Poll - Ranks, do we need them?

[AUbicycles]

In this thread, I annouced that the ranking system was updated - what I thought was a more simple solution however a good comment from a member (gdl_gdl) was whether we need it at all. We don't need need it - should it be removed?

Also - please comment whether you feel that mods should have something graphical (aside from stars) that highlights them as mods. Also not required however would be an identifying factor.

[toolonglegs]

You can keep your three stars Christopher
The mods already have the "super mod" and "moderater" that get written under their names...do they need more?.

[Kalgrm]

I can't see any good reason to have the stars - if all they do is denote a level of posts achieved, they are replicating the post count and are thus redundant. Additionally, without a legend on the site somewhere to explain what they are, new members will always be asking why they are there and what how they get more ...

Besides, we don't need to encourage post whores, do we?

Mod should keep the symbols they have - it helps them assert authority when needed.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Tom Marius]

oooh fifty fifty, interesting debate...

[Matt_Matt]

I voted Yes.

I don't see the need to differentiate between members with more or less than 500 posts.

That said I do like the idea of a recognising a member that works as a professional in the trade.


Matt

[X-wing]

I voted no, mostly because I don't see what value it adds. We know who the pros are on the forum, and I think we also know who to rely on for excellent information.

I also agree that the stars appear to be duplicating the post counts.

[sogood]

It's hard to give a yes or no answer. It really depends on what the site owner and community want to achieve, and the objectives may not always align. But personally, I am leaning in the 'no' camp.

The problem with assigning "expert", "senior member" and similar titles is that it creates a hierarchy where noobs and "junior" may become reluctant to challenge their views. But as we all know, experts and senior can get it all wrong and often have their views entrenched with a particular angle ie. Bias. So from this point of view, this labeling may in fact be detrimental to the flow of discussions. Given how BNA has operated and what I have experienced in other mature and objectively moderated forum, trolls who wants to take a discussion to a ridiculous tangent are usually dealt with promptly, causing little negative impact. At the end of the day, a knowledgeable person will always standout in a discussion and professionals can decide on how they want to advertise themselves in their signature.

The reality is, our reputation is only as good (or bad) as our last post.

[Kalgrm]

I voted no, mostly because I don't see what value it adds. We know who the pros are on the forum, and I think we also know who to rely on for excellent information.

I also agree that the stars appear to be duplicating the post counts.

X-wing - you just voted to keep them then, since the question is "should we get rid of them?"

[brauluver]

I voted to keep them because they look pretty

Granted a lot of my post count is from link the photo thread which means I've contributed a lot of fluff.I do however try to be serious and add value when I can to a thread.

Every one gets a bit precious about status I think.I always keep my ego in check by remembering that this is only an internet forum(cyber world) full of personal opinions, preferences and ideas that are mostly insignificant in the real world and amount to zip outside this community.We represent a minority of all Australia's cyclists and like to chatter amongst ourselves and air our opinions.It's really not that important in the real world/daily life of a member if some one else has a blue star.

[Kev365428]

Chris,

You need to re-word the question (and fix the spelling error ('rid' not 'ride').

Make it simple - "Do you want the star rating?"

Kev.

[brauluver]

Chris,



Make it simple - "Do you want the star rating?"

Kev.

If he changes it to that then the whole thing is skewed, as a yes vote to get rid of em will , would become yes i want a star rating.

[Dave R32]

I voted no, I dont see the need to highlight any members other than Admin, Mods and industry Experts.

The senior members are easy to spot by post count, then its up to me to decide if their opinions / posts are worth reading etc a system of stars isnt going to make it easier.

Admin and Mods are also easily found and I have to say do a great job keeping the forums running nicely.

As for experts EG: Alex Simmons/RST; on a car detailing forum I helped start we used an avatar of a polishing machine to denote a professional detailer maybe here you could use a little bike avatar or similar.

We also have a rule that any re-sellers or their staff must identify themselves either by user name EG: I am Dave_Waxit or in their signature. This helps the "normal" user identify posts by these people as they could be commerically skewed. Mind you we have some very emotional people when it comes to products and product arguements are common.

I find this forum is very well run and the members are friendly and tolerant of new members, it has a great "feel" to it so to speak.

Cheers
Dave.

[Kev365428]

Chris,



Make it simple - "Do you want the star rating?"

Kev.

If he changes it to that then the whole thing is skewed, as a yes vote to get rid of em will , would become yes i want a star rating.

Was meant only to be an example, not the actual wording, but point taken.

Kev.

[X-wing]

X-wing - you just voted to keep them then, since the question is "should we get rid of them?"

Darn! That's what happens when you only read the title of the thread, and not the question!

Now I feel like on of the Florida voters who accidentally voted for George Bush!

Thanks for letting me know Kal.

[brauluver]

Will the senior member title go as well?Because that kind of makes me feel old like a senior citizen

[toolonglegs]

Thats at least two people who voted no when they stated they want to get rid of them

[HappyHumber]

heh.... double negative... I feel a headache coming on.

Drop the stars... as suggested by a few others, I think without them, things are little more egalitarian in appearance and more encouraging for new comers. The text description is sufficient I think.

[brauluver]

Well at the current vote count it looks like they will be going, so I've collected 3 as a memento of their brief appearance and to preserve BNA history.

[CUEVO]

I too voted no, not properly reading the question...clearly my fault for not reading, but wonder how many others have done this as well??

[Kalgrm]

Christopher,

I think you need to run the poll again with less ambiguous phrasing in the question. Too many people were confused by the wording to give an accurate assessment of the members' views.

(You've got a different question in the thread title to the poll question.)

Cheers,
Graeme

[brauluver]

Christopher,

I think you need to run the poll again with less ambiguous phrasing in the question. Too many people were confused by the wording to give an accurate assessment of the members' views.

(You've got a different question in the thread title to the poll question.)

Cheers,
Graeme

On that note:
I realise that this is the appropriate sub forum for this, but would it get a broader response if it was posted or linked to the General discussion area?
27 votes to date is a bit low for a representative count.
Not trying to teach you guys to suck eggs or anything, just thinking out loud.

[il padrone]

Hmmm.., 50-50 on this myself. I've voted to do away with stars.

The stars are not necessary for ego value. The titles aren't needed either for a 'Senior Member' as the post count tells people this. But mods and supermods should be identified as those in authority.

We know who the pros are on the forum

Well I don't know who all the pros are. I would like to have these experts identified as such, if their status is known to moderators. That ensures their opinions maybe respected, and possible biases made clear.

[AUbicycles]

Bad news for everyone who voted no - you get Minus Stars.

I feel that the vote count - and take into account at least 3 accidental "No's" - is a small cross section, but still representative.

That means - The stars go.
Has anyone got anything against giving the mods back a bicycle - but without the stars? Previously we had the square with a person holding a bike - I would simply it though it is aimed to create an identifier.

Can I keep the naming - senior member - or should this go as well?

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback on this.

Cheers
Christopher

[Pax]

Voted to get rid of the stars

Happy to have Mods recognised however you like. They do the work, good on them.

Not keen on titles like Senior Member.

[brauluver]

Can I keep the naming - senior member - or should this go as well?

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback on this.

Cheers
Christopher

I say lets get rid of it as well now the stars have gone and just be Egalitarian,as that's the feel created by this poll.

anyone care to second that?