re:Renting Points Rules

[NewDCLGuy]

Rules are rules, and I respect the right of the owners to make up whatever rules they want. Personally, I don't care one way or the other who gets to post their points for rent.

I am amused at the number of people who do care. Care so much they are willing to spend their time reviewing somebody's posting history, counting posts, looking at the calendar, judging the posts themselves to see if they are spaced property and are deemed worthy.

 

[Tamar]

The new rule is tough for me. I only rent points 1-2 times a year if we have extra, and I am limited as to how much web surfing I can do throughout the year, so probably average about 50 posts over 12 months, not 6 months.

I like being able to rent to others who are part of this community, so I hope that I'm not locked out sometime next year if I have extra points. I'm not trying to second guess the mods, but wish it didn't have to be quite so stringent.

 

[Chuck S]

Folks, think about this. Really 50 posts over the course of 6 months is 8 posts per month, or 2 posts per week, plus 2 more posts.

 

[kmsimone]

I hope this will not create a lot of posts that are created just to maintain a minimum level of participation. I like to think that people are posting because they have something interesting to say.

It is likely though that there will now be posts that are posted just to post in order to meet the posting requirement. Not sure if this adds to the DIS community.

I myself have been an avid "lurker" for many years and appreciate all the useful info that has been used in our vacation planning.

My contribution has been utilizing the DIS advertisers which I am sure is more valuable to this community than will be my next 50 posts...........

Your site, your rules.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I hope this will not create a lot of posts that are created just to maintain a minimum level of participation. I like to think that people are posting because they have something interesting to say.

It is likely though that there will now be posts that are posted just to post in order to meet the posting requirement. Not sure if this adds to the DIS community.

I myself have been an avid "lurker" for many years and appreciate all the useful info that has been used in our vacation planning.

My contribution has been utilizing the DIS advertisers which I am sure is more valuable to this community than will be my next 50 posts...........

Your site, your rules.

I'd like to think of it as keeping the R/T board for all those people who really participate in the DIS. Sharing information, discussing the highlights of their last trip, the problems they had, what new things they tried, their favorite oldies. Think of it as sharing YOUR useful info with other DISers and not just reading THEIR useful info.

 

[kmsimone]

6 posts down 44 to go.

Quick question......are you allowing people to use the rent board at the 50th post or do you have to go over 50 posts and actually have 51.

Sorry I could not think of another question to ask as I work my way to #50 (or is it 51)?

Thanks

 

[kmsimone]

I'd like to think of it as keeping the R/T board for all those people who really participate in the DIS. Sharing information, discussing the highlights of their last trip, the problems they had, what new things they tried, their favorite oldies. Think of it as sharing YOUR useful info with other DISers and not just reading THEIR useful info.

I think people should participate to the level at which they are comfortable. I enjoyed reading your post though.

 

[Chuck S]

I think people should participate to the level at which they are comfortable. I enjoyed reading your post though.

If you plan to post prior to February 1, it is 50 posts. But a word of warning...spread those posts out over several days. We have declined posts from people who were obviously just posting to boost post count, and not actually taking an interest in the community...hence the February 1, 2011, rule change, making it necessary to spread posts out over the previous 6 months.

You are welcome to post at a level that is comfortable, as long as you aren't planning to use the Rent/Trade board. But we will not allow people to use this free board resource without contributing to discussions.

 

[TiaMaria]

If you plan to post prior to February 1, it is 50 posts. But a word of warning...spread those posts out over several days. We have declined posts from people who were obviously just posting to boost post count, and not actually taking an interest in the community...hence the February 1, 2011, rule change, making it necessary to spread posts out over the previous 6 months.

Chuck, I am also hoping that numerous posts about "posts" are deemed ineligible towards that post count. Geez, if someone has to ask the same question about the rules 50 different ways to get their post count up, I don't consider that as "contributing" do you?

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, I am also hoping that numerous posts about "posts" are deemed ineligible towards that post count. Geez, if someone has to ask the same question about the rules 50 different ways to get their post count up, I don't consider that as "contributing" do you?

No, such posts do not contribute to discussions, so should not be counted. Also not counted are posts on the Tech/test board where we've seen people post just to raise post count to use the boards PM and email system.

Also posts such as "Thanks for the info", "I agree," etc.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I do agree with the restrictions on offering rentals. I wish there was some way to allow people to post threads asking for a rental again. I rented points from someone 2 years ago, and did just that. I had researched what I needed, and then posted a thread asking for it.

When I rented out points this spring, I got lots of requests from people who weren't really sure how many points they needed, didn't understand the 7 or 11 month windows, etc. I spent a lot of time figuring out if I could do what these people were asking me to do. It seems like it would have been easier if there were threads of people asking for a reservation, and then folks looking to rent out their points could answer the ones they could do.

Just my thoughts

 

[kmsimone]

Chuck, I am also hoping that numerous posts about "posts" are deemed ineligible towards that post count. Geez, if someone has to ask the same question about the rules 50 different ways to get their post count up, I don't consider that as "contributing" do you?

I think there should be a list of all of the types of posts that will be deemed to be not worthy or consdered "non-contributing". I think it could be a huge time saver.

Also a sliding scale might be developed so that some posts might qualify for partial credit.

Being new and all (newbie), I was unaware that only certain posts qualified or that some posts had more value than other posts. Question, are the qualifying criteria voted on by the entire communitee, by commitee or by individual mandate. Once a post is ruled as a non-qualifying post, is there a recognized appeal process.

If there is no appeal process currently in use, I would suggest that the DIS Board poll could be put to good use. Once a post is under appeal, the entire community could vote on it's worthiness and decide on it's contributing value.

Also since some posts count as zero and some posts count as one, I think you should consider that posts that are considered exceptional might be given a value of 2 posts. Food for thought.

P.S. I am unclear as to weather this post will count toward the post quota. On one hand is is "another" post about a post which earlier was ruled to be inadequate, but I would argue that there is contributing value to this post in that it offers a suggestion in addition to the question.

All posts are equal, but some are more equal than others.

 

[Chuck S]

I think there should be a list of all of the types of posts that will be deemed to be not worthy or consdered "non-contributing". I think it could be a huge time saver.

Also a sliding scale might be developed so that some posts might qualify for partial credit.

Being new and all (newbie), I was unaware that only certain posts qualified or that some posts had more value than other posts. Question, are the qualifying criteria voted on by the entire communitee, by commitee or by individual mandate. Once a post is ruled as a non-qualifying post, is there a recognized appeal process.

If there is no appeal process currently in use, I would suggest that the DIS Board poll could be put to good use. Once a post is under appeal, the entire community could vote on it's worthiness and decide on it's contributing value.

Also since some posts count as zero and some posts count as one, I think you should consider that posts that are considered exceptional might be given a value of 2 posts. Food for thought.

P.S. I am unclear as to weather this post will count toward the post quota. On one hand is is "another" post about a post which earlier was ruled to be inadequate, but I would argue that there is contributing value to this post in that it offers a suggestion in addition to the question.

All posts are equal, but some are more equal than others.

As I stated, posts made obviously for the sole purpose of boosting post count will not count toward the requirement. Posts must add something to the discussion at hand. It is a subjective judgment call of the Rent/Trade moderating team. If a poster feels they were treated unfairly, they are free to appeal to the DIS webmasters. The policies of the DIS are not up for a vote of board users at any time, internet polls are too easily swayed to have any real value. Again, if anyone feels like the policies the DIS sets for the Rent/Trade board are too restrictive, there are other venues available to rent points, like ebay, craigslist, TUG2 and other fansites.

Posts are reviewed by Rent/Trade moderators. We have declined posts from people who obviously had made short "hit-n-run" type posts solely to reach the required 50 posts, or have posted 50 posts in a short time. So please, no posts like "Great info, thanks!" and no posts that are all smilies/emoticons.

You really can learn a lot about demeanor/personality from overall posting style. We encourage potential renters to review posts made by DVC Owners to get a feel of their general personality and posting style, be sure you are comfortable with whom you are doing business.

For further info on Rent/Trade posting requirements, please read the sticky threads on the Rent/Trade board. The Rent/Trade posting rules are not being reconsidered at this time.

 

[Alexander]

I cannot believe the "discussion" this topic is generating! Sliding scales, kinds of posts that count...Really? Just follow the rules or go elsewhere! It is not that complicated! Sorry, this is just rubbing me the wrong way. Too many people looking to find a loop hole or easy way around the rules, or whining about why the rules shouldn't apply to them.

 

[dzorn]

I think there should be a list of all of the types of posts that will be deemed to be not worthy or consdered "non-contributing". I think it could be a huge time saver.

Also a sliding scale might be developed so that some posts might qualify for partial credit.

Being new and all (newbie), I was unaware that only certain posts qualified or that some posts had more value than other posts. Question, are the qualifying criteria voted on by the entire communitee, by commitee or by individual mandate. Once a post is ruled as a non-qualifying post, is there a recognized appeal process.

If there is no appeal process currently in use, I would suggest that the DIS Board poll could be put to good use. Once a post is under appeal, the entire community could vote on it's worthiness and decide on it's contributing value.

Also since some posts count as zero and some posts count as one, I think you should consider that posts that are considered exceptional might be given a value of 2 posts. Food for thought.

P.S. I am unclear as to weather this post will count toward the post quota. On one hand is is "another" post about a post which earlier was ruled to be inadequate, but I would argue that there is contributing value to this post in that it offers a suggestion in addition to the question.

All posts are equal, but some are more equal than others.

You want the Moderators to spend all this time, they are generous with their time to begin with adding more work to it is ridculous. Let's see 1 meaningful post daily over the next few months it would not be necessary for the mods to do anything but a quick look over.

Denise in MI

 

[kmsimone]

I cannot believe the "discussion" this topic is generating! Sliding scales, kinds of posts that count...Really? Just follow the rules or go elsewhere! It is not that complicated! Sorry, this is just rubbing me the wrong way. Too many people looking to find a loop hole or easy way around the rules, or whining about why the rules shouldn't apply to them.

Agree 100%. I think the issue is that some posts are not counted for full value and if that is the policy, then community members should be aware that they need to add additional value or commentary for the post to be considered towards the 50 post quota.

 

[JimMIA]

I cannot believe the "discussion" this topic is generating! Sliding scales, kinds of posts that count...Really? Just follow the rules or go elsewhere! It is not that complicated! Sorry, this is just rubbing me the wrong way. Too many people looking to find a loop hole or easy way around the rules, or whining about why the rules shouldn't apply to them.

I agree, and for new folks, it's really not that complicated. All posts on the R/T board are pre-screened by the mods. If a post is improper, it doesn't get posted. If someone attempts to post and they don't meet the requirements, I'm sure the mods will let them know why.

What's the hard part?

 

[kmsimone]

You want the Moderators to spend all this time, they are generous with their time to begin with adding more work to it is ridculous. Let's see 1 meaningful post daily over the next few months it would not be necessary for the mods to do anything but a quick look over.

Denise in MI

Of course I do not want the Moderators to spend time reviewing posts that is the entire point of this, "tongue in cheek" satire.

If someone is in fact going to review a members post history to tally the meaningful ones vs. the posts that will be not counted, as a member of the community I am curious as to what the standard will be.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Of course I do not want the Moderators to spend time reviewing posts that is the entire point of this, "tongue in cheek" satire.

If someone is in fact going to review a members post history to tally the meaningful ones vs. the posts that will be not counted, as a member of the community I am curious as to what the standard will be.

Think of it this way then. You don't know the person who is renting out their points. So you take a look at the posts they have written in the past. You get posts that give out lots of good information about the various resorts. You get good information about dining experiences. What do you think about that poster?

Or you read lots of posts that say "I agree" or "why is this the rule"?

Which owner do you thing the non-member is going to think will be a better choice for renting from?

 

[kmsimone]

Think of it this way then. You don't know the person who is renting out their points. So you take a look at the posts they have written in the past. You get posts that give out lots of good information about the various resorts. You get good information about dining experiences. What do you think about that poster?

Or you read lots of posts that say "I agree" or "why is this the rule"?

Which owner do you thing the non-member is going to think will be a better choice for renting from?

Yes, Yes, Yes. Agree wholeheartedly. Renters have a choice and I am less likely of renting my points with little history or content. My posts above are not challenging that aspect.

I was poking fun at the arbitrary nature of the 50 post quota rule and the fact that as we now know that some posts are "more equal than others".

But if the community is going to provide a standards by which to accept or reject posts towards the quota (which is suggested by DIS members above), and the standards measure how meaningful or informative post are, then I am afraid that many well meaning contributors with posts in the hundred's or thousands may find themselves under the 50 post quota, depending on the standards of acceptability of course.

Not sure there will be much agreement on the standards though.

As I stated above that I found this community to be a great resource of information and appreciate that people enjoy sharing their experiences and information/