Janie, darling, I notice that you are awarding symbols that denote the esteem or comparitive merit in which you hold "members".

Now... I became accustomed, during a significant period of my life (after having struggled through theatre training... oh, I could wring tears from a statue with the details of that story), to living among people whose assessment of one and each other was based on the symbols we wore on our clothes. It was called the British Army.

I therefore note with some alarm that I attract only two symbols, while others attract three symbols and are called "Advanced Members". I make no comment on your choice of the term "members", but would earnestly request that I am hereafter referred to as a "Retarded Member". This will imply my true status.

The pips/stars whatever you want to call them and rank are a standard part of the forum and have been around since the new forum was introduced at the beginning of December. The number and name are assigned automatically depending upon the number of posts made by a member. This has proved to be a real pain in the b*m and if I could I would remove the stars and the annotation, however I feel that I would be lynched if I did remove or change them.

Unless of course, people prove me wrong - can I remove them?

Jane

I got my own now Jane you can remove them....

But then again...

It's fun for people (and when something's fun they return to the site) to have these things...

As long as "Techie Talk" and "Serious Questions" are kept seperate from the "fun" I can't see the harm of it...

Brings people back to the site.

I'm not bothered about the stars, the number of posts is far more important. It's the only real way af judging how good a person is. I myself can safely say I am almost saintly.

Bless you all!

You can't take away the post count!!! Noooooooooo


When my boss accuses me of doing nothing all day I need to be able to prove him wrong

I am as one with Martin on this. I shall be DEEPLY saddened by any pip removal. And I think it could hurt.

Perhaps you could also start allocating sainthoods - I see Ryano has taken the first.

Janice (our angel) could be next?

George is WAY down THAT list!

What's the opposite of a sainthood? Can I have one of those please?!

I vote for removal of both post count and pips as neither are relevant..............

QUOTE

I'm not bothered about the stars, the number of posts is far more important. It's the only real way af judging how good a person is. I myself can safely say I am almost saintly.

That might be your definition of the number of posts but to all visitors I would advise that the number of posts have no relevance whatsoever and cannot and are not to be used as a measure of ability etc.......

(It is possible to remove these abilities within the board!!)

REMOVE THE PIPS AND COUNT!!!

What's 'relevance' got to do with it!

QUOTE

What's 'relevance' got to do with it!

If you refer to my previous message, you imply that the number of posts denotes how good a person is.............

Which is incorrect......................

The number of posts has no relevance whatsoever! <_<

I think that reference was humour.....

Not sure though... It did come from Maureen.... *wink*

It's it's not harming anyone? Why get rid of it?

Are we still on topic?

if so, I'm a nice person (apparently) and I've posted lots therefore lots of posts = nice people!

It's only logic!

Quite right!

The topic is regarding the status of members badges and number of posts...........

You can only got three stars and most people already have three stars!

I don't doubt you are a nice person Ryano however........

For someone visiting the board for the first time, it is important that they know that the number of posts is irrelevant, as is the title of the member "Advanced" etc..

Thats WHY I said that both "Number of Posts" and Title are irrelevant and should be removed!

OK Simon point taken, I'm just happy that it's been confirmed that I'm a nice person. You're a moderator so therefore if you've backed me up it adds weight to my arguement.

Cheers.

Gosh you dare to drive home and a row breaks out - tut tut children

If I read this right Mr Rod started this thread and I suggest with slightly more than tongue in cheek than anything else

This pip thing causes a stir doesn't it

The only thing that I think could cause misinterpretation to the new commer is the title advance member. Those titles can easily be changed

As for the pip and count removal - Hmmn to quote Ryano

QUOTE

Number of posts = valued member ? Self-parody I'd call it,

why remove humor from the forum???

I just knew this would get everyone going

So what do you suggest for three different levels if we don't use newbie, member and advanced member?

Jane

SHY / EGAR / GOBSHITE ???

*ducks*

Just have one level with one pip! - Member

Now how hard was that to think of.........................

REMOVE THE COUNT AND THE PIPS!

I don't know, Simon - you thought of it. How hard was it to think of?

*big Georgie-style wink"

If you think about this then consider this...........

The different "Titles" Newbie, Member and Advanced Member are gained relating to the number of posts that you make. However.....................

The number of posts you make is NOT an indication of "How nice you are...."
The number of posts you make is NOT an indication of "How important you are..."
The number of posts you make is NOT an indication of "How experienced you are.."

The NUMBER OF POSTS is........... YOUR TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTS

Nobody can deny that it is wrong to gain a title such as "Advanced Member" just because you have posted more than other people.

You are no more ADVANCED than ANYONE!

Therefore if everyone has the same title as "Member", this just indicates you are a member of the forum, a regular visitor that has taken their time to register to use the forum!

All "Members" can have 5 pips!

So..... You will always be a member once you have made your first post

NOW THATS FAIR!

I think this is getting a little silly...

It's fun.... Let's just leave it at that...

"Posting Envy" or "Pip Envy" isn't a crime...

It's got how much you've got or not got, it's what you do with it...

Same could be said about "moderator" badges....

Just because you got one doesn't mean to say you know what you're talking about... *wink*

I am not meaning to cause offence to anyone...............

I am just putting forward my personal view point which is the same as a few of the more shy members of the forum.

Not everyone on here is willing to voice their opinions but...........

I am not afraid to voice my opinion.......

It's not my decision to make, the opportunity is here to express your opinion and that is exactly what I have done.

Which is exactly what all members are entitled to do

PS (I took your last post as being funny George!)

GEORGE! Stop picking on Simon!

I am totally and utterly sorry for my comments about the size of your postings and your pips...

It was very rude of me to suggestion you had any problems in that department what-so-ever and when I meet you I'll buy you a drink...

*mega wink*

How about having 3 bands called 'Low Poster', 'Medium Poster' and 'High Poster'. That way it does exactly what it says on the tin.

p.s. I am nice though, aren't I!

p.p.s. Simon, stop shouting in colour.

Great Idea Ryano.... YOU'RE VERY NICE!

But my comments about moderator badges stand as well...

Just as Simon suggests about one word "Member", the same should go for one word "moderator" as well... *evil grin*

Sorry George, I was getting a little wound up.....

I apologise!

I think Ryano has a fantastic idea though

I think that is ideal.............. perhaps changing the titles a little...

"Normal Poster" "Moderate Poster" "Mental Poster"



You can tweak them as you like but at least then they are a true reflection on you.....

Actually, I think the term 'moderator' should be changed to 'Police' or 'Security' or 'Bouncer' or something that paints it like it really is.

Or, have no title and they could be under cover moderators!

*cue music for the Professionals*

QUOTE (Simon @ Feb 26 2003, 7:30 PM)

I think Ryano has a fantastic idea though

Everyone! Simon said that not me, it's official now!

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 26 2003, 7:25 PM)

How about having 3 bands called 'Low Poster', 'Medium Poster' and 'High Poster'.

But if you put the posters up too high, no one can read them and that's bad marketing...

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 26 2003, 7:32 PM)

QUOTE (Simon @ Feb 26 2003, 7:30 PM) I think Ryano has a fantastic idea though? Everyone! Simon said that not me, it's official now!

So you're officially fantastic instead of unofficially nice, now, are you Ryano?

You are all fantastic

And we all love you too, Simon.

QUOTE (Anne-Marie @ Feb 26 2003, 7:34 PM)

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 26 2003, 7:32 PM) QUOTE (Simon @ Feb 26 2003, 7:30 PM) I think Ryano has a fantastic idea though? Everyone! Simon said that not me, it's official now! So you're officially fantastic instead of unofficially nice, now, are you Ryano?

Well, who am I to fly in the face of public opinion!

Also, at the moment, I'm 'nicer' than you Maureen!

Just to add my tuppence ....

We SHOULD keep the post count and the names and the pips because they are representative of how regular a visitor and contributor you are even though they bear no relation to the quality of the contribution. The titles are not representative and should be changed to something that reflects nothing other than the volume of posts you make. You could go for something like newbie poster, regular poster, frequent poster or some such derivative, maybe setting the ceiling at 200 posts which is plenty high enough,

On the topic of moderator badges, they DO have a meaning and ARE (supposed to be) reflective of skills/status. A Moderator is taking on additional administrative responsibilities that includes helping look after the forum, moderating inappropriate posts etc. I expect (assume) that the moderators are also knowledgable in the topic of the forum that they are moderating. The Moderators, in my view, should also be MORE responsible in their posting that the "ordinary members" and should be setting a good example. This should include not initiating / encouraging or perpetuating meaningless drivel (see other threads for more extensive debates on drivel) as well as specifically taking action to stop (moderate) it i.e. giving warnings and where appropriate deleting posts.

We are not children, lets not act like them using the excuse of a quest for fun.

What about 'Regular' member and 'Occasional'? (no comments please, guys.) but I suppose that would be impossible to track.

Actually, I know people more by name and avatar (like George's new one!) and would read their posts first but also check out new names to see what they have to say.

Then again, I must admit that when I made three pips, it made my wings flap a bit faster! Like Maureen said, that is the fun part, isn't it.

J

QUOTE (Zorro @ Feb 26 2003, 10:47 PM)

On the topic of moderator badges, they DO have a meaning and ARE (supposed to be) reflective of skills/status. A Moderator is taking on additional administrative responsibilities that includes helping look after the forum, moderating inappropriate posts etc. I expect (assume) that the moderators are also knowledgable in the topic of the forum that they are moderating. The Moderators, in my view, should also be MORE responsible in their posting that the "ordinary members" and should be setting a good example. This should include not initiating / encouraging or perpetuating meaningless drivel (see other threads for more extensive debates on drivel) as well as specifically taking action to stop (moderate) it i.e. giving warnings and where appropriate deleting posts.

Well now we have a well publicised forum for drivel so that it's kept well away from serious posts - dont' be such a kill joy - let people have some fun

the people who make these posts are normally those who help others out the most

As for the mod badges - well speaking from a personal perspective I'd happily lose the badge - as I'm getting sick of the flak it causes instead of helping out here in my spare time I could do something else and not give anyone any helpful advice at all. Yep take it all away, the post total the pips the badge and the hassle. And next time someone gets in a mess and wants help they can go elsewhere or pay

Can I love Simon too!!!!

*hugs*

Martin,

I know in the past I have been seen as a "KillJoy",

I set out initially to stop all "meaningless drivel" from the forum, in fact as you and most people who have crossed my path already know.

I had to learn to go with the majority and as a result my perspective has changed regarding these posts.

I will not deny that initially I found them a nuisance and irritating, however at that time I failed to appreciate that this board was here for everyone to ENJOY

I guess I was being selfish, I have moderated boards before and they have always been extremely strict, I just adopted the same approach.

The board has a character of its own and that character is defined by the posts that are contained there in. I dont like the idea of competitive posting or any of that nonsense but I do think the little tads of humour here and there are great.

The new discussion area is certainly making things better for everyone. Its a little community in its own right.

I think as Moderators we do a very good job and Martin along with the rest of the team are all valuable members.

We do have differences of opinion but we have always ironed them all out.

I agree that as moderators we should have a little fun as well as anyone else and there is nothing wrong with a little flexibility. We dont run the forum with an iron rod. We participate and that is the example we set others.

I would think the whole forum would be upset to lose your advice Martin. You have a lot of knowledge and experience to share as do a lot of other people. I have picked up a lot of advice and I do hope the forum continues as per its goal to create a community of friendly information exchange.

Hey my last post wasn't aimed your way just got peeved in total but thanks anyway

One of the things that amazes me here is how much info has been generated in such little time. Here we are less than 12 weks after launch with almost 6000 posts and already we're delving back into the archives to find info that was posted a while back to give to others that don't know it's there

Imagine what it'll be like a year from now - isn't that scary in a kinda cool way?

Martin - The point I was trtying to achieve with the second para (but perhaps failed) was that Moderator badges aren't meaningless (as somebody earlier suggested) and it is an important role (for which you are all volunteers in the same way I am for the web ring). re the "meaningless drivel" comment, I'm actually quite happy with the new forum layout but there is a difference between meaningless drivel and fun drivel. I hope we stick with the latter.

p.s. I thought we'd agreed to go with "dross"

I love Martin... Martin is a cute Teddy Bear...

*hugs*

I LOVE ALL MY MODERATORS!

Can I just say that the moderators are volunteers with expertise in the area of the forum that they moderate. They spend hours on the boards helping me out, without them I would have to shut the forum as I wouldn't be able to check every message personally. They get very little "direction" from me and are free to delete/moderate as necessary. I try and take a laid back attitude to everything, freedom of speech and all that, but please love my moderators, I don't want to lose any of them.

I think the idea of Low Poster, Medium Poster and High Poster is much better than what we have at the moment, does anyone really hate the terms before I change them?

Jane

Speaking as one who posts lots of 'dross' and who often 'argues' with moderators, may I say how much I enjoy the forum and also express my appreciation to the moderators, especially Simon and also Kenny, who is not officially a mod but assists greatly with the web technical stuff.

I, for one, have never been on any other discussion board so all the ettiquette that people say exists elsewhere is totally alien to me. However, I think this board is great and I'm having a laugh.

I do hope that the banter doesn't put more serious users off asking for and giving help as that would defeat the object of the board but there is room for the 'witty' replies even if they go off topic sometimes.

Now we have a dross section, I'm sure that the real threads will stay on-topic more and therefore everyone wins.

Anyway, Simon, Kenny, Jane (oh and I suppose Martin too ) Keep up the good work.

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 27 2003, 8:47 AM)

Anyway, Simon, Kenny, Jane (oh and I suppose Martin too ) Keep up the good work.

Hey, how about me and Emma?!!!

QUOTE (Anne-Marie @ Feb 27 2003, 9:01 AM)

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 27 2003, 8:47 AM) Anyway, Simon, Kenny, Jane (oh and I suppose Martin too  ) Keep up the good work. Hey, how about me and Emma?!!!

I think you were left out on purpose... *wink*

All alone, no one to play with, I'm bored (boo hoo)