Thread: Member "Ranks"

I'm wondering if we shouldn't come up with a "cooler" set of ranks for the forum.

The current ranks are as follows

Forum Freshman
Forum Sophomore
Forum Junior
Forum Senior
Forum Bachelors Degree
Forum Masters Degree
Forum Ph.D.
Forum Professor

While appropriate I think this might be a bit boring.

Would love some feedback.

Also even if we keep this ranking system I need to add more after Professor as people are starting to really hit the high number of posts. After a while nobody will have a new title to look forward to.

I like that rank system
basacly all of those are higher rank of knowledge knower, so why not add somekinda computer ranks? computers can hold a huge amount of information and process alot, they arent creative but hey they still help

I'm not really a fan of forum ranks, the system doesn't look at the quality of members' contributions. But I guess it's impossible to change that. We would need a post quality poll for every post (like Slashdot has). Or a 'report useless post' button, which results in substracting a post count from that user if enough people have pressed the button.

Originally Posted by Pendragon

I'm not really a fan of forum ranks, the system doesn't look at the quality of members' contributions. But I guess it's impossible to change that. We would need a post quality poll for every post (like Slashdot has). Or a 'report useless post' button, which results in substracting a post count from that user if enough people have pressed the button.

but then thats not a post count.

personally i couldn't care less if i were a PhD or a Freshman, it doesn't weigh my arguement against anybody elses.

pendragon idea is just awefull

Pendragon, I think the idea is excellent.

On forums that use this system there is generally a higher average quality of post, since those guilty of persistent light weight one liners are rightfully ignored. Nearly all posters put more effort into their postings. There is less bitching.

Am I making it sound like heaven? Not intentional, but it is a good system.

I expected the idea to be a bit controversial Anyway, I'm not sure it's possible to make such changes to the forum. The official phpbb site has several moderations on the standard board, but I havent seen something like this yet.

I've always favored a system that would take advantage of the "buddy/ignore" lists that usually exist on any message board. I haven't seen a "buddy" feature with phbb, but vBulletin forums nearly always have both "buddy" and "ignore" lists that the user can maintain.

I've always thought that, while the ignore feature is useful for the user, the buddy list is pretty useless. I've never seen an implementation of it that included any reason to "add buddies."

But, if a forum had a way to give a reputation or karma score, based upon the number of buddies versus ignores, this would be useful. Even if it listed something like

"[member] is ignored by 5 members & listed as a buddy by 12"

This would be useful for motivating the member to be dynamic enough to get buddy-listed while at the same time trying to maintain a quality to posts to avoid being ignored.

This would be the ultimate peer-review system for a board.

Personally, I think using SkinWalker's idea would lead more to the "ooh! friend me! friend me!" attitude seen on social networking sites such as MySpace or LiveJournal.

But perhaps it would work differently here. *shrug*

I think the simple answer is to keep the existing names, BUT you may only progress at the nomination of a moderator.

I see the advantages as being, consistancy, the reduction of multiple postings just to get to a higher grade, improved post quality, anybody who clearly posts rubbish or refuses to write in a clear concise fashion would be jeapordising their progress. New people would know who they are most likely to get a sensible reply from. Demotion should also be possible.

Disadvantages: more work for the already overpressed? moderators BUT
some of this could be passed to 'professors' that have been through the [new] system after a short while. Appeals for any/all decisions remain.

It is possible to set up a reputation system that drives the ranks. You would progress based on the length you have been 'living' the community and by approvals.

Links as reminder: 1, 2.

Mr U

I am most humbled to be recognised by the great and the good

At the risk of being demoted to latrine cleaner 3rd class I think my system would be more fair - though in my long years I have come to find that fairness has nothing to do with life.

I like the idea of changing, adding to or, or otherwise shaking up the rank system. (Based on post count.)

I do not like the idea of reputation or any other such ranking system.

If you're full of shit, then it'll be pretty apparent. No need to put gold stars by your name.



I'll try to think up a list of categories. I recommended one a while back, remember?
You didn't care for it much.
From newbie scum to slime or something along those lines...

Originally Posted by invert_nexus

I'll try to think up a list of categories. I recommended one a while back, remember?
You didn't care for it much.
From newbie scum to slime or something along those lines...

Hmmph.. I can imagine why I disliked it :P We are trying to draw newbies into posting for positive reasons, not for the sake of feeling less... slimy.

Originally Posted by invert_nexus

I do not like the idea of reputation or any other such ranking system.

If you're full of shit, then it'll be pretty apparent. No need to put gold stars by your name.

I have seen the reputation system work on other sites and I'm not too fond of it (remember having 8 red dots or something, ) so if anyone has suggestions, I'm listening.

Billco, the problem here is not that moderators are overpressed, merely that I don't think it should be an affair of the moderators. They are here to keep an eye out, make sure that the discussions can go on 'good and proper', in mind the guidelines. Not to pass judgement on members..

But, again, I'm open to suggestions..

Though, I should add, not promising. We've got a fair amount of mods (modifications) installed, and that kind of stuff takes testing and quite some time (=money).. So, you know..

Originally Posted by billco

I am most humbled to be recognised by the great and the good

I'm not sure why, but I really like you! :P

Mr U

on hypography forums they have a reputation system, you might want to have a look at that i think it would be kinda cool