Silly Title wanted, or not!

[Steve Ashton]

The decision on the subject of the Ranks and Titles was made as an announcement and posted to the top of each of the major parts of the Fourm Issues section.

But I'll repost it here so that everyone can see it without having to look for it.



Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks

The Staff of the forum have been discussing and deliberating the topic of Ranks and Titles on the forum. We have been reviewing posts from our members on the subject and talking to many of you both publicly and via PM. We would like to thank all those who have offered comments and suggestions. The Staff feel it is time to address your comments and give you some insight to the topics and discussions that have occurred.

The first step is to clarify the difference between Ranks and Titles. Ranks and Titles are two totally different things within the vBulletin software package that we use to run X Marks.

Ranks - Ranks are levels based solely on post count without any reflection of the content or quality of the posts. The awarding of Rank levels is handled automatically by the software. A Rank level could appear in the upper right corner of your posts or under your screen name, depending on how the software was set up.

Titles - Titles are displayed directly under your screen name. These can be formal Title Bars, such as those of the Staff, or simply some type of wording. We also use Titles for our Advertisers to let members know who they are. Each Title must be manually entered by the Administrator.

If there is a graphic for a Rank or Title we must have the graphic designed digitally and then must upload it to our database. The Administrator then sets up the software to display the graphic in the proper place and at the proper level.

Here are some of the points that have been discussed by the staff on the subject of Ranks.

1) Some members pointed out that a Rank system based solely on the number of times you post seems redundant as the post count of all members is already listed in each members’ public profile and again in every post they make.

2) Some members have stated that they find a Ranking system provides a feeling of achievement and pride in the involvement in the forum. Other members are concerned that there is the possibility of misuse of the Rank system. A member who makes a proliferation of posts such as "Nice Kilt" over and over could increase their post count subsequent ranking.

3) It has been stated that a member achieving a high post count Rank reflects their contribution to the forum. Others have stated that the existence of Ranks could cause some new members to get a false impression that post count Ranks infer some type of seniority or breadth of knowledge.

4) Some members have stated that the names of the Ranks that were used on the forum in the past were unclear and not easily understood. They questioned if a Rank such as "Kilted Samurai" actually meant anything or if it would be understood by a new member seeing them for the first time.


Here are some of the points that have been discussed by the staff on the subject of Titles.

1) Some members expressed an appreciation for the Titles that were used on X Marks for several years. Other members voiced concerns that the Titles did not seem to reflect any merit or contribution to the forum, but were based on the private occupation of the member or on some personality trait.

2) Some members have pointed out that the names of the Titles that were used all started with the word “Kilted”. It was questioned if “Kilted this or Kilted that” was necessary as this is a Kilt forum and that is why we are here in the first place.

3) The most common comment voiced by members is that the Titles were simply amusing and fun. The second most common comment voiced was that the use of Titles appeared to set some members apart from others. This separation was questioned on the grounds that it implied an 'elite' group within the forum.

4) It was questioned how the awarding of Titles was determined. There did not appear to be a nomination and/or voting system in place for the awarding of Titles. Nor were the titles, and reasons for the award of Titles, posted anywhere on the forum for everyone to see.

5) It was pointed out that the presence of Titles could be perceived by new members as inferring a contribution to the forum, special or specific knowledge or expertise. As this was not always the intent of the titles, or the sole factor in the decision making process to award the Titles, this could be misleading.

6) Finally, it was brought up that if a member wished to have his occupation represented, wished to add some fun to the forum, or highlight some trait of their personality there were many ways to accomplish this. Members can change their user profile and signature block any time they wish. They can request to have their Screen Name changed. The only limit on signature blocks and screen names is that they must stay within the forum rules.


After consideration, the Staff have decided to create a system open to all members. A system which is fair and transparent, and one where the Title would reflect the actual reason for the award.
The Staff have decided that the “Policy on Ranks and Titles” will be:

1) Ranks based solely on the number of times a member has posted to the forum will not be used. All members already have their post count publicly and prominently displayed in their public profile and in every post they make.

2) Titles will be awarded based on Merit. Merit is defined as a significant service performed for the forum, a record of service or benefit to the members of the forum, or a history of significant help or assistance to the forum membership. Merit may also include significant service or benefit to the Kilt world in general outside of the forum.

Any member may nominate any other member for a Title. The nominations will be submitted to the Staff via the PM system. The nomination must include a full citation of the service or must state why the member is deserving of a Title.

The decision to award a Title will be made by vote among the Forum Moderators. The results of the vote will be included in the public announcement awarding the Title.

All Titles will use a single, uniform graphic format.

The name of the Title will reflect the merit for which that Title is awarded.

A description of all the Titles awarded and the citation leading to their award will be placed publicly on the forum and available to all members.

This Policy was enacted by vote among the Forum Staff on the 15th of September 2010.
The result of the vote was 7-0 with one not voting.

[morrison]

Woof woof wwwwoof wofwwwooof woof woof woof. WOOF!


Thanks, Everyone.
The banter was energetic, hearty, gruff, funny, entertaining, informative, bombastic, and most important, it was valid.

WOOF,arf

[McClef]

Thanks for the bump Morrison!

Since the new policy came into operation the Moderators have not exactly been besieged by nominations. In fact there has only been one and as that nominated person then became a Moderator it could not be proceeded with!

[morrison]

woof
woofwoof, woofbarkbark barkwoof woofbite-chew woofbark That's Bernese_Mountain_Dog, when translated into human, it means:
imho the nominations process ought to be for deeper rib jabbing and eye poking, beyond the already trite, trivial and guffaw of the once revered silly automated titles. Since the automatic advancement of title has been disabled the nominated attributes, it seems to me, are inadvertently elevated to a not as "tongue-in-cheek" level, thereby, or therein, creating a sense of "Do gooderism" concerning the title itself.
? what?
arf

[Steve Ashton]

I'm sorry Morrison. Could you please clarify your last post.



And for all who have followed this thread...

There will be some news about this subject soon.

Please be patient. There will be an annoucement as soon as we have the details worked out.

[Jock Scot]

Any news? Just wondering.

[McClef]

An announcement is now very close Jock.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

woof
woofwoof, woofbarkbark barkwoof woofbite-chew woofbark That's Bernese_Mountain_Dog,
arf

Sorry, but my Entlebucher comes from a different canton, and can't understand a word he says.

[Standard]

An announcement is now very close Jock.

Waiting with baited breath. I've been wondering about this (again) for a while now.

[CMcG]

Any member may nominate any other member for a Title. The nominations will be submitted to the Staff via the PM system. The nomination must include a full citation of the service or must state why the member is deserving of a Title.

The decision to award a Title will be made by vote among the Forum Moderators. The results of the vote will be included in the public announcement awarding the Title.

Yes, news would be good I made several nominations, which are still pending...