BKF new feature - Experience for points/levels/ratings

[Freddy03]

and freddy didn't EVEN offer to be MY friend???

Hahaha I'm a loner. I just sent you another good pizza place. It's more heading towards downtown.

[tobee43]

and freddy didn't EVEN offer to be MY friend???

[tobee43]

....and i STILL have no friend takers...really what is ONE to do...and now i'm FROM someplace i have NEVER heard of because frankly, i want to CHOSE when i tell and when i don't tell someone where i am located...

i.e. freddy03 was extremely helpful in finding me a pizza location in my area. thank you freddy...

[Freddy03]

Hey, you got low bars, so I'm not going to read your advice. What do YOU know. LOL (just making and agreeing point).

If it ain't broke, don't over engineer it. 'Hub

Well I'd be the first person to tell you don't take my advice because I usually have questions no answers.....LOL

I'm quite shocked at my poor bar status I was very popular in HS I guess not here but again this isn't high school, right??

[AngelinaCatHub]

I think the forum should stick to what it's designed to do - that is helping people who truly need help understanding BK. I hope the new features don't change that.

I do look at the new bars and achievements as a popularity contest. But that's my opinion.

I am extremely thankful to everyone who has helped me here.

Hey, you got low bars, so I'm not going to read your advice. What do YOU know. LOL (just making and agreeing point).

If it ain't broke, don't over engineer it. 'Hub

[AngelinaCatHub]

OH, now we have another "feature" cluttering up this now convoluted posting lay-out. So now we have to hit the button to vote for a person we are going to follow up with comments or info. More work or "obligation" to enhance your neighbor's stats. This is ridiculous. I'll probably get banned for my strong opinion, but I see this place starting to look as decorated as a Christmas tree. Ryan is correct in his post that this intimidates newbies, and pits competition for "awards". I like the K.I.S.S. aspect to just keep it simple and what it is supposed to accomplish. Now we are "HAVING FUN" stuff put up.

Most who come here are NOT having fun. Some come here near suicidal, and that is NOT fun to deal, with as no one here is a sociologist (for the most part). Yet I have had to sweat it doing my best, as you never know if the OP is serious, or just needs attention.

I looked at the scoreboard of "accomplishments" located somewhere that I wish to forget, and saw the rating table. LAZ may have been correct that these improvements, when I voiced will put this place out of business was over stated, but for one, it minimizes the effect of the reason this place has become number one compared to some of the other forums with smart @$$ retorts and simplistic responses that I have seen elsewhere.

To me the bells and whistles cheapen the look and the cause of this place, and no, I am not going to participate in clicking the "did this post help you" button, and I encourage others not to click on mine. It is not what I am here about. 'Hub

[Freddy03]

I think the forum should stick to what it's designed to do - that is helping people who truly need help understanding BK. I hope the new features don't change that.

I do look at the new bars and achievements as a popularity contest. But that's my opinion.

I am extremely thankful to everyone who has helped me here.

[Pandora]

Just an opinion:

When you are new on this forum you basically only ASK questions. Later as you get a little more confidence and know a few things, you are tempted to ANSWER a few things, BUT there is still the confidence factor (or lack thereof)...

My concern is that all these "awards and status things and ranking" may actually DISCOURAGE newer people from either answering or engaging in dialogues with more "decorated" folks on the forum.

...could it cause many others to feel they are just not qualified enough to volunteer an opinion?

PS: To Laz, despite the above concerns this is arguably the most valuable forum on the internet, imo.

+1 - as well as I agree with 'Hub.

[tobee43]

well put ryan.....

now would you possibly be interested in becoming my "friend" so i get another award please??LOL!!

i have post that requests already, and so few like me, i'm really going to have a problem getting ANY more "friends". oh well.

i don't care about any of this...i truly believe this site is the most informative and important site thus far dealing with the stresses of bankruptcy. end of story!

[ryan]

Just an opinion:

When you are new on this forum you basically only ASK questions. Later as you get a little more confidence and know a few things, you are tempted to ANSWER a few things, BUT there is still the confidence factor (or lack thereof)...

My concern is that all these "awards and status things and ranking" may actually DISCOURAGE newer people from either answering or engaging in dialogues with more "decorated" folks on the forum.

...could it cause many others to feel they are just not qualified enough to volunteer an opinion?

PS: To Laz, despite the above concerns this is arguably the most valuable forum on the internet, imo.

[tobee43]

i also understand the concerns with this type of "rating" system....personally i look TERRIBLE in pastels...secondly, i'm too old and too tired to care what people think of what i say...which i was hoping as ONE of the ONLY advantages of getting older!! (rude old ladies and gents cutting into line...and pushing you out of the way simply due to entitlement based on respect of age itself).

now that that concept for me,has been shattered...i'm concerned now i'll have learned to spell, be on my BEST behavior (NO!!!)....and oh my, my grammar will be scrutinized...

well, i for one have a higher "judge"...(my HOA president) and will not worry about it for the moment...i guess.

in all seriousness, it's uncomfortable and while i do not intimidate easily, many do...especially those that are first timers and are seeking help...they may feel like they are being judged by what they ask or say.

i love this site, will not leave it. and if only ONE of my posts or threads or TYPOS can help hold someone's hand during these terrible economic times, personally, i'm here to stay.

actually, i think this is so well stated i deserve an AWARD!!

ps. thanks laz for all your work and dedication, this site has helped many more than you know!

[AngelinaCatHub]

BTW what happened to the pics in my signature? 'Hub

[AngelinaCatHub]

AngelinaCatHub:

I hear your concern and appreciate your input about this new feature.

I do think its exaggerating to say it will kill the forum. Anyway, I would like to run it for a month and then will evaluate its effects.

I think it can be a fun thing which may discourage lurking and encourage more contributing.

We'll see.

Thank you LAZ for your reply. I have been a forum owner, and am a webmaster. I also was the most ignorant of bk participants and do appreciate this site. My site too was affected by what yours was.

Now seriously, It is up to you as owner to do what you wish. The lurkers also click on adds, and you need lurkers. I lurk on some sites as my VW site for already answers as I don't wish to join to see one question answered. Your site has become very famous and I personally advertise this fact to those who need this advice.

You asked for opinions. I as an honest person and wish to be candid, helpful, and honest, view this as a mistake. PLEASE evaluate this for yourself, but I believe you will get many posters who post for points not for helping others. If you DO give away some sort of prize or award, you surely are making a mistake. I post much less than I lurk, as if I do not know, or cannot honestly help, I will not BS a person just for some number you have on the post data.

I have five thousand plus. I couldn't care less if I had five million. I'm not here to waste my time on play. I am here to help another soul, and my advice and/or opinion is to the best of my ability and not to get some points or counts.

That is what I am addressing. If I did not feel so strongly about this, you would not know one who was serious in what those who are appreciative of your site are really about.

Please don't miss this idea of who we are. Many of us stay behind when we no longer need help, in order to give advice, encouragement to newbies, from those who been there, done that.

'Hub

[laz]

ccsjoe, sorry I didn't make it clear. The reason the site is slow today is because in the background I'm running a process which is crunching numbers ... only half the user's info has been processed, thus some don't show any points etc.

[ccsjoe]

Hi Laz,

I for one, and many others here, appreciate the work you've put into getting BKF up and running again, as well as maintaining it. That this place is an invaluable source of information and comfort is an understatement. I do however, must say that whereas I don't care much about the ratings themselves, I and others have tried to contribute and provide as much as possible to others here, but seeing that many are not rated, well, does leave a bit of a bitter taste...again, don't really care about the points, just giving you an initial gut reaction from seeing this and combining it with your explanation above. Regardless, thanks for your hard work.