Sure they could, and sure they would. But that’s beside the point. Just having a system like this stifles a lot of additional input because without a badge, you’re far less likely to offer advice. That is true and will cost this forum a lot in the long run.
These badges would be bestowed by you the Staff. And due to that, it will most definitely set a precedent that these Mentors are recognized by staff to be more competent and capable than the rest of the genpop. The genpop ain’t stupid. When we see badges, we understand there is a biased structure. That’ll discourage a lot of interaction and not as many folks will stay here on a regular basis.
I am a recent member in the forum, but I have followed the debate, and I will comment on the subject.
The badge in my opinion, is a recognition to the veterans, who have helped to excercise the pillars of this house! That said, you are “all” discussing the sex of the angels …
tutor (plural tutors)
1.One who teaches another (usually called a student, learner, or tutee) in a one-on-one or small-group interaction. He passed the difficult class with help from his tutor.
I’ve read most of the post here and change is always stressful in the beginning! I think the site needs a little change in a positive direction. The badges are really nothing new. Didn’t we all earn badges in the beginning? I think earning a badge is a great idea!! One thing I would suggest is putting a list somewhere as to what the “badges” mean. If I were new coming here id see the orange logo and wonder what it meant.
I think “mentoring” can be a great asset to the site! But the mentors would all need to be one the same page about a few rules I would think. Its all about getting to learn about DIYing as a group. Different mentors can help a person by adding their own knowledge and experience. We are all trying to do the same thing here! Make fantastic juices or mods n such. I say go for it. Change is good!!! Seems like it would help in a more orderly way. Just my 2 cents
I am totally good with being stamped this, or anything similar that doesn’t ruff feathers! For me, this is a badge that speaks to my status in this realm.
I also want to apologize for my long ass ramblings last night and hope I didn’t disrespect what it is you are trying to achieve, which I fully support. I believe there needs to be a system in place that allows new users to differentiate trusted information from bad, << cough >> Joel, without undermining other users that also have knowledge in certain areas. This is a hard feat to accomplish, as that proof is in all the above comments.
So I hope I didn’t say anything out of line or poo-poo your ideas, for I do agree with them and it’s all about finding that happy medium…
Can I just ask a question for my own sanity? I’m trying to figure out if this new title structure denotes any actual special general community stature or if it is just a badge of recognition that someone’s been here for a long time but isn’t actually staff? I.E., does this really intend to be a preferred question answerer-type scenario?
ELR Forum veterans : Members who have been around ELR for a while and who are known to give good advice, be especially helpful, and have a proven track record in mixing.
In this case it seems my concerns have been mitigated. With the minor exception that we do get a lot of non-mixing threads, like builds and gear recommendations, but that’s pretty moot since this is a mixing forum at heart. Makes sense. I guess I have nothing else to whine about (unless you eventually decide that the veteran group are actually preferred advice dispensers at the expense of the rest of the genpop).
This forum is special and stands out against the noisier, clique-filled forums out there (we know who they are). My concern was that messing with that special sauce will relegate this place down to those levels. This is a unique place where all members, new and old, are comfortable and can rest assured that this is a judgement-free, clique-free, bias-free community where all mixers great and small can live in harmony. Segmentation is poisonous. That is all.
Thank you all for listening and commenting. I feel that my concerns are legitimate, and that you’ve really listened. Regardless of the eventual outcome, I have been heard and that’s part of the magic here. I am but a wee mushroom yet still felt comfortable enough to weigh in. That’s magic, folks.
I think its a great idea!!