high-quality photos rather than lower quality photos that I might publish if there was no point incentive.

I don't publish things just for the points and then stare down my points until they rise according to my wishes, but I do what I would normally do daily and I let the points take care of themselves.

I DO think that the site gets a bit muddied by the points in that people post photos off anything just to earn - including light bulbs and garbage bags. (Yes, I have actually seen photos of these items here on Gather) However, by and far I think the points HELP Gather to attract good, thoughtful members that contribute high quality content.

If you remove that, you might as well strip the site of the better content providers. It's not something I think you or I want to see happen.

I would still be on gather a little bit, even without the points, but I wouldn't be on nearly as often. I would have to spend time on another site that pays. I really enjoy staying home with my toddler, and if I didn't bring in income from the things I do online, I would have to go back to work. I really limit the amount of time I spend on websites that don't pay for this very reason.

Points are a very important part of why a lot of people are here. Participation would drop off big time...

Do they inspire you to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions or do they degrade the experience by spreading white noise across our community?

I don't visit Gather for the points. I think they're a nice perk. Some people degrade the experience with their behavior for points. The points don't degrade the experience.

Is there a better way for Gather to compensate members?

I've been on sites where I had to pay them to post. So, this question seems silly to me.


If you could recreate the points system, what would you recommend?

I don't know, but I sure wish you guys would get rid of the rating system. It's abused. Those who refuse to turn it off, still complain.

Would you still come to Gather if there were no points? Why or why not?
Yes. I come here to read, debate, discuss, retaliate, aggitate, recreate, and just have a good time with friends.

How do points affect your experience on the site?
Points don't affect my experience on Gather. People do. Points are an added bonus for having an experience on Gather.

Yes the points do inspire me to visit the site more often and contribute to all types of articles,pictures, etc...

Honestly if the point systen were gone I would not be here anywhere near as much as I am. I have made some friendships and enjoy reading peoples content so I would still participate in the site but not as often.

I don't mind how the system is now myself, however it works; so whatever you guys think, ha ha. Yes, I have to admit I like the gift cards....

Tom might need a helmet that day though, ha.

Living on a fixed income the points allow me to have extras in my life that I would not normally be able to afford. I enjoy the points program but i wish we had a larger selection of companies to choose fromwhen we get our cards.

I won't be able to make the discussion, but I would spend less time on gather without the point system. I've never been able to figure out how they work, but it's nice to get a gift card. I feel like gather is sharing its rewards with members, which in turn make the business strong.

I would like to see some bonus points awarded...for example, you might give 15 points extra for somebody making the front page or throw in 100 points extra for someone hosting a chat with an author or singer. those chats do take a lot of time to promote and research.

As a 'foreigner' the points system is useless to me at this time. I hope this proves that I don't come to Gather for the points!

However, I do find it irritating that there is not a level playing field at Gather. This site claims to be global, awards points to everyone, but only Americans living in the US can claim rewards for the points! What on earth is the point of awarding us foreigners points if we cannot turn them into rewards?

I've been a member here for just over a year, and have seen lots and lots of new 'foreign' members. When will we stop being treated as second class members?

I hope someone reminds me!!

Already saw this article earlier but wanted to come back to say thank you to Luna for directing her connections to this article.

Personally I enjoy the compensation and am able to pay bills with the extra money I earn from Gather.

I can't think of any way to recreate the point system, but agree with others that a name should be required with ratings. I seriously dislike the rating system and feel that if people had to own up to the way they rate other people, there would be no more drive by low ratings.

Ishbel, I'd like to know more about any website outside the USA that is giving americans points for gift card or cash.

JP - I am not a member of any other point website other than Gather, so couldn't point you in any direction.

BUT, that was not the point I was TRYING to make: that was,that Gather insists its a GLOBAL site. Until they give all members the same benefits, it is a two-tier system.

Love those points! Don't want to be without them. I'm encouraged to participate more with them. The quality of what I post, including comments, would not change, with or without them, but my time spent here would probably have to lessen. I wish it were easier to qualify for cash, though, and/or there were a wider selection of useful (to me) companies to select gift cards from.

Would like to see our out-of-U.S. members get their rewards though; am wanting Gather to put immediate focus on this issue.

Hi Pam,

aha...points means gift cards and I love to see my points growing and growing fast.It's likesomething turned out beautiful in shape of cards...LOL...I AM SERIOUS for what we work or dedicate our time or display our writings.It's a kind of encouragement .

I feel whatever is already beautiful it should be not touched . It could be improved or more enhanced for making Gather more attractive place.Honestly there are many like me who are not earning but due to your points system , I get many gift cards of borders , Macy's , Home Depot . I don't remember that I have given cash to on any of these three stores from last 9 months..except Macy's is new...

I love to earn and so I give time. I don;t know how much I will be back to Gather without no points system but yeah somewhere with decreased entho.

Everything is ok with Gather except the technica aspect..Gather should keep adding more attraction with the more enhanched points system..

This was my way of feeling Gather...I am all satisfied with Gather...and yes overseas members should be benifited too.

I enjoy the points we get for spending time at Gather. If points were eliminated I would still drop by every now and then, because I have made some excellent friends here, but I'll admit that I would not be here as often. I get on here multiple times daily now. I love getting my gift cards and going and splurging on myself, something I don't get to do much with two children. My gift cards are spent on things I want, generally home-type things from Home Depot, although I do occasionally get a Borders card to get some books, music, or movies. Gather is fun and the gift cards only make it more so, I think. I say keep the points! Please don't get rid of them. And I don't really care to know how and why we get them - ie. what we have to do to get points. If people knew that then they would just do those things and nothing else. It would be like Boomertowne, and I hate that place. The points and gift cards are fun at Gather, but it's actually so much more than that.

I love getting these points and if Gather no longer gives them
out there goes the main reason I am here. Sure I enjoy writing
stories, poems other things of interest. The points are great as
I can use the gift certicates to buy stuff that I couldn't afford to
because of my fixed income. I for one hope that we don't lose
the point system, I'm not sure I would stay hear.

One global thing that's for sure is global warming. Gather probably better of as an american website rather than global site to avoid confusion. Just like American Idol, ppl know that it's american - even if it's still accepting ppl from other countries.

Additionally, I'd like Gather to allow the sharing of points.

I do wish the incentives were a bit higher, and that the quality of the content was a consideration but I don't know how you could do that. I get really tired of hearing about people's personal lives here, but that is because I don't really think of Gather as a social site. I use MySpace for that, but I think both MySpace and Gather have their perks. MySpace really gives a tremendous amount of exposure with freedom of expression in terms of graphics and the ability to really display one's photography (so that matters to me). Gather is better for me in terms of wanting to expand my writing and it is safer to use than MySpace. I think the points system is essential, but I feel as though it sometimes is unfair when some people are trying to contribute quality content to the site and others are contributing about their personal lives and yet we all get the same value in points. Despite that, the fact is, the more you are ON Gather, the more points are accrued, and the more you view and comment the more points you accrue, and the more you extend yourself in terms of your own work, the more exposed you are going to be. I have not left MySpace for good, but I have spent more time on Gather over the last year than ever before. I do regret that the international folks cannot earn points, I appreciate culture and the arts, and I think they have much to add to Gather but don't because they cannot earn the points. I also think earning points is sort of fun, sort of like pinching pennies at the grocery store! And my daughters LOVE the gift cards I give them to go to the book store!

Should be interesting. I like the points, but only because they give the illusion that someone's interested in what I write. They help me feel less guilty about the time I spend on gather.

Interesting. Hopefully I'll be free for that chat...

At least a higher point count for posts, groups, and articles, along with photo's, video's and pings. Working full time and trying to keep up with 3000 a month is impossible most of the time. It leaves me with no time to live, I work and post and I'm just getting too tired to post.

If we didn't get points, I don't think I would come back, I have made friends that I stay in touch with in personal emails but it seems better to connect here and I would miss that if points were gone.

Rating photo's and articles should be a great thing, but when someone posts a #1 and doesn't respond, I think there should be a system that if you post just a #1 rating that it puts your user ID in a comment window with no comment so the person who has spent the time to post the article, or take that photo and download it to share should know who is disrespecting their work and time. Then with that, you get a button where you can block that person from viewing your items.

This should be interesting, but I'm sure I will miss it as I do have to work. Hope these questions or thoughts get to someone with ears.

Thanks and keep the points rolling.

Wednesday ha...I will be here.

But I may need to first take points 101 before I join the conversation. If not my first question would be how does this point system work. And why do people care sooo much?

Pam, you directed this question to Sue earlier.

" I love to hear more about what you think makes Gather different and special in comparison to MySpace/Facebook and the rest?"

If I may, let me give you my perspective:

I think gather is better because of the many interesting members like Sue that drops in frequently. I find the discussions at gather are very refined. I feel like my time spent at here is fruitful. With every visit I am becoming more informed, sharpening my communication skills and the conversations themselves force me to farther exam my views and sometime see it from an entirely different perspective.

With that said I must admit, although my evaluation of gather is accurate, it is not valid as a comparison to Facebook or Myspace. I think Sue's forthcoming researched article will give a more reliable evaluation. For my view is a little biased; oh what the hell, it is completely biased – I never rally spent any significant time on Myspace or Facebook. But I do know many people that visit one or both of these sties often; And they are people, though I like as individuals, I would not go out of my way to engage them in conversation; and I found it especially boring when they talked about their experiences on these websites. So I decided the websites will probably be much of the same, and made a conscious decision to stay clear of them.

In fact I never thought I will join any web community. If it wasn't for me finding a few months ago, by shear lack, a gather article on Google and deciding to comment on it, I would probably never have joined gather. But I am glad I did; judging from my experience so far, I will probably get old as a frequently visiting gather member. And maybe one day I will learn to appreciate this whole business of points.

I've nearly always liked the point system in gather. At first I thought I'd never get any points so I'd never be able to get any gift cards and mercenary me was sad about that. Then when I basically tossed aside the idea of points and just did my thing such as posting pictures, a few articles and really reading and joining in with other people's content, then I began to enjoy gather more and saw my points go up too. It was great to get that first gift card, like a major celebration and boy did we need it! I mean my family. I gather because I enjoy it but it is a strong incentive for the points because it helps out my family. We don't have money, we are always broke and gather points earn me gift cards that help take care of family needs and necessities. Once in a while, even family fun and foolishness!

So, if there were no gather points, I could not spend as much time in gather simply because I would be looking on the internet for other websites that would get me some way to help support my family and pay the bills. Right now I don't think of gather as a job, I think of it as a pleasurable past time that just happens to have excellent side benefits. I hope that continues and that gather keeps the point system (forever hopefully!).

I love Gather and lot of the people here. I like having my articles read and reading other peoples work. Iike the images. But I can tell you if you take away points for submissions or however they work. There will be a great exodus to other sites like Mylot, Yuwie, Xomba and other places to write. If I had a good income I would probably not spend as much time here. I am working toward more home depot cards. We cannot afford the material on our income and those cards are going to make a huge difference in getting much needed building done we otherwise could not afford. So If the points go I will be deleting my articles and groups and go to other sites with more rewards and points I can actually use. I may or may not make the chat. Depends on family

I came back to read the comments. I started to write the article today and then got sidetracked at work so I left it open and forgot all about it when I closed all the browsers in one fell swoop. I hadn't saved it as a draft. Oh, well, it wasn't that good anyway. I'll have to rewrite it.

Jonathan, thank you. Now I'm the one who's blushing. That's one of the reasons Gather is different. On a site like MySpace or FaceBook, I don't think we would ever have met, and I greatly value the honor of getting to know you.

I like the point system. I enjoy Gather, so the points are not the top priority for me.

I like the points. I enjoy getting my gardening treats at Home Depot with the money I "earned" from my Gathering.

I will not be able to make the chat but I have posted my opinions below:


I am on the cash option, but I think it is based on the same activities that we do on gather.

Gather Points; do you love 'em or hate 'em? I love them. They have helped to purchase Christmas gifts, pay bills and other things. I feel like I am contributing to the household income and not just wasting time on the Internet.

Do they inspire you to visit the site more often and make thoughtful contributions or do they degrade the experience by spreading white noise across our community? They inspire me to visit & contribute every day. I would still visit but not as much and may even gradually quit all together.

Is there a better way for Gather to compensate members? I agree with Shannon, It would nice to have a point breakdown like some other sites do.
If you could recreate the points system, what would you recommend? I too think that when an article is rated, the persons name and namespace should be posted automatically. It would put a stop to all the bickering over low ratings and give people back their self esteem. I have seen gather members who have been hurt so bad by low ratings that they removed all their family photos.

Would you still come to Gather if there were no points? I would still come on a much less active basis. I have seen a difference in the way people react already. Just from hearing that comments do not count. So many people have quit commenting and I enjoy the interaction with other members. Even if we disagree about something. I value their opinions.


How do points affect your experience on the site? I think that it may give me the incentive that I need to write QUALITY articles instead of Quantity of articles.

Should be an interesting chat. I haven't had much time for Gather lately, but I would still visit the site even if there were no points, but it HAS been nice getting those gift cards!

Not sure if i can make it at that time but I will try.

I will try to be here. I do have some thoughts I'd like to express.

I don't think I can make it. A little thing called work. I am not motivated by the points. I am motivated by content. All I see are jokes and games. I truly like the people who post them, but I would like to see a better security system over points. That's what is important to me. Yes, I have cashed in the points when I needed something at Home Depot and couldn't afford it, but I have let mine sit for months without cashing them in.

I hope I am available for this chat. It should be interesting.

I like the points and think they are a good incentive to make me want to contribute at Gather. I'm not sure how I would restructure them since good content is subjective to the viewer. What some people view as quality or decent may not be what others deem worthy.

Obviously there are reposted news articles and one sentence things that most wouldn't think are quality, but beyond that, how could that type of thing be policed? I personally like the journal type articles many of my connections publish, but other "real writers" don't think this type of content is quality. Plus, there are trolls out there that simply downgrade content because 1. they can and 2. they don't like the person posting. So the rating system is worthless for determining a quality piece as well.

I know I definitely don't like seeing all the royalty free photography getting the same points as original photos, but don't see an easy way to differentiate between the two.

One other thing, Gather has been marketed to different segments of people to create a diverse membership. It's a place for "real writers," people who listen to NPR, people who like to debate politics, people who have a niche and want to share, and a whole lot more.

If the points were taken away, I would contribute far less and come here less often. The points make me want to spend my time here and read other people's content. Without them, I would reduce my connections to about 45 people and only check in with them, spending far less time at Gather.

The point system is great. It's a wonderful incentive to visit the site and read the articles. I hope Gather keeps the points.

I personally do not come here for the points as in the 10 months I have been here I have never even traded them in for a gift card. I do feel that the points system does need to be revamped in that I do not think it fair for "chats" and "games" to be given the same points as someone who has contributed by writing an article of any sort. If the points were taken away, I would still come to Gather as I feel that those who have something to say or write about will stay and write regardless of points.

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and feedback everyone... this has already proven to be a fascinating and important conversation.

I want to make one thing very clear... this conversation and Tom's upcoming chat is not about Gather eliminating points. We're simply trying to collect your thoughts and ideas on points, what they mean to you, and how they impact your experience on Gather.

Sorry to interrupt... by all means... keep talking!

before we get to far along here, let me publicly say thank you to Tom, and the Gather team.

No matter what the issues are/have been... Gather's compensation system allowed me justify continuing to having high speed access last year while Mom was

going down and kept me in touch with not only the outside world but a community of friends here on Gather that literally saved the days, many days.

So if anybody is really whiny, let 'em come talk to me about what Gather means to some of us.

Thank you Pam ~ I'll be there.

Blessings ~
Rene

Sounds good, I'll try to be there.

I've never even looked to see how many points I have. I come for the company. I do think if the points were taken away some of my favorites would either leave or not be around as much.