02-14-2012, 02:26 AM

This has been discussed before, but I'll bring it up again. Why in the world has MF not gone to custom titles? I'm sick of "Senior Member" and the like and I think we should be able to put whatever we like in that little box, even if it's the default. I know the forum software can do this, other forums I belong to that use this software do it.

What's the deal?

02-14-2012, 08:12 AM

I actually like it this way. I know other places have different setups, but in those, you don't have a system of organizing people based on where they fit in the community, unless they have a separate identifier.

02-14-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by baggss

This has been discussed before, but I'll bring it up again. Why in the world has MF not gone to custom titles? I'm sick of "Senior Member" and the like and I think we should be able to put whatever we like in that little box, even if it's the default. I know the forum software can do this, other forums I belong to that use this software do it.

What's the deal?

If we go that way then I claim dibs on

Emperor of the Eastern Shores

(Doesn't mean anything in particular, but I've always liked the sound of it)

02-14-2012, 11:32 AM

I see no problem with the way things are.

Having said that, a change is welcomed too as long as the forum titles are clear and concise enough not to confuse first-time visitors and newbies. The last thing we want is a bunch of threads in the wrong forums because someone doesn't know where to post.

02-14-2012, 11:52 AM

This has been discussed before, but I'll bring it up again. Why in the world has MF not gone to custom titles?

We'll certainly be happy to give it another look. Thanks for your suggestion.

02-14-2012, 11:54 AM

In my opinion, having custom user titles negates their purpose.

The title should make you instantly recognizable by other members - whether that's as staff, retired staff, the member of the month or whatever.

Not having that kind of identification would be like having the super bowl where the players, coaching staff and officials wear street clothes. You could probably figure out what's going on, but it wouldn't be until the 3rd quarter and by that time, most of the crowd would be disoriented or frustrated.

02-14-2012, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Not having that kind of identification would be like having the super bowl where the players, coaching staff and officials wear street clothes. You could probably figure out what's going on, but it wouldn't be until the 3rd quarter and by that time, most of the crowd would be disoriented or frustrated.

I would agree with that, except for the greed dotted visual of the Rep system and the post count. I think anyone can look at my info in apost and figure out that I've been here a long time and have a good rep, I don't need the "Senior member" badge to distinguish myself. I don't think any disorientation would occure.

Heck, this one feature alone might be enough to get me to fork over some $$$ for a "Premium Membership"....

02-14-2012, 06:12 PM

I change your badge if it bothers you - it's really not a big deal. Schweb instituted this as a reward, I don't think he ever anticipated that anyone would see it differently.

02-14-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by baggss

I think anyone can look at my info in apost and figure out that I've been here a long time and have a good rep

"Every post is a self portrait of its poster" - someone somewhere has that line in their signature, and I've always agreed with it. There are other indicators about a member of a forum, but there is no better measure than the composition of each post.

I like having set titles though as well. The signature is the logical personalization area, so if the title area doesn't serve a distinct purpose, it kind of serves no purpose in my mind. Not that its a big deal - some sites let users set them themselves, and that works too. A little fun is good, but when it comes to forum layout stuff I tend to think like Spock.

02-14-2012, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by baggss

I would agree with that, except for the greed dotted visual of the Rep system and the post count. I think anyone can look at my info in apost and figure out that I've been here a long time and have a good rep..

Not necessarily. Think of it from a switchers point of view, particularly someone with no previous forum experience. Having a load of crazy titles is going to confuse these users.

The way I see it - titles are there so you can easily distinguish between members. Signatures are designed for personalisation.

02-15-2012, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by cwa107

I change your badge if it bothers you - it's really not a big deal. Schweb instituted this as a reward, I don't think he ever anticipated that anyone would see it differently.

I think Schweb and I talked about this at one point after the change was instituted, but I think he decided it was fine as it was and left it. I'm just opting for more choice for the members here is all, but if the consensus is that it should be left as it is, then so be it.

That being said though, I do find it odd that the staff/owners chose to give us a new skin (change for the sake of change....and make it the default one too...yes I know it can be changed) but are not willing to give the members a simple option like custom titles. The Glacial entity always knows best....

02-15-2012, 09:01 AM

I am a member of a forum that implements a system where you have your name up top, a custom title below that and below that is you badge (Whether it is Member, Senior Member, Staff). Since the custom title is not compulsory, it allows those who wish for their own to make it so.

Maybe a similar system could be used here?

02-15-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by baggss

I think Schweb and I talked about this at one point after the change was instituted, but I think he decided it was fine as it was and left it. I'm just opting for more choice for the members here is all, but if the consensus is that it should be left as it is, then so be it.

That being said though, I do find it odd that the staff/owners chose to give us a new skin (change for the sake of change....and make it the default one too...yes I know it can be changed) but are not willing to give the members a simple option like custom titles. The Glacial entity always knows best....

Volunteers make the decisions here - they put in the time, and they play the largest part in carrying the site forward. Community asked for the redesign for a long time, and the old skin was very dated. Staying trendy and relevant could be considered important for a site focused solely on a trendy and relevant brand. I wouldn't consider it accurate to place a comparison between design and layout of the entire site, and custom user titles.

My opinion here is nothing more than an opinion though - its the members who make up the volunteer staff here that determine how the site is run and what is instituted for the community. I may make suggestions, but my responsibility here is understanding what staff here wants and ensuring they are supported well. Their responsibility is ensuring they consider what is best for the community, and ensuring their needs are communicated as appropriate - they are best suited for that job.

The glacial entity has nothing to do with this decision, except we'll trust and support what the staff believes to be best for the community.

02-15-2012, 02:21 PM

Thanks for that Matt!

Custom titles can also turn into yet another data point that needs to be monitored, moderated and debated, so I'm personally somewhat hesitant to go down that road again. We have enough to deal with keeping spam, trolls and other miscreants out, not to mention the shocking amount of time spent dealing with inappropriate or offensive signatures.

02-15-2012, 02:59 PM

Hey Baggss,
Your longevity, rep and postability is phenomenal and that makes you very very senior to me in a good way.
Now about that avatar....