Create a new "points given" entry

Ok, i'm trying to figure out how to add to the points options?
I want to figure out how to create a new "points given" entry (a custom one)
Can someone point me in the right direction to do this?
I've done a search and came up empty.
Thanx
Gerald

I would be interested in this also.

Even I can't do this without adding lots of plumbing to the guts I'm afraid.

I see   ,
Thanx for the answer  
Would be a nice feature though.

can you explain more clearly what you mean? If I can I might try to tackle it (time permitting) but we shall see cause I am not sure exactly what you are trying to do.

Sure Duck,
In Setup » Configuration » Points options
you can set the points given to a member for performing task

It would be nice if you could add a custom entry into this:
For example: I would like to be able to give points to a member for playing a game on my site (which is a swf file)
so whenever a members click on the game (the swf.file) they would get points for that.
I'm sure there are many more examples that people can come up with to give members points for performing actions.
Thanx
Gerald

Ahh now I get what you mean and I also see why Chris said major plumbing work! Wow that would be some major plumbing work indeed. I am not that familiar with the framework portion of the system yet to takle that in the most efficient method I would imagine.

 I know with some frameworks there is an easy way to config pre/post processing functions but I don't know if ocPortal is set up to do that or not? If it is then just re-plumbing the options list to be dynamic would be the major work but if it isn't then it also means people will have to dive in and add function calls to whatever thing they wanted to add. However I do think that would truly separate ocPortals points system from any other I have seen before and could be a valuable addition indeed. Maybe we can hope for a future consideration and/or get Bob to start the Sponsored Feature Request wagon call going for it hehe.

I think the site economy options should come first though. ie: reworking the way currencies are handled within ocPortal and adding the ability to add different currencies. Like not just points but ocPortal bucks or loyalty points vs site points etc. with that ability to determine what currencies can be traded with what currencies and at what exchange rate (including real life currencies). For instance maybe someone who earned 10 000 site points could trade them for $10 credit toward a purchasable download or support credit etc. those kind of ideas I think could really improve a site owners options for creativity in motivating the sites community interactions and/or creative revenue streams.

Duck said

I know with some frameworks there is an easy way to config pre/post processing functions but I don't know if ocPortal is set up to do that or not? If it is then just re-plumbing the options list to be dynamic would be the major work but if it isn't then it also means people will have to dive in and add function calls to whatever thing they wanted to add. However I do think that would truly separate ocPortals points system from any other I have seen before and could be a valuable addition indeed. Maybe we can hope for a future consideration and/or get Bob to start the Sponsored Feature Request wagon call going for it hehe.

Bob's not starting any new campaigns until the multi-categorization feature (0000063: Multi-categorisation - ocPortal feature tracker) is addressed. I figure I've been quite generous in my sponsorship of many features and have sponsored half the cost of this item. I just need some help to get the balance of the funding for this item.

So, if you have a few support credits on your account, please consider using them to co-sponsor this project. Otherwise, credits are inexpensive at less than US$10 and even a single credit moves us closer to the goal. I also believe that people who intend to sell downloads will find that this feature will streamline their operations and reduce the potential for error (see notes on 0000263: Purchase to Download - attach downloadable files that must be purchased before downloading - ocPortal feature tracker). And, I think that a number of others will find benefit in having this ability but are hoping that someone else will foot the bill. If this change will help you, then it's time to sponsor at least one credit.

0000063: Multi-categorisation - ocPortal feature tracker

Bob

Thanx for looking into that Duck,

Bob I indeed plan on co-sponsoring some projects as soon as my money starts flowing again  

Tisnart said

Bob I indeed plan on co-sponsoring some projects as soon as my money starts flowing again  

That's good to hear, Tisnart.

I guess my frustration comes from the fact that the same few people sponsor items. I know that some people are dealing with difficult finances and are just not in a position to sponsor right now. But Chris has lowered the barrier to buying just a single credit which costs about US$10. People might see this as insignificant (especially for a larger project), but I see it as one credit closer to the goal.

I suspect that many people here spend more than $10 per month buying coffee. Well, that same  $10 could get you something useful for your site that will last a lot longer than a two-hour buzz and a trip or two to the bathroom.

Bob

I hear ya and totally agree.
In my situation all the money I make from my games goes towards all my stuff like this (and my game developments of course)

BobS said

Tisnart said

Bob I indeed plan on co-sponsoring some projects as soon as my money starts flowing again  

That's good to hear, Tisnart.

I guess my frustration comes from the fact that the same few people sponsor items. I know that some people are dealing with difficult finances and are just not in a position to sponsor right now. But Chris has lowered the barrier to buying just a single credit which costs about US$10. People might see this as insignificant (especially for a larger project), but I see it as one credit closer to the goal.

I suspect that many people here spend more than $10 per month buying coffee. Well, that same  $10 could get you something useful for your site that will last a lot longer than a two-hour buzz and a trip or two to the bathroom.

Bob

It's not only finances that keep people from sponsoring, but also what they feel is beneficial to their site. If, for example, there are no tracker items they feel would benefit their site, they not want to spend money to see a tracker item make it into the core. With that example, I have to ask myself, would it benefit me in the long run? Maybe. But I need to look at my immediate (and future) needs when I budget my money. And if I do have the resources to sponsor items, which is more important, my website or my wife (or husband)?

Speaking for myself, off the top of my head, I think there are 2 items I feel might benefit my site in the long run and I'll help (partially or fully) sponsor them when I'm able. As for the other tracker items, most would have no benefit to my site at all and therefore will probably will never be budgeted for. That being said, I will help sponsor some that are not on my list in return for the few that have been sponsored that I would have helped with if I had been in a position to help.

I have a feeling "Multi-categorization" is low on many "must have" lists and will probably take a very long time to reach a fully sponsored state. I'm not saying it would not be used if it was available, but it may not be useful enough for someone to warrant giving up coffee for. I suspect you will be the one footing most of the cost to see it completed. This is one item I have absolutely no use for but will help to sponsor since it is important to you and you have been generous in your sponsorships.

sholzy-

I really appreciate your consideration that my sponsorship efforts might be persuade you to co-sponsor something that is important to me and not to you.

I personally think this will be used a lot once it is available. Perhaps people can't see how it would help with their site or perhaps, as you say, they just don't think it is that valuable to trade one's limited resources for.

However, I do feel there is an element of underestimation here. For example. this change would be of particular use to those who would benefit from tracker item 263: 0000263: Purchase to Download - attach downloadable files that must be purchased before downloading - ocPortal feature tracker. The partial solution offered for that item includes the following in its explanation:

RE: STEP 4 (downloads):

Create download categories for each product. I note you may have a "bulk purchase" option – make a category for this. We'll need to duplicate entries into that category (a fudge, but K.I.S.S.).

This is a workable solution, but certainly not a proper solution. Having to duplicate items and then make sure they remain in sync is tedium, at best. If you catch a misspelling, it now needs to be corrected in two places instead of one. Multi-categorization would fix this – your single entry could now appear in both categories. It's a real benefit to these people selling downloads although they personally have no interest in the "multi-categorization" feature.

I actually believe this feature will prove insidious like this – useful to many who could not foresee a need. I felt the same way about the dynamic filtering and grid-layout features (which I have yet to install); the grid layout garnered interest once it was available.  I am not casual in asking people to part with their money, but I am asking for people to make an honest assessment of the value of multi-categorization.

As I said in the opening, I really do appreciate that you would give a project consideration based solely on my previous sponsorship of other issues important to you. To be honest, it has been a delight for me to be able to participate this way. For instance, you have no idea how happy I am that, even at my very small contribution level, I have helped to cleanup the CSS for ocPortal – something that will benefit all users.

Bob

Bob I foollishly own several domains of which none of them bring me any revenue. Mostly because I do not try to but also because most of the domains are not operational at the moment. I only operate a couple personal domains one of which is a clan site and I refuse to put any kind of advertising on my sites ( for now ) because I kind of like having an oasis on the web that is not littered with Ads or Adwords. However for some sites when they are operational that will not be the case and some of the ones that are currently operational but not generating revenue I may start some add campaigns on them and if they start generating revenue I will surely push forward some credits to ocPortal. Many (but not all) of my sites I intend to start using ocPortal on (currently only my clan site is now using it) so it only makes sense to give back to the community that is helping my sites.  But as Sholzy says part is priority and coffee is a higher priority for me! lol

But I do appreciate your constant plugging for support. I am sure it helps from time to time to inspire people to support. It is better to come from a community member than staff too which is good that you are doing it. Don't give up just be patient and every once in a while I am sure someone will heed your call.

I think we've gotten a little   in this thread.

I don't want anyone to misunderstand my intentions for my previous post. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from either promoting sponsorship of tracker items or becoming a sponsor of those items.

Bob has been pouring his heart into getting these items sponsored, and I applause him for it. With all that effort and very little response from anyone, I thought I would post my viewpoint on what could be (one of) the reason so few have stepped forward.

Everyone of these items are important to ocPortal (and ocProducts) as a whole. These items may not be important to any of us here right now, but it very well could be very important next month to that person looking for that "perfect" CMS. That person next month might be the person who decides he wants to switch his company's website over to a new CMS. And that person next month might be the person who has deep pockets to help drive future versions to even greater heights.

What we sponsor today could be the seed that helps ocPortal (and ocProducts) grow tomorrow.

Bob - Don't take what I say about your cheerleading to be negative. It is not intended to be that. I for one appreciate the effort you are putting into cheerleading. (Please shave your legs though, you look a little silly wearing that short skirt!    ).

Must agree with the leg shaving part indeed! lol

sholzy said

Bob - Don't take what I say about your cheerleading to be negative. It is not intended to be that. I for one appreciate the effort you are putting into cheerleading. (Please shave your legs though, you look a little silly wearing that short skirt!    ).

sholzy-

I don't take it as a negative and I have pretty thick skin anyway. I am simply convinced that I am right about the usefulness of the multi-catgorization feature and am not convinced that people might be considering how it might be useful for their sites. Or, maybe, they just really need that coffee fix (to be honest, I consume huge amounts of green tea daily and always grab a coffee when I am out and about). LOL

I also want to note that both you and Duck are active members here who have been generous in other ways, which is also important to me.

I will keep banging the drum on this one and am hoping that Chris gets a development client with some money to spend and an absolute need for this. In the meantime, I think people should still ask themselves whether this will prove handy for them and sponsor a credit or two if they can afford it.

Bob