Points, colors, moods and more!

So by now, some of our more "serious" members are probably concerned about all this attention to points, and colors, and secret forums and how all this chaos and attention to the new items in the expanded ATS toy box are detracting from the intent of the discussion board. Well, before we spawn another "Take Back ATS" group... there is a point to this madness.

Now that the initial dust has settled, the reason behind the points-and-reward system is simple... to encourage better quality throughout ATS.

Over the next few months, more opportunities to earn points will occur. Some will be fun like the "Who is Simon Gray" contest, but most will be tied to serious subjects and serious research. Why do we need points to get something serious done you ask? Well, maybe we don't, by why not? Who says that meaningful contributions to the important topics of ATS can't also contain an enjoyable twist?

Here are some of the new, more serious ways points will be awarded in the very near, and not-so-near future.

Authoring an active thread in a conspiracy forum
Those who begin important threads in the conspiracy forum that become active threads, will receive points for each participating post. But be warned, if a moderator needs to move your post (including to the trash) because the topic is wrong, you will loose points. (10 points per post)

Participating in a debate
All debate participants will receive points when the post to their debate. The winners of a debate will receive a bonus determined by the debate judges. (100 per post, 1,000 to 10,000 awarded to the winner)

Posting to the ATS news portal
We'll soon have a system in place for members to submit articles to the news forum. Accepted articles will result in receiving bonus points. (probably 200)

Research projects
We'll be organizing research project in some new read-only research forums. Participants will receive bonus points for helping with the research, and additional points will be awarded for exemplary contribution. (undetermined yet)

Blog participation
We'll periodically judge the content and quality of ATS Blogs. The key here is to create something that is uniquely you, and provides members with deeper insight into your thoughts, emotions, and theories.

Collaborative Fiction participation
This forum will be given new life soon, and participation points here will be similar to the debate forum.

Way Above Votes
Beginning in September, each vote you receive will result in points, and the monthly winner will receive a major points bonus.



Why points? Well, this seems a logical way to reward active participation in topics and activities that further the goals of "DENY IGNORANCE." And as ATS continues to grow into a serious force on the Internet, we are beginning to attract attention. Advertisers are becoming interested in ATS... at least one is from a source very much in tune with the topics covered here. Among the conditions we present advertisers are benefits to our members. In many cases, new advertisers will need to include merchandise as a condition of paid advertising. Most often, the merchandise will be available in our store, and you would be able to "buy" them with your points.

After the end of the month, I'll post our traffic report data for everyone to have a look. But so far, we'll end the month well-over 2 million page views and over 60 gigabytes of total bandwidth. August saw more new members than any other month, and this with several days where we weren't accepting new members.


As more happens... more will be revealed.

Have fun with your points... and don't spend them all!

The feature to earn points on threads you start in conspiracy forums is now functioning.

What happened to the background colors... not all but mine, quicksilver, asala, and skadi... I'm sure there are others these are just the first ones I saw.
The colors have a half tone in them... or screen if you will.
This makes the text blury among other things... Do you know what is going on?

_____________________________________________
Be Cool
K_OS

The text isn't blurry for me... but then I'm on a nice Mac G4 LCD monitor...

I put a 2x2 pixel grid in the forum gray as most of the colors were horribly bright and hurt my sensitive eyes... you say it funks up the text for you?

Yep... it looks like the grid is making sections of the text disapear.... almost like an ad does when it is over screened. On a few people's I am not even able to read their text.
P.S. I am running a fairly high end graphics package.

It looked fine a few hours ago.

_____________________________________________
Be Cool
K_OS

Same here, it's hard to read the mini-profiles on most everyone.

-B.

Thanks for explaining the points system. I'm getting a little interested now that I understand it more.

Am I going to be rich (in points) because of the World Wide Seismic thread?

Too bad it didn't start sooner!

The system begins now... so the more that post... the better your fortunes!


And I removed the grid -sigh- but those who's colors receive complaints will be asked to tone-down.

That fixed it... What are the guidelines for "too bright"?

Just curious.

P.S. mine is DEEP not BRIGHT
_____________________________________________
Be Cool
K_OS

I think yours is a bit past the line.

Perhaps I need to build some type of color restriction into the code.

If mine's too bright then go ahead and put it back to grey.


Mumbles... Spent 20 minutes looking for the perfect shade of purple.
_____________________________________________
Be Cool
K_OS

How's that one... I gave you a Skeptic Overlord custom color.

What if you don't author the forum, but your participation makes it really active?

k_os i think your colours fine.... i cant see a problem with it

What is the secret forum? is it so secret that you cant tell us yet?

hehe, buy it and find out

I just spent 3500 credits on it,nothing happened
it must be really secret.

No dont tell me you did that Drunk.
Not 3500..gee whiz there really is one born every minute.

Drunk I think you should demand a refund!!

It is a very mystical forum that comes with alot of power so you must use it wisely. Or forever cursed will you be.

Couldnt help it.

to intriguing to turn down

Hey Drunk,
when you do get into it, can you let me know what it is?

I'm debating over whether to go for pretty BG colors or save up for the secret forum.