PoliceLink

I agree, nikk.

As soon as that system started, there was a change of behavior on the part of some, as they strove for points. It wasn't a good change, either-- by which I mean, it didn't lead to more thoughtful or informative posts, just a greater volume. I do not understand why people who have never posted a single thing send a friend invite, except that they are trying to build up points.

I used to think it was a bigger deal than what I do now since I have witnessed the same things you have nikk. Frankly, I don't care how many points/stars I have. For those who like it, I hope they have fun with it and I truly wish them all the success. As for me personally, I don't really care. I congratulated CHIEF106 for getting to 5 stars because he is a friend, brother in Christ and fellow LEO. I don't know if he even cares that much, but I did see it as a personal accomplishment for him. So, he got the kudos.

The way it is set up makes it pretty worthless. You get so many points for posting articles and photos etc that most of the time doesn't mean much. When I see people like Barry and Frank, Nikki, Bad LT, etc only having two or three stars and people that are not even LEO's but have max photos of posters, movie stars, dogs, cats, etc and never really contributed to anything having the same number of stars or more....ya lost me with the significance. Now the only star that means anything to me is the verified LEO star. Those that aren't LEO's but have been here and are good people I already know.

formerladycop says ...

How about only allowing verified LEO's accrue points? 

Stole the words right out of the monkey's mouth......great minds think alike.  How about only verified LEO's get the stars but non-verified people can still accrue the points which will reflect on their profile page but not on anything else.  Maybe they could get their own emblem like moons or little turkeys or something.  Maybe in lieu of an emblem we can send them a free toaster after they accure 100,000 points so at least they still have something to strive for.  Just a thought.

Just an ego kind of thing; I guess.....

I'm not a LEO nor do I claim to be but I would like to throw my .02 cents in...I don't have the foggest idea what the stars or points mean....I comment on articles and post in some threads but it's not for that reason,it's because I have something to say or some smarta$$ comment to make.And when I see a question on the home page that I know the answer to or think I know then I answer it but other than that I'm LOST!!

I'm a lil on the "slow side" on this site,as to where I can and can not go on here and I'm still learning but gimme time and then watch out,YA'LL have had it!!!

NiKK I think you know where i stand...I do not like the system that is in place now- how could you! The point of the stars and points is to let other members know what type of reputation you have here on PL..at least that is what they have posted. But how can it be a reputation score when you have people that are Sanctioned still earning points and stars??

I will quote what the site says about it-

"Members with a high reputation score get special status. They get asked to moderate the forums, receive free products for review, and more.

Having a high reputation also lets others know you're an active member of the community and makes it more likely you'll get friend invites and career networking opportunities."

How can we call it a Reputation Score when in some cases we have members that have been Sanctioned with higher scores then people like you (NiKK) TheSarge, Burky, RetiredCop etc. And I think that all members would agree that the names i just posted are people that we trust and turn to for advise about the site. I think that it needs to be totally revamped- and until that happens the ONLY STAR THAT MEANS ANYTHING IS THE ONE THAT SAYS THAT YOU ARE A VERIFIED LEO. Reputation Score.....I Think Not!

I think it's a joke. All it does is create annoying messages and a mutual admiration society. Those that have something to say other than the echo from the Amen Chorus are listened too. Those that know what's going on listen to those folks that know what's going on. It's not hard to spot them. Lord help someone, verified or not, that has a opinion that differs from the norm.

nikkochey says ...

Well, I just look past the points, and take a closer look at the person. What are they posting? How did they get their points, etc. Requires a bit more work when you get friend request. Generally if I have not interacted with an individual or know their backgroud from their profile and receive a friend request with no message as to why I should be their friend the request to to File 13 (circular file).

I'm with ya Top! I've gotten to where if a "friend" requester has hundreds of friends I just ****can it unless they actually send me a comment saying why..... do we have something in common, did you agree with something I said, etc. Just not sure I understand the whole "1500 friends" thing.  Course.....i've only got one star so WTH do I know?

Nick O'Shay wrote <<<What is your opinion of the Stars and scoring (point) system here on PL?>>> It sucks. I haven't a dang clue what either one means; but when I started noticing some ppl having more than others it felt like I was back in Kindergarten when the place a gold star on your forehead for being good. It's asinine to "rate" ppl on a forum, Nick O'Shay. :-) Irish

The star whores love it, I'll pass on it.  Too much like Myspace for me.  Oh and don't forget the comment wall and the tributes.  I just don't care what anyone thinks of me.

As far as I'm concerned the Stars and Points are pretty much useless. Yes, I've only been a member of PoliceLink for a short time. Yes, I already have 3 stars. Yes, I have posted over 2000 articles but I can assure everyone here that it was not done to boost my points in an attempt to promote my "status" here.  Yet, I only have 416 points and haven't really made very many post compared to the majority of people that may have been here as long as I. Although there have been questions posted in the "Ask a Cop" forum that I am quite capable of answering. However, since I'm no longer an LEO I am forbidden to do so and that is okay with me. Because you have to have rules and regulations (Terms Of Use) to follow otherwise you'd have total chaos.

I'm a member of several different other discussion boards too, some of which I've been there for years now but that really doesn't make me any better or worse than others who may have just joined. They too, seem to have some type of rating system but all in all it doesn't really mean a thing. That one person who just joined a site toady and may have only 1 star or none and only a handful of post just may be that one person with the knowledge or answer(s) that someone else is looking for however.Sometimes there is to much emphasis is placed on the "rating system" on these type of sites and some, not all, feel it necessary to inflate their points and egos by making many meaningless post just to make themselves look better than the next poster.

Do away with all the stars and points and look only at the quality of the content/information/answer(s) and not the quantity.

Stars and points are useless. They inspire threads like "the counting thread". 1, 2, 3, 4, Good Grief!   Same for the comment wall and tributes, when you have people tributing themselves................well that is just pathetic and sad.

"STARS??????? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' STARS!!!!!!

I don't consider myself a star whore, and was kinda proud when i got to my second star, but then again, i like to think i've provided some good topics for discussion and some witty (if not completely dry comments) to lighten some discussions.  Thinking aout it though, I'd rather my words speak for themselves than the star system.  I'm compteive, but this isn't a competition, its a site to share information and netwqork with others who share your same views and beliefs, and for those times we don't, to share in some lively debate.