I would like to first apologize for the lengthy post. However, I feel like you should read it in it's entirety. If not, there is a TLDR at the bottom.
As the first week of January is near the end, I wanted to talk about the future of RIF with our community. I'm sure you are all wondering what the new year will bring, and I'm excited for the coming months ahead. So with that said, there are some topics I want to talk about.
1) What/Where is January's Contest?
Unfortunately, there won't be a January contest. I know, that may be disappointing to hear for some, especially as everyone has gotten so use to a new contest every single month.
"But why?" you may ask:
I've thought a lot about what to do for this month. However, as the new year starts, I want to start focusing on increasing user engagement, quality content, and introduction of new features. This does not mean there won't be other contests in future months. I just need some time to start focusing on building our community in other directions other than just contests. That will involve me taking some time away from doing a contest this month. With that said, our December events also gave over $500 to our members despite it's little glitch that happened on Christmas eve.
2) New Feature Every Week
Due to there not being a contest in January, this will allow me time to release a new feature to the community at the end of each week in January starting sometime tonight. There is so much planned for this site, and I'm excited for everyone to find out everything we have in store for you. Each week I will make an announcement thread that introduces a new feature. Some of you may have already seen some things here. I will then update this thread below to the link to the announcement thread introducing that week's new feature.
January 7th Feature:
Content Awards - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/content-awards.6173/
January 14th Feature:
RIF Mining, Member Trading, and More - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/rif-mining-member-trading-and-more.7226/
January 21st Feature:
Articles and Writers Guild - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/articles-and-writers-guild.8404/
January 28th Feature: *Secret*
3) Finally - Quality
The time has come to start focusing on the quality of our website. We have some amazing members who are posting some great stuff. However, there is also a lot of people who are posting some pretty plain content that does not contribute to the conversation whatsoever. In order for our website to grow naturally, the content of the posts in the on topic sections should have value. There will be a few things for this:
Warnings:
In order to try and discourage members on posting spam and non-quality content, we will be issuing fines for every warning you get.
Posting inappropriate content, behavior, language, spam, and posting in the wrong sections will get you warning points. Each warning point will cost you $0.25. (And yes, you can go in the negative) Multiple warning points can be given per warning if warranted. Plagiarism is absolutely not allowed, and will be an immediate ban without warning.
I want you all to know that I'm not here to be taking your earned money away. I want to encourage everyone to participate in the community and have valuable discussions. So, for the first little while, as we try to clean up the forums, no RIF cash will be taken from accounts. For the first couple of weeks, I will be messaging users first to allow them to see what they are doing wrong, and what could be a possible solution for the future. I want us to grow and learn together. However, after a couple weeks, the fines will start to be given out.
I have also noticed that one of the biggest problems is people not posting threads in the correct sections. Most notable, the market sections. Please be sure to read the category descriptions prior to posting new threads. These descriptions are at the top of the pages, and it is on you to ensure you are posting in the correct section.
Bounty Program - Reporting:
There is a lot of content on this site. We are now doing 1,000 - 2,000 posts a day. It's hard for the moderation team to keep up and look at everything. Therefore, we are also introducing a bounty program. Our members can help contribute to our site by getting rid of the bad apples/awful content. At the same time, they will earn for doing so.
If you are reporting content, and action is given to that member, you will receive half of their fines. So, if you report a post that is spam, and they receive a warning point that costs them 50 cents, you will get 25 cents. Our members are what make this community, and I know the integrity of some of you not wanting some bad apples ruin the experience for everyone else. If you see anything that breaks the rules, please report it!
Word Count Minimum
In order to help combat the simple 1-2 word replies that don't add value to the topic at hand, I am considering introducing a word minimum to on topic posts (So forum games section, etc, wouldn't have a word minimum)
As I like to be transparent, I am asking the community what they think would be fair minimum. I'm not looking to be to strict, but I also don't want users abusing the system. I would like everyone to at least post quality content that adds values to the discussions. Feel free to reply below what you feel would be an acceptable minimum word policy.
TLDR;
- No January contest
- New features every week
- Warnings points will cost you $$ by being fined
- Earn $$ by reporting others spam/bad content by taking their fines
- Possible word count minimum. (Reply below)
As the first week of January is near the end, I wanted to talk about the future of RIF with our community. I'm sure you are all wondering what the new year will bring, and I'm excited for the coming months ahead. So with that said, there are some topics I want to talk about.
1) What/Where is January's Contest?
Unfortunately, there won't be a January contest. I know, that may be disappointing to hear for some, especially as everyone has gotten so use to a new contest every single month.
"But why?" you may ask:
I've thought a lot about what to do for this month. However, as the new year starts, I want to start focusing on increasing user engagement, quality content, and introduction of new features. This does not mean there won't be other contests in future months. I just need some time to start focusing on building our community in other directions other than just contests. That will involve me taking some time away from doing a contest this month. With that said, our December events also gave over $500 to our members despite it's little glitch that happened on Christmas eve.
2) New Feature Every Week
Due to there not being a contest in January, this will allow me time to release a new feature to the community at the end of each week in January starting sometime tonight. There is so much planned for this site, and I'm excited for everyone to find out everything we have in store for you. Each week I will make an announcement thread that introduces a new feature. Some of you may have already seen some things here. I will then update this thread below to the link to the announcement thread introducing that week's new feature.
January 7th Feature:
Content Awards - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/content-awards.6173/
January 14th Feature:
RIF Mining, Member Trading, and More - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/rif-mining-member-trading-and-more.7226/
January 21st Feature:
Articles and Writers Guild - https://referralindexforum.com/threads/articles-and-writers-guild.8404/
January 28th Feature: *Secret*
3) Finally - Quality
The time has come to start focusing on the quality of our website. We have some amazing members who are posting some great stuff. However, there is also a lot of people who are posting some pretty plain content that does not contribute to the conversation whatsoever. In order for our website to grow naturally, the content of the posts in the on topic sections should have value. There will be a few things for this:
Warnings:
In order to try and discourage members on posting spam and non-quality content, we will be issuing fines for every warning you get.
Posting inappropriate content, behavior, language, spam, and posting in the wrong sections will get you warning points. Each warning point will cost you $0.25. (And yes, you can go in the negative) Multiple warning points can be given per warning if warranted. Plagiarism is absolutely not allowed, and will be an immediate ban without warning.
I want you all to know that I'm not here to be taking your earned money away. I want to encourage everyone to participate in the community and have valuable discussions. So, for the first little while, as we try to clean up the forums, no RIF cash will be taken from accounts. For the first couple of weeks, I will be messaging users first to allow them to see what they are doing wrong, and what could be a possible solution for the future. I want us to grow and learn together. However, after a couple weeks, the fines will start to be given out.
I have also noticed that one of the biggest problems is people not posting threads in the correct sections. Most notable, the market sections. Please be sure to read the category descriptions prior to posting new threads. These descriptions are at the top of the pages, and it is on you to ensure you are posting in the correct section.
Bounty Program - Reporting:
There is a lot of content on this site. We are now doing 1,000 - 2,000 posts a day. It's hard for the moderation team to keep up and look at everything. Therefore, we are also introducing a bounty program. Our members can help contribute to our site by getting rid of the bad apples/awful content. At the same time, they will earn for doing so.
If you are reporting content, and action is given to that member, you will receive half of their fines. So, if you report a post that is spam, and they receive a warning point that costs them 50 cents, you will get 25 cents. Our members are what make this community, and I know the integrity of some of you not wanting some bad apples ruin the experience for everyone else. If you see anything that breaks the rules, please report it!
Word Count Minimum
In order to help combat the simple 1-2 word replies that don't add value to the topic at hand, I am considering introducing a word minimum to on topic posts (So forum games section, etc, wouldn't have a word minimum)
As I like to be transparent, I am asking the community what they think would be fair minimum. I'm not looking to be to strict, but I also don't want users abusing the system. I would like everyone to at least post quality content that adds values to the discussions. Feel free to reply below what you feel would be an acceptable minimum word policy.
TLDR;
- No January contest
- New features every week
- Warnings points will cost you $$ by being fined
- Earn $$ by reporting others spam/bad content by taking their fines
- Possible word count minimum. (Reply below)
Last edited:
