How to get easy points ???

I agree with you that some people seem to have but one goal in life: get as many points as possible, no matter how. So? That's their problem. It's been said here time and time again, I guess you'll have to live with them. So do they. Which one of both has the biggest problem?

It is a bit unfortunate though that the examples you pick come from one single ID. Though your post may contain some legitimate questions and remarks, this smells a bit like a personal vendetta. Would your problem be solved if GiJoe would suddenly be banned? There will be others, don't worry.

Jim

Since I would like to see the response of the lady you obviously refer to (search on both their names and notice the 5K questions), I thought I could add a post and get this in the Hot Topics.

Still: so what?

Jim

This is just another entry by yet another person who is interested in keeping this topic at or near the top of the list.

It has been a while since we've had a 'silly' yet technical topic here.

If I see someone doing this they probably will not get any help from me or some other people. I have a list of about 30 people who never close questions, or reject all answers, etc., or who just like to bend the rules or Cheat.
I will not waste the time.

Not because of the points. It is a matter of respect for others and for TR. Where else can you get so much free information and help! Are you paying for it?

Who cares.......

TechRepublic created this to deter those tech members from posting questions,that stayed open for a period of time without any activity,and this also would clear up space on the data base

Second:Yes,this has been a topic that goes back a ways and still exist,some postings are looking for help and not willing to reward points,when answer given may have helped,how will you know.Sometimes you can tell by rejected questions with no comments and by comparing questions to previous posted questions of similar posting.

Third:This is one that can only be determined by a large number of points being rewarded to individuals that have a competitive nature without regards to helping anyone other than trying to prove how they may be able to manipulate the system.
It happens and I cannot see a solution to stop this type of behavior.

It is more gratifying to get comments from someone that you have helped to solve a problem,which is more rewarding than the points.
Some how you learn to smile with those you are able to help and to not take it personal when rejected answers.

There will be those that feel that for personal reasons it challenging to find a way to manipulate and buck the sytem

TechRepublic implemented the inactivity point scheme to questions that were inactive for a period of time and yes it has been used to pad your points and some members have been up front as they did this

These and other problems have been around since the site existed and I can acknowledge that it is not as bad as it once was

Creating an double account is against the TechRepublic policy,and if proven can be reported,unless you are willing to monitor the forum itwill be hard pressed to prove I have a feeling that it does happen,but my concern was to use the forum to help and keep abreast with others in the field of IT.

Helping others is first and it is very rewarding when you get the comments that you have helped someone solve a problem,points donot measure against this,yet it is how others sometimes judge you on any given answer to be accepted or rejected.

First off all, let me say this. The points really are worthless and always will be worthless (Worthless as far as having a tangible value). Even though there has been mention of TechRepublic possibly giving merchandise or something in exchange forpoints, that never has happened and, in my opinion, never will. The value they do have, however, is as a token with which thanks may be given to those who spend a few minutes of their time in an attempt to help someone else.

When I ask a question, and I’ve posted quite a few, I like to award A LOT of points for them. And one has to have the points in order to give the points. Of course, it goes without saying, that those questions get more attention, more replies, and thus more information for me from others who were kind enough to share their experience. So that which I take, I give back. And, I must admit, it’s just as satisfying giving them as it is getting them, both as a way of simply saying thanks.

In addition to the aforementioned motive, I’ve accumulated these points for several reasons. The quest to simply get to the top of the list was, as soulrider alluded to, perhaps the competitive one. However, that’s relatively minor when compared to my other motives, and many of the points are merely the byproduct of those other motives.

(continued..)

In many cases when I’ve helped others, I’ve also helped myself. For example, I’m preparing to expand my network to include a Windows 2000 Server upgrade, Active Directory, VPN capabilities, Web site integration, and so on. As a way of better preparing myself for all the issues facing me I searched all questions, recent and old, open and closed, that related to the systems and processes I was about to experience. I read them all, printed some that related to my installation, and attempted to answer all that were still (apparently) unresolved. There were certainly a lot cases where I didn’t initially know the answer, but I searched for that answer as a way of educating myself so I could be better prepared to deal with that particular issue when the time came. A lot of these older questions were “auto-closed”, while others were not. Some were rejected while others were accepted. I must say, that at times I surprised myself by coming up with an answerthat eluded others, even though I was only vaguely familiar with the topic.

In addition, there are also those things that aren’t (and won’t be) part of my network, Exchange Server (among others), for example, but may still be an issueI have to deal with from time to time. For example, many of my clients use Exchange Server, and I’m affected by the glitches they experience when I’m unable to receive their email. I’ve made it a point to educate myself on Exchangeby researching and answering questions regarding problems facing Exchange installations. Again, the questions I focused on were recent and old, open and closed. I’ve even impressed some of my clients when I could suggest remedies to their Exchange problems even though I didn’t use it myself.

(continued...)

Of course, in the process of going through all of those questions, I’ve come across scores of them that didn’t relate to anything I was directly or indirectly involved in. I’ve answered a lot of them, researched some of the more interesting ones, and perhaps left a “shot-in-the-dark” answer. I’m amazed at how often I’d get a comment of thanks from the person posting the question and accepted for an answer on a subject that I really knew nothing about.Personally, I’ve never left a meaningless answer (a question mark, a period, or “Is this still a problem” type of answer) merely for the auto-close to award me some points. All of my answers were serious attempts to somehow help shed some light on the questioner’s problem, albeit at times that light may have been narrow in scope.

I must admit that don’t understand those who only want to accumulate points in their quest to get as many as possible by whatever means necessary - all the while never giving them back. But I don’t really care to understand, nor does it matter to me. They, just as I, are no more than an anonymous cog in an anonymous wheel where anonymous people converse with anonymous screen names. My satisfaction comes not in seeing Maxwell Edison (not my real name) on the computer screen, but instead how I can contribute to my business, help my customers, and provide for my family. Points, in the real scheme of things, are worthless. Those other things, those things that really matter, are priceless. And if you (whoever started this discussion) are worried about how or why some anonymous screen name accumulates points, you’re not focusing your attention on those things that really matter. I would strongly suggest that you reconsider your priorities.

Regards,

Maxwell

I don't get too excited if someone manipulates the system to get more points. Unfortunately, TR has had a problem for a while now where sometimes the person posting a reply is identified as "User Deleted". I have had this happen to me a number of times and have sometimes written another reply either duplicating what I wrote before (but this time my name showed correctly) or I just reference the original answer and say that I posted it.

I am more concerned with the people who "cheat" by posting questions that get legitimate answers (that you can tell at least one is correct), but reject all answers. If I recognize one of these people I tend to avoid answering questions they ask in the future. While I realize that not all of my answers may be correct for the person who posted the question, if an answer is or will be helpful it should receive some credit. Recently, for example, I was one of a few people who answered a question and my answer was rejected, but had the comment that it was a "good idea" and the person who posted the question would "use it in the future". So that meant that it was helpful.

No, the points aren't worth anything except providing the ability to ask questions in the future and maybe being a no cost way to provide a little "reward" or "recognition". I do find answering questions helps me keep more current and aware of different solutions.

Ever see that show called "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"- great show, funny as all heck...anyway they give away points to the "performers" there is one catch...the points mean absolutely positively NOTHING!!!

I can't help but think that perhaps the founders of TechRepublic were/are big fans of that show, when they came up with the tech point system here.
I've repeated this a million times but oh well - funny when this site was brand spanking new they were advertising that points would be redeemable for merchandise and discounts. Anyone else notice how they quietly let that little "promise" fade away.

I guess someone in accounting said "Um, guys we can't afford that..." so the marketing people did a Homer Simpson...."Dolt!".

Anyway...later all..

lol

;)

Thats what this whole discussion is, a tempest in a teapot. The points are only of any value if you need to ask a question. Actually I've answered quite a few of the low point questions as I think those are the people who probably need the help the most. Anyway, why get all bent out of shape over something so trivial? I enjoy helping people out, thats why I come here. If someone else wants to pad their points its no concern of mine.

Hi All
To me points nothing compare to a thank you.

Than you all who particpate in this my point not to get point but ethical reasons and thoughts.

Pls visist this Discussion:

Rejected answers with no explanation

https://www.techrepublic.com/forumdiscuss/thread_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=1FRZDEN1S0AJUQD23WQSFFA?thread_id=45146

finally a reply from techrepublic:

https://www.techrepublic.com/forumdiscuss/thread_detail.jhtml?thread_id=45146&message_id=292048

I think that the "is this this still a problem" person should have both of her ids revoked.

"You may also get responses from those who look at the point system and figure out ways to gain points because they are curious about the weaknesses of the system. I personally have come up with ways of 'unethically' gaining points, but haven't usedthem. "

Yes of course..... you see it so well. One would be a downright awful and relatively worthless admin if they weren't curious about how systems worked and what their weaknessess may be. This is fundamentally what we all should be constantly doing with every system. The idiotic Microsoft idea that good admins do nothing and are not proactive and that proactively solving problems should be illegal is ridiculous, shortsighted, idiotic, and wrong. Unfortunately, those that have no creative technical mind try and stop everyone else from having the ability to use theirs through the legal system.

The amazingly wonderful thing about TR points (well, most of TR actually) is how LITTLE abuse it gets compared to how easy it is to abuse technically. This is a real credit to this place :)

I am going to fess up right now and say that I do not pursue tech points....I think I have 12,000 or so, and I only know that because I went out to answer a question. So, I may be acting naive here, but here goes.....what do these points do for you? From what I have read in this thread, you don't get anything for them. So if they can't be exchanged for goods, does it then become a pride thing? If that is the case, I say let the "cheaters" be, because they apparently don't have enough pride in their lives and need these points to validate themselves. If I knew how to give the points away, someone could have mine! I come out to this site for the discussions and articles, and to trade info - not to collect and hoard points.

more ...

who wants my points?

https://www.techrepublic.com/forumqa/thread_detail.jhtml?thread_id=87957&src=bc