Awarding of cows to members

[Omkar Shetkar]

My question is regarding cows awarded to members of Javaranch.
I believe cows are awarded to best answer/solution to a problem.
Any criterion to award them?
How to see the previous posts for which cows were awarded?
Thanks.

[Stephan van Hulst]

I'm not sure, but I don't think there are any criteria for being awarded cows. Staff member give them whenever they feel like it. Usually it has to do with a post being very informative, a very good question or helpful in other ways.

[Campbell Ritchie]

No, there are no fixed rules. Sometimes cows are given for multiple posts which together demonstrate a great deal of effort put into getting a solution.

[Henry Wong]

Cows may be awarded once you obtained the title of Rancher. This is not just a moderator perk.

Henry

[paul wheaton]

Ranchers have the ability to award one cow per day. I suspect that they will award that cow to the post that they think is the best for the day.

Bartenders have the ability to award three cows per day. Again, whatever they think is best.

Every once in a while, staff get the idea of selecting new bartenders. They tend to look to the ranchers with the most cows.

Every once in a while, staff get the idea of selecting new ranchers - they tend to look to the ranch hands with the most cows.

I kinda think that the cow system does a really good job of reflecting quality.

[Anand Hariharan]

Thanks Paul. That explains quite a bit. I am responding this late because I am trying to find information on the +1, Thumbs Up, cows, and other similar incentives. Guess this is not a FAQ (since I was unable to find anything there), so is there a web-page that explains all these incentives?

As one can see, I've been in the ranch for a while, but I don't post very often. One of the mods presented me with the Rancher title well before these incentives were set up (~August 2010).

respectfully,
- Anand Hariharan


UPDATE:

I found this: https://coderanch.com/how-to/java/RanchCows

[Henry Wong]

Anand Hariharan wrote:... I am trying to find information on the +1, Thumbs Up, cows, and other similar incentives. Guess this is not a FAQ (since I was unable to find anything there), so is there a web-page that explains all these incentives?

In terms of the thumbs up, it is arguably more of a feedback mechanism than an incentive. If you like a post, then give it a thumbs up. Anyone can give a thumbs up, to any post (that is not the same user), and there really isn't a daily limit.

Cows are a bit different. Only ranchers and above can give them. There are daily limits that can be granted. And having cows has benefits (explained in the link you posted).

Henry

[Bear Bibeault]

And especially if someone gives you an answer to a question that is helpful, it's a really nice way to say thanks by giving the answer a thumbs up!