Akashic, firstly I don't appreciate being called names. Second, I have in fact seen those tags being abused over petty disputes. While I'm glad it helped you, a better way for people to get to know the members is to read their profiles like you mentioned, and their posts, then make up their own minds; not simply base their opinion on what a priviledged minority says. I am certain you would have found these people regardless while browsing kemeticism related posts.
Do you think schools should start putting colored bars on students that read "fluffy", "adept", etc.?
Sorry about that Whiro. I did not mean to call you names. During the posting , it was not my intention to insult you or attack you in any way , shape or form. I just intended it to be a figure of speech. I meant no insult.
I personally have not seen this tags being abused. I read the forums daily and I do not see it often. Maybe it happens in the chatter? I don't go there all that often so I wouldn't know.
And to your 3rd point, it certainly would have taked longer. Why on earth are you calling them a "Privledged Minority"? From what I recall , all they get is a access to a "Knowledgable Forum" and the ability to rank others. Which I would add that they do not exercise that often at all given the fact that I have seen little change in the rankings of forumites that post frequently on the forums.
To me , it does not make sense to why on earth would a Knowledgable Ranked Member bother ranking someone Fluffy as you claimed given that such a ranking would only be visible to other members of that rank and above and if one were truly Fluffy , a Knowledgable member could probrably tell within a few glances at their posting anyways.
There are disadvantages and advantages to rankings , as there are in any other systems. I am pretty sure that most of the Knowledgable Members here laboured for months under the rank of Novice before being promoted , this information being derived on how little changes are there to reputations of frequent posting forumites.
Indeed there is a considerable amount of misbehavior happening in the chatter. I think the forum gives people more time to think through what they write, and people are overall more careful with words knowing it will be visible for a long time.
As you have shown, it is a priveledge. To what extent that priveledge is earned or given is debatable. It is a problem that a minority of users have this power, and as you have called attention to, many don't participate.
Some ways to improve the system would be would to let people opt out entirely, get rid of the fluffy ranking, or require rankers to rate a quota of people per month to keep the priviledge. Though I think eliminating the system entirely would be the best solution to the problem.
Re: Eliminate Ranking System By: Eissy / Knowledgeable
Post # 14 Oct 31, 2015
Whiro, you still have no rank as of this posting.
AkashicMind, the rule about stretching letters is because English is not the first language of many of the members, so it is perfectly logical to want proper spelling and grammar (which in and of itself is not a rule because penalizing people for bad grammar and spelling actually would restrict folk from expressing themselves as not everyone is good at it. Without my spell check, I know I wouldn't have the best spelling, but that's why I check what I post before I post it).
The rule about expletives is because minors are allowed on the site. Many social media sites that allow minors do not allow expletives because it would no longer be a minor friendly website. Coven chats don't have the same rules as public chat, but that is up to each coven. There are plenty of covens who are a little more relaxed on such matters, so I would advise making use of your manner of expression there if they allow it.
Re: Eliminate Ranking System By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 15 Oct 31, 2015
You should not take the "Reputation" too much to heart. The Reputation is given for two reasons, what is on your profile, and what you have posted on the Forums. It is just a way of assessing your knowledge and competence. It can, and does, change over time.
I know this isn't what you asked for, but some people set a hex sigil as their account picture that activates when the account gets ranked or gaged. There are some good articles here on making and charging sigils.
I did not say "Pennsylvania dutch hex signs." There are plenty of forms of harmful sigil magic such as runes, malformed veves, ones made with planetary squares.
I've been bullied about my path by another one of the high reputation members members and seen it happen to others, so I get that people are angry about the whole thing. Don't let it bother you though. Everyone is a fluffy on this site, some are just more knowledgeable or adept in fluff than others.
