How do you accumulate "Points" here.

Have wondered the same thing.

I'm seems to be connected to the number of posts you publish. My points have increased since posting and replying to this question. 

What are the points actually for ? What good do they do ? I myself don't care about stature in any forum. If indeed that's what it's for . Thanks 

For most it's meaningless.  For some it's a status symbol.  Personally I could care less.  I just want to participate and help where I can and get help when needed.  Seems that goal is reached.

Thanks Marty. I was just curious if anyone here knows how the "points" are calculated. So far, no one seems to know how and way we get these points. 

The points go up as you respond or post to any topic. It just shows others what your activity is here on the forum.

Thanks Mike G. 

Dontano posted:

Thanks Marty. I was just curious if anyone here knows how the "points" are calculated. So far, no one seems to know how and way we get these points. 

Sorry I didn't really answer your question.  It is as stated just a participation number.  How much you participate but unfortunately not so much a quality of participation.  I know most wish it would just go away as some folks feel that some participate via "likes" and posts (without anything meaningful to add)  just to see a higher number.

Well, it's all about having fun and talking trains. Thanks Marty. 

It's really pointless .

Grampstrains posted:

It's really pointless .

Punny.

What points?  I rarely, if ever, look at my own profile anyway.

While we're here, what does  the red dot mean beside your name?

It means your online. in the forum.

I'm just going to make a guess and say the red dot means you're currently online. 

Dontano posted:

I'm just going to make a guess and say the red dot means you're currently online. 

Well, sort of. The red dot means that you are "logged in" on the OGR Forum.

Yes. That's what I meant to say HOT WATER. Thanks.

The point system has led to many useless threads from those trying to raise their numbers. But alas it's still part of the forum.

I  very seldom log out. No red dot on my name and I assume you have to logged in to post? Test.

The only time I really pay some attention to it is if I'm buying something off the member.

Don't know why but it makes me a wee bit more comfortable with the sell knowing the member participates some on the forum.  Just me I guess.

Larry

I never noticed the "red dot" until now. I don't really care about points or status on this forum or for any other forum for that matter but I am curious as to what the red dot means. Could it possibly mean the user reached a certain level of points? 

Hudson J1e posted:

I never noticed the "red dot" until now. I don't really care about points or status on this forum or for any other forum for that matter but I am curious as to what the red dot means. Could it possibly mean the user reached a certain level of points? 

As others have said, I think the red dot means that you are signed in to the forum?

laz1957 posted:

Hudson J1e posted:

I never noticed the "red dot" until now. I don't really care about points or status on this forum or for any other forum for that matter but I am curious as to what the red dot means. Could it possibly mean the user reached a certain level of points? 

As others have said, I think the red dot means that you are signed in to the forum?

Yes, that makes sense but how come GREGG above says he never logs out and he doesn't have the red dot? 

Gregg posted:

I  very seldom log out. No red dot on my name and I assume you have to logged in to post? Test.

Then you must have "turned off" that feature in your personal profile. I have not "logged off" for more than a few years, but I "turned off" that red dot feature.

Hudson J1e posted:

laz1957 posted:

Hudson J1e posted:

I never noticed the "red dot" until now. I don't really care about points or status on this forum or for any other forum for that matter but I am curious as to what the red dot means. Could it possibly mean the user reached a certain level of points? 

As others have said, I think the red dot means that you are signed in to the forum?

Yes, that makes sense but how come GREGG above says he never logs out and he doesn't have the red dot? 

You can "Hide" your online status within your profile settings.

I mean it ain't a big deal. I am just curious. I'm at a car dealership right now waiting for my car. I'm getting an oil change for the trip to York and I am really bored! 

Sorry I did not see the two responses above. The mystery is solved! Thanks. 

Yes it is.   

Dontano posted:

... I was just curious if anyone here knows how the "points" are calculated. So far, no one seems to know how and way we get these points. 

You should have been around when these points generated each member's "Community Rank".    The algorithm to tally up points is some mysterious internal metric -- likely based on threads created, posts made to threads, "liking" another member's posts/threads, and perhaps even how many followers a member has or whether a member follows other forum members.  Only Hoopla programmers probably really know the weight of these components.  I'm sure if they wanted it to, OGR's moderators could even have Hoopla's algorithm dock points whenever a member's post or thread gets deleted -- not that anyone would even care. 

When the community rank was listed in each member's profile, it became a bone of contention for some folks.  And the forum members who don't always get along often accused folks of posting just to elevate their community rank.  Because of this nonsense, the community rank is no longer listed in the profile.  Thankfully.  But the total points apparently is still displayed.  

Quite frankly, the best reason I've heard thus far is the one that's linked to seeing whether a seller has been an active member vs. just recently joining the forum to sell something.  Then again, folks tend to know who's an active contributing member just by familiarity with their screen name.  We don't really need points to tell us that.  Also keep in mind this forum software is used by lots of different "virtual communities" -- not just OGR.  And community ranking and/or one's "status" as part of a group (i.e., one's "seniority" based on activity) is all part of various community underpinnings.  I'm sure psychology and sociology majors could have a field day with this stuff!!!    But to most of us it's purely meaningless.

David

I suppose the points are just a Hoopla system add-on which a forum client could use as an incentive for freebies, if desired.

To paraphrase that "Whose Line Is It Anyway" show; everybody's having fun and the points don't matter.

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

Dontano posted:

... I was just curious if anyone here knows how the "points" are calculated. So far, no one seems to know how and way we get these points. 

You should have been around when these points generated each member's "Community Rank".    The algorithm to tally up points is some mysterious internal metric -- likely based on threads created, posts made to threads, "liking" another member's posts/threads, and perhaps even how many followers a member has or whether a member follows other forum members.  Only Hoopla programmers probably really know the weight of these components.  I'm sure if they wanted it to, OGR's moderators could even have Hoopla's algorithm dock points whenever a member's post or thread gets deleted -- not that anyone would even care. 

When the community rank was listed in each member's profile, it became a bone of contention for some folks.  And the forum members who don't always get along often accused folks of posting just to elevate their community rank.  Because of this nonsense, the community rank is no longer listed in the profile.  Thankfully.  But the total points apparently is still displayed.  

Quite frankly, the best reason I've heard thus far is the one that's linked to seeing whether a seller has been an active member vs. just recently joining the forum to sell something.  Then again, folks tend to know who's an active contributing member just by familiarity with their screen name.  We don't really need points to tell us that.  Also keep in mind this forum software is used by lots of different "virtual communities" -- not just OGR.  And community ranking and/or one's "status" as part of a group (i.e., one's "seniority" based on activity) is all part of various community underpinnings.  I'm sure psychology and sociology majors could have a field day with this stuff!!!    But to most of us it's purely meaningless.

David

David made a good "point" here as far as some member's use in the past of the point system.  A good number of those that worked hard to get their community rank increased were disappointed when the rankings were dropped.  Prior to the dropping of the rankings, it was interesting to see some members try to use their "standing" on the forum in terms of importance to the well being of the community!  Funny that many left after community rankings went away.........