Member status suggestion

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by RosieC

This makes me think where anything along these lines might cause problems. Even if it were only moderators/admins who could give someone the new titles like we are talking about, you could get a situation where someone feels they deserve a title, but the moderators and/or other members disagree. This could lead to bad feeling.

Aw
This is why we can't have nice things!

[RosieC]

Sonya and I have had a bit of a discussion (as the moderators who are most around just now) and the concern that it could be divisive means we won't pursue this just now.

I sort of like the idea in one way. Sometimes new members have assumed my high post count means I'm an expert which I don't think I am even when there are areas I can advise in, and post count really doesn't show how much someone is able/willing to help.

However I don't want to indicate who I think is the most helpful, or who gives the best advise, yes some names come immediately to mind, but I don't want anyone getting upset if I don't include them in that.

So... for now at least, I don't think we want follow it further.

Just as a note, I've found that the help for the vBuliten software that this forum uses actually warns "User reputation can be a divisive element of your forum so great care should be taken before a decision is made to enable it." It's obvious other forums have realised this as well (though I have seen it in use on some).

[AussieVanda]

Fair enough!

[ajeatoo]

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[Optimist]

I dont even belong posting here, but would like to recall that sometime the heritics, or disbelievers are those who bring about some next phase of a science or thought process. The heritic will be voted down by the establishment or status quoe. To keep the forum alive, you cannot get in to an institutionalising of anyones ideas, thoughts, or ways of doing something. Caring for orchids is maybe 100 to 150 years old. To institutionalize any specific course of action at this point is to shut down the enire field. As this forum is indeed, and whether you like it or not, very influenial. Just my 2 cents worth! As a newbie!