Member Rankings/Titles

[thescot]

Aww, heck with it.

I'm going for a walk and taking my grandchlidren along. And I'm giving myself a title on the way out.

Slainte.

Jim, The Right Homorable Big Daddy of the Universe
Grandfather Extraordinaire
Prince among Men
Learned Doctor of Bonnet Customization and Cockade Manufacture
Kilt Wearing Man about Town

[cavscout]

Call me whatever you want, just don't call me Late for Dinner! (or supper depending on your locale )

[BoldHighlander]

I do have one other concern with this thread. Reasonalble dialog and differences of opinion are one thing. But when members start to attack other members views with personal comments we, as moderators, WILL step in. Tthere have already been posts on this thread reported and we will continue to monitor the threads.

As the o/p (original post'er) who started this thread let me state that my original purpose was to ask a question about something that caught my eye, I received an answer to my query & all was well (with me). I did not intend for any firestorm develop, and some of the personal comments made has caused me regret ever asking any questions in the first place.

IMO the feelings on colour, special titles, kilt count etc, has been well discussed & made known , so as the o/p of this thread I'd ask the mod's that if they feel this thread has ran out its usefulness & purpose, then please feel free to lock it.

Lord knows I for one do not wish to see the goodwill of this unique & special forum eroded.

Thank you.

[Chas]

All systems for awarding titles will be flawed. They will either be objective or subjective.

If they are objective, it is all down to 'hello posts' and 'nice kilt' posts and total post count.

If they are subjective, it is down to how much the person is liked - no more no less.

If someone gives rubbish advice with great humour, they will be better thought of than someone who gives good, accurate advice in a neutral or boring way. In the real world, we make decisions based on height, weight, age, eye colour and the hundreds of other criteria. On the web, we have the written word only. Well written rubbish is still rubbish.

I think all titles should go apart from 'Site Owner', 'Moderator' and 'Retired Moderator'. In fact 'Retired Moderator' should go after about 3 months after retirement.

Regards

Chas

[GDub]

I think removing the fun elements of this forum is a mistake. It smacks of a rather hardcore tightening of the reigns. The redesign is fine, but the so-called "leveling of the field" borders on the micro-managing of the community's personality. That said, time will tell if the changes help or hinder. FWIW, my prediction is that the more "conservative," micro-managerial approach will ultimately be to the detriment of the forum. The liveliness of the day to day chatter that I experienced during my couple of years of daily posting here had already seemed to be on the wane. It was obvious (at least to me) that the changing of the guard caused way more of a stir than imagined. Too bad.

But hey, kilt on!

[Tartanraven]

Well, I attacked no individual, nor did I attack the thread or forum. All I did was question the importance/necessity for granting a higher level of credibility to an individual just because of a high post count. Let me give an example: You have a union employee with over 10 years of service, but is marginally useful to the company. On the other hand you have a new guy, with loads of applicable experience who works easily twice as hard. Guess what? The one with greater seniourity will make more money. Again, I've been accused by those with a higher post count than I, of "attacking", which is daft because if you look at the context of my posts, that simply is not true. Sorry, I'm not a yes man...I'm a Scot! Yes men live in the US and England...outspoken and objective men live in Scotland aye? I am currently being "moderated" and denounced as an attacker. Bollocks I say. I have given a fair amount of constructive input here, and will continue provided I'm not censured or eliminated for not being a Yes Man. And if credibility is solely based on post count..then I guess new people will be treated as yapping young terriers. Again...I speak my mind as a Scot......but then I must remind meself that I'm on a forum run by Americans. This entire thread has been forwarded to a number of Chiefs that I know personally as I feel they should know how American "Scots" treat eachother.

[pdcorlis]

This former title holder is happy to see an end to both awarded titles and post count driven rankings. They may have made sense in the early days when Xmarks was a much smaller place - but I don't think they have much relevance today. Finally, I may not post as often as I used to - but I do read the forum several times daily and I've got to say, I don't believe XMarks has become more conservative nor more heavily managed.

Of course your perceptions may vary.

[Raphael]

This entire thread has been forwarded to a number of Chiefs that I know personally as I feel they should know how American "Scots" treat eachother.

Technically speaking, I am neither American or Scot. I am Chinese. 100% and card carrying Chinese. That's why they call me the kilted dragon.

[Tartanraven]

This former title holder is happy to see an end to both awarded titles and post count driven rankings. They may have made sense in the early days when Xmarks was a much smaller place - but I don't think they have much relevance today. Finally, I may not post as often as I used to - but I do read the forum several times daily and I've got to say, I don't believe XMarks has become more conservative nor more heavily managed.

Of course your perceptions may vary.

Honestly, I feel it has become less managed (in a tight fisted way) and that is a GOOD thing! It will remain focused and offer a better repository of information and advice than easily any other forum online. Most are social..this one basically picks up where Scotweb and others leave off..and at the risk of sounding like Martha Stewart...it's a Good thing.

[Tartanraven]

Technically speaking, I am neither American or Scot. I am Chinese. 100% and card carrying Chinese. That's why they call me the kilted dragon.

Wow, I didnt know that! I think title and nickname get confused sometimes. Kilted Dragon works for me because it clearly indicates that kilts can/do/should cross all cultural boundries. But not "titles" that imply "Ive been here longer...I post more....thus I'm a teensy bit more important than you..so mind you place pup!" <<<I've been told that....Right TheScot?