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?

[Elaine Wilding]

Thanks connie I did try it but I could not find english.

[Lorelei Halley]

My feeling about the ribbon-gifts is that they are unnecessary.  I take words at face value.  If somebody says thank you after I've done something helpful, that is enough.  If somebody answers  a question of mine, i thank them.  I don't feel that the ribbons add anything.

[Susan McGowan]

I do not use the gifts. I find the concept of virtual goods to be an interesting topic but I like to focus on the stitching and much more appreciate the genuine comments given by the real people. Thanks for opening this topic .. I also want to thank you for all the work you must do to keep this site running. I enjoy it ++++++ (thats Saskatchewan for a very large amount.)

[Elizabeth Braun]

I too don't see the point of the 'gifts' function.  I mean, they're not real, they're just a form of greeting. I suppose, as a greeting, they're kind of a nice thought, but so is a nice, personal message.  Each to his/her own, but I've never considered using the gifts.

[Loren Frantzen-Murris]

I don't use the gifts either, at first I thought I had to earn them some how. Thank you , Sharon , for explaning the whole concept behind it. It is a little uncomfotable, especially the ribbon symbol. It somehow gave me a feeling that I was supporting a cause (pinkribbon, orange ribbon asf) .I agree with all the the speakers above, lets support each other with a nice comment or answer. I do want to say that I greatly appreciate people that have given me a gift, I know they do it from a good hart, no doubt about that.

[Margaret]

To be honest Sharon I do not really understand the gifts but I must admit it was nice to recieve a couple of ribbons.

Would not be upset if they were removed as it is seeing other peple`s stitching etc that is important and inspiring.

[Nicola Thomson]

Yes I give the ribbon :)

[Claire Turner]

I am new to this site, and I was confused by the virtual gift idea. If I can have an opinion (as a new member) I would say that a personal message would be much nicer. The gifts are not really necessary.

[Gina E.]

I have also received some ribbons,  but I didn't know what to do with them, so have just ignored them after thanking the sender!  I don't think they are necessary to this site, and agree with some of the others here that the whole concept is confusing.  Get rid of them if Ning lets you, Sharon!

[karen lowrie]

I'm glad I saw this thread as I didn't understand the gift thing. After reading the post above Sharonb, I still don't understand it as I have never heard of Ning. With this in mind and as long as no one is offended, I will just ignore the gift thing.

I come on hear to admire and be inspired. The talent of members is amazing, and to be able to see them all is enough of a gift for me.

Thank you for a wonderful page.

[Ann Johnson]

I'm not sure I really understand this at all.  I was so happy to receive a ribbon from someone I greatly respect, and to give one, but I believe that looking at people's work and making thoughtful comments is really more meaningful.  I also dislike the fact that now I've used a red ribbon I have to "buy credits" in order to send any more.  If it benefitted stitchin fingers in any way, I'd be for it, but it appears it doesn't.  I assume the advertising on the site is what helps support the site.

I didn't know what they were when I first joined about four months ago, and was thrilled to receive one and give one.  Still, looking at people's pages and realising some people have so many and others have none all seems a bit like getting gold stars at school - not always a positive from other members' perspective.  Also,  I'm sure there are many of us who are not in a position to purchase them.  I think getting rid of them, or at least having them to give, or receiving them due to participation is the way to go.

We're here to support each other and it's my belief that the best way to do that is to give feedback when I'm moved to.  The inbox and messages are a huge source of encouragement and getting to know someone - getting or giving a ribbon seems unnecessary.

[Susan in Texas]

I agree completely.  I've only just gotten started here, but I just love getting comments on my blog.  I just don't appreciate emails nearly as much.  I guess there is too much distance between the email and the blog post, but if people bother to comment, well, that warms the cockles of my heart!  8)

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.