Ok guys since we're bringing in new points system that will work per posted comments, blogs, files, we will be resetting points, and recalculating them for each member per his activity thus far. Unfortunately, it wont be full recalculation. We were able to recalculate members comments posts and blogs.

So we will all get new amount of points, and do hope that wont anger members too much? :\

The reason why we're doing this is because we had people cheat for points by setting up automated bots that would then refresh our pages continuously, giving them "tons" of points. So page traffic wont any more be calculated for points. Rather, actual participation in the community will.

We're bringing this update with a couple of others cool new features. So it's taking awhile, but we're fairly close to publishing it. Hopefully it wont take more then a week more...

We've also optimized pages for faster loading, but this also needs to be published.

Thank you,

Hey guys,

Wanted to check with you about a feature that we wanted to bring to SI. Basically anybody involved in comments posting on SI knows of some of the issues that we're having with them. One of the problem is that we/I often lost track of what we posted and where we posted it.

So this is what we wrapped up in an attempt to solve this problem. Please check these samples:

http://www.strategyinformer.com/tests/userbox_comments_change_popup.jpg
So see that User Box in the left top has changed slightly. It got a "NEW CONTENT REPLIES" bit to it. So the idea is to have that work as a clickable link that invokes a small popup that then shows the latest 5 (thought to put that as a max to not get it too tall) content replies to any content pages where you posted any comments. With time when the latest reply was posted. And a "VIEW ALL POSTS" link that will bring us to the page where all unread and read posts will be shown. Next sample...

http://www.strategyinformer.com/tests/userbox_comments_change_list.jpg
So here you can see all your unread posts listed. And below them, ALL your posts.

So, what do you think? Do you find that usable, practical, good, bad...? Any comment appreciated! I thought it would be better then going with standard email notifications... A bit more modern? < sarcasm ... :)

Thank you!

Hey guys,

We had a great sale of AoC campaign on SI. But wanted to ask you what you think of it? Is it too intrusive in your opinion? Or is it ok, considering it's game related?

Please let me know. Would love to hear what you think.

As always, thanks!

Kres

This is the new ranking structure that we would like to implement with the new wave of changes (thoughts?):

New User (0-9 points)
SI Junior (10-299 points)
SI Senior (300-999)
SI Veteran (1000-1999)
SI Elite (2000-2999)
SI Syndicate (3000+)

Ok what we then wanted to do is make some benefits for the top SI Syndicate members. And now the real question is what would that be. Do you as members have anything in mind? :)

Something that we were considering:
1. Discount on GamersGate sales
2. Ability to post into Staff Editorial (that would be renamed) that shows on the main page
3. Ability to post news on the main page as well
4. A special comment background color to go along with all Syndicate members comments posts. So wouldn't be blue/gray gradient, but greed, red or whichever
5. ... Ok there's no 5th idea atm. So if you got something to suggest please do so!

Thanks once again,

We're bringing some new features! Give some feedback please, critic or whatever...

Member Public pages update:
http://www.strategyinformer.com/tests/UserPage_mygames.jpg
So basically we're changing the looks a bit, adding Member Reviews, Files, Guestbook posts (?) and Comments list (with latest replies).

Last Downloads Page update:
http://www.strategyinformer.com/tests/lastDLSpages1.jpg
We're bringing in file scores, changing the mirrors setup/looks (system will auto select lower loaded mirror by default for user), full file description will be opened within the same page (AJAX) and not lead to a new page, and files will get Author OR Uploader info (they wont show up both at the same time) with them.

And the points change! That will have a big impact as we will flush ALL current points, and all members will reestablish their points by what they did so far:
http://www.strategyinformer.com/member/2/blog/12179

Will do my best to adjust per your feedback. So would be great to hear if anything needs changing / removing?

Thanks!