Preference Member View on Front Page Popular Newest or Feature

[Debby Bruck]

What is your preferred view on the Main Page of your NING Members?

Below is an example of "NEWEST" which changes slowly for me because my NING network has a small target of professional homeopaths that must meet particular criteria. 

The problem with this view is that it often appears somewhat static if new members either have not applied recently or more likely have not filled out their profile properly. 

I am presently showing this view, because the FEATURE view was also quite static and had some request from member to change.

 

This view of 'Popular' members changes more often and I would like to know on what basis the people get to the 'head of the class' so to speak?

The problem I find is that this one person is constantly up there at the front, yet he has never posted a comment, blog or discussion. What's up with that? Is he tweaking something to always be there? Somebody help and is there a way I can fix that problem?

[Debby Bruck]

Thanks NING for featuring this blog. I would love some answers from other Ning Creators are their preferences and if they have found funky activity from their members, such as people visiting and clicking something to change their activity status. 

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

My module is only featured members (I've even changed the name of it), and I have a page that lists the criteria a member must meet to become a featured member:  (a featured member can meet any or all of the below)

 

1) be on-site at least once a week and ENGAGED

2) post, post, post!  content, comments, blogs, etc.

3) volunteer for site "chores"

4) assist with official contests

5) I require that for a member to be featured they MUST have a decorated profile page.

 

I rotate these out periodically, but there are some people who stay there all the time.  And why shouldn't they??  They are the ones who keep my site a hopping place to be!  I'm not pushing them off the main page to make room for someone who doesn't do as much work or doesn't participate as much!

 

 

I don't like the "newest" because then you have people showing up in the module who can't be bothered to change their profile pic from the default.

 

I don't like "most popular" because, frankly, I feel that the algorithm used to determine the most popular (of ANYTHING) is seriously flawed.  This could cause some members to get happy, and some members to get mad.  Not worth it...

[Debby Bruck]

Thank you for providing the reasoning behind your choices. One of the members was upset to have FEATURED members at the top all the time because it appeared static. Perhaps I need to change that once a week? 

I agree the POPULAR algorithm makes no sense. 

Having NEW members showing is helpful for people to greet them, but maybe gives too much importance to people who first visit but do not stay active. All members of my community must have a profile photo.

I shall consider your recommendations. Again, Thanks so much!