COBettaCouple

any system is open to abuse but fortunately, we don't get a lot of that here.. we do get totally random at times, but mostly posts are on the level and there's no money in getting a higher level or anything.

Tom

Dang, it, why can't I be fish poo?
Ooooo, let's.
Tom

armadillo

I do think that the amount of time you've been a member could be factored in. It's not like it's urgent, but perhaps another improvement idea for the distant future. Something like number of stars = represents classification by number of posts, and the star's colours, or even the star's shapes (I don't know, could be fish, star fish, etc.) could represent longevity classification.

COBettaCouple

then the logging in/out might have to change?

armadillo

I don't get what you mean, Dave. Why do they have to change?

atmmachine816

I believe the forum only registers how long you've been online when you are actively browsing the forum. During the school year I stay logged in all night from 5-10 and come on when I have a minute but it doesn't register the time I'm on, otherwise I would be ahead of you

COBettaCouple

hmm.. i've never noticed how it does the time. i'd have to ask mike to be sure how that works.

armadillo

Oh, but I think what needs to be taken into account is not the total time spent online on the forum, but the date of registration.

COBettaCouple

sometimes it takes a bit for someone to get into participating though. we signed up in jan, but didn't start participating really until march.

armadillo

Yeah, I agree, hence the mix of both. How long you've been registered with shapes, and number of posts categories with number of stars.

COBettaCouple

like the shape of fish poo? :P

timg

With the way the system works now, Mike, who has been here longer than anyone, is still ranked as a fish keeper, which is somewhat out of balance with seniority and longevity. Perhaps there is credence in what Armadillo suggests and it would benefit new members to the forum by being able to recognize the senior members more easily, rather than relying on the number of posts as a guide. As already stated, we could all be top ranked within a very short time just by entering rubbish comments or as one member did on another forum, single word posts just to get the counter up so he could send PM's.

Taking it a step further, why not introduce a Junior members section, as in under 18's, and identify them in a similar way? Junior members need praise and encouragement more than adults. It would be very good for the juniors to have their own section for competitions and so on as well, and maybe give some of them moderator status over their own area. This would encourage responsibility too, as they would have to earn the status. With a cut-off of 18, there would be a continuous stream of new juniors taking responsibility, and I wouldn't think that there would be a shortage of applicants at any time!

This COULD NOT exclude them from the main forum, but rather, encourage them to take a more active role while striving to better themselves. It would also encourage recognition of achievements that we adults normally take for granted, not realizing that these young people are doing things that is probably stretching them both financially and mentally, but they achieve all the same. It took me a long time to work out the Juniors amongst the members, and I value their input often above that of the more mature, mainly because I know that they have worked very hard to gain the knowledge they have so quickly.

COBettaCouple

yea, that makes sense.

armadillo

Thanks, Tim. I really like your ideas about the 2-way classification (i.e. longevity and nr of posts) and for junior forum activities.

Mike

As always - great ideas all around. I just have to figure out how to implement them! Give me a little bit to look look into how to implement some of these ideas.

Thanks,
Mike

COBettaCouple

ok, time's up. :

Callum The Cat

fishbum

ok....so im now a fish bum......i like that "title" and would like to keep it no matter how long i'm here,or how many posts i have, can i keep it.......PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!