Does anyone give gifts?

[sharonb]

In another thread someone asked about the gift system on Stitchin fingers.
The gifts are something that NING (the hosting and software company that is the backbone of Stitchin Fingers) introduced. They aim to increase participation. I have mixed feelings about these sorts of things as I think a community is either real or it is not and all the encouragement and pushing in the world does not make a community.

Anyway, gifts on the site all cost Ning credits. Ning credits are like virtual money to buy gifts for friends. You can see your Ning Credit balance at any time on your Settings page.

I assume people earn them by being active on the site rather than buy them via paypal. If credits are purchased I don't get any percentage on gift sales Ning does. So purchasing this form of virtual money does not help support the network. To be honest if I could turn off gift purchases paid for with real money I would as the whole virtual money credit thing makes me very uncomfortable. 

I am considering trying to find a way of either just having them as credits that people can earn by participating on the site and no real money options available or not having them on the site at all.

However I notice some people use them. I assume they are the freebie kind not the paid for kind.

What do people think of them? If I can find a way to turn them off (which I am not sure I can) do people want them left as is or not?

[Terry]

I've only been on this site for about 4 months, but it appears that there is a wide use of the free red ribbon gift. Members enjoy sending that to others as a special acknowledgement or thank you. Other gifts that represent virtual money are used on occassion, but are far less common.  Does anyone know if Ning credits are earned from gifts that others give you? Also, I'm not aware of earning credits from participation only. I'm note sure how "participation" would be measured. I've received a few gifts and I've given a few gifts (purchased them). Personally, I like having the option to give gifts, but would be fine if the option were removed. Not sure how helpful my comment is, but I thought I'd start the ball rolling.

[sharonb]

Thanks Terry - participation is measured in how many times your leave comments, join discussions etc 

I get a sense there are few people who do use them but not many. I would like to hear from people who do.

[Terry]

Sharon, I think if the lack of responses and comments here continues for about a week, that will be your green light to eliminate them altogether from the web site. It certainly would simplify things.

[Marjolein Mieras]

I received a free gift once and I didn't know what it was or why I got it. I found somewhere information about gifts, so at least I knew that it was a gift.

Why should anyone want to give a gift? What to do with a red ribbon?

 

[Deborah-Anne Odendaal]

I don't see the point of spend 'real' money for 'virtual' money.  I would rather show my appreciation for somebody's work by an email than a 'gift' free or not. 

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

I have used gifts, both free and given through credits.  I only give these to return the favour, so to speak and it is pleasant to acknowledge others creativity and effort; but then comments can also do the same job and benefit comunicationn throughout site members. 

 I would not be upset if the sytem were removed, but It is a shame credits can't be earned by participation.

Barbara

[Connie Kusevskis]

I am with everyone else, I don't really care about the gifts, I think it is much nicer to just comment on a persons work, I think that is the greatest gift.

[Marjolein Mieras]

I fully agree with you!

Connie Kusevskis said:

I am with everyone else, I don't really care about the gifts, I think it is much nicer to just comment on a persons work, I think that is the greatest gift.

[Algecira Castro]

Uso o presente grátis como forma de agradecimento a amizade que fazemos, homenagem aos trabalhos aqui expostos e demostrar o carinho que temos com todos. Abraços, Algecira

[Oma Rose]

The gifts that I appreciate are the lovely comments that this community leave for each other. They are motivating and thoughtful and you immediately understand what the other person thinks. During a quick browse you still have the option to "like" something! It would not affect me to have the 'gift' thingies disappear.  I am in support of Connie and Marjolein ( though I now know that any gift from Algecira comes with love!!)

[Elaine Wilding]

I am fairly new but totally love the thought of an artistic  community that supports each others works.  Algecira sent me my first red ribbon yesterday and I did not no what it was for or what I was to do with it. I have to admit I still don't know. I can't read her comment because it is not in English. But from what Oma Rose said I know it was out of love. but, really what is virtual credit.  I just don't get it.  Maybe if it was like a red ribbon thumbs up but buying them sounds weird.  What to you spend them on.  Maybe I am just to new to understand.   I better stick to stitching.

[Connie Kusevskis]

I agree Elaine, I will stick to stitching too, and tell people how much I love their work. On the right side of your screen you have Google Translate, just click on that and you can change Algecira comment to any language you want.