The concept of the prop is wonderful. Fanpop is a user based site and users should have the ability to reward others for their hard work. I also agree with the idea behind Prop Day. It should serve as a reminder to all users to give that reward. However, the prop system has become flawed. Very flawed. I happened upon a user profile and saw several props. I looked to see when the user started Fanpopping and saw that it had only been two months. Wow! This person must have added tons of content. So I looked at the activity. No links had been added, no videos, no images (mind you, the profile had 5 props for images), no forum activity, no picks, no quiz questions and one comment. This person had a total of 19 props and the only activity was one comment. How could this be possible? I then looked at the individual props. Mainly they said welcome to Fanpop, thanks for fanning me, and the like. I’m sorry; props should be a reward for adding content, preferably quality content, to the site. I don’t blame the user, but I blame the Fanpoppers who give props without a reason. If you want to thank someone for being a fan of yours or giving you a prop send that person a nice message. Look at their activity and if they have added some good content, then give them a prop for that content.
I probably should not be as frustrated as I am. After all, these people are enjoying the site and having fun. They’re not hurting me…or anyone else. It’s just the principle of the matter. The profile I mentioned as an example is not the only one like that. I have encountered many similar profiles where the users have props for categories in which they have added nothing to the site. I work very hard, as I’m sure most Fanpoppers do, to provide good content. I’ve been on Fanpop for a year longer than my example. I also have 5 props for my images. However, as of today, I have added 175 images where this person hasn’t added any. Am I bitter? Maybe. I’m not asking for people to give me props either, I even feel guilty for receiving props that I don't think I deserve, (rating my content would be nice though, wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Perhaps the Fab Four could add another prop category, an “I just wanted to say thanks and brighten your day” category. Then Fanpoppers could give that prop indiscriminately. Until that time, however, I ask that Fanpoppers give props to users as a reward for the actual content they have added.
|
Join this Club
Invite friend 
Props don't seem that rewarding if you hand them out so freely, and you can't appreciate them as much if you're given them constantly for things you don't really deserve them for. I think it's the newer users mostly who weren't here to begin with, and don't understand the unique value they once had.
It really is nice to get props for the things you've done. I don't know about anyone else but it make me feel valued as a fanpopper. I also like to get messages saying thanks when I've fanned someone. I've had a few props given to me to say 'thanks' or 'happy ...' and yes its nice to get a message like that but I didn't invent Christmas, I don;t need a prop for it! (Not meaning to offend anyone here!) Also I know you can delete these props from the list but I feel unfair doing this after people took the effort to send them (even after what I've just said) I would just feel mean!
i mean if you really want to prop someone it can't be that hard to find something of theirs that you like to prop them for....bit of a insult to the user if the only thing you can think of is "thanks" lol
I'm not overly against a Merry Christmas prop for instance but "thanks for being a fan" kinda props are useless and have no merit. Also I noticed some users have "conversation" props which means they have little chats whilst propping each other for no reason at all. This is an actual example of what a read on a user's prop wall recently: "Hey ?, haven't spoken to you for a while so here's a prop." Meaningless.
Very good article with sensible points made. A prop should indeed be earned and you have *props* for this. Plus 5 stars.
Ooh, am I feeling generous or what? Nah, you deserve both!
And yes I'm guilty for chatting via prop but I try very hard to keep the "conversation" on the reason for the prop (i.e. a thread game where I comment on the game or people playing the game). So all in all I agree with the whole propping for no reason thing, when I receive a prop and I check the comment for it and it's something like 'Happy Pi Day!' I'm glad someone is in such a cheerful mood as to send a nice prop to people but I don't much care for it :D.
Sign In or join Fanpop to add your comment