Thank you, I really needed this! It is bookmarked too.
I am a few weeks old on this site and I always make comments that will improve the product no matter what phase it is in because I thought they make sure to go through the comments on every level to make sure everyone that contributes will get credit. This is a community effort so I thought it should be run in that way. Also, when a thought comes to me I would like to put it out there without having to worry about not getting credit for it. That thought won’t be there later and most times the product gets buried and I can’t find it again. Bookmarking gets annoying too. Please let me know what really goes on with this. Thank you!

Thank you! This is very good to know.

Votes count. Not so much.

What happens if you post a proposal in the concept phase that is not really matching with the project but is a great idea (for example, the Silicone Mitt with Ridges from Ezra Katz). Should you submit it in the 30 days (and waste 10 more $) or will Q chose your idea if they like it and produce it anyway?

Thanks for the info Chameleon. . . How Stupid can they be. . . I thought that is how a community is supposed to work. We work together to combine ideas and make a better one. That is true "influence". It's the suggestions that people make that can help develop a perfect product. Forget the dumb games.

I've already got one foot out the door here, I'd like to find a good reason to stay. Perhaps somebody could start a website that lets inventors actually work together and get credit for their "Real" ideas and effort.

I do have fun voting and just looking around. This is a fun process to be a part of and I don't feel like I am wasting my time. This page gives me a better understanding of how to focus my participation energy in a way that benefits me, Quirky and my fellow inventor. I realize that I was spending my influence in a less efficient way but this gives me a better understanding of my...Quirky stock value.

@Chameleon - thank you for your help in trying to help me decide but I already worked it out. I enjoy thinking things through on other peoples ideas pages and I enjoy thinking about them at the concept stage too. I never spend more than five minutes on an initial design and it is something that I am prepared to do. 90 odd percent of the ideas are going no further, it's true, so if something appeals to me I will do it when I think about it. How much influence do people really think they are saving up for their pensions by holding back on the ideas stage?