I support but it seems suggestions only pass if there's financial and/or traffic benefit to the site. Even if your suggestion gets granted, I feel this is a relevant topic for a light-hearted rant in the best interest of Sythe.org
Because of this belief I have, I will try to outline some additional benefits to this idea, rather than just time management. This includes but is not limited to:
1) If the automated list is well displayed publicly, it will be useful for newcomers in the market section. Particularly in understanding that a user with a fresh join date with $5 donated should not be considered trustworthy.
At the people who jump on the common sense bandwagon - think about the future of the site. Most of us are in our late teens, 20s, and some even in their 30s. My point being is that younger demographics are more likely to be mislead, and we shouldn't blame them for that. It is wrong and plain lazy to not focus on new target audiences, people have undoubtedly made remarks like "sythe is dying" over time, and its true. As people get older they get more responsibilities in life and ultimately you end up with market users who just milk the site as much as possible for profit, and those who don't make money here end up moving on in life. So condemning users to "use common sense", "not be a retard", etc when it comes to scamming is nothing but foolish.
Although the runescape demographic has grown older with its audience, this site has other game markets. These need to be taken more seriously. Runescape will be profitable for many years to come, unlike what many sellers say based on their own sales data. There will be a stage in time where the market will drift away from the west, with the exceptions of those who hire workers in lesser developed countries. Those people like myself, and the gold giants who have already switched to this, will monopolise the market, so it shouldn't be an area of focus.
Ok so back on track: my point being is the donating system has barely improved since the removal of SVU. Scams still happen more than they should, but rather than focusing on suppressing these, I think it should be targeted at a less narrow minded angle.
My suggestion for the account section could have brought Sythe lots of business for account rentals and sales (in all mmorpg's). My idea was shut down because its not in the financial interest of the site owner to pay somebody to implement this, as the "nice idea, but wont happen" response my topic, and many similar often get.
Player auctions basically have this system implemented, but many people have negative experiences with the joke of a company that runs it. Don't let Sythe get this reputation. I am going ahead with my idea and will fund it anyway, and offer it as a free resource to account sellers as I'm not all talk in regards to my passion for the market.
2) How is the above relevant?
Donations mean nothing unless there is some visual explanation. People don't like to read pages of information. Its a marketing fact.
An automated list that is viewable publicly hyperlinked in the FAQ's and well presented on site stickies etc, would be very useful for all users.
Focusing and ranting in good spirit about the issues outlined above will benefit the site long term. There are other sites out there (not the crap botting site markets) that have incorporated the above (and more), and maintain old users, and welcome new ones frequently.
The donation system is very MLM-esque at the moment. Vaders come, donate $5-200 to bond holders, who profit from that, and then the rest goes to the top. It's short term game mentality and only goes one way long term, and that is downhill.
The user centre percentage graphs would be useful, as they are visual, less boring to look at. I urge you to incorporate something like this on the front end, where there is more traffic. Not hidden away on a part of the site few venture to frequently. I added these to my topics a few days ago, and already I've seen a huge increase in leads, which of course I can prove. (and i have just sacrificed one of my techniques for others to copy, how nice of me)
Utilizing this would identify which donators are of more significance, and it would also support the validity of the rank status. The amount of times I've had sceptical buyers assume the donation system is a huge scam, i can count on both hands 10 times over. This is probably because of negative trading experiences they have had with crappy vader donators, followed by a response of "don't be an idiot".
3) It will re-spark the incentive for others to donate if there is more transparency.
- If there is an automated list, it is simply a modernised and convenient asset to the site.
- Charts/graphs like those in the user centre being displayed on the front end would be nice visuals for market newcomers to understand the significance of different donor levels
- If in addition to the "Top 5 Donators" list, you added a list below it ranking the top 100, it would create the incentive for more users to compete for these top ranks. You could even reward the top 5 with mini-ranks for being top contributors. Even if its not presented as a "top 100" list, lets face it it will be seen that way by both the consumer, and the competitiveness of market vendors.
- And something we never see is how donation money is being used. Is it simply funding other projects out of sythe, additional alcohol and hookers money? Who knows what its funding right?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I know the above could be seen as slating the site, but a rant is sometimes the best way to not sugarcoat underlying problems that others are too hesitant to speak up about.
I like this market, and I like most of the community. What I do not like is how evident investing money and time into developing this site is not a main priority. This is why I'm still sitting on an ugly donation of $600, and have not upgraded to $1000, then more as originally planned. As well as not bidding on any of the banner slots when its very feasible for me to do so. For me its not worth supporting the site financially anymore.
All in all, just look at the numbers. They don't lie.
tl;dr -> Lime is being an emotional bitch about things he personally does not like about Sythe. As always keeping it related to his interest in the community and market, due to everything it has brought him.
tl;dr2 -> Sour Lime is sour.
