Bugs and Suggestions

3-Jul-11 18:20

Too easy. I'll have the code updated hopefully later tomorrow.

Hang on - later today. That time already?

cheers,
Chris Maunder

The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP

Download Rep Points

#realJSOP3-Jul-11 6:59

3-Jul-11 6:59

I noticed a download is now only worth 1 point. Have you also implemented the code that reduces back-dated downloads (and adds in as-yet uncounted ones?

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

Chris Maunder3-Jul-11 7:37

3-Jul-11 7:37

Currently running the rep repopulation script. It should be done by this evening, but before the results are locked in I'll review to ensure they are sensible. Expect a big jump.

cheers,
Chris Maunder

The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP

Hans Dietrich3-Jul-11 8:55

Hans Dietrich

3-Jul-11 8:55

What is your rationale for reducing downloads to 1 point, when bookmarks earn 5 points? Shouldn't downloads be worth at least as much as bookmarks? In fact, as a positive indicator, it would seem that downloading takes more effort and shows more interest in the article than a bookmark.

Whatever points you assign, IMHO downloading should earn twice the points of a bookmark, assuming you want these points to have some meaning.

Best wishes,
Hans

[Hans Dietrich Software]

#realJSOP3-Jul-11 12:49

3-Jul-11 12:49

It's a delicate balance of give and take, and I don't envy Chris the position of deciding how to approach it because there's always going to be someone that complains. That being said...

Let's take for instance the case of one .dan.g., author of the rabidly popular todo list article, currently with 122,742 downloads. At 10 points per view (by your suggestion), that would be 1.2 MILLION points for just one article's downloads, and he's got an additional 12,000 points just for bookmarks. Even at the current 5 points per download, that would be a gain of close to 500K points. Now, let's look at the rest of dan's stats:

16 articles (counting the big one described above)
1 Q/A question *asked*
7500 Forum messages

That's it, yet he has over 127,000 points, based almost solely on one article. In fact, checking his forum messages, the vast bulk of them are connected to that one article as well, and even the single question he asked is directly connected with updating that one article.

Now, dan currently has over 127,000 rep points, and he will undoubtedly get more points when the download re-calc is completed.

Now, let's change to a different user:

John Simmons / Outlaw Programmer (298,300 rep points)
46 articles
24,200 Forum messages
22 Questions asked
3,100 Questions answered
43 tips (and alternates)
1270 Comments

Now, anyone with any power of observation at all would recognize that dan really doesn't contribute a lot to the site. Even with the stats he DOESN'T have, he's got almost half as many points as I do - derived almost completely from a single article. By all accounts, I *should* have more points than Dan, but if we were to see 5 points per download, I would realize MAYBE a 60-80,000 point gain (with your points suggestion), shooting me up above 300K points, but dan would pass ALL of us - just from a single article.

Personally, I don't really feel that's equitable unless Chris renames CopeProject to "ToDoList.com". We all contribute the best we can, and we get rep points for doing it. Yes, it would be disheartening to be overtaken and passed by a WIDE margin by an obviously under-contributing user, especially with all of the effort I put in, but life's a shit sandwich, and every day I have to take a bite out of it.

Dalek Dave3-Jul-11 12:56

Dalek Dave

3-Jul-11 12:56

Hear Hear.

It is the breadth of contributions as well as the depth.

------------------------------------

I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave

CCC Link[^]
Trolls[^]

Rage4-Jul-11 1:22

Rage

4-Jul-11 1:22

That's a very interesting analysis. To counter that, a possible solution would be to limit the number of points awarded for the download of one article. (e.g. do not count up after, for instance, the 50,000th downloads). The actual number of downloads could still be a way to evaluate the article, but do not enter in the rep count.
Actually, the real question is: what is reputation ? Should a. regular contributors be awarded points, or b. great contribution, even if it is a one shot ?
To me, it is clearly a. In fact reputation should indicate how much I can trust the posts of one person. If someone writes a complete drivel app written in poor code which will be downloaded seven million times because it is _the_ idea of the century, does it make its author a "reputable" person in the rest of the forum ...?

#realJSOP4-Jul-11 1:39

4-Jul-11 1:39

I'm not really after a solution. Limiting points for any reason isn't the answer (I don't think). I was merely pointing out that with very little effort, someone could gain A LOT of points. Now, dan certainly takes care of his article, with regular updates and answering questions, so that, in and of itself is participation, but he's doing so to the almost total exclusion of the rest of what the site is about. And that's fine. I'm pretty sure that he's the only user here that generates a lopsided reputation score like that, and to change the system for one person is beyond ludicrous.

I'm glad we don't get points for views. He has 4 million on that one article alone. Smile | :)

Rage4-Jul-11 1:46

Rage

4-Jul-11 1:46

I was merely trying to anticipate the problem: An, say, infomercial king could come and drop "the" killer app, and gain a lot of reps, without making him recommendable... Unsure | :~

As I wrote, the question is the one of the sense and the goal of rep points.

And just to make it clear, it is nothing against dan. I use the ToDoList everyday Blush | :O

and it is an awesome tool, not speaking about the code which is also very well written/maintained. Cool | :cool:

Ger Hayden4-Jul-11 1:28

Ger Hayden

4-Jul-11 1:28

May I suggest a multiplier. 1 point per download times the number of articles posted perhaps.

Ger

#realJSOP4-Jul-11 1:40

4-Jul-11 1:40

I'm not suggesting that Chris change anything. I was just highlighting this one situation (of which I'm pretty sure is the only one of it's kind). No changes need to be made. the system is what it is and we should just let it be.

PeteBarber4-Jul-11 4:21

PeteBarber

4-Jul-11 4:21

>>I'm not suggesting that Chris change anything. I was just highlighting this one situation (of which >>I'm pretty sure is the only one of it's kind). No changes need to be made. the system is what it is >>and we should just let it be.

Sounds good to me. If the example is the only anomaly then leaving it be seems to make sense.

Independent ACN representative

PJ Arends4-Jul-11 11:49

PJ Arends

4-Jul-11 11:49

John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
I don't really feel that's equitable unless Chris renames CopeProject to
"ToDoList.com".

But at the same time, the site is called 'code' project, so I feel the points should be rewarded more on the code side of the site rather than the lounge. If I make a witty comment in the lounge that a single platinum member finds funny enough to vote a five for, I would get 25 points. Now I would need 25 different people to download my code to earn the same points. A 25:1 ratio of wit versus code, on a site that is supposed to be about code. Roll eyes | :rolleyes:

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PeteBarber4-Jul-11 12:12

PeteBarber

4-Jul-11 12:12

I was thinking some more and agree along the same lines. It seems the change in RPs is shifting CP's emphasis from being a place to post cool code to one of asking and answering questions, i.e. becoming StackOverflow.

If so that's a shame as whereas StackOverflow asks answers specific points CP is often more in depth and introduces concepts and techniques that can be used to write better programs rather than solve immediate problems.

Chris Maunder4-Jul-11 14:43

4-Jul-11 14:43

And if a platinum author upvotes your article you get 80 Author points - points that improve your Author standing and give you more abilities on the site. Debator points don't actually give you much other than bragging rights.

I think the balance is fair.

cheers,
Chris Maunder

The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP

Please delete my account completely

Drew Stainton4-Jul-11 14:24

Drew Stainton

4-Jul-11 14:24

Hans Dietrich wrote:
IMHO downloading should earn twice the points of a bookmark, assuming you want
these points to have some meaning.

I disagree. In my experience I tend to download all kinds of things that look interesting only to find out they're crap. The really good stuff gets a bookmark.

In other words, the ultimate prize is a bookmark, not a download, at least for me.

Cheers,
Drew.

DeleteMyAccountForever3-Jul-11 6:48

DeleteMyAccountForever

3-Jul-11 6:48

Please delete my this account...

Re: Please delete my account completely

#realJSOP3-Jul-11 7:00

Re: Please delete my account completely

3-Jul-11 7:00

I recommend complying with this guy's request post-haste.

Dalek Dave3-Jul-11 7:00

Dalek Dave

3-Jul-11 7:00

Whats up Ravi?

Someone upset you?

------------------------------------

I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave

CCC Link[^]
Trolls[^]

Re: Please delete my account completely

Chris Maunder3-Jul-11 7:38