J/U Scoring Scheme: We're Not All Playing On A Level Field?

from JoeUser Forums
Theres been some talk concerning points a bit in the last week or so. Have a look around and you can see the various posts.

I got to thinking about it, and decided that this was worth a new post.


Draginol's access class of 9 really gives him a significant edge. In a couple of the scoring schemes, one's access class is squared and/or multiplied against.

Interesting=Your access class squared.
Insightful = 2 X Your access class squared

For example:

Draginol posts an article, and a user gives him an insightful rating> 2(9^2)= 162 points (for an insightful click)
Xythe posts an article, and a user gives him an insightful rating> 2(1^2)= 2 points (for an insughtful click)
Gideon posts an article and a user gives him an insightful rating> 2(3^2)= 18 points (for an insightful click)

Wow! (162) points vs. (18) vs.(2) points for an insightful click. I'm not really certain we are all playing on the same turf here.

I found it also interesting that nearly all the top JU users have an access level greater than 1 (citizen). Ironically, many of these folks say they do not care about the scoring system. I can see why. Why worry when your at the top, and most users being at access level one really have little hope in catching them because of the scoring scheme.

What does one need to do to raise her/his access level so as to be playing on a level playing field?

I might be mistaken on some of this. If so, please kindly correct me.
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9,603 views 52 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well all this has got me thinking a bit more. Only 2 of the top 10 JoeUsers have an access class of 1. Heres how it runs down:

1) DrGuy
Access level = 3 (Elite)
Points = 208238

2) LittleWhip
Access level =1 (Citizen)
Points =151179

3) Draginol
Access level 9 (Admin)
Points= 148126

4) Dharmagrl
Access level 3 (Elite)
139437

5) GideonMacLiesh
Access level= 3 (Elite)
Points =120854

6) ModerateMan
Access level= 2 (Power User)
Points = 114809

7) TexasWahine
Access level= 2 (Power User)
Points= 95783

8) Baker Street
Access level= 4 (Super Elite)
Points= 87741

9) ParaTed2K
Access level= 2 (Power User)
Points= 65626

10) MasonM
Access level= 1 (Citizen)
Points =56329
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow, Xythe, thanks! I wouldn't have known I was a "power user" if you hadn't asked about the unlevel playing field. As far as that goes, nothing in life is level, if you want a higher access class, step up and take it like the rest of us. If you want to complain that the admins have so much, well, it's their site, their rules. The fact that neither are always taking the same spot though, should tell you that it's not impossible.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

xythe,

I was a top ten user for MONTHS before Draginol raised my access level. You misunderstand the system. The points are how many points YOU give or take away from other users based on YOUR interesting/insightful ratings, not how many points they give YOU. Basically, it helps to have top ten users read your blog and give you insightful ratings. Make sense?

You have put out some good quality articles. I doubt you'll have much trouble advancing, honestly.

If you look at the people with the high ratings, they've all been here for over two years.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
As far as that goes, nothing in life is level, if you want a higher access class, step up and take it like the rest of us.


I realize this Ted. I'm just a new kid on the block figuring out what works best and having some fun.

I think it would be fair if we knew what it actually took to get a higher access level, then we would have a goal.

How do the admins choose who gets what access level? I can see no reason to it. I'm inclined to NOT think it's some kind of favoritism, because really, I don't see that happening here.

If you want to complain that the admins have so much, well, it's their site, their rules.


I'm not complaining, and I know there are only so many admins. It's Not something I'm seeking, nor am I really qualified for. I just put these facts out there hoping somebody can illuminate me with what it takes to get closer to that level playing field.

Thanks for your response Ted
Stay tuned, there may be some real answers coming soon.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gideon-

Thanks for your explinations and your compliments.

I just wanted to tell you something a bit off topic. Honestly, I have read your blog for quite some time now, eventhough I never made a post (or very very seldomly). It's your blog that actually convinced me to become active in JoeUser. Thanks for that as well

If you look at the people with the high ratings, they've all been here for over two years.


Yep. I noticed. I figured time and dedication to the site must have something to do with the "promotion" criteria.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
It doesn't matter how many times it gets explained it always sounds new to me!LOL! and I've been around the block for a while!  

I agree that you'll be able to hold your own Xythe!
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gideon hit it on the nose, your access level impacts how many points YOU give to others when you rate them insightful or interesting. It doesn't give you an advantage on your own articles.

Draginol for example , is near the top of the list because he has more articles than pretty much anyone else, and because of the topics he writes about, he gets picked up by google and linked to by other sites quite frequently (hence the Rush Limbaugh broohaha the other week). You will get more points if you write articles people want to read about.

And for what it's worth, I don't think access level plays a straight number in the ratings equation. While those of us at admin level do have more weighting to our ratings, it's not a straight 1-9 ordering. For myself, the best thing I can do is feature an article on the front page, which increases exposure and encourages comments, which in turn generate points for the article.

But as always, you get more points by posting articles with good topics that people want to read. My most popular article ever is a short one about a funny bug in Windows Notepad. It has 21700 points, received 37 comments and 128 unique sites referring (google alone counts for almost 4000 clicks). It's actually linked off of the Wikipedia entry for Notepad.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, and just an interesting tidbit, from what I've seen, most the people who make the top ten are surprised to see their name or blog title on it. I know I was. ;~D
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't see how anyone got the idea that access level increased the number of points you GET when you get an insightful. That would be an odd system, wouldn't it?

I'm not aware of any extra editing features. I don't use the ones that are here, I use a word processor and paste everything over.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
In other words, if Draginol rates one of your articles as insightful, you get 162 points. If Gideon does, you'd get 2. If Gideon gives Draginol an insightful, Draginol would still only get 2 points because that's all Gid has to give.


umm, no, I give more'n that...lol!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Meh.

It really isn't important. I've been at a 1 for as long as I have been here and haven't once complained about it. Who really cares? It doesn't in any way affect my ability to blog here so why should I care about that, scoring, or anything else?

While I rarely even look at the rankings, points, or any of that stuff, I was surprised to see that my blog had hit the top 10 as I do not write for points but rather I just write what I feel like writing about. It just happens that some folks are bored enough to actually want to read my drivel from time to time.

Becoming fixated on the whole scoring thing is a waste of time. Blogging isn't about points but about being able to express yourself as well as being able to give and receive feedback.

Besides, I don't remember the word fair appearing anywhere in the TOS.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
It doesn't matter how many times it gets explained it always sounds new to me!LOL! and I've been around the block for a while!


I'm just one of those guys that, well, when I see numbers, I just need to know what they mean and how they are generated. I mean how can one not look at them (the numbers)sitting right there on the homepage and not be at least curious?

I know I know...curiosity killed the cat

I agree that you'll be able to hold your own Xythe!


Thanks FS! And from what I'm gathering, we also help each other via "insightful/Interesting" clicks.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Besides, I don't remember the word fair appearing anywhere in the TOS.


   It's in the small print at the bottom - gotta turn your screen resolution up to about 640X420 and then you can see "and if you don't like it, you can stick it in your ear!"
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
And from what I'm gathering, we also help each other via "insightful/Interesting" clicks.


If only they still existed on the forums, since I rarely use the homepage these days . . .
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Xythe, you have had the points system explained ot you by Zoomba, points are not the be all and end all of JU.


Zoomba did explain PART or the scoring system Jen, and I was pretty satisfied with his exlpination. However, as more and more people continue to talk about it in various threads, the more I had to understand.

You have put out some really interesting articles that have made good reading.
You will hold your own as has been said by people above.


Thank you vary much Jen.
Perhaps as ones points start getting over a certain number the points increase per insightful click - which is fair enough.


Perhaps this is so, perhaps not. Thats partly why I decided to post this article Jen, to find out.

Enjoy this playground created by Draginol and his team for what it is. A place to post, to express, to joust, to laugh etc.


I really am enjoying myself, honestly
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gideon hit it on the nose, your access level impacts how many points YOU give to others when you rate them insightful or interesting. It doesn't give you an advantage on your own articles.


He sure did. I think this was a BIG misunderstanding on my part   

Draginol for example , is near the top of the list because he has more articles than pretty much anyone else, and because of the topics he writes about, he gets picked up by google and linked to by other sites quite frequently (hence the Rush Limbaugh broohaha the other week). You will get more points if you write articles people want to read about.


This part I understand pretty well. What I gather it amounts to is that the more popular your article is, and the more publicity it receives, the larger to potential for a higher scoring article.

BTW, what is the vriteria for getting an article on the home page. My thinking is it's subjective where the admins maybe vote what shows up there? Or does Draginol simply choose using his experience what he feels will be best for the site overall?

And for what it's worth, I don't think access level plays a straight number in the ratings equation. While those of us at admin level do have more weighting to our ratings, it's not a straight 1-9 ordering. For myself, the best thing I can do is feature an article on the front page, which increases exposure and encourages comments, which in turn generate points for the article.


A guess I need to read the whole post before commenting on segmants.

But as always, you get more points by posting articles with good topics that people want to read.


This is a given, at least in my case.

Thanks again Zoomba!
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's not a big deal, really, although some people like the additional editing features that come with access level 2. I don't know if even more features come with the higher ratings, or it they simply act as points multiplyers. Perhaps dharma or Baker or someone else that's a level 3 or higher could answer that.


I'm guessing they can see more rather than have more active features. I'm interested to see what Baker says, as he has the highest access level outside of tha admins; from what I've seen.

That's right, Xythe, get over it already! (hahaha)


I guess I am obcessing a tad huh? Well I'm betting that by the time this thread ends, my extreme curiosity will be soothed.   

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, and just an interesting tidbit, from what I've seen, most the people who make the top ten are surprised to see their name or blog title on it. I know I was. ;~D


Ive noticed that as well!

I have also noticed some of these guys ask for a higher acess level as well> Have a look
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
It really isn't important. I've been at a 1 for as long as I have been here and haven't once complained about it. Who really cares? It doesn't in any way affect my ability to blog here so why should I care about that, scoring, or anything else?


I suppose it's a matter of personal preference Mason. It may not effect the ability for one to blog, but it sure as heck may effect the way in which one blogs

Oh, and Mason, eventhough I don't have a vote, you have mine for Access Level 2 (Power User). I also predict that by the time this thread comes to a halt, that you will in fact see your Access changed to just that. IMHO, it's deserved.

While I rarely even look at the rankings, points, or any of that stuff, I was surprised to see that my blog had hit the top 10 as I do not write for points but rather I just write what I feel like writing about.


What you have said is not uncommon about showing up on the list. I'm not sure If I write for points, I don't think so considering that I knew nothing about the points when I first opened my blog. But as I have mentioned, curiosity has bitten me hard on the butt.

Becoming fixated on the whole scoring thing is a waste of time.


Being curious is a little different than being fixated. I feel the admins make it more of an issue that it really is by NOT explaining the scoring system as it really is. If there did, whomever became simply curious would simply refer to their explination rather than wondering and wondering.

Remember Mason, one persons waste may be another persons treasure. Some people don't care about numbers and how they are generated, but then again, some others bend their entire lives around these things.

Besides, I don't remember the word fair appearing anywhere in the TOS.


Hee hee. I might be the new kid on the block here at JU mason, but believe me, I've been around the block and have formed a pretty good opinion about what "farity" is in todays world. Trust that I am not silly enough to think everything needs to be fair.

Thanks for your comments!

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
BTW, what is this TOS and where is it located?
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

Reply By: Zoomba

WOW!  No wonder you joined Stardock!  I wish I was Zoomba.

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
I also was a top ten user long before my getting to be a poweruser. long long before.