Point Farming - What can be done about this?

I think limiting the number of thread starts per day is a good start.

However, the problem is going to rear it's head again, in simply an other way. I have a feeling Eden may have to think about Moderators eventually. But, it's really up to Eden how they want to go about that. All I'll say is; it's a big job for a site this large.

I agree, Wildorchid. I think it's important to remember that the problem here is "point farming". That's why there are too many new threads posted constantly.

The perfect way to stop the point farming in that arena, is to remove the points for starting threads. It's easy, it's automatic, there's no worry about censoring people, nor investigating people. It nips the whole problem in the bud.

It won't discourage legitimate threads, it will just remove the point farming aspect of new threads.

After reading all the suggestions, the simplest answer to me is to either limit the number of new threads people can make each day or to just remove points for that activity. Having mods seems like a good idea, but I think it would very quickly get very complicated (as shown through the discussion of mods in this thread). Plus, since Eden is a business, I think a different approach might be more pertinent.

A simpler solution is to just reduce the number of threads that can be started per day for points. I think that would take care of the issue immediately, and avoid the need for involving moderators or any form of subjectivity.

I agree, Wildorchid. I think it's important to remember that the problem here is "point farming". That's why there are too many new threads posted constantly.

The perfect way to stop the point farming in that arena, is to remove the points for starting threads. It's easy, it's automatic, there's no worry about censoring people, nor investigating people. It nips the whole problem in the bud.

It won't discourage legitimate threads, it will just remove the point farming aspect of new threads.

I agree, Wildorchid. I think it's important to remember that the problem here is "point farming". That's why there are too many new threads posted constantly.

The perfect way to stop the point farming in that arena, is to remove the points for starting threads. It's easy, it's automatic, there's no worry about censoring people, nor investigating people. It nips the whole problem in the bud.

It won't discourage legitimate threads, it will just remove the point farming aspect of new threads.

Again, I am only speaking from experience I am not speaking for Eden in any way Threats are still VERY rare. I hesitated to mention it, not wanting to scare people.

I think the threat of threats here would be quite minimal. Eden has a strong Zero Tolerance policy for nastiness already, so I don't see the same issues popping up.

This is why it should just be limited instead of removed. So the forum as a whole isn't too effected by the results. Also this could mean more farming taking place on other parts of the community like the reviews or the farming we can't see (alerts, wishlists, etc). In that case I just don't see a winning situation

This is why it should just be limited instead of removed. So the forum as a whole isn't too effected by the results. Also this could mean more farming taking place on other parts of the community like the reviews or the farming we can't see (alerts, wishlists, etc). In that case I just don't see a winning situation

Just to clarify, you're talking about removing points for starting threads/posts/discussi ons whatever they're called right? But keeping points for responding to threads?

If that's the case, that would make sense to me because that way, the community itself could decide what constitutes a useless/spammy/trollin g thread simply by responding or not responding right? Or am I way off base?

Personally I'd be inclined to remove that section at the bottom of the forum main page, which displays the 45 most recently posted in threads. Often I read replies to threads which are pretty irrelevant to what's being asked, simply because the poster hasn't looked at what category the thread was made in. It's too easy for people to cast an eye over that list and pick out things to make a spammy reply to, and I imagine it would happen less if people actually had to click into individual sections of the forum to see what's being discussed.

The problem is, if you don't nip it in the bud, that spam begets more spam. If new members join and see that the forum is mostly full of people spamming for points, then they'll be inclined to mimic that behaviour, and then it just spirals out of control.

This is a good point. A ton of pointless discussions get mixed in with good ones in the most recent list at the bottom of the page. I like the feature because it also has a tab for the discussions I've participated in and it's easy for me to go back to those.
But getting rid of the most recent feature allows users to go to the category they feel they most want to discuss. That way if someone wants to do comparisons to their hearts desire they can. The problems is sometimes things that I have questions to are not posted in the category I would think they would be. So in that sense the categories would either have to be revamped or the search engine since it's not always 100% helpful. People would have to be willing to use the search engine as well for that matter.

I agree. We'll see "troll-ey" reviews, and more searches for nothing, and lures like crazy etc. People getting more than one identity (which isn't dealt with by subtracting points only.)

It's more than just one area of "point farming" that is being effected. Subtract or take away points one place, it will move elsewhere, until the point program (which works VERY nicely for those who play nicely) will disappear. Beck is so right.

I guess so

I really hope some of the ideas that our community has come up with lead to something that works out. I am looking forward to seeing some changes. I am keeping my fingers crossed that those who are spamming see this thread and slow the number of posts down.

When a discussion starts, it's really easy to see 5 pages of posts show up!

There is a forum mod...but let me bring this back to what Gary started with: we want to be fair and give people the chance to learn how the forums work and educate, rather than take any disciplinary measures. To do this, we'll need to work the EoC. Your feedback is very much appreciated in this matter.

I've seen some good ideas pop up on here and some ideas that would require some tweeking, given the software.

I'd definitely like to see the EoC more prominent on the site. We can make that happen; it's just a matter of how.

I hope this isn't taking a simplistic approach. Next to every post on the forums is a "Flag" button on the right. Start using it. The mods then determine who is naughty & who is nice.

Additionally, this plan can get implemented immediately. Without any major configuration to software, or rule changes. Just a thought.

I hope this isn't taking a simplistic approach. Next to every post on the forums is a "Flag" button on the right. Start using it. The mods then determine who is naughty & who is nice.

Additionally, this plan can get implemented immediately. Without any major configuration to software, or rule changes. Just a thought.