Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on August 25, 2008 at 3:27am

In addition to the point system changes, it sure would be nice if people replying to the discussions and blogs were as professional online as they are when they are on duty. The FFN is an incredible networking tool and a way to meet other firefighters around the world. I am sure that this is what Dave Ionnne had in mind when he put this site together.

With that said, and as an american firefighter, I think that people involved with the FFN need to realize that they are stewards for all USA firefighters. What you say and share is read by now over 25,000 people internationally. Please set a good example.

Our membership needs to think before they type... anything shared on this site has the potential for also showing up on someone from human resources doing a background check on you. LAFD for example includes MySpace and FaceBook on their routine background checks. Be prepared to have anything that you write show up in a court of law, or at least you should have that mindset.

Unsure about what you should post? "Comments, actions or things that a reasonable person would find offensive." Don't break these simple warnings and you will stay out of trouble...

There are places for playing games, trading insults, and other inappropriate issues. This should not be one of them.

Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on August 25, 2008 at 8:18am

Good point on the background checks .

Permalink Reply by anne potter on August 25, 2008 at 10:31am

I MYSELF DON'T LOOK AT THE POINTS I LOOK THRU THE TOPIC ADD WHERE I CAN.. I DON'T ADD COMMENTS TO EVeRY TOPIC TO GAIN POINTS... I ADD BECAUSE I ENJOY THE TOPIC AND WANT TO ADD MY PENNY .. I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB WITH THIS FORUM.. FFN POINTS ARE FUN,BUT STILL BEAR NO MIND WHEN AND WHAT TOPICS I CHOOSE TO COMMENT ON...

Permalink Reply by Tom Chmielowiec Jr. on August 25, 2008 at 10:43am

Quik Question... Why did i lose points overnight? last night when i logged out i was nearing 1,000 points, then when i logged in this morning i was only at 760. Do you lose points for not being on here? Chief help me out...
Junior
Omnis Cedo Domus

Permalink Reply by FireCat on August 25, 2008 at 10:48am

I have noticed my points increase and decreased from tweaking the point system.

Permalink Reply by Tom Chmielowiec Jr. on August 25, 2008 at 11:02am

im likeing the idea... when you get enough points, you can get a free t-shirt or something... Ed i think your onto something...
Junior
Omnis Cedo Domus

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 25, 2008 at 11:02am

To address a few of the question and comments:

a) The points system is not a 'contest' as much as a way to gauge and potentially down the road reward the most active members. Being an active member does not mean you have the most friends or post the most comments -- while both of those are important features, anyone can just mass friend and mass comments away. I'm not saying we won't bring back some points for those before the 'final' version but they will always be the lowest point total. At the end of the day, the points system may ONLY be impacted by invites -- or maybe its forums, blogs and invites. Still working those details out so that when its final and perhaps the points 'do' count for something beyond recognition it will be the best indication of user participation possible. Or it may just go away ... ya never know. That is the beauty of the internet -- if something doesn't work, you tweak it or remove it. Either way, have fun and keep taking part in FFN. If you feel 'slighted' by points going down, just realize....you don't get money from it, so ... you'll survive :)

b) Since launching the points system, the number of newly invited users and forums participation has risen dramatically. And while some members have tried inviting people that clearly have no place on a site like this, or posted lame replies to the forums -- the vast majority have been in step with creating a fun AND informative social AND professional community. There is plenty of room for 'Word Association' type posts as long as there are equally as many posts on topics from driver's education to controlled burns to portable radio discussions. Believe me, it is very easy to see who is trying to post nonsense for the sake of posting nonsense and they will be dealt with.

c) The 'current' point formula isn't a big secret. If you click to view your stats on your profile there's a little icon next to the header and if you click that, you'll see the current formula. Right now the current formula is producing a list that really is a majority of people posting legitimate, great content -- whether its forums, forum replies, blogs, videos, photos, etc. But we'll continue to look at it and not discounting comments and friends, but also not rewarding them significantly either.

d) You will continue to see fluctuations in point totals for a bit longer .. both up and down. If your points went down last night, its specifically because we (for now) removed counting friends and comments.

Thanks
Web Chief

Permalink Reply by FireCat on August 25, 2008 at 11:05am

S&H Green Stamps are those still around?

Permalink Reply by Tom Chmielowiec Jr. on August 25, 2008 at 11:12am

Thanks for the explanation...
keep up the good work...
Junior
OCD

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 25, 2008 at 7:00pm

Use Firefox, it helps you along the way with spelling too....it won't be part of the core platform most likely anytime soon..

Dave

Permalink Reply by mike wright on August 25, 2008 at 10:32pm

I like the points they just add an initiative to answer more. Alot of people would read the forums but wouldnt answer them. With the points now they have a reason besides just putting their two cents in. This is also a competition to see how far up the ladder you can make it. I hope this sticks around awhile. If you dont like it then dont pay attention to it, but for some of us we can have some fun with it.

Permalink Reply by Moose on August 26, 2008 at 9:06am

I dont think the points are a bad thing, but than again I dont think they are a good thing either!! LOL Like already mentioned, this prompts people to enter the forums looking to make points, they find a forum they like, and than without even reading it sometimes, they make themselves look foolish with one line answers that do not add anything to the topic that we can learn from. Like "Yah, I agree with him." or "I agree, great topic!!"
I use the forums as a learning tool and try to learn something new every day. There are a lot of good firefighters out there with lots of experience that continue to earn my respect every day for the content they post, but on the same token, there are some that just destroy the word "respect" and demand it when they should get none. But thats what a social network does, it creates a "forum" for discussion and constructive criticism. This is a great site, I may not participate a lot due to those rude people that lay in wait to jump on certain members and ruin a good discussion, but that does not mean Im not reading everything, and learning. I even got connected with a few old friends from Long Island. Keep up the good work Mr Ionne, this is a great site loaded with fun and informative stuff and I enjoy it. Thank You.
Brian "Moose" Jones

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