We need points, ranks, and rewards to encourage activity

[Kyle]

I've been waiting for points, ranks, and rewards to be integrated as a core Ning feature since you acquired Scripts4Ning... I'd love to have 4-5 different levels for members to aspire to based on activity in all areas, expertise on particular network topics, and seniority. The level badges would be customizable by network and would be displayed similar to your current Ning badges on profile photos. This solution would be great for all networks including Creators. Having ranks and the reward (badge) will drive people who are passionate about a network to want to contribute to attain this advanced status. This would be very useful as a general feature on all of our networks to encourage activity.

[Joseph Porcelli]

I totally agree with this. As humans we're conditioned to seek and appreciate affirmation. When our users post content and nothing happens, they think, "I won't try that again." But users could "like", add stars, and rate up others content then they be encouraged to contribute again. As we all know in this game, content is King!

[Travis]

Absolutely would love to see this. Another semi-related thing I'd love would be to have sub-admins/moderators that could be restricted to particular areas: photos, events, forum, etc.

[Evan]

Hi Kyle (and others)!

Thanks for bringing this up. We're actually really interested in getting this guys to you. I'd love to hear what features you'd like including a leaderboard (Points/rewards) feature. For example, some things we could include are:

• A central place to see current standings
• A points display on profile pages
• Levels
• Ability to customize how many points each type of action deserves
• Customizable images for each level

What features are most important to you? What have I missed? Let me know!

/Evan
Ning Product Manager

[Kyle]

Hey Evan,

Really!? Most important to me are the levels, the ability to customize how many points each action deserves, and the ability to customize the images and name (text) associated for each level. Having the ability to choose the number of levels would also be very useful (at least 5 levels). I've had the names of my 5 levels and the images that go with them picked out for over a year. I really think this would be a great motivator for members to contribute and add content. It would also help bring in new members as I would make inviting worth points as well.

It's also very important to be able to display the custom badge on the member's profile page or better yet as an overlay on the profile image (similar to the "N" on the Ning profile photos. Is it possible to display the level badge of a member underneath their photo wherever it is displayed (in forum comments, blog comments, etc.)

[M]

I agree with Kyle on this one. :]

[The PL Team (d&e)]

I agree 100%, the S4N one is pretty much flawless. Add a UI touch and boom done.

[Evan]

Hi NingMaster!

From a product perspective, it's definitely a popular script and the Network Creators who use it really value it. However, we can't take that code and implement it across the platform, because it simply doesn't scale well. To have a leaderboard feature, you need to be constantly checking and comparing all content that users have added (and possibly non-content actions, like friend requests and invites) — and grabbing that data is a very intensive process.

We are working on building a leaderboard feature that does scale and get the necessary data to make it a successful feature, but hopefully that explains why we can't simply add Scripts4Ning's leaderboard across all Ning Networks.

Thanks!
Evan

[Toni]

Hi Evan,

any progess in the leaderboard issue?

Best regards,
Toni

[Edwin Washere]

yes a point system or reward would be great like:

an award for x amount of picture uploads

or award for x amount of videos,post, and so on.

Totally agree!

[Morten Aabo]

Hey NingMaster

How do you get an invitation for scripts4ning?

[Ed 'The Pagan' Hubbard]

Hi JP,

I can not seem to find Scripts4ning for the update and scoring system. I am very interested, but I am unable to find this. Any help would be encouraging.

Blessings
Ed

[Ken]

Definitely this the leaderboard/rewards functionality. I consider it a MUST HAVE requirement.

This system definitely needs to be automated, but also needs the ability for the network administrators to award additional points to members.

Like the idea mentioned by kyle about the overlay on the profile image (similar to the "N" on the Ning profile photo) - e.g. some sort of Star image or any other image chosen by the site admins.

Also don't forget to include reward points for members that have converted invites into site members.

Rewards could also then be tied to the gift store with the leaderboard winners on a monthy/weekly basis getting gifts.

Like someone else mentioned, I think the rewards/leaderboard functionality can be key in making a network successful.