Questions about Bonus Points
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Sometimes I want to donate some bonus points to an uploader and it turns out the torrent was provided by "Anonymous." In that case, there does not seem to be a way to tell whether the points are wanted or needed. But the real problem is that unless "Anonymous" is always the same community benefactor, the points may be deducted but not delivered anywhere. Or delivered to the wrong anon source.
So, if a person wants to provide a token of gratitude in the form of points, is the intended receiver properly credited even while maintaining anonymity? Some such anons have stated they welcome such a contribution. Does that mean there is some internal process for handling such gifts?
And is there any general agreement or typical practice for how many points are awarded? Tips depend on the price of a meal or taxi ride or whatever, with some consideration to the quality and quantity of service provided. Is there a similar broad standard here? Certainly not the size of the file. What is the equivalent of a non-insulting gratuity to a hotel bellman or shoe shiner, some random spur-of-the-moment sign of approval where any gesture at all is maybe a reward appreciated for the thought, independent of the size?
ALSO: When I look at the Thanks given, by various people, for a torrent, some of those site members have numerals after their name in parenthesis. What do those numbers mean?
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First, all torrents are by 'anonymous' - it became policy a while back that uploaders' usernames would be hidden.
I am with you in wanting to donate to particular people but don't know who they are. However if you make a donation the points should be delivered to the anonymous uploader by the software as long as they are still a member. The site knows who the uploader is.
I did make a suggestion a couple of years back (scroll down).
I don't think there is a consensus about how much, if anything, to give. I usually base it on size and desirability to me.
The yellow numbers after people's names in the 'thanks' show how many bonus points they have given for that torrent. Personally I'm always grateful (and surprised) if I get just a thanks
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Actually the term 'Anonymous' is wrong here. The uploader user ID is known, but kept 'Private', which would be the correct term.
When you give points, the uploader will get all the points. If the account with that user ID is deleted, they are deducted from your points, shown at that torrent with your than you, but go nowhere, i.e. the amount of points in circulation is reduced, making them more value.
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My theory is that the unallocated points are put in a fund to pay for the staff Christmas party. :whistle:
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Thanks cannonmc and popper for your helpful remarks. Neither point of information was immediately obvious to me, though it
may be hidden in plain site in the FAQ or other secret location. That's a time joke. Laugh when you have time.The suggestion that possible points givers should be able to find out whether the points are NEEDED is absolutely rock solid but
is still waiting some Authority Figure to take action. Grrr.In a way, good to know my own ignored suggestions are nothing personal. I chimed in enthusiastically a year or so ago when
I found a member asking for FreeLeech torrents to appear in some way so that one could search for the ones about to disappear
and thus in need of a prompt response, and so that those newly added to what may be a three or even four-page list would not
require endless examination and re-examination in order to keep on top of new additions.After all, the easier it is to find something to download in a timely fashion, the more seeders/leechers there are for that torrent,
possibly even more bonus points, and certainly those sorts of things help everyone, right?