In the Tesla Club

I keep one eye out, but I really enjoy getting people answers. I used to be a teacher for adults in mainframe technology. I also learn more through doing/helping. I find more motivation that way.

Clem

At first I though you bought a new car.

I look from time to time but to be honest, since the award scheme changed to be way way less per post or video etc, I just don't worry about it, I know a newcomer will be thinking "Ill never get there" and even a few of us that are at the top will still take forever to get to that magic top level

So I just keep doing my thing and don't worry about it, Aside from Credibility (Our Answers to questions are taken seriously or at least more seriously than others of a lower level), there is no bonus to being there right now

It does feel good to be there though, and knowing it was hard earned

Points and levels have become much less important for me, because it takes far more time to level up than it takes to do a big project. I don't even know what the next level is or what points I need to get there. I suspect when the point spread between levels exceeds a certain amount, interest will tend to wane. Maybe if the scale was more linear at higher levels it would retain its motivating properties - maybe 5000 points between levels....

do you actively make an effort to reach the next level?

No because there doesn't seem to be one.

There is no real incentive to reach any level, so why would someone want to aspire to the next level.

As an absolute beginner they get all priviledges, while other sites you need to attain xx points before you have access to xyz.

In the older times the avatar changed, but since you apply your own the persons points is only visible if you look for it.

Novices and Higher get equal standings for Road Tests, etc so there is no advantage there.

Personally I think that some of the more expensive Road Tests should only be for Level x and higher, as it's obvious they have been here for a while and contributed.

Having a minimum level doesn't necessarily mean we get someone that can blog, since we've seen how some people comment on 3 year old posts to gain points.

We've also had some absolute newbies apply for Design Tests and become very valued members.

There was plenty of activity when I hit the top level, but sadly for Shabaz very little official recognition (unless I missed it). We have clem57 knocking on the door as well.

If we truely want to acknowledge these levels then surely we should be doing something for everyone that reaches them.

I know there is problems with cross border vouchers, but surely there is element14 merchandise that could be given out for certain levels.

Mark

I mostly just post without looking at points or levels.

I believe in the slow and steady approach, plus I just try to help people where I can.

DAB

Speaking of Level 8, I still have the Tesla sticker that cstanton gave me when we visited : ) It's awesome.

I occasionally have fun checking out what badges exist (I know a lot of effort goes into devising those by Element14, and it is definitely appreciated), and I would agree with you that we don't explicitly look out for points. Actually I feel guilty if people like clem57 and gadget.iom are not recognized, they actively help out on so many discussions with their diverse knowledge. I don't get so much time : ( despite having a high number of points.

mcb1 you set the gold standard : ) and always so I was very happy to follow in your footsteps, you're an inspiration especially because you always "keep it real". Many people from Element14 staff did personally reach out to me when the points hit 100k, so I felt appreciated. Also spannerspencer personally put me in touch with some people since he has way better contacts than me hehe, so overall I think personalized incentives to help each of us are still there loosely tied to points levels if people want them, its just that we get motivated in ways other than points eventually too, which is no bad thing and Element14 is doing lots of things right cultivating such an environment.

Christmas time especially was awesome - it was very clever how what would normally be a quiet season was turned into a busy time with the thought-provoking Year in Review/Preview posts that encouraged many conversations. So I hope Element14 internally recognises their staff too, for innovative thinking like this that keeps interest high.

Hi Spanner,

I used to watch the points more closely as there was a list of where the points came from that allowed me to see from whom and for what they were awarded. Now the list is still there but it contains no information that is usable. The larger tiers may slow down the process but I think they push us back to what is important, paying attention to the posts, answering questions, posting blogs, and going about the purposes for which the forum is intended. When the next tier does come it is fun and feels more worth while than if it wasn't a struggle to get there. In a way the points and tier levels are like a sports teams record of wins. It is great to reminisce about past accomplishments but the real test and joy is in the next question and whether one can provide an answer worthy of a Helpful or a Correct response.

John

For the reasons mentioned above I too don't seem to watch too carefully.

The suggestion about holding back high-value road tests to people above a certain tier sounds like a good one.

I just noticed that you have company in the Tesla Club as Problemchild also just made it.  Congratulations to John Alexander. I noticed that he has been on the brink for the last couple weeks and finally he made the leap and crossed over.

John