Should reputation points be given for editing and welcoming?
I just spent an hour or so editing some new users' questions and welcoming them to The Forum.
I'm plum exhausted.
And holding Heidita in absolute awe for her tenacious, and ever-cheerful labors to do both.
Maybe there could be reputation points awarded for such crucial work?
That might encourage more of us all to do the same?
15 Answers
Hi Volpon, I appreciate your threads, especially the fact that you are always looking for ways to improve the site (Is that possible? 
) Anyway, I also recently posted a thread relating to editing. I noticed a steady decline in editing after a period where we were questioning whether or not we had been too harsh or unwelcoming. Up until that point, many more were involved with the simple process of reminding newer members (and others) that the proper use of grammar, spelling and punctuation were necessary.
One day recently, I too spent a good portion of time editing because as I looked at the page in front of me, every single question had problems with it. Like Heidi, I have stopped correcting the actual post. I only correct the question as it appears on the page. I think some have become leery of correcting others, fearing that we are being offensive or unfriendly.
You bring up a good point about awarding rep points for editing. I'm sure it might encourage some to get into the habit of taking care of this necessary process. The administrators can not be expected to do it all by themselves. Some have expressed concern about possible abuse of this system. However, Heidi and Eddy are extremely vigilant about this and I don't think anyone would be able to edit indiscriminately without repercussion. A solution to that problem could be as simple as allowing only members with a sufficient amount of reputation to be able to vote up those who edit.
But the bottom line is this...I don't think those who have enough reputation to edit will necessarily be encouraged to do this task for "points". I think the real problem is that many are still just too concerned with offending people and for good reason. I think if we could all focus on the fact that the integrity of this "language" site is at stake the more times we allow poorly composed posts to slip by, that will be incentive enough. Let's face it, people are people. Someone, somewhere is always going to be offended. But I think that if we could all encourage each other to protect the intention of the site, which is to teach Spanish (and English) properly, we will eventually find the best way of correcting or editing. We just need to find our groove!
I think if people only help out on a language learning website to get meaningless points added to their online profile which ultimately matters very little in the course of their life, then that is encouraging people to welcome and edit and help out for the wrong reasons. That seems to me to turn the system into a competition (who can get the most points!) rather than using the system has a means to help out other.
Not that your efforts aren't appreciated, but shouldn't it be more about serving your fellow man than gaining points? No disrespect intended...I'm just not sure I understand the motivation behind your idea.
I've welcomed, edited and corrected a whole bunch of newcomers, usually things like:
"can u help me i dont know how 2 write this in spanish"
I wouldn't, however, expect such things to be praised with additional points, as maybe it could encourage some eager beavers to edit posts too often and not always necessary.
It sounds like a good plan to be rewarded for editing with points until you realize that perfectly good questions could be edited for the sake of points gain. Also, what about the original intention of the question being lost in the editing process because of someone's opinion? We all know we differ in opinion quite frequently. So ultimately I think the reward for editing should be to see the forum's usability and integrity intact. In other words the only time a question qould be edited is if it were glaringly obvious that it was doing the other members a disfavor....On the other hand welcoming a new member with all zeros should be rewarded so that they are encouraged to stay and feel welcome instead of ignored by the more savey population...lets face it you have a learning curve when you first join...you need a little graciousness handed out!
Oh yes! That would be a great way to show appreciation and I often feel like I am taking wonderful advice but not able to always express my gratitude.
Hi Volpon, I regularly welcome new people, but I have never edited anyone else's question. Can you give an example of what would be an acceptable way of doing it? It would be great to see a before and after view...
I'm willing to put in 10 or 20 minutes a day doing it, but I just don't know what to do...
I imagine there are more people who feel the same way.
And I disagree that points are "meaningless" or that they someone distort one's motivation. I think points are a great tool for helping people stay on track, as well as keeping the site running. So, thanks for all your hard work!! 
Your involvement in the site, and helping others with your edits, deserves reputation points. When I am edited by you, Volpon, or Heidita ,and others with well earned reputation points, I am confident in the quality of your edits, and I accept you corrections.
I may be a little more critical or less confident of an edit or correction made by a new member with low reputation points. That is not to say they are not correct, but my confidence lies with the well earned reputation points of the more dedicated members.
Personally, I would not like to see additional Points awarded for Editing and/or Welcoming Newcomers. I feel that the best idea for awarding Editing has already been implemented~~~the Editing capability is the Award itself (at the 2,000 point level).
I understand that the privilege of Editing doesn't necessarily mean the Editor is more knowledgeable than a newer member. Likewise, I understand how 'taxing' it can be to constantly Welcome Newcomers and Edit posts.
I believe that an "Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure". I propose that an English/Spanish Admin statement be placed (in large, bold, highlighted writing) on the screen page that's used to submit a Post and/or Comment. Something along the lines of:
Welcome to the ¡SpanishDict! Answer Forum. We appreciate your interest and encourage your participation!
This is a Learning website for both Spanish And English speakers. Attempts at proper Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation should be used at all times.
NOTE:
If you need a Word translated, please click here: Definitions
If you need a Sentence/Phrase translated, please click here: Translator
In order to make your Forum experience more useful, click here for a short list of the Rules & Regulations of the Forum.
We hope that you enjoy your experience with our friendly community of language learners from around the world! Our goal is Your success!
This Admin statement could even be set as a banner that's placed directly over the blank comment area, so that it would need to be closed-out prior to posting (to prompt folks to actually read it). The possibilities are endless. Nothing too 'involved', since the Poster (especially newbies) will want to post their question as quickly as possible. Just 'something' that would make it clear that we're a Learning site not an Editing site (though Edits are made for learning purposes).
This might cut down on the amount of 'texting' language that's currently being used. It may also cut down on the number of posts that read "Can you translate this for me?" or "What does this word/sentence/phrase mean?" or "Help Please" or even the dreaded 'one-word' posts.
Lastly, I don't think that this would discourage participation in the Forum discussions. In fact, I think it would help retain the more serious learners who may be currently 'turned-off' by the incoherent posts that are too often seen.
This is just my suggestion...or idiomatically speaking....just my 2 cents!
I think as Nichole mentioned that those with a very large accumulation of points be able to award on terms of editing. I would go so far to suggest that they only be awarded by the administrators or moderators (do we have moderators on this site?) As I see it, I have just earned the priveledge to edit and will begin to do so because it's something that simply needs to be done. Up until now I've been fairly vigilant about welcoming and pointing the way to the rules to newcomers as nicely as possible and just last night got chewed out by a young newbie by pm for being a hard head. Oh well!
Gadjetman, that's a legitimate point.
But the fact is that most of the editing and welcoming is done by a relatively small number of members. Awarding points would be an incentive to encourage others to help out.
It's tough work wrestling with what are often bewildering questions from newcomers. I'm certain you've noticed that, as I definitely have.
There are 200,000 users, and dozens more join every day. Some go, inevitably, by the wayside. How can we see that they don't?
Do you have a suggestion that would keep them and bring them in as more active members?
The old system was better,one only got points for the actual input that one made. This voting thing is not fair.Icouldgivemyself 10points a day just by voting for other persons work regardless if the point is worth it.
Yessero, I, too, like Nicole's suggestion that members with a high level of reputation points be awarded points for editing.
Perhaps anyone with more than 5k can earn the title of "Associate Editor." And someone with 10k, "Editor." A member who has accumulated either one of those levels has obviously proven his or her value and commitment to the site.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying the relaxed, friendly, and reflective tone of this discussion.
What comes through to me quite clearly, is that there are many members here who share a concern that we need to do more to welcome the neophytes, help them learn the "rules," and assist them in the challenge of acquiring competency in Spanish.
I like, also, that most posters view "teaching" as a technique of coaching, not of "correcting." While the goal is surely moving toward a more "correct" use of Spanish, that can be done in an encouraging way. With gentleness and humor.
The way good parents do - greeting with joyous good humor when their toddlers begin to refine their acquisition of language.
Please don't feel insulted by my use of "toddler." I used it, because it comes from personal experience. I'm still a toddler; virtually every day I visit this site, I find myself toddling (more like reeling?) over what I still don't know.
But the greatest quality of SD.com is that I'm not afraid to admit to what I don't know. That's because when I stumble and am confused, there is usually someone here to help.
I posted the question, because there is a clearly a need for more of that help. And it's gratifying that most of the posters here agree.
The "how" to do that with more consistency remains.
Hi Kattya, I edit titles and sometimes the "question-text" and let the user know why in the Comment section. (I've noticed you do much the same - very well, too.)
I try to use that as a way to introduce newbies to the site's rules of using correct grammar and punctuation and to try "to teach" them by clarifying an error.
But I understand the concern about editing and welcoming points might become a facile way to encourage a mad race for more points.
To keep that from happening, there must be some way to measure the quality of the editing.
Yes, indeed, LucentBeam. I agree that it could turn into a donnybrook of competition.
But can you suggest another way (or ways) to enlist more participation in editing?
