Group Response:  I'm going out for the evening and will catch up with all your comments tomorrow.  I would like to keep the post updated by itemizing your ideas so the suggestions are easy to see without having to read the comments.

So thanks one and all for stopping by and commenting, have a great evening and I'll catch you tomorrow.

UPDATE #1 & SUMMARY SO FAR

- No bonus points for a Featured Post, but you get extra points for your gold star

- Bonus points are awarded for entering contests, more bonus points if you win

- Points are awarded for answering consumer questions (anybody know if they fall under bonus or      other points)? I'm not sure how the consumer finds this but here is the link I found by doing a search:  http://activerain.com/action/question/list_questions#

- I think I received secret points for:  Viewed a real estate profile scoring summary
                                                      Submitted site feedback or feature request

- Linking Points for linking your website(s) to A|R.  Bill Gassett commented above, he's really good in this area.  Perhaps he will come back and explain in more detail...and how do single property sites work with linking?  I feel like there is much more unknown!

That's it for now, hopefully more will be added. 

Hi Patricia - your comment came in while I was adding the update.  Can you explain how to link to a domain name or is the domain name an actual website?  Many of us have several domain names that simply point to our main site.  I'm not clear on your meaning, please come back and clarify.  Thanks for commenting.

Hi Sharon Lee- So does that mean you don't have any answers for this post ;-)  One question, are you a real estate agent or involved in a peripheral way?  I know that was kinda 2 ??'s...better watch me, I can be tricky LOL

Hi Bill - Thanks for stopping by again.  I have no problem understanding linking to my website.  I have 2 sites on which I have placed A|R banners and have 1000 points for that.  I also have other domain names...and Patricia mentioned linking A|R to them.  As I said I simply point those domain names to www.HomeSweetHomeFlorida.com and do nothing more with them - but I'm open to suggestions. 

Now with the single property sites (SPS)  I have a bunch of them as well, from both old and current listings, which would look like this:   http://www.1385thorntonave.homesweethomeflorida.com I've been told that agents are getting points by linking to these SPS, but I can't see how.  You also mentioned Squidoo (which I don't have) and I've heard other social network sites are a possibility to link to.  Someone else mentioned FaceBook, but I can't see how to add it there either :(

How did you get all your linking points?

Good Morning Sharon Lee:  I'm sure you'll make a lot of people smile with your "brightest minds" comment...but I agree with you, I learn more here than any other forum I've been a part of.  Good luck with your quest for knowledge, one can never know too much, but it certainly can be overwhelming.  It's what I call Information Overload"!!!  Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Hi Marchel- Thanks very much for your input here.  It now seems pretty clear that many, of not most, bonus points are earned by entering the various contests sponsored by group founders.  The points you gained by helping someone would probably fall under the Secret Points category as they are of a philanthropical nature.  It's those darn linking points which remain the real mystery!?!

There are not many Giffords in Titusville but I don't believe I've met your cousin.  If ever you need me to look in or anything, let me know :-)

UPDATE #2...and a couple of other thoughts:

Secret points are fairly well understood and can come from good deeds...they are partly of a philanthropical nature and partly...well, just secret ;-)

Bonus Points seem to come mainly from entering contests.

Linking Points - we have no real clarity on this one (I'm not talking about linking to 1 website)  I'll keep looking into it!

In Update #1 I mentioned points for answering consumer questions.  I did experiment with this one yesterday.  I answered a question, but there were no points for that.  Either, they take time to tally...or there's a bug...???  I think sometimes points might be missed due to a glitch.  I saw a re-blog recently with no points - it happens!

That's it for now, lot's of Christmas stuff to do.  Don't be shy, add your own 2¢

Hi there C - You've been around awhile, do you have any suggestions or ideas?

Not an update - just an observation!  I did email another member who also does well in the linking for points area, but have not heard back.  This one continues to be illusive.  Still sleuthing...

Also no bonus points for answering a consumer question 2 days ago.  No word from anyone at A|R either.  It's either Christmas or as the first comment by Donna Harris stated:  Good luck getting "straight" answers.

Hi Susan - I went to your site and checked the link - YEP - it works fine.  The only thing I can think is it feel through the cracks at A|R.  Go ahead and resubmit, they approve these manually...so it's most likely just an oversight.  Good luck my animal friend :-)

Christopher - I've spent the better part of 2 hours looking for WHERE I found reference to earning points for answering questions which consumers ask.  For the life of me...that reference has vanished.  I've also noticed some other things have also changed.  I'm sure nothing is static on this platform!!  Sorry I cannot offer up the goods at this time...

...but, I'm onto something else which needs more testing before I post results

STAY TUNED

Ann  - Don't worry about it...I see you removed all the duplicate comments..Thanks.  It's been happening all day.  It's taking 5 times longer than necessary to do anything.  Active Rain is having big server problems...patience AND persistence are required ;-)  Thanks for stopping by!

UPDATE #3

There's another discussion going on here:  ACTIVE RAIN Point-ers  Last night I thought I made a discovery involving points for promoting Active Rain, which Bob Stewart says is not factual.  However, I did receive said points for a change in the Post Title, and have asked him to explain.  Read about it over there, test the theory and see what happens.  Please be honest and let us know what you learn.  Thanks

Hi Erby...where X is a moving target.  Thanks for stopping by, always appreciated.

No-one's giving it up on linking points, but I know there are those with answers..oh well!!

Fran & Rowena- Thanks for stopping by, I will add comments when warranted.  Welcome to A|R

Lisa - you're right, but as I learn more...I'll pass it along.  Have a super Sunday

Susan - Thank you very much for this information.  I just checked the "Link to Active Rain" link and see they still offer the various sizes but do NOT see the mention of points.  This must be a recent change, in the past few weeks.  I linked my second website on 9/8/08 and did receive points for it.  I didn't see mention of no more linking points anywhere.  Last week I went looking for the area where A|R explained the different items which earn points, but I couldn't find it either.  So, then

UPDATE #4

Per Susan Neal's response from Active Rain ~ NO MORE POINTS FOR LINKING ~ At least now we know!

Hi David - Thanks for dropping by, glad you got something out of the post :-)

Hi Kristin - Yes, it's been confirmed that A|R no longer gives linking points...kinda seems unfair to the new people.  They could have simply limited it to 1 site only instead of doing away with it totally.  After all, there are some who have gained many 1000's of points from linking!!!

Morning Tim - The 500 bonus points I have are from winning a contest.  To my knowledge that's how bonus points are awarded.  There are probably some other obscure ways but that's for them to know and us to find out ;-)

Hi Jared - what question have you been asking and was it addressed here, either by me or in the comments.  Please share your views and thoughts.