Optimising the site

Hey everybody. Over the past few months there's been numerous posts regarding sharing and requests. I stopped participating in the discussion since it got destructive to member interaction and apart from Zonegfx4.0 being in the works that may or may not adrress some of thes issues there hasn't been an announcement whether that would be the case. So why roll the dice and risk that again? Well, maybe I'm naive and am hoping it will do some good. Like a recent thread that was closed on request by the OP, i'm well aware that I am putting myself in the firing line. If you know which thread I'm talking about, you will know that this thread is related to that one bearing the same topic.

Some background before I dive in head first, i've been here for about 5 years, shared around 300 to 400 dollars worth of content out of my own pocket. Also shared 100s dollars worth of stuff bought by a friend that was kind enough to offer that I may do so. From all those shares I bought, I believe there's one item from a newish Published Artist that I haven't shared, he creates in the utilities category, a niche category that I believe requires a lot of effort and I would like to see that PA continuing to create more products which he would only do if it is worth his time. Having said all that, which one of the worms in the can am I talking about?

It's anonymous filling, a practice that I myself have undertaken too, mostly to stay anonymous with the content sites. That is my reason and I'm sure there are members with just as valid and different reasons. So why am I writing this? I think there is some best practices that can be adopted. One actually, that I can think of. When filling anonymously and you are inclined to keep filling additional requests added over time to the request thread, it would be helpful to keep track of added requests by subscribing to the thread. Many members, myself included, don't cross out their offer after it was filled, that in itself makes it more complicated for a filler to fill a thread and keep track of who to send the link to. All of which takes valuable time on top of the money spent.

A fellow member was generous enough to fill a request in which I am the OP, anonymously, thank you again for doing so. According to the rules that puts me in a tough spot. Members that joined the request has had difficulty in also having it filled. In keeping with my word to the anonymous filler, I have kept the share private and have forgone the loosely quoted "if after one week the filler doesn't post the requested item to the blog, the OP gets second right to do so". I have a few thoughts on that. First up, it's a good way to alienate yourself from getting further requests filled. Second, if a filler requests that I don't share it, I'm not going to, even if it's 1 year from now. I've said it before and it's worth repeating, when members reach a couple of hundred thousand points or more, the value of those points drops and becomes insignificant. When that point gets reached, value is found in recipocoral sharing - other members also sharing.

@hunter, on a related note, it might be a good idea to add a "Donor badge" with an ascending rank for people that contribute to the site by means of buying points to show they aren't leeching.

Also, @monkseye @Eelgoo @Anjabear @warrant63