Is the point system broken? [Jive is gone, there are no points]

[Steven L. Gotz]

I have always been slightly amused by the point system and the little crosses since I came back to the forums after a few years away.

I imagine that knowing that someone has answered a lot of questions that have been marked as Correct or Helpful could be a handy indicator to someone new to the forums. Like Bill Hunt for example. It isn't the points as much as the percentage of points as a ratio to the number of posts. It indicates that people have often marked his answers as useful.

Well, the other day I noticed that I had reached 996 points and I was about to get a third marker. Try as I might to be nonchalant about it, since the points are not all that important, it still kind of threw me off when I got stalled at 996. I have had two correct answers lately and yet my points no longer increment.

So, is the system broken? Are my points being held up for review for some reason? Or, is there some other reason? I guess I am just curious about it. I keep telling myself it doesn't matter. Yet, what can I say? Pride is just one of those vices that is hard to shake. Throw a little vanity in there and ....

[Steven L. Gotz]

All you get is a "Helpful" for this one Joe.

After all, it did solve the mystery for me. Dave would have been too polite to mention your name, so thanks for that.

[the_wine_snob]

Steven,

I actually did learn quite a bit, out of your plight, so your pain, and everyone's consternation were not for naught.

Hunt

[Steven L. Gotz]

I actually did learn quite a bit, out of your plight, so your pain, and everyone's consternation were not for naught.

Glad to hear it.

If it really was Joe, at least he picked his target carefully. There are people who would have started a rant against Adobe instead of questioning the forum software they use.

It could be a while before he gets close to 10,000 points, so I would have to think of something original.

[the_wine_snob]

Joe,

I often end up scratching my head. Maybe that is why I have so little hair left?

Now, are you actually confessing a prank, or is the "prank" your "confession?"

I never know with you...

Hunt

[Steven L. Gotz]

or is the "prank" your "confession?"

It is difficult to tell, but when Dave said it was from the Lounge, Joe could have used his quick wit to come up with a prank, or realized he had been caught.

I am not at all sure I want to know which is which!

[the_wine_snob]

Maybe we need to go and review some of the old M*A*S*H episodes. I think there were 3-4 about retaliation?

If nothing else, this thread increased my "post count" by about 6, and I didn't even have to crank up PrPro to check out my answers - just check your Profile - easy-peasy.

Hunt

[joe_bloe_premiere]

Retaliation?

How about restitution?

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5149254

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1167861?tstart=0

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5058532

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1199003?tstart=0

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5083640

[Steven L. Gotz]

You have been doing that right along?

I never noticed. Truly.

[the_wine_snob]

Joe,

While I do remember most of those threads, I had no idea that any were posed as a question, so missed that there could be points awarded - or removed. Just went over my head completely. Even if I had known, I doubt that I could possibly have filled in the blanks.

Hunt

[joe_bloe_premiere]

or realized he had been caught.

Bill should check his PM's more often.

I quizzed him about whether I should confess early today...

well before 'The Ninja' zeroed in.

[the_wine_snob]

I think that you mean "PM's" there. Just looked.

I do not check those that often, as mostly they are people who do not post to the forums, but instead ask for personal assistance solving their problems. I have some boilerplate text that I just Copy/Paste, saying "Post to the ___ Forum, and be sure to give all the info in this FAQ Entry: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/961741?tstart=0"

No, don't check PM's that often.

Hunt

[Phillip M Jones]

Bill Hunt wrote:

Joe,

I often end up scratching my head. Maybe that is why I have so little hair left?

Now, are you actually confessing a prank, or is the "prank" your "confession?"

I never know with you...

Hunt

From you picture it just moved to your chin

[Dave Merchant]

OK, time to rain on the parade.

Users are encouraged to try and earn points, that's the whole idea.

The points system is not just a random number, it's used by Adobe when choosing people for program invitations and awards. A point may not have a cash value, but awards do.

"Prank" or not, changing marks to intentionally manipulate the score of another user is NOT acceptable.

[joe_bloe_premiere]

Sorry, Dave.

I scoured the Forum Guidelines without success looking for a line

just like that one before I embarked on what was indeed a prank.

note:

It's hard to tell through the mask, but I thought you cracked a smile.