Titles

[cgland]

I've had a couple people ask me about the titles of the site, so I wanted to get your opinions on the subject. The way the forum software works is basically all or none...meaning it goes by post count for everyone. Now, I certainly know some of you are not "Apprentices" and I also know some of you are not "ProHardscapers" either!.....So what do we do? Our opinion here at prohardscaper.com is that it should be based both on merit on this site as well as what you have shown on other sites, which means that we would take these things into account and just hand out titles as we see fit..................or....................have the membership vote on it. What is everyone's opinion? I want this site to be for, of and by the people, not a dictatorship, so what do you think? Talk amongst yourselves!:gossip: and let us know!

Chris

[kris]

So how many posts do you need to move up?...mbella has about 20 and has the title prohardscaper

[cgland]

Mike certainly knows what he is doing and he has proven his quality by posting pics of his work, both here and elsewhere..........This is why the typical thread count system won't work. It's just dumb calling someone like you or McKeeland, etc. an "apprentice" that's why we need to revamp our title system, but I just want to hear what everyone has to say.
The way it's currently set up is 1-499 - Apprentice 500-999 - Journeyman 1000-1999 Crew leader 2000+ ProHardscaper

Chris

[kris]

I understand Chris .. I can and will post pics of OUR work...the reason I emphasize the OUR is because I do very little work in the field besides training. I have been laying pavers and building walls since 1978 ...longer than some of you are yrs old...which means I have made all the mistakes lol and more than I hope most of you do. There is many more resources available to young guys now.

disclaimer .. no matter how long you have been doing this there is always plenty to learn.

[scaper27]

I think its a great idea. This way you can get a feel about who you are vtalking to. I am kind of new to the hardscaope world, but have been doing some jobs here and there. I know I don't know everything and am always looking to learn new things and that why I am here. So I have a little experience and would know if someone in BSing or not. I think that would keep the site professional

[mckeeland]

Chris,

you bring up a good point. i was wondering about the titling system. i know a lot of other site use the posting thing, which is misleading. it always funny when you read a heated debate only to find the guy with a gazillion posts doesn't even work in the industry arguing with you about or he's 18years old! posting # are important as a contributing member of a forum, however they shouldn't be the only criteria though. the question is what and how do you figure out the other criterias? i guess it depends on how involved you want to get into it. do you have everyone list their credentials, years in business, age etc?

[JFMX345]

I don't know how hard this is... but how about a rating system where members can give other members "points". So if I read a post that really helps me or I feel is beneficial, I can hit a button and give the poster a point.
After so many points you get a better title.

If this sounds good, please give me points:humble:

[NewHorizon's Land]

One point for JFMX345

[cgland]

There is a "reputation feature", but I'm hesitant to use it. I've been on other forums and it tends to get abused....then people get pizzed....then people leave. I'm not sure that I want that.

Chris

[-EGLC-]

I think that it should be based on pics of your work & how insiteful your posts are. JMO

Yah the rep. feature is chit. I was on one forum & because several people disagreed with me they all left me negatives & my little botton turned red so I left.

[markam70]

are titles really necessary?

[cgland]

are titles really necessary?

Well, We have been discussing it and we feel that the forum system is too biased, being that it is based solely on post count. We also feel that us (or the forum) voting on people to have certain titles will only lead to hurt feelings or people getting pizzed off in general, so we have decided to eliminate titles (except for mods/admin) However, we are entertaining some different ideas with regards to rewarding guys for good meaningful posts as well as alot of good meaningful posts. Thats really the name of the game here. We are looking for quality. Now, we have not hammered the details out, but it will be along these lines. Once someone reaches 500 meaningful posts, and we will decide if they are meaningful, we will give them a ProHardscaper.com T-shirt and possibly some better things as the post counts get higher. I repeat, "the details have not been hammered out yet" Keep your eyes on the "Site News and Events" forum for updates on this topic, as well as some contests we have lined up and some other special promotions. Let's keep the site moving along, as it is already coming around nicely, and as always...."let's have some fun!" We appreciate all of your help.

Chris

Chris

[Mbella]

Chris and I spoke about this at length. Like Chris said, we couldn't arrive at a solution that we felt good about, other than not having the titles at all.

In my opinion, a title on a message board, should be based on site activity as well as quality of posts.

Site activity is objective. If you have x amount of posts, in x amount of time, it's a no brainer.

The grey area is quality of posts. How does one determine post quality? Sure, if a member posts "nice job", we could regard that as a low quality post. On the contrary, if a member posts a well thought out post that addresses design, difficulty of installation, etc. we could regard that as a quality post.

However, do we want to discourage a member from posting "nice job?" Hell, half of my posts will probably be "nice job." Let's face it folks, we are all busy. Sometimes, we want to acknowledge a job that appears to be well done, but don't have the time to post more than "nice job."

The problem with grading post quality is three-fold in my opinion: Firstly, it's subjective. Secondly, who determines the quality? Thirdly, our main goal here is to share information. We do not want to inhibit members from posting due to fear that their post will be determined to be of low quality.

In my opinion, the most advantageous benefit to attaching titles is to indicate to a newer member the experience level of a member from whom they are receiving advice. However, already in its infancy, this site has numerous members whom, in my opinion, won't allow BS posts to slide. In other words, If a member posts bad info., it will be picked up on by another member and challenged before a "newbie" takes it as gospel and experiences problems as a result.

[cgland]

"nice job" :)

[NewHorizon's Land]

Instead of titles why not do years in business? As a new member you could tell if someone has been around long.

[Mbella]

Instead of titles why not do years in business? As a new member you could tell if someone has been around long.

Couldn't hurt, but just because somebody has been in business for say ten years, it doesn't mean they are doing things correctly.

[Colonial]

Honestly to me titles dont matter one way or another. I think as more of us post and show our work, and share our respones/posts, that those of us that troll these forums will know who knows what there doing and who does not. Thats the reason i stopped posting on the other forum for over a year. I would go there look around at some great work by some of you here and then bang my head over the guy who thinks he knows it all critiqueing things like he knows what he is doing, and then you see a picture of his job and it looks like a blind man/woman built it. I do understand that its good to give recoginition where it is due, but in my opinion some of that goes along with the mow guys listing the 18 lawn mowers and trailers they have.

Again this is my opinion:)

PS: I have learned some interesting things already on this site that I am eager to use, and its only been a week.

[cgland]

Thanks Colonial! We appreciate everyones input on this site. IMO, there is nothing else like it on the web (despite what some other forums may think), and I think that by offering a forum based SOLELY on hardscaping is a great thing that everyone can benefit from.

Chris

[mrusk]

I wouldn't waste to much more time talking about titles. Its no big deal.

[cgland]

I wouldn't waste to much more time talking about titles. Its no big deal.
Agreed!

Chris