Does Gather need to make some changes?

I totally agree with you.  I've changed the amount of views and comments I leave because I'm not going to get any points for them.  I don't view or comment half as much as I used to.

Comments have never gotten points. it was the views. Gather does need to change things back in my opinon

i agree, i know a few who have left

I'm pretty much doing what I've always done.  If people don't see me comment then they won't know I exist and will never visit my content.  So I'm not commenting less, but I'm not commenting more either. 

...probably the best approach.

I don't know of anyone who has left, but I seem to be getting all of my points for leaving comments, on my videos though, comments seem far and few between now that you metnion something.

I haven't changed what I do on Gather!  I'm still posting, viewing and commenting!  Comments have NEVER earned you points, it's the views/viewing that matter in that aspect.

I totally agree with Alex on this one! 

I still view everything that comes through via publication notifications that those I'm connected with share, but I've cut back on the amount of comments I leave.  The amount of points awarded has drastically dropped and people aren't going to participate if they're not getting 'rewarded'.  My points have gone from 100 - 150 a day...to around 10 now.  Where I used to make a good $1,500 - $2,000 a year; now I'm going to be lucky if that total is $5 - $10 annually.   I'm still here and sticking around awhile longer, but it won't be too much longer at that small of a pay rate.  Let's hope Gather pulls their head out of their butt before the site goes down the tubes and there is no longer a Gather.

Wow, Rob.  I'm staying about the same, and I do what I've always done.  There's something else going on here.

I'm new here so I don't know anything about the old ways. However, I'm happy to be here. I'm meeting new people, learning new things, networking, having fun & spreadin' a bit o' sunshine! If I make points/cash/win gifts, all the better, but if not, I've still gained much in my Gatherings. I view & comment as much as my time & thoughts permit & I feel fortunate to have had many speak to my posts since I've been here. I guess I'm happy with what I have made Gather to be for me.

Ruth that is an excellent way to put it! 

Glad you're here Ruth.

Thanks ladies...glad to be here too!

I've just always commented on posts that come from one specific group, a Mass email group and of course the ones from the group I moderate, Anythingwriting.

Other than that, I'm sad to say that I don't have time for commenting on anything else.

I wish I did though, because there are so many talented Gatherites out there.

I do wish they would change Gather back to where it used to be. We used to have fun, commenting on each others posts. Now, it seems to be too serious around here.

sometimes I feel loney

that is either lonley or looney you choose

how about lonely ??????????

I like looney as well as lonely, but I do miss the good fights I'd have with Gather whack-o's.  Where have they gone?

Since the last "upgrade" I have been shut out most of the time.  I can't comment on at least 2/3 of the posts.  I hear I am not alone. It does not suprise me that comments are down.  I don't bother to post since I can't return comments.  Itis sad.  I was a regular Gatherer for years, but now I am lucky to be on once a day.

They told us long ago that comments didn't get points.  But what did get points were page views.  Now, people get far less points for page views.  One can read and read and read for hours and not get much in the way of points.  For those who were counting on them to help suppliment income, that's a disappointment.  And now, even if you write something that others will read, you have to spend time marketing it.  That means even less time to read the work of others.

Since the last point thing I have only been able to post and email off and on.  Will be fine a few days then boom nothing for who knows how long.  Done everything I was told to do.  Pretty much hurts when you can't get points from this or that.  I still however go around and comment just not as much.  I do try to post to most items in my groups, in less a person just puts a lot in one and I don't have alot of time to comment.  I do however try to look at each one. 

I just wish before they change anything else they would fix the problems others are having. 

I think this shows that they are cracking down on people who are leaving meaningless comments, and I even missed the last point maintenance, I have no clue as to what is going....

I will still leave you comments, but I feel that this could be the end of Gather.

Because if we post and no one comments we are going to loose points.

Maybe Gather needs to consider the originality of the comment, and give points accordingly.  If its a meaningless post where someone gives a one liner not relative to the post then I could see where they were going to not give as many points, but right now there are too many trolls who are going about for no reason reporting posts, and trying ot get people banned.  Looke what Dan  is going through, someone ran a bot on his posts, Gather is not the same place it was in Sept. of last year when I joined and maybe when a lot fo people leave for 'greener waters' Gather can pick up the pieces and start reinstaing points as they once were.

Mooch

That's my point Mooch.  If people don't comment, why post?  Gather needs to do something or we'll lose Gather.

I'm still commenting about the same as I always have (if I had more time I would comment more) but I have been posting a lot more recently...

i use to spend a lot of time here..... not so much anymore........ i still post, view and comment.....two days.... one point......so what is the point????  pun pun pun...... i am not a part of any clique here so i get few views and even less comments......i am about to reach my one year anniversay here......it sure is not the same    :(

I haven't chnaged anything. I'm posting, viewing and commenting the same as I always have (aside from being behind)

I'm always behind, and wish I could comment more.  But usually, if I view I have to comment.

I've been known to view just to help others out even when it's something that doesn't interest me or I have nothing to add as a comment. But time to do that isn't often easy to come by.

I submitted a picture and two people commented on it.  I returned their comment.  today, I received a third comment... when i went to comment... the other two comments that I made in response to friends comments were missing.... i have no idea...why this happens.

I have been commenting, a lot aren't commenting back though..

Gather appears to be aligning itself more closely with a traditional blogging framework. In these communities, typically, you only earn when your work is viewed. You earn nothing directly for interacting with other blogs/bloggers. Hence, this may be the next step in Gather's evolution.

This direction does run counter to Gather being perceived as a 'social network' though, and that may lead to some confusion in the community.