Red line bordering my posts and a couple of others

Originally posted by Jepic
No my friend. Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without someone breathing down your neck.

I don't get it. If you are claiming your speech is somehow being infringed by someone "breathing down your neck" (not sure what that means), what in God's name does it have to do with the subject of this thread? The borders on some posts? How do these colored pixels infringe on your freedom of speech?

I really don't follow your logic.

And you are damn right this is a dictatorship.

Any form of 'government' works, as long as the deciding body has integrity. There's nothing inherently wrong with a dictatorship as long as the dictator(s) has the best interest of the country (or website, in this case) and it's citizens (or the membership) at heart. And I believe that, for the most part, ATS mgmt does just that.

Still I believe people should have a say when it comes to making changes to the website (like creating polls), because after all this site is kept alive by all the members.

The site is not run by the people. It's run by the owners and staff. You're still thinking democracy. The fact that you believe the people should have a say is fine to have as an opinion, and sometimes, we do have input. There have been many times when someone requests something and it gets implemented on the site. (like polls) There have been times when a member idea was given a 'trial run' and then revoked because it didn't work.

But ATS doesn't even pretend that its members make the rules. The rules here are pretty hard and fast.

No member is more valuable or better than any other member.

You're right. But some CONTENT is more valuable than others. And this is about CONTRIBUTION of these members, not the members themselves. Everyone here has the ability to provide quality content. The quality of the content is why I'm here. It's the most important aspect of ATS, IMO, along with the fair moderation.

Let's start giving praise and recognitions to comments and not people.

That's what this is! The staff didn't hand pick these people. These aren't "teacher's pets". As I understand it, the contributor level is a sum of stars, flags, applauses, and member recognition. I don't know the formula they use, but the people on these lists have consistently added VALUE and QUALITY CONTENT to the board. They aren't "golden children". We just have way too much free time and spend too much of it on the Internet!

As I said, this kind of thing has been around here for a while and nothing you fear has manifested. Relax. This, too, shall pass.

Originally posted by backinblack

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
reply to post by backinblack

 

This is from SkepticOverlord:

The "WATS Index" is calculated as: ((FLAGS x 5) x STARS)/1000000.

www.abovetopsecret.com...
I plugged my numbers into it though and didnt get the WATS I have so.....

If the top 100 posters was based on the "wats index" then I would be in the top 50..

If it was based on stars then the same thing..

If it was based on flags then some shouldn't be in the position they are..

It's very vague and it seems admin don't wish to spell out the criteria..
I honestly find that disconcerting seing as how many mods have already posted in this thread..

What are they scared of telling us??

It probably has something to do with applause as well. You have a higher wats number than some in the top 100 but they probably have a much higher staff applause number than you. That's all I can figure out.

IRM

I'll never let borders define nor confine me.

Other than that, I think it is a good idea, and gives aspiring writers and content producers a goal to achieve.

There are only positives in this.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
That's what this is! The staff didn't hand pick these people. These aren't "teacher's pets". As I understand it, the contributor level is a sum of stars, flags, applauses, and member recognition.

Which explains why not all of the staff have a special border around their posts.

Members decide this not staff.

What borders?

ahh..there they are...hmmm...

kinda cool looking....

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic

You're right. But some CONTENT is more valuable than others. And this is about CONTRIBUTION of these members, not the members themselves. Everyone here has the ability to provide quality content. The quality of the content is why I'm here. It's the most important aspect of ATS, IMO, along with the fair moderation.

Don't you see how members who have this fancy outline can use this against members who haven't. I mean it doesn't even have to get to that. The outlines themselves already imply a different class of poster.

reply to post by backinblack


I don't, I don't get more stars and flags, quite the opposite, I have just been around here a long time.

Originally posted by Jepic
reply to post by Benevolent Heretic

 

Don't you see how members who have this fancy outline can use this against members who haven't.

edit on 2-6-2011 by Jepic because: (no reason given)

You have that little faith in us?

reply to post by InfaRedMan

It probably has something to do with applause as well. You have a higher wats number than some in the top 100 but they probably have a much higher staff applause number than you. That's all I can figure out.

Possibly, but applause are only applied by Mods and despite what a great job Mods contribute to this site they are still biased on many subjects like the majority of every other member here..
They are also a VERY small minority compared to other members..

If the Top 100 has a BIG input from Mods and Admin then I just think that should be known..
My only beef is them NOT telling us how this list is assessed..

And I'm STILL waiting for a mod or admin to step up and tell us...

my god people not everything is a conspiracy, not everything is the cia, fbi, nsa, and whatever other letter you want to throw at it. its all pretty simple really, people with the new contributer level thingies just happened to have more applause, stars, flags or whatever they use to decide it. its funny how the most of the ones that *aren't bothered* whether they have one or not, dont have any

im here for the banter, the fun, and yes to *deny ignorance*, i dont always agree with whats posted but hey thats a forum for you. dont like the way its run? fair enough...dont let the door hit ya on the way out no-one is forcing you to stay, no-one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to be here and make posts.

oh and btw i like the new system i think its cool, and no i dont conform to the its us against them thing. If u keep writing decent threads, making decent comments etc you'l get what you deserve

people just need to take a chill pill and relax...after all its only the internet

Therefore the Sage Acts and expects nothing, Accomplishes and does not linger, Has no desire to seem worthy.

Originally posted by Fractured.Facade
I'll never let borders define nor confine me.

Other than that, I think it is a good idea, and gives aspiring writers and content producers a goal to achieve.

There are only positives in this.

Nearly impossible to new members to get a bar .. they will have to reach the top 150
the new system provide less hope to reach that goal .. and people will care less

to encourage people to write more quality stuff .. the new system should have more different level

just an exemple for a system that would be extremelly popular

Sympatiser Level 1-2-3

Padawan Level 1-2-3

Bronze Level 1-2-3

Silver Level 1-2-3

Gold Level 1-2-3

Veteran Level 1-2-3

Captain Level 1-2-3

Jedi Level 1-2-3

Suppreme Commander Level 1-2-3


any thoughs ?

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


i agree, as far as i see, those awarded are indeed, the most experienced, valuable, and praised(s+f) by members in general. who cares if theres a couple ones who just have e-fame and e-groupies and thrive off that.

not even ATS can negate human nature....

so to anyone who didn't make it and felt like it should, take the example of those above, instead of throwing back rocks, use them to get a higher perspective.

to those who are annoyed by some of the people that made it there, oh well, those people made it there via us the ones below, so if you dont like those above, and you placed them there to begin with.
dont like your leaders, elect new ones.

this to say, if simple extra PIXELS added to some users are justification for this heated discussion.

i think some bitter member need to take a step back and check what part of the problem do they represent.


because to me, the root problem of all this is the responsability(mostly lack of it) for the proper usage(mostly lack of it), or better yet, the picking and choosing of what we decide to star and flag, or not, what we suddently decide to bump, or let sink further into oblivion.

Originally posted by blupblup
Therefore the Sage Acts and expects nothing, Accomplishes and does not linger, Has no desire to seem worthy.

Very Sagely Bluppers!

IRM

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
reply to post by backinblack

 

I don't, I don't get more stars and flags, quite the opposite, I have just been around here a long time.

Mate, 1717 flags is a GREAT effort IMO..
Obviously threads from people like you and many others is what keeps people coming back and new members joining...

You honestly deserve the title bestowed on you

reply to post by Ben81

Nearly impossible to new members to get a bar .. they will have to reach the top 150
the new system provide less hope to reach that goal .. and people will care less
to encourage people to write more quality stuff .. the new system should have more different level
just an exemple for a system that would be extremelly popular
Sympatiser Level 1-2-3
Padawan Level 1-2-3
Bronze Level 1-2-3
Silver Level 1-2-3
Gold Level 1-2-3
Veteran Level 1-2-3
Captain Level 1-2-3
Jedi Level 1-2-3
Suppreme Commander Level 1-2-3
any thoughs ?

Yeah, can we get a "top 50 Troll" acknowledgment section?

reply to post by Jepic

Jepic, although I understand your point, I think you're looking at this from the wrong perspective. This is just my opinion, since neither SO or Springer have laid out anything official.

But if I wanted to encourage quality content on my website, I might do something similar to what they are doing here. I see no conspiracy in recognizing overrall quality contributions from members who are consistently so, especially when the owners of this site have openly said they aren't trying to be like the other sites. They want to set the standard by which others are judged. A lofty goal? Maybe.

A gold member is most likely going to stay that way. Because they have consistently shown that's the type of member they are. They aren't likely to change just because they were recognized for who they already are.

Same with silvers. All they need to be is consistent, and they will become golds.

All I see is the owners of this site recognizing quality, consistency, and yes, even attitude. I personally think these members deserve some recognition. There are some of them I seldom agree with. (Breaks their heart, Im sure) But I always look forward to their posts, and star them too. Even a post I totally disagree with can have a quality about it that encourages me to tip my hat to them.

I would however, like to see SO and Springer be forthcoming and consistent on the guidelines for this. Because it will be useless in upping the quality of the site otherwise.

Originally posted by backinblack
This system of the top 100 posters is obviously NOT decided by my peers/members..

It's more an admin/mod selection...

Where did you get this idea? It's not true. There's a formula using stars, flags and WATS (peer recognition) and applauses (staff recognition). These people aren't hand-picked. That's absurd.

Originally posted by Jepic
These new fancy outlines are gonna put unnecessary attention (however small) towards them, instead of towards the content.

You mean, the outlines around the CONTENT??? It used to be in the avatar, and now it's been moved to the CONTENT, highlighting the CONTENT. Once again, your logic fails.

Originally posted by Jepic
Well they shouldn't receive more praise just because they are recognised posters.

Absolutely agree. If people choose to star posts simply because of the outline, then they are using the system incorrectly. That's one freedom we DO have here. To choose which posts we star and flag, for whatever reason we choose.

Imagine what this outline is gonna do. It's gonna give them even more praise. And the content may be a total nuance to Joe's. But he isn't as recognised and doesn't have the fancy outline.

I think your imagination is running unchecked. This feature has always been a part of the site in one form or another, since I've been around. This is not a big deal. You're dramatizing it and making it MUCH bigger deal than it is. You're coming across as jealous and envious. If you don't like it, ignore it or leave. If you want one of your very own, start today by adding thoughtful, quality content. It's really that simple.

Originally posted by Jepic
Don't you see how members who have this fancy outline can use this against members who haven't.

No I don't. And let me remind you, these posters are in the habit of adding QUALITY content, caring about ATS and working hard to maintain a standard not found anywhere else on the Internet. These posters are not in the habit of throwing their weight around, insulting other members, trolling and sniping or otherwise working "against other members".

Let me assure you that the colored pixels around my posts are NOT going to change my personality, my posting style, or my communication style and respect for other members. It's really kind of nuts to think that it would. I mean... if a person gets rewarded for their hard work to provide quality content, it's extremely unlikely that they're going to turn around and become crazed with power and turn into asshats and start being a jerk to everyone...

Logic.... it's a Good Thing.

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by Ben81


Yeah, can we get a "top 50 Troll" acknowledgment section?

now THAT would be intresting

Originally posted by InfaRedMan

Very Sagely Bluppers!

IRM