by Leah A.
Member since:
October 4, 2007

Comments - A Thing Of The Past?

July 24, 2009 10:49 AM EDT
views: 139 | comments: 40

I was away from Gather for a while, and I know there have been many changes on here recently. If I understand things correctly, comments do not earn points any more (if they ever did), but page views do. In addition, the number of points earned from all activities has declined drastically. Do I have the gist of things so far?

I have only written two articles (oops, I meant "posts"), since I got back on. They have both gotten a good number of views, but neither has gotten very many comments. Now don't misunderstand me, I appreciate the views. However, I miss the comments and interaction that I used to find on here. I don't think it is just my stuff, either, because I have noticed that people that used to get hundreds of comments on their stuff are barely getting a few dozen now.

I realize that Gather wasn't meant to be a social networking site, but I do think that discussing different views, sharing constructive critiques, and interacting with other people that have similar interests are strong selling points for Gather. If this site looses those things, then I do not think it will sustain its current user base. What do you think?

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Comments: 40

Mrslisae Photography E. Jul 24, 2009, 10:50am EDT
Sorry, I've been in and out but I do still comment...People like feedback and I like to stay in touch with my friends...Commenting isn't a thing of my past..
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 10:54am EDT
I have been in and out, too, so I definitely understand that. I agree about the feedback and staying in touch with friends, but I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that feels this way.
Rob Appell Jul 24, 2009, 10:55am EDT
Not only that, but members are dropping like flies. At one point, not too long ago, I was connected to over 1,400 members. Now, since the change, I only have a a bit over 700 members in my network. Many have left because the earnings have dropped so drastically. I cashed out on May 26th for $25...and I still don't have enough points for another $25. That means I'll make about $150 annually here...when I used to make over $2,000. It hardly seems worth the effort coming to Gather any more, but seeing how I need that money to help get by on (for groceries), I'm dumb enough to stay. I can tell you, I sure am sick of being able to have nothing but a package of Ramen noodles as my food each day, but even that is better than nothing. Since I lost my leg last year, Gather helped me immensely. Now, to make 1 point an hour sure doesn't seem worth the effort...but desperation has driven me to stay.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:13am EDT
Wow, that is a substantial drop in earnings! I'm sorry to hear that you are having such tough times, but I can relate to the money situation. I hope things get better for you, and I hope Gather decides to change its points system for the better in the near future.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 24, 2009, 11:32am EDT
Post more articles, Rob.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 24, 2009, 11:33am EDT
Your comments are always so long you could just repost most of them as articles !!! They would be longer than most other articles, ha ha.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:39am EDT
LOL Peter! I like Rob's long comments, though, because at least he has something to say.
Ron Jenkins Jul 24, 2009, 11:22am EDT
Dear Scabby might be able to help.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:32am EDT
I can use all the help I can get - lol!
Trish A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:30am EDT
Summer is always a bit of a challenge. I know my comments have decreased.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:43am EDT
I understand that people like to be out and about during summer, so that might be one explanation. However, I think that the drop in comments across the board has more to do with Gather changes than the time of year. Last summer I posted stuff and still got a good number of views and comments. Now I'm still getting the views but not the comments.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 24, 2009, 11:31am EDT
Making comments are where the fun comes in.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 11:49am EDT
I agree. I have found that the banter in the comment section is often more entertaining than the original article, and some of the articles are quite good (others not so much, but we won't go THERE!).
Kathryn E. Jul 24, 2009, 11:43am EDT
Gather changed to BECOME a social networking site.

It is rather dead now, the economy and the summer and Go figure.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
Well, if it changed to become a social networking site, then it isn't doing a very good job. It does seem to be rather dead, so it might want to work on revamping its image again.
Monica H. Jul 24, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
I'm still commenting on things that I find interesting and friends that I like to keep in contact with.
Mrslisae Photography E. Jul 24, 2009, 2:45pm EDT
aww I feel loved
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 2:49pm EDT
It good to see that there are still people that comment on a regular basis.
Nancy * Jul 24, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
Gather may no have been intended for social networking, but that's what they advertise themselves as, however under the new rules, people tend not to care to socialize as much.
Christopher B. Jul 24, 2009, 2:40pm EDT
Well technically they “advertise” themselves as a lot of things they really aren’t these days. I remember it wasn’t too long ago (a month at the most) I heard a “ad” (they don’t call it that, but it’s close enough) on Marketplace touting how Gather is the place to talk about economics, and stocks and things like that. Not from what I can see, I can tell you.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 3:21pm EDT
I haven't seen any "ads" for Gather, but what they keep saying on here is that it's a place for writing (and photos and video) that add "value" to the site. IMHO, I think that the discussions about an article can add just as much value as the article itself.
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 3:23pm EDT
Christopher, I think here are probably groups you can join that focus on economics, stocks, etc. or you could start a group yourself. The problem that I see is that people don't seem to be joining in discussions as much as they used to do.
Nancy * Jul 24, 2009, 3:54pm EDT
Here is a quote from ever notification e-mail I recieve from Gather.

"Gather is social networking grown up -- the site where you can keep up with the people, conversations, and moments that matter. Share what you want with who you want, explore new interests, and have smart discussions about the world around you. What matters to you?"

but discussions have all but been discouraged.
Sunaura *. Jul 24, 2009, 12:56pm EDT
Everyone went to Red Gage
Mrslisae Photography E. Jul 24, 2009, 2:45pm EDT
It's nice there
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 3:27pm EDT
I don't really know that much about Red Gage, but I have heard that quite a few people that have used it have had their computers infected by malware and spyware.
Nancy * Jul 24, 2009, 3:55pm EDT
I don't lie it
Nurse Nancy S. Aug 30, 2009, 10:58pm EDT
I quit going to RedGage. Thought it was difficult to navigate, didn't earn squat and just wasn't user friendly. Although I do not make as much now on Gather, I am afraid that I am addicted...plan on staying!!
Werner V. Jul 24, 2009, 2:52pm EDT
Gather is real.
Sammie B. Jul 24, 2009, 3:33pm EDT
I think that if I say yes then I contradict myself. xD
Leah A. Jul 24, 2009, 3:37pm EDT
LOL - good point Sam!
*LORA* M. Jul 24, 2009, 5:10pm EDT
t y
Jennifer W. Jul 24, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
I have been away too as you know but my points go up when I have more people view my things. I just don't have time to write a whole lot about nothing just to get the views.
Leah A. Jul 26, 2009, 10:18am EDT
I understand that feeling. My writing and pictures might not be the best quality, but at least I try to do my best whether or not it gets the views and comments.
Kat W. Jul 24, 2009, 11:09pm EDT
I post a couple of photos and leave comments daily. It is dead around here partly because of the changes, because it is summer and because people are getting ready to send their kids to school in the next few weeks.
Leah A. Jul 26, 2009, 10:21am EDT
You have a good point, Kat. People are trying to enjoy the rest of the summer, because the kids will be going back to school shortly. How depressing - summer just seems to fly by!
Leah Christensen Jul 26, 2009, 2:37pm EDT
I coudln't agree more.
Leah A. Jul 26, 2009, 7:43pm EDT
It's sad but it seems to be true overall.
elizabeth e. Jul 26, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
Glad to see you back. Gather is looking for quality posts, pictures and discussions. Do what you always did and you won't be disappointed. Gather still rawks.
Leah A. Jul 28, 2009, 6:18pm EDT
Awww, that's really sweet, Bob. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I hope you are right.

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