We need a better ranking system

[Aptera #1159]

I am a senior member, and only have 110 posts. Karen has about 500. Maybe a 5 star ranking system with some creative names for each class.:D

[KarenRei]

I'm just overly enthusiastic, that's all ;)

[Aptera #1159]

I'm just overly enthusiastic, that's all ;)

Ha. We need to have more ranks so those with 500 posts and those with 100 posts are not both "senior members." "Senior" sounds old and lame. It should be something like "super Aerospace engineer" for the 5 star members, and "jr. flier" for the beginners.

Note that I am not creative. Can you guys think of better names for the ranks?:o

[pk-sd]

How about from "I am too busy" to "I need to get out more often"? And few different ones in between. Something that's not too serious.

[Aptera #1159]

How about from "I am too busy" to "I need to get out more often"? And few different ones in between. Something that's not too serious.

Haha.:D That is good, but I was thinking more on the lines of Aptera. That would make the forum unique.

[KarenRei]

But if you do want creative names... hmm...

* Rechargeable batteries -- you start out at lead-acid, then move up to nickel-iron, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, lithium polymer, lithium phosphate... perhaps even into next-gen ones like lithium vanadium oxide and silicon nanowires.

* Materials -- start out at, say, more conventional materials like plastics and steel, and move up to aluminum and different kinds of composites

* "Greens" -- For a rather whimsical titling system, each title could be a shade of green. It could be hard to rank them, though.

I personally like the batteries idea the most.

[swinti]

Ha. We need to have more ranks so those with 500 posts and those with 100 posts are not both "senior members."

The number of posts doesn’t mean a lot.

OPM = often posting member
QPM = quality posts member

It’s just a joke

[Aptera #1159]

The number of posts doesn’t mean a lot.

OPM = often posting member
QPM = quality posts member

It’s just a joke

Yea, but it gives people incentive. I remember the other forum I used to visit. I worked my way up to 470 posts. I got the name "Zealot." I was very proud.

Though that is not a reason for people to make non-quality posts either. Its not that big of a deal. Just something nice.

[Aptera #1159]

But if you do want creative names... hmm...

* Rechargeable batteries -- you start out at lead-acid, then move up to nickel-iron, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, lithium polymer, lithium phosphate... perhaps even into next-gen ones like lithium vanadium oxide and silicon nanowires.

* Materials -- start out at, say, more conventional materials like plastics and steel, and move up to aluminum and different kinds of composites

* "Greens" -- For a rather whimsical titling system, each title could be a shade of green. It could be hard to rank them, though.

I personally like the batteries idea the most.

Yea, I like that idea. We will need a key for people to understand it though.

[butter]

How about from "I am too busy" to "I need to get out more often"? And few different ones in between. Something that's not too serious.

I don't think it's necessary, I prefer to keep it simple, but having said that, I do like pk-sd's ideas very much.

And I agree with Swinti: it's about the quality of the posts, not the quantity. I have noticed at least one person shooting from 0 to 100 posts in a matter of 2 weeks, with many of the posts and threads being totally redundant to existing ones.

[Aptera #1159]

I don't think it's necessary, I prefer to keep it simple, but having said that, I do like pk-sd's ideas very much.

And I agree with Swinti: it's about the quality of the posts, not the quantity. I have noticed at least one person shooting from 0 to 100 posts in a matter of 2 weeks, with many of the posts and threads being totally redundant to existing ones.

Me?:( Just kidding.:p

[butter]

Me?:( Just kidding.:p

No, it actually wasn't you! Don't worry...

[Aptera #1159]

No, it actually wasn't you! Don't worry...

Haha, you are very funny.:D

I think that person says many useful things; I disagree with you.


I am using the smileys too much. They express in ways words cannot.

[Blur]

I like being a junior member. It has a youthful ring to it. And at 45 I'll cling to all the youthfulness I can get my hands on.


That didn't come out right...

[admin]

I'll tell you guys what. Just come up with some cute names, maybe 6 or 7 of them and I wil assign ranks for them. Names related to aptera or Green energy/hybrid/electric cars. Names that can be ranked in some way.

[Aptera #1159]

I'll tell you guys what. Just come up with some cute names, maybe 6 or 7 of them and I wil assign ranks for them. Names related to aptera or Green energy/hybrid/electric cars. Names that can be ranked in some way.

I like the battery idea. Though I fear the learning curve is too steep. It will make people uncomfortable.

Any other ideas. Non-geek friendly.

[Blur]

These are not to be taken too seriously.

For a French twist...


Junior members could be renamed "Nouveau Beta".

Senior members could be renamed "Bijous de Famille".

[SpyderMike]

dogs rule -


counts for quality

[admin]

* Rechargeable batteries -- you start out at lead-acid, then move up to nickel-iron, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, lithium polymer, lithium phosphate... perhaps even into next-gen ones like lithium vanadium oxide and silicon nanowires.


So does everyone like the battery idea? I personally don't know the difference between any of them, but if someone would like to make the list so I can assign ranks that would be great.

[mmalc]

So does everyone like the battery idea? I personally don't know the difference between any of them, but if someone would like to make the list so I can assign ranks that would be great.

Personally I'd simply remove the rank designations. They only appear to relate to the number of messages someone's posted, and since the actual number is given on the right hand side of every message the rank seems somewhat redundant.
As someone earlier noted, it's the quality not quantity of the posts that matter, and rankings based solely on quantity will be misleading to newcomers (they certainly were to me...). Readers can judge the quality for themselves...

[Aptera #1159]

Personally I'd simply remove the rank designations. They only appear to relate to the number of messages someone's posted, and since the actual number is given on the right hand side of every message the rank seems somewhat redundant.
As someone earlier noted, it's the quality not quantity of the posts that matter, and rankings based solely on quantity will be misleading to newcomers (they certainly were to me...). Readers can judge the quality for themselves...

Its just a fun thing, we are not rewarding by having ranks. Quality does not matter if we are merely observing. Its for fun.:D

Most forums are like this, is this your first forum?

It is for fun. The newcomers can still judge the quality with the new system.

[mmalc]

Its just a fun thing, we are not rewarding by having ranks. Quality does not matter if we are merely observing. Its for fun.:D
Most forums are like this, is this your first forum?


Is this my first forum? Umm, no...

But I still believe it's misleading. If you're new to a forum and see someone designated as a "senior member" then you're inclined to accord more weight to what they say, even if (unbeknownst to you) their principal contribution to the community has been to add "me to!!!! lol!!!" (sic) to anything they agree with.

[KarenRei]

Batteries, in order from earliest uses in electric cars to most recent use, plus some in-progress techs (There's no "absolute ordering", and only space to include a few of the many in development; also, I didn't see a point to including the titanates and spinels when I've got the phosphates, since their stats are all pretty similar)

Lead-acid
Nickel-iron
Nickel cadmium
Nickel metal hydride
Lithium ion
Lithium phosphate
Sodium ion
Tin nanoparticle
Silicon nanowire

[chasmccl]

Karen

Can anything be done to eliminate the Matthijs Logo. It's really offensive and has no place in an otherwise high-quality forum.

[KarenRei]

I recommend that you first take logo issues directly to those involved. Only if they refuse to act will I play a role in mediating.

This should be a standard policy in life; don't call the "cops" on someone without talking to them yourself first unless you feel there's a danger in doing so. Decorum breaks down when you try to force someone to do something rather than just asking them to do so.

Anecdote: I once had a neighbor call the police because a houseguest's car was parked (legally) in front of our house for over a day (cars on the street are supposed to be moved at least once a day); they wanted it to get towed to make it so they wouldn't have to turn as sharply to get out on the street (they still could get out just fine; the car was on *our* side of the street). The police pretty much laughed at them, but needless to say, that event started a two-week feud between neighbors that could have been easily prevented if they had simply asked me to move the car in the first place.

[JimmyDreams]

Karen

Can anything be done to eliminate the Matthijs Logo. It's really offensive and has no place in an otherwise high-quality forum.

I happen to like it. :)

How does someone's choice of avatar affect this 'high quality forum'? This forum is what is written and discussed here, not what someone's choice of Avatar happens to be.

You have the right to be offended. He has the right to his Avatar. Have you asked him to change it???

JimmyD

[A1phaGeek]

-Just Plugged for newbies
-In Charge for admins

[jstdadd]

I move for particles in physics, by energy level. Can I be a lepton?

[KarenRei]

That's a neat idea, jst ;)

[jstdadd]

Do energy level by Posts/period of time and ranking of posts. Two a day at 4 stars beats 3 a day at 2 stars, etc. You move up and down the ranking ladder by 1) posting more posts, and 2) posting higher ranked posts. However, threads, not posts, are rated in the forum... oh, well, food for thought. Is there an option for rating posts that can be put in or just enabled?

I will leave it to Karen to develop the 'particle-energy' list (my high energy physics knowledge is severely lacking.)

I may have been a quark once, but I lack the energy today.

[garygid]

Offensive Avatars (and "smylies"):

Now, two members are using variations of the "peeing boy".
"Cute" at first view perhaps, but offensive in the long run.

Yes, I asked one to reconsider, but the answer was basically No.
I did not ask the other.

I feel that when a number of people start reporting a post, a topic,
a picture, etc. as disgusting or offensive, that somebody should listen
and make stronger requests to modify or even remove the material.

Do I need to make an avatar of an elephant dropping a huge exhaust
pile on a futuristic-looking car to get the point across?

Likewise, please get rid of the "pooping potty" smylie.

These are not really things that we need to use to represent Aptera ...
since we have used their name and logo on this forum we need
to be better than average at maintaining an image acceptable to all.

If we do not, it reflects badly on us, and on Aptera.
If Aptera does not approve (even silently) of our image here,
it is unlikely that they will throw us any "bones" of information.

Thanks for your help.

[JimmyDreams]

Offensive Avatars (and "smylies"):

Now, two members are using variations of the "peeing boy".
"Cute" at first view perhaps, but offensive in the long run.

Yes, I asked one to reconsider, but the answer was basically No.
I did not ask the other.

I feel that when a number of people start reporting a post, a topic,
a picture, etc. as disgusting or offensive, that somebody should listen
and make stronger requests to modify or even remove the material.

Do I need to make an avatar of an elephant dropping a huge exhaust
pile on a futuristic-looking car to get the point across?

Likewise, please get rid of the "pooping potty" smylie.

These are not really things that we need to use to represent Aptera ...
since we have used their name and logo on this forum we need
to be better than average at maintaining an image acceptable to all.

If we do not, it reflects badly on us, and on Aptera.
If Aptera does not approve (even silently) of our image here,
it is unlikely that they will throw us any "bones" of information.

Thanks for your help.

Gary...

To have a actual representation of the members opinions, you'd need a poll. I personally have no opinion of the peeing boy avatar. I'm neither amused nor offended. Does my vote effectively cancel yours?

As for Aptera 'throwing us a bone'.....nothing will get posted here (real info from Aptera) that wasn't already sent to everyone on the reservation list and/or the newsletter. Someone from Aptera probably reads these posts for consumer input, but I seriously don't think that if someone using peeing-boy avatar comes up with a GREAT idea, that Aptera would poo-poo it (pun intended) simply because of their avatar.

I say we all get a little thicker skin and relax just a bit....this isn't a boardroom somewhere governed by EEO laws.

JimmyD

[KarenRei]

The problem is that it discourages people who are offended from coming to this forum. And that's a problem in my book.

If another moderator concurs, I will take action; however, I'm not going to set off on this on my own. In my view, moderator powers are not to be used lightly based on one's own personal opinions.

[wolfdoggy]

I'm with JimmyDreams on this one. I think it is completely ridiculous that grown adults can possibly be offended at a stupid little cartoon character of a peeing boy! In fact I am a little embarressed that Aptera would possibly read such childish re-actions to some cartoon. It's not like it even targets religion or race or anything "sacred"! I know this is the "Socialist Republic of California" as I like to call it, but this kind of targeting of people is offensive to me. Like JimmyDreams said, get a little thicker skin and relax. This board should be fun, so let's try and keep it that way.

I am very tempted to start used the avatar myself, and I don't even especially like it! Not that I dislike it, but it's not very intellectual or clever or cute.

If the people using this avatar keep getting slammed like this, I am going to start using the avatar as a protest. Seriously, let's just move on and stop being so very very sensitive. This is not really any kink of a big deal.

This is my opinion.

[Matt]

I agree with wolfdoggy. Should we remove "Catcher in the Rye" from the library. Censorship is censorship. How do you determine the median of taste.

This is a ridiculous thread. Do you really believe that people who are forward thinking enough to find the Aptera in the first place are going to be seriously offended and not buy an Aptera because some idiot uses a smilie or an avatar that a minority of people are disturbed. I am more likely to leave this forum because nobody on it has a sense of humor or tolerance for opinions that are different from their own. For a car based in California this is utterly ridiculous. Their is a reason this is not offered in Iowa!

The other people that think this way are still fired up by Palin at the RNC but come off it and grow a sense of humor and tolerance! Or at least add something funnier to raise the humor bar.

[JimmyDreams]

The other people that think this way are still fired up by Palin at the RNC but come off it and grow a sense of humor and tolerance! Or at least add something funnier to raise the humor bar.


"NO one expects the Spanish Inquisition!!!"

How's that??
:rolleye0003:

JimmyD

[Matt]

Now you've got me thinking of the Mel Brooks musical comedy "Meaning of Life"

'The Inquisition what a show.....'

How about a ranking system that goes from something like:

Learning to Recycle
Solar Panels on Roof
Foster Parent for Homeless Polar Bears
Certified Tree Hugger
Movin' to Berkeley!

I know we are all bored with no real new information but I've never been on a forum that worried about vulgar but G-rated Avatars and smilies. By the way I briefly lived in Iowa it is one of the levels of hell.

[KarenRei]

Default
I agree with wolfdoggy. Should we remove "Catcher in the Rye" from the library. Censorship is censorship.

So are you of the opinion that people here should be allowed to have avatars of, say, a man being intimate with a horse?

If you can't see the difference between banning a book and having standards on what images everyone is *forced* to look at as long as they're here, I don't know what to say.

[JimmyDreams]

So are you of the opinion that people here should be allowed to have avatars of, say, a man being intimate with a horse?


Karen...

Are you really unable to distinguish between tongue-in-cheek and something really offensive? Besides, are you SURE the little boy is peeing on the OPEC sign? Perhaps he has a bottle of water in front of him or a hose....or maybe the stream isn't water at all but a piece of flimsy plastic??

YOU see what you want to see. But if it's REALLY a little boy peeing....well, that's something EVERY little boy does a couple times a DAY....the only thing that changes is what he's aiming at.

A man being intimate with a horse....well, that's only something you'd find in Texas. (For all you Texans out there, that was a tongue-in-cheek jab at Pres. Bush, nothing more.) ;)

But seriously, your comparison is at the extreme end and is what the vast majority would find offensive. I think it's pretty much the minority that finds the peeing boy offensive. But let's make a poll and see....if I can figure out how to do that, I'll post one. If you don't see one up in the next 30 minutes, then you know I couldn't get it done and you're free to 'take the forums pulse' on this. I'd really like to see the results.

JimmyD

[Doyle]

Avatar: Is it crude? Is it offensive? Is it humorous and cute? We'll probably never get consensus in the forum. There's always some who are quick to demand their "rights" and whine about censure.

Seems to me it's more an issue of maturity and consideration. I would imagine that people who are willing to wait a year or more for cutting edge automotive technology and then shell out $27K + would also show a comparable level of style. Maybe not.

I say dump the junior-high-humor avatars and pick something else - just because this is about Aptera.

[KarenRei]

Exactly. This should be a really simple issue: it's bothering some members of the forum. Why *wouldn't* you change it as a courtesy to your fellow forum members? Do you want to annoy other people on the forum?

[sk8ndad]

I would tend to agree...I don't knowingly do things that offend others if there is a way to achieve the same effect without offending them. If the goal is to offend them, then so be it, but my guess is that the goal was to be humerous. Just like it is ok to tell certain jokes to people who find them funny, but it is not ok to tell those same jokes to someone who finds them offensive.

The thing I find refreshing is that the people who found this offensive, said so. It is a little thing to find a different way to express onesself that does not offend.

Just my $.02

For what its worth, I don't see it as offensive, but see it as an effective communication of the owner's disdain for the oil cartel :happy0005: