Point Status on MP

You confident it is really about the points?
That used to happen before we had "points" as well.

Russ Walling wrote: It's not like you get a free toaster or anything for having a bunch of points...  I wonder if one gets points for commenting on every fucking photo on MP?

Just checked on that.

Areas: 15pts

Routes: 10pts

Photos: 5pts

I had a discussion about "points" with the former site owners way back when... Andy and Nick are pals, of course, as were Myke and Ben, who initially started the site, but didn't really give points at first, at least as I recall it.
Anyway, the whole points thing was intended to encourage contribution and I asked "what can you get with the points?"  That was a bit of a chuckle for both Nick and I, but yes some people appear to be motivated by "points," no matter how silly that is, and there is some study/documentation behind that general principle.
Others just want to see their name on things.  Some are compulsive communicators, others "complete-ists" who use it to document everything they do.  (Can't tick it off without it being there.)  Etc.

FWIW, I guess I am 7th and didn't even know it.  I am not even sure how to check what the rankins are beyond seeing that on my profile it says "7th."   I suppose that is because I put well over a thousand routes up on the site.  But I wasn't motivated by "points."  I was asked by friends/owners of the site to help with filling it in, and I saw the usefulness of the site, and certainly enjoyed that myself, particularly when traveling or planning climbing travel.  The site is also VERY useful to guidebook authors, IMO, as a repository of information, though clearly it can put a chink in the sales.

Russ Walling wrote: It's not like you get a free toaster or anything for having a bunch of points...  I wonder if one gets points for commenting on every fucking photo on MP?

To hell with that janky toaster Ima go for the oven mitts with the pretty floral pattern.

Pam Neal wrote: There seems to be a trend on MP, with some posters expanding their contributions by adding named toprope routes mere inches from existing lines in order to gain point status. They even draw these colorful overlays on photos to illustrate their handiwork. MP needs to revise the point status criteria. It encourages “point seekers” to sink to low standards in order to gain status, and blurs the lines of ethical route establishment.

Does impact the quality of content on the site.  I've mentioned it as a comment to the route, as well as to admins.

Not to pick specifically on Ken (he's a nice guy), but, local admins could help manage the situation.  I'd say comment on each entry you think needs improving.  Some of the entries are place keepers and some are just plain confusing making areas and routes non navigable.

Will seem like I have a dog in this hunt, as Ken and I are neck-and-neck on the point count (ha ha!).  But really, judge the content.  There's a big difference.

And, I'm not sure its being done just for point count, but, to contribute something.  Takes some effort.  The thing that makes MP a good (if not great) resource for climbers.

Funny that folks pay this close attention.  Me included.  

Anyhow...good times.

I just heard rumor that higher-ranked point-scorers get to skip the queue line for something called Bastille crack!

Russ Walling wrote: How many points do you get for chipping the shit out a crappy AHills route and THEN posting an elaborate overlay map of shit nobody will ever do or care about?

Chippin away at the AHills the armpit of the Sierras.

Russ Walling wrote: How many points do you get for chipping the shit out a crappy AHills route and THEN posting an elaborate overlay map of shit nobody will ever do or care about?

Quantifiable.  10 points per route.  5 points per photo.  

Fun trying to sort this out:

https://www.mountainproject.com/photo/116122510

^^^same old kenr overlay mess^^^ How does that make the MP site better?

This is coming from a measly 700 pointer so take it with a grain of salt, but every time I add a photo to this site I can feel my dick getting just the slightest bit longer.

Lena chita wrote: I just heard rumor that higher-ranked point-scorers get to skip the queue line for something called Bastille crack!

The same guy just mentioned that if I can break into at least top 500, I might get a chance, too. 

You can have my place in line.  I like to do good routes instead.

Pam Neal wrote:. . . adding named toprope routes mere inches from existing lines

I don't care about Points on MP, but I do love Top-Roping. So in deciding which crag or sector to choose to climb, I want to know how many TR lines me + my partner can play with at what difficulty grades and what quality and length. If each TR line is posted on MP as a Route, then a quick glance at the Area page shows the range and count -- makes our decision / selection quicker + more accurate.

If lots of nice nearby TR lines were entered only as a variations or comments on other Routes, then I'd have to open every route in the Area to get a count.
. . . (of course if MP were to add a new Entity to its database for Variations, that might solve my problem).
. . . (or if MP gave fewer or zero points for TR-only routes, maybe that would reduce the objection to them? Works for me).

As for "inches" ... well ... the majority of American climbers in most or all of their climbing seem rather happy with different TR routes "mere inches" apart.
It's called indoor gym climbing.

Perhaps some people on MP have not noticed that the majority of American climbers do most (or all) of their climbing indoors nowadays.
Big reason is convenience.
Part of that beloved Convenience is having three or four TR routes "mere inches" apart.

It will never cease to amaze me what MP users can find to bitch about, myself included. Being pissy because people are adding route variations and TR routes? Really?

Just trying to get back to #666.

Lena chita wrote: I just heard rumor that higher-ranked point-scorers get to skip the queue line for something called Bastille crack!

Like for sure, my source had seen it happen. You just walk up to any route—single pitch, multipitch,  toprope, doesn’t matter—pull out your phone, show everyone your point rank, and if nobody has a higher score than you—bingo! 

The same guy just mentioned that if I can break into at least top 500, I might get a chance, too. 

I’m so ready for the Black Mirror episode about this

I have seen Ben doing some pretty heavy handed cleaning Russ lol 

There are ranks?

Alabama Hills is not a climbing gym. Different discipline of the sport. Any effort to make bonafide sport climbing walls into gang rope walls is not cool in my book. Toprope areas usually have walk-up access to set lines for toproping. Allowing this practice to continue will set a precedent for climbers new to the sport to do the same.

Tradiban wrote: "MP is a game. Points are how we keep score"

                  -Tradiban

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

kenr wrote:
It's called indoor gym climbing.

Perhaps some people on MP have not noticed that the majority of American climbers do most (or all) of their climbing indoors nowadays.
Big reason is convenience.

News Flash, kenr...Alabama Hills isn't an indoor climbing gym. If it's convenience that you seek, seek it at your local climbing gym. Chipping isn't acceptable. The east face of Hoodgie Wall has been soloed and lead traditionally, according to an Alabama Hills local, so it isn't your line to document with neon colored route lines. Futrthermore the east face lines didn't need to be reduced to your level via your chisel.

Lena chita wrote: I just heard rumor that higher-ranked point-scorers get to skip the queue line for something called Bastille crack!

I can give you my pre-boarding ticket for that route if you want. Lots of microbreweries give them away at their new beer batch events. I also have about 6.3 million beer coasters you can have, all announcing IPAs.