So, over the past week, I've seen the changes to FirefighterNation. Overall, up until now I've been very pleased with everything on the site. I've enjoyed the pictures, blogging and interaction ~ but ever since the introduction of the points system, it feels as though FFN has lost something.

Although the points aren't meant to be competitive, I have received 5-10 comments per day, as well as numerous frined requests. I've seen more one word and poorly thought out responses to blogs, which has put me at the point of not even wanting to respond for legitimate reasons, because I know someone is just going to look at my response to concur with it (whether firefighter or not), just to boost their own points level to give him or her some sort of feeling of superiority (I apologize to my FOGIE bretheren for the long-winded sentence.).

When I first arrived on FFN, I thought it was a refreshing change, filled with Emergency Services "intellectuals" (okay, maybe that's a touch of an oxymoron - but you get it), but with the introduction of the points system, I see this site going downhill and joining the likes of the dreaded MySpace and Facebook.

I want the old FFN crew back ~ with the REAL firefighters who contributed to REAL conversation and REAL educational experiences.


That's just my two cents. Enjoy.