Topic: Ranking System ~ Are you for or Against it?

It doesn't matter how many words, it doesn't matter how many posts.

I've always said 'Its QUALITY not QUANTITY that matters'

QUOTE:

I'm hooked on this site and couldn't care less about the ranking system.
We all know who are the 'senior' members anyway.
We also know who gives out valuable advice, who is good for a laugh etc.

I say ditch the ranking system.
Do they bother with it on the 'other' forum?

I think we all have to note that The Other Forum has been doing it
a lot longer and harder than we have
and so, like it or not, we have much to learn from them!

Almost certainly, they've been through these same trials and tribulations
when their membership was just a few thousand, not yet one year from inception.


I'm at the top of the pile,
and yes it's been fun being Senior Officer "admitting people to the bridge" etc.
but if the decision was taken, and all we had in our little boxes over the posts
was number of posts and the date we signed up
it would serve nicely as a sort of experience/seniority, enough to rank us accordingly.


The Other Forum does award a rank-type thing, directly quoting the number of posts:
Over There, I'm currently a 5,000+ Club member of nine thousand and something posts
and shall become a 10,000+ Club member when that lofty figure is attained.

It might be a good idea to just COPY THEM
and learn quickly from their experiences, the easy way!
.

The ranking system make no difference to me, I think over a passage of time you get to learn the ways and methods of certain members here and whether or not they have anything meaningful to say or whether they are just being nice and chatty and sometimes a bit silly.
It should be about having a bit of fun and banter and sharing what we all have in common.
I never look at the rank, but I do look at how many posts and form my opinion from there. There are an awful lot of members who just lurk in the background and read. Perhaps they don't want to post, perhaps they are afraid to post, who knows? But who is to say that the ranking has anything to the drivel? We are all different and have different agenda's.

Same old growing pains

It does not matter to most people me included I post for fun not rank

Here is a peice I wrote some time ago

The forum only started last year with a few members it must evolve.
Cruising is still seen by many as a reserve for the well off which as many of you know is not the case.
The way to encourage people to contribute to the forum is to show them it is a relaxed place to enjoy and exchange knowledge about cruising but like a good dinner table topics will move develop and change.
Some people who had the pleasure of a cruise over the Christmas period now have returned and have found that the forum has had some fun over the festive session and the snow that followed.
The same people seem to me to be the ones that are now complaining that the forum has not just discussed cruising.
If we only spoke about cruising at this stage of growth the site would die on the vine.
In the early days there where a lot of posts not so much about a cruise but more about look at me I spend xxxx a year on cruising.
So on any ship 95% of the passengers must have slept together in a couple of cabins.
Comments where made like “as a senior member” when in fact they had hardly ever posted.
The less literate had their posts admonished for spelling mistakes.
Gordon has been censured for his views, an admission of defeat by the complainant.
Next we evolved to the ranks such as junior member, member and senior member. That reduced the problem.
Next the rank system was introduced and it increased posting and created a bit of fun. It would appear that some members look at it in a more serious way than it was intended.
Some would prefer endless lists of cruises that they have completed or have booked
Until you get to the next post just like on the other side.
Remember that the site is a marketing tool is freely given with the sole intention to attract more people to cruising and to sell cruises.
The faster the membership grows the more serous the site will become the more in depth the information.
We have a few who want to keep the site as a small elite club.
I can assure you that it “ain’t gonna” happen.
There are a whole lot of members who want to join in just look at the list of those who have joined and not yet posted.



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Is this to be the format for the Forum? by Neil

Personally I would get rid of the ranking system AND the number of posts. I do not see any relevance in either and believe both could be the reason for so many members not wishing to participate.

QUOTE:

Personally I would get rid of the ranking system AND the number of posts. I do not see any relevance in either and believe both could be the reason for so many members not wishing to participate.

Agree.

cheers
Harvey

QUOTE:

As Carol (Mumford) has just mentioned maybe we need a poll to decide whether or not to scrap the ranking system.

I for one would not mind at all if the ranking system was scrapped, along with the old system of member, senior member, etc.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

I'm really not sure about this. The old system was in place from Day One. The new system was introduced later as 'a bit of fun.' I don't recall anyone claiming there are any other benefits.

Are there any drawbacks?" A significant number seem to think it's having a detrimental effect on the quality of posts. On balance, I suppose I'd be happy to see them go.

QUOTE:

As Carol (Mumford) has just mentioned maybe we need a poll to decide whether or not to scrap the ranking system.

I for one would not mind at all if the ranking system was scrapped, along with the old system of member, senior member, etc.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Shelley I don't care either . Rank, badges , number of posts is meaningless. It has led to fun and imaginative thinking but if the aim is to be serious then so be it.

I have enjoyed the less serious topics as well as the essential informative ones, variety keeps life interesting. Sharing funny stories and getting to know the regular posters on a more personal level has been lovely.

QUOTE:

The ranking system make no difference to me, I think over a passage of time you get to learn the ways and methods of certain members here and whether or not they have anything meaningful to say or whether they are just being nice and chatty and sometimes a bit silly.
It should be about having a bit of fun and banter and sharing what we all have in common.
I never look at the rank, but I do look at how many posts and form my opinion from there. There are an awful lot of members who just lurk in the background and read. Perhaps they don't want to post, perhaps they are afraid to post, who knows? But who is to say that the ranking has anything to the drivel? We are all different and have different agenda's.

Well said, we have different interests and personalities. Some like to brighten the day and some like to keep to technical issues only, but we ALL like to cruise, yes ?

Anything that invites comment helps build membership you can only talk about Norovirus and smoking for so long.
More are learning to post pictures this will lead to lots of information on various destinations and ships :D
Rome was not built in a day ;)

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