iambic Forums users reward program

[adriano]

Hi All,

we are happy to introduce a reward program for all the registered users of the iambic Forums.

The program aims to reward the most frequent visitors with a little iambic branded gift.

Rewards are based off the number of posts (helpful / constructive / friendly posts - flame posts won't be considered). Once a user reaches X posts we'll send him or her, free of charge, what reported in the table below:

- 250 posts: free mousepad
- 500 posts: free mug
- 750 posts: free golf shirt

Thanks again for participating in these forums :)

- Adriano

[zeitpunkt]

This incentive has the potential of generating quantity rather than substance. Furthermore, determining which posts to count is arbitrary.

Why not give items (like additional discount codes for Agendus upgrades) to registered users who solve problems or suggest a useful idea or a fix.

[squeff]

This incentive has the potential of generating quantity rather than substance. Furthermore, determining which posts to count is arbitrary.

Why not give items (like additional discount codes for Agendus upgrades) to registered users who solve problems or suggest a useful idea or a fix.

This sounds like a good idea. Giving discounted (or free) upgrades to helpful posters seems like a better thing than mouse pads and t-shirts.

In addition, I agree that it's going to be hard to determine what counts as a legit message. While it's clear what's a flame (heck, I've been responsible for lots of them, here), it's not always clear what's a really useful message. Does "I have that problem, too" count? What about "I have that problem, and here's what I tried"? Or does someone need to actually SOLVE 500 problems to get a mug?

Moreover (and I don't mean any of this as a flame), Iambic already has enough trouble just keeping track of messages here. Too many people feel that they are being ignored. And so they get upset when their message isn't answered. Adriano, on more than one occasion, you have said that you simply can't keep up with all the messages and sometimes miss things. That's fair. But if you can't keep up with helping users answer questions, why do you think you'll be able to have someone who will read every single message, make a decision as to whether the message counts or not, and keep track of "points" on a per message basis? I presume that you'll really just let the software keep track of it. And, when someone reaches a point level, if you don't like the user (because they've posted a bunch of blames), you'll refuse to send the gift? Is that the gist?

Not trying to be a jerk or flame. It's just that I'm sure that most of us would rather you spend the time and the money on answer questions, solving problems, testing, and releasing minor AND major releases. If I really wanted a mousepad, I have a whole bag of them that OTHER companies sent me for free just because I ended up on their mailing list.

[adriano]

Squeff,

I presume that you'll really just let the software keep track of it. And, when someone reaches a point level, if you don't like the user (because they've posted a bunch of blames), you'll refuse to send the gift? Is that the gist?

You're absolutely right :)

I sure won't read every single message of users reaching 250 posts.

When I'll see someone reaching that level, I'll do a quick search for his latest posts, glance over them to feel their tone, and much likely grant the reward.

Ultimately when someone reaches 250 posts that shows quite some committment, and committment can't be fueled my negativity anyway.

- Adriano

[zeitpunkt]

Ultimately when someone reaches 250 posts that shows quite some commitment ....
- Adriano

What about the committed, loyal, registered user who spends hours understanding and testing your product and makes just a few quality posts where other users and Iambic benefit from? Does that not outweigh the user who posts just for the game of 250?

By the way, I will continue to post and if I reach 250 please donate my prize to your favorite charity. I already have zillions of free computer trinkets, not to mention all the tiny toys and gizmos from my kids' happy meals.

Also, I do like Agendus Pro and I use it everyday. Would this post count as a "negative" post?

[ursula]

- 250 posts: free mousepad
- 500 posts: free mug
- 750 posts: free golf shirt
- Adriano

Great idea

I would like to post more, but my english is very bad :( so this ist very hard for me

is there a possibility to buy an agendus for palm os mug - looks sooo great!

best regards
ursula

[adriano]

Hi Ursula,

yes, they are available for sale here:

http://www.cafepress.com/iambicsoftware

cafepress ships internationally (and they have low shipping charges).

- Adriano

[ethans]

Hi All,

we are happy to introduce a reward program <snip>
Rewards are based off the number of posts <snip>
- 250 posts: free mousepad
- 500 posts: free mug
- 750 posts: free golf shirt


Hi Adriano!

Have used Agendus Palm and Windows for Palm since 2004. Thanks for working to produce software that stretches the boundaries Palm apps on Palm and Desktop to provide needed integration and better UI. You may guess that if I am posting here, and am saying nice things, that some not-so-nice things are coming. They are, but please understand that they are coming from a generally happy power-user.

Ok, the comments:

Incentive levels too high: In forums action=life, and actually these forums have a good level of life for a software-support type destination. More 'chat' would get in the way of users looking for solutions. If, for instance, Agendus was customizable with themes, scripts, plug-ins, etc. then you would need action on those forums to grow a community to create content, but that is not the case. Same goes for methodology: If Agendus had more PIM / Outliner / Mind or Concept Map strength then you need creating content by sharing outlines, templates, methodologies.

Better to lower the incentive levels because: 1. At levels like 20-40-100 professional techie power-users (like me) would stick around for a while to help others & help verify/clarify problems after getting answers. Lower levels create real, attainable incentive given that we are not going to live here. 2. More of us sticking around for, say two weeks to a month is better than lots of fluff. 3. We are generally allergic to fluff. 4. You want people wearing your brand down on the cube farm, so smile when you mail that coffee cup.

Incentive: All that said I think maybe the incentive is on the wrong thing. What is the goal for this reward program? What are you trying to achieve? If you want more user-to-user help, more bugs specified sooner and clearer then put the incentives on those actions specifically. Make Bug Bounty (with points for an assist) and Good Citizen rewards.

I think the Bug Bounty should be set low because Agendus for Palm and Desktop crash way too much right now. Low incentive levels, say 3-7-15, motivates both parties. Users to spend the time to report and help specify problems, and yall to tighten up the product because bugs in releases are going to sting a bit more.

Imagine this: Memo to Iambic Development & QA Teams: The Marketing Director has graciously offered (up to) $5000 for an End of Summer Beach Bash! The catch is that the money is coming from the promotional materials budget....

Also: Mouse pads are so 1999. Better a decent pen, or rear-view mirror for monitor? Coffee cups are always good. Better yet, software, icon packs, etc.

Sincerely,
-Ethan

[Chameleon]

What about the committed, loyal, registered user who spends hours understanding and testing your product and makes just a few quality posts where other users and Iambic benefit from? Does that not outweigh the user who posts just for the game of 250?
Amen! :up:

Incentive levels too high...
I think that's the point... this way they won't have to give many out. :p

[Boudewijn Klerk]

Is a forum member not good enough if he only looks around and takes advantage of all the good ideas he did not think of himself? Of course I do not need a reward for that, but just think one should not just count the posts.
I received a remark to post something by time and time. And so I did now.
But I think: if you don't have to say anything, just keep still.....:rolleyes:
I find I am committed after all by just visiting.

[adriano]

Hi Boudewijin,

thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. We encourage and support anyone visiting these forums, and everyone is welcome to simply roam around without posting at all.

The reason why we introduced this loyalty program is to reward users that spend time posting and exchanging ideas with other fellow forum users. I understand "quantity" of posts doesn't necessarily mean "quality", but out of 250 posts (for the first tier gift) we assume there's a good number of quality posts.

- Adriano

[harryman]

Hi Adriano,
I don't think there is any need for a reward. Writing usefull post, testing the product and reporting bugs, helping others with problems is very time consuming. I do it to support the product in which I believe, but a reward would not make me post one more post.
As a Symbian user the problem of the moment is, that the product seems to be dead. No development for 10 month in spite of reported (most minor) bugs. No commitment yet for UIQ3. How to earn a reward if there is not much to do on "our" forum?
Recently you have introduced a message to encourage posting if one has not done so for a couple of weeks. This helps, but should appear a little less frequent in my opinion.
Bottom line: keep up the good development, because AGS is in my opinion the best PIM on the Symbian UIQ platform!

[sknaff]

Also: Mouse pads are so 1999. Better a decent pen, or rear-view mirror for monitor? Coffee cups are always good. Better yet, software, icon packs, etc.



I second that. I have not used a mouse pad in quite some time, but a monitor-rear-view-mirror or pen would be excellent.

Make sure to have a nice big logo on them too.

Thanks again & Great Promo!

- Knaf

[pastor_rob]

WOW ... this is my first post and so let me first say ... I am glad to be part of the family.

I have been using Agendus since version 9 and I love it. In fact ... on my PALM phones ... it is like American Express ... I never leave home without it.;)

That being said ... I have never seen so much commotion over someone trying to give away some FREE stuff. Lighten up guys ... give the crew here some credit for trying to give us some incentive ... I think it is a great idea ... kudos to you guys for trying.

Thanks for letting me in ... and I look forward to many days of creative discussion.

By the way ... does this post count towards the 250??? :p

Just kidding ... have a great day ALL!!!

[adriano]

Hi pastor_rob,

thank you for your kind words -- and yes, also this post of yours counts towards the 250 ;)

Looking forward to see you around these forums!

- Adriano

[adriano]

Hi All,

we have decided to discontinue this initiative, and replace it with new ones, more user involving and better geared towards community building. News coming up soon.

- Adriano