Likes the forum, way, way too much rank change idea

[Hurricane Rex]

This is just an idea.

I'm starting to notice that many people are either earning or is earned the "likes the forum way way too much" rank. While I no longer care too much about rank, I think its a good way to show how much we've posted in a roadgeek related way. I've done the math and it takes 6 years 8 months if you post 5 times a day every day to get the rank. If you post 3 times a day, it increases to 9 years total.  Plus that isn't road related and more of a joke so I have an idea for that: Change the ranking system a little so that the following ranks are changed:

Idea:
Anything up to 1000 posts: the same
1000-2499: Expressway (was 1000-1499)
2500-4999: Turnpike (was 1500-2999)
5000-9999: Freeway (was 3000-4999)
10,000+: Interstate (was 5000-9999)

And for the likes the forum way way too much, you would need to be at the expressway rank or higher, and hold 10 or more post average per day for a period of a week. This would reset every Sunday at 00:00:17 ET.


If its illegal to post this, I'm sorry.

[adventurernumber1]

It's an intriguing idea, but I don't think it would work.

Reason being that a requirement of an average of 10 posts per day for a week might cause some members to change their activity to make extremely frequent but low-quality posts to meet the requirement (similar to inflating the post count).

Also, I think the milestone for gaining the "Interstate" rank should probably stay where it is at 5,000 posts. 10,000+ posts really is a lot, so I think that is a fair milestone for gaining the extra special "Likes the forum, way, way too much" rank. And since the forum has been around for 10 years now, there has now been a few people who have earned that rank - and more will soon. But they've been posting for many years, and you also have to remember that there may be, IIRC, a few thousand (maybe?) members on this forum in total, so say we're getting close sometime in the near future to having 10 people on the forum with that rank, it is still an incredibly small proportion, and it retains its extremely rare and special status.

But also, I feel like if this rank were changed to be a limited-time, week-long endeavor, it might somewhat get rid of its special status, and make it less valuable. Even though it would certainly take time and patience (doing it by way of quality posts, and not inflating the post count), it would be worth it to me in the end to get the rank that - well - might mean what it says and be indicative of just how much I love the forum.   

[rickmastfan67]

And for the likes the forum way way too much, you would need to be at the expressway rank or higher, and hold 10 or more post average per day for a period of a week. This would reset every Sunday at 00:00:17 ET.

This wouldn't be possible anyways.  The way ranking is handled in hardwired into SMF.  All we can do is adjust the post thresholds to 'rank up'.  No way we could do anything that deals with 'average' for ranking reasons.

[Hurricane Rex]

And for the likes the forum way way too much, you would need to be at the expressway rank or higher, and hold 10 or more post average per day for a period of a week. This would reset every Sunday at 00:00:17 ET.

This wouldn't be possible anyways.  The way ranking is handled in hardwired into SMF.  All we can do is adjust the post thresholds to 'rank up'.  No way we could do anything that deals with 'average' for ranking reasons.

Didn't know how it was wired in. I just thought it was chosen and that was that. You can lock this thread now if you want now that I know it isn't possible.

[webny99]

OP, did you get this idea from me (below), or come up with it of your own accord?
I am in favor of bumping it up, maybe to 15,000 -- possibly even an annual increase of 1,000 every year. However, I am not in favor of changing any of the other ranks.

I think the 10-year anniversary is a great time to bump up the post count required for the "Likes the Forum Way, Way Too Much" badge. Maybe to 15,000 posts. Otherwise, eventually, hundreds of users will have the badge and it won't be special anymore.

there may be, IIRC, a few thousand (maybe?) members on this forum in total

The exact count is 3,629. However, only about 1850 (roughly half) have ever even made a post. An additional 950 have not surpassed "dirt road" status, meaning that the vast, vast, majority of posts on the forum have been made by the remaining 900 users.

[Roadgeekteen]

This is just an idea.

I'm starting to notice that many people are either earning or is earned the "likes the forum way way too much" rank. While I no longer care too much about rank, I think its a good way to show how much we've posted in a roadgeek related way. I've done the math and it takes 6 years 8 months if you post 5 times a day every day to get the rank. If you post 3 times a day, it increases to 9 years total.  Plus that isn't road related and more of a joke so I have an idea for that: Change the ranking system a little so that the following ranks are changed:

Idea:
Anything up to 1000 posts: the same
1000-2499: Expressway (was 1000-1499)
2500-4999: Turnpike (was 1500-2999)
5000-9999: Freeway (was 3000-4999)
10,000+: Interstate (was 5000-9999)

And for the likes the forum way way too much, you would need to be at the expressway rank or higher, and hold 10 or more post average per day for a period of a week. This would reset every Sunday at 00:00:17 ET.


If its illegal to post this, I'm sorry.

10 posts a day average for a week? Only I would get that. I do agree that there should be something over 10,000 though, as now 7 members have it. I remember when only 3 had it. Maybe a "roadgeek gold" like I suggested.

[formulanone]

I propose "Dead End" for banned users, so nobody new tries to deal with them.

[Roadgeekteen]

I propose "Dead End" for banned users, so nobody new tries to deal with them.

I like the idea. I know that the alternate history forum I occasionally visit has a text banned near the users name.

[ipeters61]

How about 3di for 5000-9999 and 2di for 10k+?

[Henry]

I propose "Dead End" for banned users, so nobody new tries to deal with them.

How about 3di for 5000-9999 and 2di for 10k+?

I second those suggestions!

[jeffandnicole]

I liken this to a rewards program where you strive to get to the highest level, and then suddenly they pull it out from you because they decided too many people got it.

In other words - leave it be.  I'm sure there's no one that posted 10,000 times just for rank. (ok, I could name 1 or 2 that care)

[adventurernumber1]

I propose "Dead End" for banned users, so nobody new tries to deal with them.

I concur. I think that's a pretty good idea.

[renegade]

OP, did you get this idea from me (below), or come up with it of your own accord?

10 posts a day average for a week? Only I would get that. I do agree that there should be something over 10,000 though, as now 7 members have it. I remember when only 3 had it. Maybe a "roadgeek gold" like I suggested.

Stay in school, kids! 

[webny99]

^ Not sure why you included a quote from me in there.
I've been out of school for almost 2 years.

[Roadgeekteen]

OP, did you get this idea from me (below), or come up with it of your own accord?

10 posts a day average for a week? Only I would get that. I do agree that there should be something over 10,000 though, as now 7 members have it. I remember when only 3 had it. Maybe a "roadgeek gold" like I suggested.

Stay in school, kids! 

I'm in school, also, webny's 19, not really a kid anymore.

[hbelkins]

If the text can be changed, I'd suggest altering "likes the forum..." to "senior member" or "top contributor" or something like that. I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community. Something to let the newer members know who the established members are.

[Alps]

I think we've been around long enough that we need to set the bar higher for Likes The Forum. After Interstate we could do something like... Hyperloop

[Roadgeekteen]

If the text can be changed, I'd suggest altering "likes the forum..." to "senior member" or "top contributor" or something like that. I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community. Something to let the newer members know who the established members are.

I have a feeling that that's a bad idea.

[vdeane]

I liken this to a rewards program where you strive to get to the highest level, and then suddenly they pull it out from you because they decided too many people got it.

In other words - leave it be.  I'm sure there's no one that posted 10,000 times just for rank. (ok, I could name 1 or 2 that care)

Agreed.  I don't really see a need to change it.  I never got a sense that it was supposed to be an "exclusive club" that only two or three people were in, just that it was a high number an that it would take time for people to reach it.  Basically everyone who isn't agentsteel53 (who is one of a kind) or NE2 (who got there on snark) got there from longevity.

If the text can be changed, I'd suggest altering "likes the forum..." to "senior member" or "top contributor" or something like that. I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community. Something to let the newer members know who the established members are.

I've been on forums that showed a member's join date either below or above (or even instead of) their post count next to every post.

[oscar]

If the text can be changed, I'd suggest altering "likes the forum..." to "senior member" or "top contributor" or something like that. I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community. Something to let the newer members know who the established members are.

I like the current rank name. It's a lighthearted suggestion that the most prolific posters are rather fanatically devoted to the forum. "Senior member" or "top contributor" seem too serious.

I'm nowhere near the threshold, but I agree with vdeane that it should stay where it is.

[Roadgeekteen]

I liken this to a rewards program where you strive to get to the highest level, and then suddenly they pull it out from you because they decided too many people got it.

In other words - leave it be.  I'm sure there's no one that posted 10,000 times just for rank. (ok, I could name 1 or 2 that care)

Agreed.  I don't really see a need to change it.  I never got a sense that it was supposed to be an "exclusive club" that only two or three people were in, just that it was a high number an that it would take time for people to reach it.  Basically everyone who isn't agentsteel53 (who is one of a kind) or NE2 (who got there on snark) got there from longevity.

If the text can be changed, I'd suggest altering "likes the forum..." to "senior member" or "top contributor" or something like that. I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community. Something to let the newer members know who the established members are.

I've been on forums that showed a member's join date either below or above (or even instead of) their post count next to every post.

NE2 has been here for a while, his posts per day is smaller than many users here. Also, how was agentsteel53 unique? I've always wondered how he posted so much without getting into NE2 territory?

[webny99]

I liken this to a rewards program where you strive to get to the highest level, and then suddenly they pull it out from you because they decided too many people got it.

In other words - leave it be.  I'm sure there's no one that posted 10,000 times just for rank. (ok, I could name 1 or 2 that care)

Agreed.  I don't really see a need to change it.  I never got a sense that it was supposed to be an "exclusive club" that only two or three people were in, just that it was a high number an that it would take time for people to reach it.  Basically everyone who isn't agentsteel53 (who is one of a kind) or NE2 (who got there on snark) got there from longevity.

Well, considering you are next in line to earn the badge, I wouldn't want the threshold bumped either, if I were you. 

I actually think Time Spent Online should be the measure. How we know if you really do "like the forum way, way, too much" is how often you're actually on the forum, not how many times you've posted.

[webny99]

NE2/me territory

Something tells me you shouldn't have likened yourself to NE2. I am just going to sit back and see what ensues.

[Roadgeekteen]

NE2/me territory

Something tells me you shouldn't have likened yourself to NE2. I am just going to sit back and see what ensues.

Your are right, that's not the best comparison to make.

[froggie]

Reason being that a requirement of an average of 10 posts per day for a week might cause some members to change their activity to make extremely frequent but low-quality posts to meet the requirement (similar to inflating the post count).

Even without it as a requirement, there are some posters who do this.

I'm not sure who all has that rank, but I'd guess it is the most senior members who are among the elders of the roadgeek community.

Your guess would be correct.  Of the 7 who have hit 10K+ posts, all have been in the roadgeek community since long before the AARoads forum came to be.  5 of the 7 have been on this forum since at/near the beginning.  At least 4 of the 7 (from what I can remember from USENET) have been in the community since before 4 posters in this thread were born.

I think we've been around long enough that we need to set the bar higher for Likes The Forum. After Interstate we could do something like... Hyperloop

At least you didn't suggest Hypotenuse...😌