Getting higher rank messages

**Mike S** · 26th January 06, 02:51 PM

I'm going to be a real grouch and agree here. I want to see the posts/threads with some "Meat" to them content wise when I log on to the new messages, not a bunch of "pat on the back" posts. And since it will be quite some time till I get a leg up rank wise, I'm feeling quite the Grinch.;)

By the way, isn't the staff somewhat worried that rank based on the number of posts is going to really boost the "me too" types of non-sense posts? As the Administrator of two very busy boards myself, I can attest to this real danger. Just a thought.

**Colin** · 26th January 06, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mike S

By the way, isn't the staff somewhat worried that rank based on the number of posts is going to really boost the "me too" types of non-sense posts? As the Administrator of two very busy boards myself, I can attest to this real danger. Just a thought.

I think that's why the "way to go" and "me too" posts have been refered over to the Celebration zone. None of the posts or new threads in that area count towards a persons post count or rank. So if like me you just want the relevant topics, you can ignore that section.

**Raphael** · 26th January 06, 02:59 PM

What is so important about getting into a higher rank? Whether I am a Legend, Noble, Elder or regiment, it is all the same for me. A higher rank does not mean that I know more about kilt than a lower rank. It only means that I had more posts.

**AckZel** · 26th January 06, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

So if like me you just want the relevant topics, you can ignore that section.

How can I get them NOT showing in "New Messages" search?

And I fully agree with you, Raphael... (Though I would much rather be 1st Lieutenant than 2nd Lieutenant, but that has nothing to do with posting here...)

**furrycelt** · 26th January 06, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mike S

I want to see the posts/threads with some "Meat" to them content wise when I log on to the new messages, not a bunch of "pat on the back" posts.

I agree. It would be ideal if the post count only went up if your post was meaty, but that level of AI in PHP based forums is a bit much to ask for. It is nice that the "Celebration Zone" doesn't count towards your post count. I also think that the Newbie announcement section be set the same way. Those threads are full of one/two word posts.

Originally Posted by Mike S

By the way, isn't the staff somewhat worried that rank based on the number of posts is going to really boost the "me too" types of non-sense posts? As the Administrator of two very busy boards myself, I can attest to this real danger. Just a thought.

What would happen of all post counting was removed? Would it change anything?

I see the point. If we don't post; we don't connect; we don't learn; we don't have a forum. We want posts, so the surface theory is that more posts equals a better forum.

I got it! Next to the "Quote" button in each post, put a "Me Too" button. With a click a small avatar-less line is inserted that says a member(s) agrees, but the post count isn't effected, and the page isn't filled with alot of wasted space.

I will just close with the general request to everyone: is what you are about to submit really going to contribute the forum's growth?

thanks,
-ian

**Mike S** · 26th January 06, 03:44 PM

Hi Ian,
The usual method of ranking members based on quality rather than quantity of contributions used by most forum boards is to either/or have the staff rate specific posts and posters based on merit rather than post count, or enable individual post/thread rating by the membership. Both are possible with VBulletin.
There is the danger in the latter case of nepotism among "pals" boosting one another's rating, but the amount of votes given to any one individual by another, specific member can be set to a limit within a prescribed time frame.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 26th January 06, 03:48 PM

Hello all,

As the originator of most (if not all) of the current "rank up" posts in the Celebratory Zone, I wanted to chime in. On a congratulatory "rank up" thread not too long ago (before the CZ was established), the topic of discontinuing the congratulations posts was brought up by the mods. It seems that some people would get congratulations for making it to the next rank, while others would not, purely based on other posters noticing the person had made it to another level and posting a congratulations. The mods received complaints that it was not fair and why was person A congratulated while person B ranked up and was not. In that thread, everyone said that they liked the congrats posts and would be disappointed to lose them. So the Celebratory zone was created with myself and Starbkjrus "volunteered" to monitor people's ranks and insure everyone ranking up got recognized, as well as wishing them well on their birthdays. The Celebratory Zone was also available for other festive posts, but the posts there would not count toward a person's post count.

Anyway, I have been monitoring post counts and posting congratulations as people reach a milestone. I would guess that the volume of these rank changes will be pretty consistent over time, so they will not lessen, and might increase slightly as more people join, since the first ranks occur at a quicker interval than the later ones.

Anyway, that is the backgound. Now the question is, do we want to continue the congratulations, do away with them, let it be adhoc as before, or try something else, maybe only recognize new ranks on a periodic basis, combine congratulations into one post per rank for everyone attaining that rank, etc.. I am open to suggestions, and if you have not fiogured it out based on the volume, I have the process of monitoring it pretty well automated.

Later!

**Mike1** · 26th January 06, 03:58 PM

One thing I learned, at a very early age, is that none of us are ever going to please everyone all of the time.

There was a desire for the C.Z., the forum staff reviewed the issue and we agreed to set that section up.

As Bubba pointed out, if you don't want to read the C.Z. messages, ignore them. It's really not that tough a thing.

**bubba** · 26th January 06, 04:11 PM

Seems to me alot of guys like the CZ posts, some are indifferent and some don't like em. I'd leave it as is and ignore them or not as you choose. Given the way new posts are listed it's not hard to do.

**Avonlea22** · 26th January 06, 04:21 PM

I just skip over the celebration zone posts.

Not to be rude, but I don't really care who gets to what level. It's all arbitrary anyway.

Birthday's are different, though. I don't see anything wrong with posting Happy Birthday to people. I don't know if we need a committee to do it, though.

As far as post count goes, I used to be on a forum where your post count would increase only when you made your first post in a particular thread. So, if you were discussing kilts and pipe smoking, no matter how many times you posted in the thread, your count would stay the same. I'm not sure if that's a viable option, but in the end, does it really matter how many posts someone has?

I don't think so.