User titles

[Paul_UK]

User titles are the phrases shown below your name in the forum. The title depends on how many messages you have posted. Currently there are just three titles:

Junior Member - 0 to 29 posts
Member - 30 to 499 posts
Senior Member - 500 or more posts

I'm sure some of you can come up with something more imaginative. My only thought is that it would probably be good to have something that doesn't imply age (junior, senior etc) as this could cause confusion.

There is no limit on how many different user titles we have, but probably around 5-8 would be reasonable.

We can set the post thresholds to whatever we like too. On another forum I run we have thresholds at 1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000.

Over to you! Post your thoughts here, and let's see what we come up with!

[chrisg]

Can we post custom titles?

[Paul_UK]

That is an option, yes. What many forums do is allow custom titles when you get above a certain number of posts. For here probably 100 would be a good threshold.

There would still need to be a default for those who have not set custom ones though.

[Proud1p4]

Well i know that this also reflects our personal "out" status which could be entirely inncorrect, which may need to be explained to members when they first join...but it does reflect the central theme of the forum, how about the steps of coming out as explained @ http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7. That

0-29: Closeted
30-99: LGBT
100-149: Supported
150-199: Pride
200-249: Loved
250-299: Accepted
300-349: Life
350+: Custom Names

PS: If this one is too confusing, PM me or something....i got loads other ideas.

[chrisg]

That's an awful lot of titles :wink:. The only problem is that they imply some sort of status--"closeted," etc.

[Micah]

0-29: Closeted
30-99: LGBT
100-149: Supported
150-199: Pride
200-249: Loved
250-299: Accepted
300-349: Life
350+: Custom Names


The problem with that is that someone new to the forum isn't necessarily closeted, or even gay for that matter. What if a straight person came to the site looking for advice on their gay friend and posted 30 times? Would kind of give the wrong idea ;)

[Paul_UK]

Yes, I don't like the idea of a title that suggests a person's gay outness. Like the ones that suggest age, it can cause confusion.

Thanks for the suggestion though. :)

[Proud1p4]

Yeah, i thought that was a bad idea too, but no harm in trying...well just give me another day or so and ill come up with a better one haha. But i do think that 350+ is when the custom names kick in, or 300 at the mimimuim, 100 for custom names is kinda low...way to low.

[chrisg]

I don't think 100 is too low for custom names. Plus, not everyone takes advantage of that feature, so some hierarchy would still be in place. How about this:

0-9 New Member
10-49 Getting Feet Wet
50-74 Making a Name
75-99 Well-Known
100+ Established

(100+ is also custom titles)

[Paul_UK]

Yes, that's the sort of scale we want I think - something that clearly indicates forum status rather than anything else.

How about 250 for custom titles?

[lost]

Yeah, that sounds good. It is neutral and shouldn't add any confusion

[Proud1p4]

Yes, that's the sort of scale we want I think - something that clearly indicates forum status rather than anything else.

How about 250 for custom titles?

First of all, capital idea chrisg....thnx for showing me up :tongue: ...haha, kidding...and Paul i think 250 sounds alot better than 100 posts... its only taken me a few weeks or so to get in the 80....so IMHO, i dont think someone who gets 100 posts is high enough in the rankings to get a custom name....like i find a trend of other threads is that the custom name is kind of a treat or reward of some sort for being a loyal, contributing member of the forum...so i think that if you are going to offer custom names...they be as high as possible (not like in the 1000's now, or even the 500's...more like the 300's) so 250 sounds MUCH better than 100. But as ive said before, its just the opinion of one...and i mean no offense to anyone when i say 'loyal, contributing member' etc. :smile: Sorry if i come off a little mean in this post....blessed be!

[nisomer]

Youngling
Padawan
Jedi Knight
Jedi Master
Jedi Council Member

:):)

[Proud1p4]

Youngling
Padawan
Jedi Knight
Jedi Master
Jedi Council Member

:):)

Nice try nk1114, im sure Paul will consider it....seriously. haha loves you anyway (&&&) :p

[Paul_UK]

What we'll probably do is get a few alternatives during this week then I'll set up a poll next weekend so we can vote for our favourites. So please keep posting your ideas, everyone!

[Proud1p4]

What we'll probably do is get a few alternatives during this week then I'll set up a poll next weekend so we can vote for our favourites. So please keep posting your ideas, everyone!

Excellent idea, you heard the man....GET YOUR IDEAS IN...no matter how silly or unusual....we'll be the judge. (but a merciful one, lol, we wont diss your ideas so relax, if yours dont get chosen, dont feel bad :))

[tired_of_lying411]

some people are really nervous and like to "lurk" it would be bad to push people to post if they dont feel comfortable... i think custom titles are cool, and not really something that should have to be earned... people can be extremely vaulable to a form without posting 300 times... it only takes a sentence to make someone feel good, provoke them to find the courage to come out, or even prevent suicide.

just my thoughts

[Micah]

some people are really nervous and like to "lurk" it would be bad to push people to post if they dont feel comfortable... i think custom titles are cool, and not really something that should have to be earned... people can be extremely vaulable to a form without posting 300 times... it only takes a sentence to make someone feel good, provoke them to find the courage to come out, or even prevent suicide.

just my thoughts

True, but it also encourages people to post regularly and stick around.

[Paul_UK]

It's just a bit of fun anyway. I don't think anyone is going to get hung up on what their title is, as long as they are all pleasant and positive.

[Proud1p4]

some people are really nervous and like to "lurk" it would be bad to push people to post if they dont feel comfortable... i think custom titles are cool, and not really something that should have to be earned... people can be extremely vaulable to a form without posting 300 times... it only takes a sentence to make someone feel good, provoke them to find the courage to come out, or even prevent suicide.

just my thoughts

Very good point, i stand corrected...but you can't deny that when we're talking posts, contribution is in numbers. Anyway, like Paul said it's all just for a bit of fun :). All is well, we will just have to wait and see the poll results next week and see what one of the choices are chosen....speaking of which, we only have 3 suggestions (2 really, my idea was pretty gutterline, and im not afraid to admit it lol)...so anyone who feels compelled, make sure to get in your ideas or they cant be chosen. Blessed be!

[nisomer]

actually more like 1...you cant really take mine seriously haha

(unless you want to...:icon_lol: )

[goratrix]

anyway... I get to choose my own title then... right??? :-)

[nisomer]

LOL 550 posts....

[hakeem_uk]

i think this

1-30 New Member
30-60 getting known sorry if my spelling is worrg
60-105 Liked
105-150 well liked
250+ custom title

[Paul_UK]

I haven't forgotten about this. I want to give it a bit longer to see if anyone else comes up with some ideas, before putting them to a vote.

[Proud1p4]

Only two ideas in?! Oh common people, snap snap....we can dont better than this. I like both of the ideas that are in so far but we could still use some other options...three or four at mininum.

Oh hakeem, just a little constructive cricticism... "liked" and "well-liked" kind of reflects the social status, as in my idea. I know you didnt mean it...but just to help you with a better chocie of words... "known" and "well-known" coulde be an alternative :)?

And for any of you onlookers...dont be nervous...get your ideas in...nothing is too silly, bizzarre or far fetched. Just get them in and well have a vote...who knows...you could have the best idea yet. If idea isnt picked, at least you tried :). Blessed be!

[nisomer]

Newbie
Regular
Addict

[Proud1p4]

Newbie
Regular
Addict


Decent idea...i think we should have a little more than 3 titles though....im thinking more like 5 or more:eusa_thin ? But, hey, at least it's another option....that makes 2. Anyway i'll leave the sorting up to Paul.

[nisomer]

yea i couldnt think of any more and i had to leave...but if anyone wants to add on...feel free.

[Proud1p4]

0-19 Newbie
20-49 Pledge
50-99 Regular
100-149 Addict
150+ Custom Title
*the above is one idea, an add on to nk's...the below, is another one of mine*

0-19 Newbie
20-49 Pledge
50-99 Member
100-149 Regular
150-199 Addict
200-249 Closeter (well im trying to come up with a catchy title for EC people....you know, like Trekies for Star Trek, or RENTheads for the musical RENT, etc.)
250+ Custom Title

[nisomer]

how bout EC God...lolol

[Proud1p4]

Meh, not a bad idea i guess.....lol why not EC god it is.

[joeyconnick]

0-19 Newbie
20-49 Pledge
50-99 Regular
100-149 Addict
150+ Custom Title
*the above is one idea, an add on to nk's...the below, is another one of mine*"Pledge" only makes sense to those who know the primarily-US system of fraternities. I would prefer it not be adopted.

[Paul_UK]

Good point Joey. I was going to ask what "Pledge" meant, and since I don't know it's a fair bet that others wouldn't either.

I like the "EC God" idea. I have a slight "pollicical correctness" niggle with the use of the word "God" though - how about "EC Superhero" or something?

[Proud1p4]

"Pledge" only makes sense to those who know the primarily-US system of fraternities. I would prefer it not be adopted.

I see what you mean but i never ment pledge in the sense of a frat. I ment it as: A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something:.

A promise to commit to EC?

Anyway i just thought it was a clever idea, but if you chose not to use it anyone is welcome to come up with a better choice of words :).

As for the "god" thing...i had a quick thought about it but never saw anything wrong with it at first...but now that you mention it, it does seem kinda "politically incorrect".

How about "EC Elder" (too cheesy?) or "EC Idol" (tried to use a synonym for a "god") or "EC Royalty" (too extreme?) or "EC monarch". I could go on forever but there are a few alternatives.

[joeyconnick]

Good point Joey. I was going to ask what "Pledge" meant, and since I don't know it's a fair bet that others wouldn't either.

I like the "EC God" idea. I have a slight "pollicical correctness" niggle with the use of the word "God" though - how about "EC Superhero" or something?How about "EC Diety?"

[nisomer]

I like superhero, it fits the age group that it this forum was intended for, and it sounds better than the other ones :)

[Proud1p4]

nk: Dont mean to pop anyones bubble but "superhero" sounds too....childish. I mean usually a 12+ year old will come here to EC..."superhero" is for like 5-9 year olds. But its just my opinion.

joey: i think "diety" falls under the same idea of not being religiously biased. I mean i think i sounds way cool but we should try and accomadate everyone....including athiests and agnostics.

[nisomer]

LOL ok...how bout...."Needs to get a life"

[chrisg]

Yeah, that just about does it.

"200+ Getting a Tan from the Computer Screen"

[Micah]

These are great ideas, some of mine for the top posters:

-EC Hero
-EC Addict
-EC Junkie <-- my personal favorite
-EC Model
-EC Celebrity

[Paul_UK]

I like them, especially EC Addict

[nisomer]

dave i like all those ideas except for model...dunno why

[joeyconnick]

dave i like all those ideas except for model...dunno whyMaybe because it has to do with subjective physical characteristics that are relatively unchangeable (without plastic surgery)?

Maybe we could add "EC Citizen" in there somewhere? I like the notion of online/virtual citizenship.

[nisomer]

Maybe we could add "EC Citizen" in there somewhere? I like the notion of online/virtual citizenship.

yeah i kinda like that idea too...maybe replace it over "Regular" or something.

[chrisg]

In defense of "EC Model"--

The term itself does not connote a physical characteristic; rather, it implies a certain quasi-celebrity state. What makes this title ironic and amusing is the absurdity of Empty Closets having models!

[Micah]

Plus you dont necessarily have to be good looking to be a model, there are different kinds. Anywho, I was just brainstorming status nouns along with addiction nouns. I mean if you've posted a shite load of posts then you have a status[problem?] here. :p

[Proud1p4]

Um....yeah its been a really long time lol. I dont think anyone else is coming up with any ideas or will in the near future. I say we just do the poll now with the current options, and if enough people complain in the future, we'll have another one. I don't see much sense in waiting any longer.

[nisomer]

Just another idea....what if we just did Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior? i dunno... its an idea lol.

[Paul_UK]

Just another idea....what if we just did Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior? i dunno... its an idea lol.
This implies the member's age (which we don't want) and is unclear to those outside the USA.

If someone wants to pick this discussion up and make a poll from the suggestions so far, please do. It's one of the things that I have unfortunately neglected due to not being here much recently.

[Micah]

If someone wants to pick this discussion up and make a poll from the suggestions so far, please do.
On it.

[Paul_UK]

Thanks Dave. I'll be interested to see how it goes.

[goratrix]

I want to be a jEsus Christ!!!

sorry, I've been watching the 1999 remake of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the guy that plays Simon the Zealot is just plain gorgeous (Tony Vincent)

[Micah]

I want to be a jEsus Christ!!!

sorry, I've been watching the 1999 remake of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the guy that plays Simon the Zealot is just plain gorgeous (Tony Vincent)

But the real question is...did you vote?

Thread HERE! <-- click (http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=550)

[goratrix]

now I have :). I still want personal tags... :)

[nisomer]

goratrix...im pretty sure u will get one no matter what :P

[Micah]

not unless I push for custom titles to be +1000 posts :badgrin:

haha, I'm totally kidding....I would make it +2000 ;)

[goratrix]

then I'll just get another crush on anotherstraight guy and rise my post count to 5000...

[Micah]

Hahahaha. Touché!

[nisomer]

then I'll just get another crush on anotherstraight guy and rise my post count to 5000...

LOL you would.......

[goratrix]

I should mention that I already HAVE the crush on the straight guy... it's just that now I know how to deal with it... plus, he knows I like him, and I know he's straight... so... I can move on to other things (while still like him)... it's a fun situation actually :)

[Proud1p4]

then I'll just get another crush on anotherstraight guy and rise my post count to 5000...

lmfao.....best thing ive heard all month