Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Points

or; understanding finally comes

from JoeUser Forums
for quite a while now, I've been trying to figure out why my score was two points off of the usual fives and tens. I'm always ###3 or ###8. For weeks, every time I looked at my score, I tried to understand how I somehow seemed to have lost two points along the way.

Then, this evening, it finally hit me! Some time I must have made some comment that someone didn't like, and I must've pissed them off enough to earn the distinction of "trolling" (a term that, to be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure what means - I've got some suspicions, but I'm probably wrong. Definition, anyone?) and I lost two points for it.

So I finally understand it. Now I just need to write a post that's "insightful" enough to get me my two missing points back . . . :P
5,156 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think there is some problem with the program. But do not worry. Two points does not add up to much.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think you're probably right. I'll give you a cookie, if you like, just to top you up.

Here you go...
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Are interesting/insightfuls always an even 5 or 10? Mightn't you have gotten one of those? I was thinking a non-registered person who leaves an insightful gets you something like one point. I haven't seen you write anything worth trolling.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here, have an "interesting" on me and let's see what happens.

Who knows, maybe some day we can trade in points for a JU T-Shirt or something!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

While you get 5 points for a registered user comment, you only get one for an anonymous comment, so that could be it.  Maybe no one has trolled you, just gotten some anonymous comments.

And a troll is one who flies around JU and craps on blogs.  It can be anonymous or a registered user.  Thus when they crap, they are trolling.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
The REAL definition of troll is "anyone you dislike for any reason whatsoever."

One man's trash is another man's treasure.
One nation's terrorist is another nation's freedom fighter.
One blogger's troll is another blogger's favorite participant.
One person's turdy comment is another person's pearl of wisdom.

See how that works?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think you're probably right. I'll give you a cookie, if you like, just to top you up.


Here, have an "interesting" on me and let's see what happens.


Sweet! You guys are awesome! Thanks.

Two points does not add up to much.


I know, Bahu, but . . . as Dick Gozinya says . . .

Who knows, maybe some day we can trade in points for a JU T-Shirt or something!


I'm aimin' for one of those t-shirts! And I got a long way to go!
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
While you get 5 points for a registered user comment, you only get one for an anonymous comment, so that could be it. Maybe no one has trolled you, just gotten some anonymous comments.


Ah . . . now I may have had even a bigger points epiphany. I think that may be it. You, Doc, are a genius.

And a troll is one who flies around JU and craps on blogs. It can be anonymous or a registered user. Thus when they crap, they are trolling.


The REAL definition of troll is "anyone you dislike for any reason whatsoever."


Oh okay. I get it! That's what I thought, but those are both good definitions.
I'm learning, folks, I'm learning. I'm so ignorant when it comes to the internet or technology in general - ask the Dev, he's always giving me tutorials.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Another likely explanation is the following:

You get 5 points for every reply to an article of yours, whether from someone else or from you (as long as they are registered users).  However, if you reply to one of your own articles in the forums, you get fewer points.  You still get the 5 if you reply to your own article there on your own page, but if it is from the forums, the point value is less (2 or 3 I think). 

I believe this was done (at least partially) in response to "shotgun self-replying" or people posting lots and lots of one liner replies on their own articles.

Oh, and points suck.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, and points suck.


The man is an absolute genius! Listen to your wise older brother and do not succumb to the point-whoring ways. Points are like crack. Once they've got you hooked, there's no going back.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
we get points?
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
I dont have anything to add, but just thought i'd comment for you to get another 5 points.
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Well ok, have an insightful too
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, and points suck.


I refuse to be a points whore. But the reason I paid attention was because (before I figured out how to have e-mails sent to me to tell me that I've been replied on) I used my score to see if I had received comments or not. Now, however, I don't see that or care, but it was just interesting . . .

I dont have anything to add, but just thought i'd comment for you to get another 5 points. Well ok, have an insightful too


You're too generous, gurl! You can have one too!
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I refuse to be a points whore. But the reason I paid attention was because (before I figured out how to have e-mails sent to me to tell me that I've been replied on) I used my score to see if I had received comments or not


Oh, I don't doubt you have no desire to be a points whore. And I do the same with my points (to gauge new replies since the email system doesn't always work). But I just love to toss that thought out every once in a while as there are a number here who swear they don't care about the points, but their actions scream otherwise.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dont listen to the nay sayers.  While I have never whored for points, some of my best friends have!
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, I don't doubt you have no desire to be a points whore. And I do the same with my points (to gauge new replies since the email system doesn't always work). But I just love to toss that thought out every once in a while as there are a number here who swear they don't care about the points, but their actions scream otherwise.


And then there are those of us who slap on the lipstick and the rouge and hit the red light district!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
And then there are those of us who slap on the lipstick and the rouge and hit the red light district!


It is that sort of honesty that I love Gid!
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I make no bones about it, bluedev. When I first arrived at JoeUser, I looked at the top blogs, and studied what they did to get there. I followed the formula, got there, and remained there, despite having substantially less blogging time than most.

For all of its faults, JU is a blogging tutorial of sorts. As I'm starting to see a small trickle of revenue off of my other blog sites, it is entirely because of rules I learned here on JU. While I don't receive revenue off of JU, it is nonetheless greatlty valuable, as it helps me get traffic to my other sites due to the high search returns on the topics on which I write.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
I make no bones about it, bluedev


Oh, I know you don't Gid. I was being entirely sincere in what I said earlier. I have no problem with honest points-whores. It just bugs me when some swear they don't care about the points or rankings, but their actions speak differently.

Points-whore away my friend.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I am on the top blogs, I am there because of legitimate activity and attention. I don't repetitivly answer my own articles, and I don't even go out of my way to promote my blog. If I make it onto the top blogs, I have reason to be proud of my writing and attention, not my self promotion. That's why I am up there off and on and on the top bloggers list constantly.

Selling myself short? Maybe. I would just prefer people to see immediately why I am up there than wonder what I did to get there.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
I know what you mean San C. I've always had points that were divisible by 5, but in the past few days the last number became a 2...and I have no idea how that came to be. I don't think I've said anything particularly insightful, and I know I'm not a troll, or at least, I try hard not to be! I seriously doubt that you were trolling, I bet someone really liked you and gave you an insightful, like I'm doing now. Cuz you rock, and that's about it. Your blog is lots of fun to read.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
as one of the three biggest point whores here I can tell you, do not get all wrapped up in points.

quality is what it's about.

MM ex-point whore
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
as one of the three biggest point whores here I can tell you, do not get all wrapped up in points.

quality is what it's about.

MM ex-point whore


I really don't think I've sacrificed quality. I could produce FAR more if I were willing to do that
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
I know what you mean San C. I've always had points that were divisible by 5, but in the past few days the last number became a 2...and I have no idea how that came to be. I don't think I've said anything particularly insightful, and I know I'm not a troll, or at least, I try hard not to be! I seriously doubt that you were trolling, I bet someone really liked you and gave you an insightful, like I'm doing now. Cuz you rock, and that's about it. Your blog is lots of fun to read.


Ah, Amanda, my dear, I love ya. There's a reason that you were the second (after my brother, of course) on my list of favorites!
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh yeah, the point system! I never notice is mine is up or down on any given day but I do notice what number I'm rounding, which is about the 30's right now. Points are not my thing, responses are. Although when people respond, then you get the points!

I guess there's a formula there like some people have mentioned. I've had articles that have gotten no response and some that do and some that go off the chart, for me anyway! Most times it has to do with the subject. Some people feel strongly about some things and couldn't care less about others. I try to keep my blogs interesting because most times the subject you find interesting to give your opinions on, someone else will find it so too and that's always good!


You do have a way with words, just like your brother and you're a good read, which is nice!