New ranks for forum members!

To be honest, I abandoned the idea of ranks for forums some time ago. But hey, that's just me ;)
I participate in a forum where the number of postings isn't even shown as they don't necessarily tell you something about the quality of the user's postings. It really works. Another forum uses the option where you can give reputation to the user for good postings. As it is a mature community, there isn't a problem with senseless striving for reputation points.

For me, these ranking systems are ambivalent - new users sometimes need indications to see from whom they can learn and who is acknowledged for what he (or she) says. On the other side, these systems sometimes put pressure on the community because people feel they need to make as many postings/points as possible (which is fine for me if it makes feel them better). Long-time members probably don't need this, but as I mentioned, new members probably will.

Altogether I would say that an reputation-indicator could help more than the count of postings. I don't know if a hack for this exists in phpbb. What do you think about that?

(I really should practice writing more in English - this posting took me way too much time :lol:)

Hi Matt,

You make some excellent points. Like you said, this is a way to provide a little credibility, and show who's been around the forums for awhile. If anyone can think of a better method, I'm definitely open to suggestions!

I don't care for the rank names - too competitive, too hierarchical for a zen thing. I don't mind having the number of posts listed, although I'd really rather not see those either. I just don't see any purpose in any of this. I think it detracts from community building, which is the important thing.

The only problem with posts numbering and rank names is the off chance that folks might start to comment on each and every post in order to buff their rank. I've seen it before when people get bored and want to do something, but it doesn't seem like that would be a problem on this board.

In regards to Karma ranking, it would seem like a better idea to 'showcase' people who know what they're talking about, but when I did a search for "phpbb Karma rating" I got this hit for the phpBB.com message forums itself: http://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=118433.

The big point is, if you like a post you'll rate it up, don't like it rate it down. The down side of that is when someone wants to be vindictive and goes through and rate each of their target's posts in order to bring down the overall karma of the person they disagree with. Again, this shouldn't be a problem with the people on this board, but it would only take one person.

Either way, I think both systems can work, provided the environment they are deployed in is a mature one.

Karma "ranking" is pretty funny for a zen site.

Hmmm ... maybe I didn't give the ranking idea enough thought. I think you guys make some good points.

Again, my thinking was just to reward those who have been around for awhile ... which I think is a good thing. I don't want it to be competitive, though, and I definitely don't want people just posting to get their rank higher.

I will rethink this. Thanks, guys, for the input.

Hmmm ... maybe I didn't give the ranking idea enough thought. I think you guys make some good points.

Again, my thinking was just to reward those who have been around for awhile ... which I think is a good thing. I don't want it to be competitive, though, and I definitely don't want people just posting to get their rank higher.

I will rethink this. Thanks, guys, for the input.

-"Leo Babauta"

I'll jump in late on this one. I think if people are fluffposting just to get their rank up, it will be obvious. It gets sketchy to try to moderate that, but inevitably, the fluffposter does himself/herself the greatest disservice.

If anyone is truly investing time and energy in increasing their rank, it seems they've missed the point of Zen Habits, eh? For those who meaningfully contribute on a frequent basis (due to experience, desire, and the time to do so), hey...great!

All that said, I'd be just as happy not to have rankings because rank is not necessarily an indication of wisdom or experience on a given topic.

Another thought - a different board I frequent has stars for rankings - but they are high enough that they're "hard" to get and fluff-posting would have to be awfully diligent... I think the first star happens with 800 posts, then around 1500, 2500, and 5000.

Also, the board owner periodically changes the requirements for the stars, to keep everyone from having one.

That particular board is often light-hearted and silly, and star "promotions" get celebrated in a rather odd fashion. I don't see that happening here, but the hard-to-get and somewhat-changeable fashion might work here.

Leo, I dig it 8)

This is a great little system you got going!!
:D

G'day.

I'm a member of a very successful Woodwork forum in Australia http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/index.php

It is a very tightly controlled ship and is easily a great model of how a great forum should be operated. They have the amount of posts the members have submitted numbered, but do not have any ranking system based purely on numbers posted.

What is outstanding, is if a member posts something that gives great value to another, or many other members, they (the appreciative members) can add to that persons reputation.
So, over time, if your posts are of good quality, your reputation will build and you have no control over who adds to your reputation status. In fact, the only way you can increase your reputation is by submitting quality posts and hoping for the best.

All up, it's a winning situation.

I am relatively new to the Zen Habits Forum. I found my way here through your post (toward the beginning of January) providing steps to creating realizable goals. Then there was a blog about The Challenge, and I joined in order to push myself to be accountable toward two very large but critically important goals: Writing my book and growing my photography business.

I have never participated in competitive sports. They break my spirit. For this reason I don't care for the idea of "ranking" people's "Zenness" by the number of posts made. What is the point of this? Is it to get people to zip around adding quick snippets here and there? That's not going to promote quality reflection or articulation.

When I joined the January challenge I thought that the number of posts had to do with the count for that month only. It was only after I noticed that some people had "84 posts" or so that this could not be so. I had been using it to commend myself for logging in and reporting progress (or lack thereof) each day...

We are here for a myriad of reasons. Your site has many web-strands of ideas, resources, and interactions. You share generously your own learning and provide a forum for others to connect, share, and learn. The ranking system does nothing (in my opinion) to enrich this experience, and in fact, may detract from it.