New Usertitle System?

[DirectPixel]

It's been a while since I was last here. I log in today and all of a sudden I see Erwin stepping down, the admin team restructuring, and it seems as if everything's changing real quick these days.

I've been reading all the threads, and I'm thinking: why not take five minutes and restructure the way users' titles are ranked? I completely agree with Wayne's point: there should be no distinction between coders and non-coders. After all, we're all vBulletin customers (and prospective customers), right?

I browse the forums and see some people with simple "Member" titles, while others are "Advanced Coders" or "Master Coders". Why the distinction? Let's have a system set up similar to the way SitePoint has it done. Something that's not role-based, but rather, community-oriented. In this case, I don't think it's very appropriate to give users titles that show rank or superiority--especially when it comes to modification users asking the author for support. A ranking system would be completely conflicting in a asking-for-help/providing-help context.

Anyways, just my two cents. I'll get back to finding my free time so I can make a new style.

[The Chief]

I think it's the least you can do for coders to at least give them a distinction in user titles

[DirectPixel]

I am sure there are better ways of rewarding those who contribute to the community.

Perhaps a daily or weekly "What's Going On" anouncement similar to the ones they have at Aqua-Soft (http://www.aqua-soft.org) would work. It gives coders recognition for their contributions, but still maintains a sense of equality on forum-wide basis.

I just personally think that the usertitles don't work. Every single time I look at the usertitles here, I get put off by how judgemental they seem to be. I'm listed as a regular "Member". Does that mean I can't code? Of course not. Sure, I haven't really released any modifications, but that's not a requirement for knowing how to write good code, is it? Likewise, just because you've released a lot of hacks doesn't necessarily mean you know how to write safe and efficient code, right? There are better ways to distinguish hard-working members of the community without alienating the rest of the users.

[Revan]

Originally Posted by DirectPixel

I'm listed as a regular "Member". Does that mean I can't code? Of course not. Sure, I haven't really released any modifications, but that's not a requirement for knowing how to write good code, is it?

No, but it means you are not a coder in this community.

Originally Posted by DirectPixel

Likewise, just because you've released a lot of hacks doesn't necessarily mean you know how to write safe and efficient code, right?

But if all your hacks sucked balls and killed whatever server they were put on, you never would have gotten that amount of install clicks would you. Unless of course you released 1000 hacks, which so far I have not seen anyone do.

Originally Posted by DirectPixel

There are better ways to distinguish hard-working members of the community without alienating the rest of the users.

IMO that's a load of crap. This forum is not a place where customers can come and find downloads that appeared right out of the blue. Someone coded them.

I wish people would stop with this "ohs teh noes, coders shouldn't be distinguished from the other customers because equality is the key" schite. Wtf, this isn't the Soviet Union.
I can say that I think coders are more valuable to this community because we provide the reason as to why customers come here in the first place. Everybody who thinks that if a coder and a non-coder (in the sense of contributor to this site) both leave, that that's an equal shame, is pretty ignorant. A contributor is valuable to this community. Someone who clicks install on a couple of hacks isn't.

Im not saying that coders are more worth as people. Im just saying that we are more worth in this community site.

[Oblivion Knight]

I've suggested a "Contributor" status for ALL users that contibute toward releases, support, graphics, styles.. pretty much anything.

The "Coder/Designer", "Advanced Coder/Designer" and "Master Coder/Designer" ranks could be kept for additional bonuses, but make them hidden and kept within the system..

[Freesteyelz]

I like "Contributer".

[Paul M]

Why hide them ?

Are you are suggesting that someone who has been here 2/3 weeks and has released one template or hack has the same title as someone who has been here for 2/3 years and has 40/50/60 whatever templates, styles or hacks ?

Sorry, but you won't get my vote for such an idea - and I'd be suprised if many others supported it either. I don't really see much wrong with the current system.

[The Geek]

'new' usertitles? They have been here about as long as I have been (I think). Or do you just have Title envy DP? You don't like your member?

[Oblivion Knight]

Originally Posted by Paul M

Are you are suggesting that someone who has been here 2/3 weeks and has released one template or hack has the same title as someone who has been here for 2/3 years and has 40/50/60 whatever templates, styles or hacks ?

Yes, I am.

I'm not a huge fan of the whole "elitism" thing that we are effectively promoting.

[Darat]

I'd just add that I'm totally and utterly uninterested in what my "title" is, on my own forum we use the Staff title hack to add a functional role title because it's useful for the members of the forum. (My title on my forum is "Lackey" because that is what I am! A lackey for the owners of the forum and for the members.)

However I appreciate that some people like titles because they are proud of what they have contributed and like to display that. But if you want titles for that reason why not use the Awards hack? That way they can be more meaningful, so someone who has had one of their hacks win "Mod of the Month" gets a badge for that, if they have released say 10 mods and had a hundred installs they get a gold coding award and so on?

In fact it could be a way to foster more community feel - what about if there was a vote for "best supported mod?" every so often, that way people would get a reward for not only releasing hacks but for the effort they've put in to really help people use their hacks?