Now, I was reading that Gather has changed the algorithm for calculating Gather point earnings such that you earn far less points for rating & commenting than before, and more points for posting. I've been thinking about this (ouch!) and it seems that this will cause a lot more people to post more and read/review less. I really enjoy reading posts, and that is how I spend the majority of my time on Gather. I'm really not so much into the points thing, but I am getting close to a cash-out point (I've never cashed out before). So to reach my goal, I'm going to have to stop reviewing so much stuff and post a bunch of stuff. I don't think that was the purpose of Gather originally. Especially if people start posting a bunch of quickly written unedited stuff (kind of like this post) just to get points... I'm just thinkin' out loud here..... what do you guys think?
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Comments: 30
There are people who will probably stop viewing and just post. But, my thought is, if I don't comment on other people's posts, how will they know I exist? I return all comments with a comment or at least a page view (if I don't have anything to say), and I'm hoping others will do the say.
I'm not happy either and think they went overboard... I could easily spit out articles here, but my fun comes from viewing, commenting, and conversation with others. I think that is now under appreciated by Gather myself, but that's just me.... I know I have cut back exploring the site as much myself as I used too. Probably spent too much time here before anyway, but at least I got something for it, LOL.
I feel your pain, take care.
That;s exactly it, John. I like commenting and getting responses regarding posts.... oh well...
It will be like last summer when there was a log jam of unedited andpoor photos with summer pics theme. You could not get to all the good stuff ad teh system slowed to a crawl. It is not about quality of content, just volume
Was a post put out by Gather about the change in the algorithm? I don't recall seeing one.
I saw a post somewhere - but don't remember where, sorry...
Check the posts of Tom Gersace, explained in detail there, if you can catch his drift anyway, isn't hopeful as I see it
Heidi, good point. I still don't know how the point system works anyway.
Well, they don't reveal the details too much...
I can definitely already see this happening. Some good posts are getting very little views.
its all good to me cuz i veiw and post alot so its a win win situation to me
I think the point of this is to get more people to post, I figrure I like reading about other peoples stuff any way, and check my friends posts every day and comment, sincei like hearing about their interests, and the return the favor, if no one makes a good post then no one will coment!
Thanks, guys... I just have noticed what seem to be "point mongers" who post rediculous stuff and games, whatever. Now I'm understanding why they do it, and I think it is making it more difficult to weed through all that and get to the posts that, at least to me, really matter. But that's just me. I love Gather and don't want to see it change I guess....
Interesting information - I'm not into the points myself, so it makes no difference to me. I just like reading all the stuff and hope you get points for my views and/or ratings - speaking of ratings 10 for you sis!!
Oh, it's so good to have fans... even if they are related!
Not into points? Blasphemer......!!!!
;-)
I read it as not even being that good actually. That they would for the most part be fairly random and conservative with what points are rewarded at all. Wanting to make it so no one can figure out how they calculate it and then work the system, A), and if persons consistently posted cut and paste, none at all, B), and if they were entirely 'un-original', as in games and such, also none at all, C). I also got the impression that our comments wouldn't garner nor matter much as well. All in all I'd have to say that I'm feeling completely unvalued and not at all 'entrepeneurial' which is basically what they seem to wish to promote
Yes, I don't see it as a change for the better... I never really cared too much about points, but just don't want a bunch of what I think of as "junk" - now that's just me, other people may like all the posts it is generating... and really, I'm not trying to insult anyone... well, we'll see what happens...
I am going to say I will give it a try as long as they fix it so I can post and not get a bunch of errors and have to spend my day trying 90000 times to just get one post in a day.
I have a lot of technical issues with Gather too - it's almost getting bad enough to stop coming here, I get a lot of viruses and stuff, too, that try to hose up my PC...
It looks like my gather posting issue has been fixed. I hope anyways.
I guess I'm not that into points. I've never understood them. I do try to read as much as I can and comment on all I read. I return comments to anyone who comments on my posts. I think that is fair.
I can't say that I keep track, but I do try to "return" comments and keep up with posts from my friends and groups, and rate & comment on them...
Thank you for your comment on my 80's Quiz post.
You're welcome!
I hope you get to cash out. Posting will be the way to go it seems, but then everyone will be posting and not viewing so you won't get the views and you still won't be able to cash out.
Exactly! And thanks - I hope I get to cash out too - maybe in 2010, LOL
I don't typically post a lot. I don't have a lot to say that I think require a full post. But I do like to read and explore and join in conversations. But I feel like Gather is saying that I'm not needed here since I don't have a lot to post. It makes me a little sad because I like Gather, and I like spending time here, but if I'm not being rewarded for participating how I want to, then why should I be here? I certainly don't plan on inviting anyone here now.
I hear you, Jamie. Comments have gone down on the family info type posts and up on the political ones. If you look at photos and videos, there are few comments there (and few views). It's sad. But you can view and comment for hours and get a point or two at most.
Jamie, that is exactly how I feel. I love to explore and comment more than anything... I'm sad too because I have loved Gather, but I, too, am not inviting anyone new...