Where Did My Star Go? Solving the Mystery with Greg | Earned and Lost

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants expressing their frustrations and opinions regarding the changes to star levels within the forum. Many contributors share their thoughts on the implications of these changes and the behavior surrounding post counts.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over losing their star, noting the effort it took to earn it.
  • Another participant mentions that changing levels makes stars feel less meaningful, suggesting it undermines their original intent.
  • Several users speculate about the potential backlash if trip points were changed mid-year.
  • One participant shares their view that frivolous posting, such as one-word replies, detracts from the value of stars.
  • Another participant agrees, stating that they initially viewed starred members as sources of wisdom but feel that is not always the case anymore.
  • One participant mentions the existence of a thread with minimal content that may have contributed to the issue of post counts.
  • Another participant suggests that increasing the number of stars available could be a better solution than changing existing counts.
  • One participant reflects on their own posting habits, acknowledging the balance between social posts and meaningful contributions.
  • Several users discuss the technical aspects of how post counts are tracked and the challenges in changing this system.
  • One participant expresses a desire for stars to reflect the quality of contributions rather than quantity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the value and meaning of stars, with some expressing frustration over the current system while others acknowledge the humorous side of the community's interactions. No clear consensus emerges on how to address the issues raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and opinions based on their engagement with the forum and its community dynamics. The discussion reflects a mix of sentiments regarding the balance between social interaction and meaningful contributions.

Who May Find This Useful

Members of the consultant community who are interested in the dynamics of forum engagement and the implications of star levels may find this discussion relevant.

Thanks for backing me. It was nice to come back and see the supportive comments! I don't know how other forums run, as this and now Living Female are the only two I've ever visited, but I thought once a long time ago Greg talked about adding a chat room (or maybe even had one on here; I'm not sure). Maybe that's something to think about again?
 
dianevill said:
Thanks for backing me. It was nice to come back and see the supportive comments! I don't know how other forums run, as this and now Living Female are the only two I've ever visited, but I thought once a long time ago Greg talked about adding a chat room (or maybe even had one on here; I'm not sure). Maybe that's something to think about again?

I think he implemented it as a special feature for Director Chef Success...someone that is on there can correct me if I am wrong...
 
Maybe he can implement it here as a special feature for Gold Supporters? I finally upgraded and the extra would help justify his administrative expense to add it...
 
raebates said:
I believe you, Ellen. When I first checked out the "Stripper" thread (that was the actual thread title), it was pretty much all people posting the bare minimum to increase their post numbers. I honestly never took another look after that.

Please don't take my comment personally.


I didn't. I understand the reasoning but most people commenting here are guilty of the same thing. I do come here a lot for advice but never look at the stars people have to judge their advice. If anything, I would look at their years experience and highest show total for that.
 
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ChefBeckyD said:
Have you seen the Stripper thread? With people posting one word a post for pages on end? That may have something to do with it........
maybe........
 
Christ Follower said:
I didn't. I understand the reasoning but most people commenting here are guilty of the same thing. I do come here a lot for advice but never look at the stars people have to judge their advice. If anything, I would look at their years experience and highest show total for that.
I agree with Ellen, unfortunately we all have different views and no one inparticular is "right or wrong"... the star thing means different things to different people. I didn't need to know ChefAnn was wise by looking at her star, in fact I hadn't even noticed them for quite awhile. I have made good friends on the "stripper" thread and I am sorry some of you felt it was a waste of time, we all have different views and thats ok... no hard feelings towards anyone. I found a lot of excellent information on this site and find it extremely beneficial. You all have given great opinions and I have learned a lot through many of you. We, on the stripper thread, were there at first... yes as a joke and yes we got silly and a bit crazy sometimes but personally, it was a huge support for me. The people on that thread got me through more tough events that have gone on in my life than friends here can. I once again was not saying who's opinion is right or wrong but it was hard to hear people disagreeing with a thread that encouraged me personally and with my business.....






I REALLY HOPE I DIDN'T OFFEND ANYONE, JUST THOUGHT I WOULD BE HONEST IN HOW I FEEL, AND I MAY NOT COMPLETELY AGREE WITH EVERYONE'S OPINION.... I HAVE DEVELOPED A RESPECT FOR YOU ALL AND IN THAT RESPECT YOUR OPINIONS :) ONCE AGAIN, I AM SORRY IF I UPSET ANYONE :o I CERTAINLY WASN'T TRYING TO....
 
It seems that other threads have been shut down as well today. I think that there should be a chat room option here at CS.
 
I don't know what I think. :rolleyes:
 
MissChef said:
I agree Diane!:thumbup: I look at this board as a place to come for advice and I use to think that the starred people were usually ones that I took seriously, now I look at join date or experience!:) ...
MissChef said:
I agree with you Cathy. I used to come here a lot and seek advise. Lately, it has become a "chat" room for most of the threads and the get "hijacked" and make a 300 degree turn and I get lost.....I have also made some great friendships on this site - so I feel I can come here in searhc of support, help and yes, fun.

I too look at the stra, years in the biz, post #'s etc. and I feel that we all have a resposibilty to know when we are "getting out of control". If we are using a thread as a chatroom - we ned to consider how helpful it is for someone truly looking for help or support - are they getting it forn the thread or just getting lost.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy some of the "funnies" that go on - but if the posts start to go crazy and I am not getiing anything out of teh ORIGINAL question, comment or teaching - I bail out. And YES - that is my choice to simply leave....

And I do :cool:

That's my take on the situation. ANd of course I lost my star so I just might be a newbie that doesn't have a clue either!!!
 
PCGINA said:
MissChef said:
I agree Diane!:thumbup: I look at this board as a place to come for advice and I use to think that the starred people were usually ones that I took seriously, now I look at join date or experience!:) ...
MissChef said:
I agree with you Cathy. I used to come here a lot and seek advise. Lately, it has become a "chat" room for most of the threads and the get "hijacked" and make a 300 degree turn and I get lost.....I have also made some great friendships on this site - so I feel I can come here in searhc of support, help and yes, fun.

I too look at the stra, years in the biz, post #'s etc. and I feel that we all have a resposibilty to know when we are "getting out of control". If we are using a thread as a chatroom - we ned to consider how helpful it is for someone truly looking for help or support - are they getting it forn the thread or just getting lost.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy some of the "funnies" that go on - but if the posts start to go crazy and I am not getiing anything out of teh ORIGINAL question, comment or teaching - I bail out. And YES - that is my choice to simply leave....

And I do :cool:

That's my take on the situation. ANd of course I lost my star so I just might be a newbie that doesn't have a clue either!!!




I understand where you are coming from Gina. This is why some of us would "chat" on the stripper thread...so it would not interfere with the other threads that we read and would comment on. This way we were not hijackinng the other threads by saying hi and catching up with our friends.

I am not complaining that all of the chat threads were shut down, just wanted to make a comment to Gina that not all of us would chit chat on other threads.
 
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Another one to agree with Diane:cool: I don't mind those silly threads; you all can chat about whatever you'd like. But for me personally, I come here for biz ideas. I scan all the new posts & typically only read the pc-related ones; except if someone is having a big dilemma or something & of course the Paige threads. It's all part of trying to limit my time here. I feel lots of you are my friends too; but I'd rather chat via email or pm.
 
Ditto. Personally, I don't even notice stars or their colors.
Striving to reach high level posts to get a star color kind of defeats the purpose of what Chef Success really is, don't you think? What's the point in even getting a star when one can see the number of posts? There's my 2 cents. :cool:
 
I've got a silly questionwasn't the Chef's Lounge created for all of those non-PC topics? Yes I realize that some people may have done a 180 on some of the actual PC business topics but I thought the Lounge was for all non related issues? Yes, the one or two word posts were getting a bit ridiculous but there was always the option to not read anything in the lounge.

I may also be taking this the wrong way, but I personally do not feel like I should be in the Living Female area because well, I am not a female. When I first say it, without even going in there, I was like Oh OK...a place for women to discuss women issues...so I don't need to go in there.

In the beginning I used this forum to gain so much knowlege and ideas about how to run my PC business but ever since I think it was late last year, early this year that we had a huge incident that divided things and this place has not been the same since.
 
jason it has seemed a little different since we had that problem. I do get on here everyday but I know I dont post as much
 
i agree that once something is earned it should not be taken away!
but instead of assuming the reason the reguirements for the stars were changed b/c of the stripper thread why not ask greg?!?
i am sure he would be more than happy to give the reason
then the negative posts need not exist :)
especially when there actually were only a few of us there, as im sure everyone knows some feelings can be hurt, and just b/c most of the posts came from chatting does not mean that we were not here for business as well :)


as the saying goes
people who live in glass houses should not throw stones

and if that statement annoys anyone so be it, i still come here for pc advice, tips, etc as that is what i paid for. i just happen to make some very good friends along the way :)
 
jasonmva said:
wasn't the Chef's Lounge created for all of those non-PC topics? Yes I realize that some people may have done a 180 on some of the actual PC business topics but I thought the Lounge was for all non related issues? Yes, the one or two word posts were getting a bit ridiculous but there was always the option to not read anything in the lounge.

I may also be taking this the wrong way, but I personally do not feel like I should be in the Living Female area because well, I am not a female. When I first say it, without even going in there, I was like Oh OK...a place for women to discuss women issues...so I don't need to go in there.

In the beginning I used this forum to gain so much knowlege and ideas about how to run my PC business but ever since I think it was late last year, early this year that we had a huge incident that divided things and this place has not been the same since.

thank you jason:)
and yes we did get silly and carried away at times
but if the whole thread was read from start to finish(yes i know not a chance especially with 1000 pages:yuck: :eek: ) there was alot of support given both business related and personal
and i am going to find flipping between the two sites a PIB but at least i still have a place to go and "chat" where all my friends from here will be and for that im happy:D
 
I know that some people took the stones cast about the stripper thread very hard, and are reluctant to come back to this board at all. I know I question how seriously people take my questions or input because I participated in that thread- now that it has been the subject of so much bashing here. I am sort of frustrated. Its not like we were insulting anyone, picking on anyone, or being nasty in any way. I feel as though I am part of an 'uncool' clique and I have been pushed off to a new playground so I don't cramp the cool kids style.
 
friday said:
I know that some people took the stones cast about the stripper thread very hard, and are reluctant to come back to this board at all. I know I question how seriously people take my questions or input because I participated in that thread- now that it has been the subject of so much bashing here. I am sort of frustrated. Its not like we were insulting anyone, picking on anyone, or being nasty in any way. I feel as though I am part of an 'uncool' clique and I have been pushed off to a new playground so I don't cramp the cool kids style.
I second that friday :(
 
nikkijo said:
I am not complaining that all of the chat threads were shut down, just wanted to make a comment to Gina that not all of us would chit chat on other threads.[/COLOR]

Noted Nikki and totally understood. Thanks for your comments.
 
Friday and Angela, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd be the last person to devalue your input because you participated in the "Stripper" thread--mostly because I've posted a lot of drivel myself. As I stated before, I never really read through that thread. After my first glance, when I realized that (at least at the start), it was just posting a word or two at a time, which I found difficult and time-consuming to follow, I never gave it another glance. I couldn't tell you who was ever on that thread, so I guarantee that it doesn't affect my opinion of you or anyone else.

Not that anyone cares or should care about my opinion.
 
raebates said:
Friday and Angela, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd be the last person to devalue your input because you participated in the "Stripper" thread--mostly because I've posted a lot of drivel myself. As I stated before, I never really read through that thread. After my first glance, when I realized that (at least at the start), it was just posting a word or two at a time, which I found difficult and time-consuming to follow, I never gave it another glance. I couldn't tell you who was ever on that thread, so I guarantee that it doesn't affect my opinion of you or anyone else.

Not that anyone cares or should care about my opinion.


I care Rae! And have to agree - after checking out the thread, and seeing the one and two word posts - I never went back.....and had no idea who was actually doing all of the posting. I've been trying really hard to keep my reading to just the threads that pertain to my business, and not spending so much time online......it was just a matter of choice on my part.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I care Rae! And have to agree - after checking out the thread, and seeing the one and two word posts - I never went back.....and had no idea who was actually doing all of the posting. I've been trying really hard to keep my reading to just the threads that pertain to my business, and not spending so much time online......it was just a matter of choice on my part.
Exactly.

Those that posted on that and other such threads: Please don't take it so personal. Most of us don't have a clue who was on there and it wouldn't make us think any less of you personally. We have all posted some nonsense and there's nothing wrong with that. I too looked at the thread once or twice and saw it wasn't a thread I wanted to get started on so left it alone.

Many (most) of us are here to enhance our knowledge to help our businesses and/or help each other out. None of us are here to bash each other but it is very easy to read into what's posted and take offense. I've seen it and felt it way too often. Must have something to do with most of us being female. lol

Take what you read with a grain of salt. I would bet that most of us mean no ill when posting - ever. We all have value.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #53
I am so surprised that my simple question to Greg ended up being a 3 page discussion. I think that is a record for me. I am not concerned about my post total, and it was not a crisis to me that my star was gone, I was just curious that it was gone. I am usually on to gain motivation for my business, and to keep up with the prayer requests. I do not have time to use it as a social outlet, although I can see how some would use it as that.
 
I love Chef Success for the great advice and support I get. It's very important to me to have a strong support group for my business, and this site is a big part of it. I value everyone's opinions! I too have added some "useless" posts, but you know, I actually never paid attention to the number of posts that I have, or that others have, for that matter!!

I read the threads that interest me, and if I see info I could use or that I like, I take it and run with it. I also enjoy helping others out.

There's my 2 cents!! ;)

Oh, and, I would LOVE to see a chat room on here.........purdy please, Greg!! :o :p :love: :rolleyes:
 
Ok I'm feeling a bit confused.... I haven't been on whole lot lately so I'm trying to follow what is going on...

So our star qualifications changed again... While I was lucky enough to not loose what I allready had it would have been very dissapointing to me if I had been one of those that did get bumped back. It took me 4 years of 90% helpful, business oriented posts to get my first star. Not fair to loose it! I know it's trivial but it felt like a reward. I personally do not care if some are posting mindlessly to get bumped that is their business.

Ok so now we can't have any mindless stress relief threads on CS? Isn't that one of the reasons alot of us come here. Not to mention that is why we have the Lounge? I love that I can talk shop and get some comic relief in the same place. Now I have a whole other board to navigate?

Is this new forum just for us as CS members or is it public? If it's public and I mess up and put some PC blurb I will get into troubble for internet promotion!

Again I'm confused and dissapointed....
 
raebates said:
Friday and Angela, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd be the last person to devalue your input because you participated in the "Stripper" thread--mostly because I've posted a lot of drivel myself. As I stated before, I never really read through that thread. After my first glance, when I realized that (at least at the start), it was just posting a word or two at a time, which I found difficult and time-consuming to follow, I never gave it another glance. I couldn't tell you who was ever on that thread, so I guarantee that it doesn't affect my opinion of you or anyone else.
Not that anyone cares or should care about my opinion.


Thanks Raebates... I know I should just let go of this thread but I was hoping that eventually someone would be caring and understanding enough to express it... I have made friends on this thread and in a asense look up to some but It was nice to read and I appreciate it. :)
 
somewhat OT Stars???Wow, I joined just a mere few days ago and am still lost. I am poking my way around trying to figure this site out. Stars??? What are the stars for, and where do I find the requirements for them? Am I somehow missing a directory somewhere. Is there a mentor program where someone can take me under their wing? If so where do I sign up? In other words ... HELP!
 
Jennyskitchencorner said:
Wow, I joined just a mere few days ago and am still lost. I am poking my way around trying to figure this site out. Stars??? What are the stars for, and where do I find the requirements for them? Am I somehow missing a directory somewhere. Is there a mentor program where someone can take me under their wing? If so where do I sign up? In other words ... HELP!

The nice thing about this site is you will find MANY mentors!:thumbup: We are all here to help and be helped!
The stars are just a fun silly thing. You get a star under your name (look at other peoples avatars and you will see them) when you acheive a certain # of posts. As your posts increase, your star changes colors. However, Greg (our wonderful administrator) gets some sort of perverse (:D ) pleasure in changing the post requirements for the stars. So, people who thought they had a certain star, all of a sudden don't have it anymore. There are a few among us with very high post counts, who we (lovingly) refer to as "post sluts".
This is all just part of the fun of this site, and it connects us and makes us part of a "PC family".......So, WELCOME! AND GET POSTING!:D :D
 

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