[Fergal]

You may have noticed a heading appearing below our random links which states something like:

In the last 24 hours you have made 18 posts. You can only earn ForumCoin from 25 posts in a 24 hour period.

This is something we are trialling to see what impact it will have on our community and the quality of posts on the forum. As you will have noticed, members will now earn ForumCoin for their first 25 posts in any 24 hour period. You are very welcome to make more than 25 posts every 24 hours, however you will earn ForumCoin for the first 25 only.

Any feedback or suggestions would be most welcome!

[JordanDD]

Hey !

I don't know if its a good idea... Some users will quit for sure because they think you just don't want to reward to much.

Personally, I would be here as long as I can. The fact you sre only paying for the first 25 posts in a 24h period is ok to me.

Is there a specific reason to that, we will say it, huge change ?

Jordan

[Cloudlin]

Aww, all I can say is that this site was my little goldmine for the short time I've been here, and it still is, but I guess a little less so now.
You gotta do what you gotta do though, and thats fine with me.

[Raees]

This really a bad move at this moment, the forum was picking up but this will bring it down.

[CyberFreak]

Hey,

We understand that some users will not like the change however we feel that it is certainly worth a trial. We are facing an issue at the moment with alot of low quality posts with users trying to post as much as they can. This does lead to the overall quality of the posts going down and does create a negative view in some peoples eyes. We are hoping that by limiting the number of posts, users will spend a bit more time on their posts as it is no longer a race to see how many posts they can make that day.

We want to reward high quality posts rather than reward users who post 30+ posts a day just because they want a load of ForumCoin. As we are paying for the posts, we do want good posts to be made. In the same way you would if you were running the site. We don't have a bottomless pit of money so we would rather give it out to users who really put effort and thought into most of their posts.

We will see what happens. We have a few other ideas and we may increase the 25 post limit depending on how things play out. We are certainly interested in hearing peoples thoughts and suggestions

Users can still earn a decent amount daily so it is not like we are not paying or cut the rates for every post.

[Raees]

and also I would suggest to disable the counting for forum games, Services and Exchanges sections.

[Sam]

It doesn't personally affect me because I basically only make a post when I think I can contribute to a discussion. However it will probably turn some members off ForumCoin. Would there be a way to remove the limit but still ensure that posts made are quality?

I can understand the rational behind the decision. I've been watching the Payments/ Gift threads and they've exploded recently. What I would propose is raising the payment threshold to encourage more memberss to use the Classifieds and Exchange area.

There must be ways of increasing the revenue ForumCoin is generating. Another idea might be to offer more official services which cost little/ nothing but remove ForumCoin from the system. E.G. If you could find a graphics designer willing to take an 80% cut of the charge for the official graphics service.

[Scouten]

I agree with you on wanting to increase the quality of posts from members, but I don't know if this would be the best way to get people to post better quality messages. Personally, I do not mind this update as I really enjoy this community and the FC is just a bonus for me, but I do think it will cause some people to leave the Forum.

I think the best way to deal with post quality is to give some sort of incentive to those whose posts contribute well to a discussion. You could limit Reputation points to Admins and Moderators (Maybe get 2 or 3 Moderators, who are on the Forum often, who post nice quality posts already) and give reputation points to the posts that have great quality and contribute to each discussion. These reputation points could then be used towards things maybe like a Forum Rank? (I would love ranks on ForumCoin.)

By limiting it to the first 25 posts only, you will get people that will come here and post 25 times, with low quality and not post anymore than that just to get however many coins they can that day.

In addition,
I wish to propose a new rule for ForumCoin.
Do not post on any boards that haven't been posted on for 2 weeks, unless it is the board posters doing.
This would help prevent people from bringing up boards from April 2013, that no one has seen or posted on for years just to find more ways to get some extra ForumCoin. I mean, my topic about "Fitness Wristbands" got pushed to page 6, when I posted it about 3 days ago, due to someone bringing up old, old, old topics.

Thanks for all you do!
-Scouten

Edit: You could also limit just limit the amount of Forum topics you can make each day for coins. I have seen that if some people run out of ways to earn more coins, from their low quality posts, they will often post a new topic, with a quick one sentence question, not giving anyone a lot to reply to, causing more low quality posts.

[Pollex4]

To be honest, I really like the idea (sorry guys)

It's just that, we keep on posting just to earn Forumcoins without even thinking anymore. I have to admit I did that a couple of times, and well, I'm starting to get embarassed

With a 25-post limit, we won't go on our edges to type and type and type. We'll be mindful of what we are writing, and therefore, share more quality content. Also, when we have reached the daily 25-post limit, then we relax right? "Enough for the day", thus sharing would be more about US than about the FORUMCOIN.

Good one admin. I really like this move.

May I ask, who came up with the idea?

Quick suggestion: Why not increase the forumcoin received with each post? You know, to slower the transition?
Also, with the increase, newer members would be eager to post. I mean, just a bit, do not make it way too high because it could lessen the posts.

[DinheiroGelada]

Hey guys. Maybe limit by points and not by posts?

I understand that if you guys start paying too much money you'll go bankrupt (and quality will decrease), but I like to post a lot in the off topic section and I was thinking that maybe I'll only be able to get 25 FC if I post there 25 times before posting anywhere else?

I'm pretty sure there should be a limit too, or maybe only some sections should reward money. I don't know, I feel like posting a lot here in FC (probably more than the allowed limit) and I just didn't want to think: "man I should do my first 25 posts at business/webmaster where they pay better per post".

I'm sorry if I've some trouble explaining, or if it comes off like a greed person. I believe something like "there is a limit to how many FCs you can get everyday" may be a good thing.

Also, someone mentioned to upper the cashout limit. I believe that first time cashout should be as low as $5 (maybe even lower?), so people could see that you guys will pay them. Second time (and so on) should have a higher minimum amount (like $10 or $25) to cashout. This way, like Sam mention, people would end up using FC for other services.

Also, you guys need to implement a system where you take a small cut from every FC (like 1% - min. 1 point). At least for services (not when people are freely giving points to each other).

I know that's not easy to implement (decision wise and technical wise) but you should discuss with the community and between you two

I hope I've helped

[Jybraek]

I think its a good move to weed out those that are only here to make low quality posts and just keep collecting forum coins. It also effects the forum's revenue in a way because it could get penalized by Google. I think Fergal should keep this for a while and see how it goes. But he should raise the ante a bit accordingly though as well for those that really do make quality posts.I know I have been guilty myself of doing some low quality posts from time to time but that was mainly because I came on here quick..read a few topics..after a period of inactivity and did what I could before running off again to hunt for a job.

[jacktheking]

Hmm.. A good idea. How about for first 25 Posts, 100% reward. The next 25 Posts 50% reward. And the rest at 5% reward. Others and me will stop posting if it give us 0% reward. So, having a five percent might be helpful.

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone for your most helpful and valuable feedback. We will take it all on board and consider it very carefully.

As a side note I would like to say that this change will not impact on the vast majority you. Most of our members, me included, post less than 25 posts in 24 hours, hence it will not reduce the amount of ForumCoin you earn.

[Cloudlin]

May it be possible to run more ads too?
Personally I don't mind

[Sam]

May it be possible to run more ads too?
Personally I don't mind

Yes- definitely needed! Possibly something like http://www.viglink.com/solutions/forums/.

[Raees]

I just came across a idea, what about a premium membership, which members can buy after certain days of registration,post count and reputation with some FC$. The Premium members posts limit should be increased, I think this will be good for some quality posters.

[CyberFreak]

May it be possible to run more ads too?
Personally I don't mind

This change isn't solely around trying to save money. It is about trying to increase the quality which will in turn improve the image of the forum and will help make the forum look less spammy and more appealing to advertisers.

That said we are considering changing our advertising and placements in the near future.

Hey guys. Maybe limit by points and not by posts?

That is a good idea although something that is alot harder to do in reality. It is hard to calculate the amount of ForumCoin a user earns a day. This is because there is a wide range of places that ForumCoin comes from (and deducted from) and all these aspects need to combined to come to a reliable total. It can be done although it takes alot more work to get the total and get it to make the right decisions.

By limiting it to the first 25 posts only, you will get people that will come here and post 25 times, with low quality and not post anymore than that just to get however many coins they can that day.

In addition,
I wish to propose a new rule for ForumCoin.
Do not post on any boards that haven't been posted on for 2 weeks, unless it is the board posters doing.
This would help prevent people from bringing up boards from April 2013, that no one has seen or posted on for years just to find more ways to get some extra ForumCoin. I mean, my topic about "Fitness Wristbands" got pushed to page 6, when I posted it about 3 days ago, due to someone bringing up old, old, old topics.

Thanks for all you do!
-Scouten

Edit: You could also limit just limit the amount of Forum topics you can make each day for coins. I have seen that if some people run out of ways to earn more coins, from their low quality posts, they will often post a new topic, with a quick one sentence question, not giving anyone a lot to reply to, causing more low quality posts.

There will no doubt be people post 25 low quality posts and leave but it does atleast limit the what we pay that users compared to if we allowed them to post an unlimited amount. It limits the abuse. We will be getting stricter when it comes to post quality now aswell because too many people are posting too many spammy, short, needless or off topic posts.

Restricting users earning of FC should help with the issue of users bumping old topics and burying new topics in hours. I still think a rule should be added in regards to that as usually there is a reason why topics drift to the later pages of a forum... usually because they are outdated or nothing is left to be said.

Topics get classed as posts in this change so users can't make 25 posts and then create a load of new topics to get around it because they have no other way to earn FC.

It doesn't personally affect me because I basically only make a post when I think I can contribute to a discussion. However it will probably turn some members off ForumCoin. Would there be a way to remove the limit but still ensure that posts made are quality?

I can understand the rational behind the decision. I've been watching the Payments/ Gift threads and they've exploded recently. What I would propose is raising the payment threshold to encourage more memberss to use the Classifieds and Exchange area.

There must be ways of increasing the revenue ForumCoin is generating. Another idea might be to offer more official services which cost little/ nothing but remove ForumCoin from the system. E.G. If you could find a graphics designer willing to take an 80% cut of the charge for the official graphics service.

I think that 90% of our members are here to earn ForumCoin and to exchange it for PayPal money. I don't think we can change that. Increasing the payouts will probably just delay the inevitable and they will take a bit longer to cash out but will cash out more so really there is little benefit. Even if the user does spend more in the classifieds/exchange forum, the chances are the forumcoin will be withdrawn by the person it is sent too at some point also.

Adding more official services and limiting the introduction of new ForumCoins I think are the best options. The issue is how to do these 2 things in the right way which gives users what they want but equally is good from our point of view.

[DinheiroGelada]

I think that 90% of our members are here to earn ForumCoin and to exchange it for PayPal money. I don't think we can change that. Increasing the payouts will probably just delay the inevitable and they will take a bit longer to cash out but will cash out more so really there is little benefit. Even if the user does spend more in the classifieds/exchange forum, the chances are the forumcoin will be withdrawn by the person it is sent too at some point also.

Cyber, I think you guys need to talk to members a little more. The forum is still new, and I believe people will spend more FC for services. Even if people join here with the intention of only earning money (it was my case), that doesn't mean it can't change to "Hey, lets spend FC buying advertise, a graphic service, or 500 like in my facebook page".

I know I've spent some time thinking of a service to offer to people to be able to earn FC. And I know I've spent FC buying a signature and feedback from ludwag (who didn't asnwer me and fergal anymore). And I'm also looking to buy a domain and a banner with FC.

Of course in the end you may think "but sooner or later someone will have all these coins and we'll have to pay them". I agree with you, and that's why I suggested twice already that you guys should charge a small cut from every trade (1-3%).

For example: I buy a banner for 100 coins. You guys charge 3% and take 3 FCs for yourself, 97 goes to the seller. You already do that, kinda, by charging to post in the ADS section.

Now another thing you guys have to do is sell (more) FC. I don't know for how much, maybe sell in a loss (like $5 = 520 FC) and hope to win the amount back from ADS + 3% Cut (calculations will have to be done here). I know you guys already sell FC, but I believe it should be more advertised. I believe buying FC using bitcoin may be a very good idea (it's fast and easy), but you guys would have to look up on how to transform bitcoin in real money, and whats the cost to do that.

Another thing you guys need is a way to monetize ForumCoin more, without making a bad experience for us readers/posters.

And last, you guys need to sell services (like signature, premium account, etc, etc). Basic account can't be something that will shoo people away. Don't take away things from free users, add value to premium users

I think the money needs to flow, and with the cut % implemented, if money is flowing, you guys'll be making money too from every transaction.

Now please, don't take this as me trying to teach you guys how to run your business. Sometimes when we speak in another language we may come off a little pretentious. That's not what I'm trying to be here, I'm try to give feedback on what I believe may help you guys in making ForumCoin a better place

Of course these changes shouldn't be taken lightly, but make polls and talk to your members, ask for feedback and discuss ideas. I'm pretty sure you guys will find a way to make everyone happy

In the end, Forumcoin will become what you guys + us members make ForumCoin to be. But it is you guys who are leading us as our "leaders"

[lion]

I understand the reasoning behind this, but I admit to being a little disappointed. I think it's obvious there will be a decrease in activity, but hopefully it'll still stay active enough. Good luck with your trial.

But I have days where I don't really have time to post, and days where I'd like to post a ton, and this kind of gets in the way of that. Maybe a weekly limit instead? Then people could choose to say, do all their posts on their day off, or spread throughout the week? I don't know how practical that would be, though.

[Fish]

I am not really shocked to see this change. Ever since the post on TBN & Reddit was made, I knew the site was going to make some new limitations. The 20 bonus points daily, and now this. I don't think I will have an issue with this. I don't think most people even make many more than 25 posts in a day. It's not at all going to make me want to make higher quality posts any more than I previously have.

I don't like this change because I don't like the feeling of being limited. If I never saw this post or the banner saying I am being limited, I probably never would have even noticed personally and I would probably keep using this site like before.

Like I said, there are more new users joininig this site, and that also means that the site will be feeding more people Forumcoins.

Personally, I think this will encourage people to make even lower quality posts. They will add this site to their daily check list and say Okay, now make 25 posts and tick that one off the list. Obviously you'd want to go as fast as you can if you have that type of motivation.

When I first joined this site I was more interested in earning forumcoin than to enjoy the actual community. As time went on I really realized I would have a better time earning FC on here if I enjoyed what I did and I started to make some more HQ posts.


Now, the reason you gave for adding this new limit is to get people to make more HQ posts. I'm not 100% sure that that's the real reason this change was made, but if so, I recommend that instead of limiting us on how much we can make per day, It would be better if we (the users) would report posts that don't add anything to the conversation at all and the mods/admins could review the posts that were reported and remove FC from users who have had patterns of repeated LQ posts.

In addition, the real best way to get people to make more HQ posts is to reward people who post HQ more often with a bonus of FC + rep. I have gotten +40 (i think) FC from Fergal on one of my posts that was really HQ in the past. That was some sort of motivation to post more .