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I have not looked at my profile page since I updated it two plus years ago adding I’m retired.  This topic got me interested in knowing just what my community rank is.  I don’t do a lot of posts because I stick to topics I know about and that I think will add substance to the forum (I try to stay away from subjective comments).  So I thought my ranking would be low but it turned out higher than I thought because I guess of all the “likes” I have done.

 

Out of curiosity, I checked the ranking of most of the people posting on this topic and saw some who had a very high ranking with very few “likes”, and some with a high ranking with nearly all “likes”.  I understand the metrics issue for the forum sponsors, but "likes" seem to be too easy to do to be counted as participation.  So here is one of my few subjective comments:  If you are going to have a ranking system based on participation, than it should be based on posts only.  And hopefully those post will have useful and helpful comments, or be fun like the various photo topics (I do a lot of “likes” there). 

 

Something else that might be good:  change the algorithm so that if someone does a great post and gets a lot of “likes” for it, the poster gets the credit.  Quality should count as much as quantity.

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Personally, I'd be quite happy to see them do away with the community ranking ratings.  It doesn't take long to see who's contributing and who's not, why the need to score? 

Agreed.  Remember for a short time when everyone had engineer or fireman next to there name etc.  Then some got all in a huff because they weren't a conductor or what ever!  Childish nonsense!  Just have a member since whatever year and do away with the rest of it. 

Below is the Community rating information.  As stated several times, "If you don't like it, feel free to start your own forum"
 
 
 
Community Rank
Your community rank reflects your overall contributions to, and influence within, the community. The lower the number, the better!
The rank is based on your overall community activity points, as well as the number of followers that you have. You earn activity points when you participate on the site. For instance, all of the following earn activity points: posting content, commenting, liking content, following other members or content, and voting on polls. Other actions will also earn you points. In general, the more active you are, the more activity points you will earn.
Originally Posted by jmiller320:
You earn activity points when you participate on the site. For instance, all of the following earn activity points: posting content, commenting, liking content, following other members or content, and voting on polls.

So, the solution is simple: "Like" every single post on all of the forums. 

 

This way you increase your own stature and deplete everyone else's...

 

Rusty

Originally Posted by RJR:

Dave Garmin's post is interesting.  I wasn't aware that there is a list of things I had responded to and I could "bookmark" them with a heart.  I'll have to try to find it.

 

In that vein, in the lower right hand corner off each post is a "permalink" icon.  What does that do?

OT, but since it's short I'll answer.

 

The permalink gives you a http address that links directly to a post within the thread as opposed to the thread starting (or subsequent) pages.

 

-Dave

Originally Posted by OGR Ad Man:

 

Many forums like this one have a point system and/or designated achievement levels.  Marketing studies tell us the reason for doing so is because there are a significant number of members that receive gratification when they are awarded points and "titles" as this establishes in their mind as having a position within the community.  Believe it or not the analysts tell forum owners / administrators that this is an important component in traffic count and that points, designations, and other forms of awards encourage members to post more often.  There has been plenty of research on this topic and the conclusion indicates that rankings within a forum community are important in the minds of a large number of its members and thus encourages the membership to be more active since a side goal is to achieve a higher ranking and establishing a certain level of importance.

  

Alan!...great comments!....I like them very much.  But, I ain't gonna push the 'Like' button lest I fall into the metrics quagmire.

 

Talk about fertile fodder for psycho-babble!.....

 

So I have a question for the OGR staff.....

 

Based on the commentary of this thread, what value do YOU believe the calculated/posted Community Ranking number brings to the forum...the community....NOT the individuals who make up the community.

 

And, what I'm looking for is what YOU perceive the value of the CR number to be...NOT what the salespersons/research 'experts'/metrics advocates say you should regard to be the value.  And that, especially, in the light of this thread and its comments.

 

 

Last edited by dkdkrd
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by jmiller320:
You earn activity points when you participate on the site. For instance, all of the following earn activity points: posting content, commenting, liking content, following other members or content, and voting on polls.

So, the solution is simple: "Like" every single post on all of the forums. 

 

This way you increase your own stature and deplete everyone else's...

 

Rusty

To some extent yes. But our #1 and others didn't "get there" by liking others content.

It was from contribution, and other liking their posts as well.

 

I like the "like". For social "nods", and critique use both.

I don't see a dislike as being productive as much as being provocative.

It's abuse could be "devastating", vs just silly.

  

 The overall ranking is a curious bit of nonsense to me.

I've been watching it out of curiosity as to how it worked.

 My attention was drawn to it by a talented (but somewhat angry) new-comer that wanted to know what the key to getting likes here was.

 I was truly surprised as my own ranking was in the top 100.

 

There are a lot of folk that deserve to be ranked over me for sure.

 

  "He" was well liked on FB, and didn't understand why the feedback here, wasn't at that level. I don't think he rose in rank fast enough for his taste, and eventually left us ???.

 

So, in close, its both a draw, and a negative I think we can do without  

 

Originally Posted by dkdkrd:

Alan!...great comments!....I like them very much.  But, I ain't gonna push the 'Like' button lest I fall into the metrics quagmire.

 

Talk about fertile fodder for psycho-babble!.....

 

So I have a question for the OGR staff.....

 

Based on the commentary of this thread, what value do YOU believe the calculated/posted Community Ranking number brings to the forum...the community....NOT the individuals who make up the community.

 

And, what I'm looking for is what YOU perceive the value of the CR number to be...NOT what the salespersons/research 'experts'/metrics advocates say you should regard to be the value.  And that, especially, in the light of this thread and its comments.

 

 

I suspect they are stuck with it.  (The researchers / salespeople / metric takers do these evaluations for forums in general, not this one.)

 

Even before the migration to this forum software, there was at least once when a "reset" caused post counts to vanish (some people were horrified, others didn't care).  At the time, the OGR staff seemed to say "good riddance" to the counts.  Then there was the whole Engineer/Conductor/Brakeman thing a while back that got canned (which was probably a good thing).

 

This is probably one of those "unless you want to write your own forum software you are stuck with it to some level" deals.

Last edited by Dave45681

Well, sometimes I view this as a completion, it was surprising that from Friday evening to Saturday Morning my rank went from high 590s to 515-521 the next morning. I don't look as my rank as something to be proud of, I believe that your rank shows how much you contribute to the forum, and passing on the Knowledge you learned to others in the hobby.

Originally Posted by Tim Lewis:

Well, sometimes I view this as a completion, it was surprising that from Friday evening to Saturday Morning my rank went from high 590s to 515-521 the next morning. I don't look as my rank as something to be proud of, I believe that your rank shows how much you contribute to the forum, and passing on the Knowledge you learned to others in the hobby.

That's Marty's original topic/gripe.  Clicking "Like" 1000 times (not referring to you, Tim) doesn't contribute much of anything, especially when it's done in a blanket sort of way like the person who is "Liking" every single post in this thread.  I'm pretty sure at this point he's doing it to make a point (and has tons of free time on his hands).

 

Though some have illustrated good rationale, using it as a sort of personal favorites so they don't rely on the browser, which is perfectly reasonable IMO.

 

There's absolutely nothing that can be done about it though. It works the way it works.  It's the equivalent of people on eBay getting upset that people "watch" their auctions and don't bid.

 

Marty,

I imagine that you had no idea of just how many forum members share your sentiments. I appreciate your doing so, Thank you!

Over the years I had no desire to join or even participate in the forum. After all how many collectors of prewar Std Gauge are there? In the short while I've been here I have enjoyed the kinship of the forum. When I read the post of a member offering good advice, I click on the Like button. There are those like yourself who offer operational tips and first class repair knowledge.

To everyone who has offered their assistance these past years I have clicked on the Like button. It is what it is and if it offends you take a chill pill. 

 I was walking thru Ridge Road Station and looking for any help on my MTH products. They said they had looked into them, but at that time didn't carry them. They told me about something called the OGR and said maybe they knew about the G scale stuff too. At that time I didn't know Ray Manley (MTH G gauge guru) yet and didn't know where else to turn.

 So I came here lurking around to find help. I saw posts about "magic Light" bulbs and knew that might be some help. I read all the posts about signal I could grasp from guys here like Marty F. There wasn't any book yet for help (Barry's), so I kept a list of stuff that seemed to be like "rules" for good signal strength. Posters kept coming back with more and better ideas and understanding of what I too was seeing.

 There were some significant advancements over time, like the original bulb idea, Susan's filters, the new "L" TIU version, and much better lists of known bugs in the software. It took someone like Barry to actually make a printed copy that you could bank on the info inside.

 All this info and help was readily available here for free from guys willing to spend their time to help you. Even my Lionel TMCC engines had issues that I was unsure of, that got spelled out here and the cures.

 I think the thing that bothers me the most, is the passing of some great people and how limited our time here can be. Some others, just lost their patience or interest after struggles, and left. Some of them demanded more credit for their participation.

 I can only speak out again to thank all the people who make this a great forum. I thank the moderators for their time and expertise in keeping certain personalities inline, and making this site so enjoyable.

Hi Marty & Members

     You Tube and Facebook, both have “Like Buttons” They are each worth over five billion dollars each. The “Like Button” on You Tube, Facebook and the OGR Forum, is a method used to sell advertising.

     Take away the Like Button and the Activity Points, there is a risk to advertising dollars.

     Remember this fact - 62% of people on the web are now on a smart phone or iPhone, for me checking the “Like” is faster then typing a comment, this is a complex process on a Smart Phone.

     I would encourge the OGR Management not to change the rules.

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Great comments guys.  I often wondered what view on the situation others had.  It is what it is.  If someone who has been helpful to other members has a low number, it is what it is.  If someone has been no help to anyone at all with a lower number, it is what it is.   When a member is reaching out for assistance, they know after time who to ask.  I have a lower number and would have no problem if the number is removed.  

 

The OGR forum is the best in the hobby and is run by good people who know what they are doing.  Most of the forum members are very helpful to each other.  Walking the halls at York is fun when we meet members/friends and it is always great to say hello to new members and put a face to a name.  I have always opened my home to all OGR forum members.  Many have visited.

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Personally, I'd be quite happy to see them do away with the community ranking ratings.  It doesn't take long to see who's contributing and who's not, why the need to score? 

Says the one who's ranked Number 1  

 

I didn't even know there was rankings until I saw this thread and started looking at my ranking and others.  yeah, they should be done away with.  To many egos already.  LOL

Last edited by superwarp1

Not everyone is a super scale railroader. Some just like trains, o gauge and 027. Some of us are on a tight budget and can't afford $2,000 engines but we like seeing post that show photo's or videos of them and they get a lot of likes, Some members are members for the for sale trade only.

Putting ranking numbers next to a member is silly. I never go out of my way to see a members "ranking" I could care less. I treat everyone the same. Some members may feel like they have to get their number down so other members think that they contribute. 

Everyone (I hope)is here for TRAINS and train related items.

This is a great place to learn and meet people weather its o gauge or 027, wind up or HO,

keep the forum but do away with the rankings. The only members who care may be members who need a low rating for their ego.   

Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by jmiller320:
You earn activity points when you participate on the site. For instance, all of the following earn activity points: posting content, commenting, liking content, following other members or content, and voting on polls.

So, the solution is simple: "Like" every single post on all of the forums. 

 

This way you increase your own stature and deplete everyone else's...

 

Rusty

I think that for every "point" you get for liking something, the person with the "liked" post gets 2 or 3, so don't like too many from the same person or they'll pass you!

The OGR forum is the best in the hobby and is run by good people who know what they are doing.  Most of the forum members are very helpful to each other.  Walking the halls at York is fun when we meet members/friends and it is always great to say hello to new members and put a face to a name.  I have always opened my home to all OGR forum members.  Many have visited.

 

Marty Fitzhenry

I agree with WHAT Marty said above , and I hope to meet him and all you good fokes at the next York meet~

Alan

 

Originally Posted by Ron H:

I'm Ok with things as they are. I'm very thankful that OGR apparently doesn't sell or pass on our email addresses to marketers or spammers. I consider that a point of integrity for OGR.

Correct on the email addresses, and I'm glad you noticed.

 

As far as the "LIKES" and Community Rankings are concerned, if I could shut the rankings off, I would. I don't think they serve any positive, useful purpose. I have no idea what my Community Ranking is and don't care.

I only like topics that, well I like. I also use it to bookmark a topic, so I can go back to it later for reference in lieu of searching a 100 posts on the forum. 

 

Is there anyway to better bookmark topics?

 

Also, I could also care less about my "number". I am here to learn, get resources and ideas, and contribute.

 

Chris

As other posters have said they do, I tend to "like" a reply when it truly stands out to me and/or it exactly and completely addresses my points, leaving nothing new to add.  I usually don't care to leave a simple reply such as "agreed" or "+1".

 

If other posters "like" everything and that's what they enjoy doing here - doesn't bother me. 

Originally Posted by OGR Ad Man:

...  There has been plenty of research on this topic and the conclusion indicates that rankings within a forum community are important in the minds of a large number of its members and thus encourages the membership to be more active since a side goal is to achieve a higher ranking and establishing a certain level of importance.

 

...

 

Perhaps... but most marketing professionals also know they need to never take this "research" too seriously.  For the many years I worked in Corporate America, I took all this stuff with a grain of salt each and everyday.  It was a part of marketing we all knew existed, but I never gave it much credence.  Most of it was BS and only applied to a small minority of people.

 

David

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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