I’m looking into creating a new & improved user level system. Currently, your “level” changes based on how many posts you’ve made to the discussion forum. Here’s the current levels:
0 => Newbie
15 => User
50 => Journeyman
100 => Member
200 => Enthusiast
400 => Addict
800 => Barnacle
1600 => Veteran
3200 => Coelacanth
6000 => Master
7400 => Carp
I’ll be the first to admit this really doesn’t make much sense. It’s old and has been cobbled together with out much thought. That’s where you come in. I’m officially opening the floor suggestions from the greater Swaylock’s Community for a new user level/rating system.
How the contest works
Respond right here suggesting a level/ranking system with no more than 10 levels. Be creative! All systems are open to consideration.
I'll take what I believe are the 5 best, and post them up separately for a community-wide voting poll.
After one week of voting, the person who suggests the winning person will receive the Swaylock's t-shirt pictured below.
Note: I’m definitely open to no levels at all – I’ll have that as an option for you to vote on. However, consider this: in the next version of swaylock’s the “levels” will correlate more directly with something akin to “karma points” - (Not the term I’ll use). I haven’t worked out the system yet, but the gist of it is that people can accumulate points for doing certain things that improve their status. (again, I haven’t worked out what those things are yet but it will be things that are positive in nature, such as providing a constructive comment or good information or a popular post or quality resource records…etc.). Anyway, the more points a person accumulates the higher their level will be. This level system will be a way to symbolize how many points a community member has accumulated. So…as your coming up with ideas, realize that it should represent some sort of progressive schema.
Also – it doesn’t have to be 10 levels. It can be as few as 5 if that helps at all.
Let the embers decide who should be called a kook, master, king etc by how they behave and what they contribute, natural selection will do that!
One addition, on a fun level calling in the symbolic moderator such as DA GOAT (or other fun character) called out to sniff out any lurkers, bullshitters or freeloaders could be lighthearted way of questioning the validity of a post or even to put shit on those naughty jokers like Rocklobster, Silly etc
Note: I’m definitely open to no levels at all – I’ll have that as an option for you to vote on. However, consider this: in the next version of swaylock’s the “levels” will correlate more directly with something akin to “karma points” - (Not the term I’ll use). I haven’t worked out the system yet, but the gist of it is that people can accumulate points for doing certain things that improve their status. (again, I haven’t worked out what those things are yet but it will be things that are positive in nature, such as providing a constructive comment or good information or a popular post or quality resource records…etc.). Anyway, the more points a person accumulates the higher their level will be. This level system will be a way to symbolize how many points a community member has accumulated. So…as your coming up with ideas, realize that it should represent some sort of progressive schema.
Also – it doesn’t have to be 10 levels. It can be as few as 5 if that helps at all.
I sometimes read another forum (not surf) where instead of banning or timeouts, they have a “jail” forum. People get stuck in there and can continue to say anything they want and members in good standing can go in to say it with them, or to make fun of them, or whatever… and some people get reformed & paroled, while others become lifers. Its not a bad system. Those in jail show status as “inmate” and those who get out permanently show “parolee” just so they don’t get too full of themselves again
Note: I’m definitely open to no levels at all – I’ll have that as an option for you to vote on. However, consider this: in the next version of swaylock’s the “levels” will correlate more directly with something akin to “karma points” - (Not the term I’ll use). I haven’t worked out the system yet, but the gist of it is that people can accumulate points for doing certain things that improve their status. (again, I haven’t worked out what those things are yet but it will be things that are positive in nature, such as providing a constructive comment or good information or a popular post or quality resource records…etc.). Anyway, the more points a person accumulates the higher their level will be. This level system will be a way to symbolize how many points a community member has accumulated. So…as your coming up with ideas, realize that it should represent some sort of progressive schema.
Also – it doesn’t have to be 10 levels. It can be as few as 5 if that helps at all.
Carry on!!
Oh Swaymaster you got something going here!!!
The Karma Sutra could be the rule book. Plenty of F&%KERS getting themselves into lotsa sticky positions for credit points. Bonus points for animals…say 10 for Giraffe down to 1 for NZ Goat…you get the picture. Joking…just joking…maybe minus five Karma points to me!
Karma award is a great idea, but as I have joked maybe you can not only win them but lose em??
I think a rating system is good as it shows how long and active the members are but currently it doesnt reflect if they contribute to the community or are just lonely/ promoting their own product.
I propose that a rating system continues but for a member to move up the levels it should require a member to be nominated by other members. The more people who nominate a member increases the users level.
Possibly an additional section divided into…
Respect,
Shaping skills/knowledge and
Community.
Maybe also a small permanent indication of the members interest, ie
‘Professional’ for people who make a full time income from the surfing industry,
‘Commercial’ for people who make some income, and
‘Private’ for people who freely give their time to shaping. ( I dont like the ‘amateur’ tag.)
The current level names or new ones should continue as they are a bit of fun but a system based on peer based recommendation would add weight and credibility to the views expressed by thoughtful members, limit the impact of less altruistic contributors and allow visitors to see the value of the member and their contributions as guaged by the forums community.
I suppose in the end its regulated by whats available/ possible, cost and complexity for Swaylock to introduce and maintain.
Phase eight… Exalted Supreme Being (unobtainable to mere mortals)
Hey Mellor,
Steady dude, your talkin my families whole diet there dude, except I only rarely chow down on ‘whale shit’ for obvious reasons (apart from the fact that they are four foot long, stink and fattening as, all shit, bit like a supersize McDonalds meal, just a lot of crap). I am a bit unsure of your “Exalted Supreme Being”? But on various holidays west to Hawaiii, as a family, we very have enjoyed the rare (excuse the pun) chance to dine on the flesh of those who resemble the ones ‘surfing’ above. Not saying any more, you know, locals and feeding grounds…too political!
So easy on us creatures of the sea, Mellor. and don’t even think about sheep and goats, cause Silly will get real pissed!
