Codenstuff.com

Almost every thread I look at has people replying with issue's about the credits system. It looks to me that this is now becoming a bit of an annoying problem. People complaining that they have to pay too many credits for a program. Some complaining that when they use all these credits to download a program which doesn't actually work. I've had a little think about the sort of things which could be introduced which could solve these problems. First of all, here is what could not be done (fairly obvious):

• Refund system - Obviously can't be done because people would be able to get their credits back after download (basically making downloads free).
• Admin approval - Would be a lot of hardwork for admin's and moderator's to go through every uploaded file and approve that it is worth the credits it has been put up for and that a program actually works.

Here is what I have thought of and could possibly be done:

• Secondary FREE download - The owner of the uploaded file would be able to use this to upload any updated files. This download link would be invisible to anyone who has not used any credits to download the original uploaded file. This would prevent people from moaning that a program doesn't work, if they have used a lot of credits to download the file.
• Report file button - This will be visible to any thread viewer. People who download the file can use this button when they find that the download is a dummy and isn't what the owner of the uploaded file says it is. This can then be reviewed by a moderator/admin and could result in a ban for the uploaded file's owner. This will also give every person who has downloaded the file a credit refund.
• Post count limit - This is quite discriminative, but can solve the problem with people complaining about the amount of credits a download is uploaded for. If a user has a post count under 50 then they can only upload a file for a specific amount. For example, a new user comes along likes the site and registers. This new user doesn't have much programming knowledge but decides to upload a 'hello world' application and wants it to be worth 10 credits. However a system detects that this person is indeed a new user and shouldn't upload something worth that amount. The user is limited to upload the program for 2 credits at maximum.

I hope my points will be thought about as it will solve a lot of user's issues and the forums' atmosphere may change to the way it used to be when i joined. I have been put off by the way people treat this forum now which has been caused by the new credits system. Which in my opinion is a very good system, but can also frustrate users.
Thanks

Some good points, But remember most of our new comers have a VB knowlage i like the updated file thing and the report a file thing

Hello Harlem9191,

Some good points there and it seems that not everyone has got the hang of the credit system yet. I will however be changing the credit charge option so that anyone who has less than X amount of posts will not be able to charge more than 1 credit for their files, once they prove themselves as an active member of the site they will be able to charge whatever they like.

As for members who charge a high credit value of say 10 credits for their files thats entirely upto the uploader and I dont want to take that choice away from anyone. The best thing anyone can do is first read the post/look at images and read feedback about the file before deciding if its worth spending the credits to download it. If a file sounds really good but your still not sure if its worth the charge then play the system (wait until someone else downloads and writes a review about it before you spend your credits on it).

Think of it kindof like pocket money and all the files on the site are computer games/dvds/clothes and other things you would normally spend your money on. If you walked into a game shop with say £10/$10 and you saw a computer game for that price with just "Wicked Computer game" written on the box with nothing else (no description or images) on the box you wouldnt buy it would you?. Treat the files on the site exactly the same way and if there isnt enough information about it then dont download it.

If you honestly think that a file is dodgy or misleading in any way you can use the report post button to report it and myself or a mod will deal with it appropriately.

Look after your credits and use them wisely cooll;