Not Planned Titles Based On Camping Experience

Evan,

Might it be worthwhile to correlate titles to nights spent in a Camp-Inn rather than my ability to blab. Betsey would be a Wise-woman and the guy that bought #60 and only spent 3 nights in it so far, but posted 900 times, would be a Newbie.

I don't like titles in the first place, but if I have to have one I'd prefer that it had more significance than how many posts I've made. Just food for thought.

Hilditch

 

Good suggestion, Hilditch. I too am not overly thrilled with the current titles. Your suggestion makes sense, but I'm not sure I could make the forum software work that way.

 

Currently member titles are assigned based on the number of posts. For example, you are a newbie until you post 50 times and then you become an amateur... One of our users suggested a system of ranking based on the number of nights spent in a teardrop.

With our current system, the computer automatically upgrades your rank when you post 25, 50, 100 posts. With the alternative, users would let me know when they had camped 25, 50, 100 nights, etc... - and I would update their status.

What do you think? Should we leave the system as it is (it tends to encourage participation in the forum), or should we change it to reflect a real world stat (after all, it's all about camping).

BTW - this would be for nights in a teardrop only (Camp-Inn or otherwise) - big RV's and tents don't count.

 

BTW, from the forum rules:

After you all vote, I may just decide to excercise my omnipotent powers...

 

OK, in response to our little poll, I'm going to do the following:

For now, member titles will continue to be based on the number of posts.

However, I am adding an additional field to your profile for the number of "Nights in a Tear". Of course, this is 100% optional. Update your number whenever and as often as you like.

 

When someone is shown having a higher title/status than Betsey without ever spending even one night in a Camp-Inn, something is wrong. A wannabe is just that. Experience is respected.

Hilditch

 

True. Unfortunately, this is all done automatically by the forum software. I have no say in it - other than changing the titles that are automatically bestowed. However, if you click on a user's name you can see how many nights they have spent in a tear.

 

Evan,

That works for signed in members only, not the average information shopper, perspective members or sporadic members: if one knows about it, if the posing person filled out that part of the form and if one is willing to check out every post on a thread. Boils it down pretty well. Of course they would have have to have read the FAQ's too.

I brought it up again with the hope that a better way is still out there - maybe by a good hacker - like replacing the number of posts with the number of nights under the avatar - or something. Or nothing? I'm not sure your title strikes a warm fuzzy for the average person. You are a nicer guy than most addicts.

Hilditch

 

My two Cents Worth.... I don't think we can relate nights in a teardrop to dedication to teardrops or even camping. My stage in life does not allow me to spend anymore than about 20-25 nights a year in our TD. This equates to about four or five yearly outings. This could lead somone to question why spend $1000s of dollars for so little use. That question itself indicates a dedication to Camp-Inn. Dedication to the forum with engaging topics and good information is not a bad way to judge someones enthusiasm. Over time the dedicated posters will surface. This forum is for a niche audience of a nich audience. After sometime goes by it may flame out. It is the enthusiasm of all peoples that will keep it relevant. Maybe the wannabes are able to keep their hopes alive by living vicariously thru those of us who have Camp-Inn units. I say those that take time out to post narratives, upload pictures, post receipes, and give out their hints on how to make stuff easier should be rated. Posting to the forum can be counted and verified. Can we say the same about nights in our teardrops?

Steve

 

Steve, very well said. My title should be enthusiastic lurker. Although I do not own a Camp-inn, I visit this site everyday, sometimes more. I have found all of the posts on this website very interesting and helpful. I particularily enjoy living vicariously through those fortunate ones who are ordering/picking up their trailers.

Someday.

P.S. Thank you, Evan!

 

Steve,

No, we can't verify nights in a tear, however experience counts when searching for "good information". I think all Camp-Inn owners get our buckets filled with enthusiasm when we go camping. Each member gets to ask themselves what they want here?
As a semi-experienced member my enthusiasm has been tempered by time and I'm looking for "good information" and reports from others with experience. Others may be looking for enthusiasm. That's cool.

Hilditch

 

I can easily change the titles of our members.

Right now it goes:

Ranger (used to be Stranger)
Newbie
Journeyman
Member
Addict
Old Hand
Veteran
Pooh-Bah
Carpal Tunnel

These are all the default names that are assigned based on the number of posts. I've never taken the time to think of better names, but I'd be happy to change them if anybody posted some better names.

 

George,

I don't think Hilditch had you in his sights on this one. He first asked me about this quite a while ago - way before you moved into the top poster position. No worries about the staff asking you to vacate the forum - that's why I started the forum in the first place - for owners AND wannabees!

BTW, thanks for your many contributions to the cooking section - certainly no wannabee there. My offer still stands if you want to moderate that section - just let me know. (It's not like you have to do anything.)

 

Watch for my PM, George.

 

George,

I love it when I get credit for things I never even thought. You wrote, "that my presence and participation on this forum offends you.". Let's see, I never said that or thought that or felt that. So I guess you made that up yourself for some reason.

I think macro and try to see beyond my eyes when expressing an idea. Specific scenarios are used to enhance comprehension. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This thread concerns a concept, not individuals.

Hilditch

 

No worries, Hilditch. I knew you were talking about a concept here - the timing was a bit unfortunate as George had just finished hooting about passing me up as the top poster.

Anyways, I will continue to consider how to better implement your idea. Perhaps I'll get a mad flash of crazed hacker inspiration and stay up into the wee hours working out the bugs... If the forum dies, you'll all know what happened...

In the meantime, we'll call this thread a wrap unless someone thinks of some good member titles.

Enjoy,

 

Bear, What can we buy for four cents? Gas $3.25 a gallon, bread $2.30 a loaf, our experiences self valued at $.02. Maybe our experiences down the path should be priceless.
Steve