I do not see this as a marketing ploy, he asked other sponsers to contribute as well. I think post #1
And personally I think it is a good idea. I have gotten a lot of advice/knowledge from this site. I would not be able to get the award, don't have enough knowledge,yet I think its a very good idea. I think it would enable more people to actively give more advice, which is benefical.

Ya, great idea, we wish Ian the best of luck in his new endeavor :)

Now, if any vendor wants to give away money for sarcastic posts, I'm all in for that :)

Seriously, the staff were not consulted prior to this post, and really, none fo us are crazy about it. If Ian wants to offer a reward to good Canreef citizens, that's his choice, but we don't feel a popularity contest is in the best interest of the board. And I'm sorry, that is what it would become.

Honesty, I would hope that this board is helpful all on it's own, without having to provide monetary incentive to "up" the help level. If it isn't, we need to address that as a core issue, not have a Nice Contest.

You're probably right. Do you have a better idea? I wonder if Ian's idea could be altered a bit to make it a bit more "fair" (for lack of being able to think of a better word right now).

vBulletin has a built in system for User Reputation. There's other rep/karma systems out there but they're a little overkill imo. http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/reputation

As Aquattro said, I don't think it would be a good idea to have any monetary value to being a helpful member. You either want to help or you don't :smile:

Anything offered as a reward should be done after the fact of a thoughtless act of helping someone else. At work we have a reward system where I can nominate a coworker for a reward, and if approved by management, they get a check. I suppose Ian could ask for nominations from others for people that stand out in our community, either for their help here, or something they've done for the hobby. Rewarding members for an amount of stars or points will turn into a nightmare. People will expect stars, wonder why they didn't get one for doing something they think is helpful, etc. In the end, it will likely create more animosity than helpfulness.

"Why did Myka get a reward, my help was way better. And I helped someone three times, not only two like you, I deserve the reward, not you, this whole thing isn't fair, I'm going to RC instead."

I see the above happening a month in :)

I already know I am a god among men :p :lol:

I see that happening too. Except I don't think it will be me getting any rewards...I stir up too much "detritus". :p

Ya, sorry, I just used you as an example :)

Hummmm.... Did some one say something about a popularity contest :humble: I'd like to thank all of my supporters in advance...... :lol: J/K

Seriously though, I absolutely agree with what Brad is saying. Although it's a nice idea I really think it would turn into a nightmare.

:pound: I love your use of the word detritus.