Message Board Suggestions

[Voran 0]

oh is that what that is i thought it was a primitive form of a transporter  :D

[Yvon Hawke 0]

I like all the additions that have been made thus far to the boards.

 

I have a question though. Would it be possible to include board ranks? I just opened up a board on webranger, http://hawkeindustries.com/phpBB2 and it allows the use of ranks.

 

The ranks are primarily based on the number of posts to indicate how involved someone is on the board.

 

I've discovered you can set special ranks that don't have to be affected by postings.

 

I've configured the ranks in such a way that will indicated a person's Starfleet Rank and show a rank insignia graphic I obtained from rpg-insignias.co.uk.

 

I think a Starfleet rank included as well as the use of avatars would be very nice looking.

 

Can you update this board to use Ranks in such a way? If so, I'd highly recommend it.

 

Thanks.

 

Yvon

[LtCdrGromVik 0]

The message boards could function as a way to enhance personal self -esteem.

 

Therefore, I propose the following modifications...

 

1. After posting a message that says, "Thank you for posting , you're the greatest!"

2. After editing your profile a message that says, "Thank you for updating your profile, it's great to have a talented individual such as you using our message boards."

3. After registering a message that says, "Thank you for signing up for STSF! We've been waiting all of our existance for you to grace us with your presence."

4. After receiving a PM, a message that says, "Someone barely worthy of your attention has sent you a message."

5. Positive emoticons only.   ;)  

6. Random "Fortune cookie-like" messages at the top of the boards inserting your screen name. Example: "Live long and prosper, LtCdrGromVik!"

7. Have a "member of the day feature."

 

 Just think how STSF could both be a wonderful forum, and a source for a self-esteem boost.  What do you guys think?

 

 

Note: This is a Joke :)

[Guest STSF Dacotah]

::beings looking for a moving martini glass::    ;)  

 

Dac

[Webmaster 20]

I have a question though. Would it be possible to include board ranks? I just opened up a board on webranger, http://hawkeindustries.com/phpBB2 and it allows the use of ranks.

 

The ranks are primarily based on the number of posts to indicate how involved someone is on the board.

 

I've discovered you can set special ranks that don't have to be affected by postings.

 

I've configured the ranks in such a way that will indicated a person's Starfleet Rank and show a rank insignia graphic I obtained from rpg-insignias.co.uk.

 

I think a Starfleet rank included as well as the use of avatars would be very nice looking.

 

Can you update this board to use Ranks in such a way? If so, I'd highly recommend it.

There are a couple ways I could do this...  I can manually assign a title/graphic for someone....

 

Or we could have a title based off the total number of posts made by a person

 

(Ex: 0-20 posts = Cadet....  21-50 = Ensign.... 51-100 = LtJg... 101-200 = Lt... 201-400 = LtCdr... 401-1000 = Cdr... 1001-2000 = Capt... 2001-4000 = Rear Adm, etc)

 

But there are a couple of potential problems here that make me skeptical for using this:

 

• Irrevelent posting - I don't want people posting just to rack up a high post count to move to the next rank or whatever.  
   
  
• Confusing - For newer people visiting the boards...  to see someone with a title of "Rear Admiral" or "Commander" or whatever...  they might be more confused about who is a GM or whatever.  
  

 

I'm not saying this is a bad idea...  but it's just something I've held off on doing so far.  If the rest of ya want this, I can easily set it up.

[Yvon Hawke 0]

I have a question though. Would it be possible to include board ranks? I just opened up a board on webranger, http://hawkeindustries.com/phpBB2 and it allows the use of ranks.

 

The ranks are primarily based on the number of posts to indicate how involved someone is on the board.

 

I've discovered you can set special ranks that don't have to be affected by postings.

 

I've configured the ranks in such a way that will indicated a person's Starfleet Rank and show a rank insignia graphic I obtained from rpg-insignias.co.uk.

 

I think a Starfleet rank included as well as the use of avatars would be very nice looking.

 

Can you update this board to use Ranks in such a way? If so, I'd highly recommend it.

There are a couple ways I could do this...  I can manually assign a title/graphic for someone....

 

Or we could have a title based off the total number of posts made by a person

 

(Ex: 0-20 posts = Cadet....  21-50 = Ensign.... 51-100 = LtJg... 101-200 = Lt... 201-400 = LtCdr... 401-1000 = Cdr... 1001-2000 = Capt... 2001-4000 = Rear Adm, etc)

 

But there are a couple of potential problems here that make me skeptical for using this:

 

• Irrevelent posting - I don't want people posting just to rack up a high post count to move to the next rank or whatever.  
   
  
• Confusing - For newer people visiting the boards...  to see someone with a title of "Rear Admiral" or "Commander" or whatever...  they might be more confused about who is a GM or whatever.  
  

 

I'm not saying this is a bad idea...  but it's just something I've held off on doing so far.  If the rest of ya want this, I can easily set it up.

Hi, Randy.

 

Well, how about this. In the text part of the rank, you could put the member's position affiliation with STSF in brackets. For example:

 

Lieutenant Commander [Non-GM]

 

or...

 

Captain [GM]

 

Doing this would mean you'd have to have more than one set of ranks, kinda. But, since GMs are usually Commanders and up, you'd only have a small amount of ranks to do two sets of. It would probably take about a half hour + or - 10 minutes to set up.

 

Would this help solve the confusion issue?

[Webmaster 20]

I would still prefer to avoid a "rank" system.  It can regardless of what's posted be confusing to players.  

 

Even with everything spelled out, there are still questions sometimes about even the most basic things.  Now...  please keep in mind.  I have *absolutely* no problem with answering those questions or helping with them...  BUT...  I would like to keep things as easy as possible.  

 

Have ya noticed below my name now what it says?  The "Message Board Top Dog" thing...  Those kinds of things are definately possible.  We can create a series of fun titles that have nothing to do with rank and use those...  We can create special graphics and such as well for those too.  But I would prefer to avoid bringing in rank.  It would just confuse our new players more who see "Captain" here and "Ensign" there, and "Admiral" over here somewhere else all for the same person.  

 

And how would it look for a name like "Commander Calvert" to have a rank of Cadet because I post mostly from this name?  lol  

 

Lets do some brainstorming on some other possible titles we could come up with...  and after we come up with what we wanna use, we can start working on graphics and such to go along with it if we want.  ;)

[MisterSmith 0]

What about like Message post level: Low, Medium, High, Higher, Master, Guru, Super Guru, Legend, and finally Top Dog.

 

It might be fun ;)

[Cmdr Laura Issia 0]

::chuckle:: Lurker, Tacturn, Commenter, Chatter, Babbler, Rambler, Loquatious, Garroulous...

[Webmaster 20]

How about...  Lurker...  Dweeb....  Wannabe-Nerd... Nerd... Super-Nerd... and finally "OMG...  are you posting again?!"     :)    ;)

[Voran 0]

::Dies Laughing::

[MisterSmith 0]

::Laughs his heart out, and then dies::

 

Smith ;)

[MisterSmith 0]

This is the 2000th Post Yayayay!

[HyperDrive 0]

Webby - not necessarily have the ranks indicate the number of posts; but rather, some how, have the users themselves select, and change, the ranks. Or even have the GMs move in, and update the players rank themselves, so that the players don't move themselves to a high rank to be "cool".

 

The ranks would not be by the number of posts; it would be the ranking that they are, as officers in the Advanced sims, that would be displayed.

Instead, it would only display the rank of the person in the Advanced Sims (or as a Cadet).

 

Personally, I always thought that I'd like having the ranks displayed. The only problem that remains is the multi-sim folks, who are in two or more Advanced Sims in STSF. You'd probably have to take their highest rank in those to display. ;)

 

Just my .29 cents. The rest could come later......

 

HD

[Yvon Hawke 0]

Hyperdrive's right on target with what my idea is.

 

Don't let the rank have anything to do with the number of posts. You set the rank as a Special Rank, insert a rank graphic that coincides with the rank title and leave the Minimum # of Posts field blank.

 

Then, it won't keep track of posts and you won't have the problem of being called a Cadet by the board system when you're actually a Commander. And I have a full set of premade rank insignia of multiple organizations and races and collar colors. I'd be more than happy to supply them.

 

I agree with Hyperdrive's idea about multiple character/sim-types and display their higher ranks.

 

Thanks, Hyper. You're right on the money with my idea.

 

Randy, I know this could work. I'd set it up myself if I had the capability and show you what I'm taking about.

 

As a quick example, go over to my board, WebRanger: Digital Dementia at http://hawkeindustries.com/phpBB2 and look at one of my posts. You'll see my rank and a 3rd Class Warrant Officer rank insignia (4 black pips). I set it up so that it's not post related.

 

I'm sure we can set this kind of thing up on I.B. since most open source board systems are simiar in functionality.

 

Are you still open to something like this? I'd be more than happy to do it myself if you'd like to keep the time free for other things. Just give the word......"Warp Speed."

[HyperDrive 0]

It's about time I was "right on the money". Just for that, I am going to make this post worth my full 2 cents!

 

My extra money, equaling a Full 2 Cents.

 

My 2 cents,

 

HD

[Atragon9 0]

I'm sure we can set this kind of thing up on I.B. since most open source board systems are simiar in functionality.

 

Are you still open to something like this? I'd be more than happy to do it myself if you'd like to keep the time free for other things. Just give the word......"Warp Speed."

Okay, not wanting to throw cold Romulan Ale on the idea, but...  why does anyone really care what the rank is of another person posting a message on the Boards?  Will this lead to an elitism where people will start to filter for posts of Lt. Commanders and above??  I think that everybody should post what they want, however they want and we don't follow a specialized rank insignia or rating (which has to be maintained and controlled by Admin staff to be sure folks really ARE the ranks they claim).

 

Let's keep it with signature blocks and/or avatars for those who want them and that's the extent of it.  I'd much rather put our energies to growing the Forum than to making sure we have everyone's correct number of bars and pips in their posts automatically.

 

:shrugs::  just my 2 Kopecks

[Yvon Hawke 0]

Well, where I can see that someone out the their mind would want to go to an elitism route, my idea is merely for the fun of it. But, one positive aspect is that if a newcomer comes along and wishes to ask guidance, knowing one's rank gives a sense of wisdom and experience, not to mention knowledge.

[Yvon Hawke 0]

Oh, yes.

 

And not to mention the cheesy goodness and to avoid the gooey chunks as Ace Ventura would put it, I believe.

[Webmaster 20]

Thank you for ya suggestion Yvon...  I'll keep it in mind as we continue to plan and develop the boards.  I have several changes I'd like to make eventually, so we'll see what we can do there.

 

In the mean time if anyone would like a custom title under their name....  just post in the new thread I'm starting for requesting one.  For now I'd like to keep rank out of the titles...  but if you have a quick SHORT fun title ya'd like to use, by all means ask.

 

Remember though...  anything inappropriate, inconsiderate, too long, or whatever will be denied.  ;)

[Yvon Hawke 0]

No problem. I'll think it over and will get back to you.

 

Thank you for the consideration. I don't get that here in the "other" place.

[Dumbass 0]

Remember though...  anything inappropriate, inconsiderate, too long, or whatever will be denied.  :)

Aww, gee, You're no fun.  ;)

[Captain Huff 0]

I just had a couple of ideas for the boards.

 

First, the navigation bar at the top "home, about us, blah blah blah" would be great if it were a little bit bigger.  I didn't realize it was there for the longest time, lol.  I also think including "getting started" with the "help" button text would be good.

 

Next... I think it would be very useful if we had simple short descriptions of our advanced ships in an easy-to-find place.  I know we have all the ship website links, but I think it would be very convenient for new ensigns or curious cadets to have all the ship descriptions on one page, one click.  I'm not sure if it would be too crowded on the schedule page, or would be better on its own page.  But we could have something like:

 

USS Hood(with link) Tuesdays 11 ET

An Original Series era sim in a Constitution Class starship.  

 

IKC Qob(link) Tuesdays Midnight ET

A mixed Klingon and Federation crew on a Vorcha class vessel lost 30 thousand light years from home.

[Dumbass 0]

IKC Qob(link) Tuesdays Midnight ET

A mixed Klingon and Federation crew on a Vorcha class vessel lost 30 thousand light years from home.

Huff, you forgot about the free donuts!

[Garnoopy 0]

I'd like the ability to mark individual topics as being old.