Getting higher rank messages

**highlandtide** · 26th January 06, 05:22 PM

One thing I have learned is that this has gone way beyond just being a forum. This is a community. And like Mike1 said we will never keep everyone happy all of the time. As a matter of fact there are quite a number of posters here who have gotten their feelings hurt, "left" the forum, got over it, came back, and are just as happy as ever. It is a part of the cycle.

The post count issue is just one of those issues that comes up from time to time. There is no real way to keep people from trying to boost their post count short of taking away all regular member titles based on post count and issuing titles based on merit and/or reputation. I doubt it will ever happen but you never know...

**starbkjrus** · 26th January 06, 07:14 PM

Gentlemen (and ladies),

As one of the voluteers (along with Rob) who is tasked with reconizing not only birthdays but rank advancement I also feel the need to chime in here.

As has been said there is no way to please everyone all the time. There have been many messages to the MODs about some being recognized for both birthdays and rank advancements and others not. These messages have all consisted of complaints about not being recognized. As has also been said this is WAY more than a forum -- it's a community. One that I really appreciate belonging to. I was reluctant in the beginning to participate in the Celebration Forum as I really didn't see a need but since it is important (and in my opinion a bit of fun) to many of our members then so be it. I am willing to give a little more back to XMARKS that just posting. (Although I am on vacation and have not given Rob the assistance that I intend to in the long run.)

My suggestion (for now) is that if you prefer not to read the posts about birthdays and rank advancements (and as someone said the welcome to newbies) then I recommend that you simply don't. I know that as the forum has grown that I can no longer read each and every thread or post. I pick and choose.

Starting Saturday I intend to start a thread called Kilted Karibbean Kruising. Internet access is hideous from Kruise ships so it will be limited and my asstance to Rob in the Celebration Zone will be limited but I will attemt to document some of the more memorable ventures of Kruising Kilted. (my first foray into mainly kilted all the time.)

Some will enjoy it and some will skip over it.

Just pick and choose and enjoy.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 26th January 06, 08:26 PM

Dee,

Have fun! Send pictures! Drink a glass of wine for me at dinner!

I am sure that this great community we have will come to a concensus on the CZ. Maybe the fairly immediate recognition is not necessary, but a daily/weekly/monthly summary of advancements would suffice. I think that birthdays, and other events, should still be as occurred.

I look forward to the Kruising Thread!

**GlassMan** · 26th January 06, 09:30 PM

Personally, I like reading the congratulatory posts. It's a great way to recognize new members as they begin to get more and more involved in the board. And it doesn't bother me at all to see a bunch of new messages waiting when I log in.

However, there is one thing about the "new posts" button that annoys me.

Sometimes I've come on here and seen a bunch of new posts but then I get called away from the computer for some reason (phone call, someone at the door, bathroom break, etc) and if I'm away too long when I finish reading the current post and then click on "new posts" again there's nothing there. It's like my long inactivity has logged me out resetting the "new posts since last login" counter. And the search feature doesn't let you just see everything from a certain point in time on, you have to include some kind of search text.

Okay, enough grousing. I really love this board and love to contribute. I guess I do get carried away a little and that's why my post count is rising quickly. But I enjoy reading just about everything on here.

**Iolaus** · 26th January 06, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Sometimes I've come on here and seen a bunch of new posts but then I get called away from the computer for some reason (phone call, someone at the door, bathroom break, etc) and if I'm away too long when I finish reading the current post and then click on "new posts" again there's nothing there. It's like my long inactivity has logged me out resetting the "new posts since last login" counter.

Yeah, you're right, that happens to me all the time.

I just keep going back in "history" 'til I've gone through what I want to read, then I hit "New Posts" again. ...but there's no telling how many I miss by doing it that way.

**Mike1** · 27th January 06, 05:08 AM

The forum software is set to drop you after 15 minutes of inactivity.

**Jerry** · 27th January 06, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by highlandtide

One thing I have learned is that this has gone way beyond just being a forum. This is a community. And like Mike1 said we will never keep everyone happy all of the time. As a matter of fact there are quite a number of posters here who have gotten their feelings hurt, "left" the forum, got over it, came back, and are just as happy as ever. It is a part of the cycle.

The post count issue is just one of those issues that comes up from time to time. There is no real way to keep people from trying to boost their post count short of taking away all regular member titles based on post count and issuing titles based on merit and/or reputation. I doubt it will ever happen but you never know...

Hank, don't take away the post count rankings. You already have a mixed system, with some receiving titles based on reputation (witness Hamish) Hams is based more on reputation and deservedly so. I can't say that I don't occasionally, in a way, post something to increase my post count, but it is never blatent like a few have done. I'm just not normally very talkative and the post count ratings have kept me replying when I might have otherwise said nothing. I guess the thing I often feel is just a count increasing message is sending a welcome to new members of the forum. But then, everyone does that, and I guess it does make them feel welcome here. I know I did back in Sept 2004, when I first joined. I guess that's all I have to say on the subject, other than i feel that taking away the post ranking would be taking away a big and enjoyable part of the forum.

**Jerry** · 27th January 06, 05:41 AM

I just exit the forum whenever I leave even for a few minutes. When I come back, it's simple to hit the dropdown arrow on the URL window, select XMARKS and I'n back in the forum with more new messages displayed. I also hit the refresh button from time to time while I am logged on. I have seen the forum be nearly like a chat room when it is really busy and I keep refreshing.

**Avonlea22** · 27th January 06, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by JerMc

You already have a mixed system, with some receiving titles based on reputation (witness Hamish) Hams is based more on reputation and deservedly so.

I've always thought that the custom titles some people have were a bit of favouritism, myself.

I think it would be nice to know what the different ranks are. Also, what is a house chairman, and who qualifies for the little XMarks bar under their username? I suppose that's getting off topic. sorry.

**David Thornton** · 27th January 06, 05:57 AM

Guys, it's just like the TV. Chose what you want to see, ignore the rest.
I think this is coming up now because of the recent endeavor to catch up.

Have a drink, chill a bit.

David