I can agree whole heartedly as a Veteran. Maybe that’s where my passion lies for the people that don’t speak up here. I know they are thinking it. Just do not know how to eloquently put it into words. I know I use sentence enhancers, come off as brash, and well cuss like a Sailor (news flash, I am one.). I just speak up for those people who maybe new. The new person might be a flavor artist or a coil genius. We do not know who they are… Just because you have longevity, does not make a mentor be. Again, my brazen opinion.
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We are totally open to using veteran, we in no way wanted to upset any of our military family so it was rejected. They are very much appreciated. The difference between Veteran and veteran never really sunk in to my skull, there is a lot to swim through… I appreciate all y’all explaining it to me.
veteranmixer was the very first name of the group.
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Now that its been said, yeah, veteran, i would vote for that. Imho
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If a name change is on the table, I like Helper. With a blue hand icon maybe?
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Blue hands remind me of that movie where d00d got mad and threw his crazy ex-wifes ring down the toilet and then fished it out cuz of his feels. Great movie but, yuck, blue hands.
shivers
EDIT: The Abyss was the movie.
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Talk about a controversial subject…whoaaa
I can really see the side that feels other contributions in a subject will be overlooked when a mentor comments. It is just human nature to prioritize the opinions of those with titles over those who do not. I think all opinions should carry the same weight and let the reader decide what works for them.
Seems to me the “Mentor” badge is what is the problem, maybe just a “Helpful” badge instead and it could work via adding another option to the “Like” button. You could choose “Like” or “Helpful” and place a number of “Helpful” clicks that a person must get for a given month to get the badge but it only lasts a month. Just a suggestion but I feel this would motivate people to be helpful more often.
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That aint a bad idea but dont we have some kind of helpful thing? I swear i have seen this on peoples profiles. I dont have one on mine so i cant click it, my powers havent mutated to such a state, yet. Muahahaha.
Seriously tho, i do like that idea. Ill see if JoJo knows of some way this can be done without human intervention.
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Not sure what Forum software you using if your using forum software …
But I’ve seen badge systems based of post count and special temp badges given by likes given in a specified time period.
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@JoJo if your worried about veteran being confused for military, something like “site veteran” or “forum veteran” would keep clear separation from any other meaning, the only real negative I can see with this system would be people that are tagged with that label getting barraged by questions. I had no problems figuring out who fit my style when I joined the forum, but I’m also one of those weirdo’s that enjoys researching things, I like the badge idea with the thought that someone who is easily overwhelmed by information can have clear places to turn when they need help.
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I cant believe this didnt come up before. You win the internets for today!
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I was partial to dedicated servers. I didn’t like sharing with anyone.
CMS - I forget it’s in a email folder somewhere
Forum software - vbuletin 5
512 slot team speak server
Video conferencing software - I forget. It’s in a email folder somewhere
I typically don’t like to bring things up after so much time has passed—it feels like opening old wounds and I fear it will start the carnage back up—but I have to say something to this. I’m saying it in public because I want it to be clear to everyone here. This had nothing to do with any one person, group, action, etc. Please don’t ever assume you know my intentions or motivations. I genuinely had no specifics in mind when I approached Lars about clarifying the rules, just a general sense of disorder and chaos that was building on all sides.
I don’t believe anyone should be above the rules. Lars, myself, Ken, the other moderators, “mentor” or not. If someone feels like a mod in particular is acting contrary to the rules of the forum, bring it to the attention of me or Lars or whomever else. Part of bringing on more moderators was so that you guys didn’t have to feel like Ken and I are your only options apart from going to Lars. Find one of them you connect to and you think will hear you out objectively and let them bring the issue to us if that’s easier.
Things clearly went a little bit haywire last night and I get that tempers flair, but this shift is about maintaining civility. Regardless of which way the pendulum swings on the mentor side of things, that fact will remain. There are gray areas when it comes to disagreements, and in this situation I can see where more than one person went the route of personal attack (which is not just name calling, but ad hominem attacks and attacking a tone) rather than debating the subject matter, which is the Mentor group/flair. Let’s try to keep focus on criticizing (or supporting) the idea and not people.
Finally, if there’s a specific person that is the cause of your support or opposition to this idea, I invite you to bring it to me or one of the other mods personally so we can consider it and discuss it with you and with the other mods.
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I’m not against a tag denoting longevity at the forum. As I said before, bestowing titles such as Mentor or even Helpful by an avatar suggests that these are preferred resources, not simply folks who have been around here for a while. I think it’s a dangerous game when we single out individual members as elevated compared to others (except with Staff).
If it is your intention to advertise certain members are more knowledgeable and more correct than others, I think that’s a slippery slope and a really bad idea. If your intention is to simply highlight long-time members, giving new members a chance to quickly see that, then it’s a different story altogether.
I like the thought of a ‘veteran’ tag, but definitely do not like the thought of putting some members above others for arbitrary reasons. It reminds me a LOT of those automotive websites where you pay a dollar to have “One of Their Experts Standing By to Answer Your Question”.
Read this objectively, please. I am still a new member. I can still easily think back to my first days and first impressions of the site. This community works right now pretty darn well because there are many really smart and experienced people who jump in when, where, and how they can with really great advice! From a noob’s perspective, if you decided to slice, silo, designate, or otherwise pigeonhole both Mentors and members into specific areas, then you are losing a lot of potential for help, and a lot of what makes this AWESOME place work. Maybe a guy who can answer my question about TFA can also answer my question about Ohm’s Law and safety with mechs. It sounds like now I’d be referred to several “Preferred Resources” to get what I’m asking for rather than just reading the advice on my own and deciding for myself what sounds good to me.
Just note on avatars for staff, veterans, and vendor and we’re gold. (Forum veteran sounds a little redundant).
And, you did ask for community input… 
P.S., you could avoid it altogether by adding info like Member Since and Number of Posts next to the avatar too. Would accomplish same.
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My twopence, as I am new but I really quite like it here:
Wizard (and a little wizard hat badge, rather than an erlenmayer, possibly with a star on top) is much better than doyen (the oldest to stand) or mentor ( the guy who does not do stuff anymore but talks about how it was when they were a lad).
Badges or no badges for old crafty hands are fine by me. Maybe a recommendation count before wizarding. Or a fixed number like in the Académie Française, then we can call them immortal wizards.
Admins and sellers being badged sounds like a really good thing.
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I’m prior service and to me the term veteran is used in a lot of facilities. I wouldn’t think twice about it.
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I agree @TW12 I think things like this type of Hierarchy Badging prevents Newer Members from contributing and posting in the forum. Remember there are many talented mixers who are not new to DIYing, but may be new to this forum. I would hate to see the growth of the Forum stifled. When a Newer Member has a different approach or thought on a subject matter.They may be concerned their differing input could be trumped by a Badged Member.
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Everyone be good. Dah momma is posting.
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Or scatter like roaches!!!
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This seems to be one of the major concerns for those opposed to the badging.
Any chance the ‘badged’ could restrain their egos and acknowledge other opinions?
I really believe this to be so, from the folk I’ve seen badged.
Except for myself of course.
I’m always correct.
and don’t any of you ever forget it.
or else I will take my rage out on @Skullblade789 personally.
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For now, in the spirit of a compromise, until all opinions have been heard and the staff makes a final decision, and because it’s what the current members of the group essentially are, I will change the name of the group to Veteran.
In the meantime, yes, we did ask for input and we appreciate it. Keep it coming, I promise I’m reading all of them.
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