Fun Rank Equality

[Emperor Nero]

Maybe, as suggested, a post milestone. If you have been here long enough to get 5k+ posts (That aren't done by constant spamming) then I think that shows loyalty to the site and should be rewarded. Also they could be done when a contest happens, the winner gets a choice of available fun ranks. Something that puts everyone on level playing ground and gives people something to work towards.

 

[Alteranz]

Actually - take it away from the staff completely.

MOTM and MOTY are perfect opportunities to award these ranks - the voting is put into the hands of the community, and would have no staff involvement which practically nulls any chance of favoritism (or claims of it) - it would also create a much more positive environment on Sythe.

- Noone would complain.
- It still awards those who are assets to Sythe.

Basically we could have a MOTM like what is usually run by Hahanerd, but maybe every 4 months we have a MOT1/2Y (Member of the half year), and the User that wins in the section "overall member of the half year" would receive a fun rank of their choice.

 

Might I add, anyone openly using a fun rank as a trust symbol e.g Having [Mudkip] in a selling thread title needs a slap on the wrist.

 

Actually - take it away from the staff completely.

MOTM and MOTY are perfect opportunities to award these ranks - the voting is put into the hands of the community, and would have no staff involvement which practically nulls any chance of favoritism (or claims of it) - it would also create a much more positive environment on Sythe.

- Noone would complain.
- It still awards those who are assets to Sythe.

Basically we could have a MOTM like what is usually run by Hahanerd, but maybe every 4 months we have a MOT1/2Y (Member of the half year), and the User that wins in the section "overall member of the half year" would receive a fun rank of their choice.

I like the idea, and I understand where you are coming from, but I still see some flaws with the idea.

 

[x339]

Actually - take it away from the staff completely.

MOTM and MOTY are perfect opportunities to award these ranks - the voting is put into the hands of the community, and would have no staff involvement which practically nulls any chance of favoritism (or claims of it) - it would also create a much more positive environment on Sythe.

- Noone would complain.
- It still awards those who are assets to Sythe.

Basically we could have a MOTM like what is usually run by Hahanerd, but maybe every 4 months we have a MOT1/2Y (Member of the half year), and the User that wins in the section "overall member of the half year" would receive a fun rank of their choice.

This is a great idea actually. There is no way that any staff could be criticized for being bias with this plan, and everyone would have an equal chance of getting one.

Edit: I wouldn't mind staff still getting them though. The purpose of this thread is so that EVERYONE can enjoy them, staff included.

 

[Sypherz]

I think they should be reserved for staff. Seriously, it would be a huge annoyance to see them all over the place.

If you want one, go ahead and pull a "Pockets".

 

[tMoon]

Only problem I see with MOTM is that like other things, it's a complete popularity contest (IMO.)

Most of the time, whoever gets the first post people generally replicate that individual(s) votes. This also takes place when people see some respected - or staff - member voting who they thought was the best.

Honestly, the whole milestones things, or doing something that shows recognition compared to the general masses of Sythe would be the chance at getting a fun rank. Even then, it's possible that those individual(s) should go through a "voting" process, or something along the lines before having the rank applied.

 

[WeRnIE]

They should not be reserved for staff, but for loyal, active, helpful members etc.

 

[x339]

I think they should be reserved for staff. Seriously, it would be a huge annoyance to see them all over the place.

If you want one, go ahead and pull a "Pockets".

In what way would it be "annoying"?

Only problem I see with MOTM is that like other things, it's a complete popularity contest (IMO.)

Most of the time, whoever gets the first post people generally replicate that individual(s) votes. This also takes place when people see some respected - or staff - member voting who they thought was the best.

The users voting would be well-aware that they were essentially voting for someone to receive the fun rank, so obviously they would have no problem with the person obtaining it. Sure maybe you will have 1 or 2 people who won't agree with the choice, but its almost impossible to get a unanimous decision.

Honestly, the whole milestones things, or doing something that shows recognition compared to the general masses of Sythe would be the chance at getting a fun rank. Even then, it's possible that those individual(s) should go through a "voting" process, or something along the lines before having the rank applied.

See this is where the problem lies. You are trying to hold these ranks at an importance that they should not have. And by holding them at those standards, you are enabling people to have feelings of jealousy and contempt towards the people who win them.

 

[tMoon]

The users voting would be well-aware that they were essentially voting for someone to receive the fun rank, so obviously they would have no problem with the person obtaining it. Sure maybe you will have 1 or 2 people who won't agree with the choice, but its almost impossible to get a unanimous decision.

Missed my point, it's still a popularity contest.

See this is where the problem lies. You are trying to hold these ranks at an importance that they should not have. And by holding them at those standards, you are enabling people to have feelings of jealousy and contempt towards the people who win them.

Lol'd, no matter what, if someone has something that someone else wants there will be feelings of jealousy and contempt aimed at that individual. It's a forum, people holding such feelings need to grow up. If they are holding such strong feelings, perhaps they need to take a break from the internet.

 

[x339]

Lol'd, no matter what, if someone has something that someone else wants there will be feelings of jealousy and contempt aimed at that individual. It's a forum, people holding such feelings need to grow up. If they are holding such strong feelings, perhaps they need to take a break from the internet.

If you feel that way then why are you so bent on preventing this from becoming a popularity contest?

 

[Sypherz]

Seriously, these should just be left to withhold their original intention, which would be gifts. I really would not support someone automatically getting a rank every four months, especially when the previous standard involved doing tedious amounts of work for the site. Although you may argue against it, these ranks still have, i'm sure, an amount of personal value to the earlier achievers. Lowering the bar is simply unfair.

 

[n4n0]

Seriously, these should just be left to withhold their original intention, which would be gifts. I really would not support someone automatically getting a rank every four months, especially when the previous standard involved doing tedious amounts of work for the site. Although you may argue against it, these ranks still have, i'm sure, an amount of personal value to the earlier achievers. Lowering the bar is simply unfair.

I'm not sure about all the other ranks, but I personally don't mind seeing others have the chance to earn the Village Drunk rank. Come drink with me on TC and show me you're worthy

 

[stui]

How about this idea?

Add it to a higher donar rank? e.g. $500 gets to choose one (not the trusted or respected)

and also do spam reports as 1 i guess

 

[jCash]

Tbh wouldn't want randoms with extra ranks that others don't have. Some people would think because someone has a special rank they can be trusted.

Essentially at the end of the day, if you are on Sythe long enough/do something worthy of a fun rank you will be a fairly trusted user anyway.

Ex: BMTH had Crackerhead which was given to him by Pen.

And it kicked up a shit storm, due to nobody knowing (bar Pen) what he had done for it. The general opinion was that he had paid his WoW fees or something.

Only problem I see with MOTM is that like other things, it's a complete popularity contest (IMO.)

Most of the time, whoever gets the first post people generally replicate that individual(s) votes. This also takes place when people see some respected - or staff - member voting who they thought was the best.

Honestly, the whole milestones things, or doing something that shows recognition compared to the general masses of Sythe would be the chance at getting a fun rank. Even then, it's possible that those individual(s) should go through a "voting" process, or something along the lines before having the rank applied.

Closed thread and invisible poll?

Fun ranks are fine as they are, people that have them have done something to earn them and that's enough for me.

 

[isuckathalo1]

I'm not sure about all the other ranks, but I personally don't mind seeing others have the chance to earn the Village Drunk rank. Come drink with me on TC and show me you're worthy

^ support this one. Maybe DJ comes to see his girl in ohio one weekend and you need to fly in and we could all go get piss drunk oh and invite yaroow also!

OT: I do think they should be able to be earned. How they would be earned would be a pain in the ass but as said before they are FUN ranks i dont expect normal people to just be given the highly trusted rank.

but seriously n4n0, you, DJ,JT, and I there are alot of bars around here

 

[jCash]

Take them at face value this

clearly says trusted, this however

does not.

Simples

 

[Karl]

This thread is why we can't give them out, they're fun ranks, and you want structure to that, it doesn't make any sense.

The ranks have traditionally been for rewards to staff and then random ranks that had been given out that Admin's liked.

Originally, certain fun ranks such as Mudkip, and Prince Yobabo, remained certain Admins only, Mudkip was Pens, and Yobabo was Finn's, and it was there discretion to give them out or not.. of course then they were just favouritist/used as payment.

I support them giving out as milestone reaching ranks, as they are currently for mods.. Large post counts, and for mods, 1k+ Mod quota, etc.

I could even see them as possible contribution to the community ranks, People who have been active OMMs for years, People who contribute in some ways, such as, for example, Cookiezzz and the unofficial IRC.

you can say that people would prefer if it was just fun ranks and not used as some kind of popularity contest, but something that is rare and show-off able.. it'll happen, if complaints like this keep coming, then they'll just get removed.

 

I'd like to point something important out here.

1. "Fun" ranks serve a variety of purposes and are not all fun ranks. They are called "fun ranks" because the vBulletin modification I wrote to handle them calls them fun ranks. Donation ranks are fun ranks. High-donor custom ranks are fun ranks. Some official position (IE Head MiddleMan) ranks are fun ranks.

2. There is not favoritism involved in their use. Only Sythe, myself, and Govind have permissions to give them out. I know Sythe never gives them out. I rarely ever give any out. So, if there is a favoritism issue it is best addressed with Govind. However, knowing him he does not tend to play favorites in official capacities.

3. Fun ranks are in no way a "staff perk" or "staff right." I'm just as likely to deny a staff member a fun rank as anyone else. Being a staff member does not entitle you to fun ranks. In the past, we had admins who handed them out more frequently which is why we have more restricted permission now.

4. Fun ranks are supposed to be special and rare. You aren't going to see them all the time because they are supposed to be rare. Think about fun ranks as a rare item in RuneScape. They're hard to get and (in the case of the custom donator rank) expensive.

5. Don't expect to ever get most of the fun ranks. We have something like 20-30 fun ranks in the system and most of them are never (and might never be) awarded. Some of our old ranks are specifically not to be given to anyone anymore to preserve their value and rarity. It's like a limited edition coin or something.

While I understand that people like these ranks and want to have them, my response is generally: too bad. They exist to be rare and special, and we keep them that way by restricting how many people have them.

With that said, I will offer the community this: if we come up with some appropriate reasons/ways to award fun ranks, we can certainly do so... Things like Member of the Month or other user-voted things might warrant a fun rank. As you guys already said, it would be best for something like this to be user-voted and controlled, as opposed to staff controlled. That way, we let the community make a decision and eliminate the chance for bias.

 

[x339]

I'd like to point something important out here.

1. "Fun" ranks serve a variety of purposes and are not all fun ranks. They are called "fun ranks" because the vBulletin modification I wrote to handle them calls them fun ranks. Donation ranks are fun ranks. High-donor custom ranks are fun ranks. Some official position (IE Head MiddleMan) ranks are fun ranks.

2. There is not favoritism involved in their use. Only Sythe, myself, and Govind have permissions to give them out. I know Sythe never gives them out. I rarely ever give any out. So, if there is a favoritism issue it is best addressed with Govind. However, knowing him he does not tend to play favorites in official capacities.

3. Fun ranks are in no way a "staff perk" or "staff right." I'm just as likely to deny a staff member a fun rank as anyone else. Being a staff member does not entitle you to fun ranks. In the past, we had admins who handed them out more frequently which is why we have more restricted permission now.

4. Fun ranks are supposed to be special and rare. You aren't going to see them all the time because they are supposed to be rare. Think about fun ranks as a rare item in RuneScape. They're hard to get and (in the case of the custom donator rank) expensive.

5. Don't expect to ever get most of the fun ranks. We have something like 20-30 fun ranks in the system and most of them are never (and might never be) awarded. Some of our old ranks are specifically not to be given to anyone anymore to preserve their value and rarity. It's like a limited edition coin or something.

While I understand that people like these ranks and want to have them, my response is generally: too bad. They exist to be rare and special, and we keep them that way by restricting how many people have them.

With that said, I will offer the community this: if we come up with some appropriate reasons/ways to award fun ranks, we can certainly do so... Things like Member of the Month or other user-voted things might warrant a fun rank. As you guys already said, it would be best for something like this to be user-voted and controlled, as opposed to staff controlled. That way, we let the community make a decision and eliminate the chance for bias.

Those are all very good points, and they do a good job of illustrating why under previously run systems they could not be awarded without being bias. That is why I think it is a great idea to give them out as a reward for something such as MOTM, which would eliminate the possibility of someone being biased.