Maureen McCabe talks about it here and here.
Teri Lussier, creator of the acronym GPTFS (Great Post Thanks For Sharing) has discussed it here and here.
Do an Active Rain Search on "GPTFS" .... or on "Comment Points" ... and you'll find other discussions and opinions, too.
What's the issue? Since comments earn AR points, sometimes members leave comments that simply say "Good Idea" or "Thank You" or whatever, without really contributing to the conversation.
Some members propose eliminating comment points as a way to eliminate frivolous comments. Teri suggested allowing the blog author to award points to commentors.
Here's my solution:
At the end of each blog post, the blog author would place a multiple choice list of suggested comments. Readers could then simply copy and paste whichever comment they felt best suited their personal response.
Example. (Please feel free to copy and paste in the comment section)
1. Cheryl, you are too funny.
2. Cheryl, you are a genius.
3. Cheryl, you are gorgeous.
4. Cheryl, you are incredible.
See? Simple and painless. The blog author gets intelligent comments. And everybody still gets points.
1. Cheryl, you are too funny.
I agree,that you have to sift through many posts to get to the ones with some meat to them. I have no problem with requiring each post to actually have an opinion or new thought....and always require more than one line.
1. Cheryl, you are too funny. 2. Cheryl, you are a genius. 3. Cheryl, you are gorgeous. 4. Cheryl, you are incredible. BUT YOU LEFT OFF THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE: 5. CHERYL, I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BLOG! Haaa!
Cheryl- you are all that and a bag of chips.
Now. About those emoticons...
4. Cheryl, you are incredible.... and all of the above.
1. Cheryl, you are too funny.
2. Cheryl, you are a genius.
3. Cheryl, you are gorgeous.
4. Cheryl, you are incredible.
How many points do I get for following directions? Good job stirring up a hot subject. Ever notice that when we do something it is for fun or education but when 'others' do the similar thing they are annoying? (those bad PW, am I a member yet?) cw
Good Morning CJ, I suppose you are serious, LOL, but AR supposedly took care of this already. I was told that unless the comment was at least 12 words, there were no points awarded.
So in the multiple choice, You could offer the option ( for points) of the following.
1. Cheryl, you are too funny for words so I am not going to include any here. (16 words)
2, Cheryl, you are genius and I know, because I am one as well. ( 13 words)
3. Cheryl, you are gorgeous and that is not flirtation, just a simple fact. ( 13 words)
4. Cheryl, you are incredible, extraordinary, brilliant, funny and positively an amazing writer. ( 12 words) 1 extra point should awarded for using 3 commas correctly in one sentence.
This way you get the same or better benefit and the commenter gets the points. Yeah!
2. Cheryl, you are a genius.
I don't always leave comments on your posts but I always read them! I learn something new every time!! You are a real AR Gem!
Cheryl, you are too funny.
" Cheryl you are a trip and half and I want more of what you are taking". Its an important subject. The short 3 words comments shouldn't get any points.
I'm going with Cheryl, you ARE a genius.
The short comments do not get points, but what are referred to as "GPTFS" are sprinkled all over AR for points, so they must be more than the minimum. The GPTFS are legendary on ActiveRain and outside. There is a trend of non conversational comments on ActiveRain, no one can deny that. They argue it's polite. I don't buy that. I will buy "I have nothing to say but I want to let you know I was here" but I am not fond of that interrupting a conversation in the comments on my post.
Cher, I have to say I am fascinated with this. Sometimes, the only thing I'd like to do is say thank you to a person for posting something that touches me. What if that is the only thing that I want to say? I always find is interesting how there is a movement by other people to decide what is and isn't appropriate to continue a conversational thread. If it is my personal conversation with the poster, I have the right to have my own conversational thread within the thread and don't mind not getting points for being too short because I don't care about the points. I care about connecting and developing a relationship (or letting a friend know I stopped by). I can see this post is going to be really, really interesting... Can't wait for more commentary! :-)
Perhaps a fifth option -
5. Cheryl, you are ________
We can then fill in the blank with the appropriate word. There are a variety of adjectives that will do: brilliant, crazy, wonderful... you get the idea.
Cheryl, You make my Day!
g
This was funny! I loved the little man rolling on the floor laughing. I'm afraid to quit right here.....but I can't think of anything else to say. lol
Hi Cheryl...The ones I don't appreciate receiving are the ones that advertise themselves instead of making a real comment which can be just a thank you.
I agree that it is more fun to read comments that actually touch on the subject of the post but a thank you is better than the self promotion.
5. Cheryl, your posts are absolutely, positively the very, very best ones on Active Rain and I simply cannot do without them.
How's that one???
Kate
Cheryl, LOL...What about 'simply marvelous dahling...:)