tcook052

Having only passed the 40 mark days ago it's still a novelty but don't see too much wrong with mile markers of one sort or another whether it's post count or enrollment date. While FT doesn't other sites I visit note the anniversary of your enrollment which to me is little different than post count as it marks time instead of posts rather than content contributions.

Indeed and I had a similar reaction to the numbers. The angst from a relative few hasn't convinced me that wholesale title changes are really necessary. Perhaps we could add the title definitions to FAQ or Glossary so members, especially newer ones, who aren't sure can check but IMHO this isn't a problem that requires a solution.

kipper

FT does list join date.

tcook052

Yes, but you aren't given status based upon your length as a member as on other sites.

CokeandTaco

Thank you SanDiego1K and (IBxAnders) for posting/compiling this information.
Good stuff.^

exilencfc

Interesting discussion to stumble across.

Personally I like member titles as a forum feature, my personally favourite being 'forumname ornament'. I appreciate that not everyone feels the same love. So far as the current titles are concerned, I think FT posting legend is descriptive and sensible. I don't like Evangelist as a title and would like to see it replaced. I would like to see some new levels added (say at 179, 5k and 20/25k) but would not welcome names like gold/silver/bronze as this would cause too much confusion.

I also think it would be nice to make use of the ability to give members custom titles to recognise their outstanding contributions. Perhaps the programme forums could hold secret ballots to determine their most helpful member(s)?

OverThereTooMuch

Interesting that you like some of the current names, yet think that these would cause confusion. Can you clarify the concern on this one? It's the equivalent to hotel/FF status. You don't have to contribute in any useful way, you just have to use the service. I would think this sort of leveling would be the easiest for the community to immediately grasp.

Nope. Encourages the cliques. I like the concept of rewarding people that make valid contributions, but the nightmare & drama associated with the voting/nomination isn't needed here.

javabytes

Agreed. I wouldn't want this for the same reason I wouldn't want a reputation system... popular people don't always make valid contributions, and valid contributions aren't always popular. The voting would only add drama to a site that, I dare say, has plenty.

exilencfc

I think FT Posting Legend is a sensible and descriptive title - it just implies that somebody has posted a lot without implying anything about the quality of the posts.

I don't like FT Evangelist as a title. I'm uncomfy with the religious connotations anyway but it also implies a preaching of the true faith which isn't appropriate if people are posting absolute crap.

My concern with gold/silver/bronze or similar is that a lot of people who come onto FT don't know anything about status and aren't mileage addicts - that tends to be an effect of FT membership rather than the cause. For somebody who is trying to get to grips with FT and with various airline programmes yet another set of gold/silver/bronze etc levels is going to be a confusion.

Conversely those members who do understand and revere status might judge a poster by their FT status rather than the content of their posts - a more serious version of the current issue with posts by prolific members not necessarily being more reliable than those by newbies.

Might it be worth considering a sort of parody version, as others have already touched on - say FT soil, FT coal, FT kryptonite? Or is that too obtuse. To me what's needed are titles that recognise dedication to posting without implying expertise or board leadership.

UA Fan

Sorry if I missed something, but how does szg have a join date in 2006? Wasn't FT started in 98 and all those who joined then have a title of original member?

MSPeconomist

We could use planets as names. We all learned the planets in order in school, which would avoid the isn't ruby worth more than sapphire conundrum.

nsx

Then instead of Suspended we can use Oort Cloud, indicating that the member is invisible and return is a long time away. @:-)

jackal

Oort Clouds? What do you think you are, a rocket scientist?

CMK10

Now we'll need a whole new discussion as to whether we should or should not use Pluto.

SkiAdcock

Going from memory here/what I've read somewhere, but those with "Original Member" titles were given to those that joined in the beginning ('98) & not in latter years.

Cheers.

UA Fan

I am so embarrassed I asked that question. When I saw 2006 for some reason my mind read it as 1996.