User ranks suggestions/comments?

[Kesvirit]

The current (default) system of member ranks is as follows:
Newbie          
Novice       
Apprentice          
Acolyte          
Member          
Forum Helper       
Advanced Member       
Honoured Member       
Elite Member    

To an extent we can change it. I want to hear what our members think.   Whether a single title or a complete heirarchy, what are your ideas for user ranks?

[tmk1000]

i like how they are now.if we went bt how long someone was with the forms then one that might be with the forms form the start might be high
ranking but has made one post <_< and some who just joined might have 100 posts but still be a Newbie .but it might be cool if their was separate
rank for how long the one has been with the forms aside from how much they post
 

[Kesvirit]

i like how they are now. if we went bt how long someone was with the forms then one that might be with the forms form the start might be high ranking but has made one post

If I understand you correctly, yes, the current system works the same way the old system did by assigning rankings strictly by the number of posts a member has made.  When they actually registered doesn't enter into it. The system's counters automatically bump your rank up into the next highest category once you hit a certain number of posts.  We can change both the required number of posts and the names of the categories.

it might be cool if their was separate rank for how long the one has been with the forms aside from how much they post

The ranking system's automatic counters only allow it to keep track of one variable at a time: the number of posts a given member has in the system.  I'm not entirely pleased with it because some people lost more posts than others, but under the circumstances it seemed the fairest way to do things.

Using two ranking systems would be more difficult and a lot more work because the second system would have to be done manually.  Also, were we to do this, many people would be left out altogether because we do not have their names or registration dates to work from; they registered early on, only made one or two posts, and these posts were lost during the crash.
 
When I asked about changing the user ranks, what I had in mind was to change the names of the default ranks (Newbie, Novice, Apprentice, etc.) to something more Klingon in nature.

 - Kesvirit

[Klythe]

Okay, I was trying to shoehorn Imperial Naval ranks (which would eithe be impenetrable tlhIngan Hol or even worse Federation equivallents, ick!   Then I thought I'd switch to using Marine ranks and old school terms, but those can be just as unfamiliar.


So I got crazy and tried to make up a series of ranks of Klingon talkers.   Of course I can't be serious while doing this, so most have some sort of pun, reference or other flourish to them.   Feel free to nitpick these to death.  From least eloquent to most:

- Grunt   
- Curse Crafter
- Conversational Klingon
- Doom Speller
- Lettered Veteran
- Word Warrior
- Dangerous Mind
- Idea Leader/Marshaller
- Thought Master

I'm sure there is room for improvement, so if your favourite form of vocalization isn't listed, lets hear it.  I'm sure we can turn a few more into psuedo-military sounding titles.  Help me out here!
   

[Kesvirit]

Okay, I was trying to shoehorn Imperial Naval ranks (which would eithe be impenetrable tlhIngan Hol  or even worse Federation equivallents, ick! Then I thought I'd switch to using Marine ranks and old school terms, but those can be just as unfamiliar.

One reason I asked fellow Klinfolk for their input is because these Forums are unique in nature.  They are an arm of the Diplomatic Corps, and while we have many fine and high-ranking warriors in our midst we do not represent the military arms of the Empire.  Thus I would still like to hear your old school terms (no, that is not an order).  The purpose of this thread is to brainstorm and eventually put forth a list of possible plans to the Lady K'Zin.

I got crazy

(and just had to set me off, didn't you)

and tried to make up a series of ranks of Klingon talkers. Of course I can't be serious while doing this, so most have some sort of pun, reference or other flourish to them.

The finest kind! }}: D

Feel free to nitpick these to death.

*evil laughter echoes throughout the room*
- Grunt -- I thought you wanted to leave the Marines out of this.
- Curse Crafter -- Insults in about an hour?
- Conversational Klingon -- You are at the wrong site. "Conversational Klingon" is thataway ---> http://kli.org. You should have turned left at Tahrn, not south.  Have your navigator flogged.
- Doom Speller -- Unfortunately this has been made obsolete with the invention of the spel cheker.
- Dangerous Mind -- If you are here, you qualify.  Such a term does not do much to discern between different posting ranks

Based on zan Klythe's proposed system, I have concocted the following.  (It reads as an oh-so-tidy table in my word ap that I haven't been able to copy on either Forum system.  If anyone figures out how, speak up!)

Member Rank	posts	squares
Newcomer	0	0
Scribe	5	1
Courier	10	1
Composer	20	1
Curse Crafter	35	2
Lettered Veteran	50	2
Envoy	100	3
Word Warrior	200	4
Senior Strategist	350	4
Thought Master	500	5

What do people think? There is still plenty of time for more suggestions (and room for improvement).

 - Kesvirit

P.S. As the honorable zan Klythe's system continues to mutate:
"Lettered Veteran" -- I would prefer a Vetted Letterman, but I will save it for net.flame or alt.fan.letterman.
"Word Warrior" --  "Warped Worrier".  You rang?
"Idea Leader/Marshaller" -- Ideal/Lead Marshmallow.  Something a Klingon would not approve of, let alone follow.
"Thought Master" -- too much overlap with "Besotted B@$+@rd", something most moderators try to keep off the boards.

[edit: Finally fixed table - Klythe]

[Klythe]

Thus I would still like to hear your old school terms (no, that is not an order).

    The only good ones were incorporated into my eloquency scale...

    I think you may have missed the joke on that one...  It had nothing to do with skills in tlhIngan Hol, but how by then they would have grown into a bit of a conversationalist...  I thought it would be clever and funny to say, things like "You are now a Conversational Klingon, converse!".

[Kesvirit]

quoth Klythe I think you may have missed the joke on that one... It had nothing to do with skills in tlhIngan Hol , but how by then they would have grown into a bit of a conversationalist... I thought it would be clever and funny to say, things like "You are now a Conversational Klingon, converse!".

I did not miss it. In the earlier incarnation of the Forums, many recruits let it be known that they had a specific interest in learning the Hol.  In Klindom, "Conversational Klingon" refers to a specific commercially produced learning aid. It was my concern that newcomers would misunderstand the intended humor of the ranking to mean that one must have a degree of fluency in thlIngan Hol to achieve that rank.  Hence my presentation to you of the nit.

*Bows with hand outstreched. Klythe leans forward to see a small, weakly struggling creepy-crawlie. Before he can accept it from the proferred palm, Kesvirit's avatar Fluffy bounds forward to slurp it up. Kesvirit slaps the whatsit on the snout. It growls smugly and licks both fangs with a single sweep of its bifurcated tongue.*

That was intended for zan Klythe!

*Fluffy burps. Kesvirit glares at it, then turns attention back to Klythe.*

My apologies. I will correct the beast. You did not miss much... they have little flavor, and that one was almost dead anyway.
However, before the one takes offense over the missed joke or the missed snack, I must ask why there was no reference to the spel cheker. }}; P

 - Kesv

[qoSagh]

I realize that I am replying to an old thread here, but I seem to have become living proof of this issue. I joined the forums 11 days ago and due to being so opinionated have already reached "member". While I appreciate the system that uses strictly the number of posts for ranking, I had an unfair advantage over someone who has been here a long(er) time. When I joined, I read through most of the topics that had been established, I replied to those that I was interested in or felt I could contribute to, but since there were so many I was able to log 10 posts in my first ay without much effort (without realizing it at first). I have reached my current level almost exclusively by replying to my earlier posts.

I think if possible a slightly more fair approach would be a system that only allows one promotion over a certain amount of time. It could be short like 10 days or long like 6 months, but that would at least stop someone with far too much free time, from quickly surpassing the senior members. It would also provide for members that fall by the wayside, to be surpassed by newer members who were more active, as long as they put in some amount of time.

Currently someone more opinionated than me (not that they exist anywhere but in theory but...) could possibly be prolific enough to spend a day reaching high rank all by short posts, then never come back. Leaving a strange but true legacy similar to the lone ranger......who was that masked poster!

[Kesvirit]

I realize that I am replying to an old thread here,

I am glad you did. Unless a thread has been locked, something we have yet to do, posters are encouraged to add to it. In this way old topics are sometimes given new life.

I joined the forums 11 days ago and due to being so opinionated have already reached "member". While I appreciate the system that uses strictly the number of posts for ranking, I had an unfair advantage over someone who has been here a long(er) time.

It is a rare Klingon who is not opinionated and impassioned about something.

The point you raise has come up before. Similar isssues include members who bump their post count with a lot of one-line or "me too" posts without contributing anything in the way of new material and those who <sheepish> will go on for pages given the time, opportunity, and bandwidth </sheepish>. Refer to the second and third posts in the thread for reasons why we cannot promote each member on an individual basis.

When I joined, I read through most of the topics that had been established, I replied to those that I was interested in or felt I could contribute to, but since there were so many I was able to log 10 posts in my first ay without much effort (without realizing it at first). I have reached my current level almost exclusively by replying to my earlier posts.

There is nothing wrong with that, so long as you do not spend your allotted sleep periods posting (as myself and at least one other poster have been known to do). You will find many such instances of back-and-forth, thrust-and-parry posting as members discuss topics and fight over ideas. I am glad you have found so many topics that interest you.

I think if possible a slightly more fair approach would be a system that only allows one promotion over a certain amount of time.

Unfortunately a search through the administration panel did not yield an option for that, and it would take too many staff-hours to keep track of each member's posting periodicity. I will add it to the hack search list. If I can find one our system can run, Lady K'Zin will have to verify it and install it at the domain level. In neither case should you hold your breath, for you will surely suffocate before the goal is realized.

Currently someone ... could possibly be prolific enough to spend a day reaching high rank all by short posts...

To date, that has not been much of a problem. Those who do so do not escape detection for long and are dealt with on an individual basis. Those who *do* escape pay for their dishonorable actions by having applicable posts condensed and irrelevant ones deleted.


Meanwhile...
Presented for your (plural) approval:

My most recent proposed version of rankings. The first set of mamber rankings correspond best with the Diplomatic theme; the alternatives in parentheses are an attempt to do zan Klythe one better. I myself think that many Klinfolk take such things Too Seriously, but I do not wish to make us appear frivolous.  I ask my fellow posters for their opinions.

Member Rank    |   posts   |   squares
Newcomer  (Grunt)      |       0      |      0
Scribe    (Doom Speler)   |       5      |      1
Courier   (Comm-poseur)   |      10      |      1
Composer  (Mouthpiece)   |      20      |      1
Curse Crafter      |      35      |      2
Lettered Veteran      |      50      |      2
Envoy       (Pundit)   |        100      |      3
Word Warrior      |        200      |      4
Senior Strategist      |        350      |      4
Thought Master      |        500      |      5[/list]<Ben Stein> Anyone? Anyone? </Stein>

-=- Kesvirit

[qoSagh]

I do like the idea, although I think perhaps the numbers should be more even, imagine only 5 posts needed to advance one level byt 150 for another. I know that there should be alot required of a Thought Master, but I think there should also be alot required of a simple scribe. Perhaps promoting to scribe at 15 instead of 5 and working up from there. Klingons (especially in fandom) are very title oriented, but a title should be meaningful to all involved. It is better to earn Ensign than to be handed Admiral (or Chancellor as the case may be).

As for what to call the titles, I do like the idea of keeping with the Diplomatic theme, for a couple ofreasons. First these are KIDC forums and that should count for something. Second, Using anything military or para-miklitary will likely conflict with someones club rankings at some time. Most Klingon Clubs seem to revolve around the military and I have met people who were Captain/Commander due to multiple memberships.

The only suggestion I would offer as to the titles is to find something to replace Courier and Envoy with. My reasoning is that all the other proposed titles, are self oriented, one can be a word warrior by his own hand. But As a courier or Envoy the implication is that the one is doing anothers work. Since these titles are being offered as a symbol of ones own activity on the forums, they should reflect that. A courier is one who delivers the messages of another, a Curse Crafter is one who crafts his own curses.  

[Klythe]

I realize that I am replying to an old thread here,

    Even if we had a rule against such things(as my other board does), there would always be a provision to encourage new perspectives that add to the discussion.   An idea ios no less valuable for having arrived to the discussion later.

I ... have already reached "member".  I had an unfair advantage over someone who has been here a long(er) time.

 
     Kai, the Member!  Congratuations on your swift and justly deserved promotion.   Your posts have been well placed blows.
In the Klingon Empire as I see it, life is too short to hold people back.  No one told Cadet Vrenn on his cadet cruise that although he qualified to be Brevet Lieutenant, that he had not been in the service long enough to deserve the rank.   He was breveted rank immediately after he proved worthy of it.

    Klingons do not care about what is fair or not.  If you have earned something, it is yours.  You have taken nothing from the old lurkers.  If they wanted rank they would speak thier minds and post more often.


I still would like something like Conversant Klingon or Klingon Conversationalist.   It's a shame that Postmaster General is already taken...   Ever since I read Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, I've always wanted to work my way up to Senior Shouting Officer...   Palavar First Calss?  Okay...  Now I'm scraping at the dregs at the bottom of the barrel of Bloodwine...    I did like your Comm-poser though!

If we did have a way to incorporate time into ranks, Poster Child could honor a young, but bright starburster, on the path to thier own command.  And a Post Ghost could be the opposite...   But alas we do not have that.

[Kesvirit]

quoth qoSagh Klingons (especially in fandom) are very title oriented, but a title should be meaningful to all involved. It is better to earn Ensign than to be handed Admiral (or Chancellor as the case may be).

Though they are hosted by the KIDC, the Forums are not a formal fan organization with activities and requirements for advancement.  One is not required to attend functions, produce costumes, recruit new members, do club PR, etc. to belong or to advance. The only real "ranks" we have are Administrator, Moderator, and Member.  Moderators are recruited as needed, and Members' seniority are based on posting participation.  Most forum run along similar lines.

quoth qoSagh The only suggestion I would offer as to the titles is to find something to replace Courier and Envoy with. My reasoning is that all the other proposed titles, are self oriented, one can be a word warrior by his own hand. But As a courier or Envoy the implication is that the one is doing anothers work. Since these titles are being offered as a symbol of ones own activity on the forums, they should reflect that. A courier is one who delivers the messages of another, a Curse Crafter is one who crafts his own curses.

A courier is not merely another's errand-running flunky. They are responsible for the information they relay, and the sucess or failure of an entire operation may be dependant on data getting through to its destination. Valkris was a courier and gave her life for the completion of her mission and the glory of the Empire.  An envoy is no servant, but a trusted representative whose job is to win concessions via battles of words and ideas. Both must rely on their own initiative and cunning to complete their assignments.

I will certainly consider any alternatives presented.

quoth Klythe I still would like something like Conversant Klingon or Klingon Conversationalist. It's a shame that Postmaster General is already taken... Ever since I read Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, I've always wanted to work my way up to Senior Shouting Officer...

I have explained why we cannot use "Conversational Klingon", clever though it is.  Some alternatives:

Conferring Klingon
Discoursing Diplomat
Rappin' Ridged One (only applies to Imperials)
Tete-a-tete Tech
Spiel Specialist
Gossip-til-you-gagh

C'mon, Klinfolk, keep 'em comin'...

-=- Kesvirit

[SoplaHtaHwI']

I too have tried to whip the table into shape, but lacking the HTML tags that are very suited for the purpose, have miserably failed.

I agree that if we were to turn to tlhIngan Hol we would end up with a lot of {jatlh}s speak and {Tin} great or {be'} not in there...

The two ranks that are "handed out" as it were do not necessarily have to do with being a good poster, as Senior Strategist and Thought Master do.

Of the alternatives to Conversational Klingon I like
Gossip-til-you-gagh the best, however I would rephrase it to Gossip-before-gagh

I would suggest we stick to the diplomatic honors system.

Grunt  -> works so well in being the basic word-crafter
Scribe
Courier -> as it is supposed to be someone who is entrusted to carry anothers words, I see the problem with Klindom. Maybe Curse Cleaver would be better...
Composer
Curse Crafter -> Crafty Curser
Lettered Veteran
Envoy -> again, I do understand the problem with an envoy bringing anothers ideas. Eloquent One might be better?
Word Warrior
Senior Strategist
Thought Master
 

[qoSagh]

I like Eloquent One, that sounds so arrogant which means Klingon in my book. I have one idea to replace courier, it is more Kzin than Klin but how about Poster to Forums, like Speaker to Animals. Just a thought.

[Kesvirit]

Regarding the last round of suggestions...

quoth SoplaHtaHwI'
I agree that if we were to turn to tlhIngan Hol we would end up with a lot of {jatlh}s speak and {Tin} great or {be'} not in there...

That is not the reason for not posting member rankings in tlhIngan Hol. Very few of our posters have the proficiency necessary to understand rankings translated into the Hol. Of those who have stated intention to learn the language, most are beginners.  And some people do not seek to learn it at all.  thlIngan Hol is but one of many aspects of Klindom, and I will not exclude those who do not include it in their pursuits.

The two ranks that are "handed out" as it were do not necessarily have to do with being a good poster, as Senior Strategist and Thought Master do.

Agreed. But regular member evaluations by some sort of promotions board are made all the more difficult by the amount of time involved and establishing the criteria of what constitutes a "good" poster. I think we agree that mere post count does not a good -- or poor -- poster make. How many long posts vs. two-liners must a good poster make? How many new ideas or topics does a "good" poster generate? Balancing the quantity vs. quantity issue alone would be a never-ending battle. And not the kind found in the Black Fleet

quoth qoSagh
I like Eloquent One, that sounds so arrogant which means Klingon in my book. *** I do like the idea of keeping with the Diplomatic theme, for a couple ofreasons. First these are KIDC forums and that should count for something.

One's eloquence does not necessarily correspond with one's post count. Before the crash, we had several posters strafe the board by registering, posting something (thought) provoking, and then disappear into the void. kalaa HoD is still wanted by the authorities.  

As for keeping with the Diplomatic theme, arrogance must be tempered with forethought and a degree of courtesy to achieve affective diplomacy. Unless the kind of diplomacy you have in mind is preceeded by the word "gunboat"...

I have one idea to replace courier, it is more Kzin than Klin but how about Poster to Forums, like Speaker to Animals. Just a thought.

Everyone who posts is a "Poster to Forums", regardless of the number of posts they have contributed. And surely you do not suggest that either the Ambassador or myself would pay homage to those who would prefer us kept us as mindless breeding machines and pleasure toys?

Do you?

I thought not. To do so would be most... undiplomatic.


Do not let this discourage you. I appreciate the thought and humor that have gone into everyone's suggestions so far, and look forward to more of them. We WILL yet give these boards a Klingon atmosphere.

-=- Kesvirit

[Kesvirit]

SoplaHtaHwI':  I too have tried to whip the table into shape, but lacking the HTML tags that are very suited for the purpose, have miserably failed.

It is frustrating, I know. The nearest I have come to a solution is to use the list option in the BB code to post indented lines. I hope that anyone who comes up with something more complete will tell of it.

As for user ranks, here is my most recent proposal:

Member Rank    |   posts   |   squares
Grunt             |       0      |      0
Scribe         |      15      |      1
Courier         |      30      |      2
Composer         |      50      |      3
Klingon Conversationalist |          75      |      4
Curse Crafter      |        100      |      5
Lettered Veteran      |        150      |      6
Discoursing Diplomat   |        200      |      7
Word Warrior      |        300      |      8
Senior Strategist      |        400      |      9
Thought Master      |        500      |      10[/list]
It takes a little longer to accumulate the first square (a jump from 5 to 15 posts), and gradually increases post requirements between rankings while rewarding each promotion with another square.

I would also like to replace those blue squares (they look like something on a neotrek Starfleet officer's uniform }}>:-P) with something more appropriately Klingon.  I have a small .gif of the khomerex stela in red and yellow on a black background that I think would look great, if it can be sized down without losing definition.

-=- Kesvirit

[qoSagh]

I like the new ranks, of course I still think courier implies one who simply transports anothers work, but I will not rehash that one. I especially like Klingon Conversationalist, as it does not require tlhIngan Hol but simply Klingon Conversations such as these boards are famous/infamous for.

The only one I wonder about would be Curse Crafter, while I don't think anyone could dispute that a Curse Crafter is of higher status than a Conversationalist, I would think that the two titles refer to different artforms all together. While a Conversationalist is truly gifted with words, a Curse Crafter is truly gifted with a specific category of words, not simply better gifted with the whole language. I would think that, possibly due to the large naval presence in the Empire, the phrase "He has a mouth like a sailor" would be quite the compliment.

Since the goal here is a forum ranking system and this uses number of posts to indicate forum rank/status, it would be possible to acheive Curse Crafter without ever uttering a single foul word be it crafted well or poorly.

 

[Klythe]

The only one I wonder about would be Curse Crafter, while I don't think anyone could dispute that a Curse Crafter is of higher status than a Conversationalist,

    I would.  But I have funny ideas.  A conversationalist talks a lot, so they would have a large number of posts, while a highly skilled Curse Crafter could silence opponents in one post.

the phrase "He has a mouth like a sailor" would be quite the compliment.

    Only if the listener is well versed in terran idioms.   Otherwise if you are luck you will get responses like "He enjoys eating citrus fruits?" or "His mouth goes on long voyages for months or years at a time?".  If you are unlucky there are much worse interpretations that could be made of this metaphor (if you try this at home, please don't report back what you come up with), before you explain, "I meant that he curses as a starship crewman does!"

   A conversationalist is far more diplomatic than a Curse Crafter.  No matter how highly revered the practice is places where alcohol is served, it doesn't hold the same power at the Galactic Summit...

    The graphic will probably shrink better without the black background, especially against the light grey of the board's frame areas.  The same light grey should probably be used for the icon.

[qoSagh]

Ok, so it was an earth idiom, and I see your point. I would however stand by the idea that the human concept of having a "mouth like a sailor" would be a compliment. I liked the other interpretations, and even came up with some of my own that could be seen as downright filthy.

As for a Curse Crafter being able to silence opponants in a single post, that is exactly why the title is of a higher status, becuase it denotes a higher skill. I would dipute the fact that sucha  skill would not be welcome at the galactic summit. I would think that a well crafter curse would be very welcome at a summit, especially if the intention were to insult someone without them getting the full meaning, but still conveying for the rest of your delegation that they had been insulted. This would get into a whole different type of curse warefare than one would see in the average bar, but I think it would be very skillfully applied.

[Kesvirit]

qoSagh:  I like the new ranks, of course I still think courier implies one who simply transports anothers work, but I will not rehash that one.

I will not rehash it but will add something to it. In the diplomatic arena scribes do not craft their own words either, but copy/transcribe for others or write works that will be used by and attributed to others.  Couriers are necessary to get these works to those who will agrue them.  Though these may be seen as menial jobs, both are vital to diplomatic work. They are the anonymous backbone of the system as are shock troops to the military. Traditionally speaking, most people have to start at the bottom in any organization. Both rankings give incentive for posters to work their way out of such positions and earn a higher standing.

It could be worse.  When the Forums first went online, the two lowest ranks were Fedddie Scum and Tribble. What Klingon worth carrying a child's toy blade would not want to rise above those designations?

qoSagh: The only one I wonder about would be Curse Crafter, while I don't think anyone could dispute that a Curse Crafter is of higher status than a Conversationalist, I would think that the two titles refer to different artforms all together. While a Conversationalist is truly gifted with words, a Curse Crafter is truly gifted with a specific category of words, not simply better gifted with the whole language.

Agreed. Conversationalist and Curse Crafter are different specialties. One seeking to rise within the Diplomatic ranks would have to gain many skill to be effective in dealing with the differing customs of the multitude of races to which one is exposed during the course of a career. One would have to have experience in both Conversation and Curse Crafting to be considered a Veteran of Letters, a mastery of both to be a full Diplomat, a thorough knowledge of Conversation, Curse Crafting and Diplomacy to be an effective Word Warrior, etc. Thus each new ranking incorporates the skills of all the ranks below it. (Granted, some people never learn any of these skills. But that's the idea.)

qoSagh: As for a Curse Crafter being able to silence opponants in a single post, that is exactly why the title is of a higher status, becuase it denotes a higher skill. I would dipute the fact that sucha skill would not be welcome at the galactic summit. I would think that a well crafter curse would be very welcome at a summit, especially if the intention were to insult someone without them getting the full meaning, but still conveying for the rest of your delegation that they had been insulted. This would get into a whole different type of curse warefare than one would see in the average bar, but I think it would be very skillfully applied.

This what I had in mind.  Because diplomats wage war with words as weapons, the gilded insult that cuts deep but cannot be avenged is the most powerful weapon in the diplomat's extensive arsenal.

qoSagh:  the phrase "He has a mouth like a sailor" would be quite the compliment.
Klythe:  Only if the listener is well versed in terran idioms. *** If you are unlucky there are much worse interpretations that could be made of this metaphor (if you try this at home, please don't report back what you come up with), before you explain, "I meant that he curses as a starship crewman does!"

Zan Klythe, you both overgeneralize and give those who crew Imperial vessels too much credit.
Ah... So I have concluded based on others' reports.

Klythe: The graphic will probably shrink better without the black background, especially against the light grey of the board's frame areas. The same light grey should probably be used for the icon.

With my primeval graphics application it does not reduce well at all.  It may be that it does not need to be reduced much, that the placement of ranking squares can be configured. But not be me.  I do not have the security authorization to make changes on the domain level.

The whole idea behind using the one presented was to incorporate more complimentary color contrast into the boards' skin while ridding it of those clashing blue squares.  Changing the color of the squares my be a possibility.  I will investigate.

-=- Kesvirit

[weslipuqlod]

Commenting upon only the desire to create a ranking graphic I will offer this...

I have Adobe Illustrator.  When a decision is made for graphics I offer to develop it into the final product for proper display within the Forums.  When that time comes we can discuss details such as format and file type.

Essentially I can create any size graphic with clarity so that it does not have to be resized and suffer resolution warping.

Examples of my work can be found by exploring The Alliance of Identical Fire.

[Kesvirit]

I have Adobe Illustrator. When a decision is made for graphics I offer to develop it into the final product for proper display within the Forums. When that time comes we can discuss details such as format and file type.

I thank you for the offer. Unfortunately while looking into changing the color of the rank squares I have found that the issue is not one of board settings, but one of The Dreaded Code. (Perhaps a relative of The Dread Canon? Identical initials, similar names...)

I am attempting to gain the proper security clearance and access to the necessary controls. Anyone with knowledge of cascading style sheets/skins looking for a project in service to the Empire is encouraged to report in.

-=- Kesvirit

[Kesvirit]

Several people have asked why I left the new system in place for only a week before changing it. The answer is, I didn't. Lady K'Zin has left to tend to House business. At last report she is due back this weekend, and will post her reasons then.

In the meantime, I thank everyone who posted to this thread for their feedback and ideas.

-=- Kesvirit

[qoSagh]

Are the current forum ranks listed anywhere on the forums? I thought they were here, as part of this thread but only saw the most recent previous rank table. I searched and couldn't find them anywhere else.

[Klythe]

Actually I don't think they are posted anywhere...  I think it sort of fell through the cracks.

    Even though the sytem has already been in place for months.  I just thought I'd share a few more that just came to me...

    Although it is a but more furry than most flatfaced Klingons a  "Muzzle Unloader" has much to shoot off about.  Perhaps "Sting Tongue" was the name of a Klingon ship in the FASA Star Trek RPG, perhaps "Strong Tongue" or "Swift Tongue" might be better though...   A "Deep Throat" has other terran connotations...  but a "Bottomless Throat", now there is somewho who can talk!