Difference between Downloads & Rewards (GCs) received

Hello,

It is my understanding that when we upload a pattern and members download them, we get the respective GCs - as indicated in the pattern minus 30% - per download.  My question is the following:  The pattern that I have uploaded reads 6 downloads, yet I have been compensated only 4 times for these downloads.  Is this a bug, or there is an additional cost ?


Thank you

pitussa

We mods can (and usually do) download, we dont pay.

BoingBoing

The counter is not a precise indicator of how many times people paid for the attachments, it is a literal counter of how many attempts has been made to start the download (aka how many times the script, that redirects to the download page, ran).

A common scenario to consider is that someones making a use of the the iBooks section. Everybody can download the attachments again paying only the basic fee (30 or 199 gold) for seven days after they bought the attachments.

VPNs, proxies, or download managers can confuse the counter. Sometimes when someone uses either, the counter can register a single download as multiple ones, because a single command line is bouncing between different hosts.

Add into the mix that not every user knows about the Chrome issue, and some people with an older version can still download things hitting the refresh button on the download page.

Lastly, as Pitussa said, we also download everything we moderate, because we have to check each and every attachment, sometimes comparing them to already existing threads (which means an additional download), and for those attachments, that are in our respective sections, we dont have to pay (we do pay for things in the other sections), so the number you see will always be at least one higher than the number of payments youve received.

AJBaldi

Thank you both for your responses.

Well, I do understand the whole thing with the necessary downloads and the rest, but I still have to impose the question.  Since this is the practice, why dont you arbitrarily compensate (the forum I mean) the members with the difference between what they have received and what they should have had actually received.  Especially, for those threads that end up in their respective sections ?  I believe this would be fair both to the members and the moderators.

Lastly, in my case at least, since I have uploaded very few threads and is easy for me to follow up, the difference is higher than just one !

AJBaldi

I needed to recount and make sure I give you the correct data.

So, in the case of Bayberry the difference between downloads and compensation is 4 !
And for the crocheted hat is 2 !

AJBaldi

AJBaldi 2021-2-21 21:58
Thank you both for your responses.

Well, I do understand the whole thing with the necessary downloa ...

@BoingBoing  I did read your thread carefully.  I am not blaming the moderators for anything, to the contrary.  Since there are - and will always be - technical issues and/or other that will distort the reality of the downloads, and
since the one who posted the thread is the one who has no power in either controlling and/or correcting these problems, I say that she/he should not be the ones to be "punished" for posting a thread (instead of being compensated);  because, at the end of the day, this is what actually happens.  

AJBaldi

AJBaldi 2021-2-21 23:06
@BoingBoing  I did read your thread carefully.  I am not blaming the moderators for anything, to t ...

What you mean I am instigating ?  Is this a forum or not ?  
I dont like your tone !  I suggest you work on your conversational skills, since suggestions and/or queries are part of a forum.

As for my point, is crystal clear.  It is my turn now to suggest that you please read my post carefully and you will realise it.

LeeBeemz

BoingBoing did explain it in good detail but lets see if I can help here a bit.

This is one example: Lets say someone paid for one of your patterns, then clicked to download it. Their browser acted like it was going to download, charged the 30gc for downloading but didnt follow through. They switched to a different browser and click to download, was charged the 30gc again for downloading but this time it actually downloaded. This will show as 2 downloads even though there was only one.

You pay for a pattern and are able to download it as many times as you want within 7 days of the purchase before having to pay for the pattern again.

I myself have downloaded patterns more than once due to issues with the download or with my browser.

I hope this helps in some way.

AJBaldi

Thank you for joining the conversation.

I fully understand the issues with downloading a pattern, and BoingBoings explanations were both thorough and clear (to me at least).  

But, for starters, let me introduce myself.  I am 62 years old, an economist who for the greater part of my professional career worked in the IT sector and a.... crazy knitter.  Knitting is more than just a hobby for me.

I.... discovered this forums url by searching through yandex and not google (since it has been banned by google).  

Now with the issue at hand.  From both yours and BoingBoings explanation it is evident that the system is keeping a log for the downloads, but because of...  VPNs, proxies, Chrome issue, etc. plus the extra download made by moderators, downloads do not (necessarily) represent sales.  But, these same issues may "work" the other way around (especially with the 7day lag), i.e. understate actual sales vis a vis credited sales.

Therefore, for reasons beyond a members control, one could end up paying twice (or more) in attempting to download a purchased pattern.  And if it is just one file, its ok lets say, but when it is multiple files !!  Same is the case, when one purchase is downloaded by two or more members.  In the first scenario the forum is receiving the download costs (and sometimes multiples of), in the second neither the forum nor the uploading member are secured.  In both cases the members (downloading and uploading one) are "punished" for reasons beyond their control.

LeeBeemz

AJBaldi 2021-2-22 10:37
Thank you for joining the conversation.

I fully understand the issues with downloading a pattern, a ...

Using the word punish is an attempt to manipulate the situation. No one is being punished for uploading or downloading.

The website has a system. Some browsers do not work properly with this system. Yes, members are charged the download fee for every download whether they actually got a download or not. Its not a punishment. The website system and the moderators cant determine which are which. They all look like downloads on their end. They do assist and refund when obvious errors occur. But it would be ridiculous to expect them to make up the difference you see in your numbers.

You are not being punished for uploading or downloading.